Neighbors roundup

Heat Optimists laud 5 Vail students

The Heat Optimist Club honored five Vail students for their perseverance, during a youth appreciation dinner on Nov. 14 at the Voyager RV Resort.

The students were recognized for a variety of reasons, from changing their attitude about school to overcoming hardship and conflict with their families. The club introduced the students and gave them certificates.

The students are: Emma Matsuhashi of Vail High School, Eric Kram of Empire High School, Joel Pierce of Cienega High School, Nichole Dominguez of Cienega High School and Yonathan Martinez of Vail High School.

Four students from Corbett Elementary School in the Tucson Unified School District also were honored by the Tanque Verde Optimist club.

"It's just a way to show appreciation for the kids, give them a pat on the back," said Patti McKerchie, a lieutenant governor of the Optimist International Arizona District. "If you're doing things and no one tells you you're doing a good job, you might give up."

The two clubs are a part of Optimist International, a worldwide organization that conducts service projects aimed at helping and empowering youth.

The organization has been giving the awards since the 1950s, and the Tucson-area clubs have been giving them for more than 20 years, McKerchie said.

Foothills

Gala to help send band to China

Music spilled out of the dining room and greeted guests as they arrived at the Road to China gala and silent auction last week at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 7000 N. Resort Drive.

The event benefited the Catalina Foothills High School Falcon Band. The band will join in the prelude to the 2008 Summer Olympics celebration in Beijing, China.

The marching band was invited to participate in the event after its appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade last year.

"I am really excited. We found out that we're invited to China when we got back from New York last year," said band member Will Harrison.

"All the money made tonight will help the road to China," said event co-chairwoman Linda Johnson.

"This is definitely our biggest trip," said band director Renee Shane-Boyd. "We are trying to offset some of our students' costs, the cost of the equipment and all the chaperones."

The students will continue to practice even after the season ends to get ready for the 10-day trip in June.

"They will be working a lot this spring. It's very rigorous. They will be taking cultural classes in preparation for China," said co-chairwoman Therese Marcellin.

"I think it will be a very cool trip," said band member Alex Merideth. "We are going to be able to experience a new culture. The fundraiser is setting this trip up for us."

The event included Asian cuisine, Chinese calligraphers, Chinese lion dancers, a silent auction and entertainment by the band.

For more information or to make a donation, e-mail theroadtochina@hotmail.com or contact Johnson at 749-5520.

Northwest

Marana seeking 5 top managers

Wanted: People interested in making a growing bedroom community more attractive to businesses, dealing with bureaucrats, handling personnel issues, overseeing large-scale construction projects and acquiring land for the town.

If there's someone out there willing and able to do all of that, odds are they're already employed and being compensated plentifully.

But if you have the experience and desire to do one of those tasks, Marana might have a job for you.

The town has openings for five key management positions that together are essential to keeping Marana on pace with its expansion. Marana's population has grown from less than 12,000 in 1999 to more than 35,000 this year.

Here's what the jobs entail and what they pay, according to the Town of Marana Web site:

● CIP project manager. Helps organize and oversee the town's capital improvement programs. $61,449 to $73,061 per year.

● Economic development administrator. Responsible for recruiting businesses to town to create jobs and keep the town's economy growing. $57,024 to $62,727 per year.

● Human-resources director. In charge of all of the town's personnel issues, including hiring and recruiting, as well as implementing staff policies and procedures. $70,000 to $85,000 per year.

● Intergovernmental affairs administrator. Serves as a liaison between the town and other government entities at the regional, state and federal levels. $64,512 to $70,968 per year.

● Senior real-property acquisition agent. Acquires rights-of-way for town projects and provides relocation assistance for affected property owners. $42,396 to $46,632 per year.

Sahuarita

School board moves to acquire land

The Sahuarita Unified School District Governing Board took the step last week to condemn a piece of property to build its second high school.

The board voted at the Nov. 14 regular meeting to use eminent domain to acquire the property if the owners do not agree to the school district's asking price of about $25,000 per acre.

The price was set by the Arizona School Facilities Board, which doles out state money to build schools.

The facilities board appraised the 66-acre property twice and reviewed the appraisals afterward.

Eminent domain would allow a judge to determine the price, which the property owners could not reject.

The school district will give property owner Park Corp. two more chances to accept the current offer before it takes the matter to Superior Court, said Superintendent Jay St. John.

"If they reject it, then we'll offer it to them again with the threat of condemnation," St. John said.

If a judge decides the price, the district could have the title to the property in two to three months, he said..