Jan/Feb 2011 Volume 26 / Issue 1 Special City Election Issue W C T a i P r t t a e y e s r r E k & R le a 0 i c n S 1 o ti 5 d e g s 15 on & R w - p Fe g s - pgs 4 ide - pg 8 er Rates stival - p Goodyear City Council Calendar Council Corner From the Acting Mayor Improving transportation for our As 2011 begins, I find myself appreciating From January through June 2011, many of the Work Sessions will be devoted to citizens has been one of our the strong sense of community for developing the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Budget which starts on July 1, 2011. We hope City’s top priorities. After which Goodyear is known. Our our citizens will come to the meetings to see the budget presentations and hear the nearly 10 years of planning residents, businesses, private and discussions or watch it live or on replay on the City’s website: www.goodyearaz.gov. and hard work, Goodyear non-profit organizations, City staff, From a timing standpoint, adoption of a tentative budget is currently scheduled for the now has a beautiful, permanent community leaders and members May 23rd Regular Council meeting with final adoption scheduled for the June 27th Regular Park and Ride facility that of the City Council come together, Council meeting. connects local commuters with in person and in spirit, contributing Because the timing of the meetings listed below goes so far out in the year, meetings can be downtown Phoenix, via Valley to our success as a city. cancelled, added or start times can change with 24-hour notice. Please always check the City’s Metro Express Bus Route 562. Three express buses leave the Park and Ride at 20-minute intervals each The Estrella Mountains, Goodyear Ballpark and our lovely website within 24 hours of an upcoming meeting at www.goodyearaz.gov/media to find if a parks are some of the places people meet, make new friends, meeting is still scheduled and the most accurate start time. Meetings are held at 185 N. 145th Ave. weekday morning, beginning at approximately 5:30 a.m. As the West Valley grows, we hope to and forge the future. In the company of one another, we Budget presentations and other budget-related information can be found on the City’s Transparency add more buses to better serve the citizens of celebrate events such as the Star Spangled 4th, Homeplate in Government Spending page on the City’s website. Goodyear, Avondale, and Litchfield Park. for the Holidays, and Make-a-Difference Day. Together we enjoy public art and support programs like the Homeless Monday, January 24 Monday, March 21 Since 2008, Southwest Valley commuters have been Youth Connection and Fill a Need. Our volunteers Work Session – 4:30 p.m. Work Session – 5 p.m. using a no-frills temporary Park and Ride lot near contribute more than 24,000 hours of time each year and • Review of Current Council Financial Policies • Annual HR Survey Results West Valley Hospital. Now, there are more than 400 use their talents to make the community a better place. Regular Meeting – 6 p.m. covered parking spaces, bike lockers, plenty of shade, Monday, March 28 Using fiscally sound policies, the City continues to cut the Monday, February 14 Work Session – 5 p.m. and beautiful desert landscaping. “Cotton Columns,” cost of government while preserving nearly the same level Regular Meeting – 6 p.m. • CIP Review by Jim Gallucci Sculptor Ltd. is a public art work of services. With the arrival of Suntech, the world’s largest • 11-12 Expenditure Estimates featuring Egyptian-style stainless steel columns Tuesday, February 15 maker of solar panels and its first U.S. plant, and Sub-Zero, Regular Meeting – 6 p.m. which are dramatically lit every evening just after Work Session – 4:30 p.m. sunset and before dawn each day. the leading manufacturer of American-made luxury • 4-hr. Budget Retreat – 2nd Quarter Financial Review Monday, April 11 refrigeration systems, Goodyear is poised to maximize • Tax Policy Discussion Work Session – 5 p.m. Residents of Goodyear, as well as citizens of our opportunities and bring new jobs to the area as the economy Monday, February 28 • Balanced Budget Proposal neighboring cities, are invited to use the Park and begins its recovery. Transportation and commuting is easier Work Session – 5 p.m. (not budget-related) • Council Direction Ride whenever they use alternative transportation and safer than ever, now that Interstate 10 has been widened Regular Meeting – 6 p.m. Regular Meeting – 6 p.m. like the express bus, carpools, or bicycles. It’s free, and the new Park and Ride near Dysart and the freeway comfortable, convenient, and a big step towards a is open. Monday, March 14 Monday, April 18 Work Session – 5 p.m. (not budget-related) greener world. Even if you don’t carpool or ride the Work Session – 5 p.m. express bus, I invite you to drive by and have a look As we embark upon this new year, I am confident that • Revenue Update Monday, April 25 at this practical, beautiful facility. Goodyear’s collaborative efforts will continue and our Regular Meeting – 6 p.m. Work Session – 5 p.m. community will enjoy a prosperous future. The Goodyear Park and Ride is located right • Follow-up to budget, if needed Joe Pizzillo Regular Meeting – 6 p.m. behind Lowe’s Home Improvement Center at 13183 W. Cornerstone Blvd., just north of I-10 Gary Gelzer Fills and west of Dysart Road. Goodyear For express bus schedules and routes, fare City Council Temporary Council Vacancy information, and more, visit Valley Metro’s website Gary Gelzer was appointed to fill a temporary vacancy on the at www.valleymetro.org or call Valley Metro Goodyear City Council, and was sworn in on January 10. Gelzer Customer Service at 602-253-5000. fills the vacancy left by former Vice Mayor Georgia Lord in November 2010. Lord had two years left on her term of office, Dr. Frank Cavaliere and stepped down in compliance with Arizona’s “resign to run” law in order to run in March for the two years remaining on the term of former Mayor Jim Cavanaugh, who resigned in November. Gelzer resigned from his position as a Planning and Zoning Vice Mayor Dick Sousa Frank Cavaliere commissioner to serve on the City Council until a permanent Joe Pizzillo councilmember is elected to fill the seat this spring. An election is scheduled for March 8, and if necessary, a run-off election will take place in May. Gelzer has lived in Goodyear since 2000, served on the Planning and Zoning Commission since 2003, the 2003-13 Gary Gelzer is sworn in by Justice Michael Simonsen General Plan Committee, Citizen Bond Committee, Citizen Tax Committee, Citizen Budget Committee, and the Higher Education Committee. Gelzer retired in 1991 from the Navy Reserve as a lieutenant commander. Joanne Osborne Sheri Lauritano Gary Gelzer You Have a Voice - You Have a Choice Your Vote Matters! City of Goodyear All-Mail Election March 8, 2011 Usted Tiene una Voz - Usted Tiene una Opción - Su Voto Cuenta! Ciudad de Goodyear Elección de Coreo Marzo 8 de 2011 Less than 25% of Goodyear’s registered voters Here’s what you need to do! It’s easy! participated in the last election. Are you among VOTER REGISTRATION • Last day to register to vote: Monday, February 7, 2011 the 75% who didn’t bother to vote last time? • Go to http://recorder.maricopa.gov/web/elections.aspx to register or to update your information. Voter turn-out in our neighboring cities is strong! HOW TO GET A BALLOT Litchfield Park - 63%; Avondale - 44%; Surprise - 40% • Ballots will be mailed to registered voters beginning February 10, 2011 Be part of the process, and VOTE! • Request an early ballot be mailed to you, no later than Friday, February 25, 2011. If you can’t find your ballot in that stack of mail at home, NO PROBLEM. Just stop by City Hall to • Replace lost, misplaced, damaged or dirty ballots in person at the City Clerk’s Office until 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 8. request a replacement. Your vote is important. It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s by mail. Even the postage is free! HOW TO VOTE EARLY You have the right to vote for: • Voters can mail back their ballots as soon as they are filled out – the sooner the better! POSTAGE IS FREE! • Mayor - 2-year unexpired term • Drop ballots off in person: City Clerk’s Office at Goodyear City Hall, 190 N. Litchfield Rd., beginning Monday, February 14, 2011, • 1 Council member - unexpired two-year term from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (early voting by mail or in person does not require an ID, as long as you are on the • 3 council members - four-year terms Voter Registration List). This is an all-mail ballot election. Registered voters HOW TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY – March 8 will begin receiving ballots in the mail on February 10. Drop off ballots in person at City Clerk’s Office or any of the following polling places in Maricopa County, between 6 a.m. and Ballots must be submitted no later than March 8, 2011. 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, 2011: • Recorder and Elections – Main Office (Downtown), 111 S. 3rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ • Recorder and Elections – Southeast Office (Mesa), 222 E. Javelina, Mesa, AZ • Elections – MCTEC Office, 510 3rd Ave., Phoenix, AZ Menos del 25% de los You can get a ballot and vote in person at the City Clerk’s Office between 6 a.m.