Free Reading Level Screenings at Phoenix Public Library

Theo nguồn tin trên mạng của phoenix.gov

http://phoenix.gov/news/073013readingscreenings.html

July 30, 2013 Library Bird ImageTake 30 minutes to help your child read on grade level. Burton Barr Central Library, located at 1221 N. Central Ave., hosts free reading level screenings the first Saturday of each month. Specially trained staff will screen children in kindergarten through third grade to determine their reading level. For children not reading on grade level, staff will suggest activities and materials to help the child. Referral information will be provided to families whose child may need professional assistance. The last appointment starts around 12:30 p.m. Registration is not required. Screenings are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Screenings provided by Arizona Literacy & Learning Center. Phoenix Public Library is a system of 16 branch libraries and the Burton Barr Central Library. For more information, call 602-262-4636 or visit phoenixpubliclibrary.org. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/phxlibrary and “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/phoenixpubliclibrary. Media Contact: Rita Marko 602-534-2025

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East Valley Bus Strike Impacts Some Phoenix Bus Service

Theo nguồn tin trên mạng của phoenix.gov

http://phoenix.gov/news/073113busstrike.html

Posted 8:33 p.m. July 31, 2013 Alert Homepage Promo 200 x 149 pixelsWith a bus operator strike called for Valley Metro bus service in the East Valley, there are 18 of their 40 bus routes that have a Phoenix connection and would impact riders in the city. The bus operators on strike are employed by First Transit under a contract with the Regional Public Transportation Authority and are not under a city of Phoenix contract. The impacted Valley Metro routes travel from the East Valley into south/southeast and central Phoenix, Ahwatukee, and along Phoenix’ border with Scottsdale and Tempe carrying about 6,900 riders through Phoenix each day. To help passengers understand what routes continue to operate, the city of Phoenix has posted an overview map of affected bus routes, a list of those bus routes, and suggestions for alternate routes and travel options in Phoenix on the Public Transit Department website. Phoenix continues to operate its 45 Valley Metro bus routes within the city and to West Valley cities and Scottsdale. Impacted East Valley Bus Routes Connecting to Phoenix South/southeast Phoenix: Rts. 30-University, 45-Broadway, 48-48 St/Rio Salado, and 77-Baseline Ahwatukee: Rts. 56-Priest, 108-Elliot/48th St, 156-Chandler Blvd/Williams Field; and Express Route 522 Central Phoenix: Express Rts. 514, 520, 521, 522, 531, 533, 535, 541, and 542. Phoenix/Scottsdale border: Rt. 72-Scottsdale/Rural Phoenix/Tempe border: Rts. 56-Priest and 48-48 St./Rio Salado Options for Travel Phoenix’s bus routes may be able to provide another way to a passenger’s destination via Phoenix transit centers: Ed Pastor Transit Center, Central and Broadway; Central Station Transit Center, Central and Van Buren; Paradise Valley Mall Transit Center (northside of mall); and Desert Ridge Marketplace, Loop 101 and Tatum Blvd. Passengers may be able to combine bus travel with a ride from family and friends or a taxi and use those passenger facilities as pick-up and drop off points. Passengers in south and southeast Phoenix are most impacted because Baseline, Southern, and Baseline roads are serviced by the East Valley contract. But Phoenix-operated bus service will continue on the north/south roads with some east/west service. Passengers may be able to reach their destination using another route. Bus passengers are also urged to take caution as they wait for a bus in the summer heat. Phoenix urges them to practice Personal Cool (Manténgase Fresco) which emphasizes drinking plenty of water and carrying portable shade such as an umbrella during the wait and when walking to and from bus stops. Visit the Public Transit Department’s Personal Cool website for additional tips. Updated information on the progress of labor negotiations for East Valley bus service is available at the Valley Metro website or by calling Customer Service at 602-253-5000. Media Contact: Marie Chapple Camacho Cell 602-261-8254 602-571-5895

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Early Voting Begins for August 2013 Council Election

Theo nguồn tin trên mạng của phoenix.gov

http://phoenix.gov/news/072613earlyvoting.html

July 26, 2013 The following also is provided in Spanish. Lo siguiente también es provisto en español. Early voting begins on Thursday, Aug. 1, for the August 2013 City Council Election. Voters may cast an early ballot during business hours at Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St., 15th floor, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Thursday, Aug. 1, through Friday, Aug. 23. Other early voting sites will be open on Saturday, Aug. 10 and Aug. 17. Those times, dates and locations are: Saturday, Aug. 10 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mesquite Branch Library, 4525 E. Paradise Village Pkwy. Saturday, Aug. 10 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pecos Community Center, 17010 S. 48th St. Saturday, Aug. 10 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., South Mountain Community Center, 212 E. Alta Vista Road Saturday, Aug. 17 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Adam Diaz Senior Center, 4115 W. Thomas Road Saturday, Aug. 17 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Devonshire Senior Center, 2802 E. Devonshire Ave. Saturday, Aug. 17 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Paradise Valley Community Center, 17402 N. 40th St. Approximately 208,000 Phoenix voters who are on the permanent early voting list (PEVL) will begin to receive early ballots beginning Thursday, Aug. 1. If residents are not on the PEVL and wish to receive an early ballot by mail, request forms are available online at phoenix.gov/elections and at city public service counters and libraries. A signed, written request must be received by Friday, Aug. 16. Voted early ballots must be received by the City Clerk no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters are advised to allow sufficient time for mail delivery by Election Day. Voted early ballots also may be delivered to early voting or voting center locations during voting hours. In addition, voters are reminded to take the time needed to consider and mark their ballot, but voters who complete their ballots early are encouraged to return the ballot as soon as it is voted. Returning voted ballots as early as possible provides more time for signature verification and processing so that final results are available sooner. Accessible voting devices that permit voters with disabilities to vote independently will be available at the early voting sites and voting center locations. For more information about the August election, contact the City Clerk Department at 602-261-VOTE (8683), TTY 602-534-2737 or visit phoenix.gov/elections. Media Contact: Stephanie Ribodal Romero 602-261-8512

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Ahwatukee Storm Update

Theo nguồn tin trên mạng của phoenix.gov

http://phoenix.gov/news/071613stormupdate.html

Updated July 18, 2013 City of Phoenix employees continue to work to clear debris and provide assistance to residents since the July 15 storm in Ahwatukee Foothills. On Tuesday, Councilman Sal DiCiccio and city officials held a news conference to update the public about cleanup efforts. Police Department Phoenix Police dispatch, 9-1-1 and the non-emergency number received 124 calls between 4:30 and 9 p.m. on July 15, with 94 calls in the first hour of the storm. Most of the calls were reporting traffic hazards, downed power lines and trees, traffic signals not working, collisions and other information. A command post was established at the Ahwatukee substation where numerous city agencies coordinated answering calls for service to assist residents. Public Works Department The Public Works Department is working diligently to assist residents who have been affected by Monday’s monsoon. We ask residents who need assistance to call our Customer Care hotline at 602-262-7251. To date we have received 130 calls and 12 email messages. Since July 16, our crews have collected more than 210,400 pounds of green waste debris and 6,240 pounds of garbage debris from the storm. The Public Works Department has placed 28 roll-out bins in strategic areas throughout the area where residents or landscapers can take their green waste debris. Please note, these bins are only for green waste and no construction debris should be placed in the bins. Our drivers will be stopping to empty out these bins throughout this week. A list with the different locations can be found at phoenix.gov/publicworks. We are estimating 15 roll-off bins to be serviced and placed back in the neighborhood by the end of the day, Thursday, July 18. Staff will continue to support the area with four bulk trash crews, two roll-off drivers and support staff. The Public Works Department is planning on working in the area through Friday, July 26. Residents will need to have all debris in the bins or at the curb by Wednesday, July 24. As of 1 p.m. Thursday, July 18, the inspection of the affected area revealed substantial progress has been made. On Thursday, July 18, Public Works crews focused on the following areas: Knox Road to Chandler Boulevard, 36th to 40th streets; Ray Road to Chandler Boulevard, 32nd to 24th streets; and Pecos to Frye roads, 32nd to 36th streets. On Friday, July 19, Public Works crews will be focused on the following areas: Ray to Pecos roads, 32nd to 20th streets; and Chandler Boulevard and Pecos Road, 44th to 48th streets. On Saturday, July 20, the Public Works Department will increase the number of personnel to support the affected area, which will include bulk trash crews, a team of Environmental Specialists for education and Special Operations crews to service roll-off bins. This effort is expected to yield a high volume of green waste tonnage. Street Transportation and Parks & Recreation Departments Streets has eight people working on four crews removing debris from city of Phoenix right-of-way. Currently, the Department has four street sweepers and two support trucks working in the storm-damaged area. By Saturday, July 20, there will be 12 street sweepers and two support trucks working in the storm-damaged area. Street crews continue to follow the Public Works Department bulk trash pick-up crews, and are sweeping the area as they finish with their work. Streets staff continues to coordinate response efforts with the Parks Department as well. As residents continue to call into the Streets Department, we are working to determine specific details, and then make the appropriate notifications to remedy the situation. We are working through the locations in the order they are received. People who see areas that may have been missed can call the Street Maintenance Dispatch hotline at 602-262-6441, which is monitored 24-hours a day, to report problems. Special Clean-Up Effort There is a planned clean up in Ahwatukee with volunteers on Saturday, July 20. Roll-off bins will be provided and bulk trash crews will be in the area to support the efforts. More information will be posted soon at phoenix.gov/publicworks.

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Last Day to Register to Vote in August City Council Election Approaching

Theo nguồn tin trên mạng của phoenix.gov

http://phoenix.gov/news/071713voterreg.html

July 17, 2013 The following also is provided in Spanish. Lo siguiente también es provisto en espanol. Monday, July 29, is the last day to register to vote in the August 2013 city of Phoenix Council Election. The election is open to all Phoenix residents who are registered voters and reside within Districts 2, 4, 6 or 8 at least 29 days prior to the election. There are no elections in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 this year because council terms are staggered and there is no mayoral election or ballot propositions. Residents may visit the Find My Council District web application on phoenix.gov or call 602-261-VOTE (8683) to find out which district they reside in. Voter registration forms are available at most libraries and government facilities, including the lobby of Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St., or at the City Clerk Department on the 15th floor. Registration forms also are available from the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office website at recorder.maricopa.gov/web/regform.aspx. Also, you can register online at servicearizona.com. For questions about voter registration, contact the Maricopa County Elections Department at 602 506 1511. Eligible voters on the Permanent Early Voting List (PEVL) will begin receiving their early ballots by mail on Thursday, Aug. 1. In-person early voting also begins on Aug. 1 at Phoenix City Hall. Other early voting locations also will be available on Saturday, Aug. 10 and 17. Residents not on the PEVL may vote early by submitting a request form, which is available at phoenix.gov/elections and at city public service counters and city libraries. This form must be returned to the City Clerk by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. Also, a Sample Ballot Pamphlet will be mailed the week of July 22 to each residence address in the even-numbered districts where there is a registered voter unless a voter has requested to obtain the Pamphlet electronically. The Pamphlet will list the early voting locations and the dates and times each are available. The Sample Ballot Pamphlet also is available online on the City Clerk Department Elections Division website or from the City Clerk Department. For more information about the August election, contact the City Clerk Department at 602-261-VOTE (8683), TTY 602-534-2737 or visit the Elections Division website. Media Contact: Stephanie Ribodal Romero 602-261-8512

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Phoenix tops nation in economic growth

Theo nguồn tin của U.S. Census Bureau trên mạng PRNewswire

http://phoenix.gov/news/071013economicgrowth.html

July 9, 2013 Mayor Greg Stanton Phoenix leads the nation in economic growth, according to the Brookings Institution, and Mayor Greg Stanton credits several City Council policies for helping the city land the top spot. Phoenix saw 0.6 percent job growth over the quarter, which is 50 percent higher than the national average, according to the report. Read more here in the Business Journal. Stanton pledged to work with his council colleagues to build on Phoenix’s momentum. “Phoenix is leading the charge to get our nation back on its feet and get people working again,” Stanton said. “Phoenix has always been a fast-growing city, and now we are moving forward toward a strong, sustainable economy that will continue to provide jobs and stability for families. Investing in our economy is paying off and we need to continue that investment.” Barry Broome, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, praised the council’s leadership. “As the largest city in our region, Phoenix plays a critical role in the health of so many other communities in the market,” said Barry Broome, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. “We appreciate and applaud Mayor Stanton’s leadership on the economy.” Stanton worked toward various economic policies to get Phoenix on the economic right track, a few of which include: Arizona Biomedical Corridor: Stanton, the City Council, ASU and Mayo Clinic formed a partnership that will create jobs and educational opportunities in northeast Phoenix and will serve as an international destination for renowned medical care at Desert Ridge. University of Arizona/St. Joseph’s Cancer Center: Stanton and the City Council worked with UA president Ann Weaver Hart and CEO of Dignity Health Linda Hunt to bring the cancer center to Phoenix and break ground on the new facility. Local First Procurement: Stanton and the City Council fought in 2012 for a local business procurement policy that allowed local Phoenix businesses to compete for city business for goods and services contracts for under $50,000. Business incubators: Stanton and the City Council approved a partnership to lease office space to SEEDspot, a business incubator and nonprofit to help launch innovative ideas and boost the economy. California Trade Visits: Stanton, the city manager and GPEC President Barry Broome met with information technology, clean technology and manufacturing companies in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco area to make sure Phoenix is at the top of their expansion list by offering the best city and workforce in the region. Mexico Trade Missions: Mayor Stanton, Tucson Mayor Rothschild, Councilman Nowakowski, City Manager Cavazos, and members from GPEC and the Chamber of Commerce have traveled on various trade missions to Mexico and met with Aeromexico, and the U.S. Ambassador and Mexico Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Sky Harbor recently landed a new international airline in Volaris. For more information on the Brookings report, go here. Media Contact: Sarah Muench 602-262-7111

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