September 19, 2018 • Vol. 16, No. 43
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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Daisy Mountain Fire Chief inducted into Hall of Flame
Pictured: Daisy Mountain Fire Chief Nichols with his family, holding the plaque that honors his heroic service as a firefighter, which will be permanently displayed in the Hall of Flame Museum's Hall of Heroes. Nichols was inducted into the Museum located in Phoenix on September 6.
Photo courtesy of DMFM
ANTHEM – Daisy Mountain Fire Chief Mark Nichols was inducted into the Hall of Flame Museum's Firefighting Hall of Heroes during the 45th annual Arizona State Fire School's opening ceremony on September 6. Chief Nichols has earned many professional accolades and awards during his nearly half a century of dedicated service as a firefighter. The local fire chief has left a living legacy of fire service that dates back to the start of his career in 1972 when he joined the U.S. Forest Service, where he survived two helicopter crashes. After the forest service he worked for the Glendale, Ariz.,
Fire Department for 25 years, going on to become a training chief for the Peoria, Ariz., Fire Department before finally becoming the Daisy Mountain Fire Chief in 2011. Nichols has also served on numerous committees for professional fire organizations in an effort to improve training and make the profession safer for firefighters. A plaque honoring Chief Nichols' service was presented to him at the opening ceremony. Another plaque will be permanently displayed at the Hall of Flame Fire Museum and
HALL OF FLAME continued on page 6
Denial recommendation Maricopa County to rely ‘completely on for proposed housing county employees’ for Nov. 6 election development near New River BY GINA DATTOLO CRONKITE NEWS
BY TARA ALATORRE
PHOENIX – The Phoenix Rio Vista Planning Committee unanimously voted to recommend a denial on a rezoning request for a 71-acre parcel of land in the New River area that a developer wants to build 286 new residences on, which is approximately four homes per acre. The planning committee’s 6-0 vote disapproving the request to rezone the parcel from commercial to residential was met with applause by residents that attended the meeting on September 11, to speak out against the development. Although the Rio Vista Planning
Committee voted for a denial recommendation it has no decision making power because it is only an advisory committee, so the housing proposal isn’t dead yet. The rezoning request and proposal plans for the development will still move forward for a hearing in front of the Phoenix Planning Commission on October 4, where the commission will make an official recommendation to the Phoenix City Council, which will make the final rezoning decision.
N.R. DEVELOPMENT continued on page 3
PHOENIX – Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes said Wednesday the county will use employees instead of contractors in the November election, a move to avoid the computer problems that spurred widespread delays and voter anger in the primary election. Fontes, who blamed contractors for computer equipment and other technical difficulties at 62 polling locations in the Aug. 28 primary, said at a news conference he’s confident employees can best handle the Nov. 6 general election.
NOVEMBER ELECTION continued on page 14
Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes explains the county’s plan to take corrective actions following problems in August’s primary election. (Photo by Gina Dattolo/Cronkite News)
OTHER :
BCC:
AZGFD:
NEW RIVER:
Tombstone Nights will feature
Game and Fish has 80
Vehicle collision near Road
• Bluhm Column
live music, silent auction
tortoises that need homes
Runner Bar kills one person
• Service Directory
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• Classified Ads
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