June 1, 2011 • Vol. 09, No. 26
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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Anthem • Black Canyon City • Carefree • Cave Creek • Desert Hills • New River • N. Phoenix • Tramonto
Cave Creek School board puts override measure to voters MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
The board members of the Cave Creek Unified School District made the case that
Anthem board denies Arroyo Norte proposal
they’ve been responsible stewards of the district’s finances and are hoping the region’s voters have taken notice. At the May 24 school
board meeting the board unanimously voted to put a 15 percent maintenance and operations override on the ballot in November, putting their faith in voters who have voted down similar measures in recent years. “I think Arizonans are starting to get sensitive to where we rank in the country in terms
of education dollars,” board member Mark Warren said. “I think they’ve seen what our district has been able to do with limited funding and would like to see what we’re capable of if our children were given the same opportunities as kids in other states.” The board’s optimism is buoyed by the results of a survey
conducted in late April and early May in which 65.9 percent of 402 residents that have a history of casting votes said they would support an override measure on the ballot, with 25.9 saying no and 7.7 saying they were unsure. The board is viewing the passage of the bill as critical.
OVERRIDE continued on page 10
Valley turns out to honor troops on Memorial Day
MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
After tabling the measure at April’s Anthem Community Council meeting the board unanimously voted not to approve Starwood Land Ventures request for an emergency services access easement for the Arroyo Norte Development. The development northeast of Anthem is on a 150-acre plot. The requested easement, linking Arroyo Norte to Anthem, would have gone through part of the Firethorn community. Of the limited residents that spoke the vast majority were against the potential gate that would provide an alternative route for emergency vehicles getting to and from Arroyo Norte. Members of the public and the Anthem Community council questioned the ability of either police or fire to keep vehicles from stacking up near the gates as parents drop off
PROPOSAL continued on page 8
Inside:
Marc Buckhout/The Foothills Focus
Memorial Day ceremonies at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona drew thousands on Monday. To view more photos from Monday’s ceremonies go to facebook.com/thefoothills.focus. MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Valley residents turned out in force Monday to honor service men and women both past and present at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. More than 1,000 people showed up for Memorial Day services that got underway with a fly over by the Arizona Antique Airplane Association, which used 1940 World War II trainers.
The day’s events honored living soldiers dating back to World War II and included those that fought in Korea, Vietnam as well as soldiers that have fought in the Middle East in recent wars. Honored guests included families who have lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Colonel Joey Strickland, a retired Army veteran, who is the Director of the Arizona Department of Veteran’s Services, spoke on behalf of
Governor Jan Brewer. “I’m honored to be here today to represent Arizona veterans,” Strickland said. “Every day is Memorial Day. We are proud of all our veterans and appreciate the sacrifices they and their families make. Today is one to honor their courage. We also sympathize with those that have lost loved ones in defending our country’s liberty.” The ceremonies included the reading of the names of all Arizona soldiers who have been
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killed in the last year, followed by a ringing of the bell and a placing of wreaths representing various military groups. The 108th Army Band performed a variety of tunes including a medley of the fight song for each branch of the military, Taps and the Stars and Stripes. The ceremony, at 23029 North Cave Creek Road, came to a conclusion with the releasing of white doves.
OTHER :
Cave Creek Museum creates historic documentary
Cactus Shadows graduate earns athletic scholarship
New River Elementary doles out year-end awards
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