Florence Community Pool To Reopen

All activities and programs at the Florence Community Pool will resume as normal beginning the morning of Wednesday, July 2nd.

The Florence Community Pool was temporarily closed due to unplanned maintenance of the electrical system supplying power to the pool. The maintenance is completed and the pool will be open to the public on Wednesday.

The Town of Florence thanks you for your patience and apologizes for any inconvenience the unexpected closing of the pool may have caused. If you have questions, please contact the Town of Florence Parks and Recreation Office at 868-7589.

City Of Casa Grande Fourth Of July Administrative Plans

In observance of the Fourth of July holiday, the City of Casa Grande will close all administrative offices on Friday, July 4th. The landfill, library (including book drops) and Dorothy Powell Senior Adult Center will also be closed. Emergency services will be unaffected by the holiday.

There will be no residential recycling/solid waste collection on Friday, July 4th. The residential recycling/solid waste collection schedule will be affected as follows:
Trash collection normally made on Thursday is picked up on Wednesday.
Trash collection normally made on Friday is picked up on Thursday.

Recycling collection normally made on Friday is picked up on Thursday along with the normal Thursday pickup.

Autism: "Know the Signs"

Autism affects 1 in 150 children. Know the signs. Autism affects communication (Does not babble, point, or make meaningful gestures by 1 year of age, Does not speak one word by 16 months, Does not combine two words by 2 years, Does not respond to name, or No pointing or showing), social skills (Is attached to one particular toy or object), and behaviors (Doesn't play with toys appropriately, Excessively lines up toys or other objects ). But, with a proper diagnosis & a corresponding treatment, there is hope. For more information about autism, visit the Southwest Autism Resource centers website at: autismcenter.org, or call (602) 340-8717.

ADEQ Gives Pinetop-Lakeside $18,000

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens said the ADEQ is awarding $18,000 to fund increased recycling in Pinetop-Lakeside.

The grant for the Navajo County town will be used to increase the number of recycling dropoff locations available to residents. Currently only a few locations are available. The funds will be used to purchase 4 recycling collection trailers.

"Recycling is one of our most effective tools to protect our environment, & it is especially important to increase recycling efforts in smaller communities throughout Arizona," Director Owens said."Recycling conserves our limited natural resources, saves energy, & reduces the need for landfills. We are glad to support this important effort to increase recycling in Pinetop-Lakeside."

The grant is funded by ADEQ's Waste Reduction Assistance program, for projects devoted to waste reduction, recycling & composting.

High School House Application Deadline Approaches

Applications for the purchase of the house built as a result of the Building Florence Together partnership between the Town of Florence & the Florence Unified School District, commonly known as the "High School House," are accepted until 5 pm on Friday, July 18th.

The completed home, located at 745 S. Central Avenue in Florence, is sold at a reduced cost to a Florence resident or family through an evaluation process where applicants are scored on 3 characteristics. These characteristics include level of income, number of dependents, & a FICO credit score. The applicant with the highest overall score is awarded the opportunity to purchase the home, subject to qualifying for a traditional loan.

The Building Florence Together project is an innovative partnership where the Town of Florence provides initial financing & administration, & Florence High School provides selected students with an opportunity to learn "real-world" construction skills while receiving supervision & training from local contractors.

Applications are available at Town Hall & need to be completed & returned to Town Hall by the July 18th, deadline. Incomplete or late applications are not accepted. For more information contact Ken Lawrence, Grants Coordinator, at (520) 868-7554 or by email at Ken.Lawrence@town.florence.az.us.

Fraud Alert From The Mesa Police Deptartment

Over the past few weeks, a male subject has been calling older adults in Mesa and telling them to put money or their debit card in their mailbox for him to pick up as part of a bank investigation. We have several victims thus far in all areas of the city. This is a scam. It's possible he has been stealing mail to gain information about his victims. If you have been contacted by this person, please report it to the police by calling (480) 644-2211.

Mesa Building Safety Employees Recognized For Their Outstanding Customer Service And Dedication

For nearly 6 months, 15 employees from the City of Mesa Building Safety Division volunteered their time every Monday night to learn about the International Business Code. Deputy Building Safety Director Steve Hether, who has taught Introduction to Building Codes at Mesa Community College for 5 years, volunteered his time to teach the class. City Manager Chris Brady has recognized the employees for outstanding customer service while presenting Hether with “An Essential Piece” award from the Development Services Division.

“I appreciative the efforts of employees taking their own time to provide outstanding customer service,” Mesa City Manager Chris Brady said. “This proves Mesa has a dedicated work force.” The permit technicians, development information specialists & administrative staff devoted about 45 hours in class & at least 3 times as many hours outside of class, which included 10 working exercises, 18 individual study sessions as well as a mid-term exam & final exam. All of the employees received a score of 90% or higher on the final exam.

“This is an extraordinary voluntary effort by City staffers to improve their knowledge about our requirements so they are better able to serve our customers,” Mesa Building Safety Director Terry Williams said. “Camaraderie among the employees improved dramatically because of the class & it also improved morale.” The class covered the entire International Building Code & offered a better understanding of construction & the need for building permits. This knowledge will help the employees explain the code to property owners throughout Mesa.

Some DVDs Out This Week

Only the Valiant
Pride 33: Second Coming
Batman - The Movie (Special Edition)
Santo en el Museo de Cera/Santo y Blue Demon en el Mundo de Los Muertos
Samurai 7: Box Set (Viridian Collection)
Aria
Shotgun Stories
WWE One Night Stand 2008
Vantage Point
Triloquist
Heaven
30 Days: The Complete 2nd Season
Walker, Texas Ranger: The Complete 5th Season
Dead and Gone
Drillbit Taylor
Time Bomb
The Streets of San Francisco - The 2nd Season, Vol. 1
Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns
Hurricane
Serial
Till Death Do Us Part
Girl on the Bridge
Mad Men - Season 1
Heathers - 20th High School Reunion Edition
All About Us
Busy Body
Neil Diamond - Thank You Australia Concert: Live 1976
The Closer - The Complete 3rd Season
John Mayer - Where The Light Is: John Mayer Live In Los Angeles

Some Country/Folk CDs Out This Week

Willie Nelson - Stardust: 30th Anniversary Legacy Edition
The Chieftains - Irish Evening
Dolly Parton - The Tour Collection
Marie Digby - Unfold
Brian Burns - Border Radio

Death Toll Rises To Seven In Medical Copter Crash

The two medical helicopters collided near the Flagstaff Medical Center. Ian Gregor, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration said that all three people on one of the helicopters were killed, including a patient and the pilot, while four others were killed and three critically wounded, & he wasn't sure if they were all on the second helicopter or whether some were on the ground.

Pinal County Sheriff's Office Seeking Apache Junction Man With Severe Dementia

John Wood, 86, of Apache Junction, has severe dementia and has been missing from his residence at 5895 E. Bell St. since about 11:30 this morning. The last contact Wood had with his family was he told them he was going to feed the horses (he does not have any horses) and go for a job interview (he did not have an interview). Wood was last seen wearing a long-sleeved blue plaid flannel shirt, Levis, sunglasses, black Rockport tennis shoes, and a blue hat with "Arizona" on it. Wood is about 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, and balding with grey hair on the sides of his head.

If you have any information on Wood's whereabouts, please call the Pinal County Sheriff's Office at 520-866-5111.

Movie Night

On July 1st, the Miami Parks and recreation Dept. will show “Scooby-Doo” & "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" in the Bullion Plaza Gym in Miami. Admission is only $1 per person or FREE with a summer pass. The doors will open at 5:30 pm, & the movie will start at 6 pm. A concession stand will be available.

Miami High School Registration

The Miami High School will hold registration on the following dates:

* Senior/Juniors: July 14th, from 5 pm - 7 pm.
* Sophmore: July 15th, from 5 pm - 7 pm.
* New Students: July 16th, from 8 am - 3 pm.
* Freshmen: July 29th, from 4 pm - 6 pm.
* MandatoryFreshman/New Student Orientation: July 29th, 6:30 pm - MHS Auditorium.

Registration packets will be at the table outside of the high school office, with tables available in the library for parents & students to complete the packet. Once completed, return the packets to the office where they'll checked.

If you can't make it during those times, you may go to the high school office between 9 am - 3 pm, Monday - Thursday.

Parents of students new to the district need to sign up in the high school office for a registration appointment with a guidance counselor starting on July 15th.

Note: New Students may register in the MHS office anytime during the week of July 14th, during normal hours of office operation, Monday through Thursday. Call the MHS office at 425-3271 to make sure the office open before you go in.

Update And Confession In The Cambria Neighborhood Homicide

At approx. 11 am on Friday, June 27th, Pinal County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a 911 call from David Neang, 24, that his girlfriend had been murdered & he had been stabbed by a white male who had broken into their residence on the 4100 block of North Cambria, east of Queen Creek. Deputies broke down the front door of the residence, which was deadbolted from inside, & found Neang and his girlfriend, Jenny Vanderboom, 23, in the upstairs bedroom.

Vanderboom was pronounced deceased on scene & Neang was transported to a Phoenix-area hospital, where he underwent exploratory surgery & was sedated overnight. PCSO homicide detectives conducted an investigation of the scene & concluded that there was no evidence of a third-party break in, as indicated in Neang's story.

The morning of June 28th, Neang was pronounced to have non-life-threatening injuries & to be alert & coherent for questioning. Neang provided a videotaped confessed to PCSO homicide detectives that he killed Vanderboom during a domestic dispute & then stabbed himself twice before he called 911. Neang is officially under arrest & in custody & will be transferred to the Pinal County Jail Medical Facility. He will be charged with second degree murder under domestic violence.

Vanderboom's body was transported last night to the Tucson Medical Examiner's Office & an autopsy will be performed at the beginning of the week. Official cause of death is pending autopsy. The N. Cambria residence was being rented by the victim's mother & the victim's child, who was not at the residence at the time & who is not the child of the suspect, is in the custody of the surrogate grandparents.

Midsummer Food Drive

The Wells Fargo Bank in Globe is helping out the Gila Community Food Bank with a Midsummer Food Drive, between July 1st & July 15th. They will have a location in their lobby for the various non-perishable items that you are able to drop off. The items they need for example, include: canned tuna, peanut butter, canned vegetables, spaghetti sauce, mac and cheese, dry Ramen soup, flour, sugar, cereal,, & anything else along those lines. They are asking that you exclude anything in a glass container when making your donation.

APS Warns Globe Residents Of Possible Outages

APS Customers may experience brief outages on July 2nd, as the company completes maintenance work in the area. The outages are expected to occur between the hours of 6 am & 6 pm & should be less than 30 minutes in duration.

Bob Eger Memorial Service

Funeral arrangements have been set for the late Bob Eger, who passed away June 24th, in his home in Phoenix.

The viewing & service will take place on July 1st, at the Tempe Center for the Arts, at 700 West Rio Salado Parkway, in Tempe. The viewing starts at Noon, the service will begin at 1 pm.

A reception will be held in Eger's honor immediately following the service at the Bill & Judy Schaefer ASU Athletics Hall of Fame, located in the lobby of the Carson Center at the South end of Sun Devil Stadium/Frank Kush Field.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s honor may be made to the Bob Eger Memorial Fund to support Packard Stadium Renovations, by checks payable to the “Sun Devil Club” & sent to the Sun Devil Club, Bob Eger Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 872205, Tempe, Az 85287-2205 or by calling (480) 727-7700.

Eger, a 1964 ASU graduate, who covered Arizona State athletics since the 1960s, was most recently the Sun Devil baseball radio analyst. A Yuma, Ariz., native, Eger earned a mass communications degree from Arizona State, where he served as sports editor of the student newspaper, The State Press.

He covered sports for the Associated Press before joining the Arizona Republic in 1966. During a 30-year career with the Arizona Republic, most of which was spent covering ASU athletics, he was a 7-time winner of the Arizona Sportswriter of the Year Award. He contributed to the ASU Alumni Magazine & in 2001 authored a 300-page book, "Maroon & Gold, a History of Sun Devil Athletics." He performed the research for ASU’s Bill & Judy Schaefer Athletics Hall of Fame.

G. Murray Snow Confirmed To Arizona Federal Bench

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Arizonan G. Murray Snow to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. Senate Assistant Republican Leader Jon Kyl (Ariz.) made the following statement:

“Judge Snow has years of legal experience & has distinguished himself as a fair & thoughtful judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals. He has also earned a unanimous ‘well-qualified’ rating from the American Bar Association & he will make a fine addition to the federal bench. I congratulate Judge Snow & his family.”

Clothing Bank Open Today

The Clothing Bank is located at 317 Hackney Ave. in Globe & will be open from 9 am - Noon.

Democrats of the Red Rock and Democrats of the Verde Valley Candidates Forum

Ann Kirkpatrick, Candidate for Congressional District 1, will be taking part in the Democrats of the Red Rock and Democrats of the Verde Valley Candidates Forum on Sunday, June 29th, 2 pm - 5 pm at the Quality Inn, 301 W. Highway 89A, in Cottonwood.

Stabbing Death In Cambria Neighborhood Near Queen Creek

At around noon today, PCSO homicide detectives arrived on scene at a residence in the Cambria neighborhood, east of Queen Creek, where PCSO deputies had discovered a young adult female stabbed to death and another young male with serious stab wounds. The young male was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition. The scene has been marked off, however detectives are waiting on scene for a search warrant and have not entered the scene.

Hunt Highway Road Construction

The Town of Florence has issued this update on the work being conducted on the Hunt Highway.

Project Schedule Update -- Hunt Highway

Week of June 28th -- July 4th:
Traffic on Hunt Highway south of Merrill Ranch Parkway & north of the Hunt Highway curve has temporarily shifted to the west side as construction of the box-culverts begins. Traffic speed will remain 25mph.

Week of July 5th -- July 12th:
Traffic will remain shifted to the west side as construction of the box-culverts continues & instillation of the curb & sidewalk will begin along the east side of Hunt Highway. Traffic speed will remain 25mph.

Construction is anticipated to complete in late 2008. Motorists are advised to use caution & obey the posted speed limit in construction areas. Periodic delays are to be expected.

Project Schedule Update -- American Way

June 26 -- August 18

Thursday June 26th -- The east bound entrance onto American Way from Hunt Highway is currently closed & will continue to have limited access & frequent closures from June 26th to August 18th, due to Hunt Highway road construction. Motorists are advised to use the alternate route marked by road signs along American Way, Anthem Way and Merrill Ranch Parkway. Traffic speed limit in construction zone will be 25mph.

Queen Creek-Area Citizens On Patrol Meeting Has Good Turnout

Nearly 50 residents representing Queen Creek-area neighborhoods such as Johnson Ranch, Copper Basin, San Tan Heights, Pecan Creek, Laredo Ranch and others gathered at Walker Butte K-9 June 26th, to discuss formation of a Queen Creek-area Citizens on Patrol program.

An introduction to the program was presented by Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez and PCSO Crime Prevention Specialist Barbara Munoz explained the program, tentatively called COP 400, through a Power Point presentation.

“The key to a safe community is a partnership between law enforcement & the community,” Sheriff Vasquez explained. “With COP, we provide the car & the gas & you provide the time.”

Sheriff Vasquez brought the Citizens on Patrol program to PCSO after the success of his Casa Grande program. The purpose of the program is to provide interested citizens an opportunity to become the “eyes & ears” of their community. Volunteers will patrol Region 4 neighborhoods & business districts in a marked car & immediately report to PCSO any suspicious, criminal or potentially dangerous activity.

Munoz explained COP 400 volunteers initially must complete an application, background check & fingerprinting. Then volunteers undergo orientation & training, after which they can begin organizingthe program.

“Who knows your community better than you?” Munoz said.

Pat Prince, COP Liaison for the successful 2-year-old Gold Canyon COP program, also spoke to the group. Gold Canyon COP has 42 active members and has received national recognition.

If you have any questions or would like to join COP 400, please contact PCSO Crime Prevention Specialist Barbara Munoz at (520) 866-5189.

Mesa Museum Tops Revenue Record

The Arizona Museum of Natural History, 53 N. Macdonald in Mesa, will close the fiscal year on June 30th, with a record-breaking year for revenue from attendance. On Thursday, June 26th, the museum surpassed $500,000 from visitors coming to the museum, exceeding the previous best year of 2003-2004 by more than $25,000.

The Young family from Cave Creek and their children put the museum over the $500,000 mark. The museum expressed its appreciation to the Young family with a complimentary membership to the museum and a certificate thanking them for helping the museum reach its “mammoth” goal.

Museum attendance grew to 127,000, an increase of 20,000 from the previous fiscal year. This year’s attendance included 37,810 children visiting the museum as part of school field trips. They were not only from the Valley but also from all over the state, from Window Rock to Parker and from Kingman to Casa Grande. Museum staff members expected more visitation, revenue & statewide public support after the name was officially changed from Mesa Southwest Museum to Arizona Museum of Natural History October 1st, 2007. Since 2000, more than one million people have visited the museum.

Gila Community College Poetry Forum

The Gila Community College is holding an open mic Poetry Forum on July 12th, at 7 pm at the vida E caffé, 157 West Cedar Street in Globe.

Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center Gets Financial Help From The ADEQ

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens announced that ADEQ will be awarding a $168,442 grant to Audubon Arizona to support the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center and help improve water quality in Phoenix through public education.

"Audubon Arizona is doing a spectacular job preserving the Rio Salado area & educating people about the importance of the river, the wetlands & the habitat there," Director Owens said. "Because the Center is located on the 600-acre Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, it provides a perfect setting for city residents to learn about surface water, & we are very pleased to support this important effort."

The project will encourage residents in South Phoenix & Central Phoenix to take steps to reduce water pollution through means such as limiting use of fertilizer, storing chemicals appropriately to reduce runoff, properly disposing of pet waste, & replacing impenetrable surfaces with more porous materials where possible.

During the 2-year grant period, about 7,000 people are expected to participate in the program, which will be conducted at the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center, 2439 S. Central Ave. The center is located on the banks of the Salt River just a mile south of downtown Phoenix.

"Everyone should visit the center & learn about the importance of protecting this special local resource," Owens said.

In addition to paying for printed educational material, the ADEQ grant will enable Audubon Arizona to conduct educational programs & self-guided walks through the center's 2 acres of wetland along the Rio Salado area, erect informative signage along the pathways; provide; a "water quality backpack" with materials for simple water quality experiments; & initiate presentations on water quality by naturalists & trained volunteers.

The grant is funded with federal dollars provided to ADEQ under the Clean Water Act.

ASU Finishes In The 2007-08 U.S. Sports Academy Director’s Cup's Top Five

On the strength of 3 national championships & 8 total Top 10 national finishes this year, the Arizona State University athletics department has finished 4th in the 2007-08 U.S. Sports Academy Director’s Cup standings that were released by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Thursday. The Cup standings reflect each university’s success in collegiate athletics throughout the academic year & are used to determine the top overall collegiate athletics programs in the nation each year.

"The 2007-08 year has been a most exciting season for us at Arizona State University," Lisa Love, Vice President for University Athletics, said. “I could not be prouder of the student-athletes & coaches who competed at such a high level for our university. Their accomplishments have brought great prestige to our university & our community. We compete in such a prolific conference, the Pacific-10 Conference, in which we won 5 conference titles. We also won 3 national championships. I am so proud of the great work going on within our athletic family.”

With 1,146.00 points, the Sun Devils claimed their first placement among the Top 5 in the Cup standings for the first time under the current NACDA formula, which was started in time for the 1993-94 academic year, & surpasses the previous top finish of 9th place in 2000-01. ASU was the third-highest finisher this year among Pac-10 schools with Stanford (1,461.00) winning the Cup & UCLA (1,182.00) placing second. Michigan was third (1,154.00).

The Sun Devils earned 100 points each from the softball, men’s indoor track & field and women’s indoor track & field squads this year after each won national titles. The women’s outdoor track & field team (2nd), the women’s cross country team (4th) & the women’s golf team (5th) each earned Top 5 finishes to help the Sun Devils climb the charts. Overall, 18 of the department’s 22 teams scored points toward the Cup with half of the teams securing more than 60 points each.

Following the fall, the Sun Devils stood 28th overall with 165 points as women’s cross country (80), football (63) & men’s cross country (22) each scored. The winter saw 7 of the school’s 8 eligible teams score points to bring the overall total to 612 points & push the department to 9th overall. In the winter, the indoor track teams picked-up 200 total points while swimming combined for 113 (57 for women & 56 for men). Also adding to the total included women’s basketball (50), wrestling (45.5) & gymnastics (38.5).

In the spring, 8 of the 9 eligible teams scored 25 or more points, including the national champion softball squad (100) & fellow Top 10 finishers women’s track & field (90 points, second), women’s golf (75, fifth), men’s track & field (73.5, sixth) & baseball (64, ninth). Adding to the totals were men’s golf (56.5), women’s tennis (50) & men’s tennis (25).

The Cup was started in the early 1970’s by the Knoxville Journal with the newspaper awarding points based upon finishes in the national meets & tallying 3 standings: men, women & combined. Under that format, ASU climbed its way into the Top 5 on several occasions as a combined program, finishing 2nd in 1981 after placing third in 1976, 1977 & 1978. When USA Today took over compiling the numbers in the late 1980’s, the Sun Devils finished in the Top 10 on several occasions as a combined program with their highest finish coming in 1990 when they finished 4th after the men were 4th & women 5th in their separate divisions.

Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Business of the Year Winner

A standing ovation greeted the announcement of Greg and Dorine Esparza’s Guayo El Rey restaurant as 2008 Business of the Year. The Esparzas were honored at the annual dinner of the Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce, held June 25th, at the Dream Manor Inn.

The Esparza family has been in business nearly 40 years in the local area; Greg & Dorine have had the Miami restaurant more than 10 years.

The consistent high quality of food & fast, friendly service was only one of the reasons the business was chosen for this honor. A long-standing family tradition of helping community causes & individuals was a big part of the decision.

“It’s their generous spirit and willingness to the help the community that have made them standouts. From Little League teams, to church functions & projects, from local museum fundraisers individual fundraisers for people & families in need, they have never failed to say yes when asked to contribute. As chamber members, they don’t hesitate when we ask for donations for chamber events,” Ed Carpenter, chamber president, noted.

Quoting from some of the letters written to nominate Guayo’s El Rey, he added, “They take such pride in their business & it shows in their food, place of business & the quality of service they provide to their customers…they are a great support to our community.”

Another letter writer said she had talked with classic car owners who said they make it a regular trip from the Valley just to eat at the restaurant, a wonderful compliment for our local business community.

“It all adds up to a family-run restaurant that consistently makes the local community proud. Please join me in congratulating the 2008 Business of the Year, Guayo’s El Rey, owned by Greg and Dorine Esparza,” Carpenter said.

New Globe-Miami Chamber Of Commerce Officers And Board Of Directors Chosen

The officers for the Globe - Miami Chamber of Commerce for the coming year include (front l-r) Kim McSpadden, treasurer; Thomas Gough, president-elect; (back l-r) Ed Carpenter, past president; Russ Fetterman, president; and Mickie Nye, vice president. They were at the annual meeting for the chamber, held June 25th, at the Dream Manor Inn.

The board of directors for the Globe - Miami Chamber of Commerce was introduced June 25th, at the annual meeting held at Dream Manor Inn. Serving this year will be (front l-r) Bill Marshall, Joni Maldonado, Vice President Mickie Nye, (middle row l-r) Terry Wheeler, Treasurer Kim McSpadden, Lorraine Pence, Shirley Liles, (back l-r) President-Elect Thomas Gough; Past President Ed Carpenter; Deb Metz, and President Russ Fetterman. Also serving (not shown) will be Secretary Paul Wolterbeek, Jay Spehar, Ingo Radicke and Matt Kannegaard.

Pinal County Will Offer Prescription Drug Discount Card

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors announced that July 1st, is the launch date of a discount card program to help consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs.

The county is making the free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo). The card offers an average savings of 20% off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.

The cards, which will be available July 1st, may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income or existing health coverage. An estimated 59% of the county’s pharmacies will accept the discount card, & a national network of more than 57,000 participating retail pharmacies also will honor it.

“This will be a tangible benefit to all Pinal County residents,” said Chairman David Snider. “The NACo prescription discount card will offer significant savings for the uninsured and under-insured residents of our county. Even those fortunate to have prescription coverage may use the card to save money on drugs that are not covered by their health plan. Residents do not have to be Medicare beneficiaries to be eligible for this program.”

Chairman Snider added that the discount card can also be used for pet medications that are filled at regular pharmacies.

There will be no cost to county taxpayers for Pinal County & NACo to make these money-saving cards available to residents.

“One of the best things about the discount card program is the ease of using it,” said District 2 Supervisor Sandie Smith. “A cardholder will simply present it at a participating pharmacy. There is no enrollment form, no membership fee & no restrictions or limits on frequency of use. Cardholders & their family members may use the card any time their prescriptions are not covered by insurance.”

District 1 Supervisor Lionel Ruiz added that the savings will help those who are most vulnerable to the high cost of medications.

“This card will offer up an average savings of 20% off the retail price,” Supervisor Ruiz said. “I hope this card will help those who sometimes have to decide on buying food or their needed medications. People should take advantage of the savings this card will offer.”

The discount card program is administered by Caremark Rx, Inc.

Pets And The 4th Of July

With the 4th of July right around the bend, the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control has a few reminder's on how to take care of your pets when all the fireworks are going off.

Good News For Children's Rehabilitative Services

The Arizona Department of Health Services awarded a contract for the provision of Children's Rehabilitative Services (CRS) throughout the state to Arizona Physicians IPA, Inc. The first contract term will be from October 1st, 2008 through September 30th, 2010, with the option to renew for up to 24 additional months, for a possible total of four years.

Through September 30th, 2008, members will continue to use the same CRS health care providers. Beginning October 1st, 2008, CRS members will still be able to receive services in some of the same multispecialty interdisciplinary clinics they are currently using; however, more services will be available in community-based settings such as pharmacies, laboratories & physicians' offices.

Arizona Physician's IPA has already contracted with the current CRS multispecialty interdisciplinary clinics in Flagstaff and Yuma, & has offered contracts to the current CRS clinics in Phoenix & Tucson. CRS provides family-centered medical treatment, rehabilitation & related support services for children under age 21 with qualifying chronic & disabling conditions, & served over 23,000 children last year in 4 regional multispecialty interdisciplinary clinics throughout the state.

"APIPA offers an extensive network of physician specialists that should provide families with more choice of providers," said Joan Agostinelli, CRS Administrator. "We are looking forward to working with APIPA & our stakeholders to provide well-coordinated family-centered care to CRS members."

APIPA has served the needs of Arizona's medically underserved populations for more than 25 years through the AHCCCS program, including the acute care needs of CRS children. In addition to including most of the hospitals in Arizona, the network will also include 6 out-of-state children's specialty hospitals including the Children's Hospital Boston & Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University.

More information will become available before October 1st, 2008 to inform members of clinic availability & how to continue to access care.

New ‘Hands-Only’ CPR Guideline Simplifies The Life-Saving Technique

The recent unanticipated heart attack death of Meet the Press moderator, Tim Russert, 58, which occurred at work, dramatically underscores for us all just how unexpected & deadly sudden cardiac arrest can be. Moreover, it serves as an important reminder as to why we all should know how to perform the simple act of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) & how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) – two basic life-saving skills that can be acquired by anyone in a matter of minutes.

“This sad death reminds us all that everyone should receive training in the ‘Three Simple Rs of CPR,’ – ‘how to ‘react, respond & resuscitate’ – because even though CPR doesn’t save lives in every instance, it still has a strong potential to spell the difference between life & death in many cases,” said ACEP President Linda L. Lawrence, MD, FACEP.

The need for greater CPR & AED training is supported by an American Heart Association study, released in May, which found that although 89% of adults are willing & able to assist a person undergoing cardiac arrest, only a mere 21% felt confident about actually performing CPR, & fewer still (15%) thought they knew how to use an AED. Moreover, the majority (two-thirds) of Americans who did undergo CPR training did so only because it was a work, school or military requirement.

Simplified Training Boosts Public Confidence in Acquiring and Retaining CPR, AED Skills

The good news is that new simplified guidelines have made performing CPR even easier, thus giving would-be rescuers more confidence & effectiveness in their ability to save a life. Moreover, studies have shown that new innovative half-hour training techniques have resulted in the average person being able to remember & retain effective life-saving skills for the long term.

“While most of the public is aware of the importance of CPR & AEDs, what many people don’t realize is how quick & easy these basic skills are to learn, especially under recently revised ‘hands-only’ CPR guidelines,” said Dr. Lawrence. “These new simplified procedures have made it even easier for bystanders to provide lifesaving care to heart attack victims by eliminating the requirement for mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing in the process.”

The new simplified CPR procedures are based on several studies that found that immediately delivering & maintaining uninterrupted, continuous chest compressions & blood flow through the heart is more important to survival than oxygenation in the first critical minutes following a heart attack.

In addition to delivering deep, hard & fast chest compressions, it is also critical to rapidly retrieve & use an AED (if one is available). These sophisticated electronic devices can immediately detect the abnormal heart rhythms that generally lead to sudden cardiac arrest, & if used within a few minutes after symptom onset, are highly reliable in being able to “shock” the heart back into a regular rhythm. Most important, they also prompt the rescuer on the steps to take (and repeat as needed), leading to greater confidence & success on the user’s part.

Statistics support the high success rate of AEDs, including a 2002 study of the use of AEDs in Chicago-area airports, which revealed 75% survival rates among persons collapsing with cardiac arrest in terminal areas. Furthermore, a large number of the bystander rescuers were first-time AED users, who were able to save lives simply by following the user-friendly prompts given by AED devices.

Building Greater Public Confidence, Awareness and Education

“The new, but still not widely-known, simplified CPR guidelines & training courses, coupled with the ease of use & effectiveness of AEDs, have prompted ACEP to step up its own public education efforts, with many of our emergency physician members participating,” said Dr. Lawrence.

One more prominent example is Dr. Paul Pepe of Dallas, a resuscitation specialist & professor of emergency medicine, who is also in charge of the city’s emergency medical services. Currently, Dr. Pepe is overseeing Dallas’ year-end goal of training all 13,000 of its employees in how to perform CPR & use an AED through a new AHA-based half-hour training course. The result: almost all of the city’s employees have already been trained, & other large area employers & the school systems are following suit.

As Dr. Pepe notes, “With the simplified measures in place, & especially considering that 70% to 80% of the cases requiring CPR occur in & around the home, with another 10% to 15% happening in the work place, there is not any reason not to get trained – because when a sudden, unanticipated cardiac arrest occurs, chances are it’s going to be someone we know or love whose life we might save.”

Dr. Lawrence agrees. “Recognizing that there is no way a professional rescuer can reliably reach the average cardiac arrest victim in the 4 or 5 minutes in which permanent brain damage can occur, it’s simply up to us to be ready to save our loved ones & friends – especially now that it’s so much more simple to do so.”

What To Do In An Emergency: REACT, RESPOND and RESUSCITATE!

ACEP advises that we take the following measures in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest heart attack:

* Learn to recognize the symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest & have someone immediately call 9-1-1 when they occur. Don’t delay in calling; it is essential that emergency medical services (EMS) personnel arrive on the scene as early as possible.
* In the meantime, direct someone to retrieve an AED (if available) while beginning immediate & continuous CPR. These potentially life-saving measures should be performed uninterrupted until professional EMS rescuers arrive.
* If an AED is available (which preferably should be retrieved while someone else is still doing CPR), turn it on, & follow the instructions.

For details on performing CPR (including instructions on how to deliver conventional CPR), see ACEP’s new Emergency Care manual. In addition, see AHA’s CPR Anytime Course for Family and Friends.

APS Globe District Manager Bill Marshall Is Ready To Retire

After a career that saw him rise through the ranks of APS over 36 years – the last five as District Manager in Globe – Bill Marshall has left to pursue his next challenge: retirement.

Marshall’s responsibilities will be overseen by Don Hudgins, a 23-year APS veteran who manages APS’ Cochise District, which also includes the Douglas area.

“I have known Bill both professionally & personally for 9 years, & he always put our customers & the people around him first,” said Jim Valenzuela, Director of Southern Region Operations for APS, & himself a former district manager in Globe. “Bill performed his job at the highest level, & he made himself a vital part of the community. I know a lot of people slept better at night knowing Bill was on the job. We wish him all the best in retirement.”

Marshall, who served in the U.S. Army prior to joining APS, started work at the company in 1972. Over the years, Marshall’s career included work as a lineman, foreman, troubleman, coordinator, section leader and area manager. The past 9 years of Marshall’s 36 years with the company were spent in the company’s Mountain District, which encompasses Globe, Miami, Superior, Kearney, Hayden, Winkleman, San Manuel & a portion of the San Carlos areas.

His hard work for APS matched by his community involvement, Marshall is a founding member of the Wildlife Conservation Council, a coalition of several agencies including Arizona Game and Fish, U.S. Forest Service, Arizona Cattle Growers association & other organizations. Marshall also has been active with the Globe Miami Chamber of Commerce, Southern Gila County Economic Development Corp. & other non-profit organizations.

In retirement, Marshall & his significant other, Phyllis McMichael plan to reside in Globe & remain active in the community. Marshall also plans to spend more time concentrating on his hobbies of fishing & hunting, taking along his 7 grandchildren, whenever possible.

Like Marshall, Hudgins brings an impressive array of APS experience to his additional area of responsibility, having worked as a lineman, foreman, construction & maintenance coordinator & section leader, area supervisor & area manager.

Hudgins’ community involvement includes the Cochise Community Foundation Board, Cochise County Planning and Zoning Commission, Bisbee & Douglas Economic Advisory Committees and other organizations.

APS, Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electricity utility, serves about 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. In 2008, APS won its second Edison Award in recognition of innovative leadership and operational excellence in the electric industry. Given annually by the Edison Electric Institute, the Edison Award is considered the industry’s most prestigious honor. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW)

Can You Handle The Fury?

In the grand tradition of alums like Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Moses Malone and Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, the American Basketball Association will officially announce it's newest team, The Phoenix Fury, along with its owner, & organizational leadership on July 10th.

"There's a lot of talent & sporting enthusiasm in the Valley," said Phoenix Fury CEO Xavier Mitchell. "We are really focused on tapping into that talent & generating community excitement around The Phoenix Fury."

Fans and members of the Phoenix community are invited to participate in the press conference (10:30 am at Greenway High School gymnasium located at 3930 W. Greenway Road in Phoenix), & meet the team leadership during a meet-and-greet following the press announcement. The Phoenix Fury encourages those interested in tryouts for basketball and dance and teams to attend the press conference and gather additional information about qualifications as well as important upcoming dates.

The organizational leadership, including ABA great Joe Bryant, will be introduced during the press conference & address the team's key objectives in bringing the ABA's unique style to Phoenix. The team will comment on how The Phoenix Fury will utilize the unique amalgam of spectatorship, affordable family entertainment & athletic prowess that ABA Basketball offers to build community support & generate an active fan base.

"We've assembled a group of truly talented individuals who understand what ABA basketball is about," notes Mitchell. "Old School. New Attitude."

The ABA & Phoenix Fury are committed to providing a well-rounded, attainable sporting experience packed with high-flying slam-dunks, phenomenal long-range shooting, nimble ball handling & all-around brilliant athletic showmanship. In addition to providing a fulfilling & exhilarating entertainment experience, The Phoenix Fury embraces the opportunity to mentor Valley youth through participation in various outreach activities & be a force for good works.

The American Basketball Association was originally founded 1967 & became known for its players' fresh & flamboyant style of offensive play & the red, white and blue basketball. The league generated some memorable players whose court style influences today's basketball stars, including Julius Erving, Moses Malone, & Wilt Chamberlain.

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to reacquaint people with the ABA's old school style & new school attitude," said Mitchell.

Louisiana Gets It Right

Governor Bobby Jindal has signed a sex offender chemical castration bill. Sex offenders will have a choice, of either physical castration or chemical castration. We need to inform Governor Janet Napolitano that this is a measure needed in Arizona, and to possibly make it retroactive.

To contact the the Governor's office, follow the instructions or send an e-mail as listed on the Contact page at azgovernor.gov:

The full mailing address is:
The Honorable Janet Napolitano
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Telephone: (602) 542-4331
Toll Free: 1-(800) 253-0883
Fax: (602) 542-1381

Free Swim Day On July 4th

The Miami Hostetler Pool will offer free swimming on July 4th, between 1 pm & 5pm.

Light Up the Sky Festival

This is an alcohol-free event that features one of the best fireworks displays on the west side starting at 9:30 pm, at the Maryvale Baseball Park, 3600 N. 51st Ave. (just south of Indian School Road). They will have rides, games, arts and crafts and information booths from, 7 pm - 10 pm. There is no admission fee for this event. For more information call (602) 262-4539.

Verde Valley Of Yavapai County Awarded Grant From The ADEQ

The ADEQ is awarding $334,112 to fund recycling in the Verde Valley of Yavapai County.

Verde Earthworks LLC, in Sedona, will receive $319,112 to establish a new materials recovery facility, an area where recyclables are processed, in the Verde Valley, near Interstate 17 in the community of Rimrock.

The facility, located on 8 acres, will process residential & commercial recyclable materials for the rural area of Verde Valley. The funds will pay for a 4,000-square-foot steel building, a baler & a conveyor for sorting. Verde Earthworks has set a goal of removing 20% of the 300 tons daily of solid waste being generated in the Verde Valley.

The new facility also will employ 12 residents of nearby Rainbow Acres, a ranch-style community for adults with developmental disabilities.

"This is a critical part of the recycling infrastructure that is needed in the state to help increase the overall recycling rate," Director Owens said. "Recycling is one of our most effective tools to protect our environment. Recycling conserves our limited natural resources, saves energy, & reduces the need for landfills. We are glad to support efforts to increase recycling in Yavapai County."

In addition, the City of Sedona will receive $15,000 for a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event at city hall, the first collection event in the Verde Valley in more than 5 years. The city also will implement an outreach campaign to inform the citizens of Sedona about proper disposal of HHW. The funds will be used to hire a HHW contractor to properly conduct the event.

These grants are funded by ADEQ's Waste Reduction Assistance program, which is awarded to projects devoted to waste reduction, recycling & composting.

Florence Freedom Fest 4th of July Celebration Schedule

The Town of Florence Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring its annual Florence Freedom Fest July 4th celebration to be held at Heritage Park on Friday, July 4th. There are a number of family fun activities planned in Florence. Everyone is welcome to come out and celebrate our Independence Day!

The following activities are tentatively scheduled:

* Pool activities are scheduled from 10 am to 2 pm at the Florence Community Pool, located at the Florence High School. There will be free open swim & wacky water games.
* Immediately following swimming activities at the Florence Community Pool, teams are formed for the Mud Volleyball Tournament at Heritage Park. The cost will be $30 per team & includes a great prize. Competition is scheduled to begin approx. at 2:30 pm.
* The Horseshoe Tournament will begin at 3 pm. The cost is $10 per team. Registration fees must be paid no later than July 2nd.
* Enter your favorite salsa recipe in Florence "Fiery Salsa" challenge! The categories are best hot salsa, best mild salsa, & people's choice. Drop off a minimum of 1/2 gallon of your salsa between 3 pm & 4 pm at the designated table. Winners will be announced at 7 pm & can win a fabulous gift basket valued at $50.
* The Family Day events begin at 4 pm, which includes an obstacle course for all ages, watermelon eating contest, games, music, water slide inflatables, food vendors, & lots more.
* The evening festivities will be kicked-off with a Red, White & Blue Family Parade. Families are encouraged to put their "best float forward" in this Third Annual 4th of July Parade. Decorate your bikes, scooters, wagons or even the kids for this pre-fireworks event. Parade line-up begins at 5:15 pm in the Heritage Park parking lot. The parade will begin approx. at 5:30 pm & will lead into the singing of the National Anthem & a Patriotic Show.
* The 1st annual amateur country singing contest "Thunder Idol" will be coordinated this year as part of the festivities beginning at 6 pm & or following the Patriotic Show. This contest will be for ages 18 & up. The contest is co-sponsored by Country Thunder USA. Great prizes will be awarded for contestants up to $2,500 in value. Please contact the department for more details.
* Entertainment and MC for the event is provided by Christine Deaton & "Keepsakes" & will take place in between the Thunder Idol competition & leading up to the firework show.
* The firework show will begin at approx. 9 pm. This event is free to the public!

For more information please call 868-7589.

Gila County Fair Committee Meeting

The meeting will take place on July 8th, at 6:30 pm at the Gila County Historical Museum. Anyone interested in helping with the 2008 Gila County fair is welcome to attend.

DFI Removes Twelve From The Financial Services Industry In Arizona

Superintendent Felecia Rotellini announced that the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions ("DFI") has, since January 2007, issued 12 final administrative removal orders that remove & prohibit former escrow officers & a loan officer from working within the financial services industry. Two more removal actions were recently filed & several more are in the process of being completed & filed as DFI continues to focus more of its resources on the examination & investigation of mortgage fraud. The administrative removal orders & Notices of Hearing below can be found at: azdfi.gov/Final/Intro.htm.

Chris Bartlemus, a former escrow officer at Security Title Agency, Inc., improperly disbursed $1,335,190.39 contrary to the provisions of HUD-1 escrow statements or written escrow instructions. He was also indicted by federal authorities in March 2008 on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, & money laundering.

Margie Lynn Means, who is now a convicted felon, fraudulently diverted $547,268.40 in escrow funds from Security Title Agency, Inc. to herself & her daughter. She was employed as a branch manager & escrow officer for 21 years at Security Title Agency, Inc.

Annette Marie Damico, a former mortgage payment processor, embezzled $142,456.72 from Security Title Agency, Inc. where she worked for 18 years. She plead guilty to Theft, a Class 2 Felony.

Sandra J. Flores, a former escrow officer, misappropriated $18,800 by depositing 5 checks into her own personal bank account while working at Pioneer Title Agency, Inc. She then misappropriated 20 checks totaling $32,934.18 while being employed at Transnation Title Insurance Company.

Claudia Denise Ramsey, a former escrow officer at Lawyer’s Title of Arizona, Inc., embezzled $3,250.24 by diverting escrow funds into a company that she managed.

Anna Solis, a former escrow officer at Transnation Title Insurance Company & Camelback Title Agency, L.L.C., was directly involved in a $48,947.48 defalcation at Transnation, which consisted of 127 forged checks. She also wrongfully disbursed escrow funds involving 47 escrow files while employed at Camelback Title.

Nancy Wilson, a former escrow officer at LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc., misappropriated $57,385.56 in escrow funds to pay personal credit card accounts.

Francisco Vicente Martinez, a former loan officer at Security Mortgage Corporation, violated Arizona mortgage banker laws by making a misrepresentation in the course of the mortgage banker business. He was also convicted of Forgery, a Class 4 Felony.

Mary Lou Pidd, a former escrow officer at Title Security Agency, Inc. & Ticor Title Agency of Arizona, Inc., used her position as an escrow officer to wrongfully divert $17,211.78 in escrow funds to her personal bank accounts.

Cine Johnson, a former escrow officer, misappropriated $30,000 in escrow funds while working at LandAmerica Transnation Title, Inc.

Wendy Kaufmann (formerly know as Wendy Hahn), a former branch manager at Premier Title Agency, L.L.C., wrongfully diverted $145,525.27 in escrow funds through unauthorized wire transfers. She was also a branch manager at Arizona Title Agency, Inc. where she wrongfully diverted $21,311.30 by wrongfully handling her own refinance transaction.

Lisa Gorney, a former escrow officer & branch manager at Premier Title Group, diverted & misappropriated escrow funds totaling $995,952.83. After a joint investigation between the Arizona Attorney General and DFI, she was indicted in March 2008 on charges of theft, fraud, & illegally conducting an enterprise.

On April 24th, 2008, DFI filed a Notice of Hearing & Intent to Remove & Prohibit from Further Participation in any Manner in the Conduct of the Affairs of a Financial Institution or Enterprise & Complaint ("removal order") against loan officer, Rick T. McCullough, alleging the following violations of mortgage broker statutes: (1) concealing essential material facts; (2) misrepresenting & making false promises; (3) failing to maintain good standing with the Arizona Corporation; (4) failing to comply with the requirements under RESPA & CCPA; (5) failing to issue &/or maintain a statutorily correct written document agreement; (6) violating DFI’s prior Consent Order; & (7) engaging in illegal & improper business practices. On June 23rd, 2008, a hearing was held at the Office of Administrative Hearings following Mr. McCullough’s default. DFI presented evidence along with witnesses’ testimony.

On May 13th, 2008, DFI filed a removal order against Cindy O. Peterson, a former First American Title Insurance Company escrow officer, alleging that Ms. Peterson wrongfully diverted & disbursed unauthorized escrow funds totaling $20,124.53. She was also employed as an escrow officer & branch manager at Premier Title Group where DFI alleges Ms. Peterson disbursed unauthorized escrow funds totaling $2,278 & file discrepancies totaling $50,485.81.

By law, as a result of a final order, individuals found to be unfit or dishonest, or individuals convicted of a crime involving fraud & deceit may not be employed by any financial institution or enterprise regulated by DFI, without the Superintendent’s prior approval.

Diamondbacks vs Milwaukee Brewers

The Miami Senior Center has scheduled, "Diamondback Baseball Trips" for this summer & have only 30 tickets for each game. The tickets to catch the D-backs take on the Brewers on July 1st, are only $27 each. All ages are welcome to enjoy an evening at the ballpark. The games start at 6:40 pm, the air conditioned chartered bus will leave the Senior Center (500 Sullivan St. in Miami) at 4 pm. For more details call, 473-4190.

Florence Community Pool Is Temporarily Closed

The Florence Community Pool is temporarily closed due to unplanned maintenance of the electrical system supplying power to the pool. The Town of Florence & the Florence Unified School District are working diligently to ensure the pool is reopened as soon as possible.

The date to reopen the pool is not yet determined. Until further notice the pool is closed & is not open to the public. The following programs & activities planned at the Florence Community Pool are affected by the unexpected closing:

Pool Cancellations planned for June 26th-28th:
Swim Team Open Swim
Semi-Private Class
Senior Wet Workout
Wet Workout
Adult Beginner Swim Lessons
Lap Swim

Pool Cancellations Planned for June 30th & July 1st:
Swim Team (until further notice if we can use Anthem pool)
Swim Lessons Open Swim
Senior Wet Workout
Wet Workout
Adult Beginner Swim Lessons
Lap Swim

If it is possible for the pool to reopen in advance of these dates, the programs will operate as normal. If you have questions, please contact the Town of Florence Parks and Recreation Office at 868-7589.

Globe-Miami Fireworks

There is no change to the location of the fireworks display for Globe-Miami's 4th of July celebration. They will launch from the tailings in Claypool at 8:30 pm on July 4th.

Need Cucumbers?

The Gila Community Food Bank, 317 Hackney Ave. in Globe, has an overabundance of cucumbers & you can stop by on June 27th, between 8 am - Noon & pick up what you need.

Governor Napolitano, Sonoran Governor Castelo Increase Emergency Help And Measures To Fight Border Violence

Governor Janet Napolitano & Sonoran Governor Eduardo Bours Castelo signed 8 agreements addressing drug & weapon trafficking, felony fugitives, emergency response & border infrastructure in the Arizona-Sonora region at the Arizona-Mexico Commission’s (AMC) 2008 Summer Plenary Session.

"As neighbors, collaboration is essential to our success in combating issues affecting the region," said Governor Napolitano. “Not only will partnerships advance our global competitiveness, but more importantly it will improve the quality of life for Arizonans and Sonorans.”

To expand cooperation between Arizona & Sonora, Governors Bours & Napolitano signed the following agreements:

· Expansion of eTrace - Provides a secure Web based method to effectively & efficiently trace firearms recovered in crimes & reduce the number of illegal weapons moving through Arizona. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) will provide training to Sonoran police on how to identify guns, ammunition & explosives; recover obliterated serial numbers on guns; & record the information.
· Expansion of State Fugitive and Felony Detail - Builds upon the directive from Governor Napolitano to the Arizona Department of Public Safety to develop a task force to identify & catch fugitives in Arizona. Now the mission includes fugitives in both states with intelligence sharing & training between Arizona & Sonora law enforcement. The agreement also addresses the extradition issues to enhance the return of criminals to the appropriate state for prosecution.
· Illegal Narcotics Agreement - Shares intelligence between officials in both states regarding drug trafficking organizations that use Arizona as a gateway into the U.S. This program will allow the U.S. to prosecute Mexican nationals arrested on American soil for smuggling narcotics.
· AZ3D Agreement - Spurs the exploration of sharing cross-border geospatial information among first responders, homeland security personnel & emergency managers during a crisis.
· Border Emergency Agreement - Allows for the closest response team to provide help to citizens on either side of the border in emergency situations.
· 2015 Border Infrastructure Plan - Supports full cross-border coordination & cooperation for all Port of Entry projects & will educate stakeholders about the growth in commercial traffic at border entry points.
· Health Highways Agreement - Increases community awareness of the public health problem & better protect the residents of this region by coordinating the sharing of educational information regarding highway safety & promoting the coordination of education campaigns.
· Tri-National Emergency Response Plan - Provides emergency notification & communication, routine emergency planning & cross-border emergency planning, coordinated between the states of Arizona & Sonora & the Tohono O’odham Nation.

During this year’s plenary, Professional Medical Transportation (PMT) Ambulance donated an ambulance to Puerto Penasco, Sonora. Additionally, the city of Hermosillo, Sonora received a van equipped to help the disabled as part of a joint donation effort between Phoenix Sister Cities & Veolia Transportation.

The AMC Plenary Session united approx. 500 people. Governors Napolitano & Bours met with public & private sector business leaders, legislators, policy influencers & community leaders from Arizona & Mexico to connect communities, change business & affect state policy to enhance the economy & quality of life in the Arizona-Sonora region.

4th Annual Insomniac Softball Tournament Registrations Are Being Accepted

The Town of Florence Parks and Recreation is hosting the 4th Annual “Insomniac” all-night co-ed softball tournament. This double elimination softball tournament is scheduled for Saturday, July 12th, at Heritage Park.

There is a requirement of 5 males & 5 females per team. There is a per team fee of $150 which must be paid no later than Thursday, July 3rd, at the Florence Parks and Recreation Office & Fitness Center, located at 133 N. Main Street.

Awards are provided to 1st through 3rd place teams & there is also a male & female M.V.P award given out.

A male and female Fast-man & Fast-female competition during the tournament will also take place. You can register the day of the tournament for $5 per person. Rules for this competition are announced the day of the tournament.

For more information please contact Erasmo Mendivil Jr. at (520) 868-7586.

Prescott Movie In The Park

Prescott Parks, Recreation and Library and Arizona Mobile Cinema present "Movies in the Park" at Watson Lake Park, just 4 miles north of Prescott on Highway 89. The start time for this great & free family get together is 6 pm on June 28th. Also, they will have guest speakers, concessions and vendors on site.

Free Concert In Scottsdale

"Affinity" will bring their musical mix of Party, Swing, & Variety to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park located at, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road in Scottsdale on June 29th. The concert is schedlued to run from 7:30 pm - 9 pm. Train rides will be available throughout the concert for $2 per ride and carousel rides are available for $1 per ride. Children under three ride free with a paying adult on both rides. Food will also be available for purchase.

ADEQ Fines Red J Environmental Corp.

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens announced that Red J Environmental Corp., a hazardous waste transporter based in Joseph City, Arizona, will pay $63,500 in penalties for hazardous waste violations that occurred when it transported waste in the Phoenix area.

“This company committed a number of violations that potentially endangered the environment & the public,” Director Owens said. “The company’s actions were simply unacceptable.”

ADEQ learned that the Navajo County company illegally stored 32,000 gallons of petroleum-contaminated wastewater treatment sludge after test results indicated the sludge was a hazardous waste. Federal & state law prohibits the storage of hazardous waste for longer than 90 days without a permit, which the company did not have.

Red J had moved the waste from the Cave Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2004 & 2005 to a yard at 3215 S. 7th Street in Phoenix.

In February 2005, Red J received the test results, which showed that the sludge contained benzene & could easily catch fire. ADEQ inspectors discovered that the sludge had remained stored at the Phoenix site until the end of April 2005.

In addition, the company transported the waste about 15 miles from Cave Creek without the manifest required by state & federal law, transported hazardous waste without a required EPA ID number, & failed to pay the relevant fees.

“If you are going to be in the business of transporting toxic waste, you’d better follow the law,” Owens said.

Florence Community Library Has Children’s Activities

Keep your kids as busy as a bee this summer by participating in programs at the Florence Community Library.

Crafts on June 26th, will feature bug mats at 2 pm. The following week, July 3rd, children will make “beautiful bugs” at 2 pm. Please reserve a seat by calling (520) 868-9471.

The Family Movie at 2 pm on June 27th, will follow a boy & the ants in his backyard. His adventure leads to friendship, teamwork & loyalty. Free popcorn & drinks are served. Seats will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Enjoy a new Trivia Sheet beginning on June 30th. Drop in all week for a chance to win prizes for the correct answers. See library staff at the main desk for more details. From 1 pm to 3 pm, stop by & play Wii & XBOX games in the programming room. Games are rated “E” & “T”.

The Teen Movie on July 1st, at 2 pm is a film by 2 French biologists who give us a peek into the pastimes, habits & lives of earth’s most ancient creatures. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Free popcorn & drinks will be served.

Family Storytime on July 2nd, at 10 am spotlights some special guests - members of the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department. The story will be read by Eddie the Eagle.

The library will be closed on Independence Day, July 4th.

Bat Night 2008

Oracle State Park presents "Bat Night 2008" on Friday, July 11th. Find out about bats & the important role they play in nature. Meet guys from Arizona Game and Fish (AZGF) who will offer an educational program at the historic Kannally Ranch House & identify the bat species that are seen using the attic space above the living room.

At 7 pm they will arrive to assess the site & give recommendations to park staff on conserving the building in an environmental way with exclusion techniques that don't threaten the bat nursery season.

At 7:30 pm, their AZGF guests will set-up nets to prepare to capture mature bats flying around the ranch house, followed by a slide program inside at 8 pm to share their images & knowledge of bat ecology. At 8:45 pm the program returns outside to check the nets to identify the captured species & let the public view these flying mammals up close.

This is a family-friendly event; there is no fee to attend the evening interpretive program but due to space limitations a reservation is preferred. For more information or for reservations call Oracle State Park at (520) 896-2425.

Oracle State Park is a 4,000-acre wildlife refuge located in the northern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in the town of Oracle north of Tucson.

Ann Kirkpatrick To Open Office In Casa Grande

The Kirkpatrick campaign team will hold a grand opening for her Casa Grande Headquarters on July 19th, with a celebration between 12 pm & 2 pm, at 118 East 1st Street in Casa Grande. This opening will mark Kirkpatrick's second office in her run for Congressional District 1.

Transportation Board Approves Five-Year Construction Program

The Arizona State Transportation Board approved the Arizona Department of Transportation’s $6.1 billion 2009-2013 highway construction program at its monthly meeting in Nogales on June 20th. The program includes funding for improvements to highways across Arizona, including I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson, US 93 between Wickenburg and I-40 and the regional freeway system in Maricopa County.

The Board also approved $39 million in construction contracts for projects to improve the state’s transportation system in Apache, Navajo, Maricopa, Yavapai, & Yuma Counties.

Maricopa County
Loop 101 (Price Freeway) HOV Lanes – The project consists of constructing high-occupancy vehicle lanes in the median of the Price Freeway from the Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) interchange in Tempe to Frye Road in Chandler. Pulice Construction will begin work this fall on the $31.2 million project, which is scheduled for completion in fall 2009.

Apache County
US 60 Repaving – The project consists of repaving a 14-mile segment of US 60 beginning 12 miles east of Show Low. Hatch Construction will begin work in August on the $2.3 million project, which is scheduled for completion in fall 2008.

Navajo County
State Route 77 Paving – The project consists of repaving a 1-mile segment of State Route 77 (Navajo Boulevard in Holbrook) from Hopi Drive to the south. Combs Construction will begin work in August on the $500,000 project, which is scheduled for completion in fall 2008.

Yavapai County
I-40 Repaving – The project consists of repaving a 2-mile segment of I-40 just west of Ash Fork. Southwest Asphalt Paving will begin work in August on the $2.9 million project, which is scheduled for completion in spring 2009.

Yuma County
San Luis Street Paving – The project consists of repaving Urtuzuastegui Street & 10th Avenue in the City of San Luis. Tanner Companies Yuma will begin work in August on the $1.8 million project, which is scheduled for completion in late fall 2008.

Pinal County Sheriff's Office To Institute New Gas Saving Procedures

With gas prices skyrocketing & pocketbooks suffering, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office is taking measures to relieve both employees & taxpayers of the high fuel costs.

“In my travels around the county, I’ve seen gas prices range from $3.98 to $4.38 per gallon,” Pinal County Sheriff Chris Vasquez said. “The cost of gas is having a huge impact not only on our budget, but also in our personal lives. Forecasts indicate the price of gas is only going to get worse.”

Because of this, Sheriff Vasquez has initiated a department-wide schedule of four 10-hour days, instead of five 8-hour days, to save a day’s worth of gas, as long as services & safety factors allow.

Essential services will not be affected. Citizens should continue to call 9-1-1 for emergencies or 1-800-420-8689 for Sheriff’s Office assistance.

These measures will be effective in the next couple of weeks.

The Sheriff’s Office is also looking at other ways to save on gas, such as car pooling, extended use of the bike patrol & several measures involving patrol deputies.

Charitable Donations to Military Family Relief Fund Helps In More Ways Than One

It’s halfway through the year & time to start thinking about your 2008 taxes. Not many people realize the choices they have regarding how their tax dollars will be spent. Through your donation to the Arizona Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) you can receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your taxes. Not only do you reap the rewards that come from helping those in need, but now you can tell Arizona what to do with the money you already pay!

The Arizona MFRF provides up to $10,000 to families whose loved ones have been injured or killed while fighting the Global War on Terror. All funds come from Arizona tax credits or direct contributions from citizens wanting to support our brave military heroes.

The fund is administered by the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, so your contributions will go directly to Arizona military families in need. The tax credit is the smaller of the donated amount: $200 if single & $400 if married and filing jointly, or the amount of state tax you owe.

Military Family Relief Fund recipients use the support for everything from regaining financial stability after losing a loved one, to purchasing international plane fare to be by their injured child’s side. Contributions to the fund can be made through the organization’s website at azmfrf.gov, or direct mail campaign.

Basketball Refs Needed

Any current male high school student or graduate from San Carlos, Fort Thomas, or Globe can apply to work the Apache Rez-Ball tournaments in Whiteriver during the summer. You must be alcohol and drug-free to work the tournaments. Not only can you earn money, you get free room/board, meals, and transportation while working the games. If you are interested, call now before it’s too late, by too late I mean 8 pm tonight. That is the deadline. Call Nathan at (928) 434-5678.

Decomposed Body Not Identified Yet

The identity & the cause of death are still unknown in relation to the partially decomposed body found earlier today near U.S. 60 west of Florence Junction. A car was found under a nearby bridge, but, nothing is being said as to whether the vehicle belongs to the deceased.

A Citizens Letter To The Globe City Council Regarding The Allocation Of Bed Tax Revenue

June 23rd, 2008

To Honorable Members of the Globe City Council:

Before you make your decision on allocations on bed tax monies, I respectfully request that top priority for additional bed tax revenues be considered for the Globe-Miami United Fund.

The Globe-Miami United Fund for years has promoted our community in unlimited ways which has involved thousands of persons through the many organizations it represents. Not only has this agency played a part of Globe's economy, it has been a major factor in helping to stabilize family life, getting our youngsters involved in various activities, even stepping in to help needy persons, and the list goes on.

As a supporter, I believe the Globe-Miami United fund needs additional help and this non profit organization does legally qualify for receiving city of Globe bed tax funds.

Again, would you please give the Globe-Miami United Fund top priority in your discussions this evening for additional allocations for bed tax monies. With this non profit group, there are no secrets or mysteries as to what the Globe-Miami United Fund does with its monies. The information is public and the credibility of the local United Fund groups is well known in the area. Too, the organizations it represents are busy improving the quality of life in Globe and are not issuing self promoting press releases to justify their existence.

Thank You,
Thera P. Gonzales
Ruiz Canyon
Long Time Globe Resident

Benefit Co-Ed Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament

This benefit softball Tournament will go on June 27th - 29th, with the games being played at the San Carlos Riverside Field and Belvado Park Field (if needed). The team fee is $100. Contact Antoinette, Cheryl, or Pauline at 475-4592 to register or for more information.


The money being raised is to help send the San Carlos High School Boys to the NABI tournament in Phoenix on July 5th - 9th, 2008.

Phoenix-Based Company Takes Home The “Society for Human Resource Management Best Small & Medium Companies To Work For In America” Award

A Phoenix-based company was recognized today as one of the 50 recipients of the “Society for Human Resource Management Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America” award. The company was selected by the Great Place to Work® Institute (GPTW) in its ranking of the nation’s top 25 small & 25 medium-sized employers. Winners received their awards in Chicago at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) 60th Annual Conference and Exposition.

The winning company is:

· McMurry (5th of the small-sized employers), Phoenix. In tune with their corporate promise of ‘A better place, a better way’, McMurry has 8 living values that are integrated into every facet of the company. One of which is ‘Help One Another’, & is evident in their domestic violence assistance program that gives extra PTO, legal services, & safe housing to staff members in need. The CEO & Founder chose not to attend the 2007 SHRM conference (as is customary) so the VP of the “Tremendous People Team” could receive all of the recognition for her hard work in helping to make McMurry a great workplace.

“Top U.S. companies succeed by using smart people-management strategies to develop highly productive & satisfied workforces,” said SHRM President & CEO, Susan R. Meisinger. “Particularly in times of economic instability, knowing how to best manage your employees is an essential part of keeping productivity high & your organization open for business. That’s why these companies deserve our applause, now more than ever.”

“The ranking of these 50 top organizations is based upon a random survey of their employees, who send GPTW answers to a detailed questionnaire about workplace culture,” said Hal Adler, GPTW president. “We then analyze those responses in conjunction with other factors to create the ranking. It’s the same approach we use in creating our ’FORTUNE's 100 Best Companies to Work For®’ list.”

The Society for Human Resource Management 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America winners range in size from 50 to 999 workers, with “small” being a workforce of 50-250 & “medium” employing from 251 to 999. This year, 321 companies participated in the selection process. That process included distribution of a 57-question survey to each organization’s workforce & a separate questionnaire for management. The Great Place to Work Institute then reviewed each company’s annual reports, employee handbooks & other materials.

Employee-survey responses (a total of 44,258 this year) counted for two-thirds of each organization’s score. The remaining one-third came from GPTW’s evaluation of the company in 5 areas: credibility, respect, fairness, pride & camaraderie. This year’s top winners are Dixon Schwabl in the small category, & Ultimate Software in medium-sized.

· Dixon Schwabl is an advertising firm from Victor, New York. The tagline "We make it happen" reflects the positive, proactive nature of life at Dixon Schwabl, & they hire people committed to the cause. The design of the facility is aimed to inspire creativity & be conducive to brainstorming & team activities. New employees are placed in rotating teams of 5 to 8 employees who create fun & meaningful monthly events for the entire agency, to keep the creative culture top-of-mind. Team meetings are daily; agency meetings are weekly - so at least 6 times per week information is routinely shared, both good & bad.
· Ultimate Software is an information technology company based in Weston, Florida. Two of the main themes at Ultimate Software are employee recognition & sports - CEO Scott Scherr sees himself as the “coach” & his employees as “first round draft picks.” This theme plays out at all levels of the organization - from dinner with the senior executive team on a new employee’s first day of orientation, to employee ”MVP” jerseys hanging in the custom-designed basketball atrium (dubbed the ”UltiCourt”), which was built after an employee suggested it as a way to celebrate reaching the goal of $100 million in revenue. Each MVP employee is nominated by peers for representing "the passion, dedication, personality, attitude & work ethics that everyone at Ultimate should possess" & is awarded 2 first-class tickets to anywhere in the continental U.S. & Mexico, plus $500 cash.

The Top 5 Small Winners:

1. Dixon Schwabl Advertising of Victor, NY.
2. Badger Mining Corporation of Berlin, WI.
3. SnagAJob.com of Glen Allen, VA.
4. Heinfeld, Meech & Co., P.C. of Tucson, AZ.
5. McMurry of Phoenix, AZ.

Full coverage of the award ceremony & other details are available online at, shrm.org. Stories about the winning organizations will appear in the July issue of HR Magazine, SHRM's flagship publication with a circulation of 210,000. The organizations will also be listed at, greatplacetowork.com.

Miami Kindergarten, First, And Second Grade Registration

The Miami Unified School District is asking all residents with a child who will be in Kindergarten, First, or Second grade this coming year to pre-register at Las Lomas Elementary School, 5791 S. Maple Leaf Rd. in Claypool, between July 14th - July 24th.

Please bring your child's Immunization Records, Certified Birth Certificate, & Social Security Number with you. Students entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old by this coming Sept. 1st.

Las Lomas will hold their Open House on July 31st, at 5:30 pm.

Retired And Senior Volunteer Program Funding Available For Certain Counties

The Arizona State Office of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announces the availability of Federal grant funds to support a Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in Cochise, Greenlee, Graham & Santa Cruz Counties .

RSVP is authorized by The Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as Amended, (Title 42 U.S. Code, & Chapter 26). In accordance with the National and Community Service Trust Act, the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency, manages the RSVP program. The Corporation for National Service provides grants to qualified agencies & organizations for the dual purpose of engaging persons 55 and older in volunteer service to meet critical community needs & to provide a high quality experience that will enrich the lives of volunteers.

Approximately $58,200 per year is now available in federal funds to support 116 volunteers. Applications must be received by the Corporation State Office in Phoenix, by 5 pm on July 31st, 2008. The successful applicant shall be awarded the funds & shall start the new program on September 30th, 2008.

Please take a few minutes to review the attached information about RSVP & sponsorship responsibilities to determine if this program is consistent with your organization’s interests & capabilities as a potential project sponsor.

Non-federal share requirements (cash or in-kind) are as follows:

First year-minimum of 10% of the total grant budget.
Second year-20% of total grant budget.
Third year and thereafter-30% of total grant budget.

Please reference the following documents or websites that will support you in completing the required Senior Corps application:

RSVP Fact Sheet
CNCS Strategic Initiatives Brochure
Senior Corps Grant Application Form and Instructions
Federal Register/Volume 64, No.56/ Wednesday March 24, 1999
(See p. 14135, part 2553)
The National Service Resource Center-Resources for Senior Corps Programs

To determine if this program is consistent with your organization’s interests & capabilities as a potential sponsor, all interested parties are invited to participate in an informational teleconference on Tuesday July 8th, 2008 at 2 pm. To reserve your teleconference line, please contact Terry Gunnell, Arizona State Program Director, tgunnell@cns.gov, by Monday, July 7th, 2008.

Participation in the call is optional for prospective applicant as all pertinent information required to complete the application is attached to this email. The call is intended to review application information, program and fiscal requirements, & answer applicant questions.

The original & 4 copies of the application are due to the Arizona State Office no later than 5 pm Arizona time on Tuesday July 31st. Electronic or faxed submissions will not be accepted. It is not necessary to submit attachments with the application as the full set of attachments will only be required of the final applicant selected. All initial applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of the competition by August 15th.

Please submit completed applications to:

Terry Gunnell
Corporation for National and Community Service
230 North First Avenue, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Arizona AFL-CIO Releases 2008 Congressional Primary Endorsement List

The Arizona AFL-CIO is pleased to announce their Congressional Primary Election endorsements. The endorsements come from an extensive interviewing process & Legislative voting record review with U.S. Congressional candidates. As the largest organization of unions in the state representing 165,000 union members in addition to their families, the Arizona AFL-CIO endorsement is considered crucial for the success of many of the candidates. The primary will be held on September 2nd, 2008.

Rebekah Friend, Executive Director of the Arizona AFL-CIO stated, "It is a pleasure to endorse candidates of this caliber. These candidates share our vision of what is important to Arizona’s working families. These candidates support the issues that Arizona's unions fight for everyday. Issues such as the workers right to join a union, access to affordable healthcare, & a stable & improved economy, & quality education.” Friend concluded, "There are many issues on the table that impact working families, & it is crucial for the future of Arizona that we elect those who are going to step up to the plate & fight for the issues that will move Arizona forward. We’re convinced that these candidates will do just that. We intend to put substantial resources forward to educate union members & their families on the views of our endorsed candidates & then ensure their successful election.”

The following is a list of the early endorsed Congressional candidates:

1 Ann Kirkpatrick (D)
2 John Thrasher (D)
3 Bob Lord (D)
4 Ed Pastor (D)
5 Harry Mitchell (D)
7 Raul M. Grijalva (D)
8 Gabrielle Giffords (D)

The Arizona AFL-CIO is an umbrella organization comprised of AFL-CIO affiliated local unions which represent over 165,000 union members & their families in the state of Arizona.

Water Quality Improvement Grant Awarded To Coronado National Forest

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens announced that the department has awarded a $13,000 Water Quality Improvement Grant to Coronado National Forest to protect the border area's watershed.

"We are pleased to support this important effort to protect the Santa Cruz River watershed," Director Owens said. "This grant will help reducese dimentation problems in the River."

The project will reduce sediment loading in the Santa Cruz River by emphasizing better grazing management by building a 1-mile fence in a strategic gap in Sycamore & Providencia canyons. That area contains tributaries of the Santa Cruz River in the borderlands region of Southern Arizona.

The fence will keep livestock out of the waterways & prevent degradation of the riparian area caused by sedimentation. The disturbance of riparian areas by cattle drinking from the water source loosens the soil. That increases the sedimentation in the immediate area & down river & can carry nutrients, fertilizer & micro-organisms into the water.

The fencing also will keep Off-Highway Vehicles from the waterways along Sycamore Canyon, where their use is common.

The project is part of a larger private-public partnership in the Sycamore & Providencia canyon areas to enhance water quality & includes public education about protecting watersheds. The project covers nearly 55 square miles on the west side of the Patagonia Mountains.

The ADEQ grant is the first in 5 years for a water improvement project in Coronado National Forest. The grant is funded with federal dollars provided to ADEQ under the Clean Water Act.

Arizona Economic Resource Organization Adds Two Members

As Arizona Economic Resource Organization (AERO) continues to work on strategies to fortify Arizona's competitiveness in the global economy, the board welcomes experienced Arizona legislator Michele Reagan & former Intel executive Tom Franz to its roster.

Reagan, a highly-regarded & respected member of the Arizona House of Representatives, was elected to office in 2002, where she has made her mark as a champion of small businesses. Reagan's family operated a sign-making enterprise in Phoenix for 10 years, giving her the opportunity to learn how to operate & grow a business. Since becoming a lawmaker, Reagan has been appointed to serve as Chair of the House Commerce Committee, & a member of the Ways and Means, Environment and Ethics Committees. In addition to her busy schedule at the Capitol, Reagan remains active in local civic & professional organizations, including the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA).

"Being involved in this exciting venture - taking economic development to a new level in Arizona - is an important & challenging opportunity," said Reagan. "AERO's dedication to working in collaboration with & not against other economic interests in the state is critical to ensuring that we devise strategies that are good for all of our citizens, statewide."

Franz brings with him an extensive background in strategic development & technology management. He is the current President & CEO of Greater Phoenix Leadership, an organization dedicated to promoting education, public policy initiatives, & projects that strengthen the state's future. He previously had served as Corporate Vice-President & general manager of Intel Corporation's Fab/Sort Manufacturing, which oversees all the company's wafer fabrication. Franz also is former Corporate Vice-President of Intel's Communications Infrastructure Group.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues on AERO to develop innovative ideas to elevate Arizona's economic profile nationally & internationally," said Franz. "I fully support AERO's objectives & I am eager to get to work furthering AERO's initiatives."

Since its inception in October, 2007, AERO has begun work on a number of initiatives, including: a capital formation effort to support early-stage companies, devising strategies to retain & expand existing Arizona firms & development of solar energy research & similar industries. Additionally, AERO is completing its assessment of Arizona's current economic development activities & development of initial strategies to enhance the state's position in the global marketplace.

The Arizona Economic Resource Organization (AERO) is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(6)organization dedicated to coordinating the state's economic development efforts to compete more readily in the global economy. AERO's membership includes individuals & representatives from private business, nonprofit groups, the public sector, communities, the Arizona Department of Commerce, state universities & institutions of higher learning. AERO's mission is to provide policy guidance & assistance to economic development entities & communities across the state.