EX-HIGH SCHOOL EMPLOYEE SENTENCED IN THEFT CASE, PAGE 4
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OVER THE RAINBOW Millennium students performing The Wizard of Oz — Page 9.
DRAMA QUEENS
AVONDALE MAYOR Kenneth Weise highlights the city’s state March 22 during the annual State of the City Address at Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale. The location was chosen to help commemorate the college’s 25th anniversary.
Avondale will remain competitive, mayor says
Buckeye Melodrama celebrating 50 years — Page 9.
Kenneth Weise touts development during DAILY UPDATES! State of the City address News Updates and fresh Classified ads posted Monday - Friday at 4:30 p.m. online at www.westvalleyview.com Volume 31, No. 51 24 Pages 1 Section Circulation: 78,377 INDEX Classifieds .................... 20 Editorials & Letters .......... 6 Obituaries ...................... 18 Sports ........................... 10 Briefcase ......................... 8 9 Days a Week............... 17 Recycle this paper
by Glenn Gullickson staff writer
Avondale needs to remain competitive with neighboring cities for a future that is “bright and promising,” according to Mayor Kenneth Weise. Weise made the comment at the annual State of the City address, during which he said Avondale’s future includes the city’s first “Class A” office building and additional parks. “The city needs to stay ahead of not only our neighbors, but other industries,” Weise said during the speech titled “A Vision Takes Shape” delivered March 22 at the Performing Arts Center at Estrella Mountain Community College. “I want to find a niche for our brand, for our town,” Weise said, noting that Avondale’s location along Interstate 10 and Loop 101 gives it unique opportunities. Weise said he wants Avondale to excel in economic development, job creation and quality of life. “The vision is taking shape with each new groundbreaking and grand opening,” he said. In 2016, the city issued 1,600 permits for (See Competitive on Page 3)
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BUCKEYE MAYOR Jackie Meck speaks Tuesday morning during the 2017 State of the City event at the Palo Verde Energy Education Center in Buckeye.
Buckeye mayor pledges to improve water billing Jackie Meck delivers State of the City address by Glenn Gullickson staff writer
The mayor of Buckeye is acknowledging there is still work to do to improve the city’s water billing system after several months when disputed water bills created a controversy in the city. Mayor Jackie Meck made the comment Tuesday at the beginning of his annual State of the City address. “We know we need to improve. We take this very seriously,” Meck said during the speech at Palo Verde Education Center. “We know there is more work to do in this area.” The mayor, who was elected to a third consecutive term last year, thanked residents for their patience over water billing issues, but did not directly address a failed effort by a group that wanted to recall the mayor. Meck promised that before the end of the year, water department improvements will include state-of-the-art technology that would give users access to the billing system to check daily water usage and monitor spikes. “Our customer service is paramount,” he said. “We are committed to ensuring your concerns are resolved.”
Other cities are dealing with similar problems with water billing, he said. Meck dealt with the water issue before talking about several issues that he said were city successes. • For the first time in more than 20 years, progress is being made to eradicate salt cedars, an invasive species of trees growing along 18 miles of river bottom land, Meck said. With grant funds, the city rented an incinerator to burn trees that had been removed. The river bottom contains hundreds of thousands of salt cedars, which pose fire and flood danger. • The city’s financial stability is reflected in its AA bond rating, which was achieved late last year and represents an improvement of four rating levels in five years, Meck said. He noted that the city’s BBB+ rating in 2001 discouraged people from doing business or living in the city. • Economic development includes Cardinal Industrial Glass a 250,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, which will have 100 employees when it opens next month. Under construction or planned are a Fry’s Marketplace in Verrado, a regional center for Arizona Public Service Co.; and Vantage West Business Park, a 2.6 million-square-foot distribution center. Meck said the West-MEC vocational center, (See Pledges on Page 3)
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