BROOKINGS, Ore.-Curry County denies requests from residents on Sundown Drive to maintain the road so it does not continue to slide down the hill.
After the road slid last Tuesday, residents sent a letter to the county requesting the county take over maintanance of Sundown Drive.
The County wrote back, stating maintenance of this road is not its responsibility.
Residents are now drafting a response in an attempt to prove that it is up to the County to fix the road.
Jack McMahey lives on the road and says he and his neighbors "have never incurred a major catastrophe or washout of the nature that [they] have recently, which in effect is going to take a significant amount of money to correct."
Residents decided the road is no longer safe, so they put up signs and closed it down themselves.
The road provides direct access to Highway 101 for the neighborhood.
Now the only way in and out for residents, the public and emergency vehicles--the pothole-filled, narrow upper part of Sundown Road.
McMahey says since the road was accepted as a public road by Curry County in 1975, "Sundown Drive has been maintained generally by the people up [there] successfully so, but this is an emergency beyond the scope of the capabilities of the community.
McMahey is not sure where the funds for this task will come from.
He imagines the county may not have funds set aside for this job, and thus, the money may need to come from an "emergency fund."
McMahey says what he does know, is "that [they] do pay property taxes and taxes of that nature go to maintenance of county roads."
McMahey says right now, the main concerns of his community are safe access to the road once again and "the danger of this area slipping out even more and cascading down the hill."
He adds, "Its got to be fixed and soon."
Related Stories
- National News
- International News
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
We Know Why You're Awake
We Know Why You're Awake. We can help.
Closings & Delays
Check here for closures and delays.
Community Calendar
Looking for something to do? Check the events calendar.
Gas Prices
Gas prices are on everybody's mind. So News10 is working with Gas Buddy to help you find the cheapest gas in the area.
Word of the Day
The Wild Rogue Pro Rodeo is sponsoring our "Word of the Day" contest. Click image to see details!
2013 Last Band Standing
Enter this years Last Band Standing! Click to enter online and find out about the contest.
No Text Zone
Help make our roads safe and you could win prizes! Read the official rules here!
KTVL Top Stories
Newsmax Headlines
Business News
Consumer Info
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"DANCING WITH THE STARS"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Zendaya or Kellie Pickler will be winning the mirrorball trophy.
Get This
GW-GYM FLOOR
WASHINGTON (AP) -- George Washington University students will soon be walking all over the White House and the Capitol, too.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: iPHONE RECOVERED AFTER THEFT IN OREGON
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- A smartphone, plus a not-so-smart criminal -- equals an arrest in Oregon.

