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Unofficial primary election results for Tempe, March 2010

Unofficial primary election results for Tempe, March 2010

Courtesy of  the Tempe Newsroom: Tempe City Clerk Jan Hort has released unofficial results for the city’s March 9 Primary Election. Incumbents Shana Ellis and Onnie Shekerjian appear to have been re-elected to four-year City Council terms. Candidate Robin Arredondo-Savage also appears to have been elected to the Council and voters passed a bed tax increase.

To be elected in the primary, a candidate must get 50 percent plus 1 of all ballots cast. With an estimated 13,350 ballots currently counted in the primary (through early voting and on Election Day), each candidate had to get 6,676 votes to be elected in the primary. Tempe has 83,778 registered voters. A complete count of votes, including provisional and early ballots not yet counted, will be released Friday evening. A final canvass of the votes is scheduled for March 25.

Voters appear to have passed the 2 percent increase to the city’s hotel bed tax. Unofficial results indicate there were 9,215 votes for the measure (69 percent) and 3,782 votes against (28 percent).

Unofficial tallies for City Council:

Shana Ellis – 8,667 votes (65 percent)
Onnie Shekerjian – 8,284 votes (62 percent)
Robin Arredondo-Savage – 8,199 votes (61 percent)
Mark Ortiz – 5,882 votes (44 percent)

Voter turnout was for the Tempe Primary election was 16 percent, with the majority casting early ballots.

The city’s May 18 General Election will include a question about whether voters want to increase the city’s sales tax from 1.8 percent to 2 percent for four years.

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Tempe seeks help to get free high speed fiber network

Help Tempe get free high speed network fiber for our community 

What could you do with networking speeds 100 times faster than they currently are? 

Google is taking applications from communities that want to find out. They’re offering to install free high speed fiber in at least one community in America. Cities have to compete with each other to get it. The deadline to enter is March 26. (Details on this: http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/ ) 

Tempe wants that fiber. We want it for our 175,000 residents, for our 175,000 workers, for our 4 million visitors who travel here annually for fun and business and for our 200,000 college students. Why do we want it? Tempe, Arizona is known for innovation. We think that the combined brain power of all these people, with this fiber, can change the world. We’ve already done so much. 

You can help convince Google that Tempe is the best place to showcase their fiber. Tell us how you can change the world, or at least your corner of it, if you had access to the kind of speed that Google fiber promises. 

Send us a video, a Tweet, a photo, a note. Tell your friends and followers. We're working on our video right now! We’ll bring everything together on our website http://tempe.gov/googlefiber. Let’s make sure Google understands how passionate we are about this! 

Your enthusiasm will be rewarded. The most creative video will win fabulous Tempe prizes, including an overnight stay at the Tempe aloft hotel. You'll get to help us decide which video will win the prize. Downtown Tempe Community is giving away $10 gift certificates to the first 50 people who post a photo to Flickr that shows how they would change the world using the speed of Google fiber. Who said there's no such thing as a free lunch? Other prizes will be announced over the next couple of weeks, too. 

Tweet: @tempegov #gtempe #tempeYoutube.com: Use this in your title: One Community Changing the World, Tempe,AZ , #gtempe
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/gtempe/
Email us: kris_baxter@tempe.gov

Got other ideas on how we can make a statement to Google? Let's hear them!

Call 480 858-2059 or email kris_baxter@tempe.gov 

•        Read about Google’s fiber and nominate Tempe! http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/

•        Learn about the Grand Prize! (Link to http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3102

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Tempe tennis Pro Lancy Carr

Tempe tennis professional Lancy Carr receives regional recognition

Tempe tennis professional receives regional recognition

TEMPE, Ariz. – Not only are Kiwanis Recreation Center’s tennis courts nationally recognized, but so are the tennis professionals who teach classes, lessons and camps at the facility.

In October 2009, at the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA)’s Southwest Regional Conference, Kiwanis Recreation Center’s Lancy Carr, used her speed and accuracy to lead her to victory in the TIA Shoot-Out Contest. She defeated 14 other tennis professionals and will represent the Southwest Division at the USPTA World Conference in 2010 in La Quinta, Calif.

Lancy regularly shares some of her skills and techniques in the Monday night Cardio Tennis classes she teaches at Kiwanis Recreation Center, 6111 S. All America Way. Cardio Tennis is a fast-paced tennis aerobics class full of tennis drills and games that are all set to music. It’s a great workout for all ability levels. Class fees are based on the number of classes held during the six week sessions.

20015      ages 16+      M      3/29-5/3        8-9 p.m.      $45
20016      ages 16+      T      3/30-5/4        7-8 p.m.      $45
20017      ages 16+     W      4/7-5/5          6-7 p.m.      $38
20018      ages 16+     Sa     4/3-5/8          9-10 a.m.    $45

Advance registration is required, register online at www.tempe.gov/brochure. For more information on Kiwanis Recreation’s tennis programs, visit www.tempe.gov/tennis.

Courtesy Tempe Newsroom

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Tempe named one of country's best rowing communities

Tempe named one of country's best rowing communities

Tempe was named one of the Best Places to Retire and Row in the United States by The Rower’s Almanac.

Rating factors included housing costs, state income tax rates, number of restaurants, theatres, libraries and hospitals, types of water and rowing available, number of boathouses and regattas, and the size of the local rowing population. Optimal rowing conditions, a low cost of living and a high quality of life also factored into the mix.

According to www.RowingandSculling.com, Florida has three cities in the top ten, Sarasota, FL (#1), Cape Coral, FL (#3) and DeLand, FL (#6). North and South Carolina each have one: Raleigh, NC (#4), and Columbia, SC (#5). Austin, TX (#2), Tempe, AZ (#6-tied with DeLand), Klamath Falls, OR (#7), Natchitoches, LA (#8), Lakeport, CA (#9) and Greenwood, NY (#10) also made the list

About The Rower’s Almanac

The Rower’s Almanac provides rowing organization information about clubs, colleges, juniors, associations, rowing businesses, coaches and referees around the world. The Rower’s Almanac maintains the largest database of rowing organizations with approximately 6,000 rowing clubs in more than 100 countries.

Courtesy Tempe Newsroom

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Tempe Center for the Arts performances - March 2010

Tempe's Proposed Budget Balancing Plan 2010

From the Tempe Newsroom:

City Manager Charlie Meyer’s plan (available at www.tempe.gov/budgetplan) is based on $30 million in reductions and revenue-generating ideas put forward by the city’s department managers in late December. The current proposal includes a variety of cost-cutting and revenue-generating ideas for the City Council’s consideration. Among them are workforce reductions, reduced hours at city facilities, program eliminations and new fees for some services. The measures proposed in the plan address how the city could correct a $30 million deficit that, without intervention, would occur in 2010-11 and in each year for the foreseeable future.

Specific Parks and Recreation/Community Services reductions that are proposed include:

• Closing the McClintock High School pool to public swimming
• Reducing in Tempe Public Library hours from 70 to 56. Currently the library is open seven 10-hour days. The new operating hours are to be determined, but they would be a combination that adds up to 56
• Closing the Cahill Senior Center at the Westside Multi-Generational Center and eliminating Sunday hours at the North Tempe Multi-Generational Center
• Increasing Kid Zone fees by $2 a week
• Eliminating counseling services to underserved and uninsured
• Reducing the number of youth sports programs

This month, Tempe employees and community members will have opportunities to learn about Meyer’s proposal and offer their feedback at a series of forums to be held around the city. Two community forums are scheduled for next week including:

• Monday, Feb. 22, from 6-8 p.m. at the Escalante Center, in the Senior Center
• Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at South Tempe Police Substation

Final Council approval of the budget will be in May. The 2010-11 fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2011.

The City Council has agreed to move forward with a May 18 General Election ballot measure asking residents if they want to approve a two-tenths of a percent sales tax increase beginning July 1. The language for the ballot measure will include an exemption for grocery purchases and a four-year lifespan for the tax.

Visit www.tempe.gov/budgetplan for Meyer’s full proposal, information on the February forums, a list of upcoming City Council budget discussions, a recap of the fall 2009 budget process, a feedback form, and access to the online comments submitted to date from employees and community members.

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Tempe tennis director named PTR Member

Tempe tennis director named PTR Member of the Year for Arizona

From the Tempe Newsoom – Kiwanis Recreation Center’s Director of Tennis, Larry Funk, was recognized for his continuous support of Tempe tennis programs and dedication to the enhancement of tennis at the 2010 Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) International Tennis Symposium on Feb. 16 in South Carolina.

PTR is the largest global organization of tennis teaching professionals with more than 14,000 members in 122 countries. It is dedicated to educating, certifying and servicing tennis teachers and coaches around the world in order to grow the game. Larry Funk was named PTR Member of the Year for Arizona.

Larry Funk has worked tirelessly to expand and enhance the tennis programs held at Kiwanis Tennis Center, as well as the after school tennis programs offered at neighboring elementary schools. Funk also played an essential role in the city of Tempe’s selection as one of the Top 10 Best Tennis Towns chosen by the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

On a day-to-day basis, Funk oversees all tennis classes at Kiwanis Recreation Center, 6111 S. All America Way. The twice named Outstanding Tennis Facility of the Year by the USTA, and USTA Winter National Championship site, features 15 lighted tennis courts with cushioned Rebound Ace playing surface.

Larry Funk’s dedication to tennis ensures that Kiwanis Recreation Center offers a full-range of programs and playing opportunities for all ages and ability levels to make tennis a sport players can learn, develop and sustain.

For more information on Kiwanis Recreation’s tennis programs, visit www.tempe.gov/tennis. Advance registration is for tennis classes is required, register online at www.tempe.gov/brochure.

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Tempe beautifies historic neighborhood

Tempe joining effort to beautify historic neighborhood

From the Tempe Newsroom – More than 200 volunteers assist in Victory Acres neighborhood cleanup event 

The City of Tempe is joining forces with Valley Toyota Dealers and Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. for the third annual Barrios Bellos (Beautiful Neighborhoods) cleanup event Saturday, Feb. 20, in Tempe’s Victory Acres neighborhood. Volunteers will gather at Esquer Park, 2407 E. McArthur Dr., starting at 8 a.m.

Barrio Bellos is a cleanup and beautification program developed by the Valley Toyota Dealers in partnership with CPLC, Arizona’s leading Hispanic nonprofit, to help strengthen Latino neighborhoods in need throughout the Valley. For this year’s event, the City of Tempe is joining the effort as a partner to benefit this historic neighborhood and have a strong impact in the community.

One of Tempe’s oldest neighborhoods, Victory Acres has been home to many Hispanic families since the 1940s. Its boundaries are University Drive on the north to McArthur Drive on the south, and Evergreen Street on the east to Price Road on the west. Through Barrio Bellos, volunteers will clean up neighborhood streets and will help beautify community buildings such as St. Margaret Church.

Barrios Bellos is a positive first step in helping to create safe and healthy Hispanic neighborhoods throughout the Valley. Last year, nearly 250 volunteers collected nearly 17 tons of trash during a cleanup event benefiting Carl Hayden neighborhood district in Phoenix.

For more information about the Barrios Bellos beautification program, contact Ixchel del Castillo at (602) 417-0656 (office), (602) 821-1996 (mobile) or idelcastillo@c-k.com.

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Tempe receives prestigious EPA award

Tempe receives prestigious EPA award for Transportation Center

From the Tempe Newsroom: The city of Tempe today received a coveted Smart Growth Achievement Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its downtown Transportation Center. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson recognized the facility as a model for sustainable design, a vibrant, mixed-use regional transportation hub that incorporates innovative and green building elements tailored to the desert environment. 

The Tempe Transportation Center is a true multi-modal facility that integrates a METRO light rail stop, the city’s main bus station and the Bicycle Cellar, a full-service bicycle commuter facility with secure bicycle parking, showers, lockers, bicycle sales and rentals. www.thebicyclecellar.com 

“Every year the Smart Growth Achievement Award winners show us new and creative ways to bring environmental sustainability to our communities – and this year is no exception,” Jackson said. “Smart growth has an important role to play in building a new foundation for prosperity in communities across the nation.” 

Tempe was one of four communities receiving the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement at today’s ceremony in Washington. Other recipients were: Lancaster County, Pa., Planning Commission; city of Charlotte, N.C; and Chicago Housing Authority. 

For more information on the Tempe Transportation Center, call 480-350-2775 or visit www.tempe.gov/greenprograms.

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Tempe State of the City Address provides "Shop Tempe" resource - Nov 2009

Tempe State of the City Address provides "Shop Tempe" resource - Nov 2009

Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman's State of the City Address this morning spelled out the details of Tempe's financial situation while also discussing ways to improve upon it.

Five Tempe residents were showcased as community leaders in efforts to improve our city through a series of short videos. Mayor Hallman gave nods to Walt Richardson for his longtime efforts working toward the resurgence of music in Tempe, Raillife.com's Nick Bastian for his promotion of real estate around the light rail line, Christina Cenzano and the Dave's Electric Brewpub team to highlight the experiences of new business owners, Pastor Sang Hoon Yoo for his role with For Our City, a group of faith leaders helping in the community and Lisa Roach, for her work on a neighborhood committee to renovate her local park.

The speech, given at The Buttes Resort, and videos are available online at www.tempe.gov/elected/hallman.htm -- click on Additional Links, State of the City 2009.

Mayor Hallman also called out www.tempe.gov/shoptempe as a resource for businesses to sign up for exposure through the city. Tempe-based businesses may provide a synopsis of their business and contact information for this website. Shoppers may use this directory as a means to find local shops near them. Also online will be a series of gift-giving ideas. The first list, Help Your Neighbor, focuses on Mom and Pop shops that people love. New lists will be added monthly. 

In his Tempe State of the City Address Mayor Hallman said, "It is by better networking, and further reducing your costs of doing business in Tempe that we hope to help you and your businesses flourish in Tempe. We all must help one another succeed. Just as Tempe cannot succeed unless its surrounding communities do, most of us will not succeed independently; we must all work together to improve the business climate in Tempe, in Arizona, in this nation and across the globe."

The Shop Tempe initiative is a step in that direction.

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Tempe Recognized as Valley Leader for Bicycle Efforts

Tempe Recognized for Bicycle Efforts

The city of Tempe Transportation Program, Tempe in Motion, received an award Oct. 27 from the Clean Air Campaign for its comprehensive bicycle program . The Clean Air Awards recognize the best clean air and alternative transportation programs in Maricopa County. 

The city received the award for implementing an outstanding bicycle program by encouraging commuters to use bicycles as an alternative mode through improved facilities, educational programs and events. Annual bicycle events include the Tour de Tempe community bike ride, Bike to Work and School Day and the Bike-a-Palooza.

Tempe recently opened Bicycle Cellar, the first facility of its kind in Arizona to offer secure bicycle parking and related services to make cyclists’ lives easier. Services include repairs, equipment and accessory sales, bicycle advice and education, bicycle rentals and restrooms and changing rooms. Bicycle Cellar offers various membership plans, and members have access to the facility from 4 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

A city of Tempe employee, Oddvar Tveit, received the outstanding bicyclists commuter award from the Clean Air Campaign. Oddvar has ridden his bicycle to work everyday since June 2003 racking up more than 27,000 miles on his bike.  His dedication is paramount as he has made commuting by bicycle a staple of his life.

Tempe has approximately 170 miles of dedicated bikeways, including on-street bike lanes and off-street multi-use paths and is designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.

For information, call (480) 350-2775 or visit www.tempe.gov/tim.

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