The Buckeye Main Street Coalition will host its first “In The Park” networking event of the year from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Benbow Park in the 400 block of East Monroe in downtown Buckeye. Buckeye business people and residents interested in activities in the downtown area are invited to attend.

Those attending will learn more about several town projects affecting downtown Buckeye, including a sidewalk replacement program and the revised General Plan. Mayoral candidates Jackie Meck and Michael Todd are expected to attend

Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be provided by the Main Street Coalition. Coalition members will be on hand to tell guests about the work of the organization. The Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to establishing downtown Buckeye as a vital and productive part of the community’s economic base.

The Town of Buckeye is sponsoring a cleanup of several neighborhoods in the Sundance community from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17.

Buckeye Police Community Partnership Lt. Phil Harris said winter rains have produced a significant crop of weeds in Buckeye, and Sundance’s residential vacancy rate has worsened the impact in that community.

“We are looking for volunteers from Buckeye and especially from the Sundance community to join us in an effort to help make Sundance sparkle,” Harris said. “After we’ve made the sweep through the neighborhoods and removed the weeds, we’ll join back up at noon for a cookout, games and family fun.”

Harris said volunteers should meet at 7 a.m. in the park on Sundance Parkway between Yuma and Rainbow Roads to get their free T-shirts and their assignments for the morning.

“We’re asking that volunteers bring work gloves, sunscreen, tools and wheel barrows,” Harris said. “We’ll provide the water, snacks and food for the cookout, and town departments will be present to answer questions or get information on services.

“We’re hoping that two things come out of this event – that neighbors make a commitment to their Sundance community and that volunteers from other areas of Buckeye join together to help instill a sense of pride in another part of the our town.”

Hundreds of volunteers have previously participated in several successful cleanups focused on the historic downtown area of Buckeye and the Hassayampa River west of the White Tank Mountains.

Volunteers calling the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce – 623-386-2727 – to sign up by Monday, May 12, will receive a free T-shirt the day of the event.

Harris said businesses that would like to support the cleanup with a donation and have their business name and/or logo printed on the event T-shirts should call Rachel Valdez at 623-349-6401. Deadline for the sponsorships is 5 p.m. Friday, May 9.

Two school visits, a tree planting and a presentation to the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce will highlight Public Works Week to be celebrated the week of May 18 – 24 in Buckeye.

Buckeye Public Works Director Scott Lowe said the festivities will begin on Monday, May 19, with a tree planting at the Public Works building, 423 Eastern Arizona Ave., at 11 a.m.

Lowe said his employees are polishing their graders, prepping their jack hammers and warming up their asphalt-laying vehicles in anticipation of visits to two Buckeye elementary schools.

The hands-on displays will be at Jasinski Elementary School from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, and at Festival Foothills Elementary School from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 21. A special appearance by P.W. Paws will be featured during both events.

Members of the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce will hear all about the town’s Public Safety Executive Partnership during its monthly luncheon at noon Wednesday, May 21, at Golden Eagles Distributing.

PSEP is a unique collaborative effort by the town’s police, fire and public works departments as part of its homeland security program. PSEP leaders have been invited to present their program, considered a national model, at the national public works conference in New Orleans in August.

The winter and spring rains over the past several months have resulted in the growth of thick vegetation and high grasses, creating code compliance concerns. More importantly, significant fire hazards will increase as temperatures rise and dry the vegetation out. The Buckeye Fire Department asks that you protect your home and property by taking some time now to clear that vegetation so it doesn’t cause a fire later. Some other hints to decrease the risk of fire hazards include:

• Keep grass and weeds cut. The Buckeye code prohibits vegetation greater than six inches.

• Remove dead vegetation and dispose of it properly.

• Stack firewood away from structures, fences or anything else that may be combustible.

• Make sure trees are trimmed and limbs are away from structures.

If you live in an outlying area,

• Create at least a 30-foot safety zone or firebreak around your home.

• Limit the placement of plants next to structures, under eaves, overhangs and decks.

• Top trees only when necessary; it creates excessive lower branches, increasing fire danger.

For more information, call the Buckeye Fire Department, 623-349-6700, or the Buckeye Code Compliance Officer, 623-349-6200.

Buckeye resident Neva Burlingame “learned a lot” during the Buckeye Leadership Academy and was impressed with the presenters’ professionalism and enthusiasm.

Burlingame was one of 19 graduates of the recent leadership academy, co-sponsored by the Town of Buckeye, APS and the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“I am excited about the future of Buckeye,” Burlingame said. “I am so pleased with the vision and planning that is going on into making Buckeye truly a ‘destination,’”

Deanna Kupcik, president/CEO of the Chamber, said the members of the third annual leadership academy were very involved and very active.

“They were excited to learn more about town services,” Kupcik said. “The curriculum is informative and provides the participants with the details of the complex workings of town government, as well as schools and non-profit organizations.”

The participants attended the two and one-half hour sessions each Thursday night for 10 weeks, hearing from Town Manager Jeanine Guy and all Town department heads – from finance to human resources, from police and fire to parks and recreation to public works.

Another graduate, Hank Pasinski, was impressed with the enthusiasm of the department heads, their professionalism and qualifications.

“They seemed to genuinely care about their jobs and are doing a good job for the residents,” Pasinski said. “Each and every one of them proudly talked about the things they do to make Buckeye such a great place to live.

“Their enthusiasm was contagious. I can’t wait to get more involved in our community.”

Jim Calderone said the academy “was without a doubt on of the most rewarding experiences I have had since I retired and moved to Buckeye.”

And Blake Flattley said he “learned more about the inner workings of this town than I have learned about any of the towns or cities I have previously lived in.”

Almost to a person, the graduates encouraged other Buckeye residents to consider applying for the leadership academy when the fourth class is formed early next year.

“It gives you a better understanding of where your community is headed, who the leaders are and how municipal government functions,” said Denise Sievwright.
Miguel Martinez agreed.

“This class offers the opportunity and provides you direct contact with our town leaders,” Martinez said. “This is the perfect time to get involved in projects that affect the town in a positive way.”

The Buckeye Police Department has received a grant of almost $26,000 from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to fund DUI enforcement through August.

Patrol Officer Jason Weeks, the department’s DUI task force coordinator, said the $25,933 grant will pay for DUI saturation patrols and enforcement in Buckeye and pay for officers to participate in DUI task forces throughout the state.

Weeks said the local task force will occur two or three times a month and on all holiday weekends. Buckeye police will also host four saturation patrols in the Buckeye area this year.

Buckeye Police Commander Dan Pringle said the number of DUI investigations rose from 300 in 2006 to 400 in 2007 – attributed to population growth and police officers dedicated to getting impaired drivers off the roads.

“These officers have brought us to a whole new level by seeking out the necessary training, obtaining the right equipment, setting appropriate policy and protocols and building valuable relationships with state and local agencies to detect and keep violators off our streets,” Pringle said.

The police commander added that the department would continue to support those officers in their efforts to building upon its DUI enforcement programs.