Life in the shadow of death: 7A • Poker run: 8A • Coach quits: 1B
PAYSON ROUNDUP
ARIZONA NEWSPAPERS AND NATIONAL LOCAL MEDIA ASSOCIATIONS’ NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
FRIDAY | APRIL 15, 2016 | PAYSON, ARIZONA
payson.com
Tea Party pitched
Back to the Future
Prop. 123 ‘safe’ way to help schools by
Payson ponders economic plan
Michele Nelson
roundup staff reporter
“This is a common sense solution. This addresses a very exact problem and does it in a safe way.” Laddie Shane
Yes on Prop. 123
Laddie Shane from the Yes on Prop. 123 campaign made a special trip to Payson to speak to the Payson Tea Party at its meeting on April 12 — he also answered a lot of questions. Making note that he loves to wear cowboy boots and doesn’t get to very often in the Valley, Shane launched into why the proposition needs to pass. “This is a common sense solution,” said Shane. “This addresses a very exact problem and does it in a safe way.” By “safe way” Shane referred to lack of tax increases or withdrawals from the state’s “rainy day” fund. Proposition 123 would provide about $350 million in new money annually for the next decade. About 60 percent of that money would come from increasing payments from the State Land Trust, already reserved for schools. The rest would come from the state’s growing surplus.
by
An annual mountain bike festival. A covered event center. A focus on Old Town Payson and completing the American Gulch project to help make the town a destination and not a drive-thru. These goals figured prominently in a draft of the town’s five-year economic development plan. Other goals include diversifying the economy, working with the youth on job training skills, creating an entrepreneurial culture and launching a new marketing campaign. The list of goals ran to 16 pages — the town’s to-do list for the next five years. Judie Scalise, a consultant with ESI Corp., met with town staff and community leaders. Based on their feedback, Scalise drafted a plan. Scalise urged the town to not limit its efforts to convincing Arizona State University to build a campus here, which remains years from operation. Scalise said working on Main Street, outdoor recreation and other economic goals won’t take away from the university project, but will help focus on the town’s existing strengths. Payson must promote itself as a destination, she said. Bobby Davis, the town’s economic development specialist, said, “If we follow these
• See Prop. 123, page 6A
Payson’s Plan
Bid to expand medical care blocked Peter Aleshire
roundup editor
A House bill that would have provided health insurance to 30,000 to 45,000 children from working poor families — including an estimated 500 in Gila County — this week smashed into the brick wall of Senate President Andy Biggs. HB2309 would have reinstated coverage for uninsured children from families making up to 200 percent of a poverty level wage. Under the terms of the Affordable Care Act, the federal government would pay 100 percent of the cost of providing care for that population. Sen. Biggs buried the bill in the Senate, refusing to assign it to a committee or allow a vote. He argued
Alexis Bechman
roundup staff reporter
Kids out of luck by
75 CENTS
The rodeo, mountain bikers, special events, the university, new construction and creative businesses all figure in Payson’s draft economic development plan. The plan focuses on how Payson can use the university, American Gulch and Main Street to revitalize the economy.
that even though the federal government might pay 100 percent of the cost initially, lawmakers would find themselves pressured by people who obtained coverage in the event the federal government decided in the future to make the state share the cost. The Grand Canyon Institute, an independent Arizona Think Tank, this week issued a policy paper saying that expanding the program would result in $40 million in direct benefits to the state economy — and total direct and indirect benefits of $75 million. The analysis concluded, “Arizona would be wise to revive its KidsCare program. The state for FY 2017 would
Photos by Peter Aleshire
• See Expanded, page 5A
• See Payson, page 2A
Sopeland sentence No jail in ammunition selling case by
Alexis Bechman
roundup staff reporter
After a tumultuous legal battle, a Payson man was sentenced Wednesday morning to probation for taking scrap ammunition from his former employer and selling it to a friend. Judge Gary Scales sentenced Clayton Sopeland to 24 months probation after a jury found him guilty of fraudulent schemes and artifices. If Sopeland does well on probation, it could end sooner, Scales said. As a convicted felon, Scales ordered Sopeland not to possess any firearms or ammunition. Sopeland worked as a hunting guide. Sopeland’s legal fight appears far
from over though, as his lawyer Art Lloyd said he would appeal. In 2015, Sopeland initially pleaded guilty to taking scrap ammunition from his employer, Advance Tactical Armament Concepts, which manufactures HPR Ammunition. Lloyd then asked the court to let Sopeland take that guilty plea back and face trial. While Superior Court Judge Peter Cahill denied that request, the Arizona Court of Appeals Division II found that Sopeland could revoke it. In October, a trial began with the owners of HPR taking the stand along with current and former employees, the man who bought ammo from Sopeland and detectives. Sopeland
• See Probation, page 9A
THE WEATHER
Weekend: 30% chance for rain Saturday and slight chance Sunday; highs mid 60s, lows near 40. Details, 9A
volume 26, no. 33
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See our ad on page 10A
Volunteers stampede to the posse by
Alexis Bechman
roundup staff reporter
After years of losing members, the Gila County Sheriff’s Posse joyfully swore in seven new members Tuesday night. The new recruits boosted membership by 40 percent, increasing the rolls from 18 to 25. Paul Frommelt, with the posse, said his goal is 30-35 members. But if the group gets much larger, it will have to find a new place to meet. The old Gila County Jail off West Main Street and South McLane Road was busting at the seams Tuesday night with the new additions.
The new members range from former police officers and military veterans to business owners and retirees. Connie Latham said she moved to Payson in December and wanted to get involved in the community and give back. She said until now the brown uniform had deterred her from applying. Posse members wear uniforms, a badge and some even carry a gun. Duties include transporting prisoners to Globe, providing security at school events, crime scenes and town events, escorting funeral processions, directing traffic at the rodeo and helping out virtually anytime the Gila County Sheriff’s Office needs extra help.
E R O M &
Members pay for their own uniforms, pay a $50 initiation fee as well as a $25 yearly fee. Frommelt joined the posse a year ago to stay busy in retirement and give back. Frommelt was a recruiter for the National Guard in the late ’70s and offered his experience to the posse to recruit new members. Members set up a booth outside local grocery stores and met several interested people. The posse swore in seven new members Tuesday and has five to eight potential new members in the pipeline, Frommelt said. Sheriff Adam Shepherd thanked the
• See Sheriff’s Posse, page 5A
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