[Source: Arizona Republic] -- Arizona is in its 95th year as a state. And wow, what a splendid ride through time it has been. The dramatic evolution - from an agriculture-based economy through mining's boom and bust cycles to the high tech and the information age to the biosciences - has been fast, furious, profound and defining. In five short years Arizona will be awash in centennial activities that will look back to where we were, offering an historical perspective that will be educational and impressionable. We'll also have activities that will look into the crystal ball and chart a course down the myriad paths on which we might venture in the next 100 years. Our past. Our future. What made Arizona the great state that it is today. Its people, rural and urban. Its diversity of cultures. Its rich heritage. Its mountains and deserts, landscapes that are drop-dead gorgeous. Its industry. Its phenomenal growth. Our ability to sustain what we have. Our ability to grow smartly. It is not too early to get excited about the Arizona Centennial in 2012. Not by a long shot. This week, Goodyear took an important step. The City Council authorized the earmarking of $47,548 to be deposited in a special state account. It is the first city to have done so. Over time, the hope is that other communities will make similar contributions. The aim is to raise $5 million from non-state sources - cities, towns, counties and Indian tribes - a threshold that will activate the release of $2.5 million in state-appropriated funds to assist in the financing of individual "legacy projects" for the Arizona Centennial celebration. As part of the Goodyear resolution, a centennial committee will be named in September to identify and develop Goodyear centennial projects. Project criteria formulated by the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission is specific, and include such things as portraying a significant aspect of Arizona history to including an education component to live on after 2012. Goodyear Mayor Jim Cavanaugh sees his city's contribution as a "jump start," and says, "It's something we need to get moving on because 2012 isn't that far off," he says. Goodyear just happened to be the first out of the box. Surely, other West Valley cities and towns can emulate Goodyear and give the Arizona Centennial a boost. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
