Opinion
www.SanTanSun.com
Wishing you a Happy New Year from the team at the SanTan Sun News!
Letters to the editor
Shop local in 2013
As 2012 comes to a close, many of us will make resolutions to lose weight, read a book, learn a language or one of a million other goals we have put off to improve our wellbeing. However, there is something we can do to make a far greater impact on our own lives and in our community: pledge to shift 10% of the money you spend from national chains to independent businesses. Studies show that for every $100 spent at a chain, only $13 stays and benefits the local community. Conversely, $100 Kimber Lanning Submitted photo spent at local businesses keeps $45 in the local economy. It is estimated that if an average American city shifted 10% of their spending from national chains to local businesses, it would bring an additional $235 million per year to the community’s economy. This equates to more jobs created, dependable services and an improved standard of living. Easily shift 10% of your spending this year by pledging to lose that weight at a local gym, buy that book at an independent bookstore or learn a new language from a local instructor. Find other ways to shift and 2,200 independent businesses at localfirstaz.com. Kimber Lanning, founder and director, Local First Arizona
New taxes fund healthcare
Remember “Obamacare?” Well, it’s in the news again but this time it has nothing to do with healthcare. Part of the bill Congress passed includes various tax increases, including surtax on investment income. The surtax, an additional tax in addition to anything else paid by the individual, is 3.8% of income derived from investments like stocks and bonds and applies to any individual whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 or $250,000 for a couple. If you suspect this surtax will apply to you, give some serious thought to doing a little tax planning for 2013. Consider cutting your losses on underperforming stocks that could offset gains. If you don’t think the surtax applies to you, you’ll still want to keep your eye on changes Congress is making. The bill for “Obamacare” is expected to be huge and Congress is busy right now attempting to figure out how to fund it further. One thing’s for certain – taxes are on the rise. Evan Nielsen, Nielsen Law Group, PC, Queen Creek
What do you think? How can we better protect Chandler’s children? Should school staff be trained and armed? Must funding be found for full-time police officers at every school? Or, is Sandy Hook an isolated incident that shouldn’t impact current safety measures? Send your responses to Letters@SanTanSun.com and include your community name and ZIP code for possible inclusion in a future issue of the SanTanSun News.
Time to reflect on 2012 by Mayor Jay Tibshraeny
Wrapping up our community’s Centennial Anniversary year, this is a good time to reflect on the many positive things Chandler experienced in 2012. We kicked off our 100th anniversary in February and held a number of great events in May to honor the founding of this great city. It was heartening to see thousands of residents not only turn out for the events, but also volunteer at the many activities held. We announced that both the University of Arizona and Arizona State University will have a presence in downtown Chandler; in fact, U of A is already holding classes in our newly refurbished Community Center. Chandler received a number of awards and accolades in 2012. We were named one of the top 50 places to live in the United States by Money Magazine; we made the top 10 best run cities in the U.S. by the 24/7 Wall Street website; and we were recently Mayor Jay Tibshraeny listed as the fourth best city in America for tech company startups. This past year, many companies announced they were expanding or moving to Chandler, bringing thousands of new jobs to the community. We maintained focus on our neighborhoods, continuing a number of programs like our Traditional and HOA Academies, my Listening Tour stops, a voluntary demo program for substandard structures and a virtual online forum to connect residents with their elected officials during budget time. So as you get ready to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, take some time to reflect on how well we have progressed as a community. But also remember that many in the community have not fared as well. If you can, please donate some time or make a donation to one of the many nonprofit agencies in Chandler who help those in need now and throughout the year. A good place to find information is through Community Information and Referral Services at cir.org. They list a number of local charities that need your help. Remember to follow me on Twitter at @jaytibshraeny and visit the City’s awardwinning website chandleraz.gov for more. Mark your calendar now for my 2013 State of the City address, scheduled for the evening of Feb. 21 in the City Council Chambers. I hope you will take the time to attend and learn more about our great city and the many exciting things that lie ahead.
Have a story idea or news tip? Know of an interesting photo opportunity? How about positive feedback or constructive comments? We’d like to hear from you. Email us at News@SanTanSun.com. We know you have an opinion! Share it with the SanTan Sun News. Unless you’re the Mayor, however, please keep your Letters to the editor around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, community or development name in Southern Chandler (Cooper Commons, Ocotillo, Sun Groves, etc.) or ZIP code and daytime phone number for verification. Anonymous letters are not typically accepted. Email is the preferred submission method, to Letters@SanTanSun.com. All submitted Letters to the Editor and Community Commentaries become the property of the SanTan Sun News and may be reprinted in part, quoting the letters’ authors, or in their entirety. Your submission to the SanTan Sun News is considered your permission to print your written opinion. Opinions expressed in Community Commentaries, Letters to the Editor or cartoons are those of the author, and not that of the SanTan Sun News.
Deadline
mailing address:
PO Box 23 Chandler, AZ 85244-0023 telephone: 480-732-0250 fax: 480-883-8714
©2013 SanTan Sun News
For News Tips, Editorial Articles, Opinion or Classifieds, email is preferred. news email address: News@SanTanSun.com ads email address: Ads@SanTanSun.com website address: www.SanTanSun.com
35
Community Commentary
Publisher’s Note
Laurie Fagen Photo by LightRainImages.com
January 5 – 18, 2013
EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING: NOON WED., JANUARY 9 FOR THE JANUARY 19, 2013 ISSUE
35,000
Total Circulation 27,250+ Driveways Fifty square mile coverage area from Price/101 to Greenfield and from Frye to Hunt Highway.
publisher
Laurie Fagen advertising/production Geoff Hancock
managing editor
news assistant
editor
contributors
Susan Henderson Lynda Exley
administrative assistant
proofreader
account executives
writers
Darlene Keberle Jane Meyer Debbie Jennings
website maintained by
Susan Kovacs, n-ergizing ad design
Christine Bryner, Studio 509 layout design
Tad Smith, The Design Idea
Kristen Sherman Susan Henderson Tracy House K.M. Lang Jourdan Rodrigue Alison Stanton section editors
Teri Carnicelli Sharon McCarson Kristen Sherman Steven Solomon
Barbara Law
Lora Robinson Anne Keefer Robyn Kelly Susie Avey Terry Locke Ximena Rodriguez Bryan Winfrey