After serving as your City Council member for eight months, I have learned
even more about the issues that concern us and how the city can improve this
great community we share.
My
monthly Issues & Info Breakfasts have been a great way for citizens to meet,
discuss topics of interest and learn about various city of Phoenix programs
and services. We have covered a broad range of topics including growth and
planning in the district; airport security; street construction and maintenance;
education issues; and, light rail development. We meet the third Friday of
each month, alternating between the Deer Valley Airport Café and Jillian's
at Desert Ridge. For a schedule of breakfasts this fall, visit phoenix.gov/distltrs/breakfst.html
on the Internet or call 602-262-7445. This month, I'm happy to welcome Phoenix
Mayor Skip Rimsza as our featured speaker. Join us at 7 a.m. Sept. 20 at Jillian's
-- I look forward to seeing you there!
Congratulations to the Village Meadows Concerned Citizens Neighborhood Association
for winning the Mayor's Special Achievement Award at the annual Neighborhoods
that Work Awards. This outstanding group of residents worked with several
city departments and other agencies to decrease crime, increase home values
and reduce zoning violations in the neighborhood. Also, the Bell Park 6 Block
Watch, Paradise Park East Block Watch and Village Peoples Block Watch were
recognized for their neighborhood improvement activities.
Another success that makes District 2 such an exciting and vibrant place
to live is the high quality development and retail opportunities we enjoy.
Two examples of this are the Westin Kierland and Mariott resorts, set to open
in northeast Phoenix by year's end.
The Westin Kierland resort is under construction at Butherus and 73rd streets.
It will offer 750 rooms, eight restaurants/lounges, a 27-hole golf course,
and 60,000 square feet of conference and meeting space.
On Sept. 11, we remember and honor those who lost
their lives during the tragic events one year ago. For information about
a few of the
Sept. 11 community events, visit phoenix.gov
on the Internet.
The Marriott resort, located at Tatum Boulevard and Pathfinder Road includes
950 rooms, 10 restaurants/lounges, two 18-hole golf courses and 100,000 square
feet of conference and meeting space. Facilities like these will bring conventions
and corporate meetings to the area, benefiting nearby restaurants, entertainment
venues and shopping destinations. I am excited to have these high quality
economic development opportunities coming to our area.
I hope to meet you soon at one of my monthly breakfasts, where we'll continue
to discuss issues and celebrate successes that are important to all of us
in District 2. Please feel free to contact our office if you have questions
or concerns at 602-262-7445 or via e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov.
Have you visited one of your city branch libraries recently? If not, you
may be pleasantly surprised by the services and programs they offer to patrons
of all ages.
If you missed
out on this summer's activities, you can plan to take full advantage of the
fall programs and events at the Juniper and Mesquite branches.
The Juniper Branch Library, located at 1825 W. Union Hills Drive, has morning
Story Times available for children ages three to five years and a monthly
Mother Daughter Book Club. It also has a Library Teen Council, giving young
people the opportunity to meet and have fun with other teens and share ideas
about library programs and services. If you need to brush up on your computer
skills, attend a free weekly computer class in Basic Computer Skills or Introduction
to the Internet. And if you like to read and discuss the classics, Juniper
offers "Great Books Discussion," from 7 to 9 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday
of each month. Online homework help also is available at the Juniper Branch.
The Mesquite Branch Library at Paradise Valley Mall has story times for two-year-olds,
as well as sessions for children ages three to five years. This conveniently
located branch also has monthly book discussions, free computer classes and
a Library Teen Council.
Patrons at both libraries enjoy computer terminals that provide access to
the catalog of Phoenix Public Library catalog, as well as databases for periodicals,
health and business reference sources and a national telephone directory.
For homework and other research projects, computers with Internet access
and word processing along with other Microsoft Office software packages are
available. The Juniper and Mesquite branches also have expanded children's
services areas with computers designated for children's use. And if you need
a room for your organization's next meeting, both branches have meeting rooms
available that accommodate more than 70 people.
There are even more library services coming to District 2 in the near future.
A new branch library is being designed on a site near Tatum Boulevard and
Cave Creek Road, funded by the 2001 Citizen's Bond Program. This new branch
will be completed in fiscal year 2004-05. Funding to purchase land for a new
branch library in the general area of 56th Street and Deer Valley Road also
was included in the 2001 Citizen's Bond Program, which provides funds to purchase
a three-acre site in that vicinity. The location is approximate pending determination
of future transportation routes and population centers in the area.
With the recent talk by Maricopa County about the uncertain future its North
Central Regional Library, the city's branch libraries are more important than
ever as educational and recreational resources for District 2 residents. For
more details about library programs and services, see the back of this newsletter
for contact information and hours of operation. There is something for everyone
at Phoenix Public Libraries — come "check us out!"
As children return to classes, drivers need to take extra care in watching
for children near schools. Here are some things to keep in mind to ensure
our children's safety:
Obey school zone speed limits and crossing guards. If you see someone
speeding near a school, please report it to 602-534-SPEED.
Talk to your school principal about creating a "Safest Route to School
Plan" for children who walk to school. The city's Street Transportation
Department works with parents and administrators to identify the safest
streets and sidewalks to use.
If possible, walk with your children to school periodically to identify
any hazards that may exist. If you can avoid driving them to school, it
reduces the congestion near schools and the potential for accidents as children
get in and out of vehicles.
Please pay special attention as you drive around schools. It only takes a
moment for a tragedy to occur. If you would like assistance improving the
traffic safety around your school, contact your principal or call Street Transportation
at 602-534-2020.
Councilwoman Neely will host District 2's first dinner
forum, featuring statewide candidates in the Nov. 5 general election.
Learn more about the candidates and join us for dinner and an interesting
discussion at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at Jillian's at Desert Ridge.
Call our office at 602-262-7445 to RSVP — seating is limited to
first 125 respondents.
A
new neighbor has moved to District 2 — Fire Station #52! The station
is located at 21650 N. Tatum Blvd. The four-bay station houses 12 firefighters
and Battalion Chief offices. The fire station opened on Aug. 15. Come join
us for an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28!
Councilwoman Neely recently helped unveil a permanent tribute to firefighters
at Fire Station #49 (see photo left). Two Arizona artists created beautiful
bronze relief panels — one showing firefighters battling a large urban
fire and the other demonstrating firefighters engaged in community service
and working with children. This is a public art project of the Phoenix Arts
Commission, paid for by Fire Department Percent for Art Funds. Stop by the
station at
3750 E. Dynamite Road and take a look!
This
November, Arizonans will select numerous state-wide and legislative candidates.
Make sure you are registered to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voter
registration forms are available in the City Clerk Department and the Phoenix
City Hall lobby, both located at 200 W. Washington St., and at various government
facilities throughout the city. To print an Arizona Voter Registration form
from the Internet, visit recorder.maricopa.gov/regform.htm.
If you move, your registration can be transferred by filling out a new registration
form.
For additional information about voter registration or to verify your current
registration, contact the Maricopa County Elections Department at 602-506-1511/voice
or 602-506-2348/TTY.
The city of Phoenix has created one telephone number for residents to call
for water safety questions, CPR instruction videos in English and Spanish,
reporting unsafe pools, questions about pool fences, drowning prevention information,
swim lessons and much more. Call the 24-hour water safety hotline at 602-495-5555
or visit phoenix.gov and click on the "Watch
Your Children Around Water" icon.
Although summer is coming to a close, it is still important
to conserve water. Keep these tips in mind as you use water outside:
Next time
you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round
landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year.
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and
save up to 80 gallons of water every time.
Adjust your watering schedule to the season. Water your summer lawn every
third day and your winter lawn every fifth day. Also, always water during
the early morning hours, when temperatures are cooler, to minimize evaporation.
Would you like more water saving tips? Visit wateruseitwisely.com
on the Internet. You can reduce your water bill and contribute to a better
environment by using water wisely!
The Paradise Valley Unified School District recently has completed some new
facilities and made improvements to existing ones:
Mountain Trail Middle School, 2323 E. Mountain Gate Pass
Pinnacle Peak Elementary, 7625 E. Williams Road
A new school building was built on the campus of Liberty Elementary School.
Design flaws in Liberty created a situation where it was more economically
responsible to rebuild the school than to repair it.
The Deer Valley Unified School District has also been busy this summer with
new facilities including Sandra Day O'Connor High School, at 35th Avenue and
Happy Valley Road and Gavilan Peak Elementary School, Anthem.
We thank the Paradise Valley Unified School District and Deer Valley Unified
School District for their commitment to provide outstanding places for our
students to learn and grow.
Earlier this year, Councilwoman Neely was thrilled to have 25 broadcasting
students from Explorer Middle School as guests on her On the Issues
television program on PHX11. Students received hands-on experience in
all aspects of producing a television show.
Councilwoman Neely and her staff thank Robin Mofford for her service
to the District 2 community. Robin recently completed a six-month internship
with Peggy Neely's office and is looking forward to being even more
effective in helping her neighborhood after gaining some "inside experience"
in city government. Thanks and best wishes to you, Robin!
Juniper
Branch
1825 W. Union Hills Drive
602-534-3900
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Noon to 9 p.m.
Mesquite
Branch
4525 Paradise Village Pkwy. North
602-262-7299
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday. Noon to 9 p.m.
"District 2 Newsletter" is posted on the city's Web site at www.phoenix.gov.
For alternative format/reasonable accommodations, call (602) 262-7176 or TTY/TDD
(602) 534-5500. Your comments, suggestions and story ideas are welcome by
calling Councilwoman Neely at (602) 262-7445, fax (602) 495-0527, e-mail council.district.2@phoenix.gov
or mail to City of Phoenix, 200 W. Washington St., 11th Floor, Phoenix, AZ
85003.
My
monthly Issues & Info Breakfasts have been a great way for citizens to meet,
discuss topics of interest and learn about various city of Phoenix programs
and services. We have covered a broad range of topics including growth and
planning in the district; airport security; street construction and maintenance;
education issues; and, light rail development. We meet the third Friday of
each month, alternating between the Deer Valley Airport Café and Jillian's
at Desert Ridge. For a schedule of breakfasts this fall, visit 
If you missed
out on this summer's activities, you can plan to take full advantage of the
fall programs and events at the Juniper and Mesquite branches. 
A
new neighbor has moved to District 2 — Fire Station #52! The station
is located at 21650 N. Tatum Blvd. The four-bay station houses 12 firefighters
and Battalion Chief offices. The fire station opened on Aug. 15. Come join
us for an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28! 
This
November, Arizonans will select numerous state-wide and legislative candidates.
Make sure you are registered to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Voter
registration forms are available in the City Clerk Department and the Phoenix
City Hall lobby, both located at 200 W. Washington St., and at various government
facilities throughout the city. To print an Arizona Voter Registration form
from the Internet, visit 
Next time
you add or replace a flower or shrub, choose a low water use plant for year-round
landscape color and save up to 550 gallons each year. 
