Pinal Developer Ordered To Pay $7 Million
For destruction of natural & archeological resources near Marana— Settlement totals $12.1 million Environmental settlement largest in state history
By Jill Jones
The News
PHOENIX- Developer George Johnson, the man who built Johnson Ranch and once reportedly told a land owner, “I don’t get permits. I do what I want,” will pay for those words in a lawsuit settled last week for $12 .1 million; the largest civil environmental settlement in Arizona history.
   The settlement announcement was made by Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens and Attorney General Terry Goddard on Thursday, December 20, 2007.
   For his part in the alleged violations leveled in the 2005 suit, Johnson has agreed to a payment of $7 million, and 3F Contracting, Inc agreed to pay $5.05 million. Preston Well Drilling agreed to pay $61,500 for their part in the settlement.
   The agreement reportedly came after a Special Discovery Master ordered Johnson to produce all financial statements and a net worth reports, which had previously been requested by the state.
   The suit charged that Johnson and his partners committed “numerous violations” of state law and the destruction of natural and archeological resources in connection with the La Osa Ranch development near Marana (Pima County) and adjacent to the Ironwood Forest National Monument.

See A-1
 

Opponents Of Recall Speak Up
Just two council members free of recall threat
By Jill Jones
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- More than a dozen individuals voiced their support of city council members at “Call to the Public” during the December 18, 2007 city council meeting, many of whom urged the council to stand proud in the face of a possible recall effort.
   The vast majority of the speakers were supportive of the council members, including Pinal County Supervisor Sandie said the efforts being put into a recall would be better spent if citizens would exercise their voting rights during a regular election.
   Recall efforts against Mayor John Insalaco and Councilman Jeff Serdy were reportedly initiated by individuals unhappy with the council’s decision not to renew the contract of Police Chief Glenn Walp. However; recalls have also be initiated against Councilman Joe Severs, who was supportive of Chief Walp, in addition to two other seemingly unrelated petitions against Vice Mayor R. E. Eck and Councilman Rick Dietz. Just two council members, Robin Barker and Chip Wilson, remain unscathed by a possible recall effort thus far.
    State law requires that council members must serve at least six months of their present term in order to be eligible for recall, Council members Robin Barker, Jeff Serdy, Chip Wilson and Mayor John Insalaco will not be eligible for recall until January.

See A-1, and See City Council A-3

‘Shop With A Cop’ Program
AJPD and Parks & Rec spread some holiday cheer
By Jill Jones
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- The Apache Junction Police Department (AJPD) recently conducted their first ever “Shop With A Cop” program.
   The AJPD and the City of Apache Junction Parks and Recreation Department participated in the program, which allowed them to spread a little holiday spirit to some needy children by taking them holiday shopping.
   Prior to their holiday shopping adventure, the children were treated to breakfast at Mc- Donald’s, followed by a parade, which included the Apache Junction Fire District (AJFD), police cars and a special VIP appearance by Santa.
   Photos were later taken of each child with Santa at Wal-Mart, where they also received a gift card for $50 and a treat bag also supplied by Wal-Mart. Then it was off to do some shopping with police personnel.

See A-1

Prospectors Go Cold Against Shadow Mtn.
By Chuck Baker
The News
After opening last Monday’s home basketball game with an 11-0 deficit to Phoenix Shadow Mountain, the Prospectors appeared to settle down and closed the gap to 15-12 at the end of the quarter. But then, someone came along and put a lid on their basket and Shadow Mountain rolled to a 56-35 Desert Sky Region win.
   After fighting hard to get back into the game at the end of the opening quarter, Apache Junction couldn’t buy a bucket over the next two quarters and fell behind by twenty-two points. The Prospectors made just 2-of-12 shots from the field in the second quarter and fared even worse in the third, sinking just one basket in sixteen attempts.
   Shadow Mountain held a 21-5 edge in quarter number two to lead 36-17 at halftime and then out-scored Apache Junction 7-4 in the third, pretty much putting the game out of reach at that point.

See C-1 and See Girls, C-3