GOLDEN VALLEY, Ariz. – Wednesday, August 26, marked the third community meeting of residents meeting with Mohave County Supervisor Don Martin, Dist. 4, and another official or director from Mohave County. This week Martin’s guest was Mohave County Assessor Jeanne Kentch.
It was 114 degrees outside according. Inside wasn’t much cooler with a swamp cooler and a few fans, but approximately 25 Golden Valley residents braved the heat to attend the meeting.
Kentch spoke on deed fraud, short term rentals and tax exemption for veterans, widows and widowers. Property owners were encouraged to enroll in the Address Protection Program by either stopping by the assessor office in Kingman, Bullhead City or Lake Havasu or by visiting the assessor website and going to the program enrollment tab. Kentch also spoke about short-term rentals now being classified as commercial properties.
Then, it was Supervisor Martin’s turn.
The audience didn’t let him speak long before asking about things that really concerned them, roads being their primary concern.
A Golden Valley resident, Mr. O’Neil, told Martin their roads were a disgrace and that the road department was a disgrace. Others complained about the roads near their homes.
Martin explained that if their property was on a right-of-way, it was not maintained by the county. He also told them if not maintained, they could pay someone to bring them up to county standards, then the county would maintain them.
When meeting organizer Lund asked how many had problems with the roads, more than half the audience raised their hands. The subject then changed to a new Verizon cell phone tower going in an A-R residential zone.
Meeting organizer Kathy Joye said, “Verizon has 10 towers here already. Why do they need another one? Can you work on moving that tower? Put it in an industrial zone.”
She said it was also near a high voltage transmission line, and they don’t want it in a residential zone.
Martin said he represents 7,000 residents in Golden Valley, not just the few in the room.
“You’re our gate keeper, Don,” yelled one.
More yelling ensued; some walked out.
The meeting rules which were stated on the agenda were all broken and no one controlled the atmosphere of the meeting. The rules stated: no pets, no children, no yelling or disruptive behavior.
One man came with a German Shepherd, one couple came with a child, and several yelled at Martin, including one of the organizers. Many groups started their own conversations with neighbors, making it difficult for others trying to listen.
However, one man in the audience stood up for Martin and his meeting with the residents.
“I respect you for coming out here to represent us, to hear what we got to say, and I came out here to thank you.”
Then he told the audience that Martin “deserved a hand for having the guts to do it.” They applauded.
“I think you’re doing a hellava job just coming out here and listening to people yell at you…”
“I’m dedicated to this job,” Martin replied. “I live for this. This is what government is supposed to be.”
