‘Old Glory’ Rescued In Cooperative Effort
City government, Zions Bank, American Legion, newspaper collaborate
By Betty Swanson
The News
The dirty, tattered, forlorn American flag flew for months, day and night, over the deserted parking lot in Apache Junction. This was no way to treat the American flag and everyone who passed by knew it. Last week, that flag was respectfully lowered and entrusted over to the Apache Junction American Legion, Post 27, for safe storage until it can be included in the proper ceremonial disposal of American flags on Flag Day, June 14.
 The flag rescue was an oldfashioned example of people, agencies, organizations, and business working together in a cooperative effort to accomplish something that needed to be done. Involved in the undertaking were the Mayor and City of Apache Junction’s Public Works Department, Zions First National Bank, The American Legion, Post 27, and the The Apache Junction/ Gold Canyon News.
 Mayor Johnny Insalaco and the City of Apache Junction had been fielding phone calls all summer from local citizens and veteran’s organizations upset about the condition of the American flag flying in the parking lot of the closed, and subsequently foreclosed upon, Arizona Joe’s Restaurant located at 713 S. Winchester Rd., just north of Old West Highway.

See A-1 and see Old Glory, A-10

Serdy Named To State Tourism Board
Apache Junction City Councilmember
Jeff Serdy has been appointed by the Governor’s Office to represent Pinal and Gila counties on the statewide Tourism Advisory Council, which gives policy guidance and direction to the Arizona Office of Tourism.
 The Arizona Office of Tourism is tasked with promoting tourism in Arizona and seeks to maximize the enjoyment of the many scenic landscapes, and rural and metropolitan tourist opportunities which abound in the state. The following information is from the www.azot.gov website.
 The Tourism Advisory Council is comprised of 15 members appointed by the governor for terms of five years, pursuant to ARS 41- 2304. The council includes representatives from recreational and tourist attractions, lodging, restaurant or food and transportation industries, as well as other tourism businesses and the general public. Within those representatives must be one member from each of the six geographical planning areas of the state.
 These planning areas include: Maricopa, Pima, Apache, Coconino, Navajo and Yavapai, Mohave and Yuma, Gila and Pinal, Graham, Greenlee, Cochise and Santa Cruz.
 The council assists and advises the agency director in preparation of the budget and in establishment of policies and programs which promote and develop tourism for this state.
 When asked about the appointment Serdy said, “If you ask yourself what is the prettiest part of the Valley, you'll have to admit it's right here in our back yard...’the gateway to the Superstitions.’ It's time we strived to make it more of a destination. I'll work my hardest to promote this and all of Pinal County.”
 Serdy’s term runs from June 30, 2010, until June 30, 2015

Police Explorer Honored
Sarah Swander joining Navy in December
Sarah Swander, an Apache Junction Police Explorer, received the Patriot Award from the Learning for Life Grand Canyon Council for her leadership and service.
 Raised in Apache Junction, Swander has provided exemplary service and dedication to the community for many years. She has been a part of the Explorer program for six years, a member of the Apache Junction High School ROTC for four years, and is continuing to serve others as a member in the Navy.
 “We are honored to have Swander not only as a member of our community, but also a part of our organization,” said Chief Jerald Monahan.
 Swander is leaving her plaque at the police department for display while on tour and commented “none of this would have been possible without my adviser, Officer (Keith) Gabriel. He was truly a pushing force, and I am indebted to him. He helped keep me motivated, stay on top of my grades and kept me from giving up. Officer Gabriel does that for all of the Explorers.”
 Swander leaves for Great Lakes, Ill., to enter the Navy on December 15. Her longterm goal is to become a K9 officer.

Cross Country Runners To Compete In “Sectional Meet”
Kessler runs 7th in 12-school, Flagstaff invitational
By Chuck Baker
The News
The boys and girls cross country teams will be competing in the Division II Sectional III cross country race on Saturday, October 29 at Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Phoenix with state-qualifying at stake. There will be a total of seventeen schools competing in Sectional III and the top eight teams and the top twenty individual runners from the meet will advance to the Division II State Championships on Saturday, November 6 at the Cave Creek Golf Course. Separate races are held for both boys and girls.
 Apache Junction’s best hopes of landing a statequalifier lies with junior Caitlin Kessler (pictured), who ran 7th overall at the October 9 Jack Boehle Invitational held at Coconino High School in Flagstaff. Kessler, who according to the website www.directathletics. com is currently the #39-ranked cross country runner in the state, ran a time of 21:51.76 over the 3.0-mile course in Flagstaff.
 The top finisher for the AJHS boys at that meet was junior Colton Cave, who placed 18th overall with a time of 18:18.16.
 Also for the Lady Prospectors at the Flagstaff meet, junior Katrina Lujan ran 39th overall (25:31.69), freshman Kendra Heninger ran 43rd (26:25.40) and sophomore Kelcie Johnson ran 49th (29:04.50).
 Other results for AJHS boys included sophomore Ricky Donald running 42nd (19:47.72), sophomore Mikey Wolfe running 48th (19:59.38), sophomore Todd Hoffman running 62nd (21:46.43), and freshman Omar Ewert running 63rd (21:58.47).

See B-1 and see Runner, B-3