Seeking peace: 1B
Paulson on pacemakers; New ER director: 6A Problems with pepper: 7A
Longhorns’ secret weapon: Sports 8A
PAYSON ROUNDUP TUESDAY | APRIL 21, 2015 | PAYSON, ARIZONA
payson.com
75 CENTS
Rezone for college
getting down to business
Payson presses Forest Service for land sale by
Pete Aleshire
roundup editor
Payson has launched the rezoning of a 253-acre Forest Service parcel on which it plans to build a 6,000-student university. The rezoning would limit use of the land to educational purposes, which would include spin-off facilities crucial to the financing of the campus. The move comes as the Rim Country Educational Alliance and the Rim Country Educational Foundation wait for a final purchase agreement from the Forest Service. The Alliance wants to close escrow on the property before the $4.1 million, independent appraisal expires in July. See Payson rezoning, page 2A
• Photo courtesy of DJ Craig
Business Showcase hits the high notes
The Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce, Steve Coury Ford, Star Valley and others sponsored the annual Business Showcase this weekend, for the first time at a new location. The event included free food, a chance to meet dozens of local business owners, therapy horses, drawings, and even this appearance by Native Air, the medical air ambulance service. For more pictures see page 2A.
Payson commission shake-up Council dumps planning incumbents by
Alexis Bechman
roundup staff reporter
The Payson Town Council elected to place three new members on the Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday instead of re-appointing several members who wanted to continue, disappointing several residents who said it was a “grave mistake.” The council recently merged the Design Review Board with the Planning and Zoning Commission in part to expedite the building process for new businesses. Four members of the seven-member Planning and Zoning Commission are in the middle of their terms, while commission Chairman Jeff Loyd, Vice Chairman John Swenson and mem-
ber Scott Helmer’s terms ended in December. Instead of re-appointing the men right away, the council asked them to wait, anticipating the merger of the two boards. Loyd, Swenson and Helmer told the council they wanted to continue on with Planning and Zoning. Vice Mayor Michael Hughes, tasked with reviewing and nominating commission members, recommended appointing Design Review Board member Barbara Underwood, business owner Jennifer Smith and Pinnacle Propane operations manager Eric Martindale instead. Hughes said it was a difficult decision, but he wanted to give new people the chance to serve.
Several residents spoke out against the decision at Thursday’s council meeting. John Wakelin said while he had nothing against Underwood, Smith or Martindale, he opposed getting rid of the current Planning and Zoning members and their wealth of experience. Helmer joined Planning and Zoning in 2014 to finish out another commission member’s term. Mayor Kenny Evans asked him to serve. Wakelin said getting rid of Helmer after asking him to serve was disappointing. Lew Levenson said he was upset the council had not taken into account public input and accused them of See Planning, page 2A
•
Payson has started the process of rezoning a 253acre Forest Service parcel for a university.
Judge Cahill retires Alexis Bechman
Cahill’s replacement. Cahill hopes that selection comes before he leaves in two After a 40-year legal months. He thinks it will career in Gila County, likely be a new judge. Superior Court Judge Peter Cahill, 66, first moved to Cahill told the Roundup Globe in 1975. He laid down Monday he is retiring. roots after spending most of June 30 will mark Cahill’s his childhood moving from last day on the bench as the town to town because his division I judge. father was in the Army. Cahill made his first trip In Globe, Cahill setto Payson as a legal aid in tled into the communi1975 and went on to win four ty and stayed even when elections for the Superior “If I did not love Gila his wife, Terry Chandler, Court seat. was appointed a judge in For the past 12 years County so much, I the Pima County Superior Cahill has served as the would have left 20 Court. Superior Court judge in years ago.” “If I did not love Gila Globe and Payson, handling County so much, I would Peter Cahill a mix of cases, including Superior Court judge have left 20 years ago,” he criminal, juvenile, civil and said. adoptions. When she retired He graduated from the University of two years ago, Cahill thought seriously Notre Dame in 1970, and in 1973, from the of retirement. Cahill said he has grown New England School of Law. weary of all the time on the road, travelCahill’s current term is up in 2016, but ing back and forth to Payson, Globe and he said he decided to leave early to spend Tucson and wants to devote more time more time with his family. Governor Doug Ducey will appoint See Judge Cahill, page 2A
by
roundup staff reporter
•
Rim Country students show a surprising flare for science Rural regional schools hold their own against Valley competitors Michele Nelson
roundup staff reporter
Maybe it’s because we have more streams running through Rim Country than anywhere else in Arizona or maybe it’s because the skies are so clear that every star glows or maybe it’s all the ranches, but this year, Rim Country students flexed their scientific muscles to triumph over many Valley schools in the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair. Rim Country Middle School and PineStrawberry Elementary School teachers THE WEATHER
volume 26, no. 32
Outlook: Sunny Wednesday with a high of 67, low 38. Chance for rain Thursday and Friday, highs in low 60s, lows in upper 30s. Details, 9A
had an impressive number of students place at AzSEF, held in the Phoenix Convention Center April 7-9 — but that was after the students placed in both the district and county science fairs. “This year with 27 students and 16 projects qualifying by placing first at the Gila County Science Fair, we felt we were in good position to win more than one award,” said Carm Locke, seventhand eighth-grade science teacher. “Four projects and nine students placed and two projects won other awards.” All of these awards surprised the students, said sixth-grade teacher Christian Cleary. “They were so shocked. We found out before who won, but we didn’t know what they won. So, we called parents so they could come down, but it was a surprise for the students!” she said.
Provided photo
Middle school students from Rim Country spent months working on a fascinating array of science projects. It paid off at a statewide competition with 27 students qualifying, with nine students winning awards at the state level. Locke said the students had all year to put together their projects and more than ever participated. “Some were started in August in the after-school Science Fair Club. Others
started in October,” she said. “(Yet), this is the most ever. We started qualifying for state several years ago with fifth grade from (Julia Randall Elementary) which was the only school with a science
fair at that point. Last year, we began a science fair at RCMS for the first time in many years. It used to be one of
• See Science fair, page 10A
A Tradition of Care See our ad and upcoming events on page 6B
Providing quality therapy and care year after year for Payson residents. Payson care center 928-474-6896 | PaysonCareCenter.com Joint Commission accredited
54531
by