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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.]