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directions. Once the resident dropped off the paperwork, he noticed this same
employee back on the mower when he was returning to his car. The resident
said he started looking at all the landscaping around the Town Hall complex.
He noticed it was being maintained at a very high level - the grass was mowed
with perfect straight lines, the trees were nicely trimmed, not a single weed in
all the various rock areas. He told me he felt proud to live in Marana. In that
moment, a member of our team left a lasting impression on a person from our
community. Think of the power and influence we each have with those first
impressions. First impressions also apply to governments.
The thoughts we have shared today remind me of why government must
remain true to its core mission. In Marana, that mission is public
infrastructure, public safety, and public services. We often refer to our core
mission as being a clean, safe, and healthy community. If we do these things
well over a long period of time, we build citizen loyalty and support. Citizens
expect good government. It is Marana's goal to provide excellent core services
and do it consistently well.
If you look at the most successful businesses and organizations, you will find a
common theme of research, planning, and timely action. There is nothing
overly complex about this model but it doesn't happen by accident. It takes
Marana State of the Town at the Ritz - Carlton Dove Mountain April 26, 2013
hard work, careful development of a plan and consistent implementation. Our
Marana model is based on the same concept. We take time to think and plan.
For the past several years, we have done just that - think and plan. This action
has resulted in a strategic plan that guides our decision - making process for
setting priorities, infrastructure development, and public policies.
One of the focus areas of the Town's strategic plan is commerce. Commerce is
the foundation of our plan because it creates jobs and revenue for the benefit
of the greater community. This past year, the Marana Chamber of Commerce
and the Town of Marana partnered to reach out to the business community.
We walked around and talked with business owners and managers. The
Business Walk, as it is called, allowed members of the Council, staff, and
Chamber to better understand the perceptions held by members of the
business community. It truly was a great experience and the Town learned a
lot by listening and asking questions. As I visited each of my assigned
businesses - nearly 40 in the two walks I made - I heard many positive things
about our community. In almost every business, I heard positive comments
about our police, roads, parks, and business development center. The
Business Walk is a prime example of the Town and the Marana Chamber
partnering to better serve the business community. That simple act of
Marana State of the Town at the Ritz - Carlton Dove Mountain April 26, 2013
walking around, asking questions, and listening has allowed our business
development center to be even more customer service driven because of what
we learned out in the field.
Most of you know, Marana loves a great challenge. We are always willing to
take a stand for our citizens - even if it means substituting hamburgers for
chicken. Marana's resilience is a product of the tremendous community
partnerships, citizen support and regional collaboration. Without the
assistance of the Marana Chamber, all our fire districts, Marana Unified School
District, and the Marana Health Center, we would not be where we are today.
The Town values our partners and recognizes how important these
relationships are for the well -being of the community. I thank all our
partners for their support and effort to make this a better place.
Partnerships are invaluable to the success of the whole community. We see a
great example of partnerships every July 4 when the Town works with the
private sector to put on the Star Spangled Spectacular. The event was moved
to Arizona Pavilions a few years ago because we wanted to bring the
fireworks to an area where many of our businesses and residents are located.
The new site has been a huge success. The Quarry Pines Golf Club steps up to
host the event. Comcast sponsors the fireworks. Several businesses offer
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Marana State of the Town at the Ritz - Carlton Dove Mountain April 26, 2013
special pricing to customers. Residents flock to Crossroads at Silverbell Park
to watch a movie sponsored by the Town or just to spend time with their
families In Marana, the Star Spangled Spectacular is both an honored national
holiday and strong testament to the power of community partnerships.
We have also taken bold steps in Marana to create a new model for citizen
engagement. This past year, we changed from traditional citizen commissions
to a dynamic town hall format. The Marana Citizens Forum is a new way to
seek innovative ideas and recommendations by focusing on topics that affect
the entire community. The Town partnered with Arizona Town Hall to
develop this innovative new concept. With us today are members of the
Marana Citizens Forum. I ask them to stand and be recognized. (PAUSE.)
Thank you for your service and helping to lead Marana into the future.
Speaking of the future, Marana is a growth community. We want to make sure
we are an attractive, high - quality place where families, individuals, and
businesses want to locate. For the past several years, we have focused on
owning and operating our own wastewater system. There are two reasons for
this - we must have affordable water resources and we want to support our
development service process through a streamlined approach. I am very
pleased to report that we have reached a settlement allowing Marana to begin
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Marana State of the Town at the Ritz - Carlton Dove Mountain April 26, 2013
preparing for the future. We want our utility systems to help support the
commercial, industrial and residential growth we are planning. Our mission is
to operate this utility system efficiently, ensuring we fully use the water
resources to manage our long -term water costs. I want to take a moment to
thank the residents of our community for the overwhelming support they
gave us during the primary election in March. We placed two measures on the
ballot related to the Town's authorization to operate its own wastewater
system. We received almost 75% approval from our voters. This shows
tremendous community support and reflects everyone's confidence in their
local government. With this settlement in place and our vision set on the
future, we are positioned for responsible and productive growth.
Families and business owners have a choice where they live and operate their
business. Since the last State of the Town address we have issued 657 single
family residential permits, 170 multi - family units and 48 commercial permits.
Marana is growing for sure. People are choosing to live in Marana because of
the quality of life and opportunities to succeed. First impressions mean
something. People make decisions where they invest both personally and
professionally.
Marana State of the Town at the Ritz - Carlton Dove Mountain April 26, 2013
Today, I have the honor to stand before you and talk about this great
community, but I am part of a larger team ... the Marana Town Council. In
Marana, our Council works hard to think through the issues facing our
community. We adopt policies that support the core mission and foster the
development of a great place to live and do business. I know we may not
always agree on the exact course of action, but we all have the same goal. We
love this community and it shows through our passion and active engagement.
Please join me in recognizing the members of our Town Council: Dave Bowen,
Patti Comerford, Herb Kai, Carol McGorray, Jon Post, and Roxanne Ziegler.
Thank you.
Setting great policy is only the first step. It takes a team of talented
individuals to lead and manage the complexities of a growing community.
Marana is blessed with a talented team of professionals, at all levels. I led off
with a story about a resident's first impression visiting Town Hall and the
assistance he received. I could tell hundreds of stories of a similar nature.
Our leadership team recently partnered with the University of Arizona to
explore ways to strengthen leadership and customer service. Great
organizations are made up of great individuals. The Council and I have set
some pretty high benchmarks and goals and the Town continues to exceed
Marana State of the Town at the Ritz - Carlton Dove Mountain April 26, 2013
expectations. I know the Town is developing other innovative ideas to retain
and attract the best and brightest staff members to serve our community. I
want to thank all Town employees for striving to create an organization of
excellence.
Speaking of innovative ideas, we have placed at each table a short survey
concerning our strategic plan. All of you should have a sheet that shows some
of the Town's accomplishments from 2012 and gives everyone an opportunity
to offer feedback on our strategic plan. We need your strategic ideas. We want
everyone to play a role as we begin an update of the plan later this year. Your
feedback will be the first step in that process. Please complete and tear off the
survey and drop it in one of the baskets located at the back of the room.
A few weeks ago, I was attending a Chamber function and talking to some
business owners. As I was listening, I heard excitement about the future of
our community. The business owners see the economy is getting better. More
activity is taking place throughout town. We are going in the right direction.
This positive feeling is a result of a healthy business community and its
relationship to the town. The businesses are doing better because the people
living in Marana are shopping and investing in Marana.
Marana State of the Town at the Ritz - Carlton Dove Mountain April 26, 2013
A healthy business community is complemented by a well- managed Chamber
of Commerce. I want to recognize our Chamber for all its hard work and
service to this community. In addition, I want to thank Comcast for its
support of this event and all the things it does as a community partner- thank
you.
I thank all of you for joining us today for our State of the Town. I appreciate
the fact that you are here for the Town every day. People want to live and
work in Marana because they know they can get involved. All of you play
crucial roles in making this a great community. You make a difference by
volunteering your time to important causes, serving on Town event
committees or our Citizens' Forum or by joining one of the community's many
outstanding civic organizations. Everyone here does his or her part to make
Marana a great place. We pledge to always have our residents' and business
owners' best interests in mind in everything we do. That's a vow we all take
seriously.
We have several Herculean challenges but many reasons to be optimistic. Our
community is headed in the right direction and we all look forward to every
new day and every exciting opportunity. A Town is only as strong as its
business owners and residents. Here in Marana, we could not ask for a better
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Marana State of the Town at the Ritz - Carlton Dove Mountain April 26, 2013
partnership with the people who live and do business here. I speak for the
Council and employee team when I say that we will continue accomplishing
great things together. The Town's successes are your successes and we all
share a bright and prosperous future. As President Dwight Eisenhower once
said, "Pessimism never won any battle." That is why we choose to be
optimistic. We can accomplish great things as a community with our shared
values and optimistic attitude.
Thank you again for coming and may God bless the Town of Marana and you,
each and every one.
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Marana State of the Town at the Ritz - Carlton Dove Mountain April 26, 2013