Councilman Daniel T. Valenzuela has recently been honored with the “Community leader of the Year Award” by The Obesity Action Coalition. The award goes to an individual who actively engages the community on the major impact obesity can have on a person’s health. This award recognizes Councilman Valenzuela’s efforts in the creation of the city of Phoenix’s FitPHX program and Glendale Fire’s Healthier, Safer Lives program as a city of Glendale firefighter.

You can find more about why Councilman Valenzuela’s received the “Community Leader of the Year Award” below:

http://phoenix.gov/news/081913oacaward.html

NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website,  analyzed national and statewide data to determine the best places in Arizona for young families. The results are below. You can also find more information on how these cities were ranked here: http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/2013/best-towns-arizona-young-families/

1. Oro Valley

Oro Valley is a dynamic center of education and research. The town is home to a dozen high-tech firms, emerging as a regional center for the biotech industry and providing for lucrative employment opportunities. Oro Valley is distinguished by attractive qualities such as a median household income that is nearly 50% higher than the US median, a #1 FBI safety ranking in the state of Arizona and an excellent school district. Oro Valley’s BASIS Charter School is regularly ranked as one of the top ten high school programs in the country. Its students consistently outperform on both the statewide and national levels and go on to attend outstanding universities.

2. Scottsdale

Scottsdale is home to some of the country’s most gorgeous golf courses, an excellent school district and fantastic shopping. A number of its schools have earned top honors from the state government: Arcadia H.S., for example, was deemed “excelling” by the Arizona Department of Education. Beyond its great schools, Scottsdale is well known as a vacation hot spot and for all of the accompanying amenities. The city is fourth after only New York City, Las Vegas and Atlanta for the most five-diamond hotels in the country and boasts the highest number of destination spas per capita of any city in the U.S. Residents enjoy the city’s abundance of upscale restaurants, nightlife, art galleries and luxury shopping.

3. Buckeye

As one of the fastest-expanding suburbs over the last decade, Buckeye seemed to pop up overnight, with exponential economic growth and 22 master planned communities, expected to house more than 400,000 people by 2030. Family life today is already bright, too. Buckeye celebrates Countryfest in the fall, Pioneer Days in the spring, and a Fourth of July party in the summer. The town is also committed to maintaining its green spaces, with tree-planting initiatives, therefore earning the title of Tree City USA from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

4. Peoria

A major suburb of Phoenix, Peoria is considered a city with potential for advancement. It is the proud home of Lake Pleasant and its accompanying regional park, locally known as a “jewel in the desert”, boasting 10,000 acres of water, two marinas and boat and watercraft rentals galore. The park provides for exceptional recreational opportunities, including an extensive trail system for biking, camping and hiking; archaeological sites and even gliding lessons from the Turf Soaring School. Additionally, the city has an eye on glamorous high-end waterfront development and has already gained recognition as an educational destination for accommodating the Challenger Space Center, which hosts stargazing events and space-flight simulations.

5. Chandler

Chandler is a prominent suburb of the Phoenix metro area, with an impressive draw for high-tech career seekers. Its advanced computer-manufacturing industry, with Intel as Chandler’s top employer, attracts skilled workers from the area’s top universities and stimulates city growth and a healthy economy. Apart from its job opportunities, Chandler is also famous for its Ostrich Festival. During the 1910s, the city’s economy was sustained on ostrich farms to fulfill a demand for plumes used in women’s hats. Although that demand has now dwindled, Chandler commemorates its quirky origins with an annual celebration.

6. Sierra Vista

True to its name, which translates to “mountain view”, Sierra Vista is a haven for hikers, campers and all-around nature lovers. Bordering the city are the majestic Huachuca Mountains, rising nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, and the Miller Peak Wilderness area, which provides spectacular views. Other outdoor attractions include theKartchner Caverns, the Coronado National Forest and the Ramsey Canyon Preserve, a famous bird-watching attraction. In fact, Sierra Vista carries the nickname Hummingbird Capital of the United States since bird watchers from all around the world flock to observe and photograph hundreds of bird species.

7. Lake Havasu City

A popular tourist destination year-round, it seems that Lake Havasu City has something for everyone. In spring months, the city is joined by university students who seek out the city’s uplifting vibe, calm waters and warm beaches. Due to its lakeside location, Lake Havasu City is home to an abundance of water sports and boating competitions, including the International Jet Sports Boating Association World Finals. Additionally, many events center around the city’s central attraction, the London Bridge—a bridge that was actually imported from London’s Thames River in 1971. The bridge is incorporated into the city’s triathlons and marathons and makes for the perfect viewpoint for the Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair.

8. Gilbert

The town of Gilbert boasts a small-town feel with big-city appeal: its friendly community and safe neighborhoods are complemented by its progressive school districts and general appreciation for education. The Gilbert Public Schools District, for instance, employs the highest number of National Board Certified Teachers in the state: that’s 105 teachers who are recognized for their excellence and commitment to their profession. 

9. Prescott

Prescott’s downtown has regularly been recognized for its beauty. Its Courthouse Plaza stands alongside Central Park and Santa Monica Beach as one of the Great Public Spaces in the United States, according to the American Planning Association. Seven out of eight of Prescott Unified schools earned a letter grade of “B” or higher on theDepartment of Education’s statewide assessment of Arizona schools. This assessment is a comprehensive look at academic performance: scores on standardized tests, academic growth, dropout rate, graduation rate and ESL success. Education for adults is just as top-notch, too. Northern Arizona University maintains a Prescott campus that offers degrees in fields like education and public administration, while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offersbachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in a number of sciences, from aviation to electrical engineering.

10. Sahuarita

Sahuarita prides itself on its natural beauty and its strong educational system, for children and adults alike. The town boasts 7,000 acres of natural spaces, including pecan groves and agricultural fields. Sahaurita High’s music department recently got a big boost: the GRAMMY Foundation awarded the program $5,500 in grant money to support fine art education at the school. Furthermore, both the University of Arizona and Pima Community College have partnered with the school district to bring more higher education opportunities to the city.

The City of Apache Junction has recently received the United States Green Building Council’s “Heavy Medal” LEED certification award. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for energy conservation and sustainability.

According to City Manager George Hoffman, “LEED is a voluntary, market driven program. It is all about creating healthy spaces for employees and the public.”

The award ceremony was hosted by Paul Horton from Channel 5 News in Phoenix, and city of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton who was the keynote speaker at the event.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods that make economic sense.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and spearheaded by Robert K. Watson, Founding Chairman LEED Steering Committee from 1995 until 2006, LEED is intended to provide building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

Cottonwood is the first city or town in the state of Arizona to sponsor, support and participate in a water conservation program for students in all grades of elementary and middle school.

Students will learn about various water conservation topics in their school through curriculum developed by the Verde Natural Resource Conservation District (VNRCD). The Cottonwood City Council approved the implementation of this program in July and is working closely with the VNRCD to implement the new program, which will begin in the fall.

Kindergarten through fourth grade students will learn the basics of water conservation in a program called “Cottonwood Kids Conserve,” which emphasizes the importance of conserving water, especially in Arizona. A total of 1650 students in these grades will go through the program.

Older students in fifth through eighth grade will learn about conservation through a variety of topics each year, including groundwater, invasive water species, healthy agriculture and the economic impacts of water conservation. The program includes field trips for certain grades to the Dead Horse Ranch State Park and the Montezuma Well. Kindergartners will also have the opportunity to spend several days at the Cottonwood water and reclamation plants and visit the Verde River.

“The Cottonwood City Council is pleased to collaborate with many partners who care about our children and the important topic of conservation,” said Mayor Diane Joens. “It will be a great model for other teachers and schools to use in the future.”

Dog Fancy Cover

Dog Fancy Article

Dog Fancy Magazine named the city of Glendale regional runner-up in the Southwest in its 2013 DogTown USA ranking. With a dog population of 43,000, the city prides itself on offering dog-friendly businesses, attractions and amenities.

The article highlights Glendale’s four-legged community features such as two special dog parks that offer agility equipment;  an annual Dog Days of Summer event, sponsored by the Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau and downtown merchants; dining experiences for pet owners at various restaurants with patio seating and city dogs who work for various programs in the community. For example, the Glendale Library has a reading dog program, called Read with Jessie, the loveable Golden Retriever, at Foothills Library in which children can practice reading to a dog, helping them become more comfortable reading. The next sessions are Sept. 11 and Sept. 25 for children 5 years and older. To reserve a spot, call 623.930.3837.

The Glendale Fire Department has two working dogs; Gizzi accompanies Fire’s public education manager to schools to teach children fire safety measures, and Topaz serves as a crisis response dog, helping those impacted by traumatic situations. In addition, Glendale Fire carries special FIDO pet rescue bags, supported by community donations. The FIDO bag, created by a Glendale firefighter, are medical bags containing customized oxygen masks and other medical supplies specifically made to care for animals in emergency situations. The bags were placed on Glendale fire trucks in 2007 after the Sun Valley Animal Shelter made a generous donation of $4,000 to fund the FIDO bag program.  Glendale firefighters, having saved numerous animals using the FIDO bag equipment, believe the bags are a necessity since 70% of households have pets.

Projects and activities for local dogs are not the only reason that Glendale was selected by the magazine, as part of the process included evaluating whether Glendale serves as an optimal pet destination.

Approximately 58 percent of pet owners now travel with their pets, and dogs lead the pack as the most popular pet travel companion, according to Petsweekly.com.

“This information reflects an emerging travel trend, showing the importance of outreaching to visitors who travel with their favorite canine companion. For example, 78 percent of pet owners choose a hotel due to its pet-friendly policies and the Glendale CVB offers a list of pet-friendly hotels in the area,” said Lorraine Pino, Glendale CVB manager.

By Donyelle Kesler, Digital Information Specialist

When Recreation Division’s Customer Service Coordinator Marianne Fulton isn’t at her desk at the Queen Creek Library Recreation Annex entrance, the children attending pre-school, sports and recreation classes take notice.

“’Where’s Ms. Marianne?’ the kids will all ask,” Recreation Technician Rachel Thornton said. “They miss her if she’s not there to greet them.”

Despite having numerous responsibilities including handling class registration, answering phones, assisting with special events and other administrative responsibilities, Fulton has built a close rapport with all Recreation Annex visitors. “That’s my favorite part,” Fulton said. “I enjoy welcoming our students and families and getting to know everyone. I’ve always been in customer service and always try to ensure that people have a positive experience with us.”

A Queen Creek resident for the last 13 years, Fulton’s service has gone beyond recreation customers, she also works closely with class instructors to solve issues, helps schedule their classes and offers support. Her hard work also helps recreation’s major, annual events, like Trunk or Treat and Passport to Discovery, run smoothly.

Fulton says that the family-oriented, community feel of Queen Creek is what she and the recreation staff emulate through their services.

“The activities offered through our division are important for Queen Creek families,” Fulton said. “Recreation provides opportunities for children to learn build self-esteem and create life-long healthy habits. I also always encourage adults to take time for themselves and take the adult classes we offer, too. We like to see the successes that come from the programs we offer.”

“Our Recreation Division strives to provide the community with the highest quality recreational activities by promoting social interactions through safe, fun and affordable special interest classes and events,” Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney said. “Marianne and the entire recreation staff deliver exceptional services to support the health and happiness of our residents. The environment they have created, has continuously kept residents active in the services offered through the Town’s recreation program.”

El Mirage is among the first communities in Arizona to be formally designated a Vietnam War Commemorative Partner under an initiative observing the 50th anniversary of the conflict’s beginning. The Commemorative Partner Program, commissioned by the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense, is a national effort to recognize and pay tribute to the more than three million men and women who bravely served the U.S. in a war a world away, including more than 58,000 who gave their lives and more than 1,600 who are still missing in action.

As a Commemorative Partner, El Mirage has promised to carry out at least two events annually for the next four years to honor Vietnam veterans and their families in a manner consistent with the highest traditions of dignity and respect. Upon learning of the City’s selection as a Commemorative Partner, Mayor Lana Mook noted, “The sacrifices of our country in Vietnam continue to resonate with generations of Americans. The Commemorative Partner Program is a very fitting way for us to publicly recognize the immense importance of these sacrifices.”

By Donyelle Kesler, Digital Information Specialist

When Engineering Technician Salamatullah Sayeed looks at Queen Creek, he said he sees a community with enormous potential for growth and development. Those were things he also said he saw for himself with the opportunity to work with the town’s Development Services department.

“Queen Creek is a community growing at a very fast pace. With my academic background and experience, I felt I had a lot to offer and saw a great opportunity to be part of that expansion,” Sayeed said.

Since joining the town staff in January 2013, Sayeed has taken on a number of responsibilities. He reviews engineering plans and retention basins, issues encroachment permits, and works with custom home and general subdivision developments issuing permits throughout the construction phases. He works closely with Engineer Marc Palichuk, Senior Inspector Todd Sautter and other divisions to ensure operations run smoothly.

Sayeed received his bachelor’s degree in engineering in 2008 from Arizona State University. His previous work experience in the private sector and with the city of Tempe’s Public Works Engineering Division make him instrumental in the town’s efforts to be responsive to customers, according to Development Services Director Chris Anaradian.

“Sayeed is part of our next generation of technical specialists who will help us increase the quality of life for all in Queen Creek as the town experiences the next leap of growth and development,” Anaradian said. “He is providing the kind of added value that prevents problems from happening when they are on paper, before becoming costly delays on a construction site. Everyone benefits from that kind of assistance.”

“Having professional individuals like Sayeed working for our community makes us stronger as a town and a more appealing place for developers to build quality projects,” said Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney. “We’re fortunate to have such qualified staff whose attention to detail is unwavering.”

Sayeed says the biggest challenge he’s faced since starting with the town was beginning work on a number of subdivision projects already in progress while still becoming familiar with the layout of the town. He says he is also looking forward to future projects he will have the opportunity to assist on, including working towards town plans for a possible hotel and public transportation.

“There’s lots of variety with my job that I really enjoy,” Sayeed said. “I like being able to take on multiple tasks and no two are the same, so I’m constantly interacting with different people. It keeps my job from being repetitive.”

Settling into his new position, Sayeed said one thing he has observed and enjoyed most about being part of the town staff is the dynamic among employees and their ability to work closely as a team no matter which department they belong to.

“With every department in one building and working so closely together I think it has a positive impact on the town,” Sayeed said. “It seems that everyone shares the same vision of where we want Queen Creek to be five, 10 years from now. We have people who have come from other places and know the challenges growing communities encounter and how to best deal with them and then there are people who have been here for a long time that really understand the community and can share their knowledge.”

By Martin Dickey, Special Event Division Manager, City of Glendale

Glendale has become a community known for its festivals. From its downtown holiday light display to a whole weekend dedicated to chocolate, the city’s festivals have garnered recognition around the state and the region. Annually, about 350,000 people visit Glendale to attend a festival. Attracting new and returning visitors to our city is the primary reason we plan these free, family-friendly festivals and continue to fund them moving forward. But the result of the decision to create these festivals nearly two decades ago is more complex than just bringing people here.

The benefits of putting on annual events like these are numerous. First and foremost is economic impact. In a 2010 International Festivals and Events (IFEA) study, it was determined that attendees’ spending at two weekend festivals contributed about $3 million annually to our economy. This represents the economic impact just two of our six annual events! Our festivals have not only branded our city as a visitor destination, but have also helped to revitalize our downtown. The independently-owned businesses that make up our downtown area have maintained their business through these events, and the area continues to attract high quality merchants. For example, a California couple visited during Glendale Glitters and loved the downtown so much that they opened a business here, a charming bed and breakfast in a historic building. Another business owner decided to open a hair and nail salon after attending one of the city’s signature events. Business owners know the amount of people that each festival brings will provide excellent exposure for them on an ongoing basis.

In addition, Glendale’s signature festivals give our residents and businesses a sense of pride in their community. People are proud of the city’s small town feel and many bring their out-of-town guests to the events. Other families make it their family tradition year after year. Some also have told us that they came as a child, and now they are bringing their children, so it truly has affected generations of our residents. Glendale’s festivals also play a role in giving back to the community. We partner with a civic organization that works our beverage sales for a portion of the proceeds which they, in turn, donate to many non-profit groups, students and other city programs that have a tremendous impact on residents.

Glendale Glitters

By Donyelle Kesler, Digital Information Specialist

Walking into the Queen Creek town hall municipal services building, the first person likely to greet you is Customer Service Coordinator Margie Payton.

Payton, who worked with the Queen Creek Water Company before joining the town five years ago, knows all about water services in Queen Creek and how to ensure residents receive excellent customer service.

“I really enjoy interacting with residents, seeing them in our lobby, talking to them on the phone, I just really love that part of my job,” Payton said. “I feel every person should be helped in the same manner. No matter how important the issue, how big or small the problem is, all of the calls that come through are important,” Payton said.

Payton works along with Customer Service Representative Lacy Heiney and Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Martin to handle customer payments, water service connections and disconnections, work with builders and utility field staff on work orders and hydrant meter information and placement, and answer all incoming telephone calls for the entire municipal service building.

“We all complement each other,” Payton said. “We all know what we needs to get done and what we need to do individually and that makes us a great team.”

“Margie does an exceptional job serving our residents,” Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney said. “She is sensitive to issues they may be undergoing and ensures that every interaction residents have with the town regarding services is a positive experience.”

Payton recently took part in and graduated from the Queen Creek Citizen Leadership Institute. She said that the Institute was something she wanted to take part in to become even more connected to the town’s inner workings.

“I loved being a part of the Institute,” Payton said. “I enjoyed being able to see what town staff does and see and experience things I hadn’t even realized in my five years were here. It was great to see that my fellow citizens enjoyed it just as much as I did.”

Payton considers herself a Queen Creek native. Her family moved to the community from Wyoming when she was 14 years old, and Payton notes the tremendous growth she’s seen in the community from street signals to new businesses. But she says despite that growth, the small-town feel and sense of community has not changed.

“When you go to the post office everyone is so nice, you know your neighbors, it’s a fun-loving community,” Payton said. “My favorite part of my job is when people come into the office when I’m working just to say hello. When people come in and say ‘I could have put this in the drop box but I wanted to say hi,’ I love that aspect of my job.”

Queen Creek Customer Service Coordinator, Margie Payton works to ensure that town residents receive exceptional customer service and support.