www.SanTanSun.com Community Commentary


Tide shifts with docking of Ports America by Councilmember Rick Heumann


It is a sure sign that the economic tides have shifted when a ports management company chooses to expand in the desert, and more significantly, in downtown Chandler. Ports America, the largest independent marine terminal operator in North America, announced recently that it is anchoring some of its operations in downtown Chandler. They are moving into the space formerly occupied by municipal offices and other office tenants above Western International University in the Chandler Office Center. This expansion includes 200 great new jobs to our City center. It brings the building to 90 percent capacity and adds new shoppers to our downtown core.


Five or 10 years ago, Ports America may have passed on the opportunity to bring operations to this area of Chandler. There were not as many restaurants, shops and galleries, there were no new residential units for sale, and it certainly did not have the vibe that downtown Chandler offers today. The recent improvements to Arizona Avenue were one of the reasons cited by Ports America to locate here. The pedestrian friendly feel of downtown is a great draw for employers, giving workers places to go for lunch and after work.


In fact, the project to provide greater connectivity, wider sidewalks, new signals, lights, bike lanes, and artistic streetscapes recently earned Chandler “Project of the Year”


Volunteers paint for neighbors in need by Councilmember Kevin Hartke


With the weather cooling down in the next few months, the planning for a number of initiatives to promote community engagement is well under way. Aside from the festivals and family events that are quickly adding up on our fall calendars, there are opportunities to volunteer and contribute to making Chandler a better place.


For Our City and the City of Chandler’s Neighborhood Resources Division are inviting residents to participate in the annual Valleywide Rock and Roll Paint-A-Thon on Sat., Oct.


22. The event is organized by Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun, a volunteer home rehabilitation organization based in Tempe. The Paint-A-Thon is the association’s largest community service event and focuses on painting homes of low-income senior citizens, disabled individuals and military veterans in need.


Chandler volunteer teams of 15 to 25 people will be assigned to paint the exteriors of single-story homes of qualifying individuals. All paint, paint supplies and insurance are provided to the volunteers, along with a free event T-shirt with the name or logo of sponsoring groups and organizations. Volunteers as young as 14 can participate in the Paint-A-Thon; individuals under the age of 18 must provide a signed parental permission form.


Interested parties including Chandler families, schools, churches and business groups are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible by downloading an application online at www.rebuildingtogetherphx.org or by calling 480-774-0237.


At this time, there is also a need to identify qualified homeowners interested in having their homes painted. If you know any elderly, disabled or veteran neighbors or friends on


honors from the Arizona section of the American Public Works Association. That new development, coupled with City Hall, has people taking notice in the Valley’s newest and perhaps coolest destination. Both developments have reaped a number of awards in the architecture and engineering community. They are positive signs that the planning of the Council, past and present, spanning back more than a decade is coming to fruition. Some of the decisions we made were questioned by some in the community, but in the end, 12 businesses have made downtown Chandler their home since the completion of the Arizona Avenue improvements, bringing 400 new jobs to the community. The City took space in the Chandler Office Center to spur the development of that building as we saved money for City Hall. It was the second 10-year lease we signed, thinking that when we finally did move into a place of our own, the other buildings would fill.


And it has worked because we have created a very inviting place in downtown Chandler. Inviting enough to attract Ports America, a company headquartered on the East Coast. Their Chandler operation will house information technology jobs, accounting- related services and other company support functions. With 85 years of operations at American seaports and 12,000 employees, it is a solid company and one we eagerly welcome to our “shores.”


We still face many economic hurdles as a community, and as a nation. But the expansion of Ports America into Chandler is a positive sign for us as we continue to aggressively pursue strong and sustainable jobs to the City.


Opinion


September 3 - 16, 2011 35


limited income who own a single story home in need of painting, encourage them to sign up with Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun by Fri., Sept. 9. A number of other events are also planned for Sat., Oct. 22. At Tumbleweed Park, hundreds will be celebrating the City’s free annual Day of Play and Rhythm Fest, with activities starting as early as 9 a.m. and running through 9:30 p.m. Throughout Chandler neighborhoods, residents will also be gathering and socializing with our police personnel for what is known as GAIN night.


GAIN stands for Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods. It is a national initiative, which in other parts of the country is celebrated in August under the name of National Night Out. For heat-related reasons, the event is postponed until October in the state of Arizona.


Neighborhood leaders interested in participating in GAIN night are required to attend a kickoff event in front of the Main Police Station, 250 E. Chicago St., on Sat., Sept. 24 starting at 10 a.m. There, neighborhood leaders will find out through a lottery system which unit of the Police Department will attend their block party. In previous years, the Police Department has sent out representatives from the canine unit, SWAT team, firearms and forensic units, crime prevention and others to interact with community members. It is an exciting opportunity to socialize with neighbors and meet the men and women who help keep our City safe. For more information about the event, please contact Officer Dan Chavarria at 480-782-4967.


Not too long from now, the weather will be pleasant enough to really enjoy our great community. And the City of Chandler has planned a wide variety of events and festivals for our residents. These events can be found on the City’s website at www.chandlerazgov. In addition, For Our City is continuously posting opportunities to connect those in need with people who are willing and able to give back. Information can be found online at www.forourcity.org/chandler.html.


Letters


to theEditor


Volunteering good for you, helpful to others A little over a year ago I lost my husband of 20 years to cancer. Shortly after I lost Dennis, I lost my job.


For the last year and a half of my husband’s life, my focus was primarily on him, but I never neglected my job during that time. Yes, toward the end, I did take a leave of absence from work because he needed me full time. I was busy, busy, busy doing everything I could to ensure his life was as good as it could be. Once we received a terminal diagnosis, our physician referred us to East Valley Hospice. East Valley Hospice focuses on local communities like Sun Lakes, Sun Bird, and Ocotillo. During the last six months of Dennis’ life the team at East Valley Hospice helped us in so many ways: medical care, equipment and medications, and counseling.


When Dennis passed away, I threw myself back into my work. More than ever, I needed something to do, something besides cancer to think about. I continued to meet with a counselor, which was helpful as I transitioned to a life without my love.


Then I lost my job. I was adrift. Now I had nothing – no husband, no job. But I found I did have something after all. I became a volunteer at the very place that had been so helpful to us: East Valley Hospice.


I thought if they helped us, perhaps I could be helpful to others and at the same time fill in the two big holes in my life left by my recent losses. Not only do I feel like I am giving back, but I feel like once again I am making a contribution. I have begun to feel alive again.


Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas from patient visitations to office work. You can do as little or as much as your time and schedule allow. The feeling you get from volunteering is a good one to say the least. Do good to feel good. You can help yourself while helping others. If you are interested in volunteering, you can contact East Valley Hospice directly at 480-895-5434. Sandra Givens, Sun Lakes


Letters to the Editor


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