January/February
The Road Ahead
Over the years, we have all worked very hard to make the City of Glendale the best that it can be. Our accomplishments have surpassed even our most ambitious expectations. Now, it is important that we also acknowledge the issues that we face ahead.
We are all well aware of the downturns in our national, state and local economies. We are in the middle of the most unstable period in many years and there is no way for any of us to know when it will turn around. However, an optimist might say that positive changes can result from difficult times. During this turbulent period, all forms of government and business are forced to find ways to cut expenses and do the most with the least resources. Ideally, the solutions we reach will result in leaders, at all levels, being more prepared for future situations.
Our past initiatives and actions, which thankfully have had your support, have allowed the City of Glendale to avoid the massive cuts and layoffs that other cities are experiencing. Our economic development efforts have created new ways for our city to earn the revenues needed to provide the types and quality of services that you want, need and deserve. But Glendale, like all other cities, is still feeling a pinch. We have made significant reductions to our general fund operating budget and a hiring freeze has been implemented for vacant positions. We strive to make cuts in areas that are going to have the least possible impacts on services to you, the Glendale citizens.
I encourage all of you to involve yourself in important decisions at all levels of government that are going to directly affect your everyday lives. At the local level, we will begin our budget workshops in March and I ask that you all stay involved during this very crucial time.
We will do everything we can to continue providing you with the best possible service using the fewest possible resources.
November/December
World Tour of Dining
During the holiday season, we are often busy with family events and activities. If you find yourselves short on time and looking for a quality dining experience, I invite you to try one of our downtown options.
Downtown Glendale is unique in that someone could dine in a different region of the world every night of the week. For my column, I have highlighted a few of our downtown eateries that would be ideal stops along a World Tour of Dining.
Haus Murphy’s offers authentic German food in an old world atmosphere with frequent live entertainment and celebrations. Located at 5739 West Glendale Avenue, Haus Murphy’s won AZcentral’s 2008 Critic’s Choice Award for Best German Restaurant.
If you feel like cuisine from another region of Europe, the owners and chef at A Touch of European Café will serve up authentic Polish classics at their intimate café, located at 7146 North 57th Drive in our Catlin Court area.
You can complete the European leg of the world dining tour with a trip to La Piazza Al Forno, located at 58th and Glendale Avenues. With its fresh Italian dishes and brick oven-baked pizzas, La Piazza Al Forno will be featured this winter on the Food Network’s popular program, Diners, Drive-in’s and Dives.
If you have a taste for something on the other side of the world, you can make the easy trip from Europe to Asia without having to even get in your car.
ZANG Asian Bistro is on 58th Drive, just south of Glendale Avenue and offers an array of dishes from several Asian countries, including China, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore. At ZANG Asian Bistro, you will be treated to a fine dining experience in a beautifully decorated, serene setting.
Little Saigon offers over 100 delicious Vietnamese dishes in a charming downtown Glendale cottage. Located at 7016 North 57th Avenue, Little Saigon has been named the Best Vietnamese restaurant by the REP and the New Times.
If you are in the mood for some flavor from just south of the border, downtown Glendale has several options for Mexican food. Just north of Glendale Avenue, along 58th
Avenue, you will find Bitzee Mama’s, a country-style eatery serving up authentic Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Located just up the street from Bitzee Mama’s at 7123 North 58th Avenue, you can find Cee Cee’s on the Corner. Cee Cee’s serves up home-style Mexican in a quaint Catlin Court bungalow.
With over 60 years of history and tradition, La Perla is Glendale’s oldest family-owned restaurant. Located at 5912 West Glendale Avenue, La Perla is a local favorite for Mexican food connoisseurs.
These are just some of the many local delights that we have for dining in downtown Glendale. Visit www.visitglendale.com for a more complete list of dining options.
Hope to see you there!
September/October
Luke Air Force Base and the West Valley Partners
On July 9, Luke Air Force Base hosted a change of command ceremony to say goodbye to General Noel “Tom” Jones and welcome a new leader of the 6th Fighter Wing, Colonel Kurt F. Neubauer.
Colonel Neubauer was previously the Commander of the 11th Wing, Bolling Air Force Base in Washington D.C. He has served in numerous operational flying and staff assignments. He is a command pilot with over 3,350 flying hours in the F-16, including combat operations over Iraq. Colonel Neubauer has told us that he is elated to return to Luke and has already reached out to establish positive and productive relationships with the west valley communities.
As the largest fighter wing and only active duty F-16 training base in the world, Luke Air Force Base makes a very significant contribution to the security of our nation and the economy of our state. Luke has also been an extremely important partner to our community and to all Arizona cities. It goes without saying that we need to do everything within our power to protect both the ability of the Base to continue with its crucial responsibility now and in the future.
In the fall of 2006, Glendale took a lead role in forming the West Valley Partners, a coalition of fourteen West Valley communities, including the city of Phoenix and Maricopa County. The West Valley Partners’ purpose is to band together to protect the long-term viability of Luke’s mission. The West Valley Partners established a contract with a federal lobbyist to ensure Luke Air Force Base’s interests are represented and protected in Washington D.C. and at the State Legislature. My office is responsible for the oversight of the coalitions’ strategic plan and serves as the liaison to the consultant firm - Hyjek & Fix, LLC.
Since the West Valley Partners were formed, our consultants have worked tirelessly to protect Luke’s mission and keep us informed of any actions that may have an effect on the future of the Base. The West Valley Partners recently released Luke Forward, an 8-minute documentary about the importance of the Base which highlights the Base’s impact on our nation, state and communities and its long-term mission capabilities. You can see Luke Forward on Glendale Channel 11.
Besides being our nation’s protectors, the men and women stationed at Luke AFB are also our neighbors here in Glendale. As you see them in stores, at your children’s schools, in your churches and temples, at sporting events and all throughout our community, please thank them for their selfless service.
May/June
From the Heart
Over the past several years I have written about how your contributions to From the Heart help non-profit agencies provide essential human services to those in need. In the past few months I have had an opportunity to personally witness the power of this incredible program.
Many of you know that my dad passed away in June. Throughout his life, Dad looked for ways to help others. Whether he was loaning out tools from his well-stocked garage, helping someone remodel or repair their home, or unhesitatingly writing a check, Dad was always there for those in need.
We all know there are folks who prefer to contribute to a special cause “in lieu of flowers”. When thinking of which organization to direct family and friends’ contributions to in honor of Dad, From the Heart seemed the perfect choice. From the Heart helps many organizations, diverse in their missions, and reaches far into our community. Sounded just like Dad.
The fact that the BHHS Legacy Foundation matches all contributions to From the Heart by 50 percent made the choice even better. My dad was definitely good with finances; 50% return on an investment would be right up his alley.
Through the generosity of family and friends (including some of you reading this column), close to $7,000 has been received in honor of Dad. That money will multiply into more than $10,000 once the Legacy Foundation match is applied. This spring a group of community members will volunteer their time to review applications and decide how those funds, and the rest of this year’s contributions, will be awarded to organizations that serve Glendale residents. I am humbled and proud at the same time to know so many will be helped in Dad’s memory.
I would like to encourage you to also consider naming From the Heart in situations when you give your family and friends a suggestion of what to send “in lieu of flowers or gifts”. What can be better than giving a donation that will multiply by 50% and make a difference in the lives of hundreds.
Please visit our city website, glendaleaz.com, for more information on From the Heart. You will find it listed under “Quick Links” on the left side of the website’s opening page.
Thank you for your continued generosity to make life better for countless Glendale residents.
November-December
Legislative Link
The City of Glendale’s Intergovernmental Programs Department offers a great program that keeps citizens engaged and informed about quality of life issues that affect our neighborhoods and community. The Legislative Link program was created last year and is very popular among Glendale residents. The schedule for the upcoming sessions will be completed shortly with classes starting sometime late in November or early December.
Legislative Link consists of several interactive sessions that provide citizens the knowledge and tools necessary to participate in the legislative process and to track hot issues as they move through the legislature. Neighborhood Day at the Capitol is one component of the Legislative Link program that is already scheduled for Thursday, January 17. Neighborhood Day gives individuals a chance to take a bus trip from downtown Glendale to the State Capitol where they are given the opportunity to meet with their state legislators. To get more information about Legislative Link and Neighborhood Day at the Capitol call the Intergovernmental Programs Department at 623-930-2813 or send an e-mail to dburt@glendaleaz.com.
It is very important that Glendale citizens familiarize themselves with the legislative process and the issues that affect our community. When I recently held a community meeting, payday loan stores were a very hot topic. Payday loan stores are businesses that offer small, short term loans against a person’s paycheck or other source of income. These businesses then charge fees that are often equal to an annual percentage of more than 350%. I was asked about the large numbers of payday loan stores that are popping up in cities around the valley and what was being done to regulate these businesses. The answer is that cities cannot do much. Glendale has done as much as is legally possible.
Payday loan stores are allowed in Arizona because of state legislation that passed in 2000. The bill established licensing procedures and also specified that the fees would not be held to the 36% cap on annual interest that had been established by Arizona State Statute. The law that establishes the licensing procedures for the payday lenders to conduct business will expire in 2010.
This is just one of the countless examples of legislation that is passed annually that has a significant affect on our everyday lives. I encourage all of you to sign up for Legislative Link and become involved with issues as they pass through the legislature.
August-September
Super Bowl XLII
As we get closer to Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, we will all be hearing a lot about the significance of the big game. There will be extensive discussion about the impact that the Super Bowl will have on Arizona’s economy as well as putting Glendale “on the map” as an international destination city. But, what else does the Super Bowl mean to our Glendale residents? As we prepare to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, we are going to make every effort to put our best “game face” on and our actions will have a lasting positive effect on the day-to-day lives of all that call Glendale home.
Although mega-events like the Super Bowl are taking place in western Glendale, the effect will not be lost on other areas of our city. We will use Super Bowl related events to promote all areas of Glendale and are working especially hard to link these activities with our downtown in order to establish a vibrant city center for our business owners, residents and visitors. The Councilmembers and I approved a one-year budget expenditure for downtown beautification and promotional efforts, including streetscape improvements, security staffing and downtown marketing activities. We have created a one-year pilot project to establish a shuttle from the sports and entertainment district to downtown Glendale. The pilot project will be used to gauge interest for the service and examine the possibility of establishing a long term shuttle. The downtown pedestrian enhancement project and downtown parking structure currently under construction are both scheduled to be completed by January.
There are a large number of beautification projects taking place throughout Glendale. Many of the projects that will improve the appearance and functionality of Glendale are scheduled to be finished before the Super Bowl. We have completed numerous landscaping projects in high impact areas of the city, such as Glendale Avenue and Bell Road. An asphalt overlay project will also be completed along Glendale Avenue this fall. A new signage project has been approved and we will soon have attractive permanent fixtures that will welcome visitors and direct people to various attractions throughout the city.
All of the efforts that are going into presenting ourselves to the world in February will produce results that all of our Glendale residents can be proud of during Super Bowl week. They will also add permanent amenities that all of us will enjoy for years to come.
May/June
Glendale Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission
Each year at this time we celebrate the accomplishments of the teens who served on my Glendale Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission (MYAC) during the current school year and we also begin accepting applications for the upcoming school year. MYAC was created as a way to foster leadership and a sense of community pride among the youth of our community. Each group of teens has, in turn, continuously inspired all of us with their fresh insights and perspectives.
MYAC consists of 50 high school students with representatives from public and private schools both in Glendale and other cities. Each MYAC member completes numerous community service projects, attends City Council meetings and serves on a MYAC subcommittee.
One annual MYAC event is Student Government Day, where each member has the opportunity to shadow a city department head or elected official. MYAC has its own monthly television show called Teens Today that is produced by Glendale Channel 11 and focuses on positive contributions that teens make to their schools, neighborhoods and communities. This year, I was able to join several of the MYAC members at the State Capitol for the first annual Youth Leadership Day, where they were able to meet their legislators and network with other youth commissions from around the state.
Each and every year I am amazed by the energy and accomplishments of this group. This year, members of MYAC were determined to build a partnership with the Glendale Family Development Center to help enrich the lives of Glendale families. They decided that they wanted to build an outdoor mosaic at the playground of the center. The members of MYAC took it upon themselves to learn the technical details of building a mosaic out of ceramic tile and the finished product was extremely impressive. We then had an unveiling festival where all of the families that belong to the Center joined us for an afternoon of games, food and entertainment.
Applications for next year’s commission are currently available on the city’s website. Any high school student that resides within Glendale’s corporate boundaries is eligible to apply. You can obtain more information about MYAC by calling the Office of the Mayor at 623-930-2260. Please tell your friends and family about this exciting opportunity.
Viewing teens as assets to our community goes a long way in educating and empowering our youth and also positively impacting the future of our community.
March/April
United States Air Force Celebrates 60th Anniversary
The United States Air Force is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The Department of the Air Force, an agency of the Department of Defense, was created on September 18, 1947, through the National Security Act. Prior to 1947, there was a division of the Army called the Army Air Corps. The United States Air Force has been a cornerstone of America’s defense and has served our nation by deploying airmen around the world to perform in military action, serve as peacekeepers and provide humanitarian assistance.
In 1941, the United States was preparing for possible participation in World War II. Glendale found itself at the heart of these preparations. First, Thunderbird Field, a U.S. Army’s civilian training program, was established at what is now the Garvin School of International Management at 59th Avenue and Greenway Road. While Thunderbird Field was being created, the Army Air Corps was rushing forward plans for a much larger flight training base 10 miles west of Glendale. Luke Field, as it was known at the time, was constructed on 1,440 acres of land. Luke field offered advanced flight training and, like Thunderbird, brought many thousands of airmen, along with new jobs and residents, to Glendale. Since this time, Luke Field has become Luke Air Force Base and has not only played a vital role in the security of the United States, but has been an important partner and economic engine for our City and State.
It is important that we honor the important role that the United States Air Force has played in the history of our nation and the impact that Luke Air Force Base has had on both the United States and the City of Glendale. Air Force Week is an event that gives citizens the opportunity to see and meet active duty officers and to tell their amazing story of the Air Force. The inaugural Air Force Week took place last year in St. Louis and, due to its success, the Air Force Week program has expanded to six locations this year. One of these locations is right here in Glendale. The other five selected locations for Air Force Weeks in 2007 are Sacramento, St. Louis, the New England region, Honolulu and Atlanta.
When you see the airmen from our United States Air Force, or soldiers from any of our branches of military, be sure and say hello and thank them for their service to our country.
January/February
Year In Review
I want to thank each one of you for your tremendous support during 2006. Together we have accomplished so much for our city today and far into the future.
Major improvements continued to take place in our downtown. In May we unveiled our beautiful new downtown plaza and 10,000 square feet of meeting and office space in our new civic center annex.
Our newly redesigned and expanded, Rose Lane Aquatic Center also opened in May. This family-friendly facility received the 2006 Outstanding Facility Award at the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association (APRA) state conference.
The Grand Avenue Corridor Project was completed in July. The final stretch included the creation of two underpasses where Grand intersects with 59th Avenue and with Glendale Avenue, marking the completion of a modernization of this historic thoroughfare.
Our downtown dining district continues to blossom with a wide variety of ethnic eateries. We have established grant programs to encourage new restaurants in downtown Glendale and the results have been delicious.
Northern Glendale has also experienced positive change. An ideal tenant was found for the former Honeywell building on Bell Road. AAA established a corporate office that will create up to 1400 jobs over the first three years, making it one of the city’s five biggest employers.
Our Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center opened in September. This 69,800 square-foot recreation building and outdoor aquatics area offers exciting activities for Glendale families.
As I am sure you have noticed, we have experienced quite a few changes in western Glendale. The new multi-purpose NFL stadium was named one of the world’s top 10 sports facilities in the world by BusinessWeek magazine before it even opened its doors. Since August, the stadium hosted its first full NFL season and several other monumental events.
Near the stadium are other projects of huge magnitude. The first phase of Westgate City Center is now open and includes 500,000 square feet of state-of-the-art retail, office and dining space. Just across Glendale Avenue, is Cabela’s, an outdoor sporting mega-store that expects 3 million visitors in its first year of business.
What we accomplished in 2006 is more than what most cities accomplish in a decade. We look forward to 2007 with enthusiasm and anticipation.
I wish the best of health and happiness to you and your family throughout the New Year.
August/September
Long Standing Glendale Businesses While exciting new development is taking place throughout Glendale, it is important that we remember those businesses that have been here with us, and for us, through the years. Those businesses have been vital to our economy and our history, and will prove to be just as important to our future. The businesses I am highlighting this month are ones that have invested heavily in Glendale in many different ways. Auto dealerships always play an important role in every city’s economy and Glendale is no exception. Several Glendale dealerships have decided to renew their commitment to downtown and have made large capital investments in the area. The owners of the following dealerships have proven over time that they are committed to giving back to our community.
- Sands Chevrolet has been in downtown Glendale since 1934. Owner Buzz Sands has recently re-invested in the area with a major $15 million reconstruction project at 53rd and Grand Avenues that is in its final stages.
- Sanderson Ford came to the downtown area in 1955. General Manager David Kimmerle and his wife Sue invested over $5 million in the construction of a sales and service center at 51st and Grand Avenues, completed in 2003.
- West Valley Nissan has been located on Glendale Avenue since 1971. Recently owners David Guida and Pat Neve re-committed to downtown Glendale with the completion of a $750,000 exterior upgrade.
Other types of businesses have also been here for decades and have been a strong presence in our community. Bill and Darlene Toops purchased Pueblo Publishers in 1976 and began circulating our hometown newspaper - The Glendale Star. Bill V., Darlene and their son Bill E., the General Manager of the company, have all served as Chairman of the Board for the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and have spent years promoting Glendale. Cerreta’s Candy Company moved to Glendale in 1989. Each year, the Chocolate Affaire gets bigger and better with Cerreta’s dedication to producing one of Glendale’s best festivals. Who hasn’t dreamt of winning the 300-pound chocolate heart that Cerreta’s donates every year as a fundraiser for my Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission? The Glendale Chamber of Commerce has served as a voice for many of our longstanding Glendale businesses since 1927 and has evolved into the largest and most well respected chamber in the West Valley. New capital improvements are very exciting and important to our economy. However, longstanding Glendale businesses have gotten us where we are today and will continue to help shape our future.
March/April Glendale Leading The Way in Economic Development Projects There is no denying it; in terms of quality, quantity and diversity of economic development projects, Glendale is leading the way! That is what I told a large group of attendees recently during my 2006 State of the Business Community Address at the Glendale Chamber of Commerce’s annual luncheon. What our city has accomplished lately has unequivocally led to our stature in the Valley as the “happening place.” And, this flurry of activity is occurring throughout our community for the benefit of all residents, such as:
- A new $25 million downtown development is scheduled this summer that will include owner-occupied town homes, commercial and retail space. In addition, a new bed-and-breakfast and two new restaurants recently opened in our city center.
- Nearly 400,000 people attended ticketed events at the Jobing.com Arena last year. This included the top five concert tours in the nation. Our Glendale Municipal Airport is benefiting directly from our busy arena with increased corporate jet traffic and fuel sales.
- In addition to all the blockbuster concerts and events inside our arena, there is a lot happening outside the venue too! Construction is underway on Westgate City Center Phase I. The 320-room, four-diamond Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center is being built next to the Jobing.com Arena.
Zanjero, a mater-planned development on the north side of Glendale Avenue is also under construction, with Cabela’s – the world’s foremost outfitter of hunting, fishing, camping and outdoor gear – as the major tenant. Zanjero will also include three hotels, restaurants, office buildings, and residential choices. Glendale’s recent development project with the Arizona Automobile Association (AAA) affirms that we are a place where businesses will be successful. AAA will generate up to 1,400 new jobs over the next three years at its new location on 53rd Avenue and Bell Road. All parts of our city --- center, north and west --- are experiencing unprecedented high-quality economic development. At the same time we maintain our focus on providing the highest level of services to all residents and neighborhoods. Thank you for your continued support for our efforts and pride in our city.
November/December 2005 With the year quickly drawing to a close, this is a good time to reflect on a few of the major projects that were either started or completed in 2005 to keep our quality of life in Glendale at the highest level possible. During this past year, we addressed many important needs that will positively impact our community for years to come. Keeping public safety our highest priority continued in 2005. This summer, we opened the city’s ninth fire station to enhance response times to citizens. Fire Station 159 on 63rd Avenue just north of Bell Road, also features a Rapid-Response Team that enhances our capabilities in responding to special rescues and large-scale emergencies. This year, we accelerated the design and construction of our new Emergency Operations Center and Regional Public Safety Training Facility. Construction will begin in 2006 on these two critical enhancements to our public safety infrastructure. Several activities occurred in our downtown this year that will increase the economic and social vitality of the area. One project is the reconstruction of the Grand Avenue intersection at Glendale and 59th avenues, probably one of the most massive transportation endeavors our city has ever experienced. A new bridge carrying Glendale and 59th avenues over Grand will open this month. Completion of the bridge will improve access to our historic district, just in time for our festival season! The vision created by residents and business owners and incorporated into the voter-approved City Center Master Plan/Glendale General Plan included new home ownership opportunities in downtown Glendale. In 2005 Vanguard City Home purchased land to turn that vision into reality. Construction will begin in 2006 on two projects that will feature town house and loft-style housing over ground-floor retail and office space. These will be the first residential projects in our downtown in more than 50 years! Another of the City Council’s highest priorities is providing quality recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. In 2005, construction began on the long-awaited Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center on Union Hills Drive in north Glendale. This new facility will serve be a community amenity for all residents -- from toddlers to senior adults – and a place to enjoy a myriad of physical and social activities. I want to thank all of you who have supported our city in our remarkable endeavors, in 2005 and in the past few years. Your confidence, enthusiasm, and encouragement have contributed greatly to the continual improvement of the quality of life. With your help we will continue to reach for our best possible future for all of Glendale. I wish you all a safe holiday season and a new year of goodwill and happiness in 2006!
June/July 2005 Public Safety Remains Our Highest Priority The Councilmembers and I recently completed a series of seven study sessions to finalize Glendale’s budget priorities for the upcoming 2005-06 fiscal year, which begins July 1. Two new projects that will receive substantial funding – Glendale’s Emergency Operations Center and the West Valley Regional Training Facility – represent a continuation of our efforts to ensure public safety remains our highest priority. Unfortunately, it seems like every week we read and hear about natural and human-caused disasters that have devastated communities. Just over the last 10 years in Glendale, we have dealt with several widespread emergencies, including a damaging “microburst” storm, a chlorine chemical spill, power outages and a potentially disastrous hostage situation at a school. What we learned over time from these local emergencies is that, while our response was good, it was not as coordinated as it should be. As a result, we are making a financial commitment to better prepare for and reduce the impacts of these unexpected events. Our new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will enable us to respond much more effectively by having all city departments and other government agencies working and communicating with one another from one integrated work space. The EOC will be located on the same campus as our new West Valley Regional Training Facility. We are pursuing partnerships with West Valley cities to help finance this project so all new fire and police recruits throughout the region can be trained at this facility. The academy will also provide continued, specialized training for public safety employees. Additionally, private sector corporations with similar needs to train employees to respond to large-scale emergencies are interested in being Glendale’s partners in this facility. The West Valley Regional Training Facility is needed to ensure there is enough fire and police protection for the increasing number of residents living in our fast-growing region. Currently, we send our recruits to Phoenix’s training academies. However, it is getting increasingly more difficult for Glendale and other West Valley cities to secure “training slots” there due to Phoenix’s own increasing training needs. Valleywide, close to 1,000 public safety personnel are expected to retire in the next few years. These professionals from our police and fire departments will depart at the same time that population growth will require all of us to increase the number of fully-trained officers and firefighters to maintain response times and levels of service. This presents a tremendous challenge to us to find a way to properly train new recruits in a timely manner. Providing training to our public safety personnel and preparing for unexpected emergencies represents Glendale’s ongoing commitment of doing all that we can to protect lives and property in our city. We’ll continue developing new resources to further safeguard our community and enhance the quality of life for you, our residents.
April/May 2005 Teens Service to City Nothing Short of Inspiring Each year, 50 talented and energetic Glendale teenagers begin one-year terms as members of my Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission (MYAC). The teens, who live in neighborhoods throughout our entire city, demonstrate the important value youth have in our community. Their ideas and dedication to our city are nothing short of inspiring. Under the leadership of Ironwood High School senior Preston Troy, who serves as MYAC’s president for the 2005-06 school year, the Commission has had an outstanding year planning community service projects and putting their creative ideas into practice. I’m so proud of these teenagers and want to share with you a few of their many projects. Over the holidays, the MYAC members’ “adopted” 12 children through the Salvation Army’s Christmas Angels program. In recent months, they have also hosted a carnival for children living at the West Valley Child Crisis Center, helped clean out litter and debris from Skunk Creek, and painted curb numbers to aid emergency responders in one of Glendale’s oldest neighborhoods and helped install new playground equipment at Bonsall Park. Fundraising is an important part of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission’s annual activities. By far, MYAC’s largest fundraiser is made possible by Cerreta’s Candy Company in downtown Glendale. Each year, Joe and Jerry Cerreta generously donate a 350-pound chocolate heart to the MYAC members, who then sell raffle tickets during our Glendale Chocolate Affaire festival. All of this money goes back to the community through MYAC-sponsored events such as those listed in the preceding paragraph. When the YWCA approached me last month with news that senior citizens in Glendale needed help with pet food expenses, my Commission members wasted no time organizing a pet food drive. Joey Wycoff, a Cactus High School senior, quickly mobilized the members, designed a campaign, and approached each Glendale high school to participate in the April 1 drive. Several years ago, teens participating in a MYAC-hosted Teen Town Hall looked for ways to raise the awareness of the positive contributions teenagers make in their community. That daylong Town Hall culminated in recommendations being developed and forwarded to the City Council for the teens to host a cable program on Glendale 11. TEENS TODAY has always had excellent involvement and contributions from MYAC members, and is flourishing this year under the leadership of Commission members Maria Hechanova and Leslie Troy. Providing our teens the chance to learn more about Glendale and to participate in meaningful ways are the cornerstones of MYAC. In addition to having a forum to express their ideas about city government, Commission members have opportunities to build community pride through service and to interact with teens from all areas of our city. If you know of a teen that wants to get involved in the Glendale Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission, please have them call my office to request an application for the 2005-06 school year.
Feb/March 2005 Jobing.com Arena - A Community Asset for Everyone to Use & Enjoy About the same time you read this newsletter, you will be hearing about “February Frenzy,” the Arizona State High School Basketball, Wrestling and Spirit Line Championships that will be held in our Jobing.com Arena. We are very proud to have been selected to host this exciting series of events for the next five years and are looking forward to welcoming the athletes and their coaches, friends, and family to Glendale. This year, the championship events will take place from February 5 through March 5. “February Frenzy” is coming to Glendale as the result of a formal agreement between our city and the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA). The AIA serves 239 member schools and over 250,000 students in Arizona in 22 state championships plus competitions in spirit line, music, speech, theatre, chess and JROTC. Glendale’s partnership with AIA underscores our ongoing commitment to make our arena a place for everyone in the community to use and enjoy. Since our arena opened, we have hosted reading programs for grade school students, job fairs for young adults and high school and college graduation ceremonies. We anticipate that our partnership with the AIA will be the first of many we will develop with other youth sports organizations. Youth sports are a central component in projects underway adjacent to the Jobing.com Arena and the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Youth football and soccer fields are currently being developed as part of the stadium facilities and will meet a critical demand for championship-quality youth sports venues in the Valley and state. The value of youth sports as a recreational activity, a means of becoming and staying physically fit and a way to build character needed to be productive in today’s society, cannot be overstated. For any young adult who has played a high school sport, memories created during practices, games and championships are those that last a lifetime. I can only imagine how it will feel for a high school student to experience competing in a world-class, major league arena. I’m sure it will be something that the students (and their families, friends and neighbors) will remember for the rest of their lives. It gives me great pleasure to know that we’ll be helping create those life-long memories right here in Glendale. When the Glendale City Council voted in 2001 to build the Jobing.com Arena, our commitment was that this city-owned facility would be a true community venue. Hosting AIA high school state championship events is one more way that we are fulfilling that original commitment. I look forward to seeing you at the Jobing.com Arena during “February Frenzy.”
September/October 2003 City Safe Campaign Our 2003 CITY S.A.F.E. (Survival and Family Education) campaign has served as a prime example of how the city of Glendale continues to collaborate with businesses, non-profit organizations and community groups to provide worthwhile programs and services to you, our residents. This year's initiative offered a variety of programs, events and activities each month through July on specific topics, such as child safety, household safety and auto-theft prevention. The goal of the campaign was very clear -- to inform and educate thousands of residents on the safeguards they should be taking to better protect themselves and their loved ones in a variety of settings both inside and outside the home. CITY S.A.F.E. went above and beyond a typical safety campaign to address some sensitive, yet important, topics that are important for all of us to know more about, including elder abuse, runaway children and child sexual abuse. I'm pleased to report that many positive outcomes were achieved through this year's campaign. The following are just some of the results:
- Stranger and gun safety presentations were conducted at 14 elementary schools in our city, reaching more than 1,400 third graders.
- More than 1,000 steering wheel locks were distributed to residents.
- 130 child car seats were examined in residents' vehicles by certified inspectors during a free child car seat inspection event at three locations throughout Glendale. This event proved to be very worthwhile to our residents as 95 percent of all the seats inspected were found to be incorrectly installed.
- 2,500 child ID kits were distributed to residents during Child Safety Month and more than 3,000 "How To Prepare For An Emergency" booklets were passed out during Household Safety Month.
- More than 1,000 older adults attended our senior safety and health fair in July, while another 1,000 residents attended a community safety fair in March.
- 673 Glendale youngsters were provided with free swim lessons.
I want to publicly recognize and thank our corporate sponsors who underwrote 100 percent of all our campaign expenses. They are Southwest Ambulance (presenting sponsor), APS, Arizona Cardinals, Arrowhead Community Hospital, Banner Thunderbird Medical Center and Midwestern University. CITY S.A.F.E. 2003 would not have been possible without their financial support of the campaign. In addition to their monetary contributions, our sponsors also were very involved in many of our programs and events. Also, a big thank you needs to go to the many non-profit organizations and community groups who provided expert speakers, informational materials and other resources throughout the course of our seven-month campaign. In addition, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the city departments and many employees throughout our organization, who spent countless hours developing and producing a campaign that will have a lasting impact on our community for several years to come. After all, the safety and well being of our residents is our city's most important priority! And, finally, I want to thank all of you who took the time to attend our various programs and events to learn more about the many topics we presented. Would you take just a few minutes and let me know what was most important to you – what additional information you wish we had offered – and what you feel would be the most valuable direction for CITY S.A.F.E. to take in 2004? Please e-mail me at mayorscruggs@glendaleaz.com; call (623) 930-2260 and leave the information with my office staff; or write me at Mayor Elaine Scruggs, City of Glendale, 5850 W. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301.
February/March 2003 New Transportation Policy Committee Critical to our Quality of Life One of the most demanding and complex issues facing our region today is transportation. The Valley's traffic congestion and air pollution are topics that we hear people talk about on any given day.
It should come as no surprise that Maricopa County is one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation. In fact, Maricopa County recently surpassed the three million-population mark, and urban planners forecast that our region's population could double within 40 years. How will we continue to accommodate the traveling needs of a growing population? What will the transportation priorities be 20 years from now? Where will the money come from to fund these projects? These are just a few of the questions facing the Maricopa Association of Government's Transportation Policy Committee that was recently created to develop a new Regional Transportation Plan. The plan, which will guide transportation investments in the Valley for the next 20 years, will identify and prioritize specific projects needed to keep pace with the increasing travel demands of citizens, businesses and visitors. The committee, which I co-chair, includes business leaders, local government officials, state legislators and freight and transit representatives. Having this diverse representation "at the table" from the beginning is crucial in building widespread support for the plan as it is being developed.
Projects will include all forms of transportation, such as roadways, light rail, transit, bicycle and pedestrian routes. Also, the new plan must conform to all federal air quality standards and be developed cooperatively by the Maricopa Association of Governments, the Arizona Department of Transportation and Valley Metro, the region's transit authority. The Regional Transportation Plan will be a critical component in helping voters decide whether to extend the existing half-cent sales tax, which was overwhelmingly approved by Maricopa County voters in 1985 to build our current freeway system. The current half-cent sales tax expires in 2005.
Unfortunately, a few years ago the State Legislature rescinded Maricopa County's authority to call for an election to propose sales tax measures (either new or existing) to its voters. Therefore, the State Legislature must first approve enabling legislation allowing for the County Board of Supervisors to call for an election before the ballot measure before it can be placed before the voters. Maricopa and Pima counties are the only counties in Arizona that do not have the legal authority to place sales tax measures on its election ballot. As we approach the end of the current half-cent transportation tax, it has become increasingly apparent that projected federal and state transportation funding sources will not sufficiently address all of the Valley's future transportation needs. For that reason, the Maricopa Association of Governments is proactively working to develop a new Regional Transportation Plan that will provide a variety of efficient and affordable transportation alternatives. Mobility that gives ample opportunities to access housing, employment, shopping, and entertainment choices enhances everyone’s quality of life.
May/June 2002 Emergency Preparedness is a Priority in Glendale Americans experienced a tremendous sense of loss and anxiety after the tragic events of September 11. We sought reassurance that somehow, someway, such an unexplainable tragedy could never happen again. Here in Glendale, citizens began to ask how they could be certain our city will at all times remain functional and able to provide public safety protection, a fresh water supply and adequate sanitary services. Understanding your natural concerns, we want to let everyone know that Glendale is pro-active in the area of emergency preparedness, and is viewed as the leader of a training coalition serving all fire agencies in the West Valley. In the past year, 775 firefighters received 14,440 hours of training from the West Valley Coalition to prepare them to respond to a myriad of disaster situations. Training exercises are conducted quarterly in various locations. During a recent drill, to test the resources of the Simple Triage and Rapid Transportation System, firefighters participated in a mock exercise that represented a bomb detonation with injuries to 20 people. This kind of real-life, hands-on training is vital to preparing emergency personnel here and in our neighboring communities. In appreciation, the city of Goodyear recently nominated Glendale for the prestigious Desert Peaks Awards for our excellence in emergency training. Since January, my office has been working with our Fire Department to emphasize the importance of both personal and home emergency preparedness through our CITY S.A.F.E. (Survival and Family Education) program. In addition, we have been actively working to develop an enhanced state of preparedness to better respond to natural and man-made threats. Glendale is one of four cities in Arizona to receive a grant from the federal government to purchase personal protective equipment for our firefighters and hazardous materials (hazmat) personnel. We also obtained additional funds through the State Domestic Preparedness program to purchase other items to complete a "cache," which in the event of a disaster would be made available to the state or any local jurisdiction needing the equipment. Another grant will allow the city to build a pharmaceutical storehouse to treat patients in case of biological or chemical attack. The local warehouse of medical supplies will be linked with the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile program, which maintains a repository of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical materials along with technical expertise that can be on-hand within hours of an incident. Glendale anticipates entering into a multi-year Metropolitan Medical Response System performance based contract, which involves training for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel and area hospitals. The $600,000 agreement assists in developing plans and processes for equipment and supplies needed in the event of mass casualty care, including pharmaceuticals, facility management and patient movement. As we all know, it’s difficult to predict when and where disasters may strike. But we want you to know that your city is making every effort possible to be prepared to respond if warranted, and to protect every one of you to the best of our ability.
March/April 2002 Businesses discover opportunity abounds in Glendale Recently, I spoke at the Glendale Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership meeting about our city’s economic accomplishments over the past year. I wanted to share some of those thoughts with Connection readers, as well. In recent months, our Economic Development Department assisted 18 companies who either located or expanded in Glendale, which will bring approximately 1300 new jobs to Glendale.
One of those employers, Bechtel Corporation, selected Glendale as the home for their largest administrative support office in North America. This global engineering and construction firm will employ as many as 500 people in their new offices at Talavi Business Park in north Glendale, along with Federated Insurance who is bringing its local support and sales office there. This business insurance company will initially bring 180 jobs to Glendale and is projected to grow. Combining these companies with Comdisco and Honeywell, we now have the nucleus of a major employment center. Several other growing companies have chosen to locate new facilities here including: American Ad Bag, a company that prints advertising on bags for numerous stores and other businesses; European Fine Foods, a company that specializes in food preparation and distribution; Precision Research, a corporate headquarters and advanced technology call center project; and, Poly-One, a Boston-based manufacturer and distributor of color concentrates for polymers. Each of these companies told us they chose Glendale because they recognize our city offers an opportunity to grow in an environment that provides excellent labor, an outstanding transportation network, reasonable operating costs and a very supportive political and business climate. Our economic development opportunities are also focusing on redeveloping under-performing properties in older areas of our city through our Visual Improvement Program. And, in a continued commitment to maintaining a strong city core and downtown, work is being concluded on a two-year effort by our citizens and our Economic Development Department on the development of a City Center Master Plan. As evidence of this revitalization effort, The Ellman Companies are working in partnership with us to develop Northern Crossing, a new retail center to be located on the southeast corner of 59th and Glendale avenues. Nothing about Northern Crossing will resemble its former identity as Manistee Town Center. Rather, Northern Crossing will offer the variety of shopping and dining opportunities that our residents have been telling us they need and want. And, of course, the other project that Ellman is working on. is the mixed-use, arena for the Coyotes that will provide Glendale and the West Valley with one of the most outstanding developments in the western United States. We are only at the starting point of turning our vision into reality. As the Valley grows, Glendale is becoming more and more centrally located. When the Valley is built out, the intersection of the 101 Freeway and Glendale Avenue will be the center of the Valley. Those who recognize that fact now will benefit and prosper from it in the future. I hope you will be among those who will succeed along with the city of Glendale. |
