30 June 2 - 15, 2007
Opinion
www.SanTanSun.com
Community
Commentary
Thanks for support of City bond election
by Mayor Boyd W. Dunn of Commerce CEO Becky Jackson, and City Planning The success of this bond election continues a
Chandler voters showed a new level of confidence Commissioner Rick Heumann for their hard work and history of fiscal responsibility that will take us well
in their government, going to the polls and approving commitment to their City and its future. into the future. It also gives us some momentum as
all but one of the 10 ballot questions for the May The passing of the bond election will mean many we continue our annual budget discussions. Chandler
15 bond election. The support of the election - the things for Chandler. Our police and fire departments recently received its 19th consecutive award from
largest in Chandler’s history - will make a very positive will be able to acquire land, build new facilities and the Government Finance Officers Association for the
impact on future development in Chandler. develop new communications systems. Land will presentation of its budget.
More than $450 million in bonds were approved be purchased for future parks, while existing parks And for good reason. City staff has worked hard to
that will enable us to provide critical infrastructure will receive needed upgrades. Library facilities will make this document clear, concise and informative.
and capital programs to carry forward in this vital be renovated and remodeled. The Chandler Center The result is a comprehensive assessment of how your
stage of the community’s development. While the for the Arts will receive a facelift, as well as some tax dollars are spent. And as we work through our
election will provide many new projects for Chandler, necessary equipment and new furnishings. A new, annual budget process, Chandler has in place a very
the property tax rate for residents will not be affected. larger museum will be built in the downtown area sound financial plan to guide us through the coming
That’s good news for taxpayers and for our future creating an amenity I’m sure we will be very proud of. year. The fiscal policies we have followed in the past
quality of life. Our water, wastewater and streets systems will also have made us the envy of the Valley. With that said,
I want to thank the citizens who worked on the receive critical improvements and expansions. we will not rest on past decisions. We will continue
bond committees. Your hard work and due diligence While the smallest bond proposal did not pass, the to work to see that we remain a fiscally wise leader.
presented a very thorough yet prudent package for airport and airpark area will continue to thrive as To maintain our livability, quality of life and strong
voters. Special thanks also goes to the committee an exciting employment center that will be home to economic base we can afford nothing less.
chairs, former Councilmember Patti Bruno, Chamber dozens of new commercial and industrial projects.
Cooperation required for casino decision
by Senator Jay Tibshraeny, R-Chandler The Tribal Council has every right to do what is in the of irrigation water for farming. This long time dream
The recent announcement by the Gila River Indian best interest of their members. However, neighboring of restoring agriculture to these vacant fields is just
Community to locate a casino at Gilbert Road and jurisdictions often work together to grow and develop now becoming a reality. The siting of a casino in the
Hunt Highway has generated numerous calls and in ways that mitigate the negative impacts on each area could end that dream.
emails to my legislative office. other. For example, the City of Chandler recently Chandler residents are also concerned with the
It was a surprise to almost everyone outside of the denied a proposal to expand its auto mall. Some of traffic the project will generate. The road system in
Community that this location was being considered. the opponents of the project lived in Chandler, but the area has been built to accommodate residential
The Indian Gaming Compact requires casinos to be at most of the people who were against it lived in the development, not the transportation demands
least one and a half miles apart. While I had heard that Gilbert. Still, the Chandler City Council listened and of a casino and commercial development of this
the Wild Horse Pass Casino was going to be relocated changed its plan to accommodate the concerns of magnitude. Increased traffic will alter the lifestyle of
on the west side of I-10, I did not realize until recently our neighbors. The law does not mandate this type of these quiet neighborhoods.
that its relocation would create this domino effect that cooperation, but the future success of our region will By working together, the people of both the Gila
could impact my district. I hope that in the spirit of depend upon it. River Indian Community and the City of Chandler
cooperation among neighbors, we will all work to find The input provided by the members of the have an opportunity to convince the Tribal leaders
more effective ways to communicate in the future. Community, as well as residents of South Chandler, to find a new location for this project. One proposed
With that said, it is important that my constituents opposing this location should have an impact on site that should be considered is closer to I-10 near
understand this decision rests entirely with the Gila the Tribal leaders’ decision-making. Community the Casa Grande interchange. The final decision has
River Indian Community’s Tribal Council. Review members are concerned that this development will not been made and there is time to make a difference.
of the gaming compact by my legislative staff and forever change the character of the land in the area. I will continue to be proactive on this issue and will
inquiries with the Arizona Department of Gaming, The Gila River Indian Community participated with encourage this alternative location. I hope all of you
representatives of Governor Janet Napolitano’s office the City of Chandler and other entities to achieve an with an interest will also continue to make your voices
and the City of Chandler’s staff confirm this. historic water settlement that ensures the availability heard.
ArtWalk adds new sense of cool to downtown Chandler
by Councilmember Trinity Donovan is teeming with new, trendy businesses including and help develop space for artists to show their
Downtown Chandler is undergoing a unique new galleries, restaurants, markets and a soon-to-be collections.
transformation of late. New events, new shops, new completed microbrewery. To ensure visitors enjoy a quality experience,
galleries, new restaurants, new homes. And a new These businesses join a host of more established ArtWalk is a Chandler Art Guild “members only” event.
sense of cool. I say that because Chandler has recently downtown locales. You can shop, dine, listen to music, To participate, artists must be on hand to present
joined Scottsdale and Phoenix in holding monthly take part in wine tastings and discover the many their own work and be members in good standing and
walking tours in the downtown plaza with a focus on talented artists and craftsmen that call Chandler – and maintain professional standards. The ArtWalk jury,
art. the Valley – home. And there is plenty of parking with comprised of Guild members, may review artwork
ArtWalks began in February and are held the first the two public garages on the east side of Arizona based on specific artistic criteria. So again, this
Wednesday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. Galleries, Avenue and the surface lot just south of the square. experience in guaranteed to be a great one.
shops and restaurants partner with local artists and A big round of applause also to the Chandler Art Want to learn more about all that is happening
musicians to bring an indoor/outdoor show to the Guild for coordinating the ArtWalks, which by the in Historic Downtown Chandler? A new web site,
City’s core. I’ve attended Artwalk and it is amazing. way, are free of charge. The Art Guild is a nonprofit www.downtownchandler.org, has come online with
Dozens of artists show their work on sidewalks and organization devoted to the arts in Chandler. It is a comprehensive list of merchants and maps to the
inside the retail spaces surrounding the square. If it’s composed of artists, business owners and sponsors. area. See what you’re missing, come downtown and
been a while since you have been downtown, this is a The Guild also helps new artists gain a foothold in experience for yourself, the new sense of cool in your
great opportunity to come by. The square, bounded the community, provide networking opportunities own backyard.
by Boston and Buffalo streets along Arizona Avenue
Deadlines for the June 16, 2007 issue:
ADVERTISING:
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
EDITORIAL:
Thursday, June 7, 2007
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