Peoria Times Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
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www.peoriatimes.com
Vol. 64 - No. 43
October 26, 2018
MIHS emphasizes community care By CAROLYN DRYER Editor
Approximately 30 residents showed up for a presentation Oct. 17 at Peoria Community Center by Maricopa Integrated Health System officials. Peoria Mayor Pro Tem Vicki Hunt welcomed attendees, and Susan Gerard, Special Health Care District board chairman, introduced staff from MIHS, who proceeded to give a brief history of the health system and the county-wide proposition voters approved in 2014 that is making it possible to build a new $70 million primary and specialty care facility in Peoria. The $935 million Proposition 480 bond measure for Maricopa County’s Special Health Care District was approved by 63.42 percent of the vote. MIHS President and CEO Stephen Purves called that “a
Photo by Carolyn Dryer
Local resident Eva Osuna, center, listens as MIHS Chief Operting Officer Kris Gaw, right, discusses with Peoria Unified School District Governing Board President Monica Ceja Martinez the kind of career and technical service programs that can be offered in the future at the West Valley Primary and Specialty Care Center in Peoria. The discussion took place at a community presentation Oct. 17 at Peoria Community Center.
landslide in voter jargon.” He said the Peoria location at Grand Avenue and Cotton Lane was identified “to make an impact.” Purves said it was not possible without the support of the board and employees “to make sure we’re solvent.” To emphasize his point, Purves showed a slide indicating just how far the health system has come since fiscal year 2014. At that time, it was $74 million in the red. By fiscal year 2017, it was $45.9 million in the black. A look at the fiscal year 2018 unaudited figure shows the system is still $23.9 million in the black and forecast to stay in the black through fiscal year 2020. “We’re in good shape, in better shape as we move forward,” Purves said, noting earlier during the presentation that MIHS is not beholden to stockholders but is to the patients it serves.
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Oct. 26 last day to request early ballot
Oct. 26, is the last day for registered voters to request an early ballot by mail for the city of Peoria, county and state general election. Early ballot requests can be made with the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office online at Request.Maricopa.Vote or by calling 602-506-1511. Voters who wish to vote early in person rather than by mail, may cast an early ballot during business hours at
Maricopa County Elections offices through Nov. 2. Accessible voting devices that permit voters with disabilities to vote independently are available at this location. A complete list of early voting locations and hours can be found at Maricopa.vote. Voted early ballots must be received no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 6.
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A POGO (Peoria on the Go) bus could be in the city’s future to serve residents on a new circulator route.
Council gets glimpse of transportation future
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By CAROLYN DRYER Editor Deputy City Manager Erik Strunk prepared Peoria City Council for a smooth ride Oct. 16 during a study session, which involved a transit and transportation update. Strunk began with remarks about transit being one of the city’s “livability factors.” He said, “The city makes every effort to connect residents, not only in Peoria, but in the region.” He noted how the city works with other cities and partners with county and state agencies to move transportation issues forward. Transit Manager Cathy Colbath gave updates on fixed routes within the city, the park ‘n’ ride situation and bus shelter program. Colbath said there are three fixed routes in the city: 83rd Avenue, Peoria Avenue and Thunderbird Road. Para transit routes are offered through Dial-A-Ride and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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