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Cave Creek in well preserved hands
Mayor sets list of preservation projects
By Tom B. Clark
Staff Writer
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| photo by Tom Clark |
| Mayor of Cave Creek Vincent
Francia also works as director of marketing at Turf Paradise.
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Vincent Francia has the look of a man in control of his space and at peace with the world. However, underneath the cool exterior of this mayor of Cave Creek lies a driving desire to preserve the desert landscape surrounding his township.
From saving sacred Native American burial grounds to working at replenishing Cave Creek’s water supply, Francia has proven himself a fighter for environmental causes in the face of the steady push of development north from Phoenix into the desert.
Re-elected in March as mayor of Cave Creek, Francia considers his office, "a community honor and an awesome responsibility."
The single parent of PVCC student Anyada Francia, 18, and Elias Francia, 13, moved his family to Cave Creek about 20 miles from the heart of Phoenix in 1990 when he began working at Turf Paradise, 1501 W. Bell Rd., where he is currently the director of marketing and media relations.
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| Prescott mines leaching into streams
Contamination of well water, Lynx Lake feared
By Sandy Beasley
Editor
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| Iron pyrite slowly
dissolves as acid leaching from Sheldon mine scars rocks and creates
an unnatural ooze in the stream. |
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, Arizona Game and Fish, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Arizona Department of Health Services have all joined forces to assess the environmental impacts that abandoned mines have had on the Bradshaw Ranger District of the Prescott National Forest.
"We are evaluating mines in the forest to determine whether these sites warrant federal attention from the Superfund program," says Jere Johnson, site assessment manager for the EPA. "If we decide that the sites warrant federal attention, we may consider listing them on the National Priorities List to secure funding for cleanup."
The principal reason for increased concern is the rise in population in the area and consequent apprehension for the overall health of residents. Johnson is concerned with the fact that old patented mining claims are being sold as home sites.
Mining began in the Bradshaw Mountains in the mid-1880Ěs. Before the Bradshaw District of Prescott Arizona became a mining environment, the forest was an unspoiled, friendly environment to its inhabitants.
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Exciting balloon ride not all hot air
Joy Prue
Staff Writer
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| Easter morning Hot
Air Expeditions, Inc., inflates their balloons preparing to
ferry passengers through the sky. |
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ItĂs 5:45 Easter morning. The sun is rising over the mountain, a crisp, cool breeze reaches out to you, and excitement builds. Ground crews begin safety checks and lay out the balloon (also known as envelope). They straighten guide ropes and arrange fans. Finally, itĂs all systems go. You are about to embark on a cruise with Hot Air Expeditions, Inc.
The crew switches on the fans and starts filling the envelope with air; a pilot takes his place in the basket, igniting propane burners to heat the air inside. Thirty minutes later, you step into a handcrafted wicker basket and prepare for lift off.
Dressed in a sweater and jacket to match the chill in the air, you start to ascend into the clouds, and the first blast of the burners leaves you dumfounded. Temperatures have risen to a comfortable 80Á90 degrees inside the basket, and you begin to ponder shedding your jacket. A breathtaking 360-degree picturesque view comes to light. Suddenly ,you realize youĂve drifted 4,600 feet above the launch site.
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