With the upcoming 40th anniversary edition of The Times, the Community Guide’s history story and preparing a talk with the Men’s Discussion Group this past Monday morning, I’ve been checking lots of early editions of The Times.

And I read some interesting things to pass on to you, You know the saying by now, “Before it was history it was news in your hometown newspaper.”

Did you know that the town’s original Master Plan showed light industrial zoning for the area that is now Golden Eagle Park.

It also showed a projected town population of 78,000 people by the year 2000 and 16,000 of them would be students. I guess that is why the community’s original Master Plan would include 16 school sites. Yes, McCulloch Properties deeded over to the Fountain Hills School Dtstrict sites for 11 elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools. I remember Bill Fisher, McCulloch’s original project manager, for Fountain Hills saying some of those lots were “uniquely buildable.”

Many board members, called those lots “unbuildable” as a school site.

Another interesting item I ran across was the original Town Hall meeting that was held in October 1984. The two-day event was held at the Camelback Inn in Paradise Valley and was attended by 72 resident delegates. Those delegates approved 17 resolutions that ended up shaping the future of the community for many years.

I won’t list all of them but here are a few that I found interesting:

Be it resolved that:

* The Fountain Hills Town Hall support the Civic Association in the effort to present the pros and cons of incorporation and/or annexation of the citizens of Fountain Hills. (Approved 52-8)

* The Fountain Hills Town Hall recommends that a final determination of its government be established in accordance with the desires of the community. (Approved 29-21)

* Develop a high school at a point in time when the population of high school students can support a curriculum equal to or surpassing the curriculum now in use at AA schools. (Approved 57-4)

* The Fountain Hills educational plant facilities be expanded to meet the needs of the growing community: usable school sites be acquired; and a strong educational system be implemented to include but not limited to do community education, continuing staff development and adoption of a progressive education program helped by industrial involvement. (Approved 59-1)

* That the Chamber of Commerce develop a public relations campaign to promote an image of Fountain Hills as a dynamic growing family-oriented community, and to promote existing businesses and encourage establishment of new light industry for supporting area industrial/manufacturing facilities: and promote the tourism industry. (Approved 52-1)

That last resolution has a lot of merit even today. I think the Chamber and town should get behind the same wording today. From the look at the letters to the editor lately, here is my vote to re-adopt this resolution and commit ourselves to this as public policy.