Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here
Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
To Our Valued Readers –
Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.
For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.
Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.
Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.
Need to set up your free e-Newspaper all-access account? click here.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Register to comment
Click here create a free account for posting comments.
Note that free accounts do not include access to premium content on this site.
I am anchor
Opinions
Patrick Duffy: District 3 Newsletter — April 2024
Posted
Patrick Duffy
City of Surprise
By Patrick Duffy
We’ve wrapped up another vibrant Spring Training season in Surprise, and we closed it out with some great music at Out of the Park Music Fest! In this April newsletter, you’ll find ways to enjoy and celebrate our community while also learning about what the City is working on in our district. It’s a beautiful time of year for outdoor adventures or even just enjoying each other's company on the patio at our local restaurants. Let’s soak it up!
MARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Out of the Park Music Fest
Out of the Park Music Fest was one for the books! This festival featured local and national headlining music acts, food trucks, yard games, cornhole and more! It was truly the best way to close out the Spring Training season here in Surprise. Thank you to Sports & Tourism Director, Kendra Pettis and her team for putting on such an incredible event. Follow Out of the Park Music Fest on social media to see a wrap up of the event and be the first to know about details for next year!
My son and I had a great time at the Eggstravaganza event hosted by the Parks & Recreation Department on Saturday, March 30. This family event included a kids zone, a children’s entrepreneurship shopping market, food trucks and of course Mr. and Mrs. Bunny. It was amazing to see the community come together for this event in a big way. Thank you to Holly Osborn and her team for a fun experience!
Fix-A-Leak Week Proclamation
On Monday, March 18, at the City Council Meeting, Mayor Hall issued a proclamation recognizing March 18 - 24 as Fix-A-Leak Week. The annual campaign reminds residents about the importance of checking for leaks and helps to stop more than one-trillion gallons of water wasted annually by household leaks nationwide!
CURRENT EVENTS
Surprise Founders Day Event
The Surprise Original Townsite Stakeholders Committee, in partnership with the City of Surprise, is bringing Founder’s Day back to the Original Townsite, a long-time celebrated tradition that occurred from 1970 through 1990. This event will take place Saturday, April 13,at 2:30 p.m. at Bi-Centennial Park, 16705 N. Nash St.
A parade will start at the Senior Center, head north to Paradise Lane, west to Nash Street, then north to finish at the park. Activities will include recognition of the longest tenured residents, food booths (items for sale), car show, games and prizes for the kids, resident softball game and so much more!
We hope you join us in celebrating our heritage and traditions of the oldest section of our city. For more information, please call Sherry Simmons Aguilar at 602.319.5008 or email otschair@gmail.com.
Community Meeting
My next District 3 meeting will be on April 6 at 9 a.m. at Total Wine & More, 13440 N. Prasada Pkwy. Please check surpriseaz.gov for updates to my Community Meeting schedule. As always, feel free to email me at patrick.duffy@surpriseaz.gov with any questions or concerns you may have.
Sunday in the Park
Come enjoy this fun family event on Sunday, April 7, from 3 - 7 p.m. at Mark Coronado Park with live music from Host and Mahogany & Steel and delicious food. Event admission is free; food and drink are available for purchase. Also, support local vendors by shopping at the outdoor market!
City Council Meeting
The next City Council Meeting is on April 16 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend in person, or you can tune in on surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseTV, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/CityOfSurprise or on Cox channel 11.
Surprise Talent Show
The Surprise Talent Show is on Saturday, April 27, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Vista Center for the Arts located at 15660 N. Parkview Pl. The Surprise Talent Show promises a night of diverse performances spanning three age groups: youth, teens and adults. Join us for a night of entertainment that will leave you in awe! Tickets for the talent show can be purchased in advance for $5 per person or at the door for $7 per person. For information, visit surpriseaz.gov/SurpriseRec or contact us at 623.222.2000.
Summer Camp Sign Ups Now Open
The City of Surprise is thrilled to announce our Summer Break Camp, an engaging program tailored for youth entering 1st through 8th grade. Summer Camp 2024 will be held May 28 through July 31; Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Countryside Recreation Center, located at 15038 N. Parkview Pl. for children entering grades 1st through 4th and Sierra Montana Recreation Center, located at 14861 N. Spring Ln. for participants entering grades 5th through 8th.
Fees for Summer Camp
Registration fee: $30 per child (resident) | $50 per child (non-resident)
Daily fee: $30 (resident) | $34 (non-resident)
Weekly fee: $150 (resident) | $170 (non-resident)
We have a limited number of spots available, and they will fill quickly, so please register early. For more information about Summer Break Camp, please call 623.222.1031 or email shelby.fenwick@surpriseaz.gov.
Community Outreach Program
The City of Surprise is excited to announce the Community Outreach Program is now accepting applications for grant funding. The purpose of the program is to provide funding assistance to organizations within the City of Surprise for programs, events and activities that enhance the overall lifestyle of the community. This City Council-led initiative was created to help support the community organizations working to enhance the quality of life for Surprise residents through programming and events.
Organizations interested in the program can find the application, complete program details and eligibility requirements at surpriseaz.gov/CommunityOutreachProgram.
The City has many ways you can enjoy the arts and culture scene in our community. From theater performances, gallery tours, poetry readings and more, there is something for you to explore!
The City has kicked off a project to improve Cactus Road from Cotton Lane to Reems Road. The project will widen this section of Cactus to three lanes in each direction with dedicated turn lanes and raised medians with landscaping; add streetlights, new traffic signals at the intersections of Prasada Parkway and Greer Ranch Parkway; and upgrade traffic signals at Sarival Avenue and Cotton Lane.
Traffic control should be expected throughout the project which is expected to be complete in spring 2026. Updates will be provided regarding any major restrictions as the project progresses.
“Safe Speeds Save Lives”
In an effort to save lives on our roadways, West Valley law enforcement agencies created a West Valley Speed and Aggressive Driver Task Force. It will focus on enforcing Arizona’s speed and aggressive driver laws and will also produce a “Safe Speeds Save Lives” traffic enforcement campaign.
Despite widespread efforts to educate drivers about the importance of safe speeds, motor vehicle collisions continue to be the leading cause of death and serious injuries in Arizona. The “Safe Speeds Save Lives” campaign will deliver high-visibility traffic enforcement with a zero-tolerance approach towards speeding and aggressive driving on West Valley roadways.
The enforcement mobilization is in effect through July 31, 2024.
