E-Cycle III Event a Huge Success E-Cycle III Event a Huge Success

The City of Casa Grande announced the results of their E-Cycle III event held Saturday March 13th. It was a huge success!

The E-cycles event was created last year to promote the recycling of electronic wastes, like old TV sets, computers, printers, monitors, VCRs, cell phones and other electronic products. Many electronic devices may contain lead, mercury, cadmium, flame retardants and other materials harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly. Casa Grande residents “invited” their neighbors from Eloy, Arizona City, Florence, and Coolidge and were asked to please help protect the environment by bringing their electronic waste products to the E-cycles event for recycling. More than 230 local residents heeded the call and the lines formed early starting at 8 AM on Saturday to unload cars, trucks, vans and trailers.

The results from the third E-Cycle event were overwhelming and a tribute to everyone who participated and recognized the importance of Re-Cycling. Recycled items filled four Westech Recyclers large box trucks and the total weigh in for the event was over 22,684 pounds equal to 11 Tons.

Fifteen cell phones were also recycled and these phones were donated to Against Abuse a Domestic Violence shelter in Casa Grande.

“This 11 tons collected is an amazing effort that has saved so much valuable land fill space and possible contamination issues”, said David Bridger, Public Information Officer for the city, “We are grateful to our sponsors, including Casa Grande Medical Center, new and returning friends, City Public Works Department employees, volunteers and all of those who participated to our successful event”, Bridger added.

The City has an ongoing E-cycles recycling collection program available at the City landfill where Casa Grande residents can drop E-waste items off for recycling. The City landfill located at 5200 S. Chui Chu Rd. and is open Monday – Saturday, 7 AM – 4:30 PM. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Public Works Department at (520) 421-8625, or the landfill at (520) 421-8628, or checking the City website at www.casagrandeaz.gov


Casa Grande Tree City USA® Community Award -Third Straight Year. Casa Grande Tree City USA® Community Award -Third Straight Year.

The City of Casa Grande was recognized by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. It is the third straight year Casa Grande has earned this national designation. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.
Casa Grande has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA community. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. "We commend Casa Grande's elected officials, volunteers and its citizens for providing vital care for its urban forest," said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees provide numerous environmental, economical and health benefits to millions of people each day, and we applaud communities that make planting and caring for trees a top priority. "Communities that earn Tree City USA recognition not only have taken the time to meet the four standards, they know that trees:

  • Promote healthier communities by filtering the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles.
  • Moderate climate, conserve water and provide vital habitat for wildlife.
  • Reduce the heat island effect in urban areas caused by pavement and buildings.
  • Increase property values and reduce energy use and add beauty to our homes and neighborhoods.

More information about Tree City USA can be found at www.arborday.org/TreeCityUSA.

About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental and education organization of nearly one million members. Their mission is to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.
More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org
 


National Guard Presents Purple Heart National Guard Presents Purple Heart

The Casa Grande Police Department welcomed National Guard dignitaries to their all employees meeting last week Wednesday, February 10th. Police Chief Bob Huddleston introduced Officers Colonel Timothy J. Dorn MP, AZ ARNG Commander 158th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) and Major Alex Navarrete, MP, AZ ARNG 850th MP Battalion Commander. Their mission was to present the Purple Heart to Casa Grande police officer Sgt. Frank Alanis.
At approximately 8:30 AM the ceremony began with the reading of the Official certificate by Colonel Dorn.
"Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the Purple Heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen. On September 20th 2005, while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with the 860th Military Police Company, Staff Sergeant (SSG) Alanis’s platoon was ambushed by enemy forces during a recovery operation in Baghdad Iraq. SSG Alanis received multiple injuries during an ensuing firefight from small arms fire and Rocket Propelled Grenades and mortar shrapnel. The platoon suffered numerous injuries but due to the leadership and bravery of SSG Alanis everyone in the platoon got out safely”.
“It took over 5 years to make this wonderful occasion a reality, it gives me great pleasure to be here today and know your patience has finally been rewarded.”

Mayor Jackson, the City Council and your colleagues throughout the City of Casa Grande offer our thanks and appreciation to one of our finest, Sergeant Frank Alanis.

Pictured left to right;
Casa Grande Police Chief Bob Huddleston'
Sgt. Frank Alanis.
Colonel Timothy J. Dorn MP, AZ ARNG Commander 158th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB)(Gilbert AZ Police Chief) and
Major Alex Navarrete, MP, AZ ARNG 850th MP Battalion Commander.
 



Tice Named Planning & Development Director Tice Named Planning & Development Director

A planning professional with more than 30 years of public-sector experience has been named as the new Planning & Development Director for the City of Casa Grande. Paul R. Tice II will be replacing Rick Miller who will be retiring from the city in March after serving in the position for 20 years.

In making the announcement of the appointment, Casa Grande City Manager Jim Thompson said over 70 individuals responded to the recruitment, with 8 being selected for personal interviews. “We felt like we had a good response to our recruitment and we were pleased to be able to make our selection from such a strong group of individuals. I’m confident Paul will be able to hit the ground running and lead our Planning & Development Department in the coming years.”

Tice holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and a Master’s Degree in Community Development from the University of Louisville. He has held planning certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners since 1990. Tice began his planning career in 1978 as an Assistant Planner for the City of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where he was promoted to Planning Director. From there he served several years as the Planning Director for the City of Radcliff, Kentucky, before moving to Colorado to become a Planner for the City of Colorado Springs. During his 22 years there, he was promoted to Zoning Administrator and later to Land Use Review Division Manager. He left the City of Colorado Springs in 2007 to form his own planning consulting firm in Cripple Creek, Colorado. There he also serves as a member of the community’s Historic Preservation Commission. He is also a past member of the Teller County (Colorado) Planning Commission and Parks Board.

“While running my own consulting business has been very satisfying, I’ve really missed public service and am delighted to have the opportunity to join what I believe is a great team in Casa Grande,” Tice explained. “I’m really impressed with Casa Grande and with the people I’ve met. It will be exciting to work with our staff, our elected officials and members of the community to implement the new community plan in the coming years. I very much look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Tice will begin his duties as Casa Grande’s new Planning & Development Director on March 22.