Copper Basin News
Celebrating More Than 50 Years of News Coverage in the Copper Basin Vol. 53 No. 26
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Periodicals Postage Paid at Hayden, Arizona 85235
50 Cents
No new property taxes Winkelman art wall for Kearny taxpayers damaged by vandals, thieves
Vandals have taken something beautiful and ravaged it for a bit of copper wire. Above is how Winkelman’s Art in Public Places adobe wall should look. Below is what the wall looks like after having the copper wire chiseled out. Sylvia Kerlock, Winkelman Town Clerk, said that the wire was donated by Asarco. The Town is offering a $250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the vandals. (James Carnes photos)
By Mila Lira At a public hearing held last week for the Town of Kearny’s proposed 2011-2012 budget, the council voted not to increase property taxes for Kearny property owners. The Kearny Town Council held its monthly meeting and began with a final public hearing on the proposed budget for the 2011-2012 Budget and Financial plan. The council heard a few public comments on the budget and received petitions collected by James Hosea requesting the property taxes not be raised. Town Manager Gary Eide explained to the council that the proposed budget was within the expenditure limitation established for the Town with an all funds expenditure of $5,053,133.00. He shared that overall the Town continues to see a reduction in revenues from the State due to the stagnate economy and the 2010 Census. Both of these factors have caused a reduction in funds received by all the incorporated communities throughout Arizona. He stated that the Town continues to operate under a salary and benefits freeze and many positions remain vacant or have been eliminated over the past three years. Following the public hearing the council unanimously approved the budget resolution but first voted to amend the resolution to keep the property tax levy at the 2007-2008 fiscal year amount which is $128,500 and
is the same amount the Town has received for several years. The Council also unanimously voted to amend Ordinance 11-186 which was originally passed in March. The ordinance had to be amended due to a state law that no longer allows communities to raise the rental property tax without a vote of the public at a regular municipal election. Kearny was one of three municipalities in Arizona that were affected by the law passed during the 2011 legislative session. The remainder of the meeting was mostly housekeeping items including approval of several of the Town insurance policies for general liability, airport insurance and employee health, adopted changes to the model tax code and approved two change orders for the Wet Well Construction Project. The council voted to cancel the July council meeting which is often common practice during the Summer once the budget has been approved. Babe DeWolf made a presentation to the Council requesting that a plaque that was erected to her Father Robert R. Henderson be replaced. She explained that the plaque was installed in the 1980’s but was vandalized and never replaced. She requested support from the Council to replace the plaque in his memory. The council tabled any action on the presentation but directed staff to come back with quotes and more information regarding this project.
By Mila Lira Stern comments from the Hayden Town Council last week did not stop Dr. Glenn Wilt from asking about opening a medical marijuana facility in his building on Highway 77, the former Gila County Sheriff’s Office. Wilt and his business partner Paul Shaub made a presentation to the Council, requesting support from the Town of Hayden to develop a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. He showed the council a floor plan of the building and explained that the current layout helps meet the security and cultivation requirements. His presentation was met with firm comments from Mayor Monica Badilllo and the Council that Wilt does not always follow through on his promises and he is not doing anything to help the town by letting his buildings fall into disrepair. Badillo’s stern comments did not halt Dr. Wilt as he suggested the Council consider trying to move out of the Globe Community Health Action Area (CHAA). He stated that currently Globe is looking at a company who is already licensed in California and would lessen the chances of Hayden being licensed for a dispensary. He suggested that the town try to move into Superior/Kearny CHAA because Kearny passed an ordinance to prohibit a dispensary. Badillo politely closed the presentation by explaining that she will be in contact with Wilt before any further plans go through or the Town supports this project. In other business, the council held a second public hearing to revise the town’s CDBG project. Cindy Schofield with Central Arizona Association of Governments explained that town is eligible to be
designated as a Colonia which will assist them in qualifying for less competitive grant for the Waste Water Treatment project. This designation means that they will not have to apply for the more competitive State Special Projects Grant to fund the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Following the hearing the council handled many yearly housekeeping items including the swearing in of Badillo. Other housekeeping items included reappointing the Town Clerk, Chief of Police and Town Magistrate, designating check signers, and approved the FY 2011-12 tentative budget and the Police Protection Agreement with the Town of Winkelman. The council also approved an amendment for professional services in connection with the design and construction services for the Waste Water Treatment System Improvements.
Wilt asks Hayden to consider medical marijuana facility
Local bull rider to compete in national championships
Ride ‘em cowboy! Chacho Romero is seen here aboard one of the many bulls he has ridden over the last three years. The recent Hayden High School graduate is headed to the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming to be held July 17-23. (Submitted photo)
By Vicki Clark Most young people who are sports minded dream of maybe someday playing professional football, basketball, baseball or perhaps golf. But there are very few that aspire to become a professional bull-rider. Abraham “Chacho” Romero, Jr., of Dudleyville, has decided that’s what he wants in his future and is seeking to secure his aim when he competes in the 63rd Annual National High School Finals Rodeo that will be held July 17-23 in Gillette, Wyoming. Chacho is the son of Abe and Barbie Romero and a recent graduate of Hayden High School. His trip to the finals came when he won the average and placed second at State Finals. He is also a member of the Cinch Team and holds the highest point total in the State for H.S. bull-riding. See Bull Rider, Page 4
Carol Hosler to retire from Good Shepherd The Reverend Carol Hosler will mark her last Sunday as Pastor of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Keany, on Sunday, July 3. She will preside at Holy Communion, and, deliver the sermon at 9 a.m. service in Ray Hall. She has served as Pastor at Good Shepherd for three years, and, was the first Episcopal priest to serve in this way, in the whole Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her successor will be Pastor Nina Yardley, whose first Sunday in Kearny will be on July 17. During her three years as pastor, the people of Good Shepherd
worked with her to affirm the congregation’s ecumenical outreach. The work mirrored national and international agreements between The United Methodist Church, The Evangelical Lutheran Church and The Episcopal Church. This was done with the support of the bishops of these denominations in Arizona making it possible for Good Shepherd to develop deep love and ties between these and other Christian denominations. “The time was right,” said Carol. “Ed Grant, my predecessor, as pastor for nine years, began a tradition of welcoming people of
other denominations. Kearny once had both an Episcopal Church and an Evangelical Lutheran Church but circumstances did not allow them to continue as individual congregations. We wanted to build on and affirm their presence in Kearny and the people of Good Shepherd were more than willing to make this possible.” Carol’s tenure involved three years of study and action. The congregation conceived and developed a statewide conference, Seeking New Shores, which took place in Kearny last September. It See Pastor, Page 5
Reverend Carol Hosler
The CBN office will be closed Monday, July 4. Deadlines for ads and news will be Friday, July 1, at 5 p.m.