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VVMC's
Copper Bat[
- 3A
Lights, camera, action at Zaki Gordon
New council
supports NSA
- IOA
Friday
Moy 28, 2010
SEDON ARIZONA
VOLUME 47, NUMBER 70
2 SECTN2iPA6ES
www. redrocknews.com
I I I
D_ON E WS
...".--" 7 J t The Voice of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon for more than 45 years ""-----..
"-...__.
Legal immigrant still worried
By Michael Maresh
LtaSON NEWSPAPERS
While Raul Mendoza is no
longer living in the United States
illegally, he knows the impacts
Senate Bill 1070 will have on his
friends who are violating the law.
Even though Mendoza became
a U.S. citizen a few weeks ago, he
still believes he will be stopped
and his immigration status
checked under this new law.
The language of SB 1070
requires police officers to deter-
mine status of people if there is
reasonable suspicion they are
illegal immigrants during lawful
contact and to arrest people unable
to provide documentation proving
they are in the country legally. It
also makes it a crime to transport
someone who is an illegal immi-
grant or to hire day laborers off
the street.
l¢cent polls show 80 percent
of Arizona residents support the
intention of immigration bill.
Mendoza mox;ed from Mexico
to Fresno, Calif., 23 years ago
before coming to Sedona 12 years
ago.
He worked for a restaurant
in Oak Creek Canyon and now
works for himself as a landscaper.
He said the new law means a
lot, and added it is really mean-
spirited and reopens wounds.
Mendoza moved from Jalisco,
Mexico, after a few friends
"invited" him to come to Fresno
where he initially worked on a
golf course. Not being able to
understand customers because
he only spoke Spanish, he
enrolled in night school to study
English.
He said hemoved from Mexico
for better opportunities and the
American dream, mentioning
many people in Mexico live in
poverty,
"It was pretty sad, so when I
saw this opportunity to move to
this county, I could not pass it up,"
he said.
Mendoza planned to return
to Mexico after a few years, lut
decided to stay after falling in
love with America.
"After I saw the opportunities,
I decided to stay here," he said.
"I saw the big difference. That is
what made me change my mind."
Many of Mendoza's friends
who are in the country illegally
have decided or are preparing
to leave Arizona, and he
understands why.
• Please see LEGAL, 11A
Tom Hood/Larson Newspapers
WEST SEDONA RESIDENT Raul Mendoza talks Tuesday, May 25, at his
home about how Arizona Senate Bill 1070 will affect him and his family
and friends. Mendoza recently became a citizen.
No vote
on hot
issue at
meeting
SFD's board doesn't
make decision on
ambulance service
By Michael Maresh
LARSON NEWSPAPERS
After four lengthy presentations
on ambulance privatization versus
in-house services Wednesday,
May 25, the Sedona Fire District
Governing Board tdok no action.
After Verde Valley Fire District
Fire Chief Jerry Doerksen finished
his presentation about the impor-
tance of keeping ambulance
services within the district, a few
board members wanted to vote to
keep the service in4aouse.
Governing Board Chairman
Ralph Graves said there were two
choices give up control and
oversight of the service or continue
with the current practice.
After board member Liza
Veme{ seconded Graves' motion,
SFD attorney Bill. Whittington
cautioned the board about voting
on this because the agenda item
called for only discussion and
presentations.
Vernet pointed out the agenda
reads all items discussed can be
considered for action.
Board member Bert Berkshire
wondered why the district called
in four representatives who
seemed to support districts oper-
ating ambulance service and no
one representing privatization of
ambulances.
"I thought that is what we agreed
to," Berkshire said referring to
an earlier meeting where it was
agreed representatives from both
Please see VOTE, 11A
SEDONA RED ROCK HIGH
SCHOOL senior Pedro Ortega Jr.
shows off his diploma during
graduation ceremonies at the
school Wednesday, May 26
(above). Hundreds of family
members and friends watched
as 114 seniors received their
diplomas from the school's
staff members. Graduate
Danae Boyce, right, gets a
hug from friend and classmate
Logan Reilly after graduation
ceremonies (right). Check out
Wednesday's Living page
for more photos.
Photos by Tom Hood/
Larson Newspapers
Congrats Grads
• - -
:?:} .... _
Streetlights not an
option for council
By Michael Maresh
LARSON NEWSPAPERS
The Sedona City Council
directed staff Tuesday, May 25,
to study what it would mean for
the city to take over ownership of
State Route 89A in West Sedona
from the Arizona Department of
Transportation.
If the city owns the
road, 1t-could install
"other safety easures
instead of roadway
lighting.
City representatives
met May 18 withADOT
officials to discuss the
future of the lighting Barbara Litrell
plan for State Route
89A.
City Manager Tim Ernster
said it seemed ADOT was recep-
tive to the city in the morning to
put the lights "in a box"
while looking at other
alternatives. However,
things changed after
lunch.
In a May 24 letter
from ADOT Director
John Halikowski to
Mayor Rob Adams,
Ernster said ADOT
statedit does not support Dennis Raynor
the option of retaining
and let the lights be installed, or
take legal action.
Councilwoman Barbara LLtrell
said she was a little disappointed
because Halikowski seemed
receptive during the morning
session to having more discus-
sions before installing the lights.
She said ADOT has never
given the city any proof or
details on why lights
are the only and best
solution.
"There is .still a lot
of dishSon that has
to take place," Litrell
said.
Adams said "he has
had discussions with
Gov. Jan Brewer and
Halikowski about the
lights, and he added it
appeared the governor opposed
the lights and he hoped she
would be able to change ADOT's
mind.
He said what he
hoped for obviously did
not occur.
Adams said the
city needs to become
educated on what a
route transfer would
mean, and it may or
may not be an option to
consider.
"People do not want
ownership of State Route 89A
and implementing improvements
in lieu of lighting, as doing so is
not a viable solution for
the state.
He said ifADOT and
the city are unable to
come to an agreement
on a route transfer, the
construction project for
the streetlights will go
out to bid in August.
Ernster said a lot
changed in the after-
noon session and added
he was confused with
the about-face and the August
deadline date.
Ernster said the city's options
are continue to urge ADOT to
meet with them to look at alter-
natives, negotiate with ADOT
for a route transfer, do nothing
continuous roadway lighting,"
he said. "I think ADOT would
like to get rid of the highway."
Councilman Dennis Rayner
Dan Mcllroy
wanted to know how
long it would take for
city staff to come up
with the information
for council to review,
and was informed by
Ernster the research
could be completed
by August. The city
manager said the pref-
erence is for city staff
to do the study rather
than hiring a consultant.
"We should be able to buy
more time," Rayner said.
Councilman Mark DiNunzio
said the letter Halikowski sent
Please see COUNCIL, I lA
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