Watch your step – snakes are back out

YFD says snake removal calls are coming in

FYI, readers – it’s officially rattlesnake season in Yuma County.

The Yuma Fire Department recently reported that the agency is starting to receive calls for snake removals, and offered some good-to-know information about the critters.

Experts note that rattlesnakes tend to be most active from April to October, although all it really takes are warmer temperatures to entice the snakes to leave their dens.

Rattlesnakes are venomous, and we share Yuma County with them, so it’s important to have a bit of knowledge on how to avoid them — and how to deal with them should you cross paths.

YFD reports annually, nearly 8,000 people are estimated to be bitten by venomous snakes, resulting in 8-15 deaths.

Arizona itself is home to 17 different species or subspecies of venomous rattlesnakes, YFD

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reports.

So what should one do to avoid one of these rattlesnakes?

If you are outdoors, be careful where you put your hands and feet. Avoid crevices in rocks, woodpiles, and deep grass, which are prime snake spots. And if you are out after dark, always wear boots and carry a flashlight, because when it’s really hot out, snakes are most active at night.

In fact, YFD recommends installing outdoor lighting for yards, porches and sidewalks, so you can see what’s going on a little better.

YFD notes if you see a rattlesnake in your yard, odds are, he’s just passing through. The best bet is to leave wildlife alone, especially snakes. The Arizona Poison Control and Drug Information Center notes that 50 to 70 percent of the reptile bites managed by the agency were provoked by the person who was bitten — as in, said victim was “trying to kill, capture or harass the animal,” YFD reports.

But if you are concerned about a snake slithering about your property, contact a professional — do not attempt to remove any rattlesnakes yourself.

Arizonans are growing increasingly concerned about “Trumpcare” and for good reason. It is a really bad deal for people across our state, and it is especially bad for those of us living in Yuma. It’s going to cost most of us here a lot. With President Trump’s American Health Care Act, Yuma residents would lose about $7,815 every year in health care costs.

Based on statistics from the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator, the typical subsidy amount Yuma residents receive through the Affordable Care Act is $12,815. Under the American Health Care Act, which determines tax credits based on age, Yuma residents would receive only $5,000 in credits. This difference is the highest among 457 cities across the United States. Out of more than 400 cities across the country, Yuma will face the most significant financial costs if Trump’s American Health Care Act becomes law.

We’ve fought too hard to lose ground on the issue of health care. If this bill passes, as many as 24 million Americans could lose insurance coverage, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. It is also estimated that the current version of the bill would cause a $663.3 million budget shortfall in our state. It would also cause 413,000 Arizonans to lose Medicaid coverage, which they gained because of the Affordable Care Act. The financial effects the ACA repeal would have on our county would make it harder for us to enjoy quality medical care and a quality way of life.

Here in Yuma, we pride ourselves on our hard work, heritage, and community values. We know that every resident in Yuma deserves quality health care. We cannot accept a program that does more harm than good. I’ve lived in Yuma all my life, and now my grandkids are growing up here. They deserve a better deal than the one Congress and the president were offering.

The ACA repeal effort has hit a major hurdle in the U.S. House of Representatives, but we have to stay vigilant because this issue could come back at any time. I’ll stand with you as we continue to urge legislators in Washington, D.C. to protect our care.

A recent article outlining the intent of the Yuma City Council to reduce the property tax rate prompts me to offer an alternative plan. Instead of reducing the tax rate, use the revenue from the current rate to repair roads and public infrastructure and to support our fire and police departments. The improvement in property values are not a reflection of the actions or property improvements of individual property owners as much as they reflect the perceived value of life in this community. To continue improving property values, investments in our roads and public service will provide a far better return to the citizens of Yuma than the money they save by a reduction in property tax rates.