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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006.0203.Compass Pamphlet10 ,I* Primary Election set for March 14; Remember to Vote On Tuesday, March 14, the Town of Fountain Hills will hold a Primary Election to nominate a mayor and three council members for the Fountain Hills Town Council. If any of the candidates receive greater than fifty percent of the total ballots cast at the Primary Election, they will be declared elected and will not be required to run in the General Election. The terms of the mayor and three Council members expire June 2006. Only one sample ballot will be sent to each household containing a registered voter on or around March 3. The sample ballot will contain information on polling places and a list of the candidates on the ballot. The mailing label will indicate where voters should vote. Please make it available to all registered voters in the household. If you have questions on your registration status, acceptable identification or polling place information, please call Maricopa County Elections at WDOWELL MOLMAIN PARK TTN HILLS 1 FTN HILLS 8 FTN F 602-506-1511 or the Town Clerk's office at 480-837-2003. Polling Places on March 14 are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. PRECINCT #1: Christ's Church of Fountain Hills, 15555 E. Bainbridge Ave. PRECINCT #2 & #3: Fountain Hills Community Church, 15202 N. Fountain Hills Blvd. PRECINCT #4: Fountain Hills Christian Center, 16239 E. Ironwood Dr. PRECINCT #5 & #6: Fountain Hills Community Center, 13001 N. La Montana Dr. PRECINCT #7: Fountain View Village, 16455 E. Avenue of the Fountains PRECINCT #8: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day Saints, 15507 E. Bainbridge Ave. SPATE LAND 4. A .� 2,3 T3 t� M 7 FTN HILLS 5 FTN HILLS 4 FTN HILLS 6 SALT RIVER PIMA IWACOPA INDIAN COMWNn J Continue on page 2 ... Primary Election Time Line Thursday, February 9 • Sample ballots are available for public inspection at Town Hall. • Early ballots are available. Qualified voters can vote early by mail or in person. • To vote by mail: Complete and mail an early ballot request card. These cards are found at Town Hall, 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains, the Library, and the Community Center. Ballot request cards must be mailed to Maricopa County Elections before Friday, March 3, 2006. Contact Maricopa County Elections office at 602-506-1511 for an early ballot or request a ballot on the Maricopa County Recorder's website at http://recorder.maricopa.gov. • Voted early ballots may be returned to Maricopa County Elections by mail, placed in a sealed ballot box at Town Hall prior to Election Day, or dropped off at any polling place on Election Day. • To vote early in person: Come to Town Hall between the hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains (1st floor - Lobby), and request to vote. Greater Phoenix Economic Council staff visits Town for tour of available sites Monday, February 13 County registration closes. All voter registration is processed through Maricopa County. To be eligible to vote in the March 14 Primary Election, voters must have submitted their registration to Maricopa County Elections by February 13. Friday, March 3 Deadline to request an early mail ballot. Thursday, March 9 Logic and Accuracy Test: Equipment used to count ballots will be tested at 9:00 a.m. at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Elections Center, 510 S. Third Avenue, Phoenix. (Third Avenue and Lincoln). The public is welcome to attend. Friday, March 10 Deadline to vote early in person at Town Hall is 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 - Election Day Polls open 6:00 a.m. - Polls close at 7:00 p.m. To verify a polling place and registration status, please call 602-506-1511 or 480-837-2003 after February 15. Several Town and community officials hosted a team from the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC) in late December, to provide information and show available sites that could be considered for locating a business. The Town of Fountain Hills is a member of GPEC, along with 15 other communities and more than 130 private -sector investors. GPEC represents the greater Phoenix area through a team of business expansion and relocation specialists. Visiting the area from GPEC were Paul Ringer, Senior Vice President and Chief Performance Officer; Brad Smidt and David Valenzuela, Vice Presidents of Business Development; and Kristen Stephenson, Research Analyst. The tour was coordinated by Megan Griego, Economic Development Specialist, and Kate Zanon, Planner, both with the Town of Fountain Hills. Frank Ferrara, President of the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Bollerman, General Manager of Holiday Inn and Suites, Bohdan Hirniak, MCO Properties, Bob Rodgers, Senior Planner with the Town, and Assistant Town Manager Ellen Pence also provided information about the area's positive business climate. (from left) Ellen Pence, Brad Smidt, Megan Griego, Kate Zanon, David Valenzuela and Kristen Stephenson Requirement for new voter registration Proposition 200, passed by the voters of Arizona at the 2004 General Election, which became effective January 24, 2005, requires that proof of citizenship must be submitted with all NEW voter registration forms. A name cannot be added to the voter registration file until the requirement is met. Satisfactory evidence of United States citizenship includes one of the following: • An Arizona driver's license number (or copy of the license) or non-operating identification license number (or copy of the identification license), issued after October 1, 1996. • Adriver's license or non-operating identification license from another state that identifies U. S. citizenship. • A legible photocopy of a birth certificate with the name of the applicant that verifies U.S. citizenship. • U. S. naturalization certificate number or the presentation of the original certificate of naturalization. If only the number is provided, the County Recorder must verify the number with INS prior to adding the applicant to the voter rolls. • Bureau of Indian Affairs Card Number, Tribal Treaty Card Number, or Tribal Enrollment Number. Voter identification required at the polls Proposition 200 [§16-579(A)] states, "The elector LIST #2: If the qualified elector provides non -photo shall announce his/her name and place of identification (name and address only), TWO are residence to the election official and present one required: form of identification from List #1 or two different Acceptable forms of identification without a photograph that bears the current name and address of the forms of identification from List #2." elector: LIST #1: If the qualified elector provides photo identification with name and address, only ONE is required: Acceptable forms of identification with photograph with current name and address of the elector: • Valid Arizona driver's license • Valid Arizona non-operating identification license • Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification • Valid United States federal, state or local government issued identification. Identification is "valid" unless it can be determined on its face that it has expired. The qualified elector's name and the address must match the voter's address shown on the Signature Roster. • Utility bill of the elector — dated within 90 days of the date of the election. A utility bill may be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone, cellular phone or cable television. • Bank or credit union statement - dated within 90 days of the date of the election • Valid Arizona Vehicle Registration or Vehicle Insurance Card • Property Tax Statement of the elector's residence • Tribal Enrollment Card or other form of tribal identification Recorder's Certificate or Voter Registration Card • Any "Official Election Material" mailing bearing the voter's name and address, such as but not limited to Publicity Pamphlet addressed to the individual voter (not household) or Yellow Polling Place Notification Card addressed to the individual voter (not household). Continue on page 4 ... W. Continue from page 3.. IMPORTANT INFORMATION A. If the voter does not have one photo identification from List #1 or two other non -photo identification from List #2, the voter will be required to vote a Provisional Ballot. B. If the voter has only one item from List #2, the voter must vote a Provisional Ballot. C. If the voter's name and/or address on the identification does not match the name and address in the Signature Roster, the voter must vote a Provisional Ballot. If the voter fits the criteria described in scenario A or B above, the voter will have five business days after a federal General Election and three days after any other election to provide sufficient identification to the County Recorder in order for their provisional ballot to count. Contact the Maricopa County Recorders Office/ Elections Division with any questions at 602-506-1511 "Business Excellence" workshops offer practical tips for businesses in Fountain Hills A series of six workshops begins in February to provide business owners in Fountain Hills with practical information about improving their businesses. The interactive workshops will cover the basics of business planning; marketing; sales and customer service; people and activity management; cash and performance measurement; and the top five reasons why businesses succeed. Jointly sponsored by the Town of Fountain Hills and the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce, the workshops are available to businesses in Fountain Hills and members of the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce. The first workshop, scheduled February 23, focuses on developing effective business plans. The remaining topics are marketing in the March session; sales and customer service in April; people and activity management in May; cash and performance measurement in June; and the top five reasons why businesses succeed in July. Upon successful completion of all six sessions and all assignments, participants will receive a certificate of completion and formal certification of "Business Excellence" by the Town and Chamber. The series is a result of a recent study by the Chamber of Commerce that indicated its members wanted more educational sessions on business and marketing. "The focus of the workshop series is to provide practical ideas and tools to business owners to enable them to better plan and execute business activities," said Megan Griego, Economic Development Specialist w'th the Town of Fountain Hills. "Individuals who -nd the sessions can learn practical ways in w h to improve their effectiveness and profitability of their businesses." Each session will be scheduled from noon until 1:30 p.m. at the Fountain Hills Community Center. Participants are required to register in advance for each session. Registration is $5 per person per session and includes lunch catered by a local restaurant. To register for the first workshop, please stop by the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce, 16837 E. Palisades Blvd. by Friday, February 16. News Briefs Scottsdale's 101 Freeway begins photo enforcement demonstration project Scottsdale has used photo enforcement on its city streets since 1997 and began a test program on a 7.8 -mile stretch of the Loop 101 Freeway on January 22. The goal is to reduce speeding and reduce collisions. Scottsdale currently operates nine fixed speed/red- light cameras and four photo enforcement vans, which have helped improve safety. The demonstration program on the Loop 101 Freeway in Scottsdale will be the first use of photo enforcement equipment on a freeway in Arizona and is believed to be the first such program in the nation. The cameras are at six fixed locations (not on photo enforcement vans) along the freeway from just north of the 90th Street exit to the Scottsdale Road exit.The speed limit on this stretch of the Loop 101 freeway is 65 mph, and the equipment is set to photograph drivers when they are moving at 76 mph or faster. For the first 30 days of the program, the city plans to send warning notices to drivers who exceed the 76 mph threshold. Scottsdale will begin mailing citations following the 30 -day warning period. Additional information can be obtained through a phone hotline for the program at 480 -312 - SAFE or on the City of Scottsdale website at www.ScottsdaleAZ.gov. Just link to the "photo enforcement" pages under "Hot Topics." (information privided by the City of Scottsdale Department of Communications & Public Affairs) A message from the Fountain Hills Municipal Court Being the victim of a crime is traumatic. If you are the victim of a crime, you have rights under Arizona law. There are also services available through governmental agencies for supporting victims in a variety of ways including: Assisting in providing crisis intervention, such as counseling and emergency shelter; Providing information on filing Orders of Protection or Injunctions Against Harassment; • Helping file for Crime Victim Compensation; • Supporting through the various steps of the criminal justice process; and • Advocating your rights as a crime victim. Detailed information on crime victim rights in Arizona and the supporting services is available through the following agencies: Arizona Supreme Court Victim's Rights: www.supreme.state.az.us State of Arizona Crime Victims Support: www.azvictims.com Arizona Attorney General Victim Services: www.azag.gov/victims_rights Maricopa County Attorney Victim Services: www.maricopacountyattorney.org If you are the victim of identity theft, domestic violence or any other crime, you should contact law enforcement. In addition, the above resources are available to help you understand your rights and protections that Arizona law affords you. Town streamlines application for new or renewing business license One of the goals in Fountain Hills is to be "business friendly," and in an effort to help new businesses get started and existing businesses to meet the Town's requirements, the process of getting and renewing a business license has been streamlined. The form to apply for a business license was reduced to one page, instead of two pages. Any person conducting business within the Town limits is required to have a business license, which is available by calling 480-837-2003. Renewing the license each year can be accomplished by telephone, and the Town now accepts payments by credit cards (Visa or Mastercard). A non-renewable license option was also added for businesses that operate only once, such as a vendor at a festival. As a reminder, conducting business without a license is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 a day or imprisonment up to six months. Each day that a violation continues is a separate offense. Licensing your dog just got easier for Fountain Hills residents A new, easier -to -read application and renewal form are available on the Town's website at www.fh.az.gov/downloadable. All dogs, three months of age and older, must be vaccinated and licensed. When a Town of Fountain Hills license is obtained, a Maricopa County license is not required. Simply download the form, enclose a check for $10 for a neutered/spayed dog or $25 for a non- neutered/non-spayed dog, along with a copy of the vaccination certificate and written proof of neutering/spaying, and mail it to the Town of Fountain Hills, P.O. Box 17958, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269. You also can pay the license fees with a credit card (Visa or Mastercard) in person at Town Hall, by phone at 480-837-2003 or by fax at 480-837-3145. Don't mess with Fountain Hills: Sign up to "adopt -a -street" Help keep Fountain Hills neighborhoods clean by volunteering to "adopt -a -street." Currently, there are 57 groups who pick up trash along a designated stretch of road six times a year. The group is recognized on a green -and -white sign displayed along their portion of the street. Some residents and families even clean up their own residential streets. Find out more about this great way to keep Fountain Hills beautiful. Stop by the Administration desk at Town Hall, or call 480-837-2003. % • • Information about your pet can also be updated on the website at www.fh.az.gov/doglicupd, send an email to doglic@fh.az.gov, or call the dog license hotline at 480-816-5298. Failure to license your pet is a Class Two misdemeanor with a possible fine of up to $750. Fire Department offers free inspection against wildfires With the recent dry and warm weather combined with last years' heavy rains, the Fountain Hills area has the potential for a severe wildfire season. Fire officials encourage homeowners to follow these safety tips and reduce the overgrown vegetation around the property. • Create a defensible space around your home and property. Remove dry and dead plants a minimum of 15 feet around the home. • Remove large trees and branches from the roofline of your home. • Keep tree branches a minimum of 3 feet from the ground. • Remove storage of wood and other items next to the home. • Continue to monitor the property and reduce fire fuel. To schedule a free inspection of wildfire safety, contact the Fountain Hills Fire Department at 480-816-5139. TwoFountain Hills employees receive professional recognition Two employees of the Town of Fountain Hills re- cently received professional recognition. John Morast, Assistant Public Works Director, became licensed as a Civil Engineer in Arizona, and Dori Shick, Recreation Program Coordinator, became a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional from the National Recreation and Park Association. "We are very proud of John for obtaining his civil engineering license and Dori for the national parks and recreation certification," said Town Manager Tim Pickering. "These are the latest achieve- ments by two of our Town's highly professional staff. Our employees constantly set and achieve high goals for themselves, which in turn helps us provide quality services to our residents." 1 John Morast, Assistant Public Works Director John Morast, Assistant Public Works Director, be- came licensed as a Civil Engineer in Arizona on November 15, 2005. He is also licensed as a Pro- fessional Engineer in the State of Washington. He joined the Town of Fountain Hills on December 1, 2004. Morast graduated in 1991 from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree. To become a licensed Professional Engi- neer, it is necessary to pass an Engineer in Train- ing examination, work for a period of four years under the supervision of a licensed engineer, and then take an eight-hour civil engineering examina- tion. The first four hours pertain to a breadth of knowledge in all engineering disciplines. The second four hours pertain to depth of knowledge in one of five engineering modules. Morast tested in Transportation Engineering, which covers earth work, roads, signals, drainage and other knowledge critical to that discipline. The Town's Public Works Department operates and maintains public grounds, dams, medians, washes and open space as well as assuring properly designed and constructed infrastructure. Dori Shick, Recreation Coordinator Dori Shick, Recreation Program Coordinator, be- came a Certified Parks and Recreation Profes- sional by the National Recreation and Park Asso- ciation (NRPA). Shick graduated from Western Washington Univer- sity in 2000 where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Outdoor and Corporate Recreation. In addition to the certification, Schick also has a Bachelor's de- gree from an accredited university program, which qualified her to be eligible for the exam. She has worked for the Town of Fountain Hills since June 2004, coordinating Special Interest Programs and Youth and Teen Programs. She successfully completed the NRPA exam, which tests in three content areas: managing, programming and operations. The certification is based on national standards in recreation, park re- sources and the leisure service profession, which helps to make the Town's recreation services to its residents even better. 0r, Town Website...................www.fh.az.gov Town Hall................................837-2003 Community Center ...................816-5200 Parks & Recreation ...................816-5151 Fountain Hills Fire Dept.............837-9820 Sheriff's Department ................837-2047 Sheriff's Dispatch .............. 602-252-7840 Public Library ...........................837-9793 Senior Activity Center...............816-5888 Fountain Hills School Dist ..........664-5000 Town of Fountain Hills ` 16705 E. Avenue of the Fountains a P.O. Box 17958 Fountain Hills, AZ 85269 PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SCOTTSDALE, AZ PERMIT NO. 531 ECRWSS Postal Customer Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 Do not feed the animals Feeding wildlife attracts predators. Coyotes, javelins, bobcats, mountain lions, skunks, raccoons, rabbits and other wild animals are drawn into our Town through the lush habitats created around homes, parks, golf courses and businesses. Some dwellings have been built in wildlife habitat, often displacing some animals, while providing attractive habitat for others. The root of most conflicts between humans and wildlife is food. • Do not intentionally feed wildlife; animals quickly associate food with humans. • Feed pets indoors or remove leftover food immediately. • Store all garbage securely. Do not discard edible garbage where javelina, skunks, coyotes and other wild animals can get to it. Do not place your waste container at the street the night before the pickup day. • Do not feed the birds. Plant native vegetation to provide seeds for the birds instead of having a bird feeder. Spilled seed attracts wild animals as well as the birds. Some other suggestions for co -existing with wildlife: • Trim shrubbery that provides hiding cover for wild animals. • Close all openings to spaces under buildings. Many animals look for these spaces as den sites. • Do not let pets be free roaming — they may end up as a meal for coyotes, hawks, owls, bobcats and other predators. • Discourage javelina and other wild animals by making loud noises, throwing rocks, etc. to make them leave. This is doing the animals a favor so they will continue to fear human contact and will be less inclined to come in conflict with humans. Ask your neighbors to follow these suggestions too. Wild animals such as javelina, bobcats and coyotes that are attracted to one home often visit neighboring lots. This is a neighborhood issue, not just a single homeowner one. For more information on living with wildlife, check the website of the Arizona Game and Fish Department at www.azgfd.com.