February 29, 2012 • Vol. 10, No.12
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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Anthem • Black Canyon City • Carefree • Cave Creek • Desert Hills • New River • N. Phoenix • Tramonto
Quayle visits Cave Creek
Arroyo Grande seeks long-awaited Anthem access MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
District 3 House Representative Ben Quayle dropped by to talk about the latest challenges facing Washington at Cave Creek’s most recent town council meeting, Feb. 21. Ju s t m o r e than a year into his first t e r m Quayle said he’s proud QUAYLE of the efforts he and his fellow House members have made, but said much remains to be done. “We’re looking at a turbulent year with a lot of tough issues ahead,” Quayle said. The congressman expressed frustration at the raising of the debt ceiling to $16 trillion. “We need structural reform to the inefficient, wasteful manner in which money is spent in Washington,” he said. “It’s really shameful.” While he said the debt was the most important task for Congress to tackle the rookie Congressman said the Senate has become a graveyard for potentially helpful legislation. “The House passed a budget to reign in spending, but the Senate hasn’t passed one in three years,” he said.
QUAYLE continued on page 4
Inside:
Marc Buckhout/The Foothills Focus
Residents of Arroyo Grande claim Pulte sold homes promising a road into Anthem would be built to connect the development.
As the crow flies Arroyo Grande is only a stone’s throw away from the rest of Anthem. That’s part of the frustration for residents of the 230 home development, located three miles west of I-17 off of the New River exit, which is another three miles north of Anthem. “We have to travel more than six miles to travel about a half mile,” Arroyo Grande resident John Dunay said. “I can probably walk to Anthem faster than I can drive there.” Beyond the inconvenience, members of the community have concerns about getting timely emergency services. “Pulte promised in its sales
pitch when we bought here that there would be a road connecting us,” said Dunay who purchased his home in February of 2008. “If that hadn’t been the case you could say it is a case of buyer beware, but we bought with assurances that this was going to happen.” At the Feb. 22 Anthem Community Council meeting Dunay addressed the board following a recent trip he made to visit District I representative Thelda Williams from the Phoenix City Council. “I’ve talked to many neighbors that have waited upwards of 45 minutes for police to show up,”
ACCESS continued on page 8
Boulder Creek sets sights on state championship MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
For the last couple of seasons the Boulder Creek High School baseball team has been knocking on the door of a state championship. In 2010 the Jaguars reached the state semifinals. Last year they were one of the final six teams standings in the 5A Div-II ranks. This year they once again have high aspirations, looking to knock the door down, perhaps with a 90 plus miles per hour fastball fired by Arizona State University bound Tony Blanford. In his first season at Boulder Creek the right hander posted a 7-1 record with a 1.80 ERA, striking out 57 batters in 42 2/3 innings while only walking 19. “We’ve got one goal,” Boulder Creek coach Joe McDonald said. “When we come into our
EMERGENCY:
dugout we have a countdown to how many days until May, 12, the date of the state championship game.” Coming off a 33-6 season in 2011 the Jaguars, 2-2-1 so far in 2012, return a core that includes Baylor bound West Tunnell. The shortstop hit .433 with two homers and 21 RBIs a year ago. Tunnell and Blanford, who hit .402 with a .448 on base percent, along with 4 home runs, 27 RBIs and 13 steals will provide a 1-2 punch at the top of the Jaguars attack, setting the table for the rest of the lineup. Senior David Real, one of three players on the team that has signed to play at Glendale Community College, will take
CHAMPIONSHIP continued on page 10
SPORTS:
Marc Buckhout/The Foothills Focus
Boulder Creek senior Tony Blanford delivers a pitch in the Jaguars season opener, a 5-5 tie against Mountain Pointe on Feb. 22. To view more photos from the game go to facebook.com/thefoothills.focus.
GOVERNMENT:
OTHER :
Gas leak causes evacuation of Anthem apartment complex
Cactus Shadows preps for 2012
• Editorial Page
baseball season
Anthem council votes down move toward planned community status
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• Classified Ads
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• Service Directory 14 18