A Community Grows Into the Future
City of Apache Junction Public Works Department
Part VII in a series on city government for FY ’07-’08
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
City of Apache Junction Public Works Director David Fern likens his department to the electric company.
  “When it comes to air conditioning, (the public) expects it to come on when they flip the switch,” Fern said.
   “When it’s gone they notice it. It’s the same way with Public Works facilities. Most people don’t recognize everything that we do until something’s gone, like the road’s flooded and they can’t get through.”
   So whenever Public Works receives a thank you card from a citizen or business, it is overwhelmed. In fiscal year 2007-2008, Public Works received a handful of these notes. In November 2007, Public Works crews had to dig to find a man’s engine that was inadvertently included in a pile of trash he asked the department to pick up in the 700 block of South Ocotillo. The same month, former City Councilman Dave Waldron complimented Public Works for the job they did in setting up the Veteran’s Day Parade.
   A Central Arizona College worker applauded Public Works employees who pulled weeds in front of the school’s Superstition Mountain Campus.
   “Whenever we get these thank you cards, it’s a boost to our guys,” Fern said. “Our guys are all committed to doing the very best we can, to give the best service to the community that they can.”

See A-1

Presiding Judge Starts Mental Health Court
FLORENCE— Imagine if a loved one suffered from a serious mental illness and is accused of a crime. Imagine if you are the victim of a crime committed by someone with a serious mental illness. In both situations, the ideal outcome is one where justice is served and appropriate care and consideration is paid to both the victim and the accused.
   After the Pinal County Mental Health in the Courts Task Force spent many months of planning and coordinating resources, Presiding Superior Court Judge Boyd T. Johnson signed an order establishing the Mental Health Court in Pinal County.
   “National research shows that 16 percent of people jailed for criminal offenses also have mental health diagnoses,” Johnson said. “People with mental health conditions are more likely to be arrested. By default, the criminal justice system becomes the mental health care delivery system or the gateway to that system.”
   Johnson appointed Judge Janna Vanderpool as administrative presiding judge over the Mental Health Court in Pinal County.
   To address a growing problem and awareness of the issues facing the mentally ill in the justice system, the Superior Court in Pinal County formed a Mental Health Task Force in 2005. Vanderpool is a founding member of the task force. Other members included representatives from medical and behavioral care providers, County Health and Human Services, the county attorney, public defender, county jail, clerk of the court, probation and other allied organizations.

See A-1 and see Mental Health Court, page A-5

Three to Vie for County Supervisor
Other races shape up for November election
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
Democrat Mary Shope, Republican Bryan Martyn and Independent Elliott Fisher will run for the office of Pinal County Supervisor Division 2 at the general election Nov. 4.
   With 2,402 votes in the Tuesday, Sept. 2, primary election, Martyn bested Todd House, who had 1,448 votes, and Danielle Tomerlin with 778. Shope, with 3,091 votes, ran unopposed. Fisher, the only Independent, was not subject to a primary race.
   Shope, of Queen Valley, said her strategy will remain the same. “My strategy all along was to get out and talk to people and get to know the issues and concerns of the citizens.”
   “The hard work continues,” Martyn said. “Obviously, we’re very pleased. It’s a culmination of a lot of hard work of a lot of very good people who recognize what the future could be for Pinal County. And we’re not taking anything for granted. We’re not discounting either Mary Shope or Elliott Fisher.”
   The trio is fighting for the spot left vacant by the retirement of Sandie Smith, the first woman in Pinal County to be elected to the Board of Supervisors. The 37-year Pinal County resident spent four terms as supervisor.
   In other races, incumbent Democrat Sheriff Chris Vasquez beat Democratic Superior Town Vice Mayor Jayme Valenzuela 7,574 to 4,239. Republican Chandler police officer Paul Babeu, who ran unopposed, scored 9,299 votes.

See A-1, and see Supervisor, A-5

Prospectors Start 2-0, Downing Agua Fria 48-6
By Chuck Baker
The News
News flash! The Prospectors had not one, but two, 100-yard rushers in last Friday’s 48-6 win over Avondale Agua Fria and neither one was senior All- State running back Shane McCullen.
   With the Agua Fria defense intent on stopping McCullen, the Prospectors turned to some of their other potent weapons out of the backfield in junior quarterback Nate Scola and senior back Mike Taylor.
   Scola, running the new “flexbone” offense, ran for 117 yards and three scores while Taylor picked up 115 yards and a touchdown on his nine carries.
   McCullen, already the AJHS school record-holder in career rushing yards and touchdowns, was limited to 53 yards on his eight carries. Shane did score on a three-yard TD dash around the right side and then, perhaps as a reminder as to why he will be playing for Arizona State University next Fall, delighted the home crowd at Davis Field with his dazzling 97-yard kickoff return, giving the senior career touchdowns #37 and #38, with plenty more football to go.
   Friday’s game was actually a close one in the first half, scoreless after the first quarter, and just 14-0 at halftime, with Taylor scoring on an 18-yard run and McCullen rushing for his TD in the second quarter.

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