The report that follows includes a summary overview of the one-day Town Hall, including a directory segment of delegates attending Town Hall.
December 12, 2016
Dear Town Hall Delegate:
On behalf of the Pinal County Town Hall Advisory Committee, it is my pleasure to provide you with the report and delegate directory from the 29th Annual Pinal County Town Hall. We commend you as delegates, for your attendance and serious consideration of the subject “Linking Transportation: Paving the Way to Economic Growth!” It was certainly apparent throughout the Town Hall that you are ready to go forward into your community armed with the information presented.
The Report that follows includes a summary overview of the one-day Town Hall including a directory segment of delegates attending Town Hall.
I want to once again acknowledge and thank our Partners in Economic Progress, listed in this report, who provide both time and financial resources to help make the Pinal County Town Hall a continuing reality. Special appreciation is also extended to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors and their staff who have provided continuing support for the entire 29 years Town Hall has been in existence, seeing the benefits of delegates coming together from throughout Pinal County to investigate and discuss a vast number of issues. We also extend our thanks to the individuals and businesses that provided door prizes for this, our 29th Annual Pinal County Town Hall.
Should you have questions concerning the report or follow-up activities, please contact members of the Town Hall Advisory Committee or our Town Hall Director Maxine Brown at 480-322-1626 or email at m.leather@mchsi.com. We look forward to seeing many of you at next year’s 30th Pinal County Town Hall which is already being planned for the fall of 2017. Your support and interest in the Pinal County Town Hall is greatly appreciated as we continue to work together for the well-being of Pinal County. Best regards for a great 2017.
Sincerely,
Sandie Smith, Chair
29th ANNUAL
PINAL COUNTY TOWN HALL
“LINKING TRANSPORTATION: PAVING THE WAY TO ECONOMIC GROWTH!”
OFFICIAL
REPORT
2016
DEDICATION
Our 29th Annual Pinal County Town Hall Report is dedicated to Wayne G. and Pat Gerken. Wayne served as the inspiration and guide for the Town Hall from its beginning in 1988 through 2005. It was Wayne’s idea and dream that if the people of Pinal County came together to discuss issues, much could be accomplished. Many lasting friendships have been developed through Wayne’s dream of bringing people from across the county together as well as forming a better Pinal County by discussing problems openly in the Town Hall forum.
Wayne’s right hand in developing each Town Hall was his wife Pat, who performed a host of planning and clerical duties including registrations, support materials, awards procurement, bookkeeping and much more.
Wayne and Pat forged the Town Hall through many years and taught those following in their footsteps how “it should and must be done.”
“True leaders are not those who strive to be first but those who are first to strive and who give their all for the success of the team. True leaders are first to see the need, envision the plan, and empower the team for action.
By the strength of the leader’s commitment,
the power of the team is unleashed.”
29TH ANNUAL PINAL COUNTY TOWN HALL
OCTOBER 6, 2016
“LINKING TRANSPORTATION: PAVING THE WAY TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT!”
One hundred sixty-seven delegates, including 9 students, attended the 29th Annual Pinal County Town Hall meeting at Robson Ranch in Eloy for a one-day meeting on October 6, 2016 to learn more about transportation issues facing Pinal County, the State of Arizona and the U.S. Funding for projects, the future of transportation, a look at automated-driverless cars, and possible revenue sources for funding transportation in Pinal County were just a few of the topics touched on by Town Hall presenters. The importance of transportation routes to move products and people is critical to economic growth in the county, state, and country.
THE DAY’S EVENTS AND SPEAKERS
WELCOME
Pinal County Town Hall Advisory Committee Chair Sandie Smith called the 29th Annual Pinal County Town Hall to order and introduced Mayor Joel Belloc, City of Eloy.
The Town Hall was honored to have Mayor Joel Belloc welcome Town Hall delegates, guests and students to his City. Mayor Belloc led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
TRANSPORTATION OVERVIEW
Transportation Lessons Learned
Town Hall’s special guest and a keynote speaker was Mary Peters, who served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2006 to 2009. In that role, she led efforts to substantially improve transportation safety, to improve the performance of the nation’s transportation system and develop new policy and funding sources to support America’s transportation system into the 21st Century.
Prior to serving as U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ms. Peters was a Sr. Vice President and National Director of Transportation Policy and Consulting for HDR, Inc. From 2001 through 2005 Ms. Peters served as the Federal Highway Administrator for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Ms. Peters was the Arizona Department of Transportation Director prior to becoming Federal Highway Administrator. Currently Ms. Peters is the Principal of Mary Peters Consulting Group, LLC an organization dedicated to finding new and better ways to address America’s infrastructure requirements.
With Ms. Peters’ vast experience and knowledge of transportation issues in Arizona and the country, she was a natural selection to offer the opening presentation for the Town Hall.
Ms. Peters related that the U.S. was once number 1 in the world for infrastructure but had fallen to 16th place. Most bridges in the U.S. were built prior to 1970. The last major international airport was built in this country in 1995, 21 years ago. The U.S. now has an aging and obsolete system and we are not keeping pace with the world.
Studies show U.S. commuters spend an average of 80 hours per year stuck in traffic. For a transportation project in the U.S. to receive approval, it takes 15 years, if there are no delays. Building projects get more expensive with each year. To keep pace with the Global Economy the U.S. must invest more in all the country’s infrastructure. This will not only keep the public safe but will also create jobs that will better the country’s economy. The US must focus on best practices. The overall funding for transportation must be reviewed at the federal, state and local levels. The Highway Trust Fund, funded by fuel tax, was last increased in 1993. With inflation at 63.9%, the Trust Fund has fallen significantly behind in keeping up with the country’s needs. “The gas tax is running out of gas.”
The U.S. cannot compete in the 21st Century without improving the country’s infrastructure. Gas tax revenues need to be increased from $88 to $100 billion to bring the infrastructure to a point where the U.S. can operate successfully in the 21st Century. We cannot compete from the 16th place.
We need to look at new solutions and innovative approaches to solve the country’s problem. One avenue is PPP or Public/Private Partnerships that can be developed to fund projects.
It is difficult to look at new transportation funding when projects such as the “Bridge to Nowhere” are out there. Government officials need to focus on transparency and gain the public trust to find innovative ways to fund the much need infrastructure in the country. It is evident that local area elected officials are trusted much more than state and federal officials thus making raising taxes and finding funding solutions to problems on a national level very difficult. Local taxes seem to be raised easier than federal taxes. The country needs strong political leadership with innovative approaches.
Longevity of infrastructure must be considered to enable it to last through earth quakes, storms and other disasters. The country cannot afford to build and rebuild.
Many lessons have been learned regarding transportation in this country. We need to look to best practices and what works well in other regions, and duplicate those practices that will work well in this country and each local area.
Quote from Margaret Mead
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Planning for Priority Corridors
John Halikowski, Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation also spoke on the need for public trust to keep the citizens interested in transportation and public infrastructure issues. Arizona is in a very advantageous location for transportation corridors serving the entire nation. Shipping measures time in minutes to deliver products. Congestion costs money and profits. Good transportation equals quality of life. There must be public reliability in the transportation systems. No one likes to be stuck in traffic.
Currently there is no will in Congress to raise the gas tax, so alternatives must be reviewed and found soon. The entire US transportation system is falling behind in repairs. Arizona has a great deal going on in transportation, but not enough to keep the state competitive. It will be up to the high school students of today, working tomorrow, to solve the problem of deteriorating infrastructure. Something must change and the public must begin to trust government at every level to solve the problems and allow us to go forward.
Wesley Mehl, Deputy Commissioner of the Arizona State Land Department, gave the perspective from his office. Deputy Commissioner Mehl explained the State Land Department manages over 9.2 million acres of land held in public trust, created at the time of statehood. This land is distributed throughout the state, and is approximately 13% of the state. There are 1,203,134 acres of State Trust Land located in Pinal County. The State Land Department works with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT); however, State Land cannot give ADOT right-of-way. All land must be sold in structured land sales to benefit Arizona. State Land understands that the most valuable land is located along freeways and transportation corridors, but the State Constitution will not allow right-of-way to be given. Both departments work together, but are bound by the State Constitution, statutes and regulations.
Dennis Smith, Executive Director of the Maricopa Association of Governments explained that transportation planning must think ahead to future generations. Planning and constructing a transportation system takes 30 to 40 years to complete. Congestion exists within the Arizona systems now and it will get worse. The I-10 corridor has massive congestion now and a solution must be found. We must plan, seeing beyond what we see! The public does not recognize political boundaries such as county lines. Pinal will be building a huge city for the future. Currently there are 314,000 vehicles a day crossing the Maricopa/Pinal border. This is on an average weekday! We all need to focus on creating jobs in Pinal County to enable residents to work close to home. Mesa Gateway Airport offers great opportunity in creating these jobs. Superstition Vistas, when developed, will have many needs and we must all be looking toward that future, forgetting the political boundaries that separate us. We must be leaders with a vision and visualize where we are going and what it will look like. Hope is not a strategy.
A great deal of traffic crosses the Pinal/Maricopa county lines every weekday for work. We must all work together to create more jobs in Pinal County. This will greatly reduce the weekday traffic on I-10 and US 60. We must think creatively to solve problems.
Director Smith told of seeing his new granddaughter at the hospital that week and thinking: “This is who we are planning for, the generation that is coming into the world now.”
Quote from U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer
“Let’s have a moment of silence for all those Americans who are stuck in traffic on their way to the gym to ride a stationary bicycle.”
Connecting Transportation with Economic Development Plans
Deane Foote, President and CEO, Foote Consulting Group, explained the critical role site-selection plays in job creation and economic development. Major businesses, distribution centers, big-box-stores all look for a location where transportation routes are easily accessible and workers are readily available. For a site to be ready to go and certified, the site must: have access to markets; reasonable freight costs; a skilled workforce; reasonable wages and salaries; a developed site, possibly with buildings or be shovel ready; have utilities and infrastructure in place; a good quality of life for employees including education facilities, recreation, culture diversity; incentives to locate, such as training and tax credits; along with site related incentives. Locating and expanding companies compare regions on these issues. Incentives are important if two or three sites are comparable with the same benefits.
The state keeps a listing of certified sites and buildings. Most important to companies wanting to locate or expand operations are: freight; salaries; and power (electric) costs. The statement “55 MPH in 5 minutes” equates to: on the highway in 5 minutes and on their way to deliver goods. This makes transportation corridors a critical issue to all businesses delivering goods as well as customers reaching their location easily. Easy access to the location is also an incentive in hiring employees and staff.
Ed Hadley, President of Southwest, Walton Development and Management, explained that the company was privately held and started in Canada. They had expanded to over 100,000 acres in the “Southern Smile” regions. This is the I-10 corridor area reaching from Prescott to Nogales with 12,000 acres located in Pinal County. Walton Development is looking at the area growing. The economic recovery is good, but has not been as robust as hoped. Currently there is a lack of affordability and a lack of a skilled workforce to build. Population growth will bring employment growth to the area.
Pinal County is experiencing growth in the Red Rock Industrial Park area. This is a strategically located area that will develop an inland port with railroad access and 2 interstates already in place. Pinal Air Park is also looking at development into a major air hub.
Congestion will keep businesses from locating in an area. Connectivity is extremely important for economic development of a region along with water, sewer, and power. Economic development needs to be a partnership between government, developers, land owners, and private sector businesses to achieve a project to completion.
Pinal County has tremendous potential for development. This is a vision of the entire region with all entities working together. Having good jobs and keeping Pinal County youth in the area is important to families living here.
Matthew McCormick, with Saint Holdings, discussed the company owning a section of land in Pinal County for an industrial/business park. Locating businesses is job creation for the area. Time is critical to business in getting a product out to its destination. Thirty million people can be reached in only 1 day’s transportation from Pinal County. This is huge for business.
Saint Holdings newest project is a large investment in Pinal County on 11,400 acres known as the Heritage Project. It is a master planned community with an industrial/business park, schools, and housing. There will soon be an inland port in the region. Union Pacific is within 2 miles and expanding with double rail tracks. This area will boom with economic development projects due to transportation routes for sending freight throughout the country. Pinal County’s location is great for attracting large scale industry.
Patrick Johnson, Attesa Project Manager with Danrick Builders, explained the 2,300-acre motor-tech park being developed off I-8 and I-10 corridors near Casa Grande and Eloy. To develop an attraction of this nature, his organization looked at population, labor force, and transportation. It is estimated the development of the motor-tech park will attract 20,000 to 30,000 people for a single day event. Transportation is their number one issue and critical in getting people, both customers and workers, in and out of the event quickly. The site selected has easy access to both I-10 and I-8. Most large race tracks across country have one road in and one road out, creating traffic congestion before and after events. Attesa is being developed, keeping in mind the critical need to move people rapidly in and out. Attesa has an excellent plan for vehicle circulation. The track will also be close to I-11 when completed and possible passenger rail service in the area.
Construction of the facility and surrounding area will create 9,565 construction jobs. Operation of the facility will mean additional jobs created.
Marshall Stahl, is COO and CEO of both AZ Sourcing and Central Arizona Regional Center. Mr. Stahl reported that Phoenix Mart has made incredible progress in the last few months. It will be the largest market place in the world with 1,850 showrooms where buyers can come in and buy all products for their businesses.
There is currently a Mart in China, with a 3 million square foot facility that has 210,000 people per day visit the facility. Phoenix Mart will have a 4 million square foot facility that is well-positioned near major airports, I-10 and I-8, Union Pacific Railroad, and the future I-11 Corridor. It is estimated the facility will create 9,669 new jobs with an opening planned in 1 to 1 ½ years.
Quote from Robert Orben
“There’s so much pollution in the air now that if it weren’t for our lungs there’d be no place to put it all.”
A Transportation View from the State Capitol
Lunch time speakers Arizona Senator Steve Farley and Arizona Senator Bob Worsley (Chair of the Transportation Committee) provided a luncheon presentation: “A Transportation View from the State Capitol.” Plans for transportation being currently developed will upend the traditional auto industry. By 2050 it is estimated that there will be 50 million computer driven vehicles in the US. Transportation will be changed forever. The transition to computer driven vehicles will be similar-to the transition in the early 1900s when the world made the change from horse drawn vehicles to motorized transportation. Imagine 5 feet between bumpers at speeds up to 120 miles per hour!
It is also estimated that in a mere 15 years, all cars will be electric, greatly reducing greenhouse gases and pollution.
Days of car ownership will perhaps be over. Developers are already providing electric cars with the purchase of condos that are owned by the condo, but can be used as residents wish.
Software will make decisions in the driverless cars. The next era of driving is here. Autonomous driving means reduced accidents as well as broadening access to cars to everyone, making everyone mobile, reducing traffic, and making transportation more efficient. Some reports are that cars have been driving people since 2015. Experts are now mapping out the autonomous driving vision. Along with developing the driverless vehicle, experts are meeting and reviewing moral and regulatory issues. Working out all the issues surrounding the transition from cars to autonomous driving will be an interesting and perhaps difficult time.
Quote from Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media, 1964
“The car has become…an article of dress without which we feel uncertain, unclad, and incomplete.”
Building a Transportation Plan for Present and Future
Tim Wolfe, Transportation Practice Leader for Dibble Engineering provided a presentation on the draft Pinal Regional Transportation Plan. A Pinal County study in 2015 determined an unmet need to $1.2 billion in transportation funding. Thus, a plan was developed to attempt to bring in funding to meet a portion of those needs. Mr. Wolfe explained the process in creating the plan, and then described the milestones accomplished from August 5, 2015 through May 11, 2016. The need for a plan was established with the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, approving an agreement between the Board of Supervisors and the Rural Transportation Authority Board, to presenting the draft plan for approval to the Board of Supervisors. Once the draft was approved, outreach began through press releases, presentations, special meetings, meetings with all Pinal County cities and towns, and website creation.
The next step is to take the plan to the voters. To accomplish this the Board of Supervisors will call for an election, more public outreach and education will take place, and ballot language will be prepared. It is estimated a vote will take place in November 2017, if all issues are resolved by then.
Quote from Greg LeMond
“It never gets easier, you just go faster.”
Leaders Collaborating for a Connected Region
Mayor Bob Jackson, City of Casa Grande, moderated the topic with panelists: Tom Rankin, Mayor of Florence and Pinal Regional Transportation Authority (PRTA) Board of Directors Chairman; Chairman Todd House, Pinal County Board of Supervisors; Christian Price, Mayor of Maricopa and PRTA Board of Directors; and Sam Hosler, Mayor of Kearny and PRTA Board of Directors.
The panel explained that when surveyed, 75% of the voters said they would vote yes on a measure to increase transportation funding. Chairman House said that transportation needs would increase in Pinal County along with population and job growth. Better transportation would also increase tourism.
All panelists agreed that everyone must work together to solve the transportation problems in the county. What is good for one part of the county is good for all of Pinal County. The closing agreement of the panelists was: “If you build it, they will come.”
Quote from Lt. Governor Timothy Murray, Boston MA, 2012
“This is important…We’ve got to get more people to experience this, even just for one day, because we know if they do, more days will follow…We ask you to send it out to your network-email, twitter, let your friends know!”
Spurring Economic Growth
Jim Rounds, President of Rounds Consulting Company asked where do we go from 2016 in Pinal County? What does Pinal County want to be? The county is at a crossroads and still has time to plan.
Business needs: a quality workforce; quality roads to move goods and people; competitive costs; and consistent government. People need: jobs; amenities; affordable housing; available financing; and better balance sheets.
How to get to the best balance involves: taxes; economic development programs; a qualified workforce; and good infrastructure. Further infrastructure maintenance and development is critically needed in Pinal County. The Pinal Rural Transportation Authority and Plan opens possibilities for Pinal County and its residents.
Quote from Will Rogers
“Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”
Keynote Address: Growing Economic Opportunities with Transportation
Victor Mendez, Deputy Secretary, United States Department of Transportation provided an update on Washington DC and transportation funding. With the election process in full swing, it is difficult to judge how transportation will be affected. Much is needed across the entire nation for maintenance and new construction in our transportation infrastructure. Business and manufacturing demand goods move quickly to their destination. Ports brining goods into the country are over-crowded and demands are high for additional ports and transportation corridors to carry the goods to their destinations. This all takes funding that currently is not available. Pinal County is wise to look to the future and find ways to secure funding to meet transportation needs.
Autonomous vehicles will change the way we think of transportation. The world is changing and the future may well look like the “Jetsons!” As driverless cars are developed, there will be 7 stages of development perfecting the technology. Eventually driverless vehicles will be safe, convenient, efficient, good for the ecology, and many cost savings will be seen in how transportation infrastructure is developed. We are in for very exciting, changing times.
Quote from Malcolm Forbes
“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.”
SCHOLARSHIPS
AWARDING OF THE WAYNE G. GERKEN SCOLARSHIPS
The 29th Annual Pinal County Town Hall had 9 youth from participating high schools – Casa Grande Youth Commission; San Manuel High School, Superior Unified High School and Vista Grande High School. All 9 students participated in vying for the Wayne G. Gerken Memorial Scholarship this year. Because Town Hall was only a one-day event, it was necessary for the Scholarship Committee to continue the criteria away from a written essay to a round table format. Students were required to actively participate in Town Hall and be present for the round table discussion that was moderated by Town Hall Vice Chair Donna McBride.
Students engaged in conversation based on three main questions: When you first heard about the Town Hall topic, how did you think it would have an impact on the things you do as a young person? Now that you have spent the morning hearing some of our speakers and reading through the material, how do you think transportation will l play a part in YOUR life? What are 2 ways the transportation issue affects you personally? The discussion was observed by members of the Scholarship Committee who scored participants on criteria specified by the Town Hall Advisory Committee.
Competition was remarkable and for the first time in many years Town Hall awarded three scholarships.
Congratulations go to: Alexandra Chaparro, Casa Grande Youth Commission, Vista Grande High School Junior ($1,000 Scholarship); Broc Traweek, San Manuel High School Senior ($750 Scholarship); Elonna Okuagn, Vista Grande High School Senior ($500 Scholarship).
Partners in Economic
Progress
“Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible.”
Quote from Alice Walker
“Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding”
The Pinal County Town Hall Advisory Committee
Thanks
Our Esteemed Sponsors.
Partners in Economic Progress
It is through the collective efforts of both the public sector and the private sector that the Pinal County Town Hall has been made possible. The Town Hall Advisory Committee expresses appreciation to the following organizations for their financial support of the 29th Annual Pinal County Town Hall as well as their participation and interest in this county wide endeavor.
Pinal County Board of Supervisors
Special appreciation is extended to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors for its continuing commitment to the financial support for the Pinal County Town Hall.
Chairman Todd House, Supervisor, District 5
Vice Chairman Pete Rios, Supervisor, District 1
Cheryl Chase, Supervisor, District 2
Supervisor Steve Miller, District 3
Supervisor Anthony Smith, District 4
Pinal Partnership
Special thanks is also extended to the Pinal Partnership for their Premier Sponsorship of Town Hall. Their dedication to the on-going efforts of Town Hall is appreciated.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
GOLD: City of Maricopa
BRONZE: City of Apache Junction
City of Coolidge
City of Eloy
COPPER: Town of Kearny
Town of Marana
CORPORATE AND BUSINESS PARTNERS
Platinum: Robson Ranch
GOLD: Empire Cat
SILVER: Access Arizona
AECOM
Arizona Public Service (APS)
Harrah’s AK-CHIN Casino Resort
Salt River Project (SRP)
BRONZE: ARCADIS
COPPER: Pinal County Federal Credit Union
Wilson and Company
SUSTAINING: the Dolly Steamboat at Canyon Lake, Arizona
Raffle Prize
the Dolly Steamboat at Canyon Lake, Arizona
Door Prize Donations
On Behalf of the Pinal County Town Hall Advisory Committee and staff, we wish to thank all those donating to the raffle drawings, gift bags, and baskets for the 29th Annual Pinal County Town Hall. We express our extreme gratitude for your support and assistance with the event.
WITH SPECIAL THANKS AND RECOGNITION
Pinal County Town Hall Advisory Committee would like to send a special
thank you to:
Kathy Borquez
Pinal County Public Works Staff
Pinal County Economic Development Staff
Robson Ranch and Staff
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Staff, Casa Grande
PINAL COUNTY TOWN HALL HISTORY AND INFORMATION
MISSION: Through leadership, Pinal County Town Hall aspires to engage and educate Delegates to build consensus and achieve positive change.
VISION: Pinal County Town Hall’s Vision is to preserve and improve the quality of life for all who live, work, and visit Pinal County.
Pinal County Town Hall History
Pinal County Town Hall is an assembly of delegates, annually convened, that identifies critical issues facing Pinal County; creates a forum for education/exploration of the topic and fosters networking/collaboration among its participants. By drawing upon Pinal County’s diversity of citizens the Town Hall process promotes public consideration of these issues, offering information and ideas for public review, and grassroots efforts for desired outcomes.
The overall goal of Pinal County Town Hall is to educate citizens to affect positive change. The strategies are developed in such a manner that a Town Hall delegate or group of delegates can identify and pool resources from their community or extended networks and launch a grassroots campaign to educate others in the issues discussed.
The Pinal County Town Hall began in 1988. A few individuals and organizations realized the importance of convening a cross-section of county citizens to discuss issues of importance, especially those related to economic development.
Pinal County Town Hall receives substantial financial support from the County Board of Supervisors, as well as its many “Partners in Economic Progress.” A committee of volunteers, the Pinal County Town Hall Advisory Committee, meets monthly to plan and facilitate the annual conferences.
Each fall, approximately 140 to 160 delegates assemble to discuss a topic that impacts the county, as a whole, and its respective communities and citizens. Topics over the past 29 years include:
- 1988 A Symposium on Economic Development
- 1989 Pinal County Futures: Tomorrow’s Vision – Today’s Plan
- 1990 Horizon 2000: Strategies For Action
- 1991 An Inside Look at Pinal County Government: Taxes vs. Services – A Delicate Balance
- 1992 The Year for Action: Implementing a County-Wide Economic Development Plan
- 1993 The Changing Workplace: Education’s Challenge
- 1994 Today’s Crisis: Confronting Juvenile Crime In Our Communities
- 1995 Pinal Tomorrow: Building Healthier Communities
- 1996 Volunteers in Service to Communities: People Making A Difference
- 1997 Environment and Growth: The Delicate Balance
- 1998 Aging of the Population: A Public and Private Challenge
- 1999 Pinal’s Commitment To The Future: Meeting The Needs Of Our Youth
- 2000 Charting Our Future
- 2001 Intellectual Capital – Tomorrow’s Dividend
- 2002 A Call To Serve: Being Vigilant, Being Normal
- 2003 Rural Health Care: Today’s Challenge
- 2004 The Changing Face of Pinal County
- 2005 The Economic Puzzle: How to Put It Together
- 2006 Safe At Home: Residential Emergency Preparedness
- 2007 Rediscovering Our Neighborhoods
- 2008 The Greening of Pinal County: Conserving for Future Generations
- 2009 GangBusters: It Takes a Community
- 2010 Exploiting Technology for Success – Building Connections Using Social Media
- 2011 Reactivating The Regional Economy
- 2012 Workforce Next Gen: Cultivating Success In Pinal County
- 2013 Step Up, Involve, Connect: Uniting Communities through Volunteerism
- 2014 Economics of a Healthy Community
- 2015 Where Your Tax $ Goes!
- 2016 Linking Transportation: Paving the Way to Economic Growth
An annual report, which includes recommendations and/or suggestions, is prepared after each Town Hall, and distributed to delegates and partners. While Town Hall possesses no official power or authority, it is significant to note that many of the delegate recommendations and/or ideas have been implemented as a result of the Town Hall process.
The report serves not only as documentation of the delegates’ hard work and collaborative spirit, but a guide to assist in taking the next step – educating residents of Pinal County. The report is designed so it can be shared with friends, co-workers, members of local civic groups and others that can help spread the information in local neighborhoods and communities.
WAYNE G. GERKEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Wayne G. Gerken Memorial Scholarship – Pinal County Town Hall Youth of the Year Scholarship exists to memorialize Wayne Gerken who led the Pinal County Town Hall for 20 years. The purpose of the Scholarship Committee is to provide encouragement and financial assistance to deserving students who demonstrate exemplary leadership qualities and a personal interest in improving the quality of life in Pinal County.
High school students in their junior or senior year attending Pinal County Town Hall are eligible to apply. A subcommittee of the Pinal County Town Hall Advisory Committee evaluates student participation and applications based on established criteria.
For more information about the 2016 Town Hall contact: Maxine Brown, Executive Director, Pinal County Town Hall at (480) 322-1626 or by email at m.leather@mchsi.com.
Delegate Directory
Quote from James Goldsmith
“If you see a bandwagon, it’s too late.”
Steve Abraham Jason Barney
Pinal County Circle G
P.O. Box 2973 Pinal Partnership
Florence, AZ 85132 P.O. Box 904
Steve.abraham@pinalcountyaz.gov Florence, AZ 85132
Adeline M. Allen
Pinal County Mayor Joel G. Belloc
970 N. Eleven Mile Corner Road City of Eloy
Casa Grande, AZ 85194 628 N. Main Street
Adeline.allen@pinalcountyaz.gov Eloy, AZ 85131
Ashlyn Alvardo
Vista Grande High School Scott Bender
12th Grade Pinal County Public Works
P.O. Box 727
Louis Andersen Florence, AZ 85132
Pinal County Public Works scott.bender@pinalcountyaz.gov
P.O. Box 727
Florence, AZ 85132 Ana Benitez
Louis.andeersen@pinalcountyaz.gov Casa Grande Youth Council
Chaperone
Bruce Armitage Jamie Bennett
Councilman Elect Superior Town of Queen Creek
416 W. Highlands Drive 22358 S. Ellsworth
Superior, AZ 85173 Queen Creek, AZ 85142
Barmitage777@yahoo.com Jamie.bennett@queencreek.org
Travis Ashbaugh John M. Bernal
Central AZ Governments Pima County Public Works
1075 S. Idaho Road, Suite 300 130 W. Congress, 10th Floor
Apache Junction, AZ 85119 Mailstop: DT-AB10-101
tashbaugh@cagaz.org Tucson, AZ 85701
Paul Baca
AECOM Mila Besich-Lira, Mayor
7720 N. 16th Street, Suite 100 Town of Superior
Phoenix, AZ 85378 P.O. Box 125
Paul.baca@aecom.com Superior, AZ 85173
Paul Balch
Dibble Engineering Kevin Biesty
7500 N. Dreamy Draw Drive, Suite 250 AZ Dept. of Transportation
Phoenix, AZ 85020 206 S. 17th Avenue
Paul.Balch@dibblecorp.com Phoenix, AZ 85007
Kathy Borquez Peggy Chapados
Pinal County Public Works Councilmember, City of Maricopa
P.O. Box 727 39700 Civic Center Plaza
Florence, AZ 85132 Maricopa, AZ 85138
Kathy.borquez@pinalcountyaz.gov peggy.chapados@maricopa-az.gov
Angela Brammer Alexandra Chaparro
Superior Unified High School Casa Grande Youth Commission
Chaperone Vista Grande High School
11th Grade
Maxine Brown
Pinal County Town Hall Supervisor Cheryl Chase
6499 S. Kings Ranch Road, Suite 6-70 Pinal County Board of Supervisors
Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 P.O. Box 827
m.leather@mchsi.com Florence, AZ 85132
Cheryl.chase@pinalcountyaz.gov
Larry Bruce
AECOM Linda Cheney
7720 N. 16th Street, Suite 100 El Dorado Holdings
Phoenix, Arizona 85378 Pinal Partnership
Larry.bruce@aecom.com P.O. Box 904
Florence, AZ 85132
Cara Bryant lcheney@eldoradoholdings.net
Arizona@Work Pinal County
Central AZ College Geoffrey Child
805 S. Idaho Road, B 106 Sunrise Engineering
Apache Junction, AZ 85119 2152 S. Vineyard, Suite 123
Cara.bryant@centralaz.edu Mesa, AZ 85210
Melani Caron Harold Christ
Robson Ranch The Windmill Winery
5750 N. Robson Blvd. Pinal Partnership
Eloy, AZ 85131 P.O. Box 904
Melani.caron@robson.com Florence, AZ 85132
Michael Ruben Castro Cindi DeLoseur
Arizona@Work Pinal County the Dolly Steamboat
Central AZ College P.O. Box 977
805 S. Idaho Road, B 106 Apache Junction, AZ 85117
Apache Junction, AZ 85119 cindi@dollysteamboat.net
Evelyn Casuga Dedrick Denton
Central AZ College Pinal County
8470 N. Overfield Road P.O. Box 727
Coolidge, AZ 85128 Florence, AZ 85132
Evelyn.Casuga@centralaz.edu dedrick.denton@pinalcountyaz.gov
Paul Dickman Rick Ellis
Parsons Pima County Department of Transportation
222 South Mill Avenue, Suite 220 201 N. Stone Avenue, 4th Floor
Tempe, AZ 85281 Tucson, AZ 85701
Paul.Dickman@Parsons.com rick.ellis@pima.gov
Sheyenne Donlay Gail Evans, Councilwoman
Vista Grande High School City of Apache Junction
11th Grade 300 E. Superstition Blvd.
Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Dodie Doolittle gailaltheaevans@hotmail.com
Treasurer, Pinal County
P.O. Box 729 Jennifer Evans
Florence AZ 85132 Town of Florence
Dodie.doolittle@pinalcountyaz.gov 775 N. Main Street
P.O. Box 2670
Mariah Duckum Florence, AZ 85132
San Manuel High School Jennifer.Evans@florenceaz.gov
12th Grade
Senator Steve Farley
Robert Duke AZ State Senate
Central AZ College 1700 W. Washington, Room 213
8470 N. Overfield Road Phoenix, AZ 85007
Coolidge, AZ 85128
Robert.duke@centralaz.edu Alma Farrell
43983 West Farrell Road
Lance D. Dunagan Maricopa, AZ 85139
City of Eloy afarrell61@onmbb.com
1137 W. Houser Road
Eloy, AZ 85131 Gerald Fayuant
ldunagan@eloyaz.gov Tohono O’odham Nation
Planning and Ec. Dev. Dept.
Jill Dusenberry P.O. Box 837
City of Coolidge Sells, AZ 85634
130 W. Central Avenue Gerald.fayuant@tonation-nsn,gov
Coolidge, AZ 85128
jilld@coolidgeaz.com Anna Flores
Town of Kearny
Duane Eitel P.O. Box 639
City of Casa Grande Kearny, AZ 85137
3181 N. Lear Avenue aflores@townofkearny.com
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
deitel@casagrandeaz.gov Deane Foote
President and CEO
Foote Consulting Group, LLC
Glendale, AZ 85308
JoAnne Galindo, Councilmember Jason Hafner
City of Eloy Sun Corridor MPO
628 N. Main Street 211 N. Florence Street, Suite 103
Eloy, AZ 85131 Casa Grande, AZ 85122
jgalindo@eloyaz.gov jhafner@scmpo.org
Myra D. Garcia John Halikowski
United Way of Pinal County Director
402 E. 10th Street AZ Department of Transportation
Casa Grande, AZ 85122 206 S. 17th Avenue
Myra.garcia@unitedwayofpc.org Phoenix, AZ 85007
Peter Gerstman Kenneth Hall
Robson Ranch Central AZ Government
5750 N. Robson Blvd. 1075 S. Idaho Road, Suite 300
Eloy, AZ 85131 Apache Junction, AZ 85119
John Gluch
Corrections Corp. of America Douglas Hamilton
Eloy Detention Center P.O. Box 121
1705 E. Hanna Road Kearny, AZ 85137
Eloy, AZ 85131 hamiltdj@att.net
Irene Higgs
Brandy Gonzalez Sun Corridor MPO
Arizona@Work Pinal County 211 N. Florence Street, Suite 103
Central AZ College Casa Grande, AZ 85122
805 S. Idaho Road, B-106 ihiggs@scmpo.org
Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Brandy.gonzalez@centralaz.edu Sam Hosler, Mayor
Town of Kearny
o912-C Tilbury Drive
Caryn Gose P.O. Box 639
SRP Kearny, AZ 85137
1521 N. Project Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281 Chairman Todd House
Caryn.gose@srpnet.com Pinal County Board of Supervisors
575 N. Idaho Road, Suite 101
Michelle Green Apache Junction, AZ 85119
AZ State Land Department Todd.house@pinalcountyaz.gov
1616 W. Adams Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007 Denis Howe
mgreen@azland.gov Entellus, Inc
3033 N. 44th Street, Suite 250
Ed Hadley, President Phoenix, AZ 85018
Southwest Reg. Walton Development and Mgt. Inc. dhowe@entellus.com
4800 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 4000
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Bob Jackson, Mayor Harvey Krauss
City of Casa Grande City of Eloy
510 E. Florence Blvd. 628 N. Main Street
Casa Grande, AZ 85122 Eloy, AZ 85131
bjackson@casagrandeaz.gov hkrauss@eloyaz.gov
Melissa Johnson Aaron Latham
Pinal Partnership AZ State Senate Aide
P.O. Box 904 1700 W. Washington Street
Florence, AZ 85132 Phoenix, AZ 85007
Leo Lew
Patrick Johnson Pinal County Assist. Mgr.
Danrick Builders, LLC P.O. Bo 726
4492 W. Kitty Hawk Florence, AZ 85132
Chandler, AZ 85225 leo.lew@pinalcountyaz.gov
Garth Kamp Sherri Licon
AZ State Senate Aide Arizona@Work Pinal County
1700 W. Washington Central AZ College
Phoenix, AZ 85007 805 S. Idaho Road, B-106
Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Tim Kanavel
Pinal County Ec. Development Kevin Louis
P.O. Box 827 City of Casa Grande Public Works
Florence AZ 85132 3181 N. Lear Avenue
Timothy.kanavel@pinalcountyaz.gov Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Michael Kies
AZ Dept. of Transportation Bill Lukehart
206 S. 17th Avenue ARCADIS
Phoenix, AZ 85007 410 N. 44th Street, Suite 1000
melon@azdot.gov Phoenix, AZ 85008
Bev Kloehn
38358 S. Desert Bluff Drive Teasha Maestas
Tucson, AZ 85739 Arizona@Work Pinal County
Bkloehn2005@hotmail.com Central AZ College
805 S. Idaho Road, B-106
Jess Knudson Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Town of Florence Teasha.Maestas@centralaz.edu
775 Main Street
P.O. Box 2670 David Maestas
Florence, AZ 85132 City of Maricopa
Jess.Knudson@florenceaz.gov 39700 W. Civic Center Plaza
Maricopa, AZ 85138
Vincent Manfredi, Councilmember Victor Mendez, Deputy Secretary
City of Maricopa U.S. Dept. of Transportation
39700 W. Civic Center Plaza 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Maricopa, AZ 85138 Washington, DC 20590
Vincent.manfredi@maricopa-az.gov
Rick Miller
Allison Martinez City of Coolidge
Superior Unified High School 131 W. Pinkley Avenue
12th Grade Coolidge, AZ 85128
Lillian Martinez
Pinal County Supervisor Steve Miller
118 Catalina Avenue Pinal County Board of Supervisors
Mammoth, AZ 85618 P.O. Box 827
Lillian.martinez@pinalcountyaz.gov Florence, AZ 85132
Steve.miller@pinalcountyaz.gov
Donna McBride
Pinal County Juvenile Court Services Brian Miller
P.O. Box 1009 Federal Highway Administration
Florence, AZ 85132 AZ Division
DMcBride@Courts.az.gov 4000 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1500
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Matthew McCormick Brian.Miller@dot.goz
Saint Holdings
7154 E. Stetson Drive, Suite 300 Joel Millman
Scottsdale, AZ 85251 Arizona@Work Pinal County
mmccormick@saintholdings.com 970 N. Eleven Mile Corner Road
Casa Grande, AZ 85194
Senator Barbara McGuire joel.millman@pinalcountyaz.gov
AZ State Senate
1700 W. Washington Street Aaron Moon
Phoenix, AZ 85007 Arizona@Work Pinal County
970 N. Eleven Mile Corner Road
Wesley Mehl Casa Grande, AZ 85194
Deputy Commissioner aaron.moon@pinalcountyaz.gov
AZ State Land Department
1616 W. Adams Street Joseph Nagy, Councilmember
Phoenix, AZ 85007 City of Eloy
628 N. Main Street
Cathy Melvin Eloy, AZ 85131
Pinal Co. Town Hall Volunteer mmyers@eloyaz.gov
1400 E. Ash Street
Globe, AZ 85501 Kaitlyn Neff
Cathy.Melvin@mail.house.gov AZ State Senate Aide
1700 W. Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Kent Norcross Giao Pham
Dibble Engineering City of Apache Junction Public Works
7500 N. Dreamy Draw Drive, Suite 250 300 E. Superstition Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85020 Apache Junction, AZ 85119
Kent.Norcross@dibblecorp.com gpham@ajcity.net
Elonna Okuagu Micah Powell, Vice Mayor
Vista Grande High School City of Eloy
12th Grade 628 N. Main Street
Eloy, AZ 85131
Joe Ortiz mpowell@eloyaz.gov
Pinal County Public Works
P.O. Box 727 Janice Pratt
Florence, AZ 85132 Central AZ College
Joe.ortiz@pinalcountyaz.gov 8470 N. Overfield road
Coolidge, AZ 85128
Himanshu Patel Janice.pratt@centralaz.edu
Pinal County Community Development
31 N. Pinal Street, Bldg. F Christian Price, Mayor
Florence, AZ 85132 City of Maricopa
Himanshu.Patel@pinalcountyaz.gov 39700 W. Civic Center Plaza
Maricopa, AZ85138
Marlene Pearce Christian.price@maricopa-az.gov
Pinal County
41600 W. Smith Enke Road, Suite 128 Joe Pyritz
Maricopa, AZ 85138 Pinal County Com. And Public Affairs
Marlene.pearce@pinalcountyaz.gov P.O. Box 827
Florence, AZ 85132
Celeste Pemberton Joe.Pyritz@pinalcountyaz.gov
Pinal County Public Works
P.O. Box 727 Tom Rankin, Mayor/PRTA Bd. Chair
Florence, AZ 85132 Town of Florence
Celeste.pemberton@pinalcountyaz.gov 775 Main Street
P.O. Box 2670
Dominic Perea Florence, AZ 85132
Superior Unified School District Mayor@florenceaz.gov
12th Grade
Dave Richins
Mary E. Peters Resolution Copper
Mary E. Peters Consulting Group, LLC Pinal Partnership
8323 W. Via Montoya Drive P.O. Box 904
Peoria, AZ 85383 Florence, AZ 85132
Karla Petty
Federal Highway Administration, AZ Division
4000 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1500
Phoenix, AZ 85012 Karla.Petty@dot.gov
Supervisor Pete Rios
Pinal County Board of Supervisors
P.O. Box 827
Florence, AZ 85132
Christa Rizzi, Councilmember Gregory Rose
City of Apache Junction City of Maricopa
300 E. superstition Blvd. 39700 W. Civic Plaza
Apache Junction, AZ 85119 Maricopa, AZ 85138
Smilebhappyuqt@msn.com Gregory.rose@maricopa-az.gov
Patty Robinson Jordan Rose
Harrah’s Ak Chin Casino and Resort Rose Law Group
15406 Maricopa Road Pinal Partnership
Maricopa, AZ 85139 P.O. Box 904
probinson@caesars.com Florence, AZ 85132
James Robson
Robson Ranch Jim Rounds
5750 N. Robson Blvd. Rounds Consulting Group
Eloy, AZ 85131 350 S. Mill Avenue
James.robson@robson.com Tempe, AZ 85281
Andrew Rodriguez, Councilmember Anne Rubel
City of Eloy Pinal County Public Health
628 N. Main Street 971 N. Jason Lopez Circle, Bldg. D
Eloy, AZ 85131 P.O. Box 2945
arodriguez@eloyaz.gov Florence, AZ 85132
Chris Rodriguez Chase Salcido
Parsons Casa Grande Youth Commission
222 S. Mill Avenue, Suite 220 Casa Grande High School
Tempe, AZ 85281 12th Grade
Janeen Rohovit Amanda Scheeler
SRP vista Grande High School
1521 N. Project Drive Chaperone
Tempe, AZ 85281
Janeen.Rogovit@srpnet.com Jack Sellers, Vice Mayor
City of Chandler
Richard Rosales 175 S. Arizona Avenue
APS Chandler, AZ 85225
50 N. Brown Avenue
Casa Grande, AZ 85122 Dan Skevington
Richard.rosales@aps.com San Manuel High School
Chaperone
Kathryn Skinner Marshal Stahl
Pima County Transportation AZ Sourcing, LLC
201 N. Stone Avenue, 4th Floor 14500 N. Northsight Blvd., Suite 116
Tucson, AZ 85701 Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Jean Slater Greg Stanley
Town of Kearny P & Z Pinal County Manager
P.O. Box 1204 P.O. Box 827
Kearny, AZ 85137 Florence, AZ 85132
slapropmgt@msn.com Greg.stanley@pinalcountyaz.gov
Andrew Smith Ed Stillings
Pinal County Public Works Federal Highway Administration
P.O. Box 727 AZ Division
Florence, AZ 85132 4000 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1500
Andrew.smith@pinalcountyaz.gov Phoenix, AZ 85012
Dennis Smith
Maricopa Association of Governments Sharon Stinard
302 North 1st Avenue, Suite 300 7253 E. Farmdale Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85003 Mesa, AZ 85208
Jeff Smith
Cactus Asphalt Susanna Struble
8211 W. Sherman Street City of Coolidge Public Works
Tolleson, AZ 85353 355 S. First Street
jsmith@cactusasphalt.com Coolidge, AZ 85128
Nancy Smith, Councilmember
City of Maricopa Chet Teaford
39700 W. Civic Center Plaza Gannett Fleming
Maricopa, AZ 85138 3838 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1900
Nancy.smith@maricopa-az.gov Phoenix, AZ 85012
Sandie Smith J. W. Tidwell, Councilmember
Pinal Partnership City of Eloy
P.O. Box 904 628 N. Main Street
Florence, AZ 85132 Eloy, AZ 85131
sandie@pinalpartnership.com navyboy1945@yahoo.com
Janine Solley Steve Tipton
City of Apache Junction Ec. Development Tohono O’odham Nation Roads Program
300 E. Superstition Blvd. P.O. Box 837
Apache Junction, AZ 85119 Sells, AZ 85634
jsolley@ajcity.net Steve.tipton@tonation-nsn.gov
Jon Thompson, Mayor, City of Coolidge Tim Wolf
Sun corridor MPO Board Chair Dibble Engineering
130 W. Central Avenue 7500 N. Dreamy Draw Drive, Suite 200
Coolidge, AZ 85128 Phoenix, AZ 85020
Cathy Woolery
Broc Traweek Town of Kearny
San Manuel High School P.O. Box 639
12th Grade Kearny, AZ 85137
Jon Vlaming
City of Eloy Community Development Senator Bob Worsley
1137 W. Houser Road AZ State Senate
Eloy, AZ 85131 1700 W. Washington, Room 310
jvlaming@eloyaz.gov Phoenix, AZ 85007
Sophia Wahlgren Kevin Woudenberg
Arizona@Work Pinal County Alpha Geotechnical & Materials, Inc.
Central AZ College 2504 W. Southern Avenue
805 S. Idaho Road, B-106 Tempe, AZ 85282
Apache Junction, AZ 85119 kwoudenberg@alphageotech.com
Rachel Zenuk
Dave Waldron, Councilmember Pinal County Public Health
City of Apache Junction 971 N. Jason Lopez Circle, Bldg. D
300 E. Superstition Blvd. P.O. Box 2945
Apache Junction, AZ 85119 Florence, AZ 85132
Dave_Waldron@live.com Rachel.zenuk@pinalcountyaz.gov
Keith Watkins
Arizona Commerce Authority
333 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1900
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Richard Wilkie
City of Casa Grande Economic Development
510 E. Florence Blvd.
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
Darrell Wilson
HilgartWilson, LLC
Pinal Partnership
P.O. Box 904
Florence, AZ 85132
Special Acknowledgements
The Pinal County Town Hall Advisory Committee expresses special appreciation to all individuals who helped in the planning and implementation of the 29th Annual Pinal County Town Hall. Appreciation is also extended to all speakers, moderators, panelists, and participants.
2016 Pinal County Town Hall Advisory Committee
Ms. Mila Besich-Lira Superior
Ms. Cindi DeLoseur Apache Junction
Ms. Alma Farrell Maricopa
Mr. John Gluch Eloy
Mr. Bob Jackson Casa Grande
Ms. Bev Kloehn SaddleBrooke
Ms. Donna McBride, Vice Chair Casa Grande
Mr. Joe Pyritz, Secretary Florence
Ms. Patty Robinson Maricopa
Ms. Jean Slater Kearny
Ms. Sandie Smith, Chair Pinal Partnership
Members At Large
Supervisor Anthony Smith, Pinal County Board of Supervisors
Mr. Gregory Stanley, Pinal County Government
Dr. Janice Pratt, Central Arizona College
Executive Director
Maxine Brown
480-322-1626
