Bicycle Festival a hit, sign ordinance not
By Linda Bentley | November 18 2009
'They don’t call it Hidden Valley for nothing’
CAVE CREEK – During Call to the Public, Assistant Utilities Manager Mike Rigney reported, “The inaugural Bicycle Festival went off without a hitch,” and read to council some of the comments people left on its Facebook page.
Rigney said there were 90 volunteers, 320 registrants and “Buzz for this is all over the country now.”
During his update to council, Rigney presented a slide show of pictures taken by a professional photographer during the weekend activities and stated, “The event just couldn’t have gone any better.”
Korina Riggin, one of the volunteers, mentioned the residual benefits of such events, stating people who participated in the race came back to town the next day, bought an annual pass for the park and asked where there was a good place to have lunch.
James Keefner and Mike Ouellette, who own The Crazy Horse Tattoo Company on Hidden Valley Drive, said they were told they could have a sandwich sign, which they placed at the corner of Cave Creek Road. However, Keefner said the town marshal told them they couldn’t have a sign there because their business was not on Cave Creek Road.
Noting the Sonoran Arts League, which occupies a suite in the same building as their tattoo parlor, has a permanent sign at the corner, Keefner said ordinances should be enforced evenly and stated their business has declined by 50 percent since their sign was removed.
As Keefner pleaded with the town to review its ordinances, Mayor Vincent Francia suggested he make an appointment with the town manager.
Chris Williams’ animal thrift store business, For Goodness Sake, is also on Hidden Valley Drive. He just wanted council to know he supported what Keefner told council and was appreciative of its willingness to review the issue.
Mark Carroll, who operates the Sculpture Studio in the same building, echoed the other tenants comments and said, “They don’t call it Hidden Valley for nothing.”
With Councilman Dick Esser absent, council voted unanimously to approve the resolution setting forth the official returns and approving the official canvass of the special election held on Nov. 3, in which propositions 400 and 401 were affirmed by the voters by a 75 percent landslide.
During public comment, John Ford said he just wanted to compliment council on its original decision.
Councilman Ralph Mozilo commented, “It was an easy decision for us to make and it was obviously an easy decision for citizens.”