A Community Grows Into The Future
City of Apache Junction Water Co.
Part V in a series on city government for FY 07-08
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
For Dolly Chavez, the Apache Junction Water Company is a godsend to her elderly mother.
   When her mother’s water was turned off for a $3.50 balance with $20 in late fees, Water District Director Frank Blanco, CPM, stepped up to the plate and restored her service.
   “He really handled it right away,” Chavez said. “My mom didn’t even know the water was out. We try to keep bad things from her so she would not have to worry. He really did his job for us.”
   “Service Over and Above the Rest” is the mantra for City of Apache Junction workers, but the Apache Junction Water Co. took it to heart in Chavez’s matter. That’s one of the water company’s victories for fiscal year 2008-2009.
   At the City of Apache Junction Water Utilities Community Facilities District’s meeting on June 30, Blanco described the accomplishments for fiscal year 2007- 2008. He provided details in an interview with the News.
   On June 17, 2007, the Apache Junction Water Co. amended the Well No. 6 project, which is located next to Animal Control on Baseline Road. It is trying to improve its treatment process.
   “Part of the work is going to be to install additional automation, so we optimize the treatment process by automating it. Some of the work we’re doing out there are safety improvements to the site. We’re also building another solar drying bed. Essentially what that well does, it has an arsenic treatment process. That’s what we’re upgrading.”

See A-1 and see Water Co., page A-5

Fire Board Votes Against MountainBrook Emergency Gate
By Meghan McCoy
The News
APACHE JUNCTION —
Four out of the five members of the Apache Junction Fire District (AJFD) governing board voted against the consideration of a contract award of approximately $90,000 to construct an emergency access gate at MountainBrook Village on Wednesday, August 20, 2008. The gate has been an ongoing discussion since the early development of the subdivision.
   The board abandoned the project of building a gate for the subdivision due to both prohibited costs and the change of response needs since the new fire station #265 is in the process of being built within the greater Gold Canyon area. Board member Chet Haines said the fire district should not be in the “gate building business” and the tax payers should not have to pay for the gate. Board member Todd House was not present at the meeting due to a candidate forum for Pinal County Supervisor being held in Gold Canyon. House is running for County Supervisor in District 2.
   In August of 2005, the AJFD began researching the possibility of building emergency access gate at the end of MountainBrook Drive after they expressed their concern of having one way in and out of the large subdivision, along with the limitations it would cause for future emergency response times in the area.
   Fire Marshal David Montgomery said as a compromise, when part of the Superstition Foothills plans were being finalized and approved by the county, a stipulation was added that required a dedicated emergency access lane to be maintained along the same route where MountainBrook Drive would have gone.

See A-1 and see Fireboard, page A-5

2 Arrested In Nat’l Guard Thefts
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
FLORENCE- Two Apache Junction men were arrested Aug. 21 on charges of burglarizing and stealing government property from the Arizona Army National Guard Training Facility at 25181 N. Highway 79, in Florence, according to the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office.
   Michael Sean Festa and Joe Allen Willis were charged with burglary in the third degree, possession of burglary tools, theft and possession of stolen property. Stolen were fuel filter tanks that are attached to fuel transport tanks, according to the sheriff’s report. Deputies said it appeared as though the tanks were removed by cutting off the mounting brackets with a torch and possibly a circular saw.
   The men were arrested after a witness saw a white Jeep Cherokee with a flatbed trailer fleeing the area. After the truck became stuck in a wash, shooting range personnel said they observed Festa and Willis exit the vehicle and flee in a northwestern direction.
   A perimeter was set using National Guard personnel, immigration officers and Pinal County Sheriff’s deputies. The men were apprehended about 300 yards from where the vehicle was abandoned.
   On the 10-mile-square property, there are signs written in English and Spanish that read, “Keep Out. Artillery and small arms range impact area. Live weapon fire and unexploded weapons ammunition hazards. Do not remove or handle any items. Violators will be prosecuted.”
   In the back of the Jeep, deputies found an oxygen and acetylene tank with a connected torch, a large generator and a corded Skilsawin.
   According to the report, Army personnel estimated the fuel filers’ value at $2,100 each, total value $4,200. The estimated value of copper wire and damage to the trucks were about $1,200.  

Prospectors Impressive In Pre-Season Scrimmage

By Chuck Baker
The News
If last Thursday’s scrimmage with Washington High School is any indication of what we can expect in the upcoming football season, All State senior running back Shane McCullen might not be the featured back in the Prospector offense.
   McCullen, who has rushed for 3,473 yards and has scored 34 touchdowns in his two previous varsity seasons, was used mostly as a decoy in the scrimmage. The senior rarely lined up in the backfield and was usually split wide as a flanker, coming in motion on most offensive plays but carrying just one time for a nine-yard gain in AJHS’ new “flexbone” offense.
   I know what you are thinking. Prospector head coach Rich Milligan has had one too many two-a-days. But hold on black and gold bleeders. Don’t cancel your season tickets. And please, no more protest at AJHS just yet and hold off with the anonymous “speakouts” for now.
   First of all, using McCullen as a decoy in Thursday’s scrimmage worked to near perfection. And secondly, there appears to be a method to Coach Milligan’s madness.

See C-1 and see AJHS, page C-3