Growth, tourists not true measure of a community

It’s time to place the focus in our community on what really matters – on what separates real communities from pretenders.

It’s not how many cowboy-related events and festivals the chamber of commerce cobbles together to pack the town on summer weekends and boost tourism. Sorry, but rodeo’s time has come and gone.

It’s not how many cookie cutter subdivisions developers can throw up to help us reach our build-out of 30-some thousand people.

It’s not how many new companies Mike Vogel can huff and puff and entice to open their doors in the Rim Country.

It’s not whether we can convince ASU to come up here and open a four-year college.

It’s not even the securing of Blue Ridge water, the oft-delayed, much-debated pipedream that makes all of the above possible.

No, it’s all about building an enhanced quality of life for the people who live here, and that isn’t measured in growth or tourist dollars no matter what the chamber of commerce would have you believe.

Quality of life is a lot of things, but one of the best measures is our commitment to and support of the arts. American journalist Lincoln Steffens put it well: “Art is like a border of flowers along the course of civilization.”

I don’t think anybody would argue that our landscape is bereft of those flowers, and that we have a long way to go to make them bloom in multi-colored splendor. But of even more concern, some recent developments suggest we might be slipping backward. Consider…

Last weekend the Payson Art League’s annual fall show was held at the casino – without all the exposure it deserved because the information was not disseminated to all the media outlets for fear of offending one newspaper.

The truly good movies often don’t play here. When you call to ask why, you’re told it’s because the community won’t support them. So instead, we get movies that appeal to the lowest common denominator – shoot-‘em-ups and trashy thrillers full of car chases.

There was a time we at least had a viable amateur theater company. Today, the only thing we have left that resembles live theater is the comedy dinner theater at Mo Joe’s -- a worthy effort, but we need more.

And this just in – an e-mail from local drummer and jazz enthusiast Gerry Reynolds asking if we are still interested in supporting the monthly jazz performances he brings to Community Presbyterian Church. Seems attendance has been flagging, leading to one of the smallest crowds ever one recent Sunday.

So instead of making strides forward in our support of the arts, momentum seems to have stalled and may even be sliding backwards. Not acceptable.

How long will tourists keep coming back if they find nothing of substance when they get here?

How do you put people in the new subdivisions of a community that is artistically barren?

Why would college students choose to live in a town that can’t even generate a live stage play?

And why would a new restaurant or business owner want to come here if there’s nothing to attract quality, upscale customers?

Folks, we are at the proverbial fork in the road here in the Rim Country. The path we choose relative to the arts will ultimately determine our quality of life – and that, not rodeos or exclusive golf courses, will lead us to economic prosperity.

If we focus on what matters, the rest will follow. New businesses will come. Tourism will grow. A four-year college will thrive.

And if we don’t, we become another Prescott Valley – without the benefit of a Prescott to provide some of what we wouldn’t do for ourselves.

We have a great little art community, including two excellent co-op art galleries on historic Main Street. We have the Tonto Community Concert Association. We need to nurture and support them.

We need to keep calling the Sawmill Theater to ask about movies we want to see and to insist that they be brought to Payson. And then we need to go see them so they will keep coming.

We need to tell Gerry Reynolds we want his jazz concerts and we appreciate how much he does to bring them to us – and then we need to turn out on Sunday afternoons to savor them.

We need a theater company. We need a high-powered radio station with an eclectic music format and a relevant talk show. We need more coffee houses. We need a wine bar. We need a vibrant, relevant Main Street.

Yes, we’re a cowboy town. Yes our heritage is important. But we don’t want to remain a cowtown mired in another century. Like a worn-out horse after a long day on the trail, the cowboy thing will only carry us so far.

We need sustenance, and not the kind we on the main dreag through town – aka fast food row. We need vision, and not the kind you get from cheap reading glasses.

As American writer and artist Elbert Hubbard said, “Art is not a thing; it is a way.”

GOP kills legislation to revoke tax cuts for rich

Senate Republicans killed legislation to extend expiring tax cuts for all except the very rich on Saturday according to the Associated Press.

President Obama is now expected to forge a compromise with the GOP. He has little choice but to let the Republicans have their way on tax cuts for those making over $250,000 a year, but will probably insist that other tax cuts be included for lower- and middle- class wage earners, even if they don't make enough to pay taxes to the government, and for college students and companies that hire the unemployed.

Democrats accused Republicans of siding with the rich and of extending the recession through their irresponsible actions. Polls show that most Americans oppose extending the tax cuts for the very rich.

Wildlife-themed gifts perfect for outdoors types

Order a subscription to Arizona Wildlife Views magazine now and you’ll receive seven issues of Arizona’s award-winning wildlife magazine (including the current issue containing the 2011 wildlife calendar) over the coming year for only $7!

The beautiful wall calendar includes the best wildlife photos from this year’s contest entries, as well as bonus materials to help you and your family plan an exciting year in the great outdoors. Plus, you’ll get six more issues of the bimonthly magazine, including next year’s calendar issue.
The calendar issue is a great way to introduce friends and family to all that Arizona’s wildlife and wild lands have to offer. If you know someone who enjoys the outdoors, consider giving Views as a gift, for the same low price!

To order Arizona Wildlife Views at this special price, call (800) 777-0015 or visit www.azgfd.gov/magazine (or go directly to the order form at https://w1.buysub.com/servlet/ConvertibleGateway?cds_mag_code=AZW). Quantities of this year’s calendar issue are limited, so please act soon!

Wildlife-themed gift ideas the whole family can enjoy
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has a variety of holiday gift ideas that are affordable, unique, and definitely more enticing to your outdoor enthusiast family members and friends than the traditional fruit cake or tie.

For starters, how about giving a subscription to Arizona Wildlife Views magazine, now available at a special low price? (See article above). Other great gift ideas include:

“Arizona Wildlife Viewing Guide” – Arizona provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the nation. More than 900 animal species and 50 million public acres of natural land are open to explore. In this guide you’ll be treated to beautiful photographs of wildlife viewing sites and the magnificent animals that you can see at some 128 unique places across the state. Readers always enjoy tips for wildlife watching, the rating system that highlights “can’t miss” locations, site descriptions and driving directions. The book can be purchased for $14.95 at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s seven statewide offices and online at the department’s website www.azgfd.gov/publications.

Arizona Lifetime Fishing and Hunting Licenses – As a lifetime license holder, you are entitled to fish and hunt in Arizona for your lifetime, even if you move out of Arizona. No more worrying about last-minute license purchases, expiration deadlines, license fee increases or residency requirements. Privileges are retained for life. License holders are still responsible for purchasing either resident or nonresident big game tags, permits or stamps as required by law. For more information, visit www.azgfd.gov/eservices/licenses.shtml and click on the lifetime license link. License fees may vary.

Sponsor-a-Turtle Program – Support Arizona’s turtle conservation by sponsoring a turtle in the name of a friend or loved one. There are several suggested contribution levels that provide support for varying types of research. All sponsors will receive a Turtles Project sponsor kit, which includes a personalized sponsorship certificate and a photo of a turtle in the chosen sponsorship level. Visit www.azgfd.gov/turtles for more information.

Donations to the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center – The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s rehabilitation center treats more than 1,000 sick and injured animals annually and provides wildlife education to local schools. For more information on making tax-deductible donations to support wildlife rehabilitation, visit www.azwildlifecenter.net or call (623) 582-9806.

Super Conservation Licenses for 2011 – These super package deals combine multiple licenses, stamps and tags to create outstanding values for avid anglers and hunters. For example, the Super Conservation Combination Hunt and Fish license includes a General Fish license, Urban Fish license, trout stamp, General Hunt license, Unit 12A (North Kaibab) Habitat stamp, state waterfowl stamp, state migratory bird stamp, nonpermit-tags for archery deer, archery turkey, bear and mountain lion. The Super Conservation Combination Hunt and Fish license is available to residents only, and may be purchased at any department office. For more information about licenses, visit www.azgfd.gov/eservices/licenses.shtml.

This holiday season give a gift that your loved ones are sure to remember. For more information visit the department’s website at www.azgfd.gov.

New study touts Phoenix-Tucson high speed rail

This U.S. Department of Transportation photo shows a high-speed rail system. An interest group is touting the merits of high-speed rail in Arizona. (U.S. Department of Transportation Photo)

By ALYSSA NEWCOMB
Cronkite News Service

PHOENIX – A high-speed rail line between Phoenix and Tucson would create jobs and relieve traffic congestion, an interest group contends.

“High-speed rail would have a pretty big and positive impact. It’s done a lot for job creation and economic development in other countries,” said Serena Unrein, a public interest advocate for the Arizona Public Interest Research Group, which released a study touting the benefits.

The group’s push comes as Arizona is considering a statewide rail plan that includes six possible routes for high-speed rail between the two cities.

The state lost out on any of an $8 billion federal investment in high-speed rail in January. But it got $500,000 – part of an additional $2.4 billion federal allocation – to further study the possibility of implementing a high-speed rail system in the state.

State Rep. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, said a high-speed rail project would bring jobs to the state at a time when they’re sorely needed.

“One of the No. 1 things we need to do right now is provide jobs and boost the economy,” Farley said.

The Arizona Department of Transportation drafted the State Rail Plan in August of this year. According to the report, every $1 billion of investment in rail would yield 20,000 new jobs.

The PIRG report cited benefits in other countries with high-speed rail: 8,000 jobs to build the Channel Tunnel between England and France, a subsequent office-building boom in Lyon, France, and reduced car traffic between Madrid and Seville in Spain.

But the benefits seen in Europe may not be realized in this country, according to one expert.

“The population density is simply not high enough to warrant that kind of investment,” said Anthony Rufolo, a professor of urban planning at Portland State University.

“Jobs are not a benefit. You could spend that money and create jobs in any way,” he said. “The real question is, what are the transportation benefits that occur and how much are people willing to pay for them?”

The Southwest Rail Corridor Coalition, a group comprised of individuals, businesses, consulting firms and government agencies contends that bringing high-speed rail to the Southwest would be worthwhile.

Jay Smyth, chair of the coalition, said he’s traveled on high-speed rail in other countries.

“It’s the only way to travel,” he said. “[For Arizonans], I think there’s a safety feature by taking the train, versus using cars on Interstate 10.”

But Rufolo said that unlike other countries, the United States is “just too sparsely populated to make high-speed rail a reasonable, cost-effective investment in any but the most densely populated corridors.”

“When you start getting into lower-density areas, there’s simply not enough demand to warrant the capital expenditures,” he said.

With a statewide population that is expected to double by 2050, Unrein with PIRG said it’s time the state look toward a sustainable future.

“This is the time to really figure out how we’re going to build America’s infrastructure moving forward,” she said.

From the report:

– German counties surrounding the towns of Limburg and Montabauer saw a 2.7 percent rise in gross domestic product as a result of increased market access provided by the Frankfurt-Cologne high-speed rail.

– The Northeast rail corridor accounts for 65 percent of the air-rail market between New York City and Washington, D.C.

– A typical Monday morning business trip from London to Paris via high-speed rail uses approximately a third less energy than a car or plane trip.

Source: Arizona PIRG, A Track Record of Success: High-Speed Rail Around the World and Its Promise for America

Hello Congress: Wake up and smell the suffering

Phoenix – With federal funding for extended unemployment insurance benefits running out earlier this week, 800,000 Americans have already lost their benefits and nearly two million Americans are expected to lose them by the end of December. In response, Organizing for America-Arizona (OFA-AZ) State Director Jessica Jones released the following statement urging Members of Congress to pass an extension:

“Although the economy is on the road to recovery, the job market remains extremely tough for millions of Americans. For many of these individuals – who lost their job through no fault of their own – unemployment insurance provides a lifeline during tough times. During the Bush Administration, Members of Congress put partisanship aside to extend these vital benefits for those Americans most in need. Unfortunately, since President Obama took office Republicans in the House and Senate have opposed, obstructed or delayed the extension of unemployment benefits and are doing so again.

“OFA volunteers across Arizona are urgently calling on Members of Congress to stop playing political games and immediately extend this important lifeline to millions of Americans who depend on them.”

Sealing Canyon history - one mine shaft at a time

Tin cans litter the landscape near a shack used by cooks to support miners before the Grandview Mine in the Grand Canyon closed in 1907. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Grant Martin)

Keith Schoeman, director of an effort to block access to old mines in an area of Grand Canyon National Park, stands next to what had been a 50-foot-deep mine shaft. The effort’s goals include keeping visitors safe, safeguarding bats that have colonized some mine shafts and preserving artifacts in the mines. (Cronkite News Service Photo by Grant Martin)

By GRANT MARTIN
Cronkite News Service

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK – Keith Schoeman leaned against the pickax he was using as a walking stick and pointed out a conspicuous hole in the side of the Grand Canyon.

“We found an old ore cart in there,” he said. “Feel bad for the mule that had to bring that thing down here.”

Four miles down the Grandview Trail and over a half-mile below the rim of the canyon, there are many such reminders of the miners that worked here for a roughly 10-year span at the turn of the 20th century. These remnants are now tougher for Grand Canyon visitors to see, however, as the National Park Service just completed a project to close off several of the mines here.

“This is primarily a safety issue,” said Deanna Greco, a spokeswoman for the park. “For example, one of the shafts was right by the trail, and was almost a 50-foot sheer vertical drop.”

That shaft, near Cottonwood Creek, was one of several in the Grandview Mine Historic District that Schoeman and his team of laborers filled with polyurethane foam and topped off with a mixture of sand and stones. An iron pulley, which they found nearby and laid on the surface of their completed project, is virtually the only clue that the shaft had ever existed.

Schoeman and his team work for RMC, a mining closure and reclamation company contracted by the park service in part because of its work on similar projects in the region.

For three nights this month, Schoeman and a team of four workers camped in tents near Horseshoe Mesa, as temperatures dipped overnight into the 20s. They were assisted in their efforts by an archaeologist and a cultural resource specialist, who ensured that the work was completed in a way that preserved aspects of the site’s heritage.

“Before the crews get started, these specialists go in and look for certain cultural artifacts,” explained Greco. “We try not to mess with the whole historical feel of these sites.”

Though they can scarcely be seen from the viewing areas along the rim, mines thrived within the canyon in the early 1900s, as camps extracted copper and gold from more than 40 sites. The ore at the Grandview Mine was over 70 percent pure copper, and won an award at the 1893 World’s Fair for its purity.

But the mines were nearly all abandoned by 1910, as tourism supplanted mining as a more profitable industry at the Grand Canyon. Traces of this mining heritage still remain, however, though they’ve been disappearing in recent years as tourists have taken artifacts as souvenirs from the mine sites.

“Small little items seem to walk off in people’s backpacks,” said Greco, who noted that miners’ picks, lanterns, newspapers and even cans of food had vanished from the historic sites. The park service is trying to head that off by gating some of the mines, another facet of the project.

“The idea is to preserve the cultural heritage, and sometimes you have to put gates up to keep things intact,” Greco said.

Installing gates at mine entrances also helps preserve the canyon’s bat colonies. Restricting visitor access to these habitats should mitigate the spread of white-nose syndrome, an affliction responsible for the deaths of more than 1 million bats.

Work on the park’s abandoned mines concluded the morning of Nov. 18, when a helicopter hoisted the workers’ gear from the campsite and toward a spot on the nearby South Rim.

Scott Babinowich, a ranger at the Grand Canyon, said he expected the project to immediately benefit the park and its visitors.

“From a safety perspective, I’m glad we addressed the considerable dangers posed by these mine shafts,” said Babinowich. “There aren’t enough rangers to keep an eye on all of the visitors here, so sealing off these old mines will help to keep them safe when we’re not around.”

Greco said officials are not aware of any deaths or serious injuries in the abandoned mines. For her, the project represented a balancing act between preserving the canyon’s heritage and maximizing the safety of its visitors.

“We want people to be able to go and see these things,” said Greco, “but we want them to do it safely without impairing the history and wildlife that live down here as well.”


Facts about Grand Canyon mines:

– Date to approximately 1000 B.C., when the region’s inhabitants were using turquoise, coal and other minerals.

– In the 16th century, Spaniards established several gold and silver mines, which were abandoned following a Pueblo revolt in the 1680s.

– From 1956 to 1969, uranium was mined from the Grand Canyon for the Cold War nuclear weapons program.

'World-class' university in Payson pure hogwash

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If we needed evidence that Mayor Kenny Evans is blowing a lot of smoke about the ASU Payson Campus, it hit us right between the eyes in Pete Aleshire's Roundup story "Hope is college will draw top students" (Nov. 30).  Seems Hizzoner told those attending a Citizens Awareness Committee meeting that the new institution will be a "world-class" university.

Folks, the main ASU campus in Tempe is not even considered a "world-class" university.  For Evans to say the Payson campus will be is just pure hogwash -- a term Farmer Evans is surely more familiar with than "world-class."

In fact, there are no "world-class" universities in Arizona, and Payson isn't about to have the first.  "World-class" universities are the Princetons, Harvards, Yales and Oxfords of the world -- and they aren't built overnight as Kenny is promising to do.

Most troubling, the Roundup has once again let him get away with a grandiose proclamation that has no basis in fact.  C'mon Pete, you're a better journalist than that.  Ask the mayor where he got such a notion.