Greer Coalition held its Annual Meeting on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at the Butterfly Museum Pavilion in Greer. Approximately 50 members of the Greer community attended.
The meeting kicked of with a review of the overall mission of GCI and a summary of the group’s main activities of the past year including:
· GCI has been working actively with Apache County officials regarding complete implementation of the Greer zoning ordinance, Article 6, and Greer’s land use plan. Recent work has been done to clarify zoning rules regarding RV as defined in Article 6 with particular emphasis on filing formal complaints and enforcement of the rules.
· We have also been working within our community and with County officials to seek enforcement of Article 24. Article 24 governs nightly private cabin rentals within existing residential neighborhoods. The proliferation of ‘AirBnBs’ and other rental platforms can convert areas of existing residential neighborhoods into commercial zones, contrary to our rules.
· We have been addressing the increasing fire risk in the White Mountains and the western US and the resulting impact on home insurance availability.
· We have been active with Arizona Game and Fish to improve recreational areas and the Greer fishery including the Little Colorado River and Greer Lakes. Improvements under consideration include improved access to the Little Colorado River, improved foot and boat access to the Greer lakes, reviewing lake water drawdown schedules and a number of other recreational functions.
The meeting then moved on to presentations from several guest speakers:
· Dustie Aylor and Travis Thompson, Forest Rangers with Apache Sitgreaves National Forest, made a detailed presentation of the many initiatives Forest service officials are busy with in Apache Sitgreaves Forest.
They particularly focused on:
1. Efforts to protect the Greer area from future fires, including plans for prescribed burns and forest thinning.
2. Efforts to complete a policy governing off-road motorized vehicular traffic in forest areas.
3. Efforts to re-form an area working group of Forest Service and Arizona Game and Fish officials with members of the Greer community to collaborate on plans for trail management as well as initiatives to manage area recreational land uses and the fishery.
4. A question was posed to Dustie about the Russian Thistle infestations occurring in Greer forest areas and she reported on the Forest service approach to such invasive species spread.
· The next speaker was Tyler Schraufnagel, an independent insurance agent with experience helping property owners in Greer and throughout the White Mountains with homeowner’s coverage.
1. Coverage availability is becoming more challenging because of area fire risk and increased risk assessment by the insurance industry in forested areas. He advised that if you currently have insurance in Greer, keep it even if premiums are increasing. Searching for new insurance gets you on industry radar. Consider paying out of pocket for modest claims. You will be less likely to get cancelled. You can also raise your deductible to lower your premiums.
· 2. Ty is willing to help the GCI and individual neighbors with questions about insurance coverage as this situation evolves. Tyler can be reached at: Ty Schraufnagel Insurance Agency; www.tyschraufnagel.com; 928-985-7100.
· Fire Captain Jacob Orona spoke next about specific ways homeowners can engage with prevention resources available from the Greer Fire Department including property inspections and advice.
1. Captain Orona offered that homeowners that wished a property inspection to make recommendations to improve compliance fire wise standards could call to set up a meeting on their property.
2. He also advised that in case of an emergency, call 911, not the fire station because sometimes they are already out on a call.
After the presentations, member engagement was high, many questions were asked and we had some new faces join us! A friendly and informal discussion of issues of concern in Greer followed, along with light snacks and refreshments. A big thanks to our speakers and to all who attended!
Please consider getting involved with Greer Coalition!
We need your skills and input.
If you don’t have time, please consider making a donation.
We need your support. Thank you!
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