October 6 – 19, 2012 45www.SanTanSun.com Opinion

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Veterans deserve honor, support Challenge brings out best in communityby COuNCILmEmbER mATT ORLANDO

Serving our country through the military is a great honor and our soldiers deserve to be treated with respect. That is why I often write about the importance of supporting and honoring our military personnel.

Many soldiers find it painfully difficult to adjust back into society upon their return from service. Some may experience physical handicaps, others may have financial burdens and some may struggle emotionally or psychologically. Regardless of the situation, there is a great need for veterans to connect with the services most beneficial to them.

A few years ago, the Arizona Department of Veterans Services opened an office in Chandler to serve the veterans of our community. Two veteran benefit counselors are available to provide claims assistance, guidance on securing discharges, referrals to other agencies and information about federal and state benefits. The office at 3130 N. Arizona Ave., Suite 114, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 480-558-2052.

Veterans’ services connections are also available at the annual Military and Veterans Benefit Expo sponsored by the City of Chandler and the Arizona Department of Veterans Services from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., Oct. 20, at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. Dozens of service providers will be available to promote programs and address questions.

One of the agencies on hand at the Expo is Operation Freedom Bird.

The nonprofit organization was founded in 1988 by Patrick Lynch, a pilot and decorated Vietnam veteran, to offer trips to memorial sites in Washington, D.C. Combat personnel who experience post-traumatic stress disorder can receive counseling and be selected to travel on the healing journey to pay tribute to fallen heroes and share memories in a supportive setting.

Over the years, I have become familiar with Operation Freedom Bird’s impact on veterans. I have heard powerful testimonies of soldiers who have started to heal from their traumatic experiences, which sometimes occurred decades ago.

It is a true privilege to support this organization’s mission. Like many other nonprofit organizations, Operation Freedom Bird is funded solely by donations.

Many other worthy organizations will be present at the expo. I encourage all military personnel to attend and take advantage of these services. As a past member of the U.S. Air Force and Arizona Air National Guard, I wholeheartedly support efforts to assist fellow service members and their families.

We should never forget the sacrifices of those who died in combat and remain committed to ensuring those who have served receive the benefits they need and deserve.

by COuNCILmEmbER KEVIN HARTKEEarlier this year, the City of Chandler

– in partnership with For Our City – launched a Centennial challenge to track volunteer hours within the community. The initiative aims at encouraging residents to contribute at least 100 hours of volunteer service in Chandler as a way to commemorate the City’s 100th birthday.

With the challenge nearing conclusion, all volunteers are reminded to submit their hours by Oct. 31 for inclusion in the final count. Total hours can be reported online at www.chandleraz.gov/volunteer100 or by contacting Niki Tapia, community resource coordinator at niki.tapia@chandleraz.gov.

So far, the challenge is proving to be a success in terms of participation and benefits to our community. As of the end of August, a total of 608 volunteers have reported contributing more than 40,259 hours of service.

Individuals, families, groups representing faith-based agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools and businesses have demonstrated great interest in the initiative. Not only has the challenge benefited those being served, but in many instances it also contributed to improving organizational accountability for participating agencies.

In fact, the initiative called for tracking mechanisms, which can continue to be beneficial for organizations in the long run.

The Mayor and Council will recognize the top 100 volunteers during a special reception in December. Several awards will be granted to volunteers in the following categories: Youth, Adult, Senior, Small Business, Large Business,

Nonprofit, Faith Community, Centennial Volunteer, Chandler Nonprofit Coalition (CNPC) Member and CNPC Volunteer.

Aside from these categories, all participating volunteers will be acknowledged by the Mayor and Council and receive a token of appreciation. Residents who wish to remain anonymous are still encouraged to report their hours to be taken into consideration in the final challenge count.

I extend my gratitude to all involved with this worthwhile project and hope that it will inspire many more to continue contributing in the future. As successful as this initiative has been, it only represents a fraction of the volunteerism that occurs in making our city a great place to live, work, serve and play.

Please consider joining our celebration of volunteerism by contacting the information provided above. Celebrating our City’s 100th anniversary with 100 hours of service, or more, has represented more than a symbolic act of kindness. It demonstrates the generous qualities of our residents and businesses that make up our community.

Matt Orlando HOMEWORK: Volunteers from CrossRoads Nazarene Church located near Ray and Price roads complete home painting and cleanup projects on California Street near downtown Chandler. Submitted photo

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46 October 6 – 19, 2012 www.SanTanSun.comOpinionLetters to the editorCommunity Commentary

More to job creation than tax cutsby bILL GATES

Sen. Steve Yarbrough asks, “What are Arizona leaders doing to create jobs and bring back the economy?”

His answer is the so-called Arizona Competitiveness Package the Republican-dominated legislature passed last year. Legislators rushed through huge corporate tax cuts in February 2011 amid a massive budget defi cit and statewide unemployment hovering around 10%.

Combined with a smaller package of business tax cuts approved this year, legislators are gambling these measures will dramatically stimulate Arizona’s economy. It’s a gamble because the cuts will reduce state tax revenues by more than $600 million a year when fully implemented in 2018-19.

Republicans, including Yarbrough, my opponent for State Senate in District 17, treat business tax cuts as the holy grail of job creation.

A business-friendly tax structure is a factor in attracting out-of-state companies, but not the only factor.

A well-educated workforce is crucial to global economic competitiveness. Yet the legislature continues to shortchange public education. Earlier this month, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities pegged Arizona as the state making the biggest cuts in k-12 funding during the last fi ve years.

I would have fought for a commitment to education as part of the competitiveness package. Instead, Yarbrough and his fellow Republican legislators slashed educational funding at all levels.

No wonder Arizona voters appear ready to extend the 1% sales tax. They don’t trust this legislature to protect education.

Infrastructure – our roads, bridges, public transit, broadband access and other systems important to economic development – are also a concern. Delays in new projects and maintenance of existing ones push us further behind each year. A fast-growing state needs to stay current.

I also worry about Arizona’s image. It’s good to be known as a low-tax state. But what impact does our reputation have on our ability to attract business?

If all a business owner hears is Arizona is a laughing-stock, he or she is apt to think twice about locating here. We know that Arizona is a whole lot better than its governor and legislature, but that business owner doesn’t.

When the Senate Economic Development and Jobs Creation Committee cancel nine of the 10 meetings it scheduled for this year’s legislative session, well, forgive me for wondering where the commitment to job creation is.

Yarbrough says it is “crystal clear that Arizona is now a business friendly state.” This is only a beginning. If we want high-paying, sustainable jobs, we have to commit to an exceptional public school system, meaningful workforce training and infrastructure development – things this legislature has balked at doing, especially if it costs more.

Until we invest in our workers as freely as we invest in business tax cuts, Arizona’s quest for high-quality jobs will remain elusive and haphazard.

Bill Gates is the Democratic candidate for State Senate District 17, which includes eastern Chandler, Sun Lakes and northwest Gilbert.

Bill Gates, Democratic candidate Senate Dist. 17 Submitted photo

Neighborhoods support Taylor Scott Taylor is one of a few potential city council candidates who

vigorously supports the development and improvement of the older and traditional neighborhoods of Central Chandler.

He was instrumental in creating a nonprofi t organization to help residents improve their property’s appeal with paint and landscaping. The goal was neighbors helping neighbors. The results made a huge impact in the neighborhoods.

As a volunteer project manager, Taylor found residents who needed fi nancial assistance or who were not physically able to do it on their own. He is a person who is not just a talker but a doer. He is willing to get out and physically assist with various projects himself. As a 40-year resident, I feel this illustrates he is a hands-on candidate, which Chandler needs.

In Carla Vista and Jasper neighborhoods he took fi rst place in the recent Chandler Council election because these residents have seen him in action. They have met him, shared their concerns with him and experienced fi rsthand his ability to make things happen.

If elected, Taylor will be an active and aggressive councilman for all Chandler neighborhoods.

Rita Ford, 85225

Vote yes for schoolsIt is an honor and privilege to serve as the Mayor of Chandler. I

take immense pride in the accomplishments occurring throughout our community. The Chandler Unifi ed School District is an organization that has been a part of Chandler’s success for many decades, and that is why I encourage residents to support the Override in November.

CUSD has a history of top-rated academic accomplishments and wise use of its fi nancial resources. A thriving school district is an essential element in the formula for a prosperous city. It helps create an educated populace which lends itself to a thriving community. The entire population benefi ts when we invest in our children by investing in their education.

As a former student of the District, I understand the high quality of education that is available to every student attending CUSD schools. A “Yes” vote on the November Override will help assure a bright future for the district and for Chandler.

Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, Chandler