Residents press Mendocino County for Little River Airport Road fixes; volunteers gather 900 signatures

Residents from Little River and nearby neighborhoods urged the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on May 20 to prioritize repairs to Little River Airport Road and other rural roads.

Citizens to Repair Little River Airport Road representatives Kevin Radley and Vicky Wittegardner presented petitions with more than 900 signatures and described hazards to emergency responders and daily users. Radley said the signatures included people from multiple supervisor districts and recounted stories of hazardous conditions. Wittegardner told the board the petition reflects concerns beyond a single neighborhood and argued that poor roads are a public‑safety and evacuation risk.

Supervisor Williams acknowledged the public pleas but said countywide funding is limited. He and other supervisors suggested the matter be taken up with the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG), which handles regional transportation planning and local tax discussions. Supervisor Cline noted MCOG is surveying residents about roadway funding tolerance and encouraged petitioners to participate.

Resident comments also cited fear by elderly residents of ambulance rides caused by potholes and urged board members to inspect the road in person. Supervisors said they would consider follow‑up briefings with the Department of Transportation and seek opportunities to bring the issue to MCOG, but said the county lacks the local tax base of most incorporated jurisdictions to sustain all road needs.

The petitions and public comments were entered as part of public expression; no formal motion followed the public comment period on this item.