Around Chandler - SoundSage

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Episode 14 of the Around Chandler Podcast where we welcome new Vice-Mayor Terry Roe. Terry has been in the valley since he was a kid growing up in Gilbert, serving on the police force in Mesa and when it came time to pick a city to live in and raise his kids, he and his wife chose Chandler. We talk about why he made that decision, some of the biggest challenges facing the City going forward and how you can get involved and give back.

I want to welcome

:42 What was your childhood like and how have things changed

Moved from Michigan
Lived in Mesa and then Gilbert
Gilbert High School class of 1977
Lindsey and Elliot owned acreage

2:19 What did you do after high school

MCC
Worked at photography services for Williams Air Force Base
Ran a photo lab - 1-hour photo place
No career in photofinishing
Tested for Public Safety hired by Tempe Police but never took job
Ended up going through the process with Mesa and went to work for them

4:33 What was the process like then to become a police officer?

Written Exam
Psych Exam
Physical Exam
Background checks

6:05 How long were you a police officer in Mesa

There until 2007
Did a lot with family victims towards the end

7:06 When did you move to Chandler

30 years ago
Chandler Ranch
Kids went to Chandler Schools
Son was in first year of Hamilton High

7:33 You grew up in Gilbert, Served in Mesa, why settle in Chandler

Downturns in economies over years
Chandler Schools were great
Good value in Chandler

8:08 When was your first attempt at public office?

2010
Retired and decided wanted to get involved
Fiscal hawk my whole life and concerned with government finance
$75million on City Hall when the economy was bad was not the best use of cash reserves in a bad time.

9:32 What are your thoughts now on that City Hall

Believe I was right at the time, but grand facility now
Shouldn't be taking chances with finances

10:47 When you first ran a decade ago until now, what has been the biggest change in the City?

Fortunately economy came roaring back
Good news all the time
Price Corridor is exploding
Downtown growing

12:23 There is a lot of news about pension problems in Phoenix and other states. What is the current status of the Chandler pension system?

We have a plan for our pensions
Return on investments was not realistic for a long time
Each city has its own plan and is involved with a Mesa and Chandler, and Chandler has a great plan for the changes going forward

14:28 What is the biggest issue Chandler is facing that needs to be addressed in the next few years?

Build-out redevelopment
Traffic becoming the biggest concern with all these new buildings

15:42 Are there solutions for the increased traffic that may be coming?

We have planning boards working on the roads
Roads have been being widened over the last couple of years
Gilbert Rd/AZ Ave/ SE Chandler many road programs

17:17 We see a lot of driverless cars/Waymo. Will Chandler keep pushing this?

Waymo is opening another facility in Mesa
Will have driverless vehicles coming soon

18:42 Downtown Ocotillo, Downtown Chandler, Price Corridor, do you see any more hubs coming?

Used to be a goal of every 4-corner being a hub
Would like to see something in North or Uptown Chandler

20:12 What are plans for Uptown Chandler

Turbo is a big new plant there
Opportunities have empty lots
Exciting opportunities
Spike Lawrence helped develop Ocotillo, doing Site-6 west of city hall

21:48 Other Downtown activities

Around Jack 'N Box City owns some land and another company owns a piece too
Need someone to come up with a plan there
Company that built Flix owns the other piece of land there

23:09 What is one thing that someone in Chandler should know about their City Council

Mayor and Council made up of 7 people don't make all decisions
Hire City Manager and others to help run city
Hire good people with experience who help the city be run well
Council is much like a board of directors

24:52 There are several boards that are run by citizens that advise the Mayor and Council on different topics

Many areas people can be heard and serve
They advise on their priorities and what they should be

If you had a friend of relative coming to visit, what should they do?

Chandler Museum by mall
Basha Museum

And after the museum what one place would you recommend going to for dinner?

Contacts
Roe for Chandler on Facebook
Roe for Chandler on Twitter

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Episode 13: For Our City Chandler. Chandler if full of many great people trying to help those in need. For Our City Chandler is one of the organizations who is trying to pull organizations together to help those in needs like the elderly the poor and the homeless. Niki Tapia is one of the driving forces. Niki is the Community Resources & Diversity Supervisor and one of her jobs is to work with For Our City. In this episode we talk about some of the resources available and how you can help.

1:00 What do you do for the City of Chandler

Works with neighborhood resources
Out in community a lot
Cultural diversity and faith groups
For Our City Chandler helps those in needs

1:46 What is For Our City

Opportunity for those who want to help others
Groups working together to help those in need

2:55 How did you get started with it

There are For Our City's in other cities but Chandler is the benchmark

3:33 How long you been in Chandler

1983
Like the community feel
Know neighbors

4:15 You work with homeless a lot, can you talk about the homeless in Chandler

Nationally increasing
Homeless shelters are in Tempe and Mesa we work with
Churches that take turns hosting 25 people a night
i-help refers the homeless to the locations
Given out over 10,000 fliers and police and others have them
There is a bus that buses to the church each night
Case management to help those with adictions or to get jobs

7:43 Do you think most of the homeless know about i-help?

Think so
At capacity almost every day

8:10 What is the Changeup Campaign?

Pan-handle are they legit or just scamming?
Does the money help or keep people on streets longer?
This goes directly to homeless services
People are generous, this ensures 100% of your donation is helping homeless

10:12 What is the process like to get people off the streets?

Counselors help getting people off i-help
Social service groups help bring food every night
Place to sleep and bag lunch in the morning
If work with case management you are secured a spot

12:40 Operation back to school

A member said we need a one-stop-shop for kids
Backpack drive to ensure not duplicating efforts
Uniforms, shoes, socks and underwear along with backpacks
Student gets about $90 of value
Last year gave out about 2200 backpacks, 9k shoes socks and uniforms

15:22 On your website there are over 30 groups listed

All those are different organizations who help with these programs
City organizes, but groups come together
For Our City Day is in October and do house renovations
Over 700 volunteers

18:30 How can people get involved

ForOurCityChandler on Instagram
ForOurCityChandler on Facebook
Work with code enforcement to help seniors

20:25 What to do in Chandler? - Ostrich Festival in March and anywhere Downtown Chandler

21:25 Favorite downtown restaurants - Downtown Chandler Cafe

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Chandler Fire Chief Dwiggins had done things to greatly improve the department since he took over, which has lead to lower home insurance costs for you. We talk to the Chief about this and what it is like day-t-day to be a firefighter.

1:00 Introducing Chandler Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins

Always wanted to be a fireman
Did ride-a-long when in high school
Joined military out of high school to serve the country
In Air Force went in the firefighter department

3:15 What did you do when you got out of Air Force? A month after discharge Tolleson hired him as a volunteer firefighter

4:52 How has training for firefighter changed?

More EMS coverage
New techniques for fighting fires
More with hazardous materials
Wider range of emergencies

6:03 How often does the Chandler fire department respond to an actual fire?

26,500 incidents total
10% fire related
Not as many fires as 30 years ago because of fire prevention
Fire code improvements help cut down and make safer

7:58 Fire Station in Chandler

11 fire stations in City of Chandler
Believe we are built out as fire department
4 firefighters on every truck

9:32 What is the daily life of a fireman like?

Every shift change inventory and test all equipment at 8am
Develop a plan of the day
1 hour of physical fitness a day
Community events

13:06 What is the process from 911 call to on scene

An alarm goes off in station notifying you of a call
Immediately head to the truck
A computer screen in the truck will have real-time from dispatch
Assignments will be given out on the truck
When an alarm goes off they are told what type of emergency, but are ready for any different scenarios

16:10 What different threats do you run into on scene?

Respond to shootings and assaults
Often will see a fire truck parked with us inside, staging for a dangerous situation
Sometimes an incident that could turn violent
Trained to identify situations

18:02 What is the relationship with neighboring Cities

We share resources, no borders
We respond into neighboring cities, they respond into ours
911 sends a signal to closest truck no matter City
If Chandler truck is closest to a Gilbert situation, they will be dispatched
We received automatic aide about 3,000 times a year and sent out aide over 2,000 times
When we send a bunch of trucks to help in Gilbert, Phoenix will send trucks to sit in our stations to help cover anything that may go on
Phoenix has most resources outside of NYFD

23:12 What does a 5-alarm fire mean?

Amount of resources
1st alarm is 1-6 engine companies so 5-alarm would mean 30 engine companies and 12 ladders responding

24:26 What type of events are hazmat teams called out to?

Hazmat team goes through 5-week academy
Any environment with chemicals
Car fires
Businesses or cars with chemicals on scene

25:55 What are some of the preventive measures that are working?

Youth training
We go into Chandler Unified and talk to them about fire safety
1st and 2nd grade classrooms, when we get to them young it has a lasting impact
Christmas tree watering is a big message
Deep fryers at Thanksgiving
Social Media helps
Youth face-to-face adults social media
No texting and driving and leaving kids in cars

30:35 I recently read your ISO rating is 1, can you explain what that means

Insurance rating
Water systems
1-10, 1 is elite, 10 is bad
We have been a 3 for a long time
Impacts insurance rates, lower rating, better the premium
We made an effort to lower it to get to a 1
Less than 1% are ISO 1's
Our City has helped us do what we needed to achieve this

34:13 If you had a friend from out of state thinking of moving here, what would be your sales pitch why Chandler is so great?

Parks
Schools
Well run
Neighborhoods
Community support
Safe
Great jobs
What is going on downtown

36:30 What are the charities your crew is involved in?

Involved in community
Coaching
Chandler Firefighters Charity
Used to help victims of fire
97% contribute from paycheck
Golf tournament helps raise money
Help homeless with hotels and clothes

41:25 Buddy coming in, what should they do and where to eat?

Downtown Chandler events
Veterans Oasis Park
Serrano's

Resources
Chandler Fire Department Website
Chandler Firefighters Charity
Chandler Fire on Instagram
Around Chandler on Instagram

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Pools are a must for many who live in the Valley of the sun. This week we talk to Cassie Selle who is one of those rare Chandler natives. Cassie has become a very successful salesperson with CDC pools. We talk about how the area has changed since she was a kid growing here, discuss what it is like to be a woman in a male-dominated industry and we talk about remodeling pools. Stay tuned after the interview to hear how you can win an unlimited two weeks with Flo Yoga and cycle.

1:10 Not many natives, what was it like growing up in East Valley

1:38 How has Downtown Chandler changed since you were a kid

2:07 What was the best part of growing up in Chandler

2:50 After high school did you go straight into the pool industry?

3:55 Why did you decide to settle in Chandler?

4:35 Did you always want to be in sales?

5:34 Is pool industry as male-dominated as it seems?

6:15 What has been your biggest challenge getting into sales?

6:53 Have you found social media helps you?

8:09 What type of remodeling do you do?

8:45 Life expectancy plaster vs pebble pools?

9:10 Remodeling Plaster pools with asbestos

9:42 Are many people going plaster to pebble?

10:06 Warranty differences plaster vs pebble?

10:17 Often plaster pools have rust and cracks, are those signs of pools needing to be resurfaced?

11:10 What are interesting pools you have worked on?

12:00 Do pools in Arizona have a lower life expectancy because of heat?

12:43 Is winter the busiest time of year for remodeling?

13:00 Do you do cool decking?

13:45 Showroom information

14:25 If you had someone coming in Chandler what would you do? - Improv Mania then San Tan Brewery or Eastwind Sushi

Contact
@CassieatCDC on Instagram
Cassie@CDCPools.com
602-980-5209

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Did you know that Chandler has one of the largest YoYo manufacturers right here? We catch up with Hans, the owner of the YoYo Factory. We have an interesting conversation about the history of the YoYo, his 3 World Records and a very interesting story on how he got involved with first selling YoYos.

If you or one of your kids has any interest at all in YoYo's I highly suggest you stop into their shop and get a free lesson from them.

Do you own an Amazon Echo? If so make sure you check out our new flash briefing, just say "Alexa enable Around Chandler" and you will receive our new briefings.

At the end of this podcast stick around to hear about an offer from Flo Yoga and Cycle.

Discussions from this conversation:

1:06 YoYo's are still a thing?

1:38 How did your passion for YoYo's start? -

How he got started playing as a teen.
Stated selling YoYo's in high school and got in trouble with Vice-Principle which lead to his first interaction with a professional.

5:55 What got you into Guinness Book of World Records? - 3 Records and just missed on a 4th because of a broken string

7:16 - History of a YoYo?

Been around 2,500 years
A Philippines immigrant brought it to America
1926-32 was big
1962 Became big again when it hit TV
1996 Became an Internet hit
30-year cycles of popularity

9:46 Interesting story about how the YoYo became a big thing in Russia with the help of Coke

12:16 Do you produce them here in Chandler?

12:58 What retail stores can we buy your product at? Hobby Lobby, Costco and more

13:11 What is the reaction you see when people get their first YoYo?

Was a quality issue we made a better YoYo
We made setup with string easy

14:41 What is the difference between a $5 and a $150 YoYo?

15:04 What YoYo's do people in competitions use?

15:36 If I was to get a first YoYo for my 6-year old daughter, what is the difference between a $1 store YoYo and your $5 YoYo?

16:46 What is the YoYo contest scene like? - 5 Categories

18:14 What contests are there in Arizona

Links
YoYo Factory Site
YoYo Factory on Instagram
YoYo Factory on Twitter
YoYo Factory on Youtube
Arizona State YoYo Contest
Chandler YoYo Club

Around Chandler on Instagram
Around Chandler on Facebook
Around Chandler Website
Around Chandler on Twitter

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Happy New Year all. In Episode 9 we welcome Marcus Moreno who is a business manager for professional sports athletes. We talk about how he got started in the business and how are professional athletes when the camera is not on them.

Stay tuned after the podcast to hear the latest offer we are doing with our January Sponsor Flo Yoga & Cycling.

Discussion:

1:02 Exactly what do you do?

1:25 Where do you represent athletes from?

1:48 Do you have a favorite baseball team?

2:09 CPA 30 years, how did you transition into sports?

3:27 What are the differences in working with professional athletes?

3:57 Was this always a goal of yours?

4:34 Is it mostly Spanish speaking players you are working with?

5:09 Do you do just taxes or do you do more?

6:02 What are athletes like to work with?

6:40 Does the money change them much?

7:56 How does money change them?

8:56 When we hear money changes people we think negative, you are talking positively

9:32 Are the Latin players really exaggerating on their age?

10:10 Who are some of the player's listeners may recognize?

11:22 Do you find the players go back a lot to help out their communities?

12:25 The Latin influences in baseball are huge, why do they have such success?

13:22 Is it just baseball athletes?

13:56 What is the most interesting part of your job?

15:31 Is the trade deadline hectic for you?

16:01 Is there a big difference among teams how they treat their athletes?

16:48 Will players in the off season look at just money or do they take into account the team?

18:00 Do high tax states have a more difficult time attracting talent?

19:00 Do you develop relationships with agents or go to players directly?

19:48 What stories do you have with players being active in helping their community?

21:07 Seems baseball players are more involved in the community?

23:15 Where are you taking someone to dinner in Chandler? Chops

Resources
Marcus on LinkedIn

Around Chandler on Instagram
Around Chandler on Facebook
Around Chandler Website
Around Chandler on Twitter

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In Episode 8 we welcome Dakota Kildoo Operations Manager of The Bridge in Chandler. There are people all over this city making impacts on lives. Dakota and his workmates and volunteers at The Bridge are one of those.

The Bridge is a non-profit organization in Chandler for 7th-12th graders with a game room, cafe, block wall, gym and more.

Background

Grew up in Utah
Went to school to be youth pastor
Friend told him about the opening of The Bridge
Was involved in his church as a teenager
Went to College in Missouri
Close friend lived in Arizona and invited him to come out and live and apply at The Bridge

The Bridge

Was hired to help open it
Worked with the community so they know what is going on
First opened with 80 kids so knew they were onto something
Still work to make it better with new ideas
Open M/T/W 2-8, F2-9, Sat 9-5
Thursday have basketball games/practices in the gym with a 6/7th grade club teams and men's league
Wednesday have Life Groups - Separated by Age and Gender Biblically based life groups
Friday is fun day, usually 120-150 teens
Saturday is Family Day so anyone of any age can come with their family
Funds come from Compass Christian Church
Game night has all types of video games, pool tables
Some kids come and hang out and play basketball, some come hang out and do their homework with help from volunteer mentors

The Landing - Tuesday nights, biblically based program to deal with the hurts habits and hang-ups. Kind of like a 12-step program to help teens with things they are dealing with in their life.

Resources
The Bridge Website
The Bridge Twitter
The Bridge Instagram
The Bridge Facebook

Around Chandler on Instagram
Around Chandler on Facebook
Around Chandler Website
Around Chandler on Twitter

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The new Chandler Museum opens on Saturday, December 8th, 2018 and we chat with Jody Crago, the Museum Administrator for the City of Chandler. They have a lot of great things planned for the new museum, including a new activity every weekend for the kids. The best part is it is free. Also free is the where is it Wednesday contest we run where you can win a free gift card from B2 Burgers and Brews, listen for details at the end of the podcast. Now Jody Crago.

Chandler Museum

Opens 9:30am Saturday, December 8th
300 S Chandler Village Drive
2007 Chandler voters authorized bonds to build a new museum
Dedication 9:30am on 8th
Opens at 10am - 2 special exhibits
Family programs in education space
Every Sat 11-2 will have family programs
1pm will have Olympian Lyndsey Fry
3pm Katie Hillebrand and the history of the bookmobile
Will contain sports hall of fame
Timeline of photos of Chandler
Outdoor area unique architecture

Full list of opening day events
Chandler Museum on Facebook
Around Chandler on Facebook

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Did you know Chandler has their own ABA basketball team? Neither did I. Today we have Derrick Graham the coach of an ABA basketball team that plays at Chandler Prep. At the end of the podcast stay tuned you will hear how you can win free stuff, including a gift card to Burgers and Brew on Arizona and Warner.

Background of Graham

Born and raised in South Bend Indiana
Played high school basketball there
Injured senior year ended up playing junior college for two years then a DII college
Played football and basketball was better at football but basketball was a passion
Played professional overseas then local including Italy

Arizona Beast info

Part of ABA - American Basketball Association
2 other teams in Arizona, Las Vegas, California
Part of West Division
Play 21 games
Post Season play other regions
Power ranking of 153 teams
Opportunity to grow as an athlete and have opportunities at the next level

Starting

When Arizona Scorpions folded Graham reached out to ABA
Knew many local players so reached out to local leagues to start the team
Over 70 total tried out
12 players and 2 reserves on the team
Most players 23-24 years old, but a few older players
Summer tryouts before the season
Play at Chandler Prep (Warner and Alma School)

Marketing

Involved in community events/charity events
Active in Chamber
Schedule at Arizona Beast website
Recommend show up 30 minutes before game
Food trucks and shirt printing at games

PROMOTION:

I want to thank Coach Derrick Graham for spending time with us to talk about the Arizona Beast. Now, that free food I mentioned, here is what we are doing. Starting today, November 21st 2018 and running through the end of the year, every Wednesday I am going to post something on Instagram @AroundChandlerAZ called Where is it Wednesday. Be the first person to correctly identify the location of the photo and you will win a free t-shirt and you will be entered into a drawing for a free $25 gift card from B2 Burgers and Brews on Arizona and Warner. All the weekly winners will be entered and one winner will be chosen to receive the gift card. Then in January, a new sponsor will be on for the January winners.

Follow Around Chandler on Instagram
Around Chandler on Facebook
Around Chandler website with all our shows and subscribe buttons

Instagram Arizona Beast
Website ArizonaBeast.com
Twitter Arizona Beast
Facebook Arizona Beast

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Where is it Wednesday or #WiiWChandler will be launching next week. So what is #WiiWChandler? It is being launched as part of the 365 Days Around Chandler on our Instagram Account.

We started taking a photograph of a different location for our Instagram account @AroundChandlerAZabout a month ago and we will continue to post a photo on the feed of different locations for a full year. This is a chance for people to get introduced to new things Around Chandler. Starting next week, until further notice, every Wednesday will be an undisclosed location for #WiiWChandler.

When the photo with the hashtag #WiiWChandler hits our feed on Wednesday’s, be the first person to identify the location will win a free shirt. We will DM you for your size and the shirt will be sent to you.

Every month we will pick one of those winners at random for a free $25 gift card to a local Chandler restaurant.

If you have a fun location that we should consider, some hidden gem of Chandler, DM us and let us know. But you and your family will no be eligible for the win on that day.

We have our first two locations already photographed and ready to go!

Rules: The first person will be the person whose answer shows up first in the post comments. This is intended for Chandler residents, but anyone is eligible. We will not ship shirts out of state. You can only win one shirt every 90 days.

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The Living Chandler Facebook Group has exploded onto the scene in the last few years and has grown to about 65,000 members as of the time of this recording. Welcome to episode 5 of the Around Chandler Podcast, today we welcome Matthew and Tia Coates the founders of Living Chandler. We get the backstory on how they ended up in Chandler, the inspiration behind the group and we talk about some of the fun stories like how they chased down a stolen cell phone through the group. You can find the show notes for this episode at AroundChandler.com/5. If you enjoy this content I ask you to forward it to a friend or share it on social media and follow us on Instagram at @aroundchandleraz. And please let us know who you would like to hear from on an upcoming episode, now Matthew and Tia Coates

Follow Around Chandler on Instagram
Around Chandler on Facebook
http://aroundchandler.com/5

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Welcome to episode 4 of the Around Chandler Podcast, today we have a treat for you. You have probably seen Frank Leutz of Desert Car Care all over social media or in the community. Frank is very plugged in and connected to Chandler and several charity events. Today Frank is going to share how he got started owning his own shop after getting fired, it is a great story on coming back after being knocked down. Frank shares with you how to find a good, honest mechanic you can trust and we go over some Arizona specific car service tips. I am not going to ask you to rate and review the podcast but please subscribe and if you enjoy what we are doing please make sure you share it with a friend or on social media. You can find the show notes for this episode at AroundChandler.com/4 and follow us on Instagram at @aroundchandleraz

Talks about oming back aftet getting fired and kicked around

how do you overcome

Background

Grew up in NYC so no interest in cars
Was interested in music and performing
Took a break from school and music and joined the Navy
Got married and wife was transferred to Phoenix
Started wrenching with father-in-law in 1989
1995 working at a dealership that got taken over was let go
Used it as an opportunity when down to open up and go in another direction

How did you end up in Chandler with Desert Car Care?

Built first business in Sunnyslope and sold it and came to Chandler in 2004
In 2008 when things started crashing took advantage of the situation and opened two other locations

What do you look for in a mechanic you can trust:

Interview them before you need them
Build that relationship
Check online reviews and make sure shop is replying to customers
Not looking for someone who is perfect, but someone who will make it right when they make a mistake

When you do you get a second opinion?

Make sure shop is transparent, they show you what is going on
We will do a digital explanation of what is good and bad and things that may come down the road

We are now post-monsoon season, what do you recommend for maintenance?

Even in a lifted truck never drive through flash floods
A lot of dust so check cabin air filter and air filter
Check tire pressure

Single mom, who may not have time, what advice do you have for maintenance and a schedule?

Helping Hands Single Moms they can help with issues
Set priorities
We are in severe duty climate
5,000 for most oil changes

What issues should be addressed for preventing large repair bills?

You know your car better than anyone
Any smells or noises that are not normal, get it looked at
New vehicles have 150 million lines of code, they are computers now

How has the mechanic changed in the last decade?

Lots of training
Ask how much your guys get training per year
A mechanic has moved into a technician
You can get a code, but the code doesn't tell you everything
Cars are rolling smartphones

National Average over 60k miles is $1500/yr for repairs

How important is it to have a used car looked at before buying?

We found a car that had the check engine light pulled out of the dashboard
There are reasons cars are for sale
You buy a house you get it pre-inspected

Here are you taking an out of state friend for dinner?

DC Steak House

Follow Around Chandler on Instagram

Wrench Nation Car Talk
EVIT - East Valley Institute of Technology
URMechanic on Twitter
Frank Leutz on Instagram
Wrench Nation on Twitter

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Welcome to episode 3 of the Around Chandler Podcast. Today we have Kim Moyers about her role in making Downtown Chandler a destination. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app or at AroundChandler.com and follow us on Instagram at @aroundchandleraz

Background

Born and raised in small-town Indiana
Selementarytary school as son and daughters went to
Graduating class was only about 130 people
Indiana University graduate
Moved here 13 years ago

Were you working in city government when you moved here?

Her first job was at a Chamber of Commerce
Took interest in redevelopments in downtown
When moved to Arizona, Downtown Chandler felt like and reminded of home
Started working in Queen Creek on their downtown
Spring 2014 went to work for Chandler

Downtown Redevelopment

We needed redevelopment like many downtowns across the country
Difference was Council was devoted to the downtown and planned this decades ago

When you started what was the vision/goals?

Upgrade infrastructure to make sure we had enough water and sewer for us to start building verticle
Needed density into downtown to attract the restaurants and businesses we wanted
Alta Steelyard was first complex with 301 units
Were so happy with downtown they also purchased 6.5 acres and built Alta San Marcos along Chandler Blvd and another 273 units
DC Heights, another 201 units coming soon
This creates the night time and morning traffic downtown we like to see
Also helps us attract offices to downtown

DC Heights

201 unit behind San Tan Brewery
Part of reason punched through Dakota Street
Phase 1 rentals, Phase 2 condos

Overstreet

SW Corner of Arizona and Chandler
First Flix Brewhouse Cinema to Arizona
3-4 restaurants
17,000 sq feet of office
All office glass and overlook AJ Chandler Park
350 car public free parking garage
This is phase one to be completed by end of 2018
Phase two will be additional offices north of the parking garage

Parking and more development

Across from City Hall will be developing where the current dirt lot is called New Square
There are 3 public parking garages on the east side of Arizona and Overstreet now on the west
Phase one will be 47,000 sq foot building, 3 stories of office
A second building of 8700 sq feet that will be retail along Arizona
Green space
Behind will be a 108 bed Hilton hotel
Phase two will be another 5-8 story office building
600-800 new jobs in downtown
West side of Oregon will be another 930 space parking garage

Will there be more restaurants and development

More moving down south of the current core
Current Arizona Blvd work from Frye to Pecos
Sidewalks and lighting you see in downtown will be continued down there

SE Corner of Arizona and Chandler

North side of Jack 'N Box is developer owned and the south side is city-owned
Same developers that did Overstreet will do the city-owned area

Downtown events

Spooktacular
Christmas tree lighting
Beer BBQ Festival
Oct-April most weekends will be some event there

Farmer's Market

Now open in November on Saturday Mornings
New vendors
Christmas baskets join between vendors

South side area

Perch, Local, Ganglplank, Improvmania all helping towards the south side
Along Frye will have Flo Yoga and Cycle
Along Frye will have more restaurants

The Wave

Thursday, Friday and Saturday they work downtown, free transportation
5-9pm
You know them when you see them, holds 5 passengers
Can call, numbers on parking garages

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Welcome to episode 2 of the Around Chandler Podcast, my name is Dean Ouellette and we are bringing you the people and places that make Chandler Arizona the best place to live. Today we have Joshua Trask. Joshua has turned his front yard into a 45-foot pirate ship with a haunted house. Halloween is coming. Downtown Chandler will have the Spooktacular on the 26th of October then on the 27th bring the little kids to Joshua's culdesac for family-friendly games and entertainment. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast in your favorite podcasting app or at AroundChandler.com and follow us on Instagram at @aroundchandleraz

Tell us about your childhood

Involved in art
Many art contests locally and nationally
Grew up in Palm Springs California
Moved to Arizona after school and got involved with the local art scene
Did live art shows where would spraypaint live
Stayed involved with art after kids as something could do together

Has it always been spray paint art you have been into?

Mostly yes
Drawing and architectural early

Was art always a hobby or did you study it?

Studies art history in college
Allowed me to see the steps other artist took and could mimic it
Used to go to all the Friday night art shows and sell there

How long you been in Chandler and what brought you here

About 5 years
Previously Fountain Hills for art and training
Came to Chandler for schools for kids

You have quite the setup in your front yard for Halloween, can you tell us about it?

45' Pirate Ship
Talking pirates and music
Carnival on inside
11 room haunted house

Is it kid friendly?

My kids are in elementary school so made it good for their age
Krafts
Games

More details:

Usually weekends dark until 9pm
Built out of pallets from reclaimed wood
House is connected small rooms
Kids came up with idea of having a jail
My kids will dress up
Will make some noises

When is this open?

Open now on weekends
Donation of $1 or food item for food drive
On 27th block party
Block off the street
1417 N Manor Circle on the west side of Arizona and North side of Knox
Costume awards, party pooper, scariest, best homemade, funniest, best couple, best family

Costume categories:

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Welcome to episode 1 of the Around Chandler podcast where we introduce you to the people that make Chandler Arizona so great. Chandler will have a new Mayor in January for he first time in eight years. We welcome Mayor-Elect Kevin Hartke to the podcast to talk about his plans to keep Chandler a great place to live. Please remember to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss future guests and let us know who you would like to hear from. You can message us on Instagram @aroundchandleraz or email me Dean at Around Chandler dot com.

Paint us a picture of your childhood

Grew up in St Louis
Dad was a WW2 Vet
Master degree from University of Missouri

When did you end up in Chandler

1985, was working in Canada with church

What was it like?

60,000 people, but was growing quickly
Downtown was dusty

Where did the houses end at that time?

Cotton and Corn surrounded the city

Recently elected Mayor, why did you originally decide to run for City Council?

Wasn't planning on it
Was active in the community
2006 had an opening on Council
I was encouraged to apply and was selected then ran and elected for the seat in 2010 and 2014

Are you still a pastor?

Lead pastor at Trinity Christian Fellowship
Turned in resignation so can serve as Mayor full-time

When you ran for Council it was a crowded race, but when you ran for Mayor you were uncontested, was that a surprise to you?

Was a surprise
Was talk of others running, but they descided against it

Chandler has become known as hub of technology in the southwest, how do you see that playing out?

Continuing
Intel developing new plant
More development on Price Corridor
WAYMO and self-driving cars

Can you talk about Price Corridor more

In the 80's talked to Intel about what they could to expand
Intel has grown, the largest employer in Chandler
Several large employers growing there

What is Waymo doing now?

Using Chandler as ground zero mapping
Seeing who they can partner with, light rail
Providing first and last miles for public transportation

Great cities seem to have neighborhood identities. Here we have Downtown, Price Corridor, West Chandler we now see signs for Uptown and we have the Airpark area. Do you think having neighborhood identities is important for building community?

Price Corridor
West Chandler
Uptown Chandler
Downtown Chandler
Airport

Where do you see Chandler going in housing

Only 12% of Chandler not developed or planned
We are at 259k population now and plan is for about 285k
Many developments being built were zoned in 2006

When you were running for your you stressed three things. Great jobs, great schools, safe neighborhoods.

Let’s start with great jobs. What can Chandler do for more great jobs?

Business retention and expansion
We ask those who are already here what we can do to help
Looking at attracting new business where there is land available like we are doing on Price Corridor

Are you acively looking outside of City and State to recruit business?

We hire great people to set vision on the economic development committee
We do want high tech business

We already have some of the best public schools in the state, but we also have great charter schools that score at the top of the state testing like Chandler Prep and Basis. What can we do to continue the trend with great schools?

Basis Chandler #2 high school in it the US
Chandler Prep is Arizona's #1 high school
Chandler Unified School district is #1 public district in Arizona
Goal is to have more going on to get post high school education
Promoting STEM
We look at ways to co-share facilities with things like pools and libraries

Where can we improve with safe neighborhoods?

Continually monitoring what we need with policing
Lowering emergency response time
Nextdoor technology to spread information that is going on

What do you see as the biggest challenge Chandler faces?

Buildout, would love to offer more recreation facilities
Can we work with Gila to the south?
Cost of housing
Chandler has the lowest cost of living of any City in Valley

You talked about buildout and the availability of land. What about downtown? Will that build up?

Downtown Chandler will spread east and west a little more
By rail road tracks have more land
More area to the south to develop that will extend to Pecos

What does a week look like for you as you take on this new role?

30-35 hours a week meeting and responding to people
Still 40 hours a week at church

What will your first 100 days look like?

The city has great vision and well run
Taking care of unfunded liabilities for police and fire
We will do council retreat with new council members to talk goals and vision
Continue to attract high tech and great jobs
Will do State of City February 21 at Center of the Arts
Staff will take our visions and help us come up with plans

What about the base?

We jsut lowered taxes and do no see a reason we will need to raise them
Helps the community

You have a friend coming to visit you, what would you tell them to do?

Come out in November-March
People from all over nation are coming here to restart their business

Where would you take them to dinner?

Bourbon Jacks for a burger
DC Steakhouse for a steak
Many great downtown restaurants

Kevin on Twitter
Kevin on Facebook
Kevin's Website

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Welcome to the Around Chandler Podcast where we will bring you all things Chandler Arizona related.

This episode is a short introduction to get the feed working and to introduce the show concept.

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Or just message us directly at http://m.me/aroundchandler

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Dean Ouellette