Payson Roundup 040816

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Governor hits Payson Doug Ducey delights Rim Country Republicans: 8A

Gosar blasts speaker

Horns beat archrival

Congressman turns fire on party leadership: 7A

Blue Ridge falls to surging Payson baseball team: 1B

ARIZONA NEWSPAPERS AND NATIONAL LOCAL MEDIA ASSOCIATIONS’ NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

payson.com

PAYSON ROUNDUP FRIDAY | APRIL 8, 2016 | PAYSON, ARIZONA

Payson plan: Don’t wait on university by

Alexis Bechman

roundup staff reporter

After months of planning, the Payson Town Council sat down Tuesday to go through the draft of a five-year economic plan. On Tuesday, the plan provoked a spirited discussion — especially when it came to the overlap between the effort to lure a four-year university to Payson and the larger development plan. Payson Mayor Kenny Evans said that within two years Payson will not only have the university, but a 200room conference hotel — and planning for all that may monopolize the time of the town staff. On the other hand, the consultant and others said Payson can’t just wait for the university, but should put into place projects that will build on the town’s assets — especially outdoor recreation. The plan’s consultant said in part

• See Payson, page 10A

Sheriff’s report shows focus on marijuana, meth, drunk driving Teresa McQuerrey

roundup staff reporter

Drugs and drunk driving accounted for about half of the arrests made by the Gila County Sheriff’s Office which has 149 full-time employees and five part-timers, including 63 veterans of the U.S. armed services. Even the eight dogs in the department’s K-9 corps boast military service — with two veterans. The sheriff’s office had an $11.5 million budget in 2015-14. Of that, $10.7 came from the county’s general fund; $789,137 from grants; and $18,710 from service revenues. Sheriff Adam Shepherd and Sarah

White, the GCSO chief administrative officer, shared the office’s annual report for 2015 at the April 5 meeting of the Board of Supervisors. The public will soon have access to the report on the county’s website and at the sheriff’s offices in both Payson and Globe. Among the 2015 highlights: • Deputies and staff responded to 57,749 calls, including 20,000 calls to 911. • Drug arrests accounted for 23 percent of those booked into county jails and drunk driving offenses another 25 percent.

See Sheriff’s office, page 2A

Alexis Bechman

roundup staff reporter

After social media buzz about a man dancing in a street with a bottle of alcohol this week, the Payson Police Department responded. On April 2, the PPD got a call that a man was dancing in the roadway while holding a bottle of alcohol. Soon after that call, they received a second report, this time that the same man was at Rumsey Park and “had made concerning statements to a female juvenile,” according to a press release. Officers spoke with a 35-year-old man and arrested him on a charge of

public consumption of alcohol. The investigation remains ongoing, but he has not been arrested or charged with any other crimes at this time. The Facebook posts claimed he had solicited sex from minors. Police have appealed to residents to provide any information about such incidents, but so far have only unsubstantiated rumors on social media. “This release isn’t intended to increase fear; rather it is our belief that an informed community is a safer community. Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate, or harass him or any other member of our community will not be tolerated.”

THE WEATHER

Outlook: Mostly cloudy with a chance for rain, highs between the mid 60s and 50s; lows around 40. Details, 11A

volume 26, no. 31

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Bikers envision a bright future by

Michele Nelson

roundup staff reporter

Wishful thinking has abounded for years to turn Rim Country into a mountain biking mecca. And for good reason. Rim Country has the perfect weather — not too hot, not too cold — which ensures year-round access to trails. The area straddles a unique transition zone between high desert saguaros to high country ponderosa pines — with a wealth of breathtaking views. Rim Country has water — including lakes both on the Rim and down in Tonto Basin, plus numerous rivers and streams in between — unusual in Arizona. But best of all? Rim Country has a warm, friendly,

See our ad on page 12A

small-town atmosphere only an hour and a half from the fifth largest city in the United States. On April 5, 15 mountain bikers from throughout Rim Country sat down to set rolling a new organization dedicated to bringing bikers to the area. It’s called Rim Country Mountain Biking Association. RCMBA already has a board that includes representatives from both bike shops in town, a Facebook page and incorporation papers filled out by newly elected chair, Michael Bonnette. Yet Bonnette refuses to take credit for starting the group because he’s a mild-mannered guy who gives full credit to everyone. “I think there is an interest and so many people have wanted to do this,” he

said. “I’m not the most qualified person to do it ... (but) ... once I attempt to do something, I don’t give up.” Bonnette got a burr under his saddle when he read a magazine article about a young Vermonter named Knight Ide who decided he needed better trails to ride. Ide worked with the Forest Service and the council of his town to create a system of trails that are now much sought after by mountain bikers. Bonnette said Ide’s Vermont town got so creative it opened businesses such as a coffee shop only accessible via the mountain bike trails. These trails have brought in millions of tourist dollars to Ide’s town. “He lived in a town that was going

• See Group wants, page 10A

Have a blast at business showcase by

Social media draws police by

View of economic future

that Payson should focus on creating a town center, a “living room” for the community where residents and visitors can go. While 250,000 people drive through Payson on a given summer weekend, getting those visitors to stop, stay and spend money has been a challenge. The natural destination is Main Street, but in its current state, there isn’t much to see or do on the nearly two-mile stretch. On Tuesday, Judie Scalise, with ESI Corp., and Kelly Patton, with APS, which is funding most of the cost of the five-year plan, presented an overview of economic development and what other towns have done to grow their communities. This story covers the first hour and a half of Tuesday’s meeting. In Peter Aleshire/Roundup Tuesday’s Roundup, we will cover the last hour of the meeting and go over The value of mountain bike trails in Rim Country figured into two meetings this week about the region’s future. the tentative five-year plan in-depth.

Drugs and booze by

75 CENTS

Alexis Bechman

roundup staff reporter

Its theme has been everything from “Hidden Treasures of Rim Country” to “Business Frontier Roundup” and the “Fast and Furious of the Rim Country.” While the Business Showcase gets a new theme every year, it’s always been the place for businesses to feature their services and products. This year, the theme is “Carnival.” And true to its name, the 24th annual showcase will be held under a big top — this time in the Sawmill Crossing parking lot, in front of the Sawmill Theatres, 201 W. Main St. The showcase kicks off Saturday, April 9 at 10 a.m. and runs to 4 p.m. With luck, the event will thread the needle between two storm systems — one that’s supposed to hit today and another on Sunday. The weather service puts the chance of rain on Saturday at about 10 percent. This annual event gives residents the chance to learn about the Rim Country’s unique merchants and their businesses in a festive and relaxed atmosphere. This year, 90 Rim Country businesses, organizations, clubs and schools have signed up to participate, more than double last year and just bigger than the previous two years combined. And there are more than 20 sponsors,

Photographer DJ Craig captured this joyful image at last year’s Business Showcase. This year, the event on Saturday in front of the Sawmill Theatres includes even more family friendly activities. ranging from large companies to smaller operations in the area. “We have had an incredible amount of support for this showcase and the

team we have that has been key in pulling this thing off has executed every

• See Business Showcase, page 2A

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