KINGMAN, Ariz. – Not one item on the Mohave County Board of Supervisors meeting was more concerning Monday than the proposed 150-spot, high-end RV resort just off I-40 near Blake Ranch Road.
Due to heavy opposition from local residents in the Hualapai Valley area east of Kingman, rezoning for the proposed project failed to pass.
At least a dozen residents who lived near the proposed 122-acre development project opposed it, citing water as their primary concern.
“We have one RV park,” John Culp told the Board of Supervisors, “we don’t need another one. We don’t have the water resources for it.”
“We have over 170 signatures that said ‘we don’t want it,'” said Rick Myers, who lives next to the proposed rezoning site.
John Latoski told the supervisors, “You have a fiduciary duty to the people who elected you. We’re regularly out of water in that area. There’s not enough water for an RV park. You put this park in there with 150 RVs will make it worse. Please don’t do this to us. Please help us.”
Richard Spears said, “I’m a registered voter. If there’s a fire, 200 people will need to get down Dubois to Blake Road.”
Phyllis Spears told the board, “We matter. We ask for your help to save our community. Please do not allow for this to happen.”
Public Works Director Steve Latoski and Supervisor Chair Lingenfelter agreed that area would need significant traffic improvements because of all the semi-trucks who sleep behind Petro.
After everyone from the Hualapai Valley area had finished telling the supervisors their concerns, Sup. Don Martin, District 4, said, “The deciding factor for me is the water. If you don’t have water, you’ve got nothing. I know those who have gone to Petro and told to come back because they have no water. That is not a good water source. I will not support that project.” The crowd gave a thunderous round of applause and the board voted.
Rezoning failed. There was another round of applause and a few loud cheers.
Lingenfelter had to ask the crowd to exit the room quietly as the meeting continued.
Karina Sumner, Interim Elections Director for Mohave County, said she was there to get approval to open the Mezzanine in the building on election nights for the press or anyone who wants to watch them tabulate votes. She said attendees would have access to vending machines and restrooms, and a Sheriff’s deputy would be there to make sure people do not roam the building.
Supervisor Ron Gould, District 5, said he wants two deputies there for safety reasons.
Item was approved.
Sumner and Lydia Henry, Mohave County Recorder, explained the Primary Election vote-counting process, both for votes the day of and returned ballots, to be as transparent as possible.
Henry reminded voters that the last day to register to vote in the November 3 election is Monday, October 5. Early voting will begin October 7.
The Sheriff’s Office was approved purchasing two flat-bottom boats to make it possible to conduct search and rescue in shallow water according to Sheriff Doug Schuster.
Connie “Ceejay” Jones
