A publication of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns | Winter 2015

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League of Arizona Cities and Towns

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League of Arizona Cities and Towns

TABLE OF

Winter 2015

CONTENTS

Executive Committee
PRESIDENT

Mark Mitchell, Mayor, Tempe
VICE PRESIDENT

Jay Tibshraeny, Mayor, Chandler
TREASURER

Mark Nexsen, Mayor, Lake Havasu City
COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Doug Von Gausig, Mayor, Clarkdale
Gilbert Lopez, Councilmember, Coolidge
Lana Mook, Mayor, El Mirage
Gerald Nabours, Mayor, Flagstaff
Linda Kavanagh, Mayor, Fountain Hills
John Lewis, Mayor, Gilbert
Jerry Weiers, Mayor, Glendale
Tom Schoaf, Mayor, Litchfield Park
Ed Honea, Mayor, Marana
Christian Price, Mayor, Maricopa
John Giles, Mayor, Mesa
Kenny Evans, Mayor, Payson
Bob Barrett, Mayor, Peoria
Greg Stanton, Mayor, Phoenix
Harvey Skoog, Mayor, Prescott Valley
Jim Lane, Mayor, Scottsdale
Daryl Seymore, Mayor, Show Low
Rick Mueller, Mayor, Sierra Vista
Sharon Wolcott, Mayor, Surprise
Bob Rivera, Mayor, Thatcher
Jonathan Rothschild, Mayor, Tucson
Douglas Nicholls, Mayor, Yuma

DEPARTMENTS

6 Message from the Executive Director
8 Message from the League President
FEATURE

10 The Revival of the Copper Corridor
14 Copper Corridor Community Spotlights
18 Legislature 101: An Introduction to Lawmaking
		 and the Capitol in 2015

League Staff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ken Strobeck
COMMUNICATION & EDUCATION DIRECTOR

Matt Lore
EDITOR

Samantha Womer
GRAPHIC DESIGN

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Arizona City & Town

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MESSAGE FROM THE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Copper Corridor’s
Small-Town Heritage
It’s fun to take a look back at historic areas of Arizona as we
are doing in this edition of Arizona City and Town magazine.
Our state has such a rich history — and relatively recent
compared to many other parts of the country. Old photos give
us the impression that the past occurred only in black and
white. But actually, the stories, personalities and places were
just as colorful then as they are now.
With today’s transportation options, communications systems and the ability to transact
commerce over great distances, it is unlikely that many of our small mining towns would have
developed in the same way if copper had only recently been discovered. These were some of our
original boomtowns, full of life and activity and the promise of great riches.
Now the historic downtowns and old buildings that were so vital in the past have, in many
cases, been abandoned and uncared for in today’s world. And only a few decades from now, it
is likely that many of them will be lost to us forever, existing only in memories and in those
old photos.
Arizona’s small mining towns provide a rich heritage for us today, and it is good to take some
time in our fast-paced lives to revisit them and remember what life was like back then. And for the
people who live and work in them today, these towns are still home, and it is important to keep
them active and healthy. That is a tall order.
As challenging as it is to promote economic development in the metropolitan areas of the
state, it is even more difficult to keep the economies of these small communities going strong. The
loss of one store, bank or gas station can have a profound impact on the local economy and local
municipal revenue.
I hope you enjoy the story of the communities in Arizona’s Copper Corridor in this edition.
And I hope you will take some time to visit them, as well as other small towns in the state. It’s
definitely a rewarding experience.

Ken Strobeck
Executive Director

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League of Arizona Cities and Towns

Arizona City & Town

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MESSAGE FROM THE

LEAGUE PRESIDENT

LEAGUE WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT
Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell was elected to
a two-year term as president of the League
of Arizona Cities and Towns at the annual
conference in August. Below is a message from
President Mitchell.
President Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Far and away the best prize that
life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Any student of
history knows that Teddy Roosevelt lived by those words. As a person who
comes from a long line of public service, this quote is an inspiration to me.
My great-grandfather, W.W. Mitchell, served as a state legislator; my father
was a mayor, a state senator and a U.S. representative; and my mother was a
high school teacher for nearly 35 years. The need to serve, it runs deep. And
it is why I initially ran for the City Council 12 years ago — to give back.
Living in Tempe for most of my life, it is the backdrop of all of my
fondest memories. It has helped shape me into the man that I’ve become.
Now, as mayor and as a father, I’m inspired to work hard to help better my
children’s future and the future of generations to come. My public service is
one of the accomplishments in my life of which I am the most proud.
Our residents have entrusted us with the duty of fostering our
communities. As elected officials, we strive to provide residents with safe
and vibrant neighborhoods, economic development policies that attract
development and encourage businesses to grow and thrive, provide public
transit, keep the library doors open, deliver quality drinking water, and
more. It’s hard work, but it allows our residents and their families to lead
happy and productive lives without the worry of whether the trash is going
to be picked up or if the road they are driving on is safe.
As League president, my focus is going to be protecting these services
and our ability, as cities and towns, to provide them. We are going to do
that by carrying forward our tradition of strong advocacy. The League of
Arizona Cities and Towns is at its best when we are a strong voice, speaking
in advocacy on the same issues. We could be facing some challenges over
the next few years, but as a respected player with both the Legislature
and the business community, we will move the cause of cities and towns
forward by emphasizing the contributions we make to the state of Arizona.

Mark Mitchell
Mayor, City of Tempe
President, League of Arizona Cities and Towns

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League of Arizona Cities and Towns

From top to bottom:
Tempe Mayor Mark
Mitchell addressing
delegates at League
Annual Conference;
Mayor Mitchell with
Sparky, the Arizona
State University
mascot; Mayor
Mitchell with U.S. Sen.
John McCain

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Arizona City & Town

9

2:09 PM

THE

Revival Copper Corridor
OF THE

Copper Basin. Copper Collar. Copper Region. Copper Triangle. Copper Corridor.

Call it what you will, but know that “copper” will always be
part of its moniker. In this small pocket of eastern Arizona
communities, copper is, and always will be, king.
A birdseye view of the mines in Globe’s early days, circa 1930. Arizona
State Library, Archives and Public Records, History and Archives Division,
Phoenix, #96-3616

At a time when high-rises are booming in a once quiet
downtown and homes are popping up on what was formerly farm
land, there are just a few places left in our majestic state that
provide a direct window to Arizona’s former days. The Copper
Corridor is one of those areas.
Stemming from an era of discovery, the Copper Corridor
gives insight into those original settlers in search of the American
Dream. Their desire for a better life led them to travel to
America, move cross-country or trek underground to find new
opportunities and the ability to strike it rich.

Miners of the Silver King Mine gathered for a photograph in 1876. Arizona
State Library, Archives and Public Records, History and Archives Division,
Phoenix, #97-0200

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League of Arizona Cities and Towns

Intertwined with these tales of innovation are stories of
reinvention. Faced with obstacles including fires, labor strikes,
tense race relations, commodity change, the Great Depression,
wars, floods and mine closures, these communities have known
on more than one occasion the meaning of starting over.

THE STORIED DISCOVERIES OF ARIZONA’S COPPER CORRIDOR
The communities of the Copper Corridor are diverse in their
history; some began with the simple tale of Europeans wanting to
settle west, while others were born out of a desire for a railroad
thoroughfare, and some were created out of sheer necessity to
simply provide miners and their families with a place to sleep.
Superior was actually the first of the communities to get
its start. The origins of the city’s foundation began with the
settlement of the military. In November 1870, Gen. George
Stoneman was serving as the commanding officer of Arizona
troops during the Apache Wars. His small camp served as the
first start of a real settlement in the area. Gen. Stoneman had
planned on making this area his headquarters, but his project
was soon abandoned when Gen. George Cook came to replace
him and completely abandoned the post. Today, the only physical
reminder of the area is the old Mule Trail, which can still be seen
across from the gorge of Queen Creek from Highway 60.
Globe’s beginnings were also founded in the Apache Wars.
The Pinal Mountains were known to have mineral deposits since
the time of the Spanish conquistadores; however, the Mexican
prospectors who discovered these deposits were never able to
establish mines due to the remoteness of the area and the hostile
Apache Indians. In the mid-19th century, mountain men began
exploring the region, and a very basic settlement was created. By
1870, there were nearly 20 claims staked in what would eventually
become the city of Globe. In 1873, the military had succeeded in
defeating the Apaches, and the miners started to move into the
Pinal Mountains in large numbers.
A little further south, prospectors were also seeking out areas
to begin a mining exploration. Finding the area of what is now
Kearny, the men staked claims, creating both the Mineral Creek
Mining and Ray Copper companies. Like many of the area’s mines
at the time, these initial claims did not stay, as foreign capital
from Europe and other American investment groups would
eventually come to purchase their rights. It was not uncommon
for a mine to know several names and owners during its lifetime.

Meanwhile, somewhere
in California, a man dreamed
of a new start in Arizona.
Fred Winkelman, originally
from Switzerland, moved to
the United States at age 16
and grew up in Missouri.
He married and brought his
wife, children and brother
to California, where his
wife passed away from
Gen. Stephen Kearny, namesake of the
tuberculosis. Following her
town of Kearny. Gen. Kearny served in
death, Fred and his brother
Arizona during the time of the Indian
Wars. This portrait was created in 1870. packed up the family in
Arizona State Library, Archives and
1876, and the two of them
Public Records, History and Archives
pioneered Gila County.
Division, Phoenix, #97-6615
After this arrival in
Arizona, Fred met and married his second wife in Globe. When
he passed away exactly 20 years later, she received 160 acres of
land. In 1904, the railroad came calling. Phoenix and the Eastern
Arizona Railroad needed to build the railroad through her land
and established the Winkelman Station on the heart of the ranch.
This was the beginning of Winkelman.

COMING OF AGE AND CHANGING COMMODITIES
There was a time when Arizona could have been known as a state
with four c’s and an s. The majority of the original mine sites were
actually meant to mine silver.
In 1875, William Long and Isaac Copeland passed through
Superior on their way to Globe, only to stumble across a chunk
of black rock, which they immediately recognized as silver. Due
to their unplanned discovery, the men built what would become
the richest silver mine in Arizona history. The town’s early settlers
numbered more than 2,000, and by the late 1870s, the town was
becoming a destination for hundreds of miners, seeing the likes of
famous faces like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. This area, known
at the time as Pinal City, saw its luck deteriorate quickly as it fell
apart mere years later.
Silver King Mine and the streets of Silver King, circa 1876.
The area of the Silver King Mine and the former Pinal City
would eventually become what we know today as the city of
Superior. Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records,
History and Archives Division, Phoenix, #97-0199

The Silver King Mine was the richest mine
in Arizona history. Arizona State Library,
Archives and Public Records, History and
Archives Division, Phoenix, #97-0204

Globe was eventually established as a city in 1876, when the
demand for silver was at its height. As the tale goes, a huge nugget
of silver had been dug from beneath the earth. To the miners who
made the discovery, the piece of silver resembled a globe, and
that is how the city received its name. The city was eventually
incorporated in 1907.
Miami began in a similar fashion to Globe. When silver was
first discovered, hundreds made a trek to Miami to continue
the search for the precious metal. At the time, silver and gold
continued to be the commodity of choice.

Offices of the Miami Copper Mining Company, in the early 1900s.
Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, History and
Archives Division, Phoenix, #96-1812

The 1880s, however, brought a drop in the price of silver and a
rise in the price of copper. The market drove the communities to
re-evaluate their mines’ copper deposits, and they soon changed
their commodity of choice from silver to copper.
When copper became the new king, ore was being mined
from copper veins and pockets in the area surrounding Globe,
but not in the Miami area. Known to be home to nonlucrative
porphyry deposits, Miami struggled to find its footing in a postsilver economy. Porphyry deposits are the bodies of ore in which
recoverable mineral is disseminated throughout the rock mass.
Because of their lower percentage of copper content, they were
not found to be profitable.

Arizona City & Town

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Gila County Courthouse in Globe downtown,
early 1900s. Arizona State Library, Archives and
Public Records, History and Archives Division,
Phoenix, #96-1801

By the end of the century, however, the country’s reserve of
copper was increasing, and higher-grade ore was dwindling. The
industry took new interest in the porphyry deposits, and Miami
experienced the dawn of a new era.
In 1906, the Miami Copper Mining Company began working
the claims in the Miami area and demand for men to work in
mines increased. Most men traveled to work on foot from Globe,
which was 7 miles away. There was a vast need to provide these
miners with housing, shopping and places of amusement. In 1907,
Miami was officially founded. It was first developed by the Miami
Land and Improvement Company, which purchased a tract of
land on the upper end of Miami Flats. Two days after the first
train arrived on the newly constructed railroad, sale and renting
of lots began. At the start of 1910, there were 800 people living in
Miami, and by the end of the year, the federal census recorded a
total of 1,390 residents.
During this illustrious era, Hayden was also founded. Settled
in 1909 as a company town, it was meant to provide housing for
workers supporting the mining and smelting operations at the
Hayden Mine. The Hayden Mine was operated by the ASARCO
Company, which began operations to process ore from the Ray
Mine in 1912.

Mine and town of Hayden, circa 1914. Arizona State Library, Archives and Public
Records, History and Archives Division, Phoenix, #01-9060

It continued its operations of that time until 1958, when
it began receiving concentrates from other mines from the
communities of Pima, Bagdad, Duval and Silver Bell, to name a
few. ASARCO modernized the Hayden Smelter in 1983. ASARCO
continues to operate to this day and is currently one of two
smelters still operating in the United States.

12

League of Arizona Cities and Towns

Superior jumped aboard the copper train when the Magma
Copper Company took over the Silver Queen Mine and the town
site was laid out as a settlement formed around the mine. For the
next 90-plus years, the area continued a successful operation.
By 1910, Winkelman was also fully settled, with the town
incorporating and serving as the centralized supply for farmers
and ranchers who lived in the early Copper Corridor region.
The town was also home to some of the area’s more affluent and
worldly — the upper- and middle-management employees of
mining companies in Hayden lived in the main part of town with
citizens hailing from destinations as far off as Europe and China.
The Winkelman Historic Bridge was also built during this time,
serving as an important passage for those traveling between the
towns of Superior and Mammoth.

The construction of the Winkelman Bridge began in the early 1900s.
The bridge now serves as a rare example of the Luten arch bridge. From
1913 to 1923, there were 13 Luten arch bridges built at various locations
throughout Arizona. Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records,
History and Archives Division, Phoenix, #97-2585

Winkelman Bridge and smelter, circa 1950. The Winkelman Bridge
was built in the early 20th century as the main way of passage for
individuals traveling between Superior and Mammoth.
Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, History and
Archives Division, Phoenix, #02-4504

As the 1920s came, so did Winkelman’s height of prosperity.
The copper industry was booming. Encircled by mining land and
the Gila River, the area had nowhere to grow, and it became a
commonplace phrase to say “one family would need to move out
before another could move in.” The main business area is said to
have reached more than 1 mile long and included shops, saloons,
hotels, restaurants, a bank and a newspaper.
Unfortunately for the Copper Corridor and the entire county,
the Great Depression soon hit, bringing this era of prosperity to a
strident conclusion.
Prior to the hit of the Depression, the community in what is now
Kearny was already facing labor strikes and a fire that destroyed
much of the town’s business section. While the mine’s success
originally continued in spite of these struggles, the Depression
caused the Hayden Mill and Smelter to shut down in 1931.
By the 1930s, Winkelman was close to becoming a ghost
town. The area unincorporated, as elections ceased to be held
during the Depression. To top it off, the Great Fire of 1948 almost
destroyed the town, completing more than a quarter-million
dollars’ worth of damage at the time.

FINDING NEW FOOTING – REBUILDING AFTER THE
GREAT DEPRESSION
In 1949, Winkelman reincorporated and worked toward
restoration. Unfortunately, the floodwaters would come once
again, causing the citizens of Winkelman Flats to rebuild. In fact,
floods of water and economic despair have come to the town’s
door several times. But the citizens endure and rebuild each
time, focusing on the future of the small town. Today, residents
are building upon the history of the area and are reinventing the
town as an art attraction. The town may officially be Arizona’s
smallest, at fewer than 400 residents, but it is one of Arizona’s
most resilient.

The Kennecott Copper Company purchased the Hayden mine
in Winkelman as the mining industry was seeing improvement
due to conflict in Europe. War in Europe was creating a desire
for copper, and the mines were back in business. Kennecott
later turned the Ray underground mine into an open-pit mine,
creating the first open-pit mining operation in 1950.
Following the Depression, John W. Galbreath Development
began purchasing mine company towns and converting them
to private ownership. The town of Kearny was Galbreath’s pet
project at the time. His vision was to reinvent the company town
model and create a private community that was geographically
close to mine operations that employees could call home. In
addition to constructing Kearny, he managed the transition for
Hayden to become a municipality and eventually helped Kearny
to incorporate in 1959.
For Superior, mining has waxed and waned over the years.
The city saw the mining industry slowly diminish in the late
1900s, and it ceased altogether by 1995. In 2013, Resolution
Copper filed a Mine Plan of Operations with the U.S. Forest
Service, which outlines its detailed plans to mine a deposit that
lies nearly 7,000 feet deep — or five Empire State Buildings —
beneath the earth’s surface.
In addition, Superior’s early pioneers had interests other than
copper, and it was a side hobby that created one of the state’s
top tourist destinations. William Boyce Thompson rolled into
Superior in 1910 and was credited with purchasing the rights to
the Silver Queen Mine and bringing it into the copper era with
the Magma Copper Company. As a desert wildlife enthusiast,
Thompson took to turning his purchased land near the forgotten
Pinal City into a pet project — an arboretum. Initially created in
1929, it has continually improved over the years and is recognized
today as one of the world’s most important arboretums. The
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park has more than 6,000
plant species from every continent, and the area attracts nearly
200 kinds of birds and other wildlife species.

REINVENTING ONCE AGAIN – TODAY’S COPPER CORRIDOR

The Winkelman Bridge following a flood. The town would see several floods,
a fire and the Great Depression in its early days, but Arizona’s smallest town
would remain resilient and rebuild each time. Arizona State Library, Archives
and Public Records, History and Archives Division, Phoenix, #97-2578

The Copper Corridor shows just what Arizona was like in those
days of old. In a state that prides itself on the five c’s, these six
communities were truly part of the renaissance of one of these
important commodities.
Although these communities have experienced both prosperity
and hardship in their time, they continue to persevere and pioneer,
staying true to their historic base but always evolving.
As they continue to find their place in today’s Arizona,
these communities provide us a glimpse at what was and
what will eventually be. A visit to the area delivers a glimpse
into the window of the past to what Gen. Stoneman or Fred
Winkelman might have seen in their days of discovery. But
the area also provides breathtaking desert views, small-town
businesses and public art that can’t be found in any other
corner of this state. The communities continue to rebuild and
rebrand as they have so often in their history; the Copper
Corridor will be seen once again.

Arizona City & Town

13

Globe
by Ellen Kretsch

N

estled in the foothills of the Pinal Mountains, the city of Globe
has carved out a proud history in Arizona. A powerhouse
in the territorial days, Globe was instrumental in Arizona history,
sending George W.P. Hunt to serve as the first governor and for
several subsequent terms. We are also proud to claim Rose Mofford,
Arizona’s first female governor, as one of Globe’s own. Gov. Mofford
graduated from Globe High School, and on her retirement from
public service, she donated her collection of wonderful memorabilia,
collected over many years, to the Cobre Valley Center for the Arts
and the Bullion Plaza Museum and Cultural Center.
Unlike many small cities and towns that grabbed at the chance
to tear down the old and go for the newest in architecture, Globe
opted instead to preserve its history, especially in the downtown area,
which boasts several blocks of gorgeous territorial-era buildings. The
Gila County Courthouse was rescued from certain dilapidation by

a fine arts guild that has renovated the building back to its stately
beginnings. The old jail is a delight to anyone who remembers the
Saturday-morning Westerns. And our oldest building of all is Besh
Ba Gowah Archaeological Park, which is rebuilt on an 800-year-old
Salado Indian village.
Globe is at the epicenter of outdoor activities. From hiking and
biking in the Pinal Mountains and walking parks within town to
wonderful downtown streets to stroll, it’s easy to tell we appreciate
being in the middle of Arizona’s most beautiful heartland.
History resonates in Globe. Ranching, mining and early politics
shaped this city that still serves as the county seat. Where once Globe
drew miners from around the world, now it attracts visitors who come
to enjoy the friendly small-town atmosphere, delightful shops and
restaurants, and outdoor activities. Copper is still most prized here in
Globe, but we’ve found tourism offers new and exciting riches.

From left to right: Historic Gila County Court House and Jail; Upper Broad Street, photo courtesy Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce; Besh Ba Gowah park, photo
courtesy of Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce; Globe historic district

Kearny

14

League of Arizona Cities and Towns

Hayden
by Gloria Ruiz

T

he town of Hayden is a copper mining town located in southeast
Gila and Pinal counties. Originally founded as a company town,
it was shaped by patterns of immigration over many generations. It is
rich in history, and the heritage bond of the community is solid. Hayden
celebrated its centennial in 2009. The local Catholic church celebrated
its centennial in 2013. ASARCO Copper Mine also celebrated 100 years
of operation in the community. The ASARCO mine employs workers
from all over the state and contributes millions of dollars to Arizona’s
economy. The ASARCO mine is one of the last two smelters operating
in the United States.
The town of Hayden is a warm and welcoming community that
attracts individuals to partake in recreational activities. The weather in
Hayden is beautiful most of the year, which is ideal for golfing on our
nine-hole golf course. The tree-lined golf course sits off the banks of the
Gila River. Around the golf course, you can picnic at one of the ramadas;

camp at the recreational vehicle park; or, in the summer, enjoy Little
League games.
The town of Hayden takes great pride in having a full, operating
senior center. Our senior center provides meals for the elderly in all our
local neighboring communities and activities and social events Monday
through Friday. The senior center is also staffed with vehicles to assist
in transporting participants from the outlying communities to our
location. The town of Hayden provides support in continuing the Meals
on Wheels program throughout the Copper Corridor. The town council
understands the need to plan for the future and approved a state-of-theart wastewater treatment plant to improve the town’s infrastructure.
The town of Hayden is resilient. Its residents continue to practice
their heritage and cultural traditions, making it a true Arizona
community working to stabilize itself, improve its housing stock
and commercial buildings, and strive for economic growth and
community development.

From left to right: Tile Sign Entering Hayden; Hayden Veteran’s Memorial and Pool; Hayden Welcome Sign; Hayden Police Station; Hayden Administration Building
and Senior Center

Kearny — named in honor of Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny and his
dragoons, who camped on the Gila River on their way to California in
1846 — was officially established in 1959. When the local Kennecott
Mining Company decided to change from underground to open-pit
mining, the towns of Ray and Sonora had to be moved. At the same
time, Kennecott was building a new smelter in Hayden, and homes
were being demolished to make room for the expansion. The need
for more housing to accommodate these populations marked the
beginning of a new town named Kearny, over 55 years ago.
Kearny is nestled at the base of the Pinal Mountain Range. The
location provides prime opportunities for some of the best outdoor
recreation in Arizona. For those that enjoy driving all-terrain vehicles,

the Mescal Mountains Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Area has some
of Arizona’s best-developed trails. Mescal Mountains has everything
from rolling hills and steep mountains to flat washes and riverbed
areas. It is perfect for novices but also challenging for the experienced
trailblazer. Or for those who prefer a more relaxed day, there is always
golfing at the Kearny Golf Course or a picnic at Kearny Lake.
And make sure to stop by uptown’s Rail and Copper Park to see
the red caboose, the mining cars and the newly restored Porter air
locomotive that was used by Kennecott Copper Corporation in the
original underground Ray Copper Mine to haul men, ore and supplies
from 1925 to 1955.

From left to right: Pinal County Building and Town Police and Fire Station in Kearny; Uptown Kearny, photo Courtesy of Sam Hosler; Kearny Welcome Fountain;
Red Caboose in Rail and Copper Park

Arizona City & Town

15

Miami
by Ellen Kretsch

L

ike the fighter who keeps getting knocked
down but comes back to fight again,
Miami has survived for many years the
fluctuations of the copper market and a world
economy. But with its picturesque cottages
clinging to the hillsides and its territorial-era
buildings in downtown, Miami is seeing what
can only be termed as a renaissance.
Antique shops and art galleries have
sprung up, and if it’s a thirst you’re trying to
quench, they now have everything from an
old-fashioned soda fountain to more grownup beverages in an Old West setting. Mexican

food is a favorite, so there’s never a shortage
of eating places. And as for those cottages on
the hillside … many have been purchased by
newcomers who are enchanted by Miami’s
small-town charm.
The town, while facing many challenges,
has a new wastewater plant designed to carry
Miami through the coming decades, and
the town council is committed to meeting
the future needs of residents. Bullion Plaza
Museum and Cultural Center, located at the
west end of town in a former elementary
school, is becoming well-known throughout

the state as a facility for meetings and
conferences. Already this year, they have
hosted three major groups. As a museum,
it is top-rate, with displays of memorabilia
from former Gov. Rose Mofford, an extensive
mineral and rock collection, and histories of
the various ethnic groups that came to work
the copper mines.
Miami is a proud reminder of the
endurance and courage that early settlers in
the mining camps demonstrated. That “we
can do it” spirit survives today in Miami.

From left to right: Picturesque Mine Café, photo courtesy Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce; Canal Bridge and Street in Miami Business District

Superior
by Sue McKinney Anderson

J

ust one hour from Phoenix by car, but
a world away in terms of beauty and
quaintness, sits Superior. When the mines
closed years ago, many people moved on and
houses as well as businesses sat vacant and
fell into disrepair. Not so today! In recent
years, people, many of whom are artists and
visionaries, have been renovating the structures
and creating a wonderful assortment of creative
and eclectic homes and businesses.
The weather is beautiful, and the views
are endless. Each year, the Chamber hosts a
home and building tour in January that attracts
approximately 1,000 people. Art, antiques and
the famous Mata Ortiz potters from Mexico

are all part of the event. All go home happy
and delighted they came. Other festivals,
including the Apache Leap mining festival,
Cinco de Mayo, the Prickly Pear Festival,
Noche de Vaquero (Night of the Cowboy) and
Miracle on Main Street (a Christmas parade
and event) make Superior a great place to visit
all year round.
Soon, your visit won’t be complete without
staying at the magnificent Magma Hotel, which
is listed on the National Historic Registry and
will be opening shortly. Bicyclists, hikers, rock
climbers, ATV lovers and equestrians have
endless trails and areas to explore. Great retail
shops, galleries and restaurants will fill your

every need. We’re proud to staff an official
Arizona Office of Tourism in Superior and
welcome you to start your day at the red
caboose on Highway 60 or at the Chamber
of Commerce at 165 West Main Street.
And of course, no trip to this area would
be complete without a visit to the beautiful
Boyce Thompson Arboretum just 2 miles
west of downtown Superior.
Trails galore with fabulous plants, trees,
flowers and events. Tell us what you’re looking
for, and we’ll help you with your plans. Visit
us online at www.superiorarizonachamber.
org, or better yet, in person. We hope to see
you soon!

From left to right: Superior Mural; Superior Mining Competition Drilling, photo courtesy of Superior Chamber of Commerce; Superior Business District

16

League of Arizona Cities and Towns

Winkelman
by Gloria Ruiz

T

he town of Winkelman is at an elevation of 2,034 feet and is located in
the southern end of Gila County, at the confluence of the San Pedro
and Gila rivers. The history of Winkelman dates back to 1877 and 1878,
when a large number of farmers migrated to the region. With the coming
of the railroad, a post office was established in 1903 near the ranch of Peter
Winkelman. Winkelman was incorporated in 1914. However, a few years
later, the town disincorporated and reincorporated on June 6, 1949.
Much like other cities and towns in the corridor, most of Winkelman’s
economic activity is still based on copper. The community serves primarily
as a service center and residential area for families of employees associated
with the mining and processing activities. The principal employer within the
town is the Hayden-Winkelman Unified School District.
Arizona State highways 77 and 177 provide excellent access to different
parts of the state. Both highways route through Winkelman.
The San Carlos Apache Tribe has approved a second gaming site
near the Aravaipa area of Arizona. The location is approximately 7 miles
southeast of Winkelman. This project will bring much-needed economic
benefits to the tribe and surrounding communities, including Winkelman,
by providing 400-plus permanent jobs and millions of dollars of new
revenue to the region.
The scenery around Winkelman is some of the most spectacular in
the state and is part of the Old West Highway route. The mountain ranges
provide the backdrop for the meandering Gila River and such landmarks as
the Saddleback and Mescal Mountain ranges.
At the gateway to Winkelman stands a roadside park featuring a
115-foot-long adobe wall. You can walk around it or through it or meet
within it. The wall tells the history of the town by using bits of ranching and
mining implements, as well as local geological samples. The Winkelman
Historic Bridge was constructed in 1916 and is one of only two left in the
country, and it is on the National Historic Registry.
Winkelman is also home to the Giorsetti Superior Grocery Store. The
Giorsetti family has operated this store since 1911. While shopping, you
can see the old architecture style and meet the two generations of family
members who work there on a daily basis.
An added attraction to Winkelman is the Winkelman Flats Public Park,
located adjacent to the Gila River. This park provides RV camping with all
utility hookups, flushable restrooms with hot and cold showers, dry camping
areas, swimming, tubing, canoeing, and fishing. This park has a playground
area for children, a softball field and a rodeo arena. A basketball court,
designed by the Phoenix Suns, was obtained through grant funding.
Winkelman is a beautiful area to visit if you want to retreat from the city.
You can meet many friendly residents and enjoy the infinite number of stars
at night.
Information provided by the Arizona Commerce Authority.

From top to bottom: Luten arch bridge; Ore Cart at Roadside Park, photo courtesy of
town of Winkelman; Giorsetti Superior Grocery Store; Flats Public Park Ramada at Town
Centennial Celebration, photo courtesy of town of Winkelman

Ordinance Codification Program
Code Updates • New Codes • Legal Reviews
Model Ordinances • Codes on CD and Internet

Experience and Quality
No one knows Arizona municipalities better than the
League. And, Am erican Legal Publishing assists nearly
2,000 municipal and county clients across the country with
their ordinance codification needs.
Contact Ray Bollhauer or Rich From meyer at:

(800) 445-5588

rbollhauer@amlegal.com • rfrommeyer@amlegal.com

A joint service with:

www.amlegal.com
Arizona City & Town

17

LEGISLATURE 101:

AN INTRODUCTION TO LAWMAKING
AND THE CAPITOL IN 2015
On Monday, January 12, the 2015 Legislative Session
began. Bills start in either the House or the Senate,
depending upon who sponsors the bill. Senate bills
start with “1001,” House bills start with “2001” and
are then numbered sequentially. Although there are
some differences in how each chamber operates, the
basic process is the same. There are six sequential
steps that take place in each.
1) Bill Assignment - A bill is “first and second read” on
the floor; and then assigned to a committee based
on subject matter.
2) Committee - Committees are comprised of members
from each party, with the majority party having the
most seats. This is the only step in the entire legislative
process that is truly “open to the public” for comment.
Members of the committee may offer amendments to
change the language of a bill. If a bill fails here, the
bill is “dead,” although there are many methods
available to resurrect it. If it passes, it moves on
to Rules Committee.
3) Rules Committee - Every moving bill must go through
Rules Committee for legal review, discussing whether
the bill is constitutional, germane with existing statute
and in the proper format. The committee does not
give a bill a pass or fail recommendation.
4) Caucus - The members of each party meet to review
bills and the “party position” is vetted. No formal
action takes place.

If an identical bill passes both chambers without any
amendments, it goes straight to the governor’s office.
If a bill is approved in one chamber, amended in the
other chamber (but that amendment is approved by the
sponsoring chamber) it also advances to the governor’s
office. If a bill comes out of its second chamber different
than it went in (through the amendment process) it will
go to a conference committee. This committee is made
up of members from both chambers who will work
towards a version of the bill amenable to both chambers.
If a chamber rejects the committee’s recommendation,
the bill is considered “dead.” If a bill is amended by a
conference committee it is then final read by both
chambers. If it passes final read, it is transmitted to
the governor’s office.
Once a bill is in the governor’s office, he or she can
sign it into law, veto the bill or allow the legislation to
become enacted without his or her signature.
Bill language, hearing schedules, live feeds and status
information are available at the Arizona State
Legislature’s website; www.azleg.gov. During the
session League staff spends countless hours at the
Legislature tracking bills. We encourage our members
to stay abreast of legislative issues impacting cities
and towns through our weekly League Bulletin and
by contacting the League at 602-258-5786 with any
questions you have. Additionally, the League has a
Legislative bill monitoring page available on our
website that provides more detailed information about
the bills League staff is actively working.

5) Committee of the Whole (COW) - The entire
chamber comes together for a floor debate. At
this point committee amendments as well as floor
amendments are formally offered and adopted.
Discussions can be a few minutes or several hours.
In COW, a voice vote is used.
6) Third Read - All changes adopted in COW are
officially engrossed into the bill and prepared for
a final vote. This vote is electronically tallied. Like the
committee process, if a bill fails on third read it is
considered “dead” with the possibility of procedural
resurrection. If it passes, the bill then goes to the
other chamber and the same steps are repeated.

18

League of Arizona Cities and Towns

FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL 602-258-5786
VISIT: WWW.AZLEAGUE.ORG • TWITTER: @AZCITIES

HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW IN ARIZONA
Each session state legislators introduce approximately 1,200 bills,
nearly a quarter of which have some relevance to ciƟes and towns...

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
•
•
•
•
•
•

SENATE

of Bill
(First Read, Second Read,
Assignment)
(Public Hearing)
(Legal Review)
Rules
Caucus
of the Whole
(Floor Debate)
Third Read (Final Vote)

•
•
•
•
•
•

of Bill
(First Read, Second Read,
Assignment)
(Public Hearing)
(Legal Review)
Rules
Caucus
of the Whole
(Floor Debate)
Third Read (Final Vote)

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
• Original Version
• Amended Version
• New Version
approved by
final vote in both chambers)

OUTCOME
Unamended

Amended
& Accepted

Amended
& Rejected

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
Sign Bill

Veto Bill

Enact Without
Signature

Arizona City & Town

19

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of Arizona Cities and Towns

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ADVERTISERS INDEX
Arizona Public Employers Health Pool.................... 21
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Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona.....9
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Arizona City & Town

23

LEAGUE OF ARIZONA CITIES & TOWNS
1820 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007

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