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While planners will honor those who made it possible, District 6 Councilwoman Gwyn Foro is specifically not receiving kudos because party planners question her involvement in securing the sought-after signal.
Foro said she has every right to take credit for some of the work in landing the signal and blamed a handful of residents for mounting the case against her.
“I’ve been listening to their nonsense for two years for what I have and haven’t done,” Foro said. “They have no clue what goes on at City Council and on city issues.”
Among the invited guests is Tom Allen, a former councilman who lost re-election to Foro for the District 6 seat in 2005.
Nancy Watson, president of Rose Garden’s activity club, said Allen and others fought for the light long before Foro stepped in.
Mayor Joan Shafer, another invited guest, said she gives credit to Foro and Allen.
She quickly added, however, “Tom Allen really put the heart and soul into it.”
City Engineer Bob Maki explained in more detail. He said plans to install the traffic signal began to formulate while Allen was in office. He added, however, that Foro pushed for additional funding for the project in 2006 when costs increased from under $1 to more than $1.5 million.
This party comes shortly after petitions to recall Foro were turned over to City Hall. On Nov. 7, a recall group handed over 418 signatures to be verified by Maricopa County Elections. The Elections Department has under 60 days to verify. If at least 320 signatures are verified, it will force a recall election, possibly as early as March, but more likely in May, September or November based on the county election cycle.
Watson was one of the residents who sought petitions for the recall.
“We do have trouble with (Foro) in the park with not responding and not taking calls,” Watson said.
Watson said Foro might show up at the party but that she never received a special invitation.
Other honored guests invited for the stoplight party include: Rose Garden residents Tom Sauvageau, Chet Neier, Larry Steeves and Stanley Serafin, and Coyote Lakes residents Dan Morris, Connie Stover, Lyle Tuttle and Mayor-elect Lyn Truitt. Though he has since passed away, former Rose Garden resident Robert Goosen will also be honored.
We were working on this signal when I was on the council,Bob V
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