Ajo Improvement Co - Ajo, Arizona

Starstone Editorial

I appreciate the work that Ajo Improvement Co. does. But I do have a complaint. Recently new LED lighting was installed in Palo Verde Ave in the lightposts that formerly had lower intensity, environmentally sound lighting. The lold lights had pinkish yellow cast that was easier on the eyes and didn't intrude on night sky views nor make residents need special blinds and curtains at night.

I live near the lampost at the corner of W. Palo Verde & Sahuaro St. The new LED light there is completely unnecessary because of the nighttime security lighting always present at the state water facility right next to this lamppost. We also get ambient light from the businesses on the highway at this location.

The new lights aren't fully horizontal. They have a slight tilt which causes them to disperse light in a way that violates state and county dark skies codes. The lights are all on the SW didebof the street, and because of this slight tilt, it makes them shine mot only on the ground but at the homes on the M side of the street, facing south.

The light on the intersection of Cedar St. and Palo Verde is also onnoxious and shines right inti the eyes of motorists and pedestrians.

This community has always valued nature and the starry night skies. The new lights have unfortunately ruined the summer views of the Milky Way for many residents on W. Palo Verde, and will continue to irritate people throughout the year. I happen to have two bedroom windows that the light on PV and Sahauro St is now shining into. There wasn't a problem with the older, softer lighting.

Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.

(note - as of 8/15/23, I have spoken with AIC twice but the issue is still unresolved, as far as I know. I was told the issue would be looked at but no one has called me back and my yard and front of my house is still brightly lit at night, etc.)

Peter Jorris

Purchased a house in the Historic District of Ajo and haven't been able to switch the utilities (been trying for over two weeks). No one in the office and no one answers the phone. Awful service. I'll be speaking with the Board of Directors to file my complaint.

Cathy

They routinely give notices throughout town that they are shutting power off for "maintenance" yet change the schedule without any form of communication. Offices are only open for a limited time (with some of the worst customer service, the woman at the window is always irritable), and won't take Credit Cards for bills, so making payments is a hassle. This company also tried to increase the town's rate by 600%. If you are going to rent, check to see what power company you have to go through, if it's AIC, run as fast as you can.

Lorenzo Morales

Unfortunately it's the only show in town for townsite residents. If you not on the townsite, then you deal with APS - high rates, and Az Water Company who buys the water and sells it back to customers at almost double the price.

MrSonoranbird

The Company that owns Ajo Improvement, Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold claims that the replacement of the towns water and sewage systems cost them nearly $50,000,000 and that that is the reason for the astronomical rate hikes. But, during the time of these upgrades gold had risen to never before seen highs and they were making obscene profits. A look at their books and one would of course see that the 50 million was a tax write off. So, their bread is now buttered on both sides. Its called corporate welfare.

S James

I appreciate whatever you have done to improve our service. The latest rain storms have not caused long power outages. The power comes back on in minutes. And the one time it was off for hours we were notified beforehand. For us elderly ones this is a treasure.

Muffet Rowe

Rates are going up so fast

raymundo villarreal

This company is a joke. They have the worst customer service ever. If you called them they don’t even answer and you won’t be able to speak with a human being. Also they don’t even have a website. I cannot even believe that this company is still operating.