July 13, 2011 • Vol. 09, No. 32
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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Anthem • Black Canyon City • Carefree • Cave Creek • Desert Hills • New River • N. Phoenix • Tramonto
Desert Hills teen lassoes national title
County Supervisor listens to concerns in New River
MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
The third time was a charm for Desert Hills teen Aspyn Dent. Dent, who will be a freshman at Cactus Shadows High School in the fall qualified for the 7th annual National Junior High School Finals Rodeo on July 2 in the ribbon roping, breakaway and goat tying events in Gallup, New Mexico. In her third trip to Nationals, the 14-year-old, said she was more comfortable being part of the event in Gallup, New Mexico that brings in 1,000
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MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Photo courtesy of NHSRA/David Jenning’s Photography
Desert Hills resident Aspyn Dent won the national championship in the breakaway roping event at the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo on July 2 in Gallup, New Mexico. The 14-year-old, who will be a freshman at Cactus Shadows High School in the fall, was making her third trip to compete at nationals.
Phoenix moves forward with recommendations for Sonoran Boulevard project STAFF REPORT
The Phoenix City Council accepted the recommendations brought forth regarding the Sonoran Boulevard construction project in the area of Cave Creek Road to North Valley Parkway at the July 6 meeting. The June 28 forum, which took place at the Goelet A.C. Buef Community Center at 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road in Phoenix which lasted approximately four hours, included city staff, mediator David Tierney and approximately 85 members of the neighborhood. The meeting also included representatives from developers and employers in the area, the State Land Department, the District Two Staff, Streets Department personnel,
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personnel from Planning and Development and from Parks and recreation. The group reached numerous recommendations broken into three categories including practical enhancements, transportation policies for the future and possible process improvements. Under the heading of practical enhancements recommendations included: Dove Valley Road (currently termed Sonoran Boulevard is to remain a minor arterial roadway from North Valley Parkway eastward past 15th Ave. to the Y, which is approximately Central Ave. Dove Valley Road will be four lanes from North Valley Parkway to 21st Ave., then become two lanes eastward to
the “Y” connection. The two lane configuration shall continue until (A) the “Southern” roadway (Lone Mountain, currently termed Sonoran Desert Drive) is completed from I-17 to the “Y” connection or (B) residential development on what is currently state land around the 15th Ave. and Dove Valley Road is such that creation of two more lanes may be needed. No city funds are to be expended adding the two lanes. The “edge guidelines” in the City Zoning Ordinance are to be met by the city in the current construction and the construction of the Southern Roadway (Lone Mountain, currently termed Sonoran Desert Drive).
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More than 40 New River and Desert Hills residents showed up at Daisy Mountain Fire Station #141 on July 6 to be heard by Maricopa County Supervisor Chairman Andy Kunasek, who represents District 3. The standing-room only crowd turned out for a noon meeting to express their concerns and frustrations they’ve experienced in attempting to acquire building permits from Maricopa County and also what they deem a heavy handed approach from the County when it comes to dolling out code violations. Multiple members of the audience intimated that in today’s financially challenged times the efforts were simply a cash grab by the County, with one woman saying she’d
been given confirmation of that suspicion from a county employee, who served her with a violation, alleging the man told her that since nobody is building these days the County is stepping up its efforts to find violations to bring in funds. Trig Johnston of New River said he has heard from a number of his neighbors about their drawn-out efforts in attempting to acquire permits. “It took me seven months to get a permit to build a garage on my property,” he said. “It’s a flat piece of land with no flood concerns. I thought it was ridiculous, but in comparison to some of the issues these people have had I guess I should feel lucky.” Paul Fussell, a New River resident, explained to Kunasek, the intent of the community
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Marc Buckhout/The Foothills Focus
New River resident Paul Fussell was one of more than 40 residents that turned out to Daisy Mountain Fire Station #141 on July 6 to talk to Maricopa County Supervisor Chairman Andy Kunasek about their concerns with the County with regards to acquiring permits to build and with regard to code enforcement violations.
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MCSO investigates homicide, burned body north of New River
Game and Fish seeks programs to attract nature watching programs
Anthem teen shows off invention at national event
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