As we celebrated the Fourth of July (Independence Day), I trust everyone within District II took the opportunity to enjoy your families by the many gatherings throughout our area.

Mariposa County Public Works Road Division - This year has been very unusual on scheduling our annual maintenance on our county roads. We always have more projects on the books than we can get to. Fortunately, Mariposa County has received funding, both federal and state, for improvements on our paved roads.

Countywide, our road maintenance crews have been very busy prepping those roads for improvements, including pulling ditches, and removing and paving failed areas prior to new paving or chip sealing. What has happened is that we have not been able to get to those annual maintenance projects that the public expects and requests.

Mariposa County has been fortunate to bring on board Mr. Allen Toschi as our Public Works Director. Mr. Toschi knows our area, and I have great confidence that, in time, those needed projects will be accomplished. Without going into great detail, when it comes to our road system within our county, when unacceptable road conditions are brought to our attention, they will be addressed in the future.

* * * * * *

Dates Flat OHV staging area and trails - Bureau of Land Management has closed the Tim Brush Fuel Brake Riding Area due to extreme fire danger. The U.S. Forest Service has not as yet published the adopted Motorized Route Management Plan map.

Mariposa County is represented by five county supervisors, so when requests come before the board, I represent 1/5 of Mariposa County. On most occasions, after good discussion, we, as the board, make decisions that benefit the whole of Mariposa County. The Board of Supervisors must remember that. When I need your help on issues, I will be calling upon our community to come before the board to help them understand the importance of the issues they are considering. The majority of those decisions have something to do with money and District II is on the hook for 1/5 of that.

Remember that Monday, August 9, at 7 pm, the Coulterville Town Planning Advisory Board will be having a meeting at the Community Center. Watch for posters and the agenda.

Enjoy your summer and please stay safe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me at the office, 800-736-1252 or 966-3222, at home, 878-3308, or lturpin@mariposacounty.org.