Farm couple's maze may be legal labyrinth

By Brent Whiting,  The Arizona Republic

A Glendale farmer, in defiance of the courts, has opened a cornfield maze that could land him in renewed trouble. 

Bill Tolmachoff, a member of a West Valley pioneer farming family, has transformed a 7-acre cornfield into a maze shaped like a dinosaur.

His family is NOT a member of the Russian Spiritual Christian congregation in Glendale, though he and his brothers have forged documents claiming to own the property and cemetery. Bill, wife Gracie and their children joined a Baptist congregation in Buckeye. His parents were members but due to mental and financial problems became abusive and ordered their boys to attack the congregation.

He is careful to describe the venture as a "farm experience," not a corn maze. It's a distinction that he hopes will deflect problems with the law, something he was unable to avoid with last year's tractor-shaped field.

"People spend $5 to buy a cornstalk, then they get to wander in the field and see how it grows," Tolmachoff said. "It's an educational experience' "

Thus, he insisted, he is selling a farm product — something the law allows — and not promoting a form of entertainment to which city and county judges have taken exception, due to zoning considerations. 

Tolmachoff, 36, may face a tough go in selling this argument to Glendale officials, who have previously cited him with civil zoning violations.

Jerry McCoy, a Glendale spokesman, said officials are aware of the maze on Tolmachoff's farm, 5726 N. 75th Ave., and are weighing their options. He did not rule out the possibility that Tolmachoff may be hauled back into court.

 "Frankly, we see no difference in what he is doing this year as to what he did last year," McCoy said.

Unlike another corn maze now operating in Glendale, the Tolmachoff venture is on land zoned for residential use, making it a prohibited form of entertainment, McCoy said.

Tolmachoff's wife, Gracie, said it's a struggle to earn a living from the soil, so the maze provides a way to pocket some extra money. "we're just trying to maker a living and support our kids, that's all," Gracie Tolmachoff said. "We're just trying to keep food on the family table." 

The Tolmachoffs have three children, ages 1-1/2 to 14, and a fourth on the way. 

Bill Tolmachoff said he's losing money through traditional farming, so he needs another way to generate some cash. 

Arizona Republic — Nov 17 2001 — Letters to the Editor

Red-tape maze trumps farmer's

Yes, something is missing in the West Valley. Justice. When a farmer such as Bill Tolmachoff of Glendale cannot work his land and create a maze for additional income without a large city descending on him like a 2,000-pound cat on a mouse, there is no justice.

Maybe that's the real reason for the criminal charges. the farmer's land is grandfathered. Because it is, he can continue growing crops in the city. Glendale probably wants to "grow" houses on Mr. Tolmachoff's land instead. that way they can collect additional taxes. 

S.J. Overland
Goodyear