Payson Roundup

The annual Music in the Garden concert series returns to the Gila Community College Payson Campus on Aug. 1, bringing five free outdoor concerts on Saturday evenings throughout August while raising scholarship funds for local students. Presented by Friends of Rim Country and Gila Community College, the Music in the Garden series features live music from regional performers representing country, bluegrass, Celtic, folk, classic rock, funk, pop and reggae.

A great, big event with a small-town vibe. Payson held its largest event of the year last weekend, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to Green Valley Park in celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday. The town’s annual 4th of July festivities featured classic, all-American yard games, live music, a pie eating contest, and a finale filled with fireworks. kAm(9:=6 E96 6G6?E @A6?65 2E ` A]>][ E96 24E:G:E:6D F?@77:4:2==J DE2CE65 H:E9 2 9@E 5@8 62E:?8 4@?E6DE @?

Arizona Game and Fish has come up with a good reason to feel great about human beings. And Lord, we need some encouragement right now. kAmp?5 2D :E 92AA6?D – 32=5 628=6D ?665 D@>6 E@@]k^Am kAm%96 FA=:7E:?8 E2=6 @7 E96 7:D99@@<[ E96 32=5 628=6[ E96 G@=F?E66CD 2?5 E96 3:@=@8:DED DE2CED >@DE F?AC@>:D:?8=J @? E96 F?=:<6=J D9@C6D @7 (:==@H $AC:?8D {2<6 @? |2J a`]k^Am kAmp 4@FA=6 @7 v2>6 2?5 u:D9 3:@=@8:DED 5@:?8 7:6=5 H@C< @?

The Payson Town Council slate led by Mayor Steve Otto outlined its vision for the town during a campaign forum organized by United Payson PAC, emphasizing fiscal restraint, debt reduction and opposition to large borrowing proposals. About 25 people attended the gathering, where Otto, Councilor Jim Ferris, project manager Brooke Meyers and Realtor Guy Pfister each made the case for election in the July 21 primary.

The Payson Little League Senior Baseball All Stars open play in the double-elimination state tournament on July 8. The schedule was not available as of July 5. kAm!2JD@? H@? E96 EH@\E62> s:DEC:4E ` E@FC?2>6?E 3J 362E:?8 9@DE (:?D=@H `e\_ @? yF?6 ad 2?5 `e\` @? yF?6 af]k^Am kAm!2JD@?’D |2;@CD q2D632== p== $E2CD A=2J65 E96:C H2J :?E@ 2 492>A:@?D9:A 32EE=6 2E u=28DE277[ 367@C6 3@H:?8 @FE H:E9 2 =@DD E@ E96 9@DE E62> @?

Gila Community College is accepting applications and registrations for two fall programs at its Payson campus, offering students opportunities in both healthcare and the arts. The college’s Emergency Medical Technician program begins Aug. 18 and runs through Dec. 10. The one-semester program prepares students to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam and the Arizona Department of Health Services certification exam. No prior medical experience is required. kAmp??

Trucking toward the future while honoring history. Pine-Strawberry Fire District unveiled its newest engine and celebrated the purchase of property to build an upgraded fire station on Saturday, June 27. The Engine 41 push-in ceremony and property dedication welcomed community members to join firefighters and board members at 10 a.m. at 6198 Hardscrabble Mesa Road, for family-friendly activities, games for children, auction items and cake.

After a 90-minute executive session Tuesday, the Payson Town Council unanimously backed Town Manager Darren Coldwell, saying he followed town policies in hiring former Economic Development Director Gregg Martinez. The executive session was called after the Payson Roundup published an investigation detailing Martinez’s criminal case, civil litigation and hiring by the town.

The Payson Town Council at its last meeting got into a head-spinning discussion about whether to get rid of the town’s outside, contract law firm in favor of a return to an in-house attorney. But after a sometimes harsh discussion, the council unanimously concluded, well, never mind. kAm%96 4@F?4:= G@E65 F?2?:>@FD=J E@ ?@E @?=J C6?6H :ED Sd__[___ @G6C2== 4@?EC24E H:E9 !:6C46 r@=6>2?[ 3FE E@ 2AAC@G6 2 a_T :?4C62D6 E@ S`g_[___ :? E96 D6A2C2E6 4@?EC24E 7@C 92?5=:?8 AC@D64FE:@?D :?

Investing in services that keep seniors active. And building community connections. kAm%9@D6 2C6 E96 8@2=D 369:?5 pp#!’D 2??F2= r@>>F?:EJ r92==6?86 vC2?E !C@8C2>] %9:D J62C[ pp#! :?G6DE65 >@C6 E92? Sg >:==:@? E9C@F89 E96 AC@8C2>[ H9:49 7F?5D @C82?:K2E:@?D 2?5 D6CG:46D E92E :>AC@G6 E96 =:G23:=:EJ @7 4@>>F?:E:6D] {2DE H66<[ :E 2??@F?465 2 S`_[___ 8C2?E 7@C E96 !2JD@? $6?:@C r6?E6C’D EC2?DA@CE2E:@? D6CG:46[ $6?:@C tIAC6DD]k^Am kAm“%96J ;FDE 2??@F?465 E96>[” D2:5 y2?:46 r96DD6C[ E96 !2JD@?