Three Vying For Mayor In March
10 running for City Council seats
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
APACHE JUNCTION- Two Apache Junction residents will run against incumbent Mayor John Insalaco in the March 10 primary election.
   Former City Councilman Dave Waldron as well as local political activist Noel Benoist filled out paperwork before the Wednesday, December 10, deadline.
   Waldron said, “I’m running for mayor because I know I can provide the leadership the council needs, especially during these tough economic times.” Waldron is making his second bid for the office.
   “We will come out of this and Apache Junction needs to be prepared when the turn around happens. I can lead the council in working through this economic downturn and help us prepare for the future.”
   Benoist, an activist in the current city recall election and founder and CEO of Glory to God United Ministries Inc., said he is running for mayor after initially supporting Insalaco as well as Councilmembers Jeff Serdy, Robin Barker and Chip Wilson.

See A-1

AJPD Adds 3 Officers
APACHE JUNCTION- On December 5, 2008, three new officers officially joined the Apache Junction Police Department’s patrol division.
   Anthony Damon, Jason Riggs and Tyler Biggs were sworn into the ranks of blue at the Apache Junction Police Department after 20 weeks of intensive training at the Mesa Police Department Academy.
   Damon is 24 years old and moved to Arizona from Flint, Mich., 10 months ago to pursue a career in law enforcement. He earned his associate’s degree from Mott Community College in Michigan and will pursue furthering his education.
   Riggs is 34 years old and graduated from Oregon State University in 1997. He moved to Arizona in June 2008 from Salem, Ore. He previously worked as a juvenile corrections officer with the Linn County Department of Corrections.
   Biggs, 24, grew up in Apache Junction where he attended Apache Junction High School until 2003 when he moved to Missouri. He subsequently graduated from high school in Missouri in 2003 and then enlisted in the Army. He was deployed overseas and served during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003. He was later reassigned as a military police officer and serves with the Arizona National Guard.

See A-1

‘Shop Local’ Packets Now Ready For Holiday Shopping
Packets can be picked up at various locations
While not delivered in a sleigh with eight shining reindeer, the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce has delivered the new Shop Local Packets just in time for the Holidays.
   Shop Local is the coordinated program between the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce, the City of Apache Junction and Main Street encouraging residents to give preference to Apache Junction businesses in their holiday (and everyday) shopping. Dozens of local businesses have contributed discount coupons, novelties and other promotional items to be distributed in the free Shop Local Packets.
   Delivered personally by Chamber CEO Rayna Palmer, aided by Volunteer Director Gordon Hill, Volunteer Mary Thomas and Office Manager Jan Long, the Apache Junction Shop Local Packets are now available at the Wells Fargo branches on both Phelps and Meridian, Chase Bank and Washington Mutual on Apache Trail, the Arizona Water Company on Southern and at the Chamber of Commerce Office. Palmer and her helpers also went door to door in the neighborhoods south of U.S. Highway 60 with packets and encouragements to “Shop Local.”

See A-1 and see Shop Local, A-6

Wrestler Dudley 2nd At Flagstaff Tourney
McMinn and Maughmer place 3rd; Converse places 4th
By Chuck Baker
The News
Apache Junction wrestler Brandon Dudley led the Prospector wrestling team at the Wade Hendershot Tournament held December 5 and 6 at Flagstaff High School with his second place finish in the 215-pound weight class.
   Dudley was one of four AJHS wrestlers who place at the tournament. The others were Trent Mc- Minn, who was third at 119 pounds, Cy Maughmer, who was third at 285 pounds, and Chase Converse, who placed fourth at 125 pounds.
   After opening the 2008-09 season with a 66-16 victory over Higley on December 3, the Prospectors competed against three schools in dual meets this past Wednesday and fell to Glendale Sandra Day O’Connor by 12 points, to Prescott by 10 points and to Cave Creek Cactus Shadows by nine points. Apache Junction gave up 24 points in each match because of four weight class forfeits and Sandra Day O’Connor finished third as team at the 4A-I State Championships a year ago while Prescott was right behind in fourth place.

See B-1 and see AJHS, page B-4