City of Sedona gambling with its Arizona Heritage Fund grant

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[Source: Sedona.biz, letter to the editor] — The Sedona Cultural Park may have closed its doors five years ago, but it’s ghost is alive and well in the guise of the Barbara Antonsen Memorial Park and Pavilion. Plans to plop a geodesic dome in the midst of a recreational overbuilt Posse Ground Park (populated with 16 various courts, fields, underutilized teen center, dog park, swimming pool, elementary school and unregulated skateboard park bordered by two of Sedona’s longest established neighborhoods and one exclusive and relatively new subdivision) are moving along rapidly with the help of the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission.

The matching grant of $586,600 was awarded to the City of Sedona for fiscal year 1995-1996 and, in turn, given to the non-profit organization responsible for establishing and maintaining the Sedona Cultural Park project. However, the City neglected to protect its interest by securing the grant in the event that the Cultural Park defaulted (and when it did, the City had no recourse). Included in this grant were; a two level amphitheatre, site preparation, sod, stage utilities, tree preservation, landscaping irrigation, fencing, lighting, ticket area, picnic/shade ramadas, tables and benches, restrooms, roads, lights, sewer, potable water, gas, electric, telephone and signage. [Note: to read the full article, click here.]

Initiative system is unwieldy, Ariz. Supreme Court writes

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[Source: The Arizona Republic, Matthew Benson] – – Arizona’s system of ballot initiatives has become unwieldy and in need of overhaul, the Arizona Supreme Court wrote Tuesday, November 18, 2008.  The growing number of signatures required for would-be citizens initiatives, and the sizable number of proposals, have overwhelmed elections officials attempting to verify measures for the ballot. Add to the equation the relatively new phenomenon of early voting and its role in shrinking the amount of time that counties and the state have to prepare ballots.

Justice Andrew Hurwitz wrote that a “thorough legislative re-examination” of the initiative process is needed.  The recommendation was tacked onto an opinion issued Tuesday. But it corresponded to an earlier Supreme Court decision, issued Aug. 26, regarding a transportation initiative didn’t make the ballot.  [Note: to read the full article click here.]

New grant will launch Hohokam ruins project in Mesa AZ

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[Source: the Arizona Republic, Gary Nelson] – – After more than 20 years, Mesa finally has enough money to begin work on an architectural park at the Mesa Grande ruins.  A $100,000 grant from the Arizona Historic Preservation Heritage Fund, coupled with a previous $150,000 from Indian gaming money, will allow the public to begin touring the ruins as early as next year.  Tom Wilson, director of the city-owned Museum of Natural History, said last spring the first $150,000, courtesy of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, was spent for site planning and digital mapping of the fragile west Mesa spot. [Note: to read the full article click here.]

Fort Verde in Camp Verde AZ facelift needs help

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[Source: CVBugle.com, Steve Ayers] – – Rangers call for volunteers – – When the military constructed Fort Verde, they built it with the belief that the fort would remain serviceable for 10 to 20 years … max.  They had no idea that parts of it would still be standing 137 years later.  Constructed for the most part of adobe, it is a testament to the love and care given over the years by local volunteers and Arizona State Parks employees that anything remains standing.

That love and care is once again being requested, as the staff of the park embarks on a major repair project, starting at the Surgeon’s Quarters on the north end and working their way south to the park’s administrative building. “We are putting out a want ad, if you will,” says Dennis Lockhart, assistant manger of Fort Verde State Historic Park.  “Anyone who wants to come scrape paint, do wood work or plaster, or has skills in anything that might be of help, they are welcome to come over and be a volunteer.”  [Note: to read the full article click here.]