Eloise Jones – Tonto Community Concert Association & Mogollon Health Alliance.

Ms. Eloise Jones has lived in the Rim Country since 1991 where she works as a nurse and a yarn shop instructor. Eloise is President of Tonto Community Concert Association (TCCA) and Vice President of the Mogollon Health Alliance (MHA).

How do you think a 4 year university campus will impact Payson when it is completed?

I feel there would be a positive impact in several areas within our community. Added business activity for our merchants for sure, plus new businesses moving to town will improve revenue and fill in the open spaces in our shopping centers.

Phil Ryder – Hike, Bike, and Run.

Phil Ryder has been coming to the Rim Country from Gold Canyon, AZ since 1992. He is very familiar with the area and loves all of the outdoor amenities that Payson has to offer. Phil does not belong to any organizations yet. However, he plans to do so once he is more established in the area. Phil recently purchased Hike Bike and Run Shop here in Payson. Phil is photographed with his black lab 12 week old puppy, Hubs.

When we have a four year university campus here in Payson, how do you think it will impact the community?

I believe the university will bring a vitality to the town of Payson, bring in young people and give the community a jump-start.

Emily – High School Senior and Gila Community College Student

When we have a four year university campus here in Payson, how do you think it will impact the community?

Having a four year university would definitely help Payson, because it will bring in new industry, people and jobs. It would give the young people of this community more opportunity’s as well as bring more youth to our community. The development of new commercial businesses and housing will bring more jobs to our community.

Alec Barland – Arizona State University Senior

“Most of the kids at ASU don’t know about Payson. They are missing out on a great community. A local college would “push kids to try harder in high school,” Alec observed.

Renee Wakem – Payson Senior Circle Volunteer

Renee resides in Strawberry. She’s lived in Payson part-time since 2007, and full-time for the past year and a half. She retired to the Rim Country after living in San Diego for 53 years. She volunteers at Payson Senior Circle, and she’s got a great big smile.

When we have a four year university campus here in Payson, how do you think it will impact the community?

More jobs. More shops. More traffic, but that won’t be a big deal. The campus will draw people here, they won’t leave. Students will transfer here from the Valley. Hopefully we’ll have better transportation, like buses or shuttles.

Paulette Barger – Payson Senior Circle Volunteer

Paulette retired to Payson from the Ahwautukee area, where she lived for 30 years. Prior to that, she was a resident of Chicago. A volunteer at Payson Senior Circle, she’s got a great laugh and a twinkle in her eye.

When we have a four year university campus here in Payson, how do you think it will impact the community?

We’ll be a little larger town. We’ll also have better health facilities, which will be good. More positions will be available, though a lot of those may go to students. The town will grow and we won’t be a sleepy little town anymore.