We are reminded, by these late monsoon storms, how the normally sunny desert Southwest is still vulnerable to destructive, potentially dangerous flash floods. The County’s mountainous desert topography, its compacted soil, countless washes, and riverbeds create flash flooding conditions in many areas of the Valley. County government, through our Flood Control District, builds and maintains protective structures, dams and channels to handle these events and alert residents to take the proper precautions, as well as respond to emergencies where they occur, in coordination with our cities.

Pictured above: Mayor Finter and Mayor Giles at the Mesa Emergency Ops Center.

Rains are always welcome in Arizona. But occasionally, we get too much at one time. And we must be prepared.

Pictured right: On Monday, September 8, I attended a news conference at the Phoenix Emergency Management Operations Center along with Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and other Emergency Staff. The storm dumped unprecedented rainfall (between 2.5 and 5.5 inches across the valley) making it the single wettest day in recorded Phoenix history. Maricopa County joined the City of Phoenix and Arizona in declaring a state of emergency.

The Maricopa County Teen Leadership Experience (MCLE) Program is a no-charge, self-directed, self-paced program with activities, experiences, workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Over 175 teens from throughout the County were involved in the summer program that provided opportunities to learn first-hand about the inner workings of county government and the services it provides to the community. I had an opportunity to visit with several students from my district who participated in the 2014 MCLE Program.

Most children look forward to the beginning of the new school year. But for those families where money is tight, this can be a challenging time.

To help children start school on the right foot, the Office Depot Foundation (Foundation) donated 2,000 colorful new backpacks containing essential school supplies to nonprofit organizations, schools, and agencies in the Phoenix and Scottsdale areas. I was happy to participate in the Scottsdale launch event. The Foundation – the independent charitable giving arm of Office Depot made these donations during a special Back-to-School Celebration.

September 22nd was the Grand Opening of the Bridgestone Biorubber Process Research Center in Mesa. This facility marks a milestone in the first domestic production of natural rubber. Using a native desert shrub, Bridgestone is making rubber that is in harmony with nature, is sustainable, and reduces carbon dioxide.

I was honored to participate in the ribbon cutting for this one-of-a-kind research and innovation campus.

Read more on the Phoenix Business Journal website.

Maricopa County invests in and relies on technology to get the public's work done. We go to great efforts to protect our technology investment and one of those activities includes adopting a proclamation to declare October Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Despite being online in our daily lives, there are a few easy steps you can follow to help protect yourself. The STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Campaign contains simple steps that you can help you be less vulnerable to cybercrime. 

On July 28, 2014, Dr. Michael Crow presented our new collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) providing opportunities to apply for internships with Maricopa County under a new program approved by the Board. The Maricopa County Leadership and Education Advancing Public Service program, MCLEAPS, will be administered through the ASU School of Public Programs and individual county departments and will be open to all ASU students.

The program offers a paid stipend of $4,700 for the semester, a waiver of the semester’s tuition and fees, and academic credit towards a degree, depending on the degree requirements of the students’ major.

This is an exciting program that offers the county an opportunity to help train and develop the next generation of public servants. For more information about pursuing a career in public service visit ASU College of Public Programs.

On Wednesday, September 10 and Friday, September 12, employees from PetSmart and PetSmart Charities visited Maricopa County Animal Care & Control’s East Valley Animal Care Center in Mesa. The event was part of PetSmart’s CommUNITY Week where employees were encouraged to participate in volunteer opportunities throughout the community.

MCACC’s East Valley shelter was selected as one of the locations where volunteers could spend time. During their morning at MCACC, the PetSmart team took turns socializing and walking shelter dogs. Nearly 50 PetSmart employees participated in the event and some have already discussed becoming regular MCACC volunteers and foster parents.