Archives > Eloy Enterprise > News

Back Through the Years, 11/19/09

Staff Reports

Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009 8:47 AM MST

FIVE YEARS AGO

Planning bust

with citizen’s reviews

A request by Kirt McCarville of Cotton City, LLC, for a general plan amendment and rezoning of 122 acres on the southwest corner of Houser and Curry roads came up before a citizen review in front of the Eloy Planning and Zoning Commission Nov. 10. The request was made to rezone it from light industrial to manufacturing/industrial. A small portion of the eastern end of the property is already zoned manufacturing/industrial. McCarville said they have an industrial company who makes trusses, Young Brothers, willing to locate in Eloy along with another who is looking at the growth in the area. Their existing plant is already at capacity and they are looking to expand, he said. They are currently working with Union Pacific to acquire railroad access. Without rail, it would not be economical to cart that much lumber. The plant would be employing approximately 150 people.

The cost of preparing

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, Arizonans have more to be thankful for since the cost of the traditional holiday meal decreased slightly from last year, according to the Arizona Farm Bureau. In Farm Bureau’s annual informal survey of the price of basic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table, the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 is $36.04, a 24-cent drop from last year’s national survey average of $36.28. The traditional dinner includes turkey, stuffing, cranberries, pumpkin pie and all the trimmings. “Based on this year’s average meal cost, Arizona residents can enjoy a traditional holiday meal for just $3.60 per person. That’s something worthy of thanks,” said Arizona Farm Bureau President Kevin Rogers.

A night at the speakeasy

Ma Barker and Etta Ruth Amerson served time in the old Toltec School Jail during the Santa Cruz Valley Historic Museum Speakeasy Gala Saturday night. Tiffany Shedd brought the partygoers up to date on the history and future of the Old Toltec School. The gala brought out former Eloy residents Jose and Maria Chavez, Anna Maria Chavez and former Mayor Florine Serda.

TEN YEARS AGO

City employees’ wage plan remains in design stage

The city council chambers’ new sound system seemed anemic in accelerating the approval of a new wage plan since approximately one-third of the regular Eloy Council was devoted to such proposals for city employees. The nearly one-hour discussion followed a similarly large time segment on the same subject during the Council’s meeting. According to City Manager Curtis Schrader, this also follows four months of additional Council consideration in determining an equitable wage program. “We’ve been discussing the pay plan issue for probably four months, and we’ve had, I think five work sessions to discuss pay plan,” Schrader said. “I think that if you table this item again, that doesn’t send a very positive message to the employees.”

Santa Cruz student council sponsors food bank drive

The inventory of the Eloy Food Bank received a welcomed increase Nov. 19 from the efforts of students from the Santa Cruz Valley Union High School. Sponsored by the school’s student council, the 10-day food drive was held on Nov. 8-19 with the following instructor’s classes placing first through third in donations totals: Irma Garcia, first place; Bill Askew, second place; and Edelmira Oquendo, third place. A total of 1,235 cans and dry goods were collected; the first class was awarded a pizza party for their achievement.

Jr. High to hold

‘Teddy Bear Roundup’

The Eloy Junior High School Student Council is sponsoring a Teddy Bear Roundup to be held from Nov. 29 through Dec. 19. These toys will go to the local domestic violence and homeless shelters. The homeroom with the most toys will have a hot chocolate and doughnut breakfast party. Bring your gently used teddy bears and stuffed animals to your homeroom class.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

Two cops save two women

from fiery death after wreck

In a time when heroes and male role models are people such as basketball star Charles Barkley, there are few times when men forget the danger they might be in to help someone else. Two Eloy police officers, Sgt. Jerry Wilhite and patrol officer Steve Fortier, were honored by the City of Casa Grande for saving the lives of two women trapped in a burning car on Sept. 29. “I didn’t think anything of it, but it is nice to be noticed for it,” Wilhite said. They were able to get the women out of the car without an injury to anyone. Eloy Police Chief Jim Griffith says, “I applaud both officers for their bravery, and am proud to have them as members of the Eloy Police Department.”

EJHS teacher talks about jobs, possibility of higher education

Eloy Junior High School teacher Terry Edwards thinks a big part of his job is to convince his students they can get a junior college or college education and a good paying job after they leave the local school system. Edwards teaches what used to be called industrial arts, but is now called technology. Students do not have a vision of themselves other than in Eloy, other than working for a store or a truck stop or a farm, Edwards said. “They don’t see themselves doing something else. They don’t see themselves going to college,” he said. Edwards talks to his students about a higher education and how they can get scholarships. “You let them know there is money out there, all you have to do is go (after it),” he said.

Eloy pals finish Army training

Congratulations to Pvt. Raul (Gus) A. Rivas, C. Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery, 1st Platoon; and Pvt. Armando Mendivil Jr. 2nd Platoon, Charley Battalion, 32 Field Artillery on their completion of basic training on Nov. 10, at Fort Sill, Okla. They are both 1994 graduates of Santa Cruz Valley Union High School.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Citizens invited to 40th birthday party at park

On Saturday, there will be a party like you’ve never seen before in downtown Eloy. Everyone is welcome to come celebrate this momentous occasion. There will be food, drinks, games, dancing, booths, and fireworks. Also a 1940s style caravan, mariachis, and much more, according to Mary Ann O’Donnell, recreation director. Ed Beasley, city manager, said, “The City of Eloy’s 40th Birthday Celebration is a very special time for our community. This celebration provides a time of reflection by our community on where we have progressed from and where we would like to proceed.”

City’s first PTA officially formed during meeting

The Eloy Elementary Parent-Teacher Association was officially formed on Nov. 6, at an organizational meeting held at the Eloy Intermediate School, according to Julie Cruz, president. “I would like to thank all of these people for proving that the parents of Eloy care very much about the education of their children,” stated Cruz. For some time now, Cruz has been struggling to organize an Eloy Elementary Parent-Teacher group. Some have said that this was not possible, because parents wouldn’t attend the meetings. This proved not true.

Devil Cagers open year with 46-36,

loses to Bears

The Santa Cruz Dust Devils varsity Cagers opened their 1989-90 season with a 46-36 loss at home Tuesday night to the Coolidge Bears, according to Head Coach Bo Warren. Warren said, “We are a much better team than what we showed. We are going to have a good basketball team this year.” Errors plague the Dust Devils in the first game of the season. For example, he noted, Santa Cruz turned the ball over 24 times. The biggest problem was the Devils’ inability to sink baskets. “We only had one Devil playing, that was Sal Baldenegro, with 15 points.”

Article Rating (4 * = highest)

Reader Comments