The Arizona cities and towns of Queen Creek, Oro Valley and Yuma are making 2014 a celebration of their past, present, and future. In honor of Queen Creek’s 25th year as an incorporated town, its residents are invited to help design a special commemorative flag. Designs are encouraged to include symbols, original logos, text, and anything residents believe represents their unique community. While all submissions will be featured on the town’s websites and various social media outlets, the winner will enjoy having his or her flag flown proudly in Queen Creek during the rest of year.

To recognize its 40th year as an incorporated town, Oro Valley will be encouraging its students, K-12, to participate in  a “Life in OV” art contest. Entries may include  simple artwork or photography, or even a video clip, altered image, or digital collage for the especially tech savvy. Each participant should include a brief explanation of how their creation embodies life in Oro Valley.  All artwork entries will be displayed at Oro Valley Town Hall, and Mayor Hiremath will announce  the four lucky winners at Steam Pump Ranch. Winners will not only enjoy a special lunch invitation with the Mayor himself, but a $100 gift card and even a family four pack of day passes to the town’s Aquatic Center.

The City of Yuma will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and residents and visitors will not want to miss the official April 7th kick-off to the city’s Centennial Celebration.  Attendees will enjoy the proclamation by Mayor Doug Nicholls and the lighting of the new Main Street signs by Governor Brewer.  The talented Ms. Arizona will even be singing the National Anthem. On the 9th, the city’s Art Center will unveil  a photo display 100 years in the making. Residents will not only get a glimpse of what life has been like in Yuma from 1914 to now, but will do so enjoying live entertainment and light refreshments. Anyone with a photo to contribute to this special display may contact the Yuma Art Center at 928.373.5202.

Monday, Jan. 20 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and celebrations in 2014 will serve to strengthen communities and accomplish collective goals. The Corporation for National and Community Service has set this day aside as a day of service nationwide, to honor the memory and service of Dr. King. Many of Arizona’s cities and towns will honor Dr. King’s commitment to creating positive community change through various clean-up tasks and volunteer projects.

Phoenix volunteers will come together to for a special garden harvest project that will provide a healthy food source to low income residents.

Nearly 200 of Glendale participants will spend the day at Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area picking citrus for use in food boxes from St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.

Show Low volunteers and employees will meet at their City Hall to carry out various community cleaning assignments.

City of Mesa participants will take the day to show their appreciation for a retired Air Force Veteran by painting the exterior of his home

Clearly, cities and towns in Arizona are committed to, as Show Low says, transforming the holiday from a “day off” to a “day on.”  

Cities and towns in Arizona are safe places to live- thanks to the many who serve  daily on municipal public safety forces. We are grateful for the many first  responders who keep our cities and towns working day in and day out.

In the Town of Oro Valley, Police Chief Daniel Sharp keeps safety at the forefront.

Chief Sharp has served as Chief of Police since January 2000 and is an  extraordinary asset to the town. In addition to implementing a community  policing strategy, he has demonstrated a commitment to community programs  such as Adopt-A-Business, Project Graduation and the School Resource Officer  Program. In fact, under his leadership, the Oro Valley Police Department’s School  Resource Officers (SRO) Unit was chosen as a model SRO agency by the Arizona School Resource Officers Association.

In August, Chief Sharp was named recipient of the Greater Oro Valley Chamber of  Commerce 2013 Legacy Award in recognition of his long-term contributions to  the well-being of the Greater Oro Valley community.

Oro Valley Mayor Satish I. Hiremath add, “Not only has he created a safe environment in which we can thrive, but he has also taught our children the values of respect, honesty and integrity through public safety.”

Thank you, Chief Sharp! You are one of the many reasons why Arizona Cities and Towns work!