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Margaret Sullivan
Anthem Activities PAGE
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This Week
NEWS.................. 5
Brnovich amends COVID-19 vaccine lawsuit
BUSINESS.......... 13 PXG Norterra gets in the swing of things
FEATURES......... 17 Holiday gift card specials are aplenty across the Valley
Anthem Area Edition
OPINION.......................8 BUSINESS.................. 13 FEATURES................. 17 CLASSIFIEDS............. 26
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Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Baker is Anthem’s new executive director BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer
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fter months of searching, the Anthem Community Council Board of Directors named Aaron Baker the new executive director. Baker begins his role Dec. 1. Baker is coming to Anthem from Mesquite, Nevada, where he has spent the past 15 years working in public service. He started as an assistant planner and GIS analyst and worked his way up to city manager. Besides his work experience, Baker earned master’s in public administration from the University of Nevada. “Aaron is anxious to move with his family to Anthem and get started with the tasks of being the executive director, to help the community’s staff and board keep Anthem the premier place to live, work, and enjoy the quality of life that we
all expect,” said Bob McKenzie, chair of the ACC Board of Directors in a statement. Baker could not be reached for comment. The executive director serves as city manager and chief executive officer. They are responsible for managing millions of dollars for the annual budget, reserve fund and assets; 100 full-time employees and 100 part-time or seasonal employees; and the maintenance of facilities. “Generally, what the executive director does is manage the organization, direct traffic for three senior executives and execute orders from the board of directors,” McKenzie said. “We have a couple of (projects) in the works that would fall to the executive director.” Anthem has been searching for a new executive director since July. The position was previously held by board chairman Terry Mullarkey. He volunteered to step in as an interim executive director in September 2020 to help during
New executive director Aaron Baker. (Submitted photo)
COVID-19 and returned to retirement in July. Besides finding someone with the right back-
see BAKER page 4
Foothills Food Bank needs small holiday meats
BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
Zone I
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Serving the communities of Anthem, Desert Hills, Norterra, Sonoran Foothills, Stetson Valley, Tramonto, New River, Desert Ridge and North Phoenix
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oothills Food Bank & Resource Center seeks the public’s support in garnering frozen turkeys for Christmas. According to Leigh Zydonik, executive director for Foothills Food Bank, the organization needs small turkey breasts and other holiday meats to help those in need.
“We need holiday meats so we can help ensure that the multitude of people in need in the communities we serve have a good, wholesome meal on Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Zydonik said. “It is an important time of year to give back to others in our community.” The holiday meats can be dropped off at Foothills Food Bank, 6038 E. Hidden Valley
Drive in Cave Creek. The phone number is 480-488-1145; website is foothillsfoodbank.com. The Foothills Food Bank was started by a small group of passionate local volunteers in 1988 in Cave Creek. Their purpose was simple: provide food to
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see
FOOD BANK page 4