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Opinion
Jan. 24 - Feb. 6, 2009 35
Community
Commentary
Council service time of personal, professional growth
by Councilmember Kevin Hartke The conservative financial practices and maintenance dollars will be scope of the decisions this past year
In January 2008, I was appointed to Chandler employs serve the City well. stretched. and being part of a different leadership
fill the vacancy on City Council left by When other municipalities were Having addressed bioethical issues, team has certainly expanded my skills
Martin Sepulveda as he was called to banking on greater sales tax revenues conservation, the importance of long- and knowledge. Hopefully, this has
Iraq with the Naval National Guard. and increasing their budgets, range water assurances and noise allowed me to be a better visionary
It has been an honor to serve the Chandler planned for a no-growth issues in my short time on the Council, and manager of both people and
community during that time. budget. While our projections did not it has been useful to dust off and make business in the private and nonprofit
Here are a few observations on the anticipate the bottom dropping out of use of my education in biochemistry. realm.
past 12 months I would like to share. the banking industry, nor the depth Listening, building collaboration, When I step down on January
Chandler is a well-run city. We hire of the recession, Chandler’s foresight learning to do a lot with a little and 22, I will most miss the honor of
well and run on the leaner side of has allowed us to remain open for understanding the role of someone representing Chandler as a
staffing as cities go. We have some business and not cut essential services in the public eye are skills that served Councilmember. I will miss the
of the best employees in the region. or employees. me well as a community pastor and working relationships that have been
I have great respect for our City and The new General Plan that was hopefully proved beneficial these past built with other Councilmembers,
admire the way it is run. Amidst our approved by voters will allow us to months. staff, boards, commissions and private
current recession we have seen several be a sustainable city. This plan gives There has been a personal growth groups. I will miss responding to our
significant office projects, industrial good guidelines to develop our retail side to being on Council that I shall City’s residents and addressing their
businesses and exciting retailers open and commercial areas and ensure an always be grateful for. It has always concerns. With that said, I have made
or expand. Streets and neighborhoods overall good mix of commercial, retail seemed a natural fit for me to be an many new friends, learned much and
have improved, parks and a pool have and residential development. Our engaged spokesperson, participate look forward to staying involved and
opened, and our downtown continues attention to “going green” will help on leadership teams and engage in serving the City I have called home for
to have brighter prospects. us down the road when operation meetings of all sorts. But the size and the past 24 years.
2009 legislative session critical
by Sen. Jay Tibshraeny, R-Chandler However, we must recognize that all not have to wade through all of this to modify our state law to be most
As the nation’s economy has things are not equal. If we want to hype to know what they are voting on. effective. Additionally I will begin to
worsened, unfortunately, so has compete we must look at what needs We must reform this process to return look into real estate appraisal law
Arizona’s. Addressing the state’s to be done to level the playing field. it to the citizens of Arizona. reform. This area is long overdue for a
budget shortfall this legislative session thorough review.
will be paramount and will require Initiative reform Consumer protection
the better part of our attention now Arizona’s Constitution rightfully Over the last several years, I State trust land
and in the foreseeable future. It is includes provisions that allow citizens have sponsored legislation to bring State trust land reform is a perennial
important, however, that we continue to bypass the legislative process and greater accountability into what is issue and will remain an important
to address other issues that are critical bring issues directly to the voters. for many people the most important topic this session. We need to find a
to our state. Unfortunately, in recent years the investment of their lives. One law way to maximize this resource while
initiative process has rarely been the makes residential mortgage fraud a protecting its purpose: funding our
Economic development grassroots efforts that the framers felony punishable by up to 10 years children’s education.
Given the state’s current economic intended. All too often, items are in prison. Another helps to protect One possibility is turning the State
crisis, we need to create ways to placed on the ballot by well-funded – Arizona homebuyers by requiring all Land Department into a self-funding
grow and diversify our economy. and often out-of-state – organizations loan originators – not just mortgage agency. If we sell land more efficiently,
The creation of high wage jobs or wealthy individuals who are able brokers and mortgage bankers – to be we access funds sooner and relieve
with good benefits in emerging to advance their personal agendas by licensed. pressure on the state’s general fund.
sectors of the marketplace is one “buying” the signatures required to If this legislation had been in place, Stakeholders have been working
way to accomplish this goal. The qualify. perhaps some of the people whose on this issue long enough. It’s time
development of renewable energy People who are paid to gather homes are being lost to foreclosure to move forward with the areas of
sources, such as solar, could provide signatures do not have to know and whose credit is being damaged consensus.
new opportunities anything about the initiative. Worse, would not be in such a dire position As a member of the 49th Legislature,
The solar panel manufacturing some intentionally misstate what now. At least we now have these I look forward to serving you and
industry is seeing significant growth the measure does or the impacts protections in place for the hard- working with my colleagues to balance
and Arizona should be a natural for it will have if it passes. The titles working consumers of the state. the budget and employ a program
the location of these businesses. these initiatives are given and the However, there is more to be done. of reforms to address these issues,
Unfortunately, we are losing these jobs campaigns that are conducted are This year I will be examining the among others, that will get our state
to Oregon and New Mexico because for marketing purposes rather than new federal law – the Secure and Fair back on track.
they have been far more competitive in providing accurate information to the Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing
luring these businesses to their states. voters. Some campaigns even border Act of 2008 – and its impact on
Sen. Jay Tibshraeny, R-Chandler, represents
All things being equal, Arizona would
District 21 in the Arizona State Senate. He
on deception. While I have great faith Arizona’s new loan officer licensing
served as mayor of the City of Chandler from
attract these businesses outright. in the voters of the state, they should requirements to ensure we continue
1994 to 2002.
Sharing success, learning from failure, planning for future
by Councilmember Trinity Donovan has the desire to create and preserve through a sustainability initiative in other municipalities and how to
Through my recent participation economic and fiscal health. Attendees for new or existing infrastructure or prevent unintended consequences, as
at the National League of Cities had good dialogue about ways that simplifying a procurement process, we look at our own areas of efficiency
Conference, it became evident that governments can cut costs through changes can be made. It’s good to here in Chandler.
Chandler is not the only city that a number of means. Whether it’s learn what’s working and what’s not
See Commentary Page 36
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