The Apache Junction & Gold Canyon
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Apache Junction & Gold Canyon A1 Volume XXI Issue 36 news The Only Hometown Paper September 4 - September 10, 2017 Beloved Resident George Johnston Passes at 97 He remained active in the community, serving as a volunteer in various capacities since 1974 By Betty Swanson his wife visited her Aunt title “President Emeritus,” artist, a naturalist, an ama- Special to the News Caroline Lansing, one of which he proudly wore on teur geologist, a painter, a the first settlers of King’s his badge during the many writer and a self-described Well-known local resi- Ranch, during the 1950s years he was a daily vol- ‘raconteur,’ and he will be dent George E. Johnston, and ‘60s. unteer at the Superstition greatly missed by every- 97, passed away on Aug. After moving here, Mountain Museum. one at the museum and his 29 at his home in Gold George was one of the “In many ways, George many friends in the com- Canyon. A resident of the founders of ADOBE in was really a modern Re- munity,” said Museum area since 1974, George Gold Canyon and also was naissance man. He knew Director Liz Nicklus. and his late wife, Kit, were one of the founding mem- so much about so many Services will be an- involved in many facets bers of the Superstition things. He was a journalist, nounced at a later date by of the community with Area Land Trust (S.A.L.T.). a photographer, a sketch the family. George serving in a num- A self-taught desert natu- ber of volunteer capacities ralist, he and his wife were during the more than 40 volunteers at the Boyce years he lived here. Thompson Arboretum for City Council Meets A native New Yorker, 15 years. He was an instruc- George Johnston worked tor for Central Arizona Col- in New York City in pub- lege’s Elderhostel Program Sept. 5, 7 p.m. lication marketing and and a lecturer at many other By Bill Van Nimwegen and discussion on pro- advertising for much of podiums over the years, The News posed cases PZ-13-16 his professional life. He sharing his knowledge and SD-1-16, a request had been introduced to the about the flora and fauna At the Apache Junction by MHP #7 LLC, Keith Southwest as a teenager of the Sonoran Desert. A self-taught desert naturalist, George Johnston was City Council Meeting on VanderHout, President, while working as a cow He served on the Pinal one of the founding members of SALT and shared his Tuesday, September 5, represented by Charles hand on a relative’s New County Planning and Zon- knowlege at local institutions. Mayor Jeff Serdy will read Huellmantel and Lauren Mexico Ranch, but his ing Commission, some- a proclamation designat- Proper-Potter of Huellm- love for the desert and the times as chairman, for 18 County. He was a 25-year cal Society and served as ing September 17th - 23rd antel Affiliates, to rezone Superstition Mountains years, helping guide the member of the Supersti- the board president for as Constitution Week the existing Boardwalk crystallized when he and growth of northwest Pinal tion Mountain Histori- many years, earning the and September 17th as Estates Manufactured Constitution Day. Karen Home Park, located at Barks of the Daughters of 2200 N. Delaware Drive, Creative Solution Also Creates an the American Revolution for the purpose of con- will be present to accept verting the 20-acre prop- the proclamation. erty from a rental-space Opportunity for Improvement There will also be a manufactured home park proclamation designating to a platted subdivision AJUSD hires a temporary director as a transportation consultant September 2017 as United with lots available for Food Bank National Hun- individual ownership. By Dana Trumbull Instead, she learned that board at the August 22 ger Action Month. The City Council will The City Council will also have a discussion on The News she would not be released work session. “Some of for six to eight weeks. Af- our departments – it’s ok recognize individuals amending the City Tax Many years ago, Dr. ter hearing concerns from if the department isn’t and organizations who Code by changing the fee Gary Nine, then associate several employees about working quite at optimum have made donations to for the city transaction superintendent at Apache the potential effects of the for a short time, but with support city activities, privilege tax license to Junction Unified School director’s extended leave, transportation, we don’t programs and projects. $2.00 annually from the District, had a favorite Anderson reached out to really have much of an Also at the meeting, current $50.00 annually. saying that was one key the Arizona Association option there. We need to there will be two public If approved, this change component of his “Kids of School Business Of- be at 100% success rate in hearings to consider an would be effective De- First” mission statement: ficials (AASBO) seeking transportation.” application for a location cember 1, 2017. This will “Finding every problem recommendations for an transfer, corporation, be a discussion only; a Consultant Paul Novak Following up on leads to be an opportunity for experienced contractor series 7 beer and wine public hearing and vote was hired to recommend received, AJUSD moved to creative solutions.” It who could fill in for the bar license and a series is scheduled for Septem- improvements to trans- hire Paul Novak, president seems that the new ad- director and simultane- 9 liquor store license ber 19, 2017. portation department and CEO at Gauge Preci- ministration, led by Su- ously conduct a thorough sion Consulting, LLC, to for Fry’s Marketplace The Council will also perintendent Dr. Krista Recently, the district’s analysis of department op- manage the transportation #665 located at 150 East discuss Resolution No. Anderson and Assistant transportation director erations. “Transportation department for six weeks; Old West Highway. The 17-21: declaring as a pub- Superintendent Dr. Jen- went on emergency medi- is kind of a different facil- his contract, however, next step in the process lic record a document on nifer Cruz, adheres to the cal leave, expecting to ity,” Anderson explained is for the council to hold file with the city clerk en- same philosophy. be absent for one week. to the AJUSD Governing see Solution page A-7 a public hearing on the titled “2017 amendments application and forward to the Apache Junction a recommendation for City Code, Volume I, approval or denial to Chapter 8 Business”. Apache Junction Becomes Inaugural the Arizona Department This resolution declares of Liquor Licenses and the proposed changes Partner of ASU’s ‘Project Cities’ Control. to Chapter 8 of the city There will be two pre- code with regard to busi- Students & faculty get introduced to AJ with focus groups and tour sentations, discussions nesses, business licenses, and consideration of ap- events and mobile food By Al Bravo coupled with a western proval of Resolutions vendors as a public re- Special to the News atmosphere, make the city No. 17-24 and No. 17-25 cord. Discussion only. appealing to residents and approving the submittal The resolution will be Nestled at the foot of visitors alike. of applications from the part of a public hearing the Superstition Moun- Along with its many at- City of Apache Junction scheduled for the Sep- tains, Apache Junction is tractive qualities, the city to the Gila River Indian tember 19 meeting. strategically positioned of Apache Junction – like Community State Shared There will also be a as the eastern gateway most communities – fac- Revenue Program for discussion about amend- into the Greater Phoenix es unique sustainability Fiscal Year 2017-2018. ing Apache Junction City metro area and the west- challenges as it continues Other new business ern entry to the Tonto Na- to grow. It is these chal- About 120 students plus faculty, city staff and elected includes a presentation see Council page A-7 tional Forest’s recreation officials attended the kick-off event at the Multi- venues. This geography, see ASU page A-3 Generational Center. SFMD: 2 Rescued from Flooded Wash The News Kidcast Drivers in two cars swept away in attempted crossing on August 28 This week’s A water rescue was made Weather last Saturday, August 28, “Artoonist” when two vehicles were swept away in the wash Gaia that runs past Mountain View Rd. near Southern Garcia Ave. in Apache Junction. A strong storm that Age 5 moved through Gold Can- Two vehicles were swept yon and Apache Junction away in the wash that runs past Mountain View Desert Vista late in the afternoon brought Elementary enough rain to make wash Rd. near Southern Ave. crossings dangerous. Photos: SFMD wash after attempting to where they became stuck. According to Supersti- Rescue at 6:22 p.m. cross the moving water. Both drivers were assist- tion Fire & Medical Dis- The two vehicles, each Both cars ran into a private ed to safety by residents 10% 20% 30% 40% 40% trict (SFMD), crews were with a single occupant, residential bridge about before SFMD arrived. No Mon 4 Tues 5 Wed 6 Thurs 7 Fri 8 Sat 9 Sun 10 dispatched for the water were swept down the 60 feet from the crossing injuries were reported. 102°82°102°82° 104°82° 104°82° 103°82° 102°78° 101°81° A Day For Star Party High School Kids Schedule Football See page A-2 See page A-4 See page A-8 The Apache Junction/Gold Canyon News • 1075 S. Idaho Rd.