A Quarterly Newsletter Focusing on Regional Excellence May 2016—July 2016 Vol. 21: No. 2 Opportunity Arizona: Creating Success Through Career and Technical Education ori Lawrence wants Mayor Lane recently led Tto be a nurse. Jared a discussion at an event Taylor is looking to get a to raise awareness of job in the automotive field. the importance of CTE Maryah Gowan plans to be programs. More than 200 a veterinarian. And Logan people attended Valley Voices Huber hopes to be an Presents Opportunity Arizona: astronaut. Identifying a Qualified Work- force. The Greater Phoenix These four teenagers are Chamber of Commerce and among nearly 140,000 MAG sponsored the event. high school students in Arizona preparing for In the state of Arizona, employment by participat- there are 63 recognized ing in career and technical Tori Lawrence Jared Taylor career program areas education (CTE) pro- offered by 14 Joint Tech- grams. Statistics show that nical Education Districts 98 percent of CTE stu- (JTEDs). Each program dents will graduate from has undergone a strict ap- high school, compared proval process. to the state average of 77 percent. Many of them will “There has to be a proven find jobs within weeks of employment need, and graduation. there has to be support by business and industry,” says “Career and technical edu- Greg Donovan, co-chair of cation is a vital investment the JTED Superintendent’s in our future workforce,” Association. “Career and says Maricopa Association technical education brings of Governments (MAG) Maryah Gowan Logan Huber relevance to a student’s Chair W.J. “Jim” Lane, educational opportuni- mayor of Scottsdale. “Workforce development drives global ties. It also brings specific job skills to those students, so as they competitiveness. Training students in their areas of interest complete the opportunity of career and technical education, keeps them here in Arizona and contributing to their local they are prepared to enter the workforce as contributors to our economy.” community and society,” he says. Continued on page 11 Message From the Chair ..................... 2 Travel Demand Model .......................... 7 Voices From the Council ....................... 3 Honorary Consuls Meeting ................... 8 INSIDE Regional Profile: Mayor Weise .............. 4 Domestic Violence Protocols ..................9 Region Receives Homelessness Grant ...5 Ozone Season Starts ............................10 this issue Light Rail NW Extension Opens ............ 6 Opportunity Arizona (continued) ........ 11 Message From the Chair MAG Regional Council Members t has been my honor to serve seen in the success of a partner- Executive Committee Members Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane Ias the MAG Chair for the past ship with the Arizona Depart- Scottsdale, Chair year. It is humbling to know that ment of Transportation (ADOT), Mayor Greg Stanton MAG’s legacy of excellence is built the Department of Public Safety Phoenix, Vice Chair Mayor Jackie Meck upon the leadership of so many (DPS) and the Federal Highway Buckeye, Treasurer former and current members Administration to place DPS Mayor Lana Mook who have helped MAG become a troopers in the ADOT Traffic El Mirage, At-Large Member Mayor Gail Barney Mayor world-class organization. There is Operations Center. With funding Queen Creek, At-Large Member W.J. “Jim” Lane, much for which we can be proud. provided by MAG and ADOT, the Mayor Mark Mitchell Tempe, At-Large Member City of Scottsdale program meant accident scenes Mayor Michael LeVault Transportation for America cites could be cleared more quickly. Youngtown, Past Chair MAG as an Innovative Metropoli- In fact, the average time taken to Vice Mayor Robin Barker tan Planning Organization—one clear crashes on Maricopa County Apache Junction recognized nationally for its best freeways was cut by nearly an hour, Mayor Kenneth Weise practices in a number of areas. saving time, money, and lives Avondale Councilmember Mike Farrar through the reduction of second- Carefree MAG’s activities cover many vital ary collisions. Councilmember Dick Esser Cave Creek issues that mean a better qual- Mayor Jay Tibshraeny ity of life to the residents of our Another example was MAG’s part- Chandler region. For example, since 1985, nership with the Virginia G. Piper Mayor Tom Rankin Florence MAG has helped build 181 miles Foundation and Read On Arizona President Ruben Balderas of centerline freeways that are to map information on school Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation state-of-the-art. In fact, the WAZE literacy. The partners provided Mayor Linda M. Kavanagh Fountain Hills traffic app recently recognized the raw data; MAG painstakingly Mayor Chuck Turner greater Phoenix as the best driving charted the information to provide Gila Bend Governor Stephen Roe Lewis experience in the world. MAG has a genuine snapshot of school Gila River Indian Community been cited in numerous national performance and student literacy. Mayor John Lewis and international arenas for its Other strides were made in clear- Gilbert Mayor Jerry Weiers advances in transportation model- ing our air and in important social Glendale ing, performance measurement, areas such as the Regional Domes- Mayor Georgia Lord online mapping, environmental tic Violence Program and working Goodyear Mayor Angie Perez stewardship, and human services. to end homelessness. Guadalupe Mayor Thomas Schoaf Litchfield Park Teamwork is essential, and MAG The list is lengthy and my page Mayor Christian Price provides a regional forum that space too short. But the credit for Maricopa (City of) offers seats at the table to both the this excellence in all areas of MAG Supervisor Denny Barney Maricopa County public and private sectors. Our is attributable to the leadership Mayor John Giles Economic Development Com- and support by the elected officials Mesa mittee is a great example of how of this region. Our collective work Mayor Michael Collins Paradise Valley MAG provides a broad space that impacts not only our ability to Mayor Cathy Carlat brings many regional issues to the get our job done, but has a true Peoria effect on the lives of the citizens we Supervisor Todd House forefront. Another great instance Pinal County of collaboration this year was serve. President Delbert Ray Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Mayor Sharon Wolcott Mayor W.J. “Jim” Lane Surprise Mayor Adolfo Gamez City of Scottsdale, Regional Council Chair Tolleson Dennis Smith, Executive Director Mayor John Cook Wickenburg MAGAZine is a quarterly newsletter of the Maricopa Association Lindy Bauer, Valerie Day, Kyunghwi Jeon, Joseph E. La Rue & Jack Sellers Arizona Department of Transportation of Governments (MAG). It focuses on the issues and concerns Vladimir Livshits, Petya Maneva, Denise F. Rockne Arnett of the cities, towns and tribal communities of the MAG region. McClafferty, Brande Mead, Amy Robinson, Citizens Transportation If you know of a friend or colleague who would like to receive Amy St. Peter, Anne Scott, Contributors Oversight Committee MAGAZine, please call the MAG office, (602) 254-6300. Kelly Taft, Editor Gordon Tyus, Graphics Visit www.azmag.gov and click on Regional Council. Page 2 MAGAZine Voices From the Council 2016 One of the best ways to attract major employers is by letting them know the caliber of our local labor force. To that end, we are currently partnering with the communities and organizations that make up WESTMARC and MAG to develop a new workforce tool, called the West Valley PRO. This tool, which will identify the education and skill level of those living in the region, will better connect these new companies with the talent here at home. —City of Surprise Mayor Sharon Wolcott We recently started engaging with business, real estate and resident stakeholders in an effort to develop a unique brand identity for North Chandler. With a central location in the rapidly growing East Valley, North Chandler offers tremendous access to talent and customers. Our goals for this branding initiative are to raise awareness of this area’s advantages and opportunities, and position it as a top-of-mind destination for new businesses and investment. —Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny Having had the privilege to serve on the MAG Regional Council since 2009, I would like to give seven years of personal appreciation for the incredible work done by MAG and its staff. From advancing economic development through foreign direct investment to ensuring the utilization of domestic violence protocol models, MAG goes above and beyond its origination as a regional transportation authority to ensure a connected and thriving region, enhancing quality of life for all our residents. —Gilbert Mayor John Lewis Maricopa County wishes our county manager, Tom Manos, the best in his retirement. He’s a man of quiet service, and service above self. He has worked tirelessly, and has raised the bar for customer service provided by the County. —Maricopa County Supervisor Denny Barney Leaders Across State Support Border Transportation Project n Wednesday, April 27, leaders from across the state came together at through the port each year. This intersection is a vital international commerce Oa press conference to show their support for $25 million in federal grant connection,” he said. funding for a transportation project near the Arizona-Mexico border. The grant would help accelerate the project, which will relieve congested freight traffic “According to research from the University of Arizona, more than $2.5 billion and improve trade between the border states