By Jill Jones
Pinal County Today

UNINCORPORATED QUEEN CREEK- A standing-room-only crowd of approximately 400 people packed the gymnasium of Circle Cross Ranch Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. on June 22, 2009 to voice their views and cast their votes on a proposed name change for the Greater San Tan Area Community, also known as unincorporated Queen Creek.

Nearly 80,000 people live in the Greater San Tan Area, an unincorporated community, which is also the largest community in Pinal County; made up of over 70 separate subdivisions and Home Owner Associations (HOA).

Resident activist Tisha Castillo addressed those attending saying it was her hope that the community could come together as one voice; a voice that could be heard and supported by their elected officials. A step in that direction would require the community to agree upon a name that would help create an identity for the community, which up until now has simply been known as an unincorporated area of Pinal County near Queen Creek, aka; the Greater San Tan Area.

Pinal County Supervisor Bryan Martyn, who has been attending community meetings for months in an effort to unite the residents and assist them in creating a unified community with a recognizable identity, explained that he originally expected to have a time period of six to eight months to achieve the goal, however; the plan was put on the fast track when the U.S. Postal Service announced a change in zip codes for the area, effective July 1, 2009.

Martyn said he kicked the identity plan into high gear, after hearing about the zip code change, in an effort to prevent residents from having to go through multiple address changes. If a new name could be agreed upon before July 1, he explained, the new name and zip code could be implemented at the same time.

Martyn said he worked with leaders from both Queen Creek and Florence to come up with a defined border for the 67-square-mile unincorporated San Tan area. He said that the goal is to unify the community, in preparation for economic development, independent of any possible future incorporation efforts.

"When the world starts to recover (from a downturn economy) we need to be ready," said Martyn, explaining that the first thing to do is to come up with a name – an identity. An identifiable, brandable name; a name that is also legal based on Arizona Revised Statutes. (See our Live Forum for community comments from last night's meeting: http://www.goldcanyontoday.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=79&func=view&catid=30&id=308. The name San Tan is already utilized by the San Tan Indian community, and not a viable option.

"The strongest companies in the world do have cash," said Martyn, who said he believes these companies are poised to take advantage of the situation. "Economic development will not wait. We need to be proactive instead of reactive. Being proactive will bring great dividends in the future. It’s not the actual name that’s important – it’s the identity. In the long run identity counts."

"My sole intent is to set this community up for future of economic development and prosperity," said Martyn, further explaining that if they (residents) want to attract businesses they need an attractive name and identity. "We first need to get on the map and then solicit economic development, light industrial and commercial enterprises that can bring jobs to the area. We need head-of-household income jobs."

Martyn opened the name change subject up for discussion and was put on the "hot seat" so to speak by San Tan residents who were opposed to making a decision regarding a name change. One individual who was opposed to Martyn’s ideas was Pecan Creek resident Dina Larsen, who was extremely vocal in her opposition to Martyn’s ideas for the area.

"This is not about Bryan Martyn; this is about this community. I have a responsibility to the 80,000 citizens," said Martyn. "My hope is that they (residents) at least felt they were heard."

Resident’s were able to cast votes for their choice of name at the meeting or online until midnight that evening. Names on the ballot included; Acacia Valley, Agave, Bella Verde, Bella Vista, Carter, Cholla Valley, Cholla Vista, Creekside, Goldmine, Goldmine Valley, Ironwood, Ironwood Heights, Ironwood Vista, Johnson, Kennedy, Mansel, Mountain View, Palo Verde Hills, Poston Butte, Primrose Hill, Queen Creek Heights, Saguaro Valley, Santana, San Tan Area, San Tan East, San Tan Ridge, San Tan Trails, San Tan Valley, San Tan Vistas, Superstition Valley, Valle Del Sol or no change.

Philip Wakeman of Johnson Ranch believes the name change is a done deal. "I think it’s a good thing," said Wakeman.

Doug Nash of Rancho Bella Vista shared his neighbor’s sentiments. He said his zip code has been changed three times already. "Let’s make the changes all at once," suggested Nash.

Ms. Castillo said she didn’t have a preference for any particular name. "I want the community to choose the name, not someone else."

Voting results on the name change will be available Tuesday afternoon at http://www.pinalcountytoday.com.