Supervisor Snider’s October news and notes

This month is one of those watershed months for us: we all heave a sigh of relief as cool nights and cooler days arrive (and stay!), and we all mark the arrival of fall and notice the changes in license plates as our winter visitors return.

October is also the month we celebrate the first singing of the Star Spangled Banner (Oct. 19, 1814), the launch of Sputnik I (the first space vehicle) on Oct. 4, 1957, National Grouch Day (Oct. 15), and the start point for cell phones, texting, and humongous telephone bills – the very first two-way telephone conversation took place on Oct. 9, 1876.
 
On Sept. 30th Pinal County brought together elected officials from Pinal cities, towns, Native American communities, as well as members of our county’s state and Congressional delegations for an Economic Development Summit. In an effort to make sure that these officials had the latest information on the “how’s” and “why’s” of economic development, speakers from across the state were assembled to present a comprehensive picture of what economic development is, how it works, what we’re doing now, and how to take our efforts to bring jobs to Pinal County to the next level. 
 
The sessions were recorded and copies of the DVD will be provided to our local governments to help brief newly elected officials as they take office. Drill down sessions on specific issues (i.e. transportation systems, utilities, workforce development, etc.) will take place later – but they, too, will be taped and distributed to the same entities.
 
Late last month, the State of Arizona and Pinal County received notice from the Environmental Protection Agency that they were promulgating their Non-Attainment Area Map for PM10 (particulate matter or dust in our air). As you may remember, it was about a year ago that we first learned that the EPA was looking at Pinal County’s air quality and measurements of dust particles therein.
 
Representatives from the county, production agriculture, dairy, cattle feeding and building construction industries joined folks from the sand, rock and gravel industry as well as local governments to offer our plan for mitigation to the EPA. A reasonable area was proposed in April. However, the proposed map released by the EPA labels most of the western half of Pinal County (excluding Native American lands) as being designated Non-Attainment for PM10.
 
The EPA’s “official” notice for this designation gets published in the Federal Register, starting a 60-day public comment period. Once that deadline passed, EPA will analyze those comments and then post their final notice in the Federal Register. That means that come March, 2011, much of Pinal County will officially be in Non-Attainment. After that, there’s an 18-month process for identifying appropriate mitigation strategies and adopting an enforceable plan for mitigation.
 
Before I move to a review of the October calendar, I’d like to share some other news. As everyone knows, County Manager Terry Doolittle will be retiring in mid-October. The Board of Supervisors mounted a nationwide recruitment and recently interviewed four very well qualified candidates for the post. After performing all due diligence, the Board unanimously offered the post to Mr. Fritz Behring. Behring has an impressive resume of governmental service and comes to us from Clay County, Florida, which is located close to the Jacksonville metroplex and between Jacksonville and Orlando. I am impressed with Mr. Behring and believe he has the skills and experiential background to bring us through this time of economic turmoil and to the next level as we begin to build the Sun Corridor.
 
Now, onward to the calendar. Everyone’s invited to two days of fun and festivities in Maricopa, Oct. 8 and 9: it’s Stagecoach Days and there’s a Barn Dance on Friday night and loads of family-oriented things to do in Pacana Park on Saturday the 9th. For more information, go to www.maricopachamber.com. Next up on your social calendar should be the fourth annual Grape Escapes on October 22nd. It’s a fund-raiser for F.O.R. Maricopa Food Bank with a twist. The prizes are delicious and the hors d’oeuvres will be awesome.  For more information, click on www.formaricopa.org/wine.
 
If you’ve driven down Jimmie Kerr Boulevard this year, you may have wondered about the really tall building being constructed next to the Fertizona plant on Peart Road, south of the UPRR tracks. On Saturday, Oct. 23rd you’ll have a chance to tour the newly dedicated Cargill plant.  Cargill is an international company that produces and markets food and agricultural products – Pinal is very fortunate and pleased to have them as a corporate neighbor.
 
Finally, it’s that time again! Against Abuse, Inc. will be putting on the 24th Annual Tasted of Casa Grande on October 24th – this year in the Robson Ranch Clubhouse in Eloy. Tickets are $40 apiece and the feasting, fun and prizes begin at 1 p.m. lasting until 4 that afternoon. If you’re ready to sample the wares of 32 local restaurants, tickets can be purchased from an Against Abuse Board member or by calling 520-836-1239.
 
David Snider,
Pinal County District 3 Supervisor

File photo