PAYSON ROUNDUP
OPINION
4A Friday, April 3, 2015
ourview
lookback
Payson secures the pipeline and its future
• April 2, 1863: Responding to acute food shortages, hundreds of women riot in Richmond, Va., breaking windows and looting stores, before Confederate President Jefferson Davis threw his pocket change at them from the top of a wagon. Davis ordered the crowd to disperse or he would order the militia to fire on them. • April 3, 1882: One of America’s most famous criminals, Jesse James, is shot to death by fellow gang member Bob Ford. Detective magazines had glamorized the James gang, turning them into Robin Hoods. In reality, Jesse James was a ruthless killer who stole only for himself. • April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. is shot to death at a hotel in Memphis, Tenn. A single shot fired by James Earl Ray from more than 200 feet away struck King in the neck. • April 5, 1976: Howard Hughes, one of the richest men to emerge from the American West, dies while flying from Acapulco to Houston for medical treatment. Hughes’ bizarre behavior grew worse in his final years, as he became obsessed with privacy and sometimes worked for days at a stretch in a black-curtained room without sleeping.
Payson made history this week, finally locking in a $34 million loan from the Water Infrastructure Authority of Arizona (WIFA). The town had to promise the raise its water rates each year for the next three years to demonstrate it had the revenue stream needed to secure the loan. Now, no one likes the prospect of paying 50 percent more for water. But it’s likely to prove the best deal Payson ever made — and testament to the visionary leadership of a succession of town leaders. The 3,000-acre-foot annual allotment the town gets from the Blue Ridge Reservoir will secure its future. That supply of water makes it possible to dream big — including bringing to town a university, resort hotels, renewed residential housing and the expanded base of businesses necessary to generate the sales taxes that will support public services. Payson remains almost unique in the state to have secured a water supply sufficient not only for its present needs — but for its biggest dreams and a build-out population of at least 36,000. Elsewhere, the steady rise in average annual temperatures and the inexorable dynamics of growth will cause decades of struggle to secure an adequate water supply. Projections call for a serious statewide shortage. Signs of drought and water rationing on the Colorado River will likely push the shortage from bad to worse. But when other rural areas run dry and the politically potent cities in the Valley cast about for an expanded supply, Payson will have its water right secured. We believe that will guarantee our future, thanks to 30 years of struggle to obtain that water right. We’re indebted to both WIFA at the state level and to the federal government, which provided a $4 million grant and a $6 million low-cost loan to help get us to this point. The WIFA loan has a super low interest rate of 2.7 percent and a 30-year term — with $1 million of the loan amount forgiven. The project represents an adroit use of low-cost government financing, since it will help provide the infrastructure that will enable this region to prosper — thereby generating far more in sales, income and property tax revenues than the state and federal governments invest in the project. But we have to do our part too, in the form of higher water rates. Now, with luck, the Tonto Apache Tribe will strike a deal with the federal government to settle long-standing water claims. The tribe suffered years of exile, discrimination and dispossession — the settlement is long overdue. The settlement could give the tribe a secure water right, in return for a federally funded pipeline buy-in that could significantly reduce the need for a water rate increase. In addition, a resumption of growth could generate millions more in impact fees. That would also help to offset the need for the full rate increase. Early estimates put the water impact fees for the university campus alone at some $7 million, although the backers of the project could spread out the impact fees over the next several years, to make it easier to set the tuition at a low enough rate for phase one of the college to ensure ample enrollment. So it’s possible the town could end up raising about half of the loan amount in the next few years, significantly reducing the full water rate increase. But it doesn’t matter. Paying 50 percent more to double or triple our sustainable water supply would be a bargain. It will make possible the sustained and responsible growth of this community that will not only yield the stable, year-round economy we need, but the sales tax revenues to the town to provide police, fire and other services to those same water users. So mark this date: It’s a turning point. Come 2018, Payson will have a permanent, sustainable water supply, a university campus and a grip on its future that few other towns in this state can claim.
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Tax materials were ordered, IRS did not send all Editor: I see that there is a Letter to the Editor from a member of the public about the library’s lack of tax booklets. I wanted to let the paper know — lest everyone drive around in circles — that to the best of my knowledge there is not a place in town to pick up booklets. The post office does not have them, I have been told by several patrons who drove down to the IRS office in Mesa that there were no tax booklets there either. As far as the library goes, we certainly did order booklets and IRS tax schedules. We have the order confirmations here. We do have the 1040, 1040A and 1040 EZ forms here, but there are no instructional booklets or schedule forms. This requested paperwork has simply not arrived, and at this point, I do not believe that it will. It may be that the IRS prefers not to print booklets any longer or that they had difficulty with the printing. I do not know. It has been a source of frustration for many of our seniors. We do have binders with reproducible forms and instructions for both the IRS and the State of Arizona, but as the letter stated, there is a copy fee of 20 cents per page. Most forms and instructions are also available online. Emily Linkey, director, Payson Public Library
area medical and dental professionals who provided free health and wellness screenings for enrolled families in our local community. To support Head Start and Early Head Start this school year (2014-15), and meet federal guidelines for health and dental screenings, the following offices provided free examinations at our location at 1008 S. Westerly in Payson. Again, the Head Start employees here in Payson appreciate the local partnership of Banner Health and High Desert Dentistry, including their generous medical professionals listed below: Dr. Judith Hunt, Banner Health and Payson Christian Clinic Jake Winans, FNP student from Northern Arizona University Jennifer Peterson, PA student from Marquette University Klaireece Fitch, fourth-year medical student from Loma Linda University Kristin Wade, DMD, High Desert Dentistry Kayla Harrop, dental assistant The Payson Head Start program is currently accepting applications for the 2015-16 school year, for children ages birth to 5. Applications will also be accepted for pregnant moms wishing to enroll themselves and their unborn child in the Early Head Start program. Please call our Center Director Lynne Winans or our Family Community Advocate Teresa Michelizzi at (928) 474-2738 to schedule an application appointment. Payson Head Start programs
The kindness of nurses
Cut-A-Thon appreciated
Editor: I want to say a public thank you to the nurses at Payson Regional Medical Center. Recently my husband had to be hospitalized two times. He received such wonderful and caring service, at the outpatient area and then again when he underwent a more extensive surgery. He said they were so attentive and he was cared for with respect and compassion — especially during his three-day stay. Lastly and most important to Dr. Munoz and his staff. What a great and caring doctor he is, he and his staff are to be commended for their excellent service. We also want to give the MHA Healthcare Scholarships a plug. One of the nurses who attended my husband was an old neighbor (she and our granddaughter were in middle school together). She went on to receive a scholarship and is employed by the hospital. We are proud to be a part of this community who cares for one another and goes the extra mile. John and Ruth Nelson
Editor: Kaitie’s Closet wishes to thank the Payson Lioness Club’s Darlene Brumbaugh and fellow members for coordinating a truly successful CutA-Thon with the Haute Junkie Salon’s Robin and Wendy benefiting many children and members of our community. It was truly a blessing to receive an abundance of socks (157 pairs) and underwear (88 pairs) along with a monetary donation from generous patrons in our community who received a $10 haircut for providing those necessities for children of Payson and surrounding communities. Clubs such as the Lioness and these individuals, who offer to provide for others make Payson the caring community we’re known for and Kaitie’s Closet is so very proud to be a part of that effort. Thank you. Jack & Barbara Gooch, Kaitie’s Closet, Inc.
Appreciate local medical and dental professionals Editor: The Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Payson, part of the Arizona-based Pinal Gila Community Child Services organization, wish to extend sincere thanks to the Payson
Big thanks to businesses Editor: The Animal Welfare Thrift Shop would like to thank the following businesses and people who donated their time, services, and items for our second annual Frugal Formal last Saturday evening. It was great fun, and we raised another $2,500. Thank you to our amazing volunteers who helped make it all happen, and who prepared the majority of the delicious potluck buffet. Many thanks to Kevin and Beeline Bowl
for allowing us to take over Belle’s Bar for the evening. Thank you to The Pet Club, El Rancho, Payson Jewelers, KRIM, Diamond Point Shadows, Toad’s Farm, Macky’s Grill, Sheree at Pizza Hut, The Sweet Shoppe, Sawmill Theatres, Pizza Factory, Scoops, Star Valley Veterinary Clinic, Chili’s, Pirate Adventures, Jimmy’s Paddleboarding, Betsy Szczepanski, Dimi Espresso, Main Street Veterinary Clinic, Chris Johnson, Marc at Payson Packaging, The Candle Factory, Plant Fair Nursery, Cathy @ Subway (Bashas’ mall), Buffalo Bar & Grill, Miss Fitz 260 Café, Payson Pet Care, The Wok, Susie’s Q Barbecue, Ralph Collins, Gil Slagle, Minette Hart, Back to Basics, Lisa Herrera (Mary Kay Products), and Dead Mule Ranch at Kohl’s Ranch. Photos can be viewed on our Facebook page! We’ll be back on the third Saturday in March next year to do it again, and hope you all join in on the fun! Penny McKinlock
Sen. Allen’s ‘off the cuff’ church comment Editor: Arizona Senator Debbie Lesko recently wrote a letter to the Arizona Republic defending Rim Country Senator Sylvia Allen. Lesko’s defense was that Allen was simply musing and had made an “off the cuff” remark about having a requirement that everyone must attend church. Lesko’s support should not surprise anyone since she has long been chair for the organization known as ALEC, which has continued to control many state legislatures with “scholarships” (Rep. Bob Thorpe (R-Flagstaff) received such a scholarship), trips, campaign funding, as well as providing completely developed bills to be submitted to the state legislatures. Since ALEC and Cathi Harrod pretty much do all the work of supplying legislation for our state, we could cut the budget and save some money by letting all of the legislative researchers go. If Senator Allen is so very concerned about the moral values of our state, she should back away from the immoral legislation which would allow guns in public places. Sylvia Freeman
Turn down the heat Editor: Today was a lovely day for a walk around Green Valley Park in Payson. When I went into the ladies room, across the street from the playground, I was shot with heat waves; the room was so hot it was unbearable. I thought to myself, all they have is cold water in the sinks with no way to remove germs; yet the heat is blasting in 76-degree weather; why not place some soap or antibacterial dispensers in these restrooms; that would certainly cost less than wasted heat/energy. This is a public park, therefore, it should serve the public; keep us healthy and maintain the temperature so taxpayers are not wasting their good earned money! Donna Steckal
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onlinepoll Question: Do you think people should be required to pay if Tonto Rim Search and Rescue comes and rescues them? Answers: Yes – 69.23% No – 25.96% Don’t know – 4.81% 104 total votes Results as of Friday morning – payson.com