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Serving the communities of Cave Creek and Carefree
Cave Creek - Carefree Area Edition
TheFoothillsFocus.com
INSIDE
This Week
OPINION............. 8
J.D. Hayworth shares is take on the ‘balloon fiasco’
FEATURES......... 14
Collaboration leads to land conservation BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF
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rizona has taken a step toward preserving its natural beauty for generations to come through the power of collaboration. The town of Cave Creek, Maricopa County, and the Desert Foothills Land Trust are conserving nearly 30 acres of critical land near the trailhead of the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, a special part of the state’s pristine landscape. For several years, the town of Cave Creek, Maricopa County, and Desert Foothills Land Trust have been working together to
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor
YOUTH.............. 18
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OPINION.......................7 FEATURES................. 10 YOUTH....................... 18 CLASSIFIEDS............. 22 Zone 2
identify and protect lands that surround or are adjacent to the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. The recent listing of a critical property for sale presented an opportunity to protect the land forever. Thanks to the partnership, the land has now been protected. The land trust negotiated the purchase, and the town and county provided the funds for it. The town and county now own the land, and land trust holds a conservation easement, ensuring its protection in perpetuity. “The protection of this property was one of our highest priorities,” said Vicki Pres-
ton, president and chief executive officer of Desert Foothills Land Trust. “The development of several homes and driveways adjacent to the trailhead would have had a detrimental impact on the conservation success of the area. “This was a very difficult deal, with many moving parts, none of which could have been accomplished alone. Having the expertise of so many was invaluable, and the true want for this to happen by all of us is what pushed it over the finish line.” Preston has a strong personal connec-
see CONSERVATION page 4
Cave Creek vice mayor offers water expertise
Ex-pitcher brings harddriving rock to Innings
Caurus Academy focuses on the whole student
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
ave Creek Vice Mayor Kathryn Royer has lived in the town since 1996, relocating here after she was recruited to work for Central Arizona Project (CAP) as its first communications director. She calls it a “very quiet and peaceful community.” However, commercially it’s changed. “We had to go in that direction,” she said. “Financially, we were in dire straits during the 2008-2009 recession. I wasn’t
on the council then but there was a small ‘white paper’ committee put together to assess our financial forecast. Because the town is heavily dependent on sales tax revenues for most of its operating budget, the committee realized that the Carefree Highway Corridor had to be developed to generate sufficient tax revenues to maintain the town.” Royer recognizes that Walmart is the largest sales tax revenue generator for Cave Creek — more than all the businesses in the town core combined. “It all
see MAYOR page 4
Kathryn Royer is an avid traveler, who’s “a big fan of France.” (Kathryn Royer/Submitted)
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