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Keeping the #GoodInGoodyear
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It’s not uncommon to hear employees say that working for the city of Goodyear is like being part of a family. When asked what their favorite thing about working for the city is, many employees readily admit -- it’s their coworkers. One of my favorite things about City Manager Julie Arendall, ICMA-CM being the Goodyear City Manager is seeing how connected and engaged our employees are, and how hard everyone works to fulfill our duties as public servants in our community.
Did you know our city is only 11 percent built out? We still have a lot of growing to do, and as the city expands, so does our city workforce. As an organization, the city of Goodyear employs more than 580 full time employees, 236 part time employees and countless volunteers who donate their time to help others. City leadership knows that our community depends on each and every employee to deliver exceptional services, whether it’s helping to set up a new resident’s utility billing account, maintaining our roads, or providing public safety. We also recognize that in order to be successful, all of our employees need to be invested in the work that they do as public servants. When employees like what they do and where they work, they perform at their best.
It’s a great time to be in Goodyear. We are so fortunate to welcome our many new residents and businesses choosing to call Goodyear home as we continue to experience historic growth. We recently broke ground on both the new surface water treatment facility and the new Goodyear Recreation Campus. Goodyear Civic Square at Estrella Falls and two new fire stations are also on the horizon and will bring more opportunity and services to our residents.
I’m pleased that the city of Goodyear is poised for continued growth, and I’m thrilled that as an organization, we are ensuring that all of our employees are thriving because we have a culture where they can excel. In turn, each employee provides our community with the highest level of service possible. We are committed to keeping the #GoodInGoodyear .
goodyearaz.gov/InFocus
From the Mayor The amount of holiday cheer swirling around our community is amazing this time of year. Community members,
Mayor Georgia Lord
city employees and business partners are all so generous in giving to our local non-profit agencies and to our city programs that bring a little extra cheer to those in need.
As joyful as the season is, it can be lonely for some, especially those without family nearby. I encourage everyone to take the time to slow down and notice those around you. If you know someone without plans, perhaps extend an invitation to them to share stories and laughter over a cup of hot cocoa to warm your souls. A little quality time could mean the world
to them. Adding an extra seat at the table could even turn into a new tradition. This act of kindness doesn’t have to stop after the holidays. The city of Goodyear has a volunteer program for residents willing to take a few minutes to call and check on some of our senior residents. You Are Not Alone, otherwise known as YANA, is a free program offered by the Goodyear Police Department. Whether you’d like to volunteer to make calls or are interested in receiving a check-in every so often, YANA is here for you. All you have to do is visit goodyearaz.gov/yana or call 623-882-7481. Our community cares for one another and it is important that we make time to ensure the health and happiness of our entire city. On behalf of the council, have a safe and warm holiday season.
Council Corner As a member of the Goodyear City Council, I’m proud of the work we do to diligently develop the budget and policies that provide great parks, amenities and services for our residents; however, I believe that growing a great city is more than just Council Member Brannon Hampton sound policy - it’s also about fostering a culture of service and volunteerism. The countless contributions of our many volunteers and nonprofits are a strength of our growing community, and they are vital to our success as a city. The city fosters many great examples of this year-long commitment to service. For example, the Goodyear Faith and Community Roundtable creates a forum for the city, faith leaders, non-profits and volunteers to collaborate and leverage resources to serve the most vulnerable in our community. I always leave these meetings excited about all of the collective efforts going on to support the residents in our city and region. The city also supports non-profits through the Goodyear Community Funding program.
This program helps organizations provide a variety of important services for our residents. The city also has amazing programs to support our families who need it most during the holidays. Fill-ANeed and Shop with a Cop programs bring so much happiness to kids and families in our community. It’s not every day you get to meet with Santa and then be transported in a police caravan to a store to pick out toys with a Goodyear Police Officer. I make a point each year to get my own kids involved in volunteer activities like these so they can see and feel the impact giving can have. Nothing is better than seeing a child’s face light up from these programs, both on the giving and receiving end. The success of these programs grows each year and wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support from volunteers and businesses working together to support our community. If you would like to get involved in helping the community please go to the city of Goodyear website. There is a lot of #GoodInGoodyear , and I’m honored to get to see it firsthand year after year. Have a safe and happy holiday season and a wonderful new year. December 2019
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Gaining the Tools to Grow the #GoodInGoodyear for Generations Goodyear became home when I was 12 years old and I instantly fell in love with the city. I remember that same year, I went on a field trip to visit the Arizona State Capitol. I was enamored by the government system and from that day was determined to somehow be a part of my local government. Fast forward a few years, to when I saw a blurb in the InFocus magazine calling for teens to step up and become leaders in the community. Without hesitation I applied to serve on the Goodyear Youth Commission. I’m currently serving as the Goodyear Youth Commission Chair and proud to be learning about local government and how I can grow as a leader. The youth commission is made up of Goodyear students just like me who want to grow the #GoodInGoodyear . This year, the commission is focusing on mental health awareness. Issues like depression and anxiety are common among teens and can contribute to substance abuse, isolation and suicide. We want to do everything we can to help reduce the stigma around mental health and help connect our peers with available resources. We’re currently in the process of organizing an
Gabriella Burton Goodyear Youth Commission Chair & Millennium High School Senior event that would be a safe space for teens to discuss their issues and become more informed. Everyone on the commission is extremely focused and driven to help all those around them. We are always looking for opportunities to get involved and serve our community. If you ever get the chance to come to city hall for one of our meetings, you will see a group of dedicated high school students working on volunteer and event opportunities to support our city.
City of Goodyear Youth Commission members: Front Row (l to r): Victoria Lauritano, Meredith Horne, Maren Rice Middle Row (l to r): Madison See, Jackson Hamblin, Connor Schaeffer, Roman Mena, Raymond Gue, Lorenzo Castro Back Row (l to r): John Raeder (Assistant to the Council, Youth Commission liaison), Josh McGee, Tristan Smith, Grace Schaeffer, Patrick Mackie, Noah Caraway, Sanjin Gonilovic 4
goodyearaz.gov/InFocus
Teen Steps Up to Make Goodyear Safer
“
I researched stuff online, and I was like, well, what better place to find a project than the city of Goodyear?
”
Christian Larkin Odyssey Preparatory Academy Student and Troop 992 - Eagle Scout For his Eagle Scout project, 14-year-old Christian Larkin wanted to do something special for the city.
resident Mary Larsen said. “I love the way it looks. He was a very nice young man.”
That’s why Larkin, who attends Odyssey Preparatory Academy in Goodyear, decided to paint fresh new house numbers on curbs and alleyways in Historic Goodyear. The project will allow police and fire to locate homes more quickly in emergency situations.
Larkin is currently a Life Scout, but his successful project means he’s one step closer to becoming an Eagle Scout. “I felt special being connected to the city of Goodyear and doing this,” he said. “It was a good project.”
“They can just look at the freshly painted curb or alley wall and just be like, bam, that’s the house,” Larkin said. Larkin’s project consisted of two steps. First, he placed doorhangers on each home in Historic Goodyear to inform residents of his project and allowed them to accept or decline his service. Then, he cut out cardboard boxes for stencils, bought black and white paint, and gathered over 30 volunteers to paint numbers at each residence that requested the service. “I thought it was really satisfying seeing us take off the numbers and the background stuff after it was done,” Larkin said. The project was so popular that many residents who might have missed Larkin’s doorhanger came out of their homes to request that his volunteer group paint their curb, as well. “When they came around to do it, obviously we said, ‘Yes, we want the numbers painted,’” Historic Goodyear
Christian and another volunteer spray painting new house numbers outside a home in Historic Goodyear. December 2019
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1 Dose of Great Doctors + 1 Shot of Positive Attitude = Life Saving Treatment to Goodyear from Alaska in order to receive treatment at CTCA. “Everybody remembers your name. Everyone remembers your face. That just makes you feel like you’re in a facility of family and friends.” In Alaska, Whannell was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer – but tests at CTCA in Goodyear revealed her cancer to be Stage 4. “If I did not come down here, they would have just treated me for the lump in my left breast,” she said. “So, my husband and I are so grateful that we made the call.” Whannell has shown no evidence of cancer for over five months. Her piece of advice for those battling cancer is simple: Do something every day that makes you happy.
The treatment Pako Whannell received at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Goodyear, along with her own unwavering optimism, allowed her to conquer breast cancer.
“The positivity every day, whether it’s self-affirmations, reading a scripture in the Bible, or a walk with your dog,” said Whannell. “Do something positive so you stay positive, because that really is the biggest battle.”
“Just the environment at CTCA is so positive,” said Whannell, a P.E. teacher who relocated
The Good in Giving It takes a village and the city of Goodyear has a pretty good one. In addition to city employees, daily city services are supported and delivered to residents by a dedicated team of volunteers. From ushers at the ballpark to supporting customers with bills, volunteers are essential to providing the best possible service to the community.
a year volunteers = $ 830,000 saved 700 city
“
Volunteering is my own little way of helping my city. Plus, I love what I do! I get to coordinate programs for other volunteers and projects like Make a Difference Day, which helps Goodyear residents who need assistance and makes the city cleaner and that much more beautiful. It warms my heart to see volunteers of all ages spend their valuable time helping others.
”
Evelyn Howell City of Goodyear Volunteer since 2011 6
goodyearaz.gov/InFocus
RAD Encounter for Truck-Loving Toddler For 2-year-old Covin Etue, there’s nothing better than seeing the garbage truck picking up the trash can outside his home. “He knows to wait by the window and look to see if they’re coming,” said Covin’s mom, Alicia. “He’ll sit there and wait, and as soon as he hears them, he comes and gets me.” Right Away Disposal (RAD) truck operator Jeremiah Schultz took notice to his biggest fan waiting for him by the curb each week, so he decided to surprise him one day. Schultz stopped the garbage truck outside of Covin’s house and let him sit inside. “It gives you a chance to give something to the kid, create a memory, and at the same time, you get that chance to take five minutes out of your day and let them enjoy the truck,” he said. “They like it, they enjoy it, and it kind of makes our day to see them enjoy that.” The small act made Covin’s day, too. Maybe even his year! “It was the coolest thing,” Alicia said. “My son got so excited. He was really happy.”
Stepping Up to Fill a Need As we hit the holiday season, we often start to take more notice of those in need. Whether it’s volunteering to serve a hot meal at a rescue center or dropping money into a red kettle, the act of giving often brings as much joy to the giver as it does the receiver. The city of Goodyear feels that joy of giving each year as it delivers gifts to children all across the city. In 2005, Goodyear started the Fill-A-Need program with a goal to provide children, whose parents have found themselves in a financial hardship, with food, toys, clothes and school supplies for the holidays. “It takes months of planning for program volunteers,” said Sabrina Dezso, a Goodyear employee and Fill-A-Need volunteer. “There’s an application/referral process, followed by visits with the families, a month of donation gathering and wrapping, and then the best part – the delivery.” Gifts are donated by local businesses, residents and city employees. In 2018, more than 100 children in Goodyear received gifts they wouldn’t have otherwise received thanks to the community’s generosity. As we wrap up this year’s donation efforts, we thank you for once again stepping up to fill a need.
Upcoming Holidays City offices will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. NO trash, recycling and bulk pickup on these days.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
December 2019
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An Unforgettable Day It’s a day a child will never forget. Presents, police officers, and a visit from Santa. The Goodyear Police Department is celebrating its 19th annual Shop with a Cop event this month. A pre-selected group of 25 students kick off the day with breakfast and then are paired with their shopping buddy who also happens to be a Goodyear police officer in full uniform. Before the shopping begins, Santa swings in from the North Pole for a visit. Then everyone rides to the store in a spectacular caravan of police vehicles with lights flashing and sirens on. “This is a very special event and one that the members of the police department anticipate each year,” said Acting Police Chief Santiago Rodriguez. “We strive to make this experience extra special for these children. Going all out for these great kids really touches our hearts.” Over the years, the program has been able to reach more than 400 kids in Goodyear and with community support, there’s no end in sight. Thank you to the Shop with a Cop sponsors: PebbleCreek Home Tour Group, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Walmart and Chick-fil-A.
Three C’s to Remember this Winter Season Christmas trees should be watered daily. Properly dispose of it once it’s dry.
Did you know? ONE out of every FOUR Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems. Make it a habit to turn off your tree lights at night and every time you leave the house. Source: National Fire Protection Association
Candles should be kept away from decorations, children and pets.
Carbon monoxide detectors detector should be installed and maintained at home. Remember, carbon monoxide is a deadly odorless colorless gas.
For more ways to keep you and your family safe this winter, visit goodyearaz.gov/fire. 8
goodyearaz.gov/InFocus
See it. Snap it. Share it.
SHARE THE #GOODINGOODYEAR Follow us to hear more about the good things happening in the city and tell us about the good you see! Share photos and video with the hashtag #GoodInGoodyear.
Goodyear councilmembers invite you to join them for a free forum. Learn more about: new vaping law
future civic square
new businesses
and more!
Friday, Dec. 6 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Enroute Coffee & Tea House
Don’t miss out on what’s happening in your city. Subscribe to our YouTube channel today!
15605 W. Roosevelt St., Goodyear
goodyearaz.gov/youtube For questions, contact the Mayor and Council office at 623-882-7776.
Ricardo Machuca Fleet Services
How long you’ve worked for the city? Four years. What do you do? I’m a mechanic. I work on all the vehicles that belong to the city, diagnosing problems, making repairs and modifications to ensure that they are safe on the road. See how Ricardo keeps fire trucks in tip-top shape by watching On the Job with Julie.
Goodyearaz.gov/YouTube
Click on the On The Job With Julie playlist
Favorite Core Value? Initiative December 2019
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Make a Difference in Minutes! How does one person make a difference? Be counted in the U.S. Census. By completing the census and counting every person in the household, from babies to older adults, critical dollars for schools, roads, emergency services and hospitals will be allocated to Goodyear. The census also gives businesses an idea of who’s living where, so they know where to open new stores or offer services in communities that were previously underserved. Goodyear has a team of volunteers who are out in the community making sure everyone is aware of the importance of being counted. “I’ve a been a Goodyear resident for over 12 years and know the impact it can have on our city to be undercounted,” said census volunteer Mariana Sandoval. “I want to make sure we receive our share of funding especially for educational programs.” For more information on Census 2020 in Goodyear, visit goodyearaz.gov/census2020.
Be counted! The 2020 Census begins next spring. For the first time, you can complete the census online. The website is safe, secure and confidential.
Privacy Matters The U.S. Census Bureau takes your privacy and safety seriously and cannot release any identifiable information about you, your household, or your business to any other government organization. The answers you provide are used only to produce statistics. Census records are kept sealed for 72 years.
Did You Know? The United States has
counted its population every 10 years since the first census in 1790.
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goodyearaz.gov/InFocus
Census 2010
65,275 Goodyear Residents
Make Goodyear Count Census 2020
What’s That in Goodyear?
Cowtown Skateboards 14175 W. Indian School Rd., Suite D-2 Now open!
Daimler Trucks North America Parts distribution center for semi-trucks and school buses 17017 W. Indian School Rd. Now open!
Goodyear Medical Plaza 50,000-square-foot Class A Medical Offices 1325 N. Litchfield Rd. (former Palm Valley Cinema) Now open!
The Buffalo Spot 14130 W. Indian School Rd., Suite A-1 Opening late 2019
Que Pasa Mexican Food 3730 S. Estrella Pkwy, Suite 203 Now open!
Now we’re talking trash... Containers out by 6 a.m. on your pickup day.
No trash, recycling or bulk pickup on the following days:
Learn more about the businesses coming to Goodyear and view an interactive development map at developgoodyearaz.com.
The city of Goodyear has an active recycling program. Help us continue by doing it right.
Independence Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day New Year’s Day Need to find out your trash and recycling or bulk pickup day? Use the solid waste day finder online at goodyearaz.gov/trash
Want more news? Subscribe to updates at goodyearaz.gov/news and join the conversation online by following us on social media.
GOODYEAR CITY COUNCIL
Green means recycling
Tan
means trash in Goodyear
in Goodyear
Want answers about curbside recycling in Goodyear? Visit goodyearaz.gov/trash Catch all of the council meetings streaming live on our Facebook page @goodyearaz and YouTube channel.
GOODYEAR CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR December 2
5 p.m.
Work Session
6 p.m.
Council Meeting
December 9
5 p.m.
Special Meeting
December 16
6 p.m.
Council Meeting
Work Session times are subject to change. Visit goodyearaz.gov/council-calendar to view updates. Council meetings and work sessions are held at Goodyear Municipal Court and Council Chambers, 14455 W. Van Buren St., B101.
(l to r): Joe Pizzillo, Wally Campbell, Vice Mayor Bill Stipp, Mayor Georgia Lord, Sheri Lauritano, Laura Kaino, and Brannon Hampton.
InFocus Magazine
Goodyear Digital Communications Questions or comments, email: communications@goodyearaz.gov
December 2019
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ECRWSS Postal Customer 190 N. Litchfield Rd. Goodyear AZ 85338 goodyearaz.gov 623-932-3910
January 24-26, 2020 Goodyear Ballpark 1933 S. Ballpark Way
Friday 4 P.M. – 9 P.M. • Saturday 7 A.M. – 9 P.M. • Sunday 7 A.M. – 10 A.M.
For more information, visit abcfest.com
General Admission
Friday & Saturday - $20 at the gate • Sunday - Free Active Military and Children 12 & under - Free Group ticket packages available Parking - $5 NO PETS ALLOWED. ALL BALLOONING EVENTS ARE DEPENDENT UPON WEATHER CONDITIONS. NO REFUNDS. RAIN CHECKS OFFERED TO OTHER BALLOON EVENTS DUE TO CANCELLATION.