No trail, no access, we lose Black Mountain Preserve!
Mayor Francia, Councilwoman Brennan, and Councilmen Esser and Bunch
are to be applauded for their efforts to preserve Black Mountain
Summit. Past councilman Ralph Mozilo criticized these folks in his
letter printed in the Scottsdale Republic.
Mozilo speaks of "sound economic reasons" to keep the
trail closed, yet economics/price tag did not deter his support
of purchasing and maintaining 2,100 acres of Spur Cross Ranch-a
$6.5 million price tag with Creekers getting a property tax in place
for the first time to pay the bonds.
If economics were the sole consideration, there would be no Phoenix
Mountains Preserve, no Squaw Peak Trail, no Camelback Mountain Trail,
no Pinnacle Peak Trail, no McDowell Sonoran Preserve, no Spur Cross-and
no open space.
Additionally, he pushed voters for an $8 million purchase of Cave
Creek Water Company and $30 million for an improved sewer plant,
all to ensure annexation of state trust land on the west side with
the hopes of getting open space and trails contiguous to his property.
Where is his concern there for costs or trail maintenance?
Mozilo says there are environmental reasons to eliminate hiking
the summit. Wrong, as it's been done for over 40 years and the trail
and surrounding areas show very little wear and tear. It is still
a primitive, narrow path and can remain so. Of greater interest
is that over 40 years of use has not cost County Parks/Cave Creek
one penny to maintain.
The most important fact, and why the mayor and three council members
made the right decision, is that the U.S. Patent Deed granting the
acres to Maricopa County in 1972 has a very important clause that
reads if the patentee or its successor attempts to transfer title
to another and the lands are devoted to a use "other than recreational
purposes," title to the land shall revert to the United States.
No access, no trail, 250 acres revert back! Can you imagine the
BLM regaining that land and putting it to auction to the highest
bidder? Can you say 250 homes?
What town in this state would not look with envy upon Cave Creek
to be able to pick up 250 acres of open space for minimal cost in
the heart of their town core?
And what a legacy to leave future generations-the ability to gain
from this mountain, not as a tourist attraction or number of users,
but the effect it has on the heart and the soul upon reaching the
top.
Anna Marsolo
Cave Creek
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