• Good Government
• Community Update

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Maricopa County, the City of Phoenix, and the State of Arizona partnered to bring awareness, education, outreach, and support to victims of domestic violence. We appreciate the speakers who joined us at our Formal Board of Supervisors meeting, Allie Bones and Celeste Plumlee with the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation bringing awareness to ending domestic violence. During the month of October, the downtown capitol complex area will be lit purple as a symbol of Arizona's dedication to ending domestic violence. Arizonans can join this effort and light their own homes purple. The Home Depot will sell purple light bulbs to customers at all Arizona store locations with a percentage of the proceeds going to support domestic violence prevention. Please join us in bringing awareness to this issue.

Good Government

Maricopa County Correctional Health: “Best in the Nation” in 2015

On Monday, September 21, we recognized Dr. Jeffrey Alvarez and Dr. Dawn Noggle with the Maricopa County Correctional Health Services department, named the Health Care Facility of the Year by the National Commission on Health Care (NCCHC). The NCCHC is a national accrediting body for health care delivery in corrections. This award is competitive and prestigious, given only to facilities with outstanding performance. This is clearly a team effort, a capstone of excellence Maricopa County is trying to achieve. Thank you to the team of dedicated employees at the Maricopa County Correctional Health Services department for striving for excellence. Please watch this informative video about Maricopa County Correctional Health Services.

Tour of the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and the Flood Control District  

I had the opportunity to visit the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and Flood Control employees. Both departments collaborate with the towns, cities and other government agencies on a daily basis. At MCDOT I learned about the activities of the MCDOT Traffic Management Center.

Did you know that ¼ of the nation’s flood control alert stations are in Maricopa County? The District has installed and maintains over 300 rain, water-level and weather stations throughout Maricopa and surrounding counties. The data, real-time or historic, may be viewed using the Flood & Control ALERT Interactive Data Display (AIDD) Map. You can access all this data in just one click by adding it to your home screen on any smart phone or tablet.

Community Update

Biltmore Area Partnership Meeting

On September 22, I had the distinct honor and privilege of speaking to the Biltmore Area Partnership members. The Biltmore Area Partnership was founded in 1994 to help unify and maintain the unique identity of the Biltmore Area through business and community affiliation. I was able to share the wonderful accomplishments Maricopa County has attained such as receiving 47 awards from the National Association of Counties. As Chairman of the Board, I am very proud of these accomplishments. Without the employees of Maricopa County continuing to strive for excellence, these achievements would not have been possible.

Telescopes Available for Check-out From Fountain Hills Library

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors formally accepted a donation of three telescopes from the Fountain Hills Astronomy Club that can be checked out from the Fountain Hills Branch Library. Telescopes can be checked out, for a week at a time, by customers age 18 and older who have a valid Maricopa County Library District (MCLD) card. Over the past couple of years MCLD libraries have been introducing its customers to STEM-related (science-technology-engineering-math) programs and materials, and this is another step in that direction. We are fortunate to partner with the Fountain Hills Astronomy Club to add more hands-on, community-based resources like telescopes to support the interests of library customers. The three Orion Starblast telescopes were donated to the library by Dr. Craig Gimbel, a Fountain Hills resident and member of the Fountain Hills Astronomy Club. He previously donated his personal collection of telescopes to the library for its outdoor sky watch programs. The Fountain Hills Branch Library is one of 17 libraries operated by the Maricopa County Library District. For more information about the telescopes and other STEM type programs at MCLD libraries, visit www.mcldaz.org.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Library Lounge

I participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Library Lounge. This is Maricopa County Library District’s latest effort to expand library services to a new audience - namely the 1.3 million yearly travelers at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. We are excited about the prospects of this partnership with the airport and look forward to introducing customers to our library system in this very unique way.

Our responsibility is to make sure we are cutting edge in everything we do. To make sure we have a business minded approach to everything we do, and most importantly, we put the customer first. And that is what we are doing here. Airport visitors can now charge their electronic devices and download eBooks while their children enjoy age-appropriate materials in the new library space.

Watch the new Library Lounge and ribbon cutting ceremony.

Maricopa County Reads Summer Reading Program

The “Maricopa County Reads” summer program came to a successful end with more than 77,000 individuals participating. I had the honor to recognize two of the top readers from District 2, Maddie Phillips & Andrew Rosenbauer.

Below is a heartwarming thank you we received from Maddie following the Board presentation:

“Thank you so much! I really loved the summer reading program this year. I can’t wait for next's year’s program!!! My favorite part of the summer reading program was the games and the badges. I can’t wait for next year! Thank You!!!!!! I enjoyed meeting you today and I had fun!” --Maddie Phillips

Maricopa County Animal Care and Control Begins Adoption Ambassador Program

An Adoption Ambassador is someone who is committed to finding their foster dog a loving family and understands that the dog will be in their care for an average of 3-4 weeks. While MCACC’s regular foster care program focuses on finding homes for underage puppies and kittens, the Adoption Ambassador program aims to help dogs that find life difficult at the shelters. MCACC is currently seeking committed volunteers interested in becoming Adoption Ambassadors. For more information, contact Animal Care Center at (602) 506-PETS (7387) or http://www.maricopa.gov/pets/

County Parks Bring Back Free Camping Offer

Beginning October 1, Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department will bring back the Buy One, Get One campaign! The campaign allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night, or more, at a desert mountain county park to receive one night of equal or lesser value for free at any of the County’s desert parks during that same stay.

This is the seventh year the department has offered the Buy One, Get One promotion. It is by far, one of the Parks Department’s most popular campaigns! Not only does it help them kick-off the busy camping season, it is a way we can say ‘thank you’ to loyal local customers.

Upcoming Park Events

Please call each park for specific details or any associated fees, park contact information is below.

Full Moon Hike - Usery Park
On October 28 at 7:00 p.m. please join us for this 2-mile hike under the glowing light of the full moon. This is a great opportunity to experience sights and sounds of the desert at night! Bring your sense of adventure for this interpretive hike with our park ranger, Ranger B. Please bring a flashlight, water, and closed-toe shoes. No pets, please.

Super Saguaros - Usery Park
On October 30 at 9:00 a.m. find out….Why do saguaros grow arms? Can you estimate the age of a saguaro? Can you drink water from one? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about saguaros, then this quarter-mile stroll along the scenic Desert Hawk Trail with Ranger B is for you! Please bring water and closed-toe shoes.

Desert Monsters - Usery Park
On October 31 at 12:00 p.m. will be the Desert Monsters hike! It’s Halloween and we’ve got monsters in our desert – gila monsters that is! How dangerous are they? What should you do if you meet one? How do they survive and thrive in our desert? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about gila monsters, then this one-hour presentation is for you! Join us inside our Nature Center as Ranger B shares amazing facts about these misunderstood monsters. Feel free to bring a lunch.

Three Mile Thursday - Usery Park
On November 5 at 8:00 a.m. join us for this fun 3 mile moderate-pace hike through our scenic desert. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes.

"Just for Kids" - Story time in the Desert - Usery Park
On November 5 at 11:00 a.m. - Kids (including parents and caregivers) will learn about our desert through a fun story, game, and a short outdoor experience. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the program at one of the playgrounds in our park. Please bring water and closed-toe shoes. Suggested for ages 3-5.

Usery Mountain Regional Park
3939 N. Usery Pass Road
Mesa, AZ 85207
Ph: (480) 984-0032
userypark@mail.maricopa.gov

Geology, Gold, and Streams Walk - Spur Cross
On Sunday, October 18 at 9:00 a.m. enjoy the Geology, Gold, and Streams Walk (moderate hike) Learn about the geology and streams of the Spur Cross region on a 2-hour walk with nationally-known earth science author, Thomas McGuire. Visit an abandoned gold mine, Nutcracker Rock and a Hohokam rock art site along Cottonwood Wash. Bring water and your natural curiosity. Meet in the Spur Cross parking area.

Take Your Walk to the Desert - Spur Cross
Mark your calendars for Take Your Walk to the Desert hike at Spur Cross Regional Park.  Monday, November 9 at 9:00 a.m. join Park Docent Coni for a moderate 3 to 5 mile hike. Wear sturdy shoes and bring 2 liters of water, a snack, and your camera. Let’s hike!!!

Exploring Spur Cross
On Wednesday, November 11 at 9:00 a.m. Exploring Spur Cross is an easy 2 hour hike. Join ranger Kevin for a 2-hour introductory exploration of Spur Cross. From its Hohokam prehistory and historic gold mining to the romantic days when Spur Cross meant vacation from a saddle, we explore the wonders of Spur Cross.

Cottonwood Wash Walk - Spur Cross
On Saturday, November 14 at 9:00 a.m. come and participate in the Cottonwood Wash Walk (moderate hike) Discover the fascinating world of a desert wash. This hike will feature the exploration of Cottonwood Wash, a major tributary of Cave Creek. Along the way we will discuss desert washes and mesas and how the ecosystems differ. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended. No dogs on this hike please.

Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
44000 N. Spur Cross Road
Cave Creek, AZ 85331   Ph: 480-488-6601
spurcrossranch@mail.maricopa.gov

Sunset Walk - McDowell
On October 8 at 5:00 p.m. join the Ranger for this easy 3-mile walk from the park's Nature Center on trails nearby and through the campground area. Breathtaking views surround you as you walk and enjoy a relaxing evening of walking on easy trails. Meet at the Nature Center.

Fridays Fitness Hike- McDowell -Trailhead Staging Area
On October 23 at 7:00 a.m. join us for Fridays Fitness Hike. Come to one or all of the Fitness Hiking Series, every Friday. The length of the hikes varies each week. Come prepared to hike between 8-12 miles. This week's hike will begin at the Trailhead Staging Area. Please wear sturdy shoes & bring plenty of water. Hike led by Kevin B.

Haunted Hill Family Moon Hike - McDowell
On October 25 at 6:00 p.m. bring the family out for a spooky night hike. Short but sweet; this nighttime adventure will be a treat for your little goblins as they conquer their first nighttime outdoor adventure. Zombies, pumpkins, ghosts, cartoon characters and superheroes are all welcome! This 1-mile hike will be up and around the Hilltop Trail. *Please note* - This is not a barrier free trail and will not accommodate strollers, so please plan accordingly. Meet the Ranger at the Trailhead Staging Area.

McDowell Mountain Regional Park
16300 N. McDowell Mountain Park Dr.
Fountain Hills, AZ  85268
Ph: 480-471-0173
mcdowellpark@mail.maricopa.gov

Sincerely,

Steve Chucri, Chairman, District 2
Maricopa County Board of Supervisors
www.maricopa.gov/steve
602-506-7431