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Superior Mayor Jayme Valenzuela accepts a donation from Asarco’s General Manager John Dorsey. Nina Crowder | Superior Sun
Superior Sun
Kids in Superior undoubtedly have one of the best pools around. And now, thanks to Asarco, they will be able to continue swimming.
At last week’s meeting, Superior Mayor Jayme Valenzuela accepted a check from Asarco General Manager John Dorsey for pool repairs.
“Margaret Gaston contacted ASARCO regarding financial assistance for the town’s pool and it is my pleasure tonight to come and present a check for that financial assistance,” said Dorsey. He explained Asarco’s role in the Copper Basin area. The Ray Mine employs about 1,400 people; they pay about $20 million in taxes; they spend about $1 million a day in supplies and contract services; they employee about 50 Superior residents and know there are many residents who are retired from Asarco. Dorsey understands the community efforts and how financially strapped small towns can be and is happy to help out the Town of Superior.
Resolution Copper
Andrew Taplin, project manager for Resolution Copper, was in attendance last week and updated the Superior Town Council and public on the plan of operations.
“We have made great progress in the past year and a half,” Taplin said. “Most importantly in November last year we filed our mine plan of operations with the US Forest Service. Filing is a crucial step to move us forward in obtaining the necessary permits to be able to mine in a conventional manner,” he said. “The plan represents a combination of years of work done by Resolution Copper employees and some of the best consultants in the mining industry. The Forest Service will be reviewing the plan and may ask us to modify it. The review will take many months in fact we expect it to take around a year. When they are done the public will have an opportunity to comment on it. You may see the plan we submitted on our website or we have hard copies in binders at our Main Street office for your viewing. We certainly welcome your viewing and comments on that,” he said.
Taplin went on to say that Resolution Copper continues to support the Town of Superior in many aspects. The Superior School District has received $122,000; the direct employment wages paid are $1,100,000; the indirect employment and contracting wages paid are $3,286,000; and the Superior community including non-profit groups have received $333,200.
“I understand some of the council members are not sure they can trust Resolution Copper,” Taplin said. “We are not going to ask you to trust us but we intend to show you that we are trustworthy.”
Proclamations
Three proclamations were made by the Superior Town Council: Week of the Young Child April 6-12 in Pinal County, presented by Brett Haupt of Parent Awareness and Community Outreach Coordinator; National Library week April 13-19; and Fair Housing Month of April. Each proclamation was read at the town council meeting.
The council accepted a donation of a fire apparatus from the City of Mesa to the Town of Superior. The fire truck has all the approved equipment and this should help out the Superior Fire Department. Dave Richins and Resolution Copper helped facilitate this project.
Nina Crowder is a resident of Mammoth. She volunteers in several local organizations. She covers events throughout the Copper Corridor and Superior Town and School governance.
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