On The Issues

August 2007 Council Column

West Phoenix Revitalization The West Phoenix community has suffered for many years from a lack of focus from city services.  Claude initiated the West Phoenix Revitalization Program to improve city services and address community needs.  He led in organizing City Council and City Management to redirect city resources to address the crime, blight, economic development and service needs of this community.  It has taken 25 years to get where we are, and this program has started the process to begin real change in this community.  A cooperative effort between the community, City departments, management and the City Council are committed to a long-term strategy in West Phoenix.

Water and Environment
Phoenix has been at the forefront in addressing water and environmental issues in the Valley.  As Chairman of the Land Use, Environment and Natural Resources Subcommittee, Claude has led the policy development, working with the Water Department on water conservation, drought response and water reuse.  As air quality has worsened, the subcommittee has focused its attention on addressing the causes and developing a plan to control and regulate the violators. 

Additionally, Claude has worked on many sustainability factors; addressing greenhouse gas emissions, alternative and renewable power generation and conservation, alternative fueled vehicles, green building construction, recycling and responsible solid waste disposal, mountain and desert preservation, and more.

Public Safety
The two most important services the city provides are Police and Fire.  As a member of the Public Safety Subcommittee, Claude has been involved in improving recruiting programs, changing residency and training policies to increase the number of police officers and firefighters on the street. 

He supported expanding the police force by 393 new sworn officers, 612 civilian support personnel and 150 new fire fighters.  Claude reduced the transition time for Police Academy Cadets to enter the force and modified residency requirements to increase retention.  While the city was cutting other department budgets, Police and Fire remained fully funded to insure the general public safety and homeland security. 

Claude supported the Black Canyon Violence Impact Project and the Maryvale Revitalization Enforcement Project to decrease violent crime and improve public safety in neighborhoods.  Claude named eight neighborhoods as Fight Back areas and assisted 250 neighborhoods in receiving Block Watch grants, totaling over $2,500,000 to fight crime and eliminate blight.  The illegal immigration issue has been the focus of our Police Department, since January 2006 to May 2007; 5,000 illegal immigrant human and drug smugglers and other illegal immigrant criminals have been arrested and prosecuted.

Claude strongly supports Proposition 1, the Phoenix First Public Safety Initiative to hire 400 police officers, 100 police support personnel and 100 firefighters and he encourages you to vote YES on Proposition 1.

Transportation
As Phoenix and the Valley continue to grow, transportation becomes a bigger concern.  Be it commuting by car, bus, light rail or plane, Claude has been a part of the development of the city and regional plan.  Serving on the Transportation Subcommittee has given him a unique opportunity to develop policy on addressing neighborhood traffic mitigation to freeway congestion issues now and strategizing the transportation needs of the future. 

Rapid buses and light rail will help to move people from their cars to alternative transportation.  Building new freeways around the Valley to move transient traffic away from downtown will assist in congestion management.  Having the best run airport in the United States is the goal of the customer service attitude adopted by Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix’s gateway to the world.

Economic Development
Claude has been actively involved in economic development since the early 1980’s, with Cricket Desert Sky Pavilion and Maryvale Baseball Park as successes.  As a member of the Downtown, Sports, Economy and International Subcommittee, he has been part of the success of attracting many new businesses to his District and the city. 

Examples include Banner Estrella Hospital, Target Southwest Regional Distribution Facility, the Phoenix Convention Center, T-Gen and the Biomedical Campus and the ASU Downtown Campus.  Claude initiated $140 million in bond improvements for District 5, which include a community center and new library at Maryvale Park, new parks, pool, street and flood control improvements and new senior and community centers at La Pradera Park. 

Due to the efforts of the West Phoenix Revitalization Program, the district has seen new economic activity, including the redevelopment of Maryvale Terrace, Plaza and Mall properties, and West Gate Plaza.  Blue Cross Blue Shield will be expanding their operation and building a larger campus. Medical offices are under construction in the Algodon Medical Campus. 

Negotiations are in process for a new baseball training facility to host the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox in Spring 2009.  Claude is looking to the future with his School to Work Program started with the Alhambra and Cartwright Elementary School Districts focusing on 7th and 8th grade students, providing mentorship and training on the education and skills necessary to compete in the world economy.

Education
Claude has supported the programs to assist and support our youth and education.  Education is the key to the future for our children.  Programs such as after-school programs, small specialty high schools, School to Work (mentioned above), School Resource Officers, Principal for a Day and Operation Tone Up are a few examples of Claude’s support.