KVOA: Unclaimed remains of veterans laid to rest in Marana

KVOA provided a story on a special ceremony at Marana's Veteran's Cemetery. 

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The unclaimed remains of 29 U.S. Veterans were laid to rest on Saturday during a special ceremony in Marana. The ceremony is part of an annual effort led by the Veterans Recovery Program that works to make sure unclaimed remains are identified and properly interred.

"We have veterans that have cremated remains that have been sitting on shelves for years," said Veteran Paul Marsh.

Marsh has been part of the effort to get the Veteran Cemetery in Marana. 

The 29 veterans that were honored on Saturday may have never been identified had it not been for the Veterans Recovery Program.

"They deserve as good of treatment as we can give them as veterans. We do this type of thing twice a year to take good care of our veterans who don't have anybody to take care of them," said Marsh.

Read the rest of the story on KVOA's website. 

12 News in Phoenix also ran a story on the ceremony

 

Mayor's Message: Saying ‘goodbye’ to one of Marana’s dearest friends

Marana Mayor Ed Honea provided a Mayor's Message for the latest issue of the Marana News/Explorer News

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Last week, we said goodbye to Councilmember Carol McGorray. Marana said goodbye to a great champion who loved this community. Many of us said goodbye to a dear friend. 

While it is easy to be sad at her passing, it is also easy to smile and remember all of the great things she did. I was friends with Carol long before we began working on the Marana Town Council, and through our civic duties we accomplished great things together. 

First and foremost, Carol loved her family. She was a mother of seven children, 13 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren with two more on the way. In her various roles in the community, she often looked at issues from the perspective of how they would impact families. 

She had a tremendous impact on the community through her various boards and positions, and was a kind, hard-working person who put the community first. She served on the board of the Marana Health Center, and was a member of the Marana Food Bank’s Advisory Board since its inception. For her work with the food bank, she was recently awarded emeritus status. In addition, she was very involved with the Dove Mountain Civic Group, the Marana School District and the Dove Mountain Rotary Club. 

One constant theme in her work was her desire to protect those who needed it most and try to be an advocate for those who were struggling. She was compassionate. She cared.

I have been asked a number of times recently about who Carol McGorray was, and I usually say she was a “great lady.” But that does not cover it. She believed in rolling up her sleeves and working to help her neighbors, and she saw everybody in Marana as her neighbor. She believed in treating everyone with respect.

She served on the Council for 17 years and was proud of what we accomplished, but at the end she felt there were still things to get done to make the community stronger. She was preparing to run for re-election. 

We may have said goodbye to Carol McGoray last week, but her impact will not soon be forgotten. She wore many hats, served many causes and worked hard to have them all mean something important. We need more spirited individuals like Carol McGorray on the Town Council and our boards and commissions, so that Marana will continue to be the most favored place.

Town staff now accepting public input on recommended operating budget

Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta and Finance Director Erik Montague presented the recommended operating budgets for the General Fund, Bed Tax Fund, Highway User Revenue Fund, Water Operating Fund, Wastewater Operating Fund, and Airport Operating Fund for fiscal year 2018-2019 at the April 10 Council study session.

Information and direction received from Council will be incorporated into the Town's tentative budget which will be brought back to Mayor and Council for consideration at the regular meeting on May 15, 2018.

View the Manager's Recommended Operating Budget. 

The document is a comprehensive summary of the recommended budget and includes departmental summaries with notes explaining major changes between fiscal years.  The summary includes a section on operating capital and projects which provides brief descriptions of significant one-time items.  It also formally lists the items requested to be carry forward into the 2018-2019 recommended budget.  Staff projects that there will be adequate resources to support these carry forward requests.

The budgets presented are the operating budgets for the General Fund and other selected operating funds. Other Special Revenue, Capital Project and Debt Service Funds are not formally presented here at this time, and will be included in the overall tentative budget which will be presented on May 15, 2018.

View the Council Study Session Agenda item. 

View the Council Study Session Budget Presentation.

Learn more about the Marana Budget process.

Let us know your feedback! The Town is accepting feedback from the public through May 15 when the tentative budget is presented to Town Council. 

April 23 deadline for vendor applications to Marana Star Spangled Spectacular

2017 Star Spangled Spectacular

2017 Star Spangled Spectacular

MARANA — Town of Marana is seeking vendors for Marana Star Spangled Spectacular located at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park on Wednesday, July 4. Interested vendors can sign up at MaranaEvents.com. Deadline ends Monday, April 23.

Marana Star Spangled Spectacular is the largest organized Fourth of July celebration in southern Arizona with over 15,000 attendees and 40 vendor locations throughout the park. Event features include live music, inflatables, beer garden, playground, food, military vehicle display, and fireworks. To accommodate transportation needs, the Town of Marana will offer shuttle pickups throughout Continental Ranch. More information will be available closer to the event date.

The Town of Marana does not ensure exclusivity. Filling out a request form does not ensure a spot. Vendors are reserved on a first-come first-served basis and based on the number of vendors needed to best support the anticipated crowd. If the vendor is approved, the Town will provide additional information on acquiring a Marana business license or proof of 501(c)3 status, Pima County Health Permit if a food vendor, and insurance requirements.

April 7 service will honor victims of Nighthawk crash

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On Saturday, April 7 at 10:00am at the Marana Regional Airport, the Marine Corps League Nighthawk 72 will host the 18th Anniversary Memorial Service to honor the 19 Marines who lost their lives in an training accident. 

A devastating tragedy occurred on the night of April 8, 2000, when an Air Force training mission went awry and an Osprey aircraft crashed at the Marana Regional Airport killing all 19 Marines on board. The investigation into the accident took over a year, but finally the survivors were able to have some closure during a memorial service near the site of the crash.

The Marana Town Council and Staff came together to erect a flagpole flying the U.S. flag, the Arizona State Flag, and the Marine Corps flag at the memorial site along with a plaque with the names and ranks of each serviceman. Many federal, state and local officials were on hand to honor these brave men.  A memorial service has been held each year since then, and the local Marine Corps league, named Nighthawk 72 in honor of the fallen aircraft, have added memorial artifacts over the years dedicated to keeping the memory of the event alive, never to be forgotten by the families and friends.

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Town of Marana accepting applications for Town Council appointment

Current residents of the Town of Marana may apply for appointment to the Marana Town Council to serve the remaining term of Councilmember Carol McGorray.  Pursuant to state law, to qualify for appointment an applicant must meet all of the following requirements: 1) be 18 years old; 2) be a qualified elector residing within the Town; and 3) have resided within the Town for at least one year prior to appointment.

Applications for consideration should be submitted electronically or hand delivered with a resume attached to:  Marana Town Clerk, 11555 West Civic Center Drive, Marana AZ, 85653, no later than noon on April 13, 2018.

Marana Town Code 2-1-4 requires applicants to fill out this application, and provide a resume and any other support materials for consideration of the Town Council.

Click here for the online application. 

Click here to download the printable PDF. 

Learn more about Marana Town Council. 

April promises to be a busy month in Marana

April is a very busy month in the Town of Marana. No matter what your interest ,there are plenty of things to do in the Town. 

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The Marana Police Department will hold their annual Tip-A-Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics On Wednesday, April 4 from 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Texas Roadhouse. MPD Officers will be present working as servers and earning tips which will benefit the Special Olympics.
Tip-A-Cop

On Saturday, May 7 bring your dancing shoes for a night of free music in the park with local talent Sonora Borealis! Sonora Borealis play their own take on classic rock from the 70's and 80's. Enjoy music while lounging in a chair or on a blanket (borrow one from us if you don't have one).  We are always located in the field behind the Wheeler Taft Library.
Sonora Borealis

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The Wings of Freedom Tour is coming to the Marana Regional Airport from April 6th to 8th. The tour will bring vintage World War II aircraft to the Town including a  Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a B-24 Liberator, a B-25 Mitchell, and a P-51 Mustang.
Wings of Freedom Tour

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The Desert Bluegrass Association and the Town of Marana have joined together to host The 2018 Marana Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival  on April 13-15 at the Gladden Farms Community Park (12205 N Tangerine Farms Rd, Marana, AZ 85653). The event features three days of music and other activities.
Marana Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival

On April 14, the Marana Police Department, in partnership with the Marana-Foothills Optimist Club; Vistoso Funeral Home, Arizona Youth Partnership and Pima County Wastewater, Marana Police Volunteers encourages Marana citizens, businesses and schools to join us in sharing information about drug awareness and preventive measures.
April 14 - Dispose-A-Med

Also on April 14 will be the Free Vaccination Clinic For Dogs hosted by the Town of Marana Animal Services and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
April 14 - Free Canine Rabies Vaccination Clinic

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Join us on April 21 for the 11th Annual Camping Under the Stars event!! Experience the great outdoors by camping overnight in our beautiful Ora Mae Harn Park. Registration will include your tent site, movie in the park, camp fire, star gazing, crafts, games, and environmental exhibits.
Camping Under the Stars

Don't want to stay the night, come on out for our Free Movie in the Park "Coco".

MPD Tip-A-Cop to benefit Special Olympics

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The Marana Police Department will hold their annual Tip-A-Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics On Wednesday, April 4 from 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. at Texas Roadhouse. MPD Officers will be present working as servers and earning tips which will benefit the Special Olympics.

Last year volunteers from nearly every portion of the MPD came out to serve the packed house at Texas Roadhouse. They collected over $5,000 in tips and every dime benefitted the Arizona Special Olympics.

The MPD has been involved with Special Olympics for over a decade and has raised over $100,000 for Southern Arizona Special Olympians. 

They had 32 volunteers on hand from the MPD including lieutenants, captains and Chief  Terry Rozema. They had volunteers from the bomb squad, K9 and motor patrol, as well as the youth Explorers program and the volunteer VIP’s.

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Construction starting soon on Marana's newest Splashpad (Updated with the latest designs)

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Construction is set to begin on Marana’s newest splash pad. After the overwhelming popularity of the splash pad at Marana Heritage River Park, Crossroads at Silverbell District Park will be the future home of Marana's next splash pad.

“Splash pads are crazy popular right now and we think this will be a wonderful attraction for the park,” said Marana Parks and Recreation Director Jim Conroy.

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Park users should be aware that construction is starting soon on the project and the new facility will open late Summer 2018. The new splash pad surface will be over 2,400 square feet with floor geysers, floor lighting, integrated seating, and shade for public use, which will provide additional relief on hot days.

The new splash pad will be located close to the existing playground and ramadas, making it a great option for those wanting to host a spring or summer birthday party. Crossroads at Silverbell District Park already provides a number of great amenities including the playground, athletics fields, dog park, and walking paths.

More project info can be found at

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Updated: Councilmember McGorray passes, leaves behind a legacy

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It is with great sadness that we inform the community of the passing of Town of Marana Councilmember Carol McGorray on Thursday, March 22. She is survived by six of her seven children. The memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 4 at 11 A.M. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church 8650 N Shannon Rd, Tucson, AZ 85742.

Refreshments will be offered immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and MHC Healthcare.

Carol was elected to her first term on the Marana Town Council in March 2001 and served for 17 years. She had also served on the Marana Health Center board and was active in the Dove Mountain Civic Group and Dove Mountain Rotary Club. She was passionate about community service, and her contributions have had a significant impact on our town. She will be greatly missed.

The Town of Marana is collecting stories and expressions of grief from the community. For those who knew her, please join us in remembering her by sharing with us your stories. 

Left to right, top to bottom: Carol McGorray and family, Santa Cruz River embankment groundbreaking, Gladden Farms neighborhood groundbreaking, Marana Cotton Blossoms, Cotton Blossom Thrift Store grand opening, 2017 Marana Founders' Day parade

Originally published on March 27, 2018.

Updated with memorial service information on March 29, 2018.

Traffic Update: Twin Peaks Road crack seal work

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As part of the Town of Marana’s Pavement Preservation Program, crack seal work will begin on Twin Peaks Road starting on Monday, April 2 and continue through the week of April 23, 2018. The project will begin on Twin Peaks Road at Silverbell Road and continue all the way through Twin Peaks Road and Tangerine Road. The work will be conducted during normal business hours beginning at 7:00 a.m. Lane closures and light delays should be expected.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs.
 
Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested.

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.

 

Marana News: Marana joins PCWIN system

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The Marana News wrote an article about the Town replacing the current public safety communications system with the Pima County Wireless Integrated Network radio system, or PCWIN.

Switching to PCWIN will enhance communication between the Marana Police Department and all other law enforcement and fire departments in the county. According to Marana Chief of Police Terry Rozema, who spoke to council at the March 20 meeting, there’s been a push to increase interoperability between public safety organizations ever since the terror attcks on Sept. 11, 2001.

“From a public safety standpoint, this is really kind of a no brainer for us,” he said. 

MPD regularly works with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the Northwest Fire District. The current system doesn’t allow MPD ease of communication with those entities, or other Southern Arizona law enforcement or fire service agencies that use PCWIN. 

When MPD communicates with other jurisdictions, officers call MPD dispatch, who then call the other organizations on the phone—a process that takes time the officers don’t always have.

An example Rozema gave was MPD could be chasing a suspect that crosses into unincorporated Pima County, necessitating collaboration with Pima County Sheriff’s Department. By the time MPD conveys their location to the Sheriff’s Department, MPD officers are already in a different place, due to the time lapse.

Read the full story in the Marana News

Marana In The Media: I-10 Project in Marana Improves Traffic Flow

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ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com had a detailed article about the Ina Interchange project. The story gave a through overview of the project.

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is improving traffic flow on Interstate-10 in Marana, Ariz., by constructing a new interchange bridge over I-10 and the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks at Ina Road. Besides providing better traffic movement, the $128 million project will improve safety at the location. Ina Road was closed in February 2017 and the project is on track to complete work in early 2019.

Funding for the work is provided by the Federal Highway Administration, Pima Association of Governments and the Regional Transportation Authority. Marana also contributed $7.9 million toward the cost of new bridges being built over the Santa Cruz River.

Ina Road will be widened to Silverbell Road west of I-10. An additional lane will be added, giving the highway four lanes in each direction. The project also will turn an aging intersection into a modern interchange. One of the major changes will be a new bridge to carry Ina Road traffic over I-10 and the railroad tracks.

The original bridge, which has been demolished, carried I-10 motorists over Ina Road. Crews have been working to rebuild a four-lane Ina Road west of the freeway. They dug holes for pillars to support the new bridge. A milestone was met at the end of January 2018 when westbound traffic was moved to the new eastbound pavement. That allowed for three lanes in both directions until the project is complete.

It also meant that the bridge and new westbound pavement could be completed.

“The new Ina Road bridge over I-10 is complete over the eastbound lanes,” said Tom Herrmann, public information officer of ADOT in Phoenix. “And with all traffic now on that pavement, we'll complete the bridge over the westbound lanes and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks.”

Once completed, motorists using Ina Road will enjoy smoother traffic flow without regular interruptions for trains passing through. Originally, it was two lanes in each direction on the east side of I-10 and a single lane in each west of I-10. The project will result in two lanes in each direction to Silverbell Road in the west. Ina Road will have two bridges, one eastbound and one westbound, each with two travel lanes.

About a half mile to the west, crews have been working on a two-lane bridge on eastbound Ina Road where it crosses the Santa Cruz River. In an early February update, Herrmann reported that the eastbound Ina Road bridge had been completed. In addition to bridges, the project includes new ramps.

“Because we are replacing the two I-10 bridges with a single Ina Road bridge, we are building an entirely new interchange, including on and offramps,” Herrmann said.

Read the Full Article at ConstructionEquipmentGuide.com

Marana Public Works employees win street repair competition

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On March 22, the Public Works Asphalt Crew took first place in the Crack Sealing Competition at the 2018 Annual Tom Sheetz Rodeo at the Town of Gilbert Public Works facility

The rodeo is an annual event held by the Arizona Maintenance Superintendents Association (AMSA) to showcase various skills used in the maintenance and repair of public infrastructure. 

Marana’s winning crack seal team was made up of Adrian Rojel, Tomas Gonzalez, John Kaiama, and Fredy Castellanos. Two other Marana employees had good showings with Rich Jacinto competing in the Traffic Markings Event, while Shari Howard participated in the Wheel Loader Event. Competitors could only participate in a single event.

Other events included Asphalt Patch, Concrete Repair, Backhoe, Forklift, and Sign Placement.

According to their website, “the AZMSA is comprised of a diverse group of professionals from Public Works Directors to Equipment Operators and is supported by a variety of vendors that provide the tools, equipment, materials and knowledge necessary for us to do our jobs with excellence.”

"Rake-O-Vac" improving Marana ball fields

The Rake-O-Vac was utilized to remove burrs from fields, but it is also improving the turf. 

The Rake-O-Vac was utilized to remove burrs from fields, but it is also improving the turf. 

The Marana Parks and Recreation Department has a very interactive Facebook page. Through the page they not only try to publicize their events and programs, but get feedback from those who participate in the program.

A few weeks back several parents of little leaguers who utilized the fields at Ora Mae Harn Park informed the staff that there were a large number of grass burrs in the baseball field grass and that they could not only be uncomfortable for the young athletes playing in them, but they were getting stuck to the uniforms, making it very difficult to get the uniforms clean.

Parks and Rec staff looked into the problem and found seeds down in the turf from kaki weed that have sharp points on them. This is how the plant propagates itself attaching to something walking through the area and being deposited elsewhere.

The Park Maintenance team was quick to respond and looked to figure out a solution to the problem. The maintenance team worked with the Town of Marana Fleet Division to refurbish equipment already in Town's inventory to help resolve the problem. They repaired the Rake-O-Vac and set out to see if it could fix the burr problem.

Not only did they reduce the number of burrs, but they found the machine was also helping to remove dead thatch from the turf. The thatch acts in a way that is similar to evaporative cooler pads and keeps the turf cooler. Once removed the Bermuda grass was able to thrive.  

“The Rake-O-Vac is now onsite and being used to reduce the burrs, improve overall grass conditions, and enhance park user experience,” said Marana Parks and Recreation Maintenance Superintendent David Herman. "We like to think no seed, no weed."

With the success of the Rake-O-Vac, the plan is to now hit all of the other fields in the Town. With Little League season about to begin, those fields will get the first treatments, but soon the rest of the multi-purpose fields will also see the Rake-O-Vac make a visit.

The device uses large “fingers” to both sweep and vacuum, but can also be fitted with other attachments that can handle grass cutting, sweeping, and even leaf removal.

Applicants wanted for open position on Marana Planning Commission

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The Town of Marana is seeking qualified citizens for a position on the Planning Commission.  The term expires June 30, 2021.

The Marana Planning Commission is a Council-appointed seven-member advisory body which makes recommendations to the Marana Town Council on matters relating to zoning and land development, including the Marana General Plan (Marana's future vision for development) and applications for approval of rezoning cases, subdivision plats, development plans, and conditional uses.  Applicants must be Marana residents.

The Planning Commission meets at the Marana Municipal Complex at 6:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month. Agendas are available at the Marana Development Services office on the Monday before the meeting.

Deadline to submit an application is April 27, 2018. All applications will remain active for one year from the date of receipt. 

Applications are available at http://marana.seamlessdocs.com/f/boards and can be submitted online.  Call 382-1960 or 382-2655  for more information.

Posted:  March 26, 2018

Marana Town Clerk

 

2018 Council Candidate Orientation and Voter Registration

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On Wednesday, April 4, 2018, a candidate orientation will be held in the Council Chambers of the Marana Municipal Complex, 11555 W. Civic Center Drive, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to assist prospective candidates with the process of running for office in the August 2018 primary election.

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Marana holds staggered, non-partisan elections every two years.  This year, four seats are open.  Candidate packets will be available at the orientation and are also available online at http://www.maranaaz.gov/candidate-information in person at the Office of the Town Clerk.

The Town Clerk and the Deputy Town Clerk will give a brief presentation on candidate filing requirements, forms and campaign finance.  The Town Attorney will advise candidates on legal issues and give a short tutorial on the Arizona Open Meeting Law.  Also covered will be current law on posting political signs.

Information on registering to vote will also be part of the orientation. April 30 is the earliest date to turn in candidate filings, and May 30, 2018 is the deadline to file.

As of February 14, 2018, 24,992 Marana residents were registered to vote.

Historically, Marana’s Council Members have been elected at the Primary and then seated after the November general election.

For questions, contact Jocelyn Bronson, Marana Town Clerk, at 520-382-1960, or Hilary Hiser, Deputy Town Clerk, at 520-382-1962.

Marana park, officials voted best by newspaper readers

Playground at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park.

Playground at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park.

The Best of the Northwest Awards were released by Tucson Local Media on Wednesday, and the Town of Marana fared very well. The awards, which are voted on by readers of the Explorer, Marana News, and Foothills News, look at a wide variety of categories including public and private entities, and individuals.

Crossroads at Silverbell District Park was named the top park.

“Crossroads has more amenities than just about any other in the area,” the publications wrote. “Volleyball courts, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, a dog park and playgrounds lay right to the side of The Loop walking and cycling path.”

Two Town of Marana officials were also voted tops in their categories.

Marana Mayor Ed Honea was named Best Community Leader.

“Marana and the name Honea just go hand-in-hand, and Ed Honea is doing well for the five-generation Marana family,” they wrote. “Sitting his third separate term, Honea graduated from Marana High School, is a Vietnam War veteran and truly a man of his community.”

Marana Town Council Member Dave Bowen was the runner up in the award.

Marana Police Department Chief Terry Rozema was selected the Best Police Officer.

“With decades of experience in his field, Chief Terry Rozema leads his department by example,” said the publication. “Though he spent a great deal of his career with the Tucson Police Department, Chief Rozema has made a positive impression over the years on the residents and officers in Marana.”

MPD Sgt. Jeff Pridgett was third in the voting.

Marana had a place in two of the best biking trails. The Pima County Shared Use path, or the Loop as it is known, has several miles of pathways in the town and was the winner of the category.

The Tortolita Preserve Loop finished second for best biking trail.

Several Marana-based businesses also won their categories.

Best Bookstore: Bookmans Entertainment Exchane
Best Hotel/Resort: Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
Best Shopping Center: Tucson Premium Outlets
Best Physical Therapy Provider: ProActive Physical Therapy
Best Deli/Sandwich Shop: Baggin’s Gourmet Sandwiches

Full lists

A Look At Pavement Preservation, Pt. 2

Marana’s Pavement Preservation Program was designed to give Marana great roads. There is a lot to the program, from what the program hopes to accomplish, what methods are utilized, and how the roads are selected for repair. In this multi-part series, we will look at all aspects of the program. Part 2 looks at how the Town rates the roads and figures out which projects become a priority.

A Look At Pavement Preservation, Pt. 1

The key to implementing preventive maintenance techniques and maintaining a pavement management program is developing and maintaining an inventory of pavement condition and quantity. In Marana, streets are broken into segments and staff survey the same locations on a biennial basis, counting cracks and deficiencies as identified in the Federal Highway Administration's Pavement Distress Identification Manual. We compare scores of the current assessment to those of prior assessments to determine the rate of deterioration.

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Information is also collected from the Pima Association of Governments-sponsored Automated Road Analyzer (ARAN) van to rate the condition of Town arterial and collector streets. Data is combined with the Town’s pavement preservation program findings to determine the condition of the streets, the degree of need for repair, and the type of repair that is most appropriate. The most cost-effective solution is then selected for each street.  

The Pavement Condition Index, developed by the Army Corps of Engineers, is generally accepted as the industry standard for scoring pavement condition. It provides a rational basis, calculating deterioration rate and deterioration modeling. The data can be used in conjunction with a pavement management program to develop a plan for pavement preservation, proactive maintenance, and rehabilitation.

Most of Marana's pavements receive some form of preventive maintenance based upon a general timeframe, but as the ability to rate and analyze pavement gets better, we will prioritize maintenance based more on pavement condition and construction type rather than just the elapsed time between treatments.