Everything’s Just Duckie Hundreds of people showed up on Saturday to watch the Racin’ in Payson Rubber Duck Race of 2016, sponsored by the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce to raise money for children’s charities in the region. The event raised about $2,000, not counting the prize money for the duck that finished first. One of the 4,000 ducks had a million-dollar insurance policy if it crossed the finish line 40th, propelled by Payson Fire Department hose blasts. Check out Friday’s Roundup for more details of the great duck race of 2016.
Photo courtesy of DJ Craig
PAYSON ROUNDUP
75 CENTS
TUESDAY | DECEMBER 13, 2016 | PAYSON, ARIZONA
payson.com
Alliance reopens stalled university talks ASU turns back toward Payson after campus plan flops in Mesa
by
Alexis Bechman
roundup staff reporter
After a pause in negotiations, the Rim Country Educational Alliance has resumed its effort to convince Arizona State University to operate a university campus in Payson. Gary Cordell, Rim Country Educational Foundation president, said at the Star Valley council meeting last week that negotiations stalled during the summer as ASU was focused on efforts to build a campus in downtown Mesa. Mesa voters in November rejected a city sales-tax hike that would have helped fund the project, so ASU has since scrapped plans to build there. The Mesa measure would have boosted the city’s sales tax by nearly half a cent. This would generate about $38 million annually, with $23 million for more police officers and firefighters and $15 million for higher education projects -—
• See Payson university, page 9
Star Valley councilor dies Paty Henderson leaves void
This is the architect’s conceptual design of a sought after university campus in Payson. Negotiations with ASU have resumed, after the failure of another plan to build a 200,000-square-foot, 15-acre campus in Mesa.
by
Election nightmares by
Teresa McQuerrey
roundup staff reporter
Michele Nelson
roundup staff reporter
When Bob Horne heard that a friend’s 5-year-old daughter could not sleep because of the presidential election, he’d had enough. “That a child could lose sleep and be fearful with the potential results of an election — that’s fine in a totalitarian country. But here? It upset me terribly,” said Horne, of the Rim Country Literacy Program. “Nadia” kept hearing from her fellow kindergarten classmates that she would be deported if Trump won the election. Her mother said she would come home from school every day in tears, upset because of what she heard. But Nadia is a U.S. citizen, “All day my husband along with all her siblings. says it is no problem. But that didn’t matter to her classmates. ‘Don’t scare the children. “I once dreamed I was sitting in Stay quiet — don’t say a door and they were going to shut it on me,” said Nadia — taking a anything.’” moment to look up from her coloring book to talk about the dream. Mother of child bullied at school Her mother said the dreams came between the pressure at school and watching the presidential election. Then election night brought Nadia’s worst fears to reality. She and her mother stayed up watching the results while the rest of the family went to bed. At 1 a.m., the family awoke to hear Nadia sobbing. Her mother didn’t want to mention her daughter’s fears to school officials and her husband tried to downplay the issue. “All day my husband says it is no problem,” she said. “He said, ‘Don’t scare the children. Stay quiet — don’t say anything.’” Horne agreed that the Hispanic community avoids bringing up difficulties to authorities. He recounted his experience teaching along the Texas-
Roundup file photo
Star Valley council member Paty Henderson died unexpectedly after a brief illness.
Star Valley Town Councilor Paty Henderson died Thursday, Dec. 8. According to Town Manager Tim Grier, Mrs. Henderson had recently been ill with a cold, but had called into town hall earlier on Thursday and said she was feeling better. On Dec. 6, the council elected her vice mayor. Grier said everyone is still reeling from the loss. Henderson had served on the Star Valley Town Council for about six years. She last sought and won re-election in 2014. At the time of the election, Henderson said, “The Town of Star Valley is one of very few in the state that is on a sound financial footing. As a fiscal conservative, I would like to see that status remain in place. More importantly, the people of Star Valley deserve representation that takes their view into account. I may sit on the council, but I work for the people.” Grier said while no formal decision has been made regarding filling the vacancy on the council created by Henderson’s death, he expects the seat will
• See Star Valley, page 9
Payson Police now fully staffed by
Alexis Bechman
roundup staff reporter
After many years of trying, the Payson Police Department has recruited a full lineup of officers. For years, the department has been running below the number of officers the town council had authorized. The council this year cut that number by three to provide money for raises, which made it possible for the force to finally reach full staffing. The last time the department could say this was in 2001. When the PPD was offering police protection to the Town of Star Valley, it grew to an authorized force of 33 officers. However, the department never actually had that many officers on the force. That has allowed the department to run consistently under budget ever since the recession. When Star Valley decided to contract with the Gila County Sheriff’s Office for police protection, Payson dropped its number of authorized positions to 30 officers, said Police Chief Don Engler. Again, the department never actually had that many officers.
• See Bullying after the election, page 3
• See Payson Police, page 5
Payson Police Chief Don Engler says the department is now staffed for 27 officers — with the final two currently in the Police Academy.
Movie producer urges students to sacrifice for dreams by
Michele Nelson
roundup staff reporter
Who could imagine a successful Hollywood producer would want to speak to Payson High School students? THE WEATHER
Outlook: Mostly sunny today with a high of 60 and a low of 35. Temperatures dropping to the mid 40s with showers likely Friday. See page 9
See our ad and upcoming events on page 14
Computer instructor Bud Evans could. Evans invited producer John Kelly to PHS to speak to the students about his life and career. Kelly urged the kids in the theater, FBLA, DECA and culinary arts Career Technical Education classes to follow their dreams — no matter the odds. The producer has helped turn such Hollywood hits as “Deadpool” and “Divergent” into box office blockbusters. “We all have different passions,” said Kelly. “Success shouldn’t be based on money. It
should be based on what inspires and drives you.” Kelly readily admits he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth — nor did he shine as a student. He went to school in Glendale, Ariz. His mother was single and struggled financially. His classmates mostly came from Hispanic backgrounds. “When I went to Glendale High School, it was a low-income area,” said Kelly. “No one came to our high school to talk about the realities of success.” Kelly said he struggled in high school. He failed algebra, but he
loved telling stories. He credits his teachers with both inspiring and challenging him to stick to his love of telling stories through film and theater. “Most of my drama teachers encouraged me,” he said, “(but) one teacher bet me in front of my class that I would never be famous. I think she’s dead now.” Kelly said it took hard work and commitment to get where he’s at today. When he went to ASU, he decided to really apply himself. He worked on one small
• See Hollywood, page 3
Michele Nelson/Roundup
Film producer John Kelly visited Payson High School and spoke to CTE students.
PAYSON AREA FOOD DRIVE
GOAL: 30,000 lbs.
Please help us meet our goal of raising 30,000 pounds of food and $50,000 in financial donations for local food banks. Look for the drop boxes around town, or mail your check to Payson Area Food Drive, P.O. Box 703, Payson, AZ 85547.
27,000 lbs.
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GOAL: 50,000 Feb. 5, 2017 $
volume 26, no. 99
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