Ak-Chin O'odham Runner - Ak-Chin Indian Community

14 October 7 - 20, 201114October 2011 Newsletter ColumnWelcome to October – a montheplete with notable events such asame Your Car Day (the 2 nd ), Sweetestay and National Grouch Day (both onhe 15 th ), National Nut Day (the 22 nd ),nd Halloween (the 31 st ). October islso known as National Dessert Month,amily History Month, and Nationalizza Festival Month so enjoy! By theay, there are only approximately 90hopping days left before Christmas.Before I say too much more, westerninal County said goodbye to a quiet giantast month. Colin “Bill” Scott passed oneptember 14 th after decades of servicend labor in the arenas of agriculture,ower, water, and community. He wille missed.As many of you know, when the 2010.S. Census counted our noses we foundhat there were some 375,770 peopleesiding here. That determination, ofourse, triggered a new reapportionmentrocess for Pinal County since we nowust elect five (5) county supervisorsnstead of three. Earlier this year, the Boardf Supervisors authorized our Electionsepartment to employ consultants skilledn the arts of demographic analysis andamiliarity with the U.S. Department ofustice pre-clearance process.With their assistance, Electionsirector Steve Kizer and his staff creatednd considered a number of redistrictingap proposals. In the meantime theity of Casa Grande, concerned abouthe prospect of being split into multipleupervisory districts, created its own maproposal and submitted it to the Electionsepartment. After due consideration,ounty staff brought three differentupervisory district map proposals to theoard during its September 7 th meetingand the Board chose to place all three ofthe proposals before the public for inputand comment.There were a number of specialinput sessions held in various locationsaround the county last month and afterall of the comments and suggestionswere compiled, the Board will meetthis month to select one of those districtmap proposals for transmittal to theDepartment of Justice. The DoJ has 60days to review our submittal and rule onwhether or not our proposed redistrictingmap complies with the Voting RightsAct of 1965 and the criteria used by theDoJ’s Civil Rights Division under theprovisions of Section Five of the VotingRights Act of 1965.Although the DoJ process ofreview (also known as pre-clearance)is complex, essentially the Departmentcan approve our proposal, put it on holdwhile asking for more information aboutcertain aspects of the proposal, or simplyreturn it to us with a note that it needsmodification. It is, of course, our beliefhat whichever map proposal we submitill be pre-cleared without any furthereview by the DoJ. If we’re successful,hen prospective candidates can begin toirculate nomination petitions with anye to the Primary Election of August8, 2012 and the General Election onovember 6 th , 2012.CAHRA (Community Actionuman Resources Agency) will beolding utility assistance applicationvents for those needing help with theirtilities. Scheduled sessions in variousocations in western Pinal County willtake place throughout the month. Formore information, call CAHRA at520.466.1112.Before I get to your appointmentbook, it’s time to brag about our ownFrito Lay plant. Over the last three years,the visionary folks at Frito Lay workedhard on a Near Net Zero concept thataimed to reduce the resources needed tomake its products. Led by the intrepidJason Gray, they stalled a water recovery/reuse facility designed to recycle 75% ofall process water used. Five separateand distinct photovoltaic solar fieldswere installed throughout the property toproduce enough power to meet 50% ofthe plants annual electric load. A hugebio mass boiler was constructed sufficientto produce all of the steam needs for theplant’s operations and reducing their useof natural gas by over 80%.And in 2009, they became the firstsnack food manufacturing facility to becertified LEED 2.0 Existing Buildingin the company, Arizona, and the U.S.Frito Lay USA and its parent companyPepsiCo will celebrate this monumentalachievement on October 5 th . Once again,wonderful things are happening in PinalCounty!And now for a list of interesting,tasty, fun, and educational things for yourcalendar:*The City of Casa Grande will behosting its annual Anti-Crime Night eventin Carr-McNatt Park on Friday, October7 from 6 to 9 p.m. It’s a fun, family timewith a serious message.*”Hot Wings for History” featureslocal amateur chefs and their favoritewing recipes prepared on site for thepublic. This fun event on October 9 th runsfrom 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Casa GrandeValley Historical Society Museum. Call520.836.2223 for more information.*The 24 th Pinal County Town Halltakes place at the Francisco GrandeOctober 12 and 13 – the theme is“Reactivating the Regional Economy”with a host of excellent speakers. Checkthe County web site for registrationinformation.*Against Abuse’s 25 th Annual Tasteof Casa Grande (The Property, October16 th from 1-4 p.m.) will be THE place tobe! Food to die for and prizes to competefor. Call 520.836.1239 for tickets. *F.O.R.Maricopa (Maricopa’s food bank) isholding its annual Grape Escapes on theevening of October 21 st in the confines ofthe Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Resort.Tickets and information are available athttp://www.FORmaricopa.org/wine.*The revitalized MaricopaStagecoach Days are back! It’s a threeday festival (October 21-23) at PacanaPark with a street dance on Friday and acommunity fair the other two days. Goto http://maricopachamber.org for moreinformation.*Don’t forget to come out and honorour country’s veterans as you watchthe 5 th Annual Veterans Day Parade indowntown Casa Grande. Starting at 9a.m. on November 5 th and following theElectric Light Parade route, it’s sure to bea red letter event for everyone.David Snider, SupervisorPinal County District 3Salvation Army ChristmasAngel Program Sign UpWhere: Rotary Park RamadaPLEASE DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILDRENWhen: Thursday, October 6 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PMThursday, October 13 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PMSaturday, October 15 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AMWednesday, October 19 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PMSaturday, October 29 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AMProvide: ID (driver license or birth certificate)Proof of income-strict income guidelines will befollowed.Proof of address (utility bill)Children’s ID (AHCCCS card, birth certificate)Donde: En la ramada del parque Rotary-NO NINOS POR FAVORCuando: Jueves 6 de Octubre de las 3:30 PM hasta las 5:30 PMJueves 13 de Octubre de las 3:30 PM hasta las 5:00PMSabado 15 de Octubre de las 9:00 AM hasta las 11:00 AMMiercoles 19 de Octubre de las 3:30 PM hasta las5:00 PMSabado 29 de Octubre de las 9:00 AM hasta las11:00 AMComprobantes esecarios: NID (su licensia o la acta de nacimiento)Nesesita presenter comprobante de su direccion(factura De servicios publicos)Comprobante de ingresoID de los hijos (acta de nacimento o tarjeta delAHCCCS)Friends of the LibraryIn conjunction with Stagecoach Days, Friends of the Maricopa Library willhold their bi-annual book sale on October 22nd from 8:00-noon. Hundreds ofbooks of all genres including Fiction, Non-fiction, Mystery, Romance, Science-Fiction, Western, etc. as well as children’s books for all ages are available.Bag of Books - $8.00Children’s books starting at $.50 eachBook sets will be priced individuallyProceeds will help defray costs of activities at the Maricopa Public LibraryIf you go:What: Friends of the Maricopa Library semi-annual book saleWhere: Santa Rosa Elementary School, 21400 N. Santa Rosa Drive (in Ranch ElDorado off Smith-Enke Road at the Province entrance)When: Saturday, October 22, 8 a.m. until noonCost: $8 per grocery bag of booksChildren’s books from $.50The Maricopa Historical Society is holding its First Annual Historic GolfTournament on October 16th at the Duke at Rancho El DoradoThe tournament is being held to raise money for a historical museum inMaricopa to showcase many artifacts dating back to the 1800’s. Coffee anddoughnuts at 6:30 a.m. will be followed by a shotgun start at 8 a.m.Golf package for 4 -- $400Package for 1 -- $100Lunch without golf -- $25Various sponsorships availableFor More information contact: brendahermansongarza@yahoo.com, 480-250-9085Huge Parking Lot SaleCelebrate Life Family Support Center will hold it’s semi-annual Huge ParkingLot Sale, October 8, 2011, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. 18705 N John WayneParkway (just north of Bowlin). Gently used clothing, books, household items,etc. will be available. Come shop for the treasure you just can’t live without. Ifyou have gently used items to donate to this sale, please bring them on Tuesdays9:00-4:00 OR call Carol West at 520-709-9743.