ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
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Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Leigh Zydonik named new food bank director BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor
NEWS .........................5
Anthem Starbucks to reopen after COVID-19 diagnosis
W
ith Leigh Zydonik’s new position as executive director of Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center, the Ohio native feels she’s accomplished something. “I have now completed all the ‘A’ states,” Zydonik said about Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas and Arizona. Seriously, more than that, she feels she’s giving back to the community. Zydonik will oversee the daily operations of the food bank’s headquarters and off-
see ZYDONIK page 12
Leigh Zydonik said safety nets like the Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center are important in times like these. (Photo courtesy Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center)
FEATURES ......23
Cave Creek council votes to hire temporary �ire chief
YOUTH ...........25
BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer
Tucson comic coming to Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy
Dance studio invites youth to perform in Anthem showcase
OPINION ................... 16 BUSINESS ................. 20 FEATURES ................ 22 YOUTH ...................... 25 CLASSIFIEDS ............ 29 Zone
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fter two brush fires ravaged through Cave Creek residents’ homes, cars and barns last May, leaving behind major damage and a six-digit bill to pay to nearby municipalities, the town realized it needed a solid firefighting strategy to protect its town. To prevent another tragedy, the town council voted unanimously at the November 16 meeting to approve an intergovernmental agreement between the
Expires 12/31/2020
town of Cave Creek and the city of Scottsdale for deputy fire chief assistance and to help the town in exploring options for establishing contemporary fire services. The city of Scottsdale is going to, in essence, loan Deputy Fire Chief Jim Ford to Cave Creek for at least a year. In exchange for Ford’s services, the town of Cave Creek will pay for his current salary and benefits, which is $170,958.52. Ford was instrumental in the creation of the Scottsdale Fire Department. “We need a fire expert who’s done this before who can help us through the
steps of developing the plan for the interim, shorter term and longer term and how we implement it,” Town Manager Carrie Dyrek said before the vote. Ford will weigh in on important fire-service-establishing decisions like the necessary number of staff members, equipment and facilities as well as where the facilities will be placed, Dyrek said, adding that he will participate in budget requirements. The fire chief deputy will work with
see COUNCIL page 4