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Happy Holidays from the League!
The League would like to wish you happy holidays and a prosperous new year.
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The 2012 legislative session is rapidly approaching. The second regular session of Arizona's 50th Legislature is scheduled to
commence on January 9, 2012. On that same day, Governor Brewer will deliver her State of the State address from the floor of the
House of Representatives.
Throughout the session, the League will offer a full suite of services and publications to assist Arizona cities and towns in
communicating more effectively with their legislative delegation and in monitoring issues that affect Arizona communities.
Read more
Name, title & city/town:
Rick (Frederick W.) Mueller
Mayor
City of Sierra Vista
Year elected to office:
City Council 2001-2010
Mayor 2011
Years served on Executive Committee:
Less than one year.
Hometown:
Sierra Vista, born in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Why did you decide to serve in local government?
After attending Planning and Zoning and City Council meetings for a number of years, I felt I could make a positive contribution to
the future of my community by making needed changes in city policies and procedures. I served as a member of the city's Citizens'
Advisory Committee for a short period before being encouraged by respected community leaders to run for elected office.
Read more
National League of Cities 2012 Leadership
Congratulations to Councilwomen Dina Higgins of Mesa who was appointed as Chair of the NLC Large Cities Council. The Large Cities
Council is comprised of almost 50 representatives from member cities with populations of 200,000 or more, or the largest city in a
state. Members convene to network and share ideas and solutions to challenges affecting large cities. The Large Cities Council will
meet in March 2012 at the NLC Congressional Cities Conference in Washington, DC.
2012 Calendars and Legislative Posters
The 2012 legislative posters and calendars are now available and have been sent to all cities and towns. Included in the
legislative posters are pictures and the e-mail addresses of all legislators for your reference. To obtain additional copies of the
calendar or legislative poster, please contact the League at 602-258-5786.
Have news or photos to share?
If your city or town was recently featured in the news, has an interesting program or photos of events and travels to share,
please send them our way! Story ideas and materials may be submitted to
aprice@azleague.org.
What do elections and tattoo parlors have in common? They have recently been the subject of court cases in two Arizona cities for
which the League has been asked to file amicus briefs.
As has been discussed in a previous issue of Connection, one of the services the League provides is to file an amicus brief
on behalf of a city or town that is involved in an appellate case. An amicus brief is filed by a person or entity who is not a party
to a case, but who may be impacted by its outcome. For example, if a city or town is involved in a suit and the decision by the
Court of Appeals or Supreme Court could affect not just that city or town, but could affect cities and towns statewide, the city or
town may ask the League to file an amicus brief on its behalf.
Read more
Tempe was among only nine cities nationwide to receive the top drinking water award from the Association of Metropolitan Water
Agencies. Tempe received the 2011 Platinum Award for Utility Excellence last month at AMWA's annual meeting in Newport, Rhode
Island.
Read more
The Arizona City Library and Eloy Public Library received a $13,500 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the
Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. This award was granted to these libraries to create a digital history of
southern Pinal County. Pinal County residents were invited to bring historical photos to either library with a short explanation of
the picture's history. The grant money provided to the libraries will also allow libraries to make community presentations to the
residents about growth of the area and help the libraries to expand their Southwest book collections. To read more in
The Eloy Enterprise,
point your browser here.
In 2004, kiosks lined Goodyear's streets that pointed towards new housing developments. Now seven years later, the signs no longer
serve as home advertisement. The city recently started a sign program to preserve the 39 kiosks for business advertisement. The
signs now point in the direction of local businesses. Currently, the program has generated about $24,000 annually.
Read the full article in the Arizona Republic.
The Sustainability Program announced a new initiative that can be appreciated by anyone with an interest in how businesses can be a
force of positive change in their community. The Flagstaff Sustainable Business Guide helps businesses save money by identifying
practical solutions for more sustainable operations. The Guide was developed to help businesses of any size analyze their
performance and promote progress while encouraging employee involvement, information and resource sharing.
Read more
Follow us on Twitter!
Follow the League on Twitter to receive up-to-date information. Point your browser here
to start connecting with the League.
Cities Promoting 'Shop Local' campaigns During the Holidays
While families are out holiday shopping, cities like Bullhead City and Peoria are encouraging residents to shop locally. According
to Local First Arizona, for every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $73 remains in the local economy, while only $43 remains
when spent on one from outside the city. As Christmas quickly approaches Bullhead City has rolled out their 2012 Shop Local
campaign. Both the city and the Chamber have worked together to create pledge forms asking local businesses to sign with customers
pledging to shop local and businesses pledging to give their customers the best products and services possible.
Read more at Mohave Daily News.
At the same time, Peoria has launched their 'Keep it Local' campaign. For the past two years, Peoria has launched a website to
promote local businesses where shoppers can get coupons from stores and identify where to shop in their city.
Point your browser here to view Peoria's local shopper's guide.
Below is a list of training opportunities that may be of interest in the coming months:
Friday, January 13
Legislative 101: How to Build Relationships and Make an Impact at the State Capitol
Wednesday, January 18 - 20
13th Annual Rural Transportation Summit
Thursday, January 26
Urban Land Institute (ULI) Arizona's 7th Annual Trends Day
Thursday, January 26
Arizona Recycled Energy in Action
Thursday, February 9
Model City Tax Code and Tax Policy for Cities and Towns
Thursday, February 16 - 18
Barrier 2 Bridge: A Border Celebration
Saturday, March 10 - 14
2012 National League of Cities Congressional City Conference
Point your browser here for more
information regarding each event.
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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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