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Town Snapshot: Town of Paradise Valley
In April 1961, members of the Citizen's Committee for Incorporation took their signed petitions to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and on May 24, 1961,
incorporation was granted to the Town of Paradise Valley. The petitioners wanted an efficient and interactive government that would preserve the unique
lifestyle and environment of this wonderful place they called "paradise."
The lifestyle today hasn't changed much from the founding fathers' original vision. Quiet surroundings, open space and privacy are valued as much today as they
were back then. Most of the town's homes are on one acre lots. Limited commercial enterprise is permitted as long as it is compatible with the residential
lifestyle. Today, the town is home to nine world class resorts, several places of worship, public and private schools, medical office centers and three golf
courses.
Since its incorporation in 1961, town government relied on resident volunteers, including the elected officials on the town council, the municipal court judges
and members of the various boards, commissions and committees. These volunteers have played a vital role in the planning and decision-making for the town,
including establishing its own police department and more recently constructing two fire stations. The town also relies on its neighboring cities for some
essential services. It has intergovernmental agreements with the City of Phoenix for fire service and the City of Scottsdale for wastewater management. Other
services, such as utilities, refuse collection and recycling, are provided by private companies.
Preserving the natural beauty has been an important vision of the town. Residents have donated many acres to form the Mummy Mountain Preserve and, on February
14, 2004, the town dedicated the Barry Goldwater Memorial at the northwest corner of Tatum Boulevard and Lincoln Drive. Also enhancing the beauty and quiet
surroundings are the many landscaped median islands and the town's commitment to undergrounding the utilities.
On April 30, 2011, the town celebrated its 50th anniversary with a community event at the Mummy Mountain western village located on the north side of the
Camelback Inn. All of the town's resorts contributed to making this event memorable. Renowned Family Circus artist and long-time town resident Bil Keane
provided the theme for the celebration. His "85253 AND PROUD OF IT" cartoon was used on the invitations. He and his son Jeff Keane created the "Happy 50th"
WE [heart] PV" cartoon especially for this occasion and it was imprinted on t-shirts and used on posters.
A DVD narrative and photos depicting the past 50 years was also produced for the occasion. The DVD was narrated by Rachel Sacco, Chairman and CEO of the
Scottsdale Convention Visitors Bureau and has comments from several town residents including former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Joe
Miller, former owner of El Chorro Lodge, to mention a few. The DVD is available for viewing online at
www.paradisevalleyaz.gov.
Several years ago, former Mayor Joan Horne said, "The goals of the town have not changed. We strive to maintain the ambiance against a backdrop of our
surrounding neighbors and to maintain our governance with the philosophy of the 'least government is the best government.' We look forward to continuing as a
very special community." Mayor Horne's words still hold true today.
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League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: 602-258-5786
Fax: 602-253-3874
http://www.azleague.org
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