City To Provide Historical Signs
Drivers will soon see directionals to Historic Apache Trail
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
The City of Apache Junction has taken the reins from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to provide signs for U.S. Highway 60 directing traffic to the Historic Apache Trail.
   Department of Public Works Director David Fern told the City Council during its Monday, May 3, work session that he was surprised that ADOT had designated the road “historic” in 1987 but had yet to find funds to provide signage.
   “Since ADOT does not have this sign installation programmed for design or installation, Public Works engineering staff designed this one in-house,” Fern said.
   Fern explained that the City is looking for “alternative funding” to pay for the whiteon- brown signs, which will be installed within “a month or two.”
   “We’ve got a few last-minute funding details to sort out,” Fern told the council.
 The signs will be placed on Eastbound U.S. Highway 60 near Ironwood Drive and Idaho Road exits; as well as Westbound U.S. Highway 60 near the same exits. Because the cost is $25,000 or less, it does not need to come back to the City Council for approval.
   The historical signage was part of an extended conversation about directionals within and near the city. Fern said a number of council member's have expressed their strategic desire to assure that the public knows what “we have to offer when driving through the community.”
  Another key project is identifying to drivers that they are in or approaching Apache Junction.

See A-1 and see Signage, A-5

City Clerk Celebrates 30 Years City Service
Mayor, councilman offer awards
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
Apache Junction City Clerk Kathy Connelly was honored for her 30 years of service during the City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 4.
   City Manager George Hoffman hailed her dedication to the community. She is the first person in the City of Apache Junction’s history to reach 30 years of service.
   “Along with tax collectors, municipal clerks are among the very first local government public servants,” Hoffman said. “Clerks, in one form or another, have been around since before the advent of writing. From earliest times, the clerk has been historian, archivist, public reader of official documents, keeper of the laws and fee collector, as well as being responsible for publishing official documents.       These duties have remained unchanged over the years.”\
   He said clerks have eight core responsibilities:
• General management • Records management. • Elections. • Meeting administration. • Management of by-laws, articles of incorporation, ordinances or other legal instruments. • Human resources management • Financial management.
• Custody of the official seal and execution of official documents.

See A-1 and see City Clerk, A-9

Lost Dutchman Park May Remain Open For A Year
Fundraising brings in more than required $25,000
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
The News
An Arizona State Parks official announced during the Tuesday, May 4, Apache Junction City Council meeting that Lost Dutchman State Park may remain open for a year thanks to a grassroots effort to raise the required $25,000.
   “Last night I said our agreement was for a year and I will agree that the additional funding provided by the Friends of Lost Dutchman is sufficient to supplement the operational cost of the park for a year,” said Parks Assistant Director Jay Ream in an interview Wednesday, May 5, with the Apache Junction/ Gold Canyon News.
   However, there are many situations beyond my control as to whether the park will remain open the full year. I can say that the parks board will take action on May 19 to endorse the agreement with the Friends of Lost Dutchman (to) keep the park open, at that time they will not set a new closing date. In short the park will not close June 3, 2010, as scheduled.”
   The announcement by Ream, who also serves as an ex-officio member of Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park, garnered a standing ovation from the crowd in City Council Chambers.
   “Thank you,” Mayor John Insalaco said emphatically. “I hope everyone in TV land heard that.”

See A-1 and see State Park, A-9

Zane’s World
AJHS senior Zane Morgan goes 3-for-3 in region track; State Championships are this Friday & Saturday
By Chuck Baker
The News
Welcome to Zane’s World where people move “inzanely” fast and to be successful you have to be the fastest. Prospector senior Zane Morgan is both.
   This past Thursday and Friday at the Desert Sky Region track and field championships held at Queen Creek High School, Apache Junction senior Zane Morgan went a perfect threefor- three, capturing the first place medal in the 200 and 400 meters, and then anchoring the boys 4x400 meter relay team as they cruised to victory in record setting fashion.
   Morgan put forth a personal best effort in winning the 200 meters in a time of 22:45 on Friday and also turned in a personal best run of 49:45 to take first in the 400 meters. He ran the final lap of the 4x400 meter relay race on Thursday and along with teammates Ricky Donald, David Fernando and Colt Grandstaff, set a new AJHS school record with a combined time of 3:24.90. That winning relay time shattered the old mark of 3:27.10 set back in 2003.
   Morgan and his 4x400 meter relay partners will now advance to this week’s 4A-I State Championships that will be held Friday and Saturday at Mesa Community College.
   The only other AJHS region champion crowned last week was Fernando in long jump. The sophomore came into the competition with a season best leap of 19-07 and exploded at regionals with a jump of 22-03 to capture first place.

See B-1 and see Region, B-6