Help preserve the roads we have

This will be of major concern to all the residents who live on the 4.2 miles of unpaved roads in Topaz Ranch Estates; don't count on them being paved anytime soon. According to TRE Chairman Lee Van Burnt, when the initial bid for $51,000 to do the road repairs and paving came in, it was within the realm of possibilities to get the work done. With the skyrocketing costs of oil and contractor costs, the current bid raised the bar by a third more to $75,000 and out of financial reach of TREGID capabilities.

Repairs to the road edges of the main arteries of Albite Road, Topaz Ranch Road and Granite have provided a temporary Band-Aid to their deterioration but the verdict is in on Granite. The stretch between Albite and Topaz Ranch roads is beyond patch and repair and will need to be totally torn up and resurfaced.

One of the things that can be done to reduce some of our road deterioration has to do with people on quads and dirt bikes riding on the edge of the pavement. If you need to use the paved roads to reach back-road destinations, ride fully on the pavement or totally off the pavement in the dirt. Riding on the edge between pavement and the dirt only breaks up the pavement, slowly chipping it away.

n There is another rumor in the mill coming from TREGID, that of another rate increase to be sought after. If approved, the one to two percent increase will be the second increase in less than a year. The increase falls under the cap of cost-of-living increases.

All three open positions on the TREGID have been filled with the latest position filled by Karen Beckerbauer who will be replacing Matt Torely.

All interested residents in the concerns of the roads or pending rate increases are invited to the next TREGID meeting, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Topaz Ranch Estates Community Center. This is your chance to express your concerns on these subjects and more.

n Of other interest, last weekend a large group of committed volunteers and professionals came together at the TRE Community Center to provide the public with useful information about procedures to follow in case of an emergency or disaster situation. These dedicated people gave of their time on a Saturday to help the community. The unfortunate fact is that just a few in the community seemed to care as very few attended the event. Interestingly enough, Antelope Valley volunteers and officials provided the same type of event for residents in the Mono County communities with similar results and very low attendance. It seems such a shame to miss such a great opportunity when so many work so hard to help their communities.

n There is going to be a few great events happening in our area in the up-coming weeks. Remember that Relay For Life will be this weekend and Topaz Lake Volunteer Fire Department needs your support for this event. Any and all donations will be welcomed.

n The 39th Annual Topaz Lake Volunteer Fire Department Barbecue Fundraiser is noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Topaz Lake fire station, 1990 Austin St. at Topaz Lake.

n Then it will be time for the Topaz Lodge Show and Shine, presented by the lodge and the Valley Cruisers, Sept. 16. This all-day event will be fun for the entire family with great food, raffle drawings, a bounce house for the kiddies and of course restored classic cars from 1928 to 1972. All proceeds from the event will be donated to local charities.

n Sign-ups are still available for Got Golf which will be Sept. 23 at the Carson Valley Golf Club and followed by a great barbecue and party afterwards at Topaz Joe's Grill and Bar. See Guy at the bar for more information and to sign up for the event.

n Another great event, just a short distance and a beautiful fall-color ride up Highway 89 over Monitor Pass to Markleeville, is Oct. 7-8 for the Markleeville Artists Autumn Open Studio Tour. Watch The Record-Courier for more information about this tour and many more great art events happening during the month of October in Douglas County.

Until next week ... keep on, keepin' on!

n Jonni Hill can be reached through The Record-Courier at jhill@recordcourier.com or by calling 782-5121, ext. 213, or after hours at JHILL47@aol.com