August 27-30, 2013
Hilton El Conquistador
Oro Valley, AZ
View the full conference program, registration and hotel information
here.
If you have any questions about the conference, please contact Matt Lore at
mlore@azleague.org or 602-258-5786.
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The League of Arizona Cities and Towns offers four levels of sponsorship through its annual conference. For more information on the
sponsorship levels and benefits available, please
point your browser here.
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The League congratulates those who will receive the 2013 League Service Award at the Annual Conference in Oro Valley! Each year, the League
recognizes 8, 12, 16, 20, 28 and 32 years of service. Stay tuned for the September newsletter that will have photos of those who
received their award at the conference.
Point your browser here to view
the 2013 League Service Award list.
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The Center for the Future of Arizona has announced that nominations are being accepted for the 2013 Gabe Zimmerman Public Service
Awards, a statewide competition created to recognize non-elected public servants who serve as a critical link between citizens and
the people elected to represent them.
Read more
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June 7-8, 2013
The Wigwam
300 Wigwam Boulevard
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
This training is open to all city and town elected officials. The cost of this year's program will be $170.00 per person. This price
includes materials and food (breakfast, lunch and a reception on Friday, and breakfast on Saturday). Program and registration
information is available here.
Registration will close on June 4. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Lore at 602-258-5786 or
mlore@azleague.org.
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AZ Cities @ Work is a collaborative effort among Arizona's cities and towns to educate, inform and engage our residents to learn
more about the vital work that local governments do each and every day. As the summer progresses, League staff will be sending out
more information on this program and we encourage you to get involved.
Read more
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Community Information and Referral Services (CIR) was founded in 1964 and incorporated in 1979 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
and provides human service information and referral services.
CIR's mission is to serve as Arizona's key source of integrated information that brings people and services together to meet vital
needs. CIR's vision is for all Arizonans to be easily connected to available health and human services in their communities.
Read more
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The League of Arizona Cities and Towns publishes Arizona City & Town semi-annually as a key part of its communication and
education programs. This full-color magazine is distributed to nearly 2,000 city and town officials who direct millions of dollars
in buying power.
If you are interested in advertising opportunities in Arizona City & Town,
point your browser here.
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Follow the League on Twitter to receive up-to-date information
Point your browser here to start connecting with the
League.
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Each day, League staff posts city and town news from around the state on the homepage. We do our best to find articles in local
newspapers that highlight municipalities. If you haven't seen the daily news, you may access our website
here.
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Name, title & city/town: Sharon Wolcott, Mayor, City of Surprise
Year elected to office: 2012
Years served as mayor: One
Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky
Years on Executive Committee: Joined February 2013
City of Surprise
Incorporated: 1960
Population: 117,517 (2010 Census)
Elevation: 1,130 ft.
County: Maricopa
Area within Limits: 76 sq. mi.
Why did you decide to serve in local government?
Public service has been my passion for the past 20+ years. I began an unexpected career in Minnesota, first serving as a member of
the Newport City Council and deputy mayor, followed by 12 years in the state legislature serving in both the House and Senate. But
local government has always been my first love. On vacation in Arizona I felt certain that Surprise would one day be my home.
Surprise is a city with so much promise, and it felt like a natural fit to put my years of experience to work for my new home.
There is nothing more fulfilling than making an impact on the community you serve. Taking on the role of mayor has provided me the
opportunity to express my vision, and collaborate closely with the residents of Surprise.
Read more
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By: William Bock, League General Counsel
Several items in the news recently have raised the issue of the authority of cities and towns to act in certain circumstances.
The first item involved the Goldwater Institute's claim that the Town of Gilbert did not have the authority to create a park like
the Freestone Recreation Center. Freestone is a very nice park facility that has many features such as a swimming pool, exercise
equipment, climbing walls, and places for many sports activities. One of the claims by Goldwater was that Gilbert, and all
non-charter cities and towns, lack the authority to create a recreational facility like Freestone. They demanded that Gilbert
immediately stop the operation of the park. They claimed that many other cities and towns may be engaging in the same type of
government "abuse of power". After correspondence between the parties, Goldwater has now backed off its demands, and will not
pursue Gilbert on this issue.
Read more
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NLC President Marie Lopez Rogers
This new section of the newsletter will include updates from National League of Cities President and Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez
Rogers as she works in Washington D.C. and travels the U.S. promoting municipal issues. The article links below will feature monthly
highlights and updates.
Marketplace Fairness Act Passes Senate: NLC Thanks Those Who Voted To Support Main Street Retailers
President Announces Summer Jobs Program; NLC Offers Support
Is your city or town a member of NLC? For benefits of membership and further information
point your browser here.
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Below is a list of training opportunities that may be of interest in the coming months.
Employment Law Update Conference
Sheraton Crescent Hotel
Phoenix, AZ
June 5, 2013
2013 Newly Elected Officials Training
The Wigwam Resort
Litchfield Park, AZ
June 7 - 8, 2013
2013 Arizona Historic Preservation Conference
Mesa, AZ
June 12 - 14, 2013
Arizona City Attorney's Association Annual Conference
Prescott Resort
Prescott, AZ
June 13 - 14, 2013
Municipal Clerks Annual Conference and Elections Training
Mesa Convention Center
Mesa, AZ
July 17 - 18, 2013
ASU School of Public Affairs
Graduate Information Sessions Available!
3 dates; June - August
7th Annual Rural Policy Forum: Empowering Rural Communities
National Bank of Arizona Headquarters
Phoenix, AZ
August 8 - 9, 2013
League of Arizona Cities and Towns 2013 Annual Conference
Hilton El Conquistador
Oro Valley, AZ
August 27 - 30, 2013
National League of Cities Congress of Cities and Exposition Conference
Seattle, WA
November 13 - 16, 2013
Ramsey Executive Education Program
Management & Leadership Institute
Please see website for dates
ASU Mercado
Phoenix, AZ
The Arizona Citizen Planner 101
Please see website for information
University of Arizona's Cooperative Extension
For more information and to register for these events,
point your browser here.
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For any training sessions that you have missed or cannot attend in the future, be sure to check our
YouTube channel to stay in the loop.
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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.
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The articles listed in these sections are only a few highlights and unique things that are happening with cities and towns.
For more interesting articles, please visit the Arizona Cities @ Work website at
www.azcitieswork.com/social-connection/.
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The Arbor Day Foundation recently awarded municipalities for their green communities. The awards were the Tree City USA and Tree
City USA - Growth Award. Among the winners were Lake Havasu City, Phoenix, Prescott Valley and Scottsdale. Lake Havasu City received
its 12th Tree City USA award and 11th Tree City USA - Growth Award.
Read more
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This year, 217 communities have earned recognition as a 2013 Playful City USA community! Twelve of those were Arizona cities and
towns. The program received a record number of applications this year and could not be more excited to celebrate with the
exceptional cities that were selected. These Playful City USA communities are making a commitment to play and physical activity by
developing unique local action plans to increase the quantity and quality of play in their community.
Read more
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The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) announced that Gilbert has been recognized as the first Arizona economic
development organization, the second municipality and one of just 35 economic development organizations in the nation accredited by
IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO).
"The Gilbert Office of Economic Development displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of
this honor," said IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle.
Read more
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The city of Goodyear's Finance Department is continuing to be recognized on a national level for its high standards in annual
reporting.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada again awarded the city of Goodyear the prestigious
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year
ending on June 30, 2012.
Read more
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According to Today's News-Herald, City leaders OK'd an agreement Tuesday allowing people to perform restitution through the Mohave
County Probation Department for certain city maintenance duties. Lake Havasu City Council members unanimously approved giving City
Manager Charlie Cassens authority to execute a Community Restitution Program Statement of Understanding with county probation. The
deal is part of an annual renewal of work that often is done in city parks, involving trimming bushes and sweeping sidewalks.
Point your browser here to continue
reading on Today's News-Herald.
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Many cities and towns around the state are working to engage youth councils in community affairs. For instance, the city of Surprise
has asked their Youth Leadership Commission to weigh in on city affairs while the city of Peoria has asked its Youth Advisory Board
to take part in council discussions that affect the city. In the latest effort to engage young people in community affairs, Surprise
youth are being asked to comment online about issues from city programs for youth to their transportation woes.
Read more
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Chandler's Environmental Education Center (EEC) recently celebrated its five year anniversary, as well as Earth Day. Critters of all
kinds were on display and were a hit with visitors (see photo). The EEC features various exhibits and hosts classes and events
relating to environmental stewardship. The facility is part of Veterans Oasis Park (see map) in southeast Chandler and covers 113
acres featuring lush wetlands and arid habitat suitable for a diversity of plants and wildlife. The park includes 4 1/2 miles of
trails, wildlife viewing areas, ramadas and picnic areas, a butterfly and hummingbird habitat, an outdoor amphitheatre, a unique,
learning-oriented playground, a 5-acre urban fishing lake, Solar System Walk, and interpretive signs and exhibits.
Read more
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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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