Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 73

NORTH 2 The Arizona RcpublicTHE PHOENIX GAZETTE Aug. 17, 1990 A 3N 33 letters Comment -Community cold shoulders exhibit Squaw Peak climbers applicants for the. position. After reviewing their applicationsc'the board narrowed tbfi jield; to' 09r. According to several members of the board, the finalists have excellent credentials.

As our elected -represenlatives, the school board in; its wisdom should be allowed to interview and select the best candidate for the position. Only they-have seen all the dimensions of each applicant. IrisWigal Phoenix Panel muni on leader- As apparent, current vice'presK dent of the Washington School District Citizens Advisory Committee and past' president of that, 1 Was alarmed by theT implications of Susan Felt's article, "District gets suggestion for leader," printed in the Community. section (Aug. 10) committee, is composed of representatives from each of the 32 schools in the district, has never convened to discuss recommending a candidate for superintendent.

It is Mary Michaelis' to support whomever she wishes for the position, but it is another thing when the appearance is given that the citizens advisory committee is in agreement The, also, implied that there was groundswell to draft, Dr. Jan Johnson, board president for the position. I hardly think that two to three letters to the school board indicates that, there is a large movement to push her candidacy. The school board received 20 puffing their way up and down the much-traveled path. I mean, I'm a pretty warm, outgoing and my natural inclination is to greet, or at the very least, recognize the presence of another human being, be it on the street, in a mall or in this case, on the trail.

Although I'm the sensitive type, my feelings do not get hurt easily. If four or five people do not respond or reciprocate to a "hello," a "hi," a "good morning," I'm OK. No big deal. "1 1 However, when 80 or more "trailblazers" will not so much as "make eye contact, nod or even utter a grunt in acknowledging my presence, I get a tad perturbed. On my fifth, and I might add last, venture up the infamous and stone cold trail, an unconscious transformation took place.

extroverted nature and verbal attempts to reach out to my trail companions ceased to exist." In short, I joined their ranks. I became one of them: sullen, suspi- cious and mute. The Walkman, as Express Yourself Get involved with your community. Our goal for the Community section, and especially for this page, is an open exchange of ideas and opinion. Your letters are the key ingre-" dient in that mix, and we them indeed, we're counting on them.

'Norths-. Published Monday and Friday Community Viewpoint Chris Lewis, a Phoenix therapist, likes to hike the Valley's mountains and jog along the many paths. From Page 1 Johnson says. Residents are a little happier than the bar patrons about haying the mayor on the scene. ohnson joins, group qf south Phoenix residente in a neighbor-; hood block walk, a weekly ritual where five to 15 neighbors walk; their streets with flashlights in an effort to ward off crime.

"When we first started," block leader Margaret Abril tells the mayor, "the kids would call us names and yell at Now they pretty much know we're not going away" 'EEzEzt' Johnson romisefriKe grou street lights! "Call (anaide) injmy office ancr -tell him that it's; horrible that there' are' no lights' out here," he said. Sgt. Rick- Switzer, Johnson's partner for the evening, is pleased the mayor joined the squad. "It's helpful to have the extra manpower," Switzer says. "We can put the mayor at a position were; we can use the extra pair of eyes." With Switzer's instruction? Johnson becomes a quick study in police work, including, the radio.

"It's exciting," Johnson during a food break with Switzer at Whataburger at Central and Southern avenues. But apparently not exciting enough to make the mayor want to switch careers. "I love my job. There just isn't: anything I'd rather do," he said. "They lowered me down underground said, 'Hey you these They told me if I bumped into them, they'd swarmI said," 'Get me out of here.

Mayor Paul Johnson I jogged the friendless trail, became my buddy, my diversion and my sole connection with humanity. I began to look at those I passed on the rocky slopes as major league adversaries. I developed a' true loathing for the primpy housewives in their designer apparel," the young and not so young narcissistic jocks and yes," even the elderly," who at a snails pace tried most often in vain to complete the journey To me, they had become no more than innocuous robots. How dare they treat mo as some non-entity; some, faceless piece of flesh, Hey, I'm a nice guy or used to be. -1 -mean, even the dogs that accompanied their impassive owners took on ah air of limp-tailed indifference once they set their paws on the legendary trail.

I've, concluded the heck with Squaw Peak and those self-absorbed zombies who grace, or should I say haunt, its domain. For me, it's back, to the canal at dawn, where I can run in solitude and pretendpeople still care about each other. on behalf of his colleagues at the precinct. Before leaving the precinct, "Johnson practices" at the firing range," wherePhoehix police officers mlist-icoipeaneasi 80 percent iBuaHt'taffiaiittfi the toSadlysays iSJSteVeFj'onstiKWithr little I bit of and "a' little bit of technique, he could be firing like one of us' It is the first time on a city job where the "mayor goes unrecognized, Johnson says, which in this was the object of the game. Zli'I wanted to feel for how UEpple react tq the-nuniform," he said.

He gets a big dose of that in bars Ton west Buckeye-R6ad, where one fpatrorl drops his'pants and others graphically display their ieelmgs toward the police. Johnson also goes out on, a "sneak and operation, standing in the shadows of the night watching the streets. "There's an amazing amount of activity that goes on after dark," ANSWERED 24 Emergency Paper bin a mess During our recent storms, the mess was not helped by the wet, blowing newspapers from the collection box at Union Hills-Central! The newspapers are stacked on top of the container and "either bagged or tied, and they just do not stand up to winds like we I wish people would hot use these containers. Rather' take newspapers to one of the many drive-through recycling centers! Joan Evans Phoenix Let us know, what's on your mind. Letters should include your name, address and daytime phone number," and should be mailed; to EditorJ North-Central Community; P.O.

Box 1950, Phoenix 85001: Our fax number is sections: 271-8885 coordinator: 271-8656 COUPON I 2 4 a I Fish Fry or Shrimp Fry Served salad, cole slaw french fries riSH TRY R(i(id on ALL-VOU-CAN-tAT SHRIMP RY good on i Sun. ALL-YOU-CAN-tAT Expires 9390 DDI COUNTRY BOYS E3 for Office: 120 E. Van Buren Phoenix 85004 To place a display ad: 271-8410 Jo place a classified ad: 256-91 1 1 To subscribe; 257-8300 To fax a' document 271-8953 Building hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mary A.M.

Gindhart, North.Community editor: 271-8875 Lisa Davis (north Phoenix and southwest Valley): 271-8886 Maren S. Bingham (central Phoenix): 271-8623 Ryan Konig (business and entertainment): 271-8067 Pat Kossan (south Phoenix and southwest Valley): 271-8633 By Chris Lewis If you're not bound by a wheelchair, can breathe without a respi-vrator andor own a dog, you've -most likely made, or attempted to make the mile long trek to the top of Squaw Peak. However, if you 'haven't, my advice is, don't bother. If you're even remotely insecure and perceive indifference as a form of rejection, avoid the revered, mountain at all costs. "Last week; oh a whim, I decided to take a break from my daily' and customary canal run and "Do Squaw Peak." My initial venture up the renowned mountain was 'uneventful.

However, I was struck by the silent and stoic personali- "ties of those who shared the trail with me that day. It was on my subsequent journeys up and down the tedious switchbacks I realized something weird was happening. I was dismayed if not shocked by the collective 7- with few exceptions unfriendliness and emotionally detached demeanors of my fellow Phoenicians, huffing and MAYOR employee of some- kind each month. The idea, Johnson says, is to gain a better understanding of j- what his employees. i.

"When" the Tity manager says we're going to move people around or cut people; have an under-; standing of what that means to the services," Johnson says. "It doesn't mean you don't support it, it means you have a 'better understanding of what you're doing." During the past four years, both fes mayor and city councilman, Johnson has spent days working as jja police vice squad officer, a Sfireman, collecting overdue water laying asphalt, shoveling gravel and working in the city's isewer department, i- The latter he remembers as 'particularly unpleasant. "They lowered me down underground. I said, 'Hey, you guys, here's cockroaches on these They told me if I bumped gnto them, they'd swarm. I -said, feet me out of I The exercises have provided him ja wealth of-.

knowledge, Johnson CORRECTION An incorrect map appeared in North Community on Monday yvith a story about the races for (Justice of the Peace and Constable the Central Phoenix Justice ourt precinct. Here is the -correct jnap: i JP District ai Bethany Home i Central Phoenix ss CD McDowell Salaries for the Gila Bend and Buckeye constables are $7,897, not 28,260 as reported Monday in Community. Also, the salary for the Wickenbiirg constable is $28,260, not On Jan. 1, he Wickenburg constable's salary yill increase to $34,660. The salary information on' all of Maricopa County's 18 constables was obtained in' writing last month from justice Court administrator Peter Gorski's office.

The Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library Department will hold a public meeting on the Paradise Valley Park Master not on 20k was reported jn. North Community, last Friday. Incorrect information was provided by the city. LeoisiEze DOCUMENT PREMRAJION SEHVICBS Leaal Document Preoarat ion MkfMMa Price Includes Free Will 4326 W.Bell Suite 8 says. "Everyone likes to talk badly about the mayor says.

"The job these people do is absolutely critical' tti the The police force is no exception, and on this night, -Johnson receives his education on" the street. The shift starts at 3 p.m. with a briefing in which Johnson humbly among his new squad. The wing-tip shoes are perhaps the only remaining clue of his executive title, as the 6-foot, 7-inch Johnson puts his uniform, complete with flashlight, radio and bullet-proof vest. "It makes youworry a little more when you, look around and, all the other, guys them, Johnson says of has new armor.

For legal reasons, Johnson is not allowed to carry a gun or wear a badge However, later in the evening officer Greg Jimenez presents Johnson with a gold-colored, plas-; tic "Junior Police eoo 120,000 used books We will find the book'-you wantl xp; 10 off all. Boofe withihisM: 67676 NW Corner of Centraf iatcfier under the clock Mike Moffitt, editor of regional Tom Blodgett, regional sports COUPON I aninf fori Breakfast Buy 1 breakfast at menu price and get a 2nd; breakfast sa, war equal pr value FREE OF CHARGE! Expires 9390 Odd icountry boysI RES A AN Flapjacks Seafood Steaks Room Hotline HOURS A DAY It's summor you're outsldo and Mother Nature is In nor glory- femorgoncy Medical professionals "ui null'' to fMinwor your quostions about life's urgencies, from allergies to sunburn. 8519 N. 7th 944-5666 Open 24 Hours 12838 N. 19th "Open 6am-10pm 77 2330 W.

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