Summer 2014
As we
reflected earlier this month on the 238th Birthday of the United
States of America, I add my gratitude to yours to live in a great nation whose
values are rooted in our Constitution. As your Supervisor, I stand beside you in
working to keep Maricopa County "the land of the free and the home of the
brave!"
 This past May, for the first time in
almost 44 years, Maricopa County dust levels met the federal standards. The federal
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the county’s dust plan, finally
allowing the county to be on the path toward achieving “attainment”
status.
Significantly, the EPA was persuaded to make allowances for
the summer “haboobs” and other “exceptional events” unfamiliar to Washington
and outside human control.
With the potential of facing billions
of dollars in lost transportation funding and other sanctions if we do not
comply, county
programs such as the often unpopular holiday “No-Burn” campaign have been an
important part of the plan to increase public awareness and reduce air
pollution.
It’s important that
we continue to push back on regulations but also take the time to thank county
officials who have worked hard, in coordination with state, local, and outside
entities to make this progress. And I’m pleased that after
so long, Maricopa County gets out from under the federal thumb, at least a
little.
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 Beginning
this fall, Arizona State University (ASU) students will have an opportunity to
apply for a Maricopa County internship. The Maricopa County Leadership and
Education Advancing Public Service program (MCLEAPS) allows accepted students to receive a paid
stipend, a waiver of the semester’s tuition, and academic credit toward a
qualifying degree.
This program
originated from discussions between Dr. Crow and I on how ASU and the county
could better collaborate and county manager Tom Manos and his staff have worked
hard to iron out the details and develop specific internship opportunities.
This program is a great chance for
students to get real world public sector experience and helps county
departments, who have had to cut back in recent years, deliver top notch
service to the community.
For more information on this program, go to
copp.asu.edu/mcleaps
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In line with
the Board’s regulatory reform goals, Maricopa County’s Environmental Health
Division brought together stakeholders from the community to look at county
regulations and how they affect food service operations. Discussions centered
around our Cutting Edge program, which promotes food safety practices and
assists restaurant owners in having more control over the inspection process.
Some of the recommendations coming from
the volunteer participants, that we are working to implement, include:
- Developing a
comprehensive marketing plan for the Cutting Edge program
- Directing staff to do
a fee analysis and adjustment for Cutting Edge members
- Increasing an
inspector’s rotational period in an area from two to three years
- Delaying online
posting of inspection reports for three days to allow operators to clarify or
challenge items on the report
Read
the full Ad Hoc Task Force Report
 In
June, the Board of Supervisors appointed Marie Lopez Rogers to replace Mary
Rose Wilcox as Supervisor over District 5. Supervisor Rogers comes to us from
Avondale, where she was a councilmember and mayor for a number of years. We
welcome her to Maricopa County.
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 This spring, I was privileged to participate with a group of elected officials in the Town of Gilbert’s “Operation Welcome Home”. Together we honored three individuals returning from active duty service to our country. I greatly appreciate Gilbert’s leadership and the effort and sacrifice of our returning veterans. To participate in future programs, visit Operation Welcome Home AZ on Facebook.
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 Gilbert Feeding Families kicked off their 2nd annual Community Food Drive on May 4th. I was proud to participate with Gilbert Mayor John Lewis and Representative Warren Petersen in helping bring awareness to the increased needs of the food bank. And, in a friendly competition at Albertsons to kick off the event, my bagging partner Leroy Breinholt and I were named "speediest baggers." Residents far surpassed this year’s goal by collecting 114,586 meals for the United Food Bank.
 As a Past President of the Mesa Baseline Rotary club, I always enjoy speaking to Rotary clubs across the District. On May 6th, I spoke to members of the Sun Lakes Rotary Club on the county’s "Smart Justice" program. Smart Justice is a data driven, cost containing approach to criminal justice which tracks programs effectiveness and helps leaders make smarter decisions.
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 Legislative
District 17 held a State-wide candidate forum on May 27th where
constituents from across the East Valley came to hear candidates discuss their
solutions to problems facing our community. I enjoyed hosting this information
round-table and appreciate the great work of district Chairman Tyler Bowyer and
our Republican PC’s.
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In June, our office visited Marc Community Resources (MARC). MARC is a nonprofit that specializes in providing educational, therapeutic, rehabilitation and social services to children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities and behavioral health challenges. President Randy Gray and his team were incredibly hospitable and we were privileged to meet with an extraordinary group of individuals!
 On
June 20th, this year’s Chandler Leadership Institute class came down
to the county for their "Government Day." I had a great discussion with many
community leaders from the Chandler area on the role of county government and
how the county interfaces with local and state officials.
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In
1910, Maricopa County Sheriff Carl Hayden organized the first posse that used
an automobile to chase and capture train robbers. His courage and fame as a
lawman propelled him to be elected to Arizona’s first Congressional seat in
1911, before Arizona officially became a state. He served eight terms in the
House and seven terms in the U.S. Senate until he retired in 1968.
District
1 has an open position on the Maricopa County Community Development Advisory
Committee (CDAC). The CDAC advises on matters concerning the Community
Development Block Grant program, including fair housing and housing
affordability issues affecting low/moderate income people. If interested,
please contact our office at (602) 506-1776.
Please
let me know how I can continue to serve you.
Warmly,
Denny Barney, District 1
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
www.maricopa.gov/dist1/
602-506-1776
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