By Nina Crowder
Superior Sun
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Superior Town Council has officially recognized the designation. The council last week signed a proclamation.
Carolyn Gillis from the Domestic Violence Safe Home in Globe was introduced to the council and spoke to them about their services.
“The purpose of the safe home is to provide women and children that are in domestic violence situations a safe place,” Gillis said. “Our home is a four bedroom with 11 beds.” Last year, 104 women and children stayed throughout the year.
A question was asked about men in domestic violence situations. Carolyn explained that they are not able to take men, but there is a home in Safford that does.
The council also proclaimed October as National Head Start Awareness Month. Hilda Cardenas from the Superior Head Start invited the public and town council to the Head Start open house set for Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to noon. Head Start is located on Lobb just north of Main Street.
Margaret Gaston, Town Manager, introduced two new employees for the Town of Superior. Joe Eddie Moreiga will be in Public Works. He has 27 years of experience working in City of Mesa. David Romero, who grew up in Superior and has experience in payroll and accounting, will be the Administrative Aid for Town Hall.
The Superior Student Council President and members of student council addressed the council regarding permission to hold a Homecoming Parade for Superior High School on October 18, 2013 at 4 p.m. on Main Street. The line-up will be near the Presbyterian Church. They invited the whole community to take part in this year’s homecoming events.
The council granted permission for the annual homecoming parade. The council also approved an alcohol beverage permit for the Magma Club for a graduation party.
The council addressed concerns from the Senior Center regarding the quality of food that is being served at the center and delivered to homebound seniors. The Hayden Senior Center has the contract.
Annie Hinojos, Director of the Hayden Senior Center, and Hayden Mayor Charles ‘Chale’ Vega were on hand at last week’s meeting to help address the concerns. They brought samples of the food that is served.
“Any food establishment will get some complaints and most of these can be taken care of through the directors,” Hinojos said. She met with Councilwoman Mila Besich Lira, Gaston and a representative of the Superior Senior Center and assured them that they will be working through the issues. “Communication to the clients and each other is a key,” Hinojos said.
She explained that the food is weighed and portioned according to federal guidelines. “Sometimes the clients actually (microwave) the food for ten minutes, when all is needed is three minutes,” Hinojos said. The directors, she explained, try to educate the clients of the cooking times and help them through this process.
Call to the Public
Several residents and business owners spoke to the Superior Town Council during call to the public and addressed a number of concerns.
Sandra Doyle told the council about issues she has at the Caboose Visitors Center. “The bathrooms need to be cleaned up we want to make a good impression on the winter visitors,” she told Mayor Jayme Valenzuela.
Businessman Sonnie Sansom acknowledged that there is a problem with weeds throughout town. In some areas, he said, the weeds are knee high especially some streets coming into Main Street and at the cemetery. Additionally, Sansom also invited the council and members of the public to visit the new laundry mat located at 85 High School Ave.
Andrew Taplin, Resolution Copper Mining Project Director, spoke to the council. “We would like to move forward our relationship with the Town of Superior and would like the town to engage with Resolution Copper and make Superior prosperous,” Taplin said. “We have gathered documents you were missing from your file and provided these to your Town Attorney. If I can provide any encouragement to the Town of Superior, Elected Officials without conflicts to move forward on the Resolution Copper project, thank you!”
Joy Evelyn spoke about the two empty houses at Wyatt and Long. “There is water standing, weeds, urine smell, mosquitoes, tweekers,” she said. “This has turned into a health hazard.”
Fred Miramon spoke out about his support for the town. “I support our town government and Resolution Copper,” he said. “As an outdoorsmen I wanted to bring up some information about mining. Water being valued higher than gold, how the mine will affect the water pollution?” he said. “Through the tailings, seepage, the use of water will change and the government needs to safe guard our wild life and Forest Service areas, if there is any updated information could it please be made public. Follow the principals to safe guard wild life and human life.”
Future Events and Meeting
There will be a clean up at the Fairview Cemetery at 7 a.m. on Oct. 12. Any and all volunteers are welcome and appreciated.
Mayor Valenzuela and the council members would like to encourage all members of the community in Superior to attend the Town Council Meetings. The next Town Council meeting is scheduled for Oct. 17, 2013 at 7 p.m. For additional information please feel free to visit the Superior Town’s Website at www.superior-arizona.com.