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Judge Voids 5 Pinal
Supervisors Law
 Senator admits law was designed ‘solely’
to shift control of Pinal County to
Republicans
By Ed Barker and Christina
Fuoco-Karasinski
A Maricopa County Superior
Court judge has voided a
new state law that, according
to the legislative sponsor’s
own admission, was designed
solely to put control of the Pinal
County Board of Supervisors
(BOS) in the hands of the
Republican Party.
The law, HB 2101, was written
by a Republican State
Senator, passed by the Republican-
controlled legislature
without a single Democratic
vote of support and signed
into law by Republican Gov.
Jan Brewer.
But last week Maricopa
County Superior Court Judge
Edward Burke said the legislation,
which was approved in the last
legislative session, is
unconstitutional. Additionally,
Judge Burke said he found
several legal flaws in the law.
Burke’s ruling was made
public on Wednesday, October
28, 2009 and is a victory
for the two Democrats on the
three-member Pinal County
Board of Supervisors. The
Democrats, Supervisors David
Snider and Pete Rios, will
remain in the majority on the
board through 2010, and, in
all likelihood, Democrats will
retain control through 2012.
Sen. Al Melvin, a Republican
who lives in the Saddlebrook
subdivision of southern
Pinal County, admitted last
week that the sole purpose
of his bill was to use the outdated
district lines of the fivemember
Central Arizona College governing board
to shift
control of the Pinal County
Board of Supervisors (BOS)
into Republican hands after
the 2010 election.
See
A-1
and see Law Voided,
A-8
Capitol Christmas
Tree To Visit Apache Jct.
 In
town for about an hour, Friday, Nov. 13
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
The Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce
and Visitors Center is hosting the
Capitol Christmas Tree from 9:30 a.m.
to 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 13, at
the organization’s office, 567 W. Apache
Trail.
“For the first time in history, Arizona
has been selected to provide the United
States Congress with the Christmas tree
placed in front of the Capitol building
in Washington, D.C.,” said Jan Long,
Chamber of Commerce office manager.
“The yearlong project is an enormous
undertaking bringing together the
citizens
of Arizona. From schoolchildren
making the more than 5,000 ornaments to
the 75 companion trees placed throughout
federal offices in Washington, D.C.,
the effort involves people throughout
the Grand Canyon State.”
The Capitol Christmas Tree is scheduled
to leave Eagar, Ariz., on November
10 and will tour the state of Arizona
for
10 days before visiting: Amarillo,
Texas; Texas; Tulsa, Okla.; Branson,
Mo.; Nashville, Tenn.; Roanoke,
Va.; and Chevy Chase,
Md. The tree’s journey will
culminate at the U.S. Capitol
Building on November 30,
with the lighting ceremony
to take place the week of December
7.
The tree was selected from
the Apache Sitgreaves National
Forests. It is approximately
125 years old and
stands 75 feet tall. An additional
75 companion trees
will be delivered to the Capitol
and placed in federal, congressional
and senate offices,
as well as the U.S. Supreme
Court.
See
A-1
and see Christmas
Tree,
A-9
AJ To Host Wellness
Expo
 East Valley’s largest, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7
The Apache Junction Parks
and Recreation Department
is partnering with wellness
advocates to produce “Heal
Yourself, Heal Your World,”
the biggest wellness event in
the East Valley, from 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. Saturday, November 7,
at the Multi-Generational
Center, 1035 N. Idaho Road.
“More than ever, society is
concerned with health and
the environment,” said Jamie
Sullivan, facility manager.
“Many feel overwhelmed
or lost at all the information
or lack of when it comes to
this subject. This event has so
much to offer the community.
The Multi-Generational Center
will host over 70 different
booths focused on improving
the wellness of you and your
environment.”
The event has grown every year.
“This community has more
to offer then we realize. There
are talented healers and services
right here in the East
Valley,” Sullivan said.
“I encourage everyone to
attend this event, try something
new, attend classes and
even pamper yourself—at no cost.”
This year’s event features
keynote speaker and author
Bernando LaPallo. In 1906,
at the age of 5, LaPallo began
to learn the secrets of long
life and optimum health from
his father, a Brazilian-born
doctor and herbalist. He was
patiently taught the importance
of proper nutrition, the
wisdom of movement and exercise,
and the profound value
of faith. It was the start of
a remarkable journey; a life
that has spanned 108 years
without disease or any of the
other afflictions so prevalent
in today’s aging population.
During his 11 a.m. session in
the Rejuvenation Room, he
will share his life experience
and longevity secrets.
See
A-1
and see DPS Cuts,
A-10
Prospectors Fall To
Saguaro, 42-21
 Have a bye this Friday; will likely host
a first round 4A-I State Tournament
playoff game on Nov. 13
By Chuck Baker
The News
Call it a fourth-and-a-long
one or fourth-and-a-short
two. But whatever you call
it, based on post game comments
from both Scottsdale
Saguaro head coach John
Sanders and Apache Junction
coach Rich Milligan, it
was huge.
After an impressive first
half of play and with a 21-14
lead, Apache Junction, on
the first possession of the
second half, was faced with
a fourth-and-two from its
own 38-yard line and decided
to go for it. The play,
an option pitch to fullback
Nate Scola going around
right end, came up a yard
short.
Saguaro took over on
downs and five plays later,
tied the game 21-21 with a
five-yard touchdown run
but perhaps more importantly,
seized momentum
that lasted the entire second
half, rallying for a 42-21
victory last Friday night at
Davis Field.
Apache Junction dropped
to 7-3 with the loss and likely
will also drop a spot or
two in the final 4A-I power
point rankings that are due
to be released on November
7. Saguaro improved to 7-2
on the season and will face
Queen Creek this Friday in
the final week of the regular
season.
“I’m probably going to be
kicking myself for going for
it there,” Prospector coach
Rich Milligan was quoted
as saying in the East Valley
Tribune. “But I believe
in my guy’s ability to get
that yardage. Going into
the playoffs you’re going to
have to make plays like that.
If it works out, it’s a good
call. If it doesn’t, it isn’t.”
See
B-1
and see AJHS,
B-2
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