By Richard Dyer
Twitter: @RHDyer

With the theme “I (heart) Queen Creek,” the Town Council and the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce recently presented the town’s accomplishments and upcoming projects during the 2020 State of the Town address.

Presentations made by the seven members of council and Chamber President/CEO Chris Clark included slides and videos displayed on a large screen behind the dais at the Queen Creek Community Chambers, 20727 E. Civic Parkway.

The town approved more than 1,500 new single-family-home building permits in 2019, officials said.

“Amenities such as the parks and the performing arts center, quality schools, road improvements and our quality construction standards have attracted new residents and in 2019 they came in record numbers,” Chamber President/CEO Clark said.

“This creates new opportunities for our businesses to invest in the community,” he said.

Mayor Gail Barney and members of the council shared last year’s accomplishments under five strategic priorities: effective government, secure future, safe community, superior infrastructure and quality lifestyle.

They included:

• Fleet services creating a parts room for inventory, with a savings of more than $150,000.
• • Paying down debt for water and wastewater systems, and lowering sewer rates by 15%.
• • Beginning construction on fire station No. 4 in the northeast area of town on Signal Butte Road, north of Queen Creek Road; opening an interim fire station No. 5 at 980 W. Combs Road and purchasing land for a permanent fire station No. 5 on Combs Road, west of Gantzel Road.
• • The town’s first hotel under construction in the Town Center.
• • Road improvements, such as Power Road, Ocotillo to Brooks Farm; and the Ellsworth and Queen Creek intersection.
• • Mansel Carter Oasis Park receiving awards for its lake, facility and as a best project.
• • The Parks and Recreation Department designated as a Certified Autism Center.
• • Upgrading older water meters and communication devices to new units that have newer technology for more timely and accessible data.

• The northeast and southeast boundaries expanded with the annexation of state land and the community of Encanterra.

The last one was dear to Jay Peck, a recent resident to Queen Creek who has lived in the area for 10 years.

“Well, officially we just annexed into Queen Creek,” the Encanterra resident said.

“All of the accomplishments that they did over the last year; it’s just been great. And the bright future that they have ahead --- just all-around good news,” Mr. Peck said of the State of the Town presentation.

Queen Creek resident Courtney Burnett most liked the information on the town’s parks.

“I came tonight because I wanted to be involved in the community and see what they’re doing on the part of the Queen Creek Leadership program,” Ms. Burnett said.

“It basically solidified, kind of, what they’re teaching us in the class, which is really nice --- they can get an in-depth look at the parks and what they’re doing for the autism certification,” she said.

Progress on road construction and technology are important, another local resident said.

“I wanted to see how progressive the city’s been and it’s very enlightening to see how forward-thinking they are in the way of ... modifying and taking care of traffic concerns, and keeping a well-balanced community,” Queen Creek resident Dave McCormick said.

“It’s nice to see all of the technology and the progress that newer towns are starting to add to their communities,” he said.

Richard Dyer
Managing Editor | East Valley
@RHDyer

rdyer@iniusa.org

Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia, Inc.. USA, since 1987. Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions. He also is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows