Cotton Festival Blog #6: Busy Weekend in Marana

Every month the Town of Marana provides a column from one of our Town Staffers to the Marana News and Explorer News. This month Special Events Coordinator Monique Hagberg wrote about the Cotton Festival she is working to put on, as well as Parks and Rec's Wild Burron Trail Dirt Dash.

This weekend will be a busy one in Marana, with two different events that both touch on some of the very things that make the town so special. The Cotton Festival celebrates Marana’s history, and the Wild Burro Dirt Dash is a great way to explore our great trails. 

The Marana Cotton Festival celebrates the Town’s agrarian and rodeo heritage by providing a day of fun for the whole family. The event will be held at the Marana River Heritage Park from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 15, and is free to the public.

We want our signature events to appeal to the whole family, so we have made sure there is plenty to do for everyone. For the kids there is the giant cotton pile, free carnival rides, petting zoos, mutton busting and plenty of games. 

Best of all, most of the kids events (save for the mutton busting) are free. Our events are designed to be a fun, inexpensive night out for the families in Marana. 

For the grown-ups there are two beer gardens, the Chili Bowl chili cook-off and the steak fry. 

The whole family will enjoy the rodeo activities and all of the great food vendors. Music will be provided by the Marana Community Theater: Community Choir and “Nu Country” band Blue Monsoon. 

The emcee for the event is KIIM 99.5 DJ Buzz Jackson. Not only does he represent KIIM-FM, but Jackson is a resident of Marana and has enjoyed our signature events in the past.

The town’s parks and recreation department loves trying out new events, and one of the newest is the Wild Burro Dirt Dash on Sunday, Oct. 22. The sport of trail running is gaining popularity, and we are hosting our first trail running race. Not only does the event celebrate the town’s commitment to health and fitness, but it provides a unique way for us to show off our great trails and the beautiful Tortolita Mountains. 

Trail running is not unlike cross country, but cranked up a notch. The dirt dash is a grueling 18.1K on a one-of-a-kind single-track course. If you can handle it, this race will force you through massive elevation gains, extreme downhills and many technical sections. 

This is not for the inexperienced runner, as endurance levels are guaranteed to be pushed while immersing you in beautiful desert views that are sure not to disappoint. 

Whether you are an experienced runner or hiker, or have partaken in trail running, this is a great way to experience Marana’s Tortolita Trail system like never before.

Just like Marana’s road races, there is electronic timing, a race bib and finish line snacks, but new to this event is a custom participation metal featuring our Wild Burro mascot.

Space is limited as this event is exclusively for the first 250 registered participants. 

Marana has so many things to offer our families, and these two events are fantastic showcases for some of the best aspects of our town. Whether you want to celebrate history, hear some great music, eat some great food, or just watch the kids have fun, then the Cotton Festival is for you. If you want some great exercise, some great views, or to push yourself as an athlete, then the Dirt Dash is the event you are looking for. 

Marana participating in warrant resolution court

On Saturday August 26, 2017 between 8:00am -12:00pm, all Tucson area courts will be available at 240 N. Stone Avenue to assist people with the resolution of outstanding warrants and other pending court matters. Many people do not know which court their case is pending in and often end up going to the wrong court. To assist with this problem, Judges from all Tucson area courts will come together at the same location to provide assistance to those with pending court matters.

Judges and staff from the following courts will participate in the Joint Warrant Resolution Court Event:

• Pima County Justice Court
• Green Valley Justice Court
• Marana Municipal Court
• Oro Valley Magistrate Court
• Sahaurita Municipal Court
•  South Tucson City Court
• Tucson City Court

Many of the outstanding warrants issued by these courts are for failure to appear in court on prior charges or for non-compliance with court sentencing orders.  Outstanding warrants may result in the suspension of a person’s driver’s license. The Joint Saturday Warrant Resolution Court Event will provide an opportunity to citizens to take care of pending court matters during nontraditional court hours.

Customer service windows will be available to assist those who owe court fees and fines.  Assistance for setting up payment plans or re-establishing a payment plan already in place will also be available. 

In past Warrant Resolution Court Events, the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court has quashed over 1,000 warrants and lifted defaults on more than 650 driver’s licenses.

Low-cost spay and neuter clinic

Town of Marana Animal Services is held their first low cost spay and neuter clinic on Saturday, August 26, 2017.

The cost of the procedure is just a $15 co-pay, due at the time of services.

There are just 45 total slots available, so don’t miss out on this opportunity. Those interested must complete and turn in a pre-authorization form to us before Friday at 5:00, or until all spaces are filled.

The clinic is being held at the Marana Community Center at Ora Mae Harn Park, 13250 N. Lon Adams Road.

For more information or pre-authorization call 382-8020 ext. 0.

The clinic is provided by Marana Animal Services in partnership with Asavet Charities.

Youth Flag Football early registration underway

Whether your child wants to someday play tackle football, or just wants to get out and have some fun in the sun, Flag Football is a great way to do both.

Flag Football registration is currently underway. Marana Parks and Rec are already registering players for the upcoming youth flag football league. Although the leagues begin play in January, spaces are limited and this program fill fast. Plus, there is a price break for those who register early.

This is a 7-week recreational, but fast paced 5-on-5 recreational flag football league for boys and girls from as young as five to as old as 12. At the conclusion of the regular season is a single elimination tournament to crown champion teams.

The league provides players a fun and exciting opportunity to engage in limited contact, continuous action, and to promote teamwork and fair play. Players learn the fundamentals of football, as well as the rules of the game, and positive sportsmanship.

All players must participate in an open try-out in late October to evaluate their ability levels and help create balanced teams.

Leagues are created in two-year age blocks based upon the players’ ages as of August 31, 2017. The Rookie Division is for players ages 5-6, while 7-8 year olds will participate in the Semi Pro Division. The Pro Division is for 9-10 year olds and players ages 11-12 will compete in the All-Pro Division.

Register early to save for this program. Early registration fees are $70.00 for residents and $87.50 for non-residents. After October 6, the prices rise to $87.50/$95.00. Last minute registration begins on Oct. 13 and is $91.88 for residents and $109.33 for non-residents.

Want to prepare for try-outs or just improve as a player? We are offering a pre-season clinic during Fall Break to get players ready for the season.

Preseason Clinic info: https://apm.activecommunities.com/marana/Activity_Search/5595

The league is looking for volunteer coaches. This league is powered with the help of volunteer coaches and it can be a rewarding and fun experience. If interested being a coach this season, please contact Matt Christman at (520) 382-1963.

KVOA: MPD dispatch upgrades could lead to Text-to-911

KVOA profiled the Marana Police Department's upgraded dispatch system may lead to more advances.

Marana is the latest Pima County jurisdiction to upgrade its dispatch system, which sets the stage for future hardware additions including a Text-to-911 system.

"Obviously there's a segment of our community that would benefit greatly from having a text to 911 capability, namely the deaf and hard of hearing,” said Sheila Blevins, communications supervisor with the Marana Police Department.

Text-to-911 is limited to consumers across the country. Lake Havasu City is the only community in Arizona currently using the system.

Marana employee wins "Plans Examiner of the Year" honor

The Town of Marana’s Senior Plans Examiner Paul Froehlke was awarded the Arizona Building Officials (AZBO) Don Cunningham Award as the Arizona Plan Reviewer of the Year.

Froehlke received the award at the AZBO’s 24th Annual Business Meeting Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Pinetop.

The award is for “Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Building Plan Review” and rewards the winner for his or her helpfulness to the public and fellow inspectors and for personal professional development.

Froehlke was nominated for a number of reasons, including his ability to manage multiple large commercial project plan reviews along with residential plan reviews. Marana has led Southern Arizona in the number of single-family residential permits issued. Over the past year Froehlke has reviewed nearly 500 permit applications, often times working late and on weekends to make the demanding deadlines.

He was recognized by his co-workers for his dedication to the improvement of public safety and his willingness to lead staff while the department going through a leadership change. He has also served a stretch of time where he was the only qualified plans examiner to complete the reviews for the town. 

Froehlke has been employed by the town as a Plan Reviewer for over 17 years.

The Arizona Building Officials Organization is the Southwest's leading source for Building Code Education and information for the built environment. It is the mission of the Arizona Building Officials to represent the interests of the four Arizona ICC Chapters, promote professionalism and educate the public through the development, promotion and conduct of our educational institutes.

Ina Road Update

ADOT has provided a quick update on the Ina Road Interchange Project, including portions of the project that have been completed and what will be worked on next.

Recently completed:

·         Installed 42-inch storm drains along the eastbound frontage road

·         Continuing to pave the eastbound lanes of I-10

·         Moving closer to pouring the bridge deck on the new Santa Cruz River bridge. Deck pouring is scheduled for mid-August.

·         Continuing foundation work for the bridge that will carry Ina over the railroad tracks and the eastbound lanes of I-10.

Coming soon:

·         East of I-10 they are preparing to lay storm drains and catch basins along Ina Road

·         West of I-10, they are continuing work to prepare to lay a 66-inch storm drain along Ina Road

·        They continue work on the eastbound frontage road and on the overpass to take Ina over the railroad tracks and I-10.

Tucson Local Media: Fire Districts Consolodate

From an article by Logan Burtch-Buus at Tucson Local Media

Last Monday was the beginning of a busy six months for the men and woman of the Golder Ranch Fire District, which successfully consolidated with the smaller Mountain Vista Fire District.

The move officially took effect when the Mountain Vista governing board unanimously approved the action only hours after its Golder Ranch counterpart did the same. 

The towns of Marana and Oro Valley and the Pima County Board of Supervisors gave support.