In her “State of the Town” address April 25, Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson said the town is dedicated to the preservation of connection and engagement for its residents.
“The development concerns of 20 years ago remain the same today,” Peterson said. “We must balance our residents, community stakeholders, and businesses large and small while molding the Gilbert of the future — especially since build-out is anticipated to be completed in what will feel like the blink of an eye.”
Peterson used videos of developments around town to show “how Gilbert is moving forward deliberately and thoughtfully,” and why community stakeholders choose Gilbert for projects.
Those projects spotlighted in the videos included the University of Arizona's nursing program in the town’s University Building; the decision to expand the town’s North Water Treatment Plant while continuing to keep it in service; and Dignity Health and Phoenix Children’s collaboration on the Women and Children’s Pavilion on the Mercy Gilbert Medical Center campus, which is expected to open later this year.
A fourth video featured Town Manager Patrick Banger talking about how Gilbert manages its growth.
Peterson tied the projects together as having been the result of decisions made at an earlier time but that are benefiting residents and businesses now.
Peterson said some of the events of the past decade could not have been predicted when previous officials made decisions, but she is grateful that the town remains committed to the public process.
“I anticipate the next several years to include robust and passionate discussions about the future of Gilbert,” she said. “Even though the future can be hard to predict, focusing on the information at hand and making data-driven decisions are imperative in the process and for our community.”
Peterson said one of the most effective ways for leaders to build communities is to form relationships and strengthen connections.
“Strong leaders don't rely, don't only focus on today or tomorrow,” she said. “They focus on projects that they feel will serve the community well for decades to come.”
Tom Blodgett can be reached by email at tblodgett@iniusa.org or follow him @sp_blodgett on Twitter. We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Tom Blodgett Senior News Editor | Gilbert @sp_blodgett
Meet Tom Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.
Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.
Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism.
Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.
Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).
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