By Pete Aleshire for Payson Roundup
The festering conflict between Payson Mayor Kenny Evans and Rim Country Educational Alliance (SLE) Chairman Steve Drury broke into the open Thursday over contrasting plans for buying 253 acres to build a university campus in Payson.
Criticism of Evans dominated the meeting otherwise headlined by good news for the years-long effort to convince Arizona State University to operate a 6,000-student campus in Payson.
Drury said the Forest Service is willing to sell extra land, a developer is ready to front money for plans and purchase, and ASU is ready to sign an agreement to build the campus.