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By Sam Hosler
Mayor, Kearny
Winkelman is Arizona’s smallest incorporated town, but there’s nothing small about the celebration they will be having this Saturday, Oct. 11, marking the town’s 100th year since its founding. I won’t list everything the people have planned, because I simply plan to show up about 11 a.m. and enjoy the whole day.
The celebration reminds me of the connections among Winkelman, Hayden, and Kearny. We share the connection with copper mining. We share long and proud histories. And, over the years, family and business connections have developed.
Several months ago the Town of Hayden was having a hearing to gather information for its ten-year plan. At that meeting, then-Mayor Charlie Vega challenged the towns of the Copper Basin to work more closely together. Thus was born the Three Mayors Group, a monthly gathering of the mayors and interested others to work on the things we have in common.
It’s quite a list. There is a severe need for economic development. There are water issues, the need for better electronic communications, medical concerns, transportation concerns, and the list goes on and on. We developed a simple mission: Whatever benefits one of the towns benefits all of the towns. With that it mind, we have begun working together.
Our town managers are working with us, and we have met with the police departments. We met to consider how the Town of Hayden’s recent loss of some important funding affect all of us, especially in the work of the Hayden Senior Center, which provide meals on wheels to towns from Superior to SaddleBrooke.
We are working on supporting each others’ special town events, and we are beginning to explore ways to have common events together.
This weekend is Winkelman’s time to shine. Let’s go help them celebrate!
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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