I have great news!  We met with the Recreation Centers of Sun City (RCSC) Board members and RCSC General Manager Matthew D'Luzansky and they agreed to renew a five-year lease for both Sun City libraries.  I would like to thank each and everyone of you for being so supportive of both libraries.  You truly made a difference.  We will continue working with the RCSC Board to make certain safety and security concerns are being addressed for both locations so that you can have an enjoyable library experience.

On April 4th, I had the honor of being asked to speak at an event put on by Building Homes for Heroes, where they along with JP Morgan Chase Bank, presented Army Veteran, Private First Class Adam Sampson with a mortgage free home in Waddell.

In April 2005, PFC Sampson was the lead gunner of his platoon and was seriously injured in Baghdad, when the vehicle he was in was engaged and disabled by mortar attacks while conducting recon and surveillance.  As a result, PFC Sampson suffered serious injuries and in 2008 he was honorably discharged. PFC Sampson received several well-deserved recognitions for his service, including the Purple Heart and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.  In 2021, PFC Sampson and his 3 sons, all suffered the loss of his wife/their mother, Megan.

We could only imagine what this would do to a person and a family, but after meeting PFC Sampson and his sons, I know that they are all going to pull through this together.  They have the support of our community as evidence by all those who attended the ceremony, from MCSO, Rural Metro Fire, Surprise PD, American Legion Riders, and the AZ Patriot Guard Riders.  

As many of you know, I have a strong appreciation for all our courageous military service men and women, and being a part of this ceremony truly meant a lot to me.

On April 3, The El Mirage Fire Station held a traditional Push-In Ceremony to place their newest fire engine into service.

El Mirage applied for funding to acquire a new fire truck and we were able to allocate $519,840 towards the project through our Community Development Block Grant.

I am proud that Maricopa County is able to invest in projects that help cities protect their residents. This new fire engine will help the city of El Mirage continue its top-tier emergency response efforts, more efficiently align with national fire safety standards and keep their tight-knit community safe

Launch of Heat Relief Network.                     The regional Heat Relief Network goes live starting May 1 for those who do not have access to cool environments. Find all heat resources at Maricopa.gov/Heat. The Heat Relief Network consists of community partners that will offer cooling centers and hydration stations to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths among vulnerable populations. This year, most cooling centers will have extended hours and some will be open on weekends and overnight. Thanks to partnership with Public Health, residents can call 2-1-1 to get heat relief support in both English and Spanish which includes locations of cooling centers, assistance with A/C repair, and more. Click on the link for additional information: Heat Relief Effort 

Want to spend more time outdoors while also keeping the environment healthier? Volunteer with Maricopa County Parks! Our Desert Defender volunteers help remove invasive species, keep trails safe, and repopulate parks with native plants.

The first day to sign up for the Maricopa County Library District's Summer reading Program is May 1. The program runs from June 1 - August 1. Participants can win prizes by tracking their reading minutes, participating in challenges, and going to events at their local library. The program is designed to keep students learning during summer months, advance early literacy among pre-readers and their families, and connect readers with their communities. Read the Maricopa County Reads 2023 Annual Report to learn more about the impact of the Summer Reading Program in Maricopa County.

After years of planning, designing, and hard work, the highly anticipated new East Valley Animal Care Center is set to open this Thursday, May 2. You can read about all the bells and whistles on our special website, maricopa.gov/newshelter.

And don't forget, from May 1-15, adoption fees are waived for most dogs at both county animal shelters, making it a great time to "Adopt. For Dogs' Sake." 

Interested in working the 2024 Primary Election? Maricopa County Elections is hiring!  Join us on May 3 at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Training Center, 2627 S. 35th Ave, Phoenix, AZ from 10:00-12:00 PM and 3:00-5:00 PM. Bring your resume. We're hiring for various roles: Temporary Recruiters (Mesa and Phoenix locations), Temporary Warehouse Driver, Temporary T-Tech, Temporary Hotline Rep, Temporary Ballot Courier, and Temporary Adjudication Clerk.  If you are unable to attend in-person, visit GetInvolved.Maricopa.Vote to apply for these positions online.

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