Councilwoman Peggy Neely's
Tatum Sun Times Column

October 2005

North Phoenix Community Responds to Hurricane Katrina

Many Phoenix residents have given their thoughts, prayers, time and money to help Hurricane Katrina victims. The city of Phoenix has helped by sending a special Fire and Police team to New Orleans, which pulled about 450 people off of rooftops and out of buildings. The city also assisted with the effort to provide temporary housing to hundreds of New Orleans evacuees at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum.

Two great examples of help from right here in North Phoenix are the efforts of STMicroelectronics (ST) and Arizona Helping Hands.

“If you could see the smiles and tears we see on the eyes of kids and families when we help them, then you wouldn’t have to ask why we want to help,” said Cathy Donaldson of Arizona Helping Hands.

The organization held a toy drive for more than 300 families impacted by the hurricane.

ST matched employee donations dollar for dollar, raising more than $100,000 for the American Red Cross.

“As with the tsunami, ST feels compelled to do something,” said the company’s Bill Boyce. “We believe we have a responsibility to the community as a good corporate citizen.”

For more information on how to help, visit the state’s Web site at az211.gov or call the Red Cross at 1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669).

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I also wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for your support during the recent election. It has been an honor to serve you these past four years and I look forward to helping our community for many years to come.

As your councilwoman, I will make sure that District 2 continues to be a wonderful place to live, work and play. I will continue to work diligently to make sure residents are receiving the best and most efficient Police and Fire service and that our community will continue to see new police precincts and fire stations. More good commercial development in District 2 is also crucial. High-quality retail brings in sales tax dollars, funding important city services, like police, fire, libraries and parks.

As chair of the City Council Land Use, Families and Sports Subcommittee, we will continue working to provide youth sports facilities, parks, libraries and open space. Finding a way to build and maintain these amenities as our area grows is crucial to maintaining our quality of life.

We will keep holding our popular Issues and Info breakfasts and schedule many other events. I appreciate community input and will always take it into consideration, so feel free to call or e-mail myself or my staff anytime.

I am excited to play a leadership role in our vibrant community. Phoenix is a wonderful place and we will make sure it gets even better for your children and grandchildren.

Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Neely represents District 2, which includes most of northeast Phoenix. She can be reached at 602-262-7445 or through e-mail at council.district.2@phoenix.gov.

BREAKFAST INFO:

Please join us for our next Issues and Info Breakfast at 7 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at Jillian’s in the Desert Ridge Marketplace.