Desert Messenger

November 4, 2015 www.DesertMessenger.com 3 La Paz Co. seeks funding for AZ Peace Trail development Nobody Does It Better! ...Makes us feel sad for the rest!! We couldn't resist : ) ��������������������������������������������������������� We're here for you: 1-800-560-8061� 41 W Main St., Quartzsite, AZ "We're looking forward to meeting you and getting you safely on the road again!" Jeff and Nonda Why Choose Us? ������������������������������������WE DO IT ALL! ��WE'RE HERE������������������������������������ ������������������YEARS�������������������� ������������HIGHEST ������������������������ �������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������! FREE PIZZA CERTIFICATE! for Silly Al's Pizza ������������������ ������������������ natural gas SAFETY Natural gas lines can be buried anywhere. So it's important to know how to recognize and respond to a natural gas leak...no matter where you are. A leak may be present if you: SMELL: An odor similar to rotten eggs, even if it's faint or momentary. HEAR: A hissing or roaring sound coming from the ground, above-ground piping, or gas appliance. SEE: Dirt or water blowing into the air, unexplained dead or dying grass or vegetation, or standing water continuously bubbling. For more information about natural gas safety, visit swgas.com/safety or call 1-877-860-6020. lf you suspect a leak: � Leave the area immediately. � From a safe place, call 911 and Southwest Gas at 1-877-860-6020, day or night, whether you're a customer or not. A Southwest Gas representative will be there as soon as possible. � Don't smoke or use matches or lighters. � Don't turn on or off any electrical switches, thermostats, or appliance controls; or do anything that could cause a spark. � Don't start or stop an engine, or use automated doors. wherever you are By Holly Irwin ~ La Paz County Board of Supervisors District 3 Over the past year, members from different OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) groups have come together to help give input in forming the "Arizona Peace Trail." This is a trail loop system that covers over 700 miles and covers through 3 Counties- La Paz, Mohave and Yuma. The trail system is designed for the OHV enthusiast, whether you ride a street legal "side-by-side, quad or enjoy jeeping" along with the vision of creating revenue for the local busi- nesses along the trail. This has been a very exciting project to have been a participant from its in- ception. J.C. Sanders (Arizona Ghost Riders) has taken the lead amongst the OHV groups and has met with many different agencies and government leaders to outline where the Arizona Peace Trail is on paper. This project has started to gain quite a bit of steam and it is really exciting to see OHV users no matter what age in- quiring about the Trail. For those who would like to receive more information on the Arizona Peace Trail you can do so by way of Facebook or go to the website at; www.arizonapeacetrail.com. La Paz County has aggressively pur- sued two sources of funding for the de- velopment of the Trail. The main ques- tions have been asking how we identify where the trail is located. So I took it upon myself to start seeking different funding sources so the County could pay for signage and a staging area. The County first applied for a grant from Yamaha and was awarded $ 4,980.96 at the end of September. The County ordered 100 signs and 20 each left and right arrows. We hope to have these signs delivered any day now. I am hoping to have one by the Arizona Peace Trail Committee meeting on No- vember 11th. Arizona State Parks was the second grant I proposed the County pursue for funding. I attended the Off High- way Vehicle Advisory Board meeting where our project was heard and then voted on. This board consist of mem- bers who are part of OHV groups that represent different areas in Arizona. I must say they were all very excited to hear about this project. The fund- ing that was awarded unanimously was in the amount of $74,414.00; the total project amount is $ 90,000. The matching funds will be from "in-kind" services from the County. Which means no funds will be spent from the General Fund. These monies will help with the development of a staging area, rest- rooms, picnic tables, trash receptacles, kiosk, Ramada's, signage and trail re- pair down in the Cibola area. I am really excited for the continued development of this project and I will keep everyone posted as the County continues to search for additional funds to help develop more staging areas and additional signs. This has taken a lot of hard work and dedication from our OHV groups that are from La Paz, Yuma and Mohave. Hundreds of hours, and miles of trails have been ridden by those who have put "boots on the ground" to make this hap- pen! I thank you all and I cannot begin to say what a privilege it has been to work with this group. For those who would like to attend the Arizona Peace Trail Committee meet- ings they are monthly, and first one of this fall will be November 11th at 10:00 a.m. location will be at the La Paz County Park Pavilion 7350 River- side Drive in Parker, Arizona.

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