Big
Plans for the New
Year
As 2013 begins, it is time to reflect on our
accomplishments and set goals for what still needs to be done to make Phoenix
the best it can be. The number one responsibility we all have on the City
Council is maintaining public safety and that will continue to be a top priority
in 2013. Additionally, I have identified four areas that I believe can have the
greatest positive impact on the quality of life for the residents of Phoenix:
Revitalization; Technology Advancement; Economic Development; and Phoenix
Mountain Preserve.
As our economy improves, vacant lots and retail
centers offer great opportunities for revitalization in our community. These
underused spaces can be put to great temporary use and transformed into
pedestrian friendly areas that will support the growth of local businesses. At
the moment, in District 3 alone, we have revitalization efforts occurring along
North 32
nd Street, Hatcher Road, and in the North Mountain Business
Alliance. Additionally, a Revitalization District has been designated from
Dunlap to Thunderbird and from 19
th Avenue to 35
th Avenue.
I will work with colleagues to support and create entities that foster strategic
development around the City.
Investing in smart technology is one of the
most important things we as a city can do to become even more efficient and
protect the taxpayer by reaching our goal of $100 million in efficiency savings
by 2015. In the era of the smart phone and tablet, customer service should also
adapt to be as user friendly as possible. The City has an app, MYPHX, that
allows residents to report blight and illegal signs, among other things, and we
can take that to the next level. What if you could upload your driver’s license
and library card to your smart phone and carry less plastic?
I also
want to focus on economic development and capitalize on recent tax laws passed
in California by inviting businesses to relocate to our city to enjoy our great
weather and friendlier tax structure. I will work with our city’s Economic
Development Department and Mayor Stanton to identify and reach out to
corporations and entrepreneurs to encourage them to relocate to
Phoenix.
Finally, the Phoenix Mountain Preserve is one of the city’s
points of pride. It provides opportunities for hiking and biking for residents
and is a draw for tourists who want to experience our unique desert lifestyle.
I believe in maintaining and improving the Preserve we already enjoy, while
identifying funding to expand our preserve system. As this system grows,
interest in our city will grow.
Councilman Bill Gates represents
Council District 3 in north Phoenix and includes the Sunnyslope, Moon Valley,
and Paradise Valley Mall areas. He can be reached at
council.district.3@phoenix.gov.
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