Remember to say thanks to a public works staff member during the week of May 16 through May 22, National Public Works Week.
   Since 1960, the American Public Works Association (APWA) has sponsored National Public Works Week (NPWW) across the nation to educate the public on the importance of the contribution of public works to people’s daily lives including planning, building, managing and operating the heart of our local communities.
   Some historical early highlights of NPWW include a U.S. Senate resolution affirming the first National Public Works Week in 1960, letters of acknowledgement from Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon Johnson, and a presidential Proclamation signed by John F. Kennedy in 1962.
   This year’s APWA theme is “Public Works: Above, Below, & All Around You.” Through NPWW and other efforts, APWA seeks to raise the public’s awareness of public works issues and to increase confidence in public works employees who are dedicated to improving the quality of life for present and future generations.
   Mayor John Insalaco and the City Council will present the proclamation on National Public Works Week at their meeting of April 20. For further information contact the Public Works Department at (480) 474-8511.

Lights May Grace Focal Point Trees
Staff may apply for Yavapai grant
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
If the grant specialist at the City of Apache Junction has his way, 12 trees at the Focal Point and 18 along Phelps Drive will be installed with lights.
   City of Apache Junction staff, including Roger Hacker, is requesting the adoption of Resolution No. 10-10, authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation during the City Council’s regularly scheduled meeeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20.
   “We had received funding from them back a couple years ago to do phase one of renovations,” Hacker said. “We installed cement work. We installed some lighting with their support and this proposed application is a continuation of the Focal Point renovation.”
   The grant is for $17,500. The first grant the City received from the Fort Mcell Yavapai Nation was for $20,000 in 2008. It did not pay for the barrel cactus. Hacker hopes that the City Council will approve the resolution.
   “I would hope so,” Hacker said. “I know that the renovation of the Focal Point and downtown area is a real priority with the council. I hope that they would give the OK to go ahead with this applicafrom Focal Point, A-1 tion. I know with some fo the members of the Focal Point committee is really driving home that lighting and illumination really gives a visual appeal of an area.”

See A-1 and see Focal Point, A-5

Student Names New Jr. High
‘Cactus Canyon’ with Cougars as mascot
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
Eleven-year-old Thunder Mountain Middle School student Devin Koszarek has won a competition to rename Desert Shadows Middle School Cactus Canyon Junior High.
  The name was approved by the Apache Junction Unified School District Governing Board during its meeting on Tuesday, April 13.
  For his efforts, Koszarek won a Cactus Canyon Junior High T-shirt and an iTunes gift card.
  Students and parents voted on the new name from three choices on a Web site prepared for the contest, said Cactus Canyon Junior High’s incoming principal Larry
   LaPrise. There were 2,000 hits on the site, he added. LaPrise said he allowed all sixth- and seventh-grade students to suggest new names. Overall, he received 200 ideas.
   “There were some good ones,” LaPrise said. “With both PTOs together, we weaned out the good ones from the silly ones. One of my friend’s children wanted to name it after themselves.”  
   Among the “silly ones” was said Koszarek, who plays percussion
in the band. “I never planned on it to win.” Ninja Junior High School.
   Koszarek said he based his idea on the state’s motto.
“I thought of the Grand Canyon and the cactus, which is mostly everywhere out here,”

See A-1 and see Jr. High, A-9

Zane Morgan Runs 2nd At Greenway In 400 Meters
By Chuck Baker
The News
Prospector senior Zane Morgan accounted for 19 of the 34 team points the Apache Junction boys scored at the Greenway Invitational track and field meet held Saturday, April 10 in Phoenix. Morgan ran second overall in the 400 meters with a time of 49:76, was fifth overall in the 200 meters with a time of 22:82, ran seventh overall in the 100 meter finals with a time of 11:49, and anchored the boys 4x400 meter relay team which ended up placing third overall with a combined time of 3:34.69.
   Also scoring team points for the AJHS boys at Greenway were Trevor Berner with a third place finish in discus (139-04), Chance Van Soest with a fourth place finish in shot put (44-01.50) plus an eighth place finish in discus (121-11), the 4x100 meter relay team of Danny Fuller, David Fernando, Tanner Morgan and Kyrel Parker with a sixth place finish (44:96), and Colt Grandstaff with a seventh place finish in high jump (5-10).
   Joining Zane Morgan on the 4x400 relay team that ended up third were Ricky Donald, Grandstaff and Fernando.
   The AJHS boys finished ninth overall out of seventeen schools competing at the Greenway Meet with their 34 team points.

See B-1 and see Track, B-2