Vote yes to invest in Glendale

(Submitted Art)

On Nov. 4, the city of Glendale will ask voters to invest in their community in the form of an all-mail election with two ballot questions.

Question 1 asks voters to support an investment in flood control and water retention projects. If you’ve ever driven through flooded streets or seen storm drains overflow during monsoon rains, you know how unsafe and costly poor drainage can be.

Question 2 asks voters to support an investment in city facilities that help support critical operations, like maintaining public safety vehicles, repairing roads and keeping neighborhoods clean and safe.

City operations facilities are outdated and aging, and some have been repurposed over the years from their original use. Improvements for safety, water conservation and energy efficiency are greatly needed, as is the replacement of swamp coolers with modern HVAC systems.

These questions share the same goal: improving safety, efficiency and quality of life in Glendale. You can find audio recordings and presentation documents detailing the needs and proposed projects on the city Boards and Commissions website page under Citizen Bond Election Committee Agendas and Minutes.

I urge residents to vote yes on questions 1 and 2. Voting to pass the bonds is voting to invest in your community. It is voting to increase road safety and the efficiency of services you receive. It is voting to direct how you want your property taxes spent by your municipal government.

A yes vote is not a tax increase. It’s a reinvestment of existing property tax dollars, guided by a city policy that prevents new bonds from raising property taxes.

As a Glendale resident and a member of the last three Citizen Bond Election Committees, I believe these investments are vital. I will be voting yes because Glendale and its people are worth it. I hope you will join me.

Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.