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Council Puts A-Frame
Signs On Hold
 Development Services has more important
projects
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
With only Councilman Jeff
Serdy dissenting, the Apache
Junction City Council voted
6-1 against advising City staff
to move forward to further explore
or draft language for an
A-frame sign ordinance.
“We have Development
Services working on such a
large amount of things right
now—the general plan, downtown
study, Lost Dutchman
Heights,” said Councilwoman
Robin Barker. “If we want
these things done properly,
we cannot deal with this right
now.”
In voting “no,” Serdy said
downtown businesses need
A-frame signs because, in
these uncertain economic
times, organizations need
extra advertising. Serdy recommended
speaking to the
Apache Junction Chamber of
Commerce and Apache Junction
Main Street to get their
opinions.
“It’s an admirable idea to try
to get the chamber and Main
Street involved,” Vice Mayor R.E. Eck
responded.
Councilman Doug Coleman
said he voted against it
because the business community
has not really come to a
consensus on the topic.
“I would like it if we put this
off. We need to enforce what
is current code is now,” Coleman
said.
Mayor John Insalaco and
Barker agreed.
The Zoning Ordinance—Article
21—prohibits A-frames
and portable signs of any
nature, according to Janine
Solley, the City’s business
advocate. Exceptions include:
“Temporary signs during citywide
public benefit events;
Signs not intended to be
viewed from a main vehicular
public right-of-way, or from
beyond the boundaries of the
lot or parcel upon which they
are located, providing that
such signs do not constitute a
traffic hazard.”
See
A-1 and see
City Council,
A-8
Plane Mishap Injures
AJ Man
 Accident nearly severs resident’s leg
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
A 45-year-old Apache Junction
man was severely injured
during a mishap with his ultralight
airplane at 4:45 p.m.
Friday, May 1, according to
police.
Patrol Capt. Arnold Freeman
said William Alms was
working on his ultralight aircraft
with a friend in the 1000
block of West 23rd Court
when Alms started the engine.
Unexpectedly, the plane took
off across the yard. Alms’
friend was able to escape,
however, Alms fell from his
seat and the rear propeller
blades struck his left leg from
mid thigh to mid calf, almost
severing it.
His friend yelled for neighbors
to call 9-1-1 as he
grabbed towels to try to stop
the bleeding.
“AJFD arrived on scene and began
treating William,”
Freeman said. “He was initially
transported to Mountain
Vista Hospital by Southwest
Ambulance. Paramedics told
me his injury was so severe
he had to be taken to the nearest
emergency room to be
stabilized, or he would not
survive. I was advised later
that William was air lifted to
Scottsdale Osborn Hospital
from Mountain Vista.”
Freeman said alcohol was
not a factor.
The Apache Junction Public
Works Department and the
Apache Junction Fire district
cleaned the blood and other
biohazard from the scene. No
other information was available,
according to Freeman.
‘Citizens Of The Year’
 News recognizes Mounted Rangers for
community service
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
The Apache Junction Mounted
Rangers are this year’s recipient
of the Citizen of the
Year Award that is presented
annually by the Apache Junction/
Gold Canyon News to an
individual or group making
a profoundly positive impact
on the community.
The impressive award, depicting
an eagle about to take
flight, was presented to the
group at the Tuesday, May 5,
Apache Junction City Council
meeting by Betty Swanson,
Saddle Up columnist for
The News.
The Apache Junction Mounted
Rangers is a nonprofit group that has
existed for
nearly 15 years. They are cosponsors
of Lost Dutchman
Days and provide security for
other events. The proceeds
from their endeavors assist
local children.
Since their inception in the
mid 1990s, they have contributed
more than $173,000 to
children’s causes. Some of the
recipients of their generosity
include the Boys and Girls
Club, Project HELP and local
schools’ band programs. They
have bought food for needy
families, given scholarships
for equestrian education, and
much more. Their goal is “to
put smiles on kids’ faces,” according
to Lucy Sterba, wife
of Capt. Rich Sterba.
Easily recognizable in
their black outfits and cowboy
hats, the group was organized
locally and based
loosely on the Arizona
Rangers, a law enforcement
force who chased outlaws in
the Arizona Territory about
the turn of the 20th century.
The group works on horseback,
quads, and afoot and
takes part in regular training
exercises. Over 60 members,
coming from all walks
of life—from retirees to
flight attendants—comprise
the group. They are making
a difference and a more
dedicated group of people
couldn’t be found. They are
truly the champions of children.
‘State’ – Bound In
Track & Field
 Region champs Fernando (100 meters) and
Berner (discus) join four other AJHS
athletes advancing to the 4A-I State
Track & Field Championships
By Chuck Baker
The News
Apache Junction had two
region champs crowned at
last week’s Desert Sky Region
Track and Field Meet,
junior Trevor Berner in discus,
and senior Rusty Fernando
in the 100 meters.
Berner, who has been
dominant most of this season
in discus, won with a
toss of 149-00. The senior
does have a personal best
throw of 154-03 this season
and should be a serious contender
at State.
Fernando ran a preliminary
time of 11:35 during last
Tuesday’s qualifying races
and came into Friday night’s
finals with the fastest time.
Despite a slow start where
he was running fifth after the
first twenty yards, Fernando
came up with a terrific close
to win the race with a time
of 11:27. That will also
make his a solid contender
this week at State.
Berner and Fernando will
join four of their teammates
at this week’s 4A I State
Championships, all qualifying
for State by coming up
with a first, second or third
place finish at the region
meet.
See
B-1 and see
Region,
B-6
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