Community Update on the Status of Lost Dutchman State Park
Planned for March 18th

Apache Junction, Arizona………..........………………………………March 9, 2010

With the on-going high level of community interest in the status of Lost Dutchman State Park (LDSP), the City of Apache Junction in cooperation with Superstition Harley-Davidson and the Arizona State Park’s Foundation, are pleased to invite you to a community update to be held Thursday evening March 18th, 6:30-8PM in the community room of Superstition Harley, 2910 West Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ.

Come hear the latest developments, and what you can do to become more actively engaged in support of LDSP, whether it is as a “Friend of LDSP,” volunteer, donor business or simply a concerned citizen/park user.

Beverly and Mark LeResche owners of Superstition Harley-Davidson invite you to this community update hosted at their Apache Junction business. The Update is free and open to the public. All are welcome and the meeting room is handicap accessible.

For more information on ALL Arizona State Parks or how to volunteer please visit: www.azstateparks.com.

If you have questions regarding this specific event feel free to contact Steve Filipowicz, City of Apache Junction Economic Development Director, 480.474.5064.

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Housing Rehabilitation Program
Applications Being Accepted

Apache Junction, Arizona…………………………………………….March 1, 2010.

The City of Apache Junction is in receipt of grant funds through the Arizona Department of Housing to continue to provide housing rehabilitation services to the residents of Apache Junction. The City is looking for eligible homeowners to participate in the City’s program. Applications are being accepted from eligible homeowners to complete repairs that may address health and safety issues, code violations, and ADA accessibility.
Funds will be made available to qualified single family owner occupied homeowners who have owned their home and property for a minimum of one year and reside within the City limits.
Applicants must meet at least one of the following conditions in order to be eligible: 1) owner/occupant is elderly; 2) owner/occupant is disabled; 3) owner/occupant has children under the age of 18 living in the home.
To receive an application or for additional information, please contact Heather Patel at (480) 474-2635 or visit our website at: http://www.ajcity.net/index.asp?nid=88 .

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Free Home Owners Association Classes Offered

Apache Junction, Arizona……………………………………….March 1, 2010

Do you want to learn more about Homeowners Associations? Don’t miss the Leadership Centre’s upcoming HOA Academy Series. Classes begin March 30, and run each week thru May 11th.

The Series includes “HOA 101”, “Legal Aspects of HOAs”, and “How to Conduct Successful & Peaceful Meetings”. This information is valuable to all home owners, whether you live in a HOA or not. You may sign up for the entire series, or just one class.

The City of Apache Junction is a partner with The Leadership Center, and as such classes are free for Apache Junction residents. Space is limited. Classes will be held from 6:00-8:30pm in the Queen Creek Library, located at 21802 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ.

For more information, or to register, please call 480-732-7174 or go online at www.theleadershipcentre.org, click on “Register Now”. Also, residents of Apache Junction can utilize mediation services at the Leadership Centre. You can learn more about SolveIt! Mediation at the same website.

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Calling All Artists – To City Hall

Apache Junction, Arizona……………………………………March 1, 2010

The City of Apache Junction requests that all artists who contributed art for the most recent City Hall display, pick up their pieces on Thursday, March 11, 2010 starting at 9 am – 11 am at City Hall 300 E. Superstition Blvd. Artwork should be picked up and art work for the next exhibition should be dropped off on the second floor of the Administration Building.
Both pick up, and drop off for the next event, take place on the same day and at the same time.
All artists are allowed up to two (2) pieces for display. Artwork will be accepted on a first come first served, content neutral, basis. Also, the City is especially looking for southwestern style art and all artwork must weigh 25 pounds or less and have a wire attached to the back in order to accommodate our art-hanging fixtures.
The City only has space for 50 pieces of art, which will be on display for three months. All artists will be required to sign a release and indemnification agreement in order to participate.
Many thanks to all the artists who have contributed works to be hung at City Hall for the public to view and enjoy.
For further information contact Patrick Brenner in the Community Relation’s Office at (480) 474-5080.
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Household Hazardous Waste, White Goods and Electronic Recycling Collection Events
Coming March 27th

Apache Junction, Arizona……………………………………February 23, 2010

This year, the City of Apache Junction’s Household Hazardous Waste and White Goods event will be featuring an Electronic Recycling collection event. As a convenience to City of Apache Junction area residents, these events will take place on the same day, at the same location. The event will be held at the City of Apache Junction’s Public Works Operations Yard located at 575 E. Baseline, Apache Junction from 8AM – 1 PM on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
The Household Hazardous Waste collection is for items that typically cannot be deposited into your regular trash. An effort will be made to recycle most of the items collected. Residents may bring from their homes hazardous waste items such as anti-freeze (up to 20 gallons in up to 5 gallon containers), batteries (auto/truck and marine), oil- motor only (up to 20 gallons in up to 5 gallon containers), and paint (latex & oil based, non-aerosol), and passenger, light-truck and semi-truck tires (rims will not be accepted). Collection of hazardous waste and tires will be free of charge.
White goods are any large household appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, stoves, washing machines, clothes dryers and related. All refrigerators and freezers must be emptied of food before they will be accepted. The event is free, with the exception of appliances that use freon, for which there will be a disposal fee of $10 per item.
Electronic Recycling are items such as PC’s, Laptops, CRT Monitors, Flat Panel Monitors, Modems, Switches, Power Cords, Printers, Wire and Cabling, Mice, Keyboards, Hard Drives, Floppy, DVD, CD Drives, telephones, cell phones, printers, fax machines , copiers, calculators, typewriters, printer cartridge, televisions, stereos, radios, amplifiers, projectors, satellite, cable equipment, video equipment, VCR’s, CD Players, video game equipment, microwaves, toaster ovens etc.
Items that will not be accepted are furniture, lamps, and small appliances, or any items from businesses or commercial interests.
The event is open to City of Apache Junction area residents. Participants are responsible for transporting the goods to the City collection site and will be asked to show proof of residency.
For additional information about the Household Hazardous Waste/ White Goods/Electronic Recycling collection event, contact the Public Works Department at (480) 982-1055.

Capital Improvements to Lost Dutchman State Park
Under Discussion

Apache Junction, Arizona………..........………………………………February 12, 2010

City of Apache Junction staff met recently with representatives from Arizona State Parks to discuss options on keeping Lost Dutchman State Park open and a viable community resource. State parks staff asked us to consider supporting a proposed capital improvement project at the park, which they believe may have long term benefit and help move the park from the June 3rd closure list to the “keep open” list.

As part of their regular agenda Tuesday evening February 16th the Apache Junction City Council will consider a ‘Resolution of Support’ for the AZ State Parks’ Board to authorize the capital improvements to Lost Dutchman State Park. Highlights of that discussion included:

Arizona State Parks Board will be considering proposed capital improvements to Lost Dutchman State Park at their meeting of 2/17/10, in the Peoria City Council Chambers, beginning at 10:00 am.
Funding for the improvements are from Land and Water Conservation Funds (federal dollars) matched by Heritage Funds (Arizona lottery funds) in the amount of $1.2 million dollars.
Proposed improvements include providing the availability of electricity to 38 camp sites, enhancing restroom and shower facilities, and expanding parking in the areas of trail heads.
Planned improvements will increase the usability of the park. Increased usability means more revenue, which would better position the park to remain open as a self sustained operation or possibly a revenue generating facility.
The Lost Dutchman State Park receives 100,000 visitors per year and is estimated to have a $4.1 million dollar economic impact on the community.
Arizona State Parks and the City of Apache Junction are in the process of developing a Memorandum of Understanding further outlining areas of mutual interest and cooperation with regard to the park’s continued operation.
The City of Apache Junction continues to support efforts to protect the Heritage Fund, a primary funding source for enhancing recreational opportunities across the state, from further legislative sweeps.

The City of Apache Junction has initiated discussion with the Arizona State Parks Foundation to explore the formation of a “Friends of Lost Dutchman State Park” group.

The community is advised to send supporting letters and e-mails to Stephen Filipowicz (sfilipowicz@ajcity.net), Economic Development Director, City of Apache Junction or Ellen Bilbrey (pio@azstateparks.gov), Public Information Officer, Arizona State Parks.

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City to Launch Community Videos –
Business Sponsorships Sought

Apache Junction, Arizona………..........………………………………January 29, 2010

The City of Apache Junction, as a member of the National League of Cities, is excited to announce the launch of a new program that we are confident will have a significant impact in our ability to positively showcase a variety of highly desirable aspects about our community. We have entered into an agreement with CGI Communications to produce a series of streaming online videos highlighting many of the wonderful attribute our community has to offer our residents, visitors, and businesses. The videos are expected to be available on the City’s website at www.ajcity.net by mid – March.

CGI is a leader in online marketing solutions, working with thousands of businesses and communities nationwide, including our Arizona neighbors of Bullhead City, Payson and Wickenburg. With an easily viewable interface on the official city website (www.ajcity.net), their video showcase will engage viewers in learning more about area attractions, economic development opportunities, quality of life, and so much more. The City of Apache Junction is dedicated to helping promote the advantages of live, work, educate and recreate in our community, and we feel that this program can do just that.

CGI will be contacting members of our local business community to offer sponsorship and participation in the program, as well as an opportunity to learn more about CGI's innovative new digital media products for businesses.

While the City of Apache Junction does not endorse any particular business or enterprise over any other, we do encourage you to consider learning more about the program, and about all that CGI offers. If participation is right for you and your business or organization, we welcome your support in this endeavor to help tell Apache Junction’s story to a wider audience.

For further information contact the Economic Development Department at (480) 474-5064 or email sfilipowicz@ajcity.net.

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Tips for Recycling

Apache Junction, Arizona………..........………………………………January 4, 2010

The City of Apache Junction provides a Drop – Off Recycling Program for residents and winter visitors and strongly encourages its use. We would like to remind everyone to flatten cardboard boxes, so as not to plug the containers. During the winter months, our containers fill up quickly, and we are adding more bins for our community to use.
The Program provides Apache Junction the opportunity to recycle the following items: newspaper, aluminum and tin cans, plastics, cardboard and office paper. Office paper includes such common household items as newspapers, magazines, telephone books, junk mail and catalogs. Of note, we do not accept glass.
According to recently retired City of AJ Library employee Gail Graham-Fisel, “I have been recycling for years. I pick up trash wherever I see it to recycle. Children or others will ask me why do you pick someone else’s (trash) up? I tell them it’s not my trash, but it is my planet.”
Drop – Off Recycling is available at the following locations:
City of Apache Junction; 1001 N. Idaho Road
Fire Station #263; 1645 S. Idaho Road
Fire Station #262; 3955 E. Superstition Blvd.

The location formerly at Animal Control has been removed. For further information visit the City of Apache Junction website at www.ajcity.net/recycle.

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For possible use in a sidebar table as space permits -
Items to Recycle
Newspaper Cans Mixed Paper Plastic Bottles Cardboard
All inserts Aluminum Office paper #1 (drink bottles, without caps, rinsed out) 3-ply corrugated (break down boxes)
Magazines Tin/steel (no lids, rinsed out) Shred (tied in a plastic bag) #2 (detergent, shampoo, etc., no caps, rinsed out) Single-ply (soft drink cartons, cereal boxes, etc., broken down)
Catalogs Junk Mail (tied in a plastic bag)
Phone Directories File folders
Paper used for packing material Books (hard and soft cover)
Items Not to Recycle
• Trash
• Food waste
• Glass
• Soft drink and plastic glasses
• Plastic trays from carryout, strawberries, frozen dinners, etc.
• Catsup bottles (they're #7)
• Motor oil or any auto products bottles (can't get them clean)
• Styrofoam packing material
• Plastic “peanuts” for packing
• Butter tubs, cottage cheese containers, catsup bottles
• Paper plates, paper towel or toilet paper rolls
• Lids from tin cans or plastic bottles
• Blueprints
• Brown envelopes
• Sticky notes
• Aluminum anything, other than cans
• Plastic anything, other than bottles or jugs
More Information
• Recycle Arizona
• Arizona Recycle Hotline, 1-800-253-2687
• Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
• EPA Toll Free Hazardous Substance Hotline, 1-800-424-9346
• Pinal County - Public Works Department

City Animal Control Receives Spay/Neuter
Grant for $10,000

Apache Junction, Arizona………………………………………January 13, 2010

The City of Apache Junction is very proud to announce receipt of a grant for $10,000 from the Arizona Companion Animal Spay/Neuter Committee. This group is comprised of animal control professionals from throughout the state of Arizona.
Their mission is to support spay and neutering of animals for low income and elderly residents. These grant funds were made available from the support and sales of the Arizona Companion Animal Spay and Neuter Pet Friendly License Plates. More information on obtaining a “pet friendly plate” is available at the website www.azpetplates.org.
To see if you are eligible to receive a spay/neuter voucher please call the Apache Junction Police Department Division of Animal Control at (480) 983-4405. The program is designed to assist low income or elderly (62 or older) populations with their pets.
According to Animal Control Office Supervisor Rhonda Wise, “This is a great program and there is a huge need in the community to help elderly and low income folks have this procedure done for their pets. It makes a big impact further down the road in reducing the number of unwanted pets by using these vouchers”.
All persons receiving a voucher must be residents of the City of Apache Junction. Once approved to receive a voucher, residents can redeem them with the Mobile Animal Surgical Hospital of J.K. Nuefeld, DVM, which will be at the Apache Junction Animal Control Center one day per week. An appointment is required for this service. All vouchers must be used one month after they are issued.
For further information please contact the Animal Control facility located at 725 E. Baseline Road, Apache Junction by calling (480) 983- 4405.
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