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Reminder Remembers 1/20/11

Published: Thursday, January 20, 2011 5:09 AM MST

Compiled by Daniel Dullum

ONE YEAR AGO

January 21, 2009

An oversight board voted unanimously to close 13 of Arizona’s state parks – including four in Pinal County – in response to budget cuts, leaving two-thirds of the parks shut in the most aggressive cuts to such facilities in the nation. In the county, the Arizona State Parks Board is closing McFarland Historic Park in Florence, along with Lost Dutchman, Picacho Peak and Oracle parks.

The board is also closing historic Old West landmarks like the Tombstone Courthouse and the Yuma Territorial Prison.

Florence voters will be asked to choose “yes” or “no” on continuing Home Rule – which allows the Town Council to pass its budgets without the constraints of a state formula to limit spending – in the March 9 primary election. Florence voters have given their approval, every four years, for the town to operate under Home Rule since the state-imposed expenditure limitations began in 1980.

Florence Unified School District has provided full-day kindergarten for 18 years, and if Superintendent Dr. Gary Nine has his way, it’ll remain that way. During the Florence School Board’s regular meeting, held Jan. 13 at Walker Butte K-8, Dr. Nine addressed the concerns of Board member Jim Thomas that, with the proposed state budget cuts in education, all-day kindergarten could be in jeopardy.

“Our community has approved a K-3 override; we have no business going back to a half day of kindergarten,” Dr. Nine stated.

FIVE YEARS AGO

January 19, 2006

Parents from Greens I and II subdivisions expressed frustration with the likely prospect that their children would be moved to a new school for the third time in as many years at the Florence School Board’s regular meeting, held for the second straight month at Copper Basin School. One parent told the board, “The Greens I and II have been attacked many years in a row.”

Board members were sympathetic. Board President Jim Thomas said if they must vote to move the Greens again, “it will be with extreme sorrow that we do.” Dr. Amy Fuller, board clerk, disagreed with the parent’s term of “attacked,” responding, “No child is under attack. We love all the children. Don’t think we’re attacking any children for any reason. We’re here to serve you.”

The Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project (FIRRP) hopes to draw more local attention and support when it relocates to its new building on Arizona 79 at the Gila River bridge in February. The staff of 11 will then work in an office built entirely by volunteer labor and materials.

For 16 years, the nonprofit organization has provided legal assistance to approximately 2,000 men, women and children detained because of their immigration status in Arizona at any time. The federal government is under no obligation to provide legal service to detainees.

EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO

January 21, 1993

A grievance filed by former Florence High School football coach Tom Shoemake was discussed without fanfare at the Florence School Board’s regular monthly meeting. The board decided to hold a hearing at a later date to consider Shoemake’s claim.

After Board President Fred Celaya admonished the crowd at the meeting to behave, the group complied, for the most part. Unlike a special meeting held a week earlier, there were no catcalls – only a few unsolicited comments and one disruption.

Shoemake’s grievance claims the district owes him more money than it paid him for serving as football coach. He resigned as coach in protest after being asked not to lead the team in prayers before games.

A brief, furious hailstorm sailed through Florence, pelting vehicles and homes with marble- and golf ball-size hail. Roads were white with hail following the storm. No serious damage to vehicles or other property was reported despite the large hailstones and strong winds.

More than 1,300 natural gas customers lost service to homes and businesses in Florence after raging Gila River waters snapped a main gas supply line west of A ttaway Road. The raised El Paso gas line, which feeds Southwest Gas Corp., floated in place for a couple of days before it finally gave way under the constant pressure of moving flood water.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

January 22, 1981

As President Reagan announced that the 50 American hostages were being released by Iran, the daily custom of ringing the bell at the Catholic Church of the Assumption since Thanksgiving Day of 1980 came to an end. Joe Vasquez and Jacob Aguilar tolled the bell on behalf of the hostages for the final time on Jan. 20.

Owners of abandoned buildings on Main Street will soon be receiving letters from the town asking them to either clean up their property, or be billed for the job after the town does it for them. The decision to send the letters was made at a Town Council meeting at the suggestion of Councilman Jack Rankin.

The motion passed unanimously.

Town Marshal Tom Rankin wants townspeople to know that the town still has a police department which operates all day long. Rankin said he has learned that the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department has been receiving many calls at night from Florence residents who say they can’t get in touch with the Marshal’s Office.

The problem, Rankin said, is that people still associate the police department with Town Hall, which used to be housed in the same building. In November, the town’s operations moved across the street into the old County Superintendent’s building, but the police remained. Some people, however, were still calling Town Hall to get the police.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

January 20, 1961

Twenty-six newly appointed Pinal County sheriff’s deputies are working without pay as a result of action taken by the county Board of Supervisors Monday. Based on an opinion given by the county’s attorney’s office, the supervisors acted to take the deputies off the payroll until the Arizona Supreme Court hands down its decision in the disputed Laurence White vs. Coy DeArman sheriff’s election.

Twenty-one other employees of the sheriff’s office – including deputies, matrons and the civil deputy who are incumbent from White’s staff – remain on the payroll.

DeArman said that if the Supreme Court decision is not forthcoming in about two weeks, several of his new deputies may have to seek other work when their credit runs out. Supervisor chairman Jay Bateman said the county attorney’s opinion was based on an Arizona law which prohibits paying a public official whose election is being contested.

A large throng of golf enthusiasts was on hand at Hohokam Country Club Tuesday for a luncheon honoring Betty Hicks, renowned feminine golfer who later staged a golf clinic. Miss Hicks, a respected golf instructor who helped organize the Ladies Professional Golf Association, appeared at HCC under the auspices of the Wilson Sporting Goods Co. She is a member of Wilson’s advisory staff.

A capacity crowd estimated at over 500 was on hand Tuesday night as the Harlem Clowns clowned their way to a 77-66 win over a team made up of Florence school coaches. John Williams scored 24 points to lead the Clowns, while Noel Barrie with 22 points and Harold Harris with 20 topped the locals.

The Florence Union High School Lettermen’s Club, sponsors of the game, realized a sizable profit, it is reported. Troy Thompson, English and drama teacher at FUHS, was the only casualty of the game, as he ended up in the hospital.

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