Every year, the Town of Marana invites members of the public to nominate someone for their impacts on the community for the Branding Iron Awards and the Marana Youth Legacy Award.
Marana named one of state's Top-10 Cities to Live In
Marana PD Shop with a Volunteer / Shop with a Cop
Over the weekend the Marana Police Department and the Marana Police Volunteers hosted their first “Shop with a Volunteer/Shop with a Cop” event. On Saturday, February 25, thirty-five students from the Marana Unified School District went on a shopping spree at the Kohl’s in Marana.
The students were chosen based on their need and represented all ages, from the youngest elementary school students to an emancipated high school senior.
“These children and families are being selected by the school district as those who need a little help with some basic needs for the kids,” Marana Police Department Volunteer Thomas Cox.
Funding for the shopping spree was raised a few months ago at the Pride for the Patch golf tournament for first responders, military, and military veterans. The event was hosted by Marana Police Volunteers with support from the Marana Police Department.
“The plan with the proceeds from the event was to help our Marana community,” said Cox.
In addition to the funds provided by the Marana Police Volunteers, Kohl’s provided Kohl’s cash, as well as 25 percent off everything in the store.
“Kohl’s was fantastic,” said Marana Police Chief Terry Rozema. “They rolled out the red carpet.”
The store not only provided the discounts and bonus funds, but also had plenty of employees on hand to assist with their shopping needs. Students were able to purchase new clothing and shoes as well as other necessities.
This is the second donation from the golf tournament proceeds. The first occurred in December when the Marana Police Volunteers donated to Open Doors Community School. The school was selected due to its willingness to take in every student, including students who have struggled academically or with discipline issues at other schools.
This was their second Pride for the Patch golf tournament. In 2016 the Marana Police Department Volunteer Foundation presented a check for $12,377.07 to the pediatric unit at Banner University Medical Center.
Marana In The Media: Pinal Airpark "Boneyard"
Most of us never get to see the comings and goings out at the Pinal Airpark. ABC 15 in Phoenix's John Trierweiler got to tour the facility that employs around 350 people and has the capacity for more than 400 aircraft on-site, specializing in aircraft storage, reclamation and heavy maintenance. In fact, not all aircraft that land in the desert have been retired; many will either get maintenance work done or just sit in storage waiting for their next flight.
He posted video of his time at the airpark.
Website tabs Marana as one of state's Top-10 Cities to Live In
For the third straight year Marana was named one of Arizona's top-10 cities to live in by HomeSnacks.com, a website that uses recent data to paint a picture of what’s happening in a region.
Marana was ranked as the No. 10 Best City to Live In by the website. The Town was No. 8 in 2017 and No. 10 in 2016.
The website ranked each place in Arizona across a number of criteria from one to 54, with one being the best. Next, they took the average rank across all criteria, with the city posting the lowest overall score being crowned the winner of the title “Best Place To Live In Arizona”.
The criteria they used were:
Median Home Values
Median Income
Population Density (Higher better)
Unemployment Rate
Commute Time
Crime
Education Levels
Health Insurance Coverage
Poverty rates
Sources of criteria include the New Census Data and FBI Crime Data.
According to the website, “Marana has a long and illustrious history and its ranking in the top ten of our best places to live is just another notch in its belt.”
“Not to mention that its residents have plenty to do on the weekends,” they added.
Marana had the 7th highest household median income adjusted for cost of living at $76,484.
HomeSnacks.com tries to paint a picture of what it's like to live in places across America. To do that, they gather data from around the web to help determine a wide array of factors about where people live including safety, desirability, and culture.
Marana News: Possible changes to Sun Shuttle could have impacts
Danyelle Khmara of the Marana News wrote a story on the proposed changes to bus routes on Marana.
Sun Shuttle service is proposing changes to three routes in Marana due to low ridership. The changes won’t leave anyone without access to public transportation, but could make it more costly and time-consuming for the select few who use those routes.
Sun Shuttle rider and Town of Marana employee Kurt Schmidt rides the 413, and said it’s always struggled to be on time because it gets caught up at its southern leg by Regency Plaza.
Schmidt prefers riding the bus to driving. He said gives him a little down time in his busy day to read. He thinks the proposed changes may have some good outcomes but also some problems, namely making public transportation harder for some low-income residents.
“The Sun Shuttle routes that serve the Town of Marana are pretty important for people who don’t have the ability to get from point A to B without public transportation,” he said.
Read the rest of the stories, including how the routes would be altered and/or eliminated at the Marana News.
LendEDU: Marana ranks as Top 10 Arizona City for Homebuyers
In its most recent report on Arizona, LendEDU has ranked Marana as one of the top cities in Arizona to buy a home. This organization serves as an information portal focusing on student loans and debt. Marana's high ranking on this list reflects the Town's commitment to supporting our thriving local economy, high standard of living, and outstanding public schools
Marana Participates in Red Ribbon Week to Advocate Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse
The Marana Town Council has proclaimed this week, Oct. 23-31, Red Ribbon Week. This declaration is part of a nationwide effort to recognize and mitigate the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse. The National Family Partnership has sponsored this effort across the country since 1985, touching the lives of millions of people across the world.
As part of Marana’s role in Red Ribbon Week, the Town has adorned a tree at the Marana Municipal Complex with dangling red ties. This colorful reminder of the importance of drug and alcohol abuse prevention appears prominently in the courtyard of the MMC where both Town staff and members of the public will often notice its presence.
Marana Town staff will also commemorate this day by wearing red on Friday, October 28. For many years, Marana Unified School District has participated in Red Ribbon Week, and, recognizing the importance of a community-wide focus, the Town of Marana now joins them in these efforts.
“It’s so important for the whole community to recognize the dangers of abusing drugs and alcohol,” says Community Development Coordinator Christine Byler. “In Marana, we’re proud to promote a visible, unified prevention and education initiative that aims to eliminate the demand for drugs.”
As part of this community-wide focus, the Town has joined the Marana Prevention Alliance, a network of Town staff, local schools, and several non-profits. Together, these groups are combining their resources to emphasize the Town’s collective commitment to healthy, drug free lifestyles.
Several Marana businesses are also working to bolster the effects of Red Ribbon Week. Through Marana schools, Snack Shack, R & R Pizza, Circle S Salon, La Olla, and other local restaurants will be offering discounts throughout this week to students who commit to living drug- and alcohol-free.
The Town of Marana prides itself as an inclusive community where families can find a safe, healthy, and engaging place to make a home. Red Ribbon Week certainly symbolizes that commitment, and the Town is support its success.
New Town award honors the critical role young people play in Marana
Every year, Marana recognizes outstanding adults who make their mark on the Town and who build on Marana’s legacy of community spirit. This year, the Town will add the Youth Legacy Award to these honors in order to acknowledge a wider array of contributions to our community. On Tuesday night, Marana Town Council unanimously approved this new award as a testament to the critical role young people play in Marana.
That role became especially apparent several months ago when a delegation of students from Marana represented Marana in Denver at the All-America City competition. As a finalist for this prestigious honor, Marana tasked these students with demonstrating the wide array of programs across the Town which address foundational youth needs—programs which support heart, body, and mind. The youth delegates discussed the Positive Behavior Intervention System, a program that encourages and reinforces constructive decision-making. They shared MUSD’s Marana Cares Mobile, a retired school bus which the District converted to a mobile cafeteria that provides meals during school vacations. They highlighted the Career and Technical Education programs offered at Marana High that are preparing students for a wide variety of professions, from early childhood education to welding. Each of these activities demonstrates Marana’s commitment to supporting all youth physically, intellectually, and emotionally. You can learn more about the Marana Delegation here.
Inspired by the spirit of these students, the Town of Marana has created this award to acknowledge youth in the community who make Marana a better place for everyone. This spring, Marana will honor the students as the first recipients of the Marana Youth Legacy Award. The following year, Marana will begin accepting nominations for youth who embody the values demonstrated by the Town’s All-America City delegation. The successful nominee’s efforts will benefit others in the community by promoting a healthy and safe environment, provide clothing, food, or shelter, or offering educational opportunities.
The Marana Youth Legacy Award will be presented along with the Marana Crystal Legacy Award and the Marana Branding Iron Awards at the 2017 Founders Day event celebration at Ora Mae Harn Park. Community members will be able to nominate youths for consideration during a nomination period leading up to the event.
Ride of Silence Encourages Cyclists and Motorists to Share the Road
On Tuesday, April 19, the Marana Town Council unanimously passed a proclamation recognizing Ride of Silence Day, which will occur on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. This annual international event honors cyclists who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. Furthermore, it raises awareness that cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists. In passing this proclamation, the Council emphasizes the importance that all travelers—drivers and cyclists alike—share the road with respect for the law and for each other.
The Ride of Silence organization hosted its first event in 2003 in response to tragedy in Dallas, Texas. In May of that year, long-distance cyclist Larry Schwartz was struck and killed by the side mirror of a passing bus. In the days following his death, the cycling community in Dallas organized an informal gathering that attracted over 1000 riders. Every year since then, the ride has grown substantially, and this year will occur not just in every state in the US, but also in 38 countries across the world. On May 18, over 300 rides across the globe will raise awareness of the importance of bicycling safety.
Marana is proud to participate in year’s event. Community and recreation are both focus areas in the Town’s strategic plan. Ensuring that local cyclists feel safe while pedaling on our streets and bike paths helps Marana fulfill both of those commitments.
“The safety of bicyclists in our community is an essential consideration in responsibly planning for future growth and development,” explains Varney, a planner with the Town. “Town staff work collaboratively in planning and developing bicycle facilities that provide a safe, comfortable, and convenient means for bicycle travel within Marana. Such facilities include shared-use paths detached from the roadway, paved shoulders where shared-use paths are not feasible, and options for recreational riding such as the Santa Cruz Shared-Use Path and smaller neighborhood-scale trail systems similar to what we have in Gladden Farms.” Varney, himself an avid cyclist, is proud to be part of these efforts.
Marana has demonstrated its commitment to bike safety through its construction and maintenance of the Santa Cruz Shard-Use Path. This car-free stretch of pavement extends for miles along the banks of the Santa Cruz River, paralleling a picturesque riparian corridor. Not only does this path afford cyclists a safe place to travel, but its regular maintenance ensures a smooth and steady ride.
On May 18, and on every other day of the year, be sure to share the road. Both cyclists and cars have a right to the roadway, and the Ride of Silence will help remind everyone about the importance of safety and respect on the streets.
Marana News: Wastewater plant expansion will allow further development in Marana
Written by Brad Allis, Marana News. Photo by J.D. Fitzgerald
Marana is one of the fastest growing communities in the state and as such, the town’s waste water treatment facility in North Marana needs to expand. The town council recently approved an expansion that will triple its current output.
The current facility, which the town took over from the county in 2013, can currently treat 500,000 gallons per day and is operating at 70-75 percent of capacity under normal, everyday conditions. The town is in the process of linking the Saguaro Bloom community to the sewer system and that will just about max out what the facility can handle....
Marana recognized as "Tree City USA"
This year, the Town of Marana is being nationally recognized as a Tree City USA. Tree City USA is a national recognition program that began in 1976, and is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters. Marana joins over 3,400 other cities and towns across America, and 29 cities and towns in Arizona as Tree Cities. Towns and cities that have received their Tree City USA recognition take pride in this distinction, and the people who live there enjoy the valuable benefits of having a greener, healthier community.
The Town of Marana will be recognized along with the other Arizona Tree City USA recipients during this year’s 2016 State Arbor Day Celebration held April 26, 10AM-12PM at the Capital Museum, Historic Senate Chambers.
The Tree City USA designation is awarded to cities and towns that show a commitment to their community forests by meeting four fundamental standards.
A Tree Board or Department - Larger cities usually have a department or other government official that is responsible for tree care. For the Town of Marana Tree City USA application, the tree board is comprised of representatives from the Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works Department, Planning, Community Development, and Zoning Enforcement. These are the departments that work together to create and manage Marana’s community forest.
A Tree Ordinance - A public tree care ordinance encourages beautification, air-cooling and purification, noise abatement, property value enhancement, and all the other attributes of trees in cities of all sizes. It also enables city government to prevent and control destructive insects and diseases, avoid unnecessary costs and liability from hazardous trees and tree-related accidents, and protect residents from unscrupulous or careless operators. For the Town of Marana Tree City USA application, Title 17 - Environmental Resource Preservation, Native Plant Protection and Landscape Requirements from the Land Development Code was presented as Marana’s Tree Ordinance.
A community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita – There are many methods and funds that can be used to calculate this amount. For Marana’s Tree City USA application this budget was made up from the Public Works Operations and Maintenance and Parks and Recreation Park Maintenance funds expended on tree care and some monies for plan review from Planning.
An Arbor Day Proclamation and Observance – The Town of Marana has officially celebrated Arbor Day annually since 2006 with tree plantings involving volunteers, scouts, school groups, or special event attendees. Most of those years have included an Arbor Day Proclamation signed by the Mayor.
Marana Police supports Special Olympics
If you chose to dine at the Texas Roadhouse in Marana on April 1, you might have been alarmed to see police vehicles swarming the parking lot. No criminal activity was to be seen here, however, as diners were treated to a different kind of police service: the food serving kind.
Marana Police, Pima County Joint Task Force, Oro Valley Police, Marana Explorers, and Marana police volunteers gathered for their annual "Tip-A-Cop" event on Friday to support Southern Arizona Special Olympics. Marana officers handed out donation envelopes to diners and even helped keep glasses and bread baskets full. Representatives from Southern Arizona Special Olympics were also in attendance to speak to diners and thank them for their contributions.
Southern Arizona Special Olympics provides kids with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to train and compete in state, national, or world-wide competitions at no cost. Marana Police Department began supporting Special Olympics over twenty years ago, and nine years ago began the Tip-A-Cop fundraising event at Texas Roadhouse.
"This year, we raised about six thousand dollars," Sergeant Will Hess reported of the night's fundraising efforts. He has been actively involved with the event since its inception.
"Marana Police Department does a lot for our kids in the community," Hess said. "Our youth are important to our future. Through athletics, kids learn teamwork, compassion, and camaraderie, and how to learn through failure and success. These are skills they can then use to lead a prosperous life."
Participating athletes are not charged to compete in Special Olympics. Funds raised by the officers go toward putting on the event and supporting the athletes. The 2016 State Summer Games is May 5-7 and will be held at Raymond Kellis High School in Glendale, Arizona. In addition to fundraising, Marana police officers participate every year in the torch run, and run beside Special Olympians through the Marana community. This year, the Marana torch run is scheduled for May 4.
Josh Montgomery, Director of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, is grateful for the Marana Police Department's involvement.
"Law enforcement is the backbone of our organization, both locally in Arizona, as well as globally," Montgomery said. "Police officers continuously give up their time and resources to help people with intellectual disabilities, and we couldn't be what we are without them."
Tip-A-Cop is one of the many efforts organized by Marana Police Department that focuses on positive police-citizen interaction. Marana police officers often find opportunities to interact with community members outside of the typical traffic stop. They visit regularly with business owners, provide educational opportunities through the Citizens Police Academy, and train high schoolers in the Marana Police Explorers program, to name a few.
"Community policing is a mindset here at the Town of Marana," Police Chief Terry Rozema said. "We talk a lot about serving and protecting our community, and the community needs to trust us before we can effectively do those things. When the community trusts us, they join us in solving problems."
Marana police motorcycles flanked the restaurant entrance for photo opportunities, and spectators were invited to look at Pima Regional SWAT and bomb equipment. Officers answered questions and opened their vehicles for tours. The dashboard of a police vehicle was even covered in traffic citations--although upon closer inspection, those 'citations' were actually recruitment brochures for the Volunteers In Police Service program at the Town of Marana.
Throughout this year's Tip-A-Cop event, it was clear how much Marana's officers enjoyed opportunities like this one. To keep up with all the exciting activities our officers are up to every day, like the Town of Marana and the Marana Police Department on Facebook and follow them on Twitter @TownofMarana and @MaranaPD. Periodically, you can also read stories about the Marana Police Department in the Marana Newsroom.
News release: Pines Settlement Webpage
The Town of Marana has created a webpage for the public to learn more about subsidence issues in the Pines neighborhood. Throughout the process of rectifying this issue, the Town is committed to transparency through open channels of communication.
Visitors to this webpage will find engineering reports, maps of the area dating back to 1978, presentations made at public meetings, and more. By making these documents publicly available, the Town allows residents access not only to historical records about this site, but also to up-to-date plans on how Marana intends to move forward.
“We are firmly committed to resolving this issue as quickly as possible,” says Town Manager Gilbert Davidson. “This webpage will help us keep the public informed about how we’re doing that, as well as offer residents a way to communicate with the Town to express any concerns.”
