Mesa del residents air concerns to Payson council

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By Jim Keyworth
Gazette Blog Editor

About 25 residents of Mesa del Caballo shared their views on the potential location of the Blue Ridge/C.C. Cragin Water Treatment Plant adjacent to their community at a work-study session of the Payson Town Council Tuesday (March 1) afternoon.

Payson Mayor Kenny Evans has also agreed to meet with Mesa del residents Friday afternoon to walk the site and explain its features.

Most residents in attendance at the work-study voiced oppostion to the location and support for a nearby location across Houston Mesa Road close to Shoofly Ruins that is already cleared.

Evans pointed out that he co-exists with a Payson water tank near his home in Rim View Heights.  He noted that the town wants to locate the plant near Mesa del to provide that community with a reliable water source.

Payson water guru Buzz Walker was also in attendance, emphasizing the non-intrusive nature of the 27-foot high, 6,000-square-foot facility.  It will be 200 feet from the property lines of those Mesa del residents who live on the community's eastern boundary.

Payson Councilor Michael Hughes said the loss in property values caused by the plant's location will be more than compensated for by the increased values that will come with a reliable water source.  Mesa del is the Rim Country's poster child for water shortages, surpassing even Pine.  The community, serviced by Brooke Utilities, is currently at Stage 3 and has spent considerable time this winter at Stage 4.

Still to be resolved: which entity is behind the push for the Mesa del plant site.  The town says it's the Forest Service, while the Forest Service says it's the town.

Houston Mesa FD names Mark Essary new chief

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The Houston Mesa Fire District, which serves the communities of Mesa del Caballo, Wonder Valley and Freedom Acres, has named Mark Essary fire chief replacing Chuck Jacobs effective March 1.

Essary recently retired from the City of Chandler Fire Department after 32 years of service. He also spent 6 years at Whispering Pines Fire Department as chief. Essary is a paramedic since 1988, Certified Fire Fighter I II & III, ICS, toxicology medic and instructor/evaluator for the state of Arizona.

"He brings to our district a wealth of experience, impressive credentials and many successful achievements," HMFD Chairperson Lori Webster said. "While serving at Whispering Pine Fire Department, Mark grew that department from serving one community to six, secured grant funding, and, along with ambitious volunteers, grew the department into a full service fire department that now has the pride and respect of the areas they serve.

"Mark has plans for HMFD, he will work to increase our community involvement, build stronger relationships with our neighboring departments and secure grant funding we desperately need to expand our services.

"HMFD was very fortunate to have had three applicants apply for the chiefs position, all of whom are very qualified to assume the role as chief. The Governing board would like to thank Payson Fire Chief Marty de Masi for participating in our final interview process. His experience and knowledge was invaluable.

Jacobs recently resigned from his second stint as HMFD chief.  He was also Payson Fire Chief and has worked for Hellsgate Fire Department.

The Houston Mesa Fire District also announced the appointment of two new fire board members, Dick Sizemore and Jeanne Schoonover. Both are long time residents of Mesa Del Caballo.

'You'll feel like you're going to die' - Guru Ray

IN TODAY'S REPUBLIC

Great reading in today's (March 2) Arizona Republic.  Pick up your copy or click here: azcentral.com

o "In the first day of the trial of celebrity self-help coach James Arthur Ray, prosecutors used his own voice to try to paint him as responsible for the deaths of three participants in a sweat lodge ceremony at a Sedona-area resort."

o Will you get your Social Security check if the government shuts down?  An in-depth front page story reports a two-week funding extension and explains the likely repercussions if a final budget deal isn't consummated.

o Columnist Laurie Roberts updates the bizarre case of Senate Majority Leader Scott Bundgaard using a "get-out-of-jail-free card" while his girlfriend ends up in the hoosegow.  She writes: "The thing is, domestic violence should never be a private matter.  Men who beat up on women and women who beat up on men should never be given that sort of cover if, in fact, that's what happened here."

o And then there's the Bashas' and Safeway grocery fliers in today's paper, just like in the newspaper with the local police and court reports and a front page revelation that Sawmill Crossing used to be (gasp) a sawmill.

Best of all the Republic publishes every morning, seven days a week.  To get your copy delivered to your home call toll free 1-800-332-6733.

BLM hosts Archaeology/Heritage month events

Phoenix, Ariz. - To celebrate Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month (AAHAM) and the yearlong Arizona Centennial commemoration, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will host several tours and events throughout March.

March 5 Driving and Walking Tour: Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camps
Tour begins at Safford Field Office, 711 14th Avenue in Safford
Contact the BLM Safford Field Office at 928-348-4466 for more information.

March 5 Petroglyph Hike: The Badger Springs Petroglyph Site
Agua Fria National Monument north of Phoenix
Contact the Monument at 623-580-5500 for more information.

March 5 & 19 Hikes: Rock Art Site Tours
Tour meets at the Kingman Field Office, 2755 Mission Road in Kingman
Contact the BLM Kingman Field Office at 928-718-3700 for more information.

March 19 Historic Hike: Tesky Homesite
Tour meets at Cordes Lake Park north of Phoenix
Contact the Agua Fria National Monument at 623-580-5500 for more information.

March 19 Tour: Historic Empire Ranch
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area near Sonoita
Contact the BLM Tucson Field Office at 520-258-7200 for more information.

Every Tuesday Guided Tours: Historic Swansea Mining Townsite
in March Swansea, south of Parker
Contact the BLM Lake Havasu Field Office at 928-505-1200 for more information.

All of these tours are free, but some have a limited capacity and may require advance registration. Details of AAHAM events are online at http://www.pr.state.az.us/find/arch_calendar.html.

From 10,000-year-old archaeological sites to 100-year-old ghost towns, Arizona’s public lands offer visitors a glimpse into Arizona’s intriguing past. BLM Arizona manages some of Arizona's best-preserved prehistoric and historic sites, which include historic ranches and schoolhouses, Ice Age mammoth kill sites, prehistoric villages and pueblos, remnants of a Spanish military fort, two National Historic Trails, and numerous rock art sites.

“These tours are a perfect way for the BLM to kick off Arizona’s Centennial celebration,” said Arizona State Director Jim Kenna. “The Centennial, as well as the Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month, give us a great opportunity to showcase the cultural treasures that the BLM is protecting for future generations to see and enjoy.”

Heritage Stewardship is one of BLM’s four main focus areas in what are called the Arizona Strategies. Conservation and protection of heritage resources, community stewardship, youth education and involvement, and tribal communications are key components of the plan.

“We are protecting and preserving these cultural resources so that everyone that visits them can learn something about Arizona’s past,” added Kenna. “I encourage families to explore Arizona’s public lands and America’s Great Outdoors by participating in one of our upcoming events.”

The BLM manages more land - 245 million surface acres - than any other Federal agency. Most of this public land is located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the public lands.

CUISINES FROM: GREECE, ITALY, ASIA, MEXICO,

plus all of their desserts

TANTALIZE YOUR TASTE BUDS AT THIS YEAR’S

'TASTE OF CULTURE' CHEF EVENT

Wednesday, March 2nd at RCMS Cafeteria

6-7:30 p.m.

Adults-$14 for all you can eat

Children 6 years and under-$7

"Support Payson High Culinary Arts Students in their showcase of culinary skills"

AZ Senate passes bill making GCC independent

Dear Gazette Blog Readers:

Congrats to all !

I just received word from Senator (Syliva) Allen that Senate Bill 1213, which would allow Gila Community College (GCC) to become independent, passed the full Senate this evening (March 1).

Thanks to you and your e-mail contacts, we did it. Now, within a day or two, it will be shipped over to the House so we can do the same thing all over again.

We have Senator Allen to thank for taking this challenge on and winning.

Thanks to all.

Tom Loeffler
GCC Board Member

Did Wisconsin conceive a Middle Class revolution?

PERSPECTIVE: 

MOVE OVER TEA PARTY

THERE'S A NEW KID 
ON THE STREET CORNER

Wow. Just wow. Yesterday, 50,000 people took to the streets of every single capital in America to stand with Wisconsin and demand an end to the attacks on workers and to the cuts to vital services. We're done watching the middle class get squeezed while the rich refuse to pay their fair share.

Move On