Win rewards by shopping in Goodyear

GOODYEAR (Sept. 3) – The more you shop and dine in Goodyear, the greater your chances of winning prizes, as the city rolls out the new “Shop Goodyear, Everyone Gains” campaign.

The Shop Goodyear campaign begins this month. Participants can enter weekly drawings to win $50 gift cards and other prizes by turning in receipts from Goodyear stores and restaurants totaling $25 or more. Receipts must show purchases of general merchandise, food, beverages, groceries or fuel, and must include the merchant name and date of transaction. Original receipts only; no photocopies will be accepted.

Go to www.goodyearaz.gov, click on Shop Goodyear under Business, to review contest rules and print entry forms. Enter weekly drawings through Dec. 19. Fill out an entry form, attach receipts totaling $25 or more, and drop in the box in the lobby of Goodyear City Hall, 190 N. Litchfield Rd., before noon each Friday.

All entries received by Oct. 17 are eligible for a special Grand Prize drawing during Goodyear’s annual G.A.I.N. event at 8 p.m., Sat., Oct. 18, at Goodyear Community Park, 3131 N. Litchfield Rd. Winners need not be present, but participants must be 18 years or older to enter. Entries are limited to one per person per week. Enter each week and increase your odds—the more you shop Goodyear, the greater your chances of winning. Shop Goodyear drawings are open to residents and nonresidents.

Shop Goodyear is a welcome bright spot during this slower economy, according to Sr. Development Manager Barbra Coffee. “It’s all about keeping your dollars at home. This benefits everyone – citizens, businesses and the city,” said Coffee. “By shopping at our local stores, we help keep businesses healthy. Every resident of Goodyear benefits as well, because our tax dollars stay right here where they can be put to work to pay for important services on which all our citizens rely.”

Retail sales tax dollars help pay for almost 30 percent of the city’s operating budget, providing key services such as police, fire, streets, parks and recreation, according to Coffee. By shopping locally, residents can save money and help preserve the environment.

“It’s very ‘green’ behavior. You’ll save money on fuel costs by driving shorter distances to shop, and help reduce the number of vehicles on the roadways. It’s a win-win for everyone,” Coffee said.

The Shop Goodyear runs from September through the holiday shopping season with weekly drawings through Dec. 19. A final Grand Prize drawing will take place on Tuesday, December 23 at Goodyear City Hall.

Call the City of Goodyear Economic Development at (623) 932-3025 for more information.

Courtesy of the city of Goodyear

Goodyear Ballpark advertising and sponsorship programs now available

GOODYEAR (Sept. 2) – Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are now available on a first-come first-serve basis for the Goodyear Ballpark and Recreational Complex.

The city of Goodyear is offering a sponsorship and advertising program with flexible options for signage, media displays and on-site activations, group tickets, and other opportunities designed to exceed your advertising or corporate goals and deliver maximum value.

Top reasons to choose Goodyear Ballpark and Recreational Complex
· West Valley’s premier facility and recreational destination
· Goodyear Ballpark is host to two Major League Baseball teams
· Double your advertising exposure – reach fans of two MLB teams
· Cactus League Spring Training attracts more than 1.2 million fans and generates an economic impact of more than $310 million
· Controlled and limited ad inventory decreases message competition
· Experienced, dedicated staff on hand to meet your needs
· Signature and private accommodations for corporate outings and viewing pleasure

Whether your goal is corporate branding, driving foot traffic, generating product/message awareness or hosting a corporate function at the ballpark, the City of Goodyear can deliver a custom package to meet your needs. We look forward to discussing your advertising options and corporate outing accommodations with you. Don’t miss this opportunity to “Get in the Game.”

Visit: www.goodyearaz.gov/ballpark for pricing and inventory details.

Contact Nathan Torres, Goodyear Ballpark and Recreational Complex Manager at (623) 882-7644.

Courtesy of the city of Goodyear

The Indians move in to their new spring training clubhouse

GOODYEAR (Sept. 2) – The Cleveland Indians are moving in to the new spring training clubhouse.

The moving truck arrives at the Goodyear Ballpark and begins unloading everything needed to make this the team’s new spring training home:

* Bats and ball
* Beight room equipment
* Athletic training equipment
* Office furniture, computers, etc.
* Lights

Cleveland Indians Spring Training Clubhouse
Goodyear Ballpark and Development Complex
2601 S. Wood Blvd.
Goodyear, Ariz. 85338

Courtesy of the city of Goodyear

Free replacement valves available for restaurants, cafeterias, commercial kitchens in Goodyear

GOODYEAR (Sept. 2) – Restaurants, school cafeterias and other commercial kitchens in Goodyear could save more than $1,200 per year on their water and energy bills by participating in the city’s new Arizona Rinse Smart partnership with Arizona Department of Water Resources, Southwest Gas and Litchfield Park Service Co.

Commercial kitchens can receive a free replacement for high-flow pre-rinse valves that were made before Jan. 1, 2006. Those valves use between 1 and 5 gallons per minute (gpm). The free replacement valves, which will be installed by a licensed contractor at no cost to the user, use just 1.4 gpm. All valves manufactured after Jan. 1, 2006 must use no more than 1.6 gpm.

Dishwashing accounts for 2/3 of all water use in typical restaurants. Pre-rinse spray valves typically account for half of that use, or 1/3 of all water used by these establishments.

The city of Goodyear is sending letters of invitation to restaurants, school cafeterias and other commercial kitchens throughout the City. For more information on this program call H2O365 at Goodyear Water Resources at (623) 932-3010, e-mail savewater@goodyearaz.gov or check the City conservation Web page: www.goodyearaz.gov/h2o365.

Courtesy of the city of Goodyear

Wasting water is officially against the law

GOODYEAR (Sept. 2) — The Goodyear City Council has adopted a new Water Waste Ordinance, making it illegal to allow hundreds of gallons of water run down a street or onto another’s property. Violators will be cited by Goodyear Code Compliance.

Illegal water wasting is:

* Water running uncontrolled from a faucet or outlet;
* Water pooling more than 150 feet in area off the property;
* Water that disrupts pedestrian or vehicle traffic;
* Misdirected sprinklers that spray more than 10 percent onto other’s private or public property;
* Water runoff into gutters, drains or ditches of more than ¼ inch.

Be a good neighbor. If water is being wasted, let your neighbor know. If the problem continues, call Goodyear Water Resources at 623-932-3010 and report the address, the source of the water, and how the waste is occurring (sprinklers spraying off the property, water runoff in gutters, etc.).

City staff will document the call and contact the owner or responsible party. A violation notice or citation may be issued if the waste continues.

Courtesy of the city of Goodyear

Goodyear Gazette gearing up to expand coverage

With the announcement of the new Goodyear spring training facility, a regional mall, steady real estate sales in an otherwise slumping market and more, it makes sense to invest in Goodyear.

Whether you’re a long-established business or a startup ready to take advantage of the booming West Valley, you’ll want to include the Goodyear Gazette as part of your overall marketing plan to reach potential customers. The Goodyear Gazette is part of the Desert Sunrise News product of Whiptail Publishers Syndicate, LLC.

We’ve just relaunched full time after a few years of operating as a part-time venture, and we’re excited about what that means in terms of being able to provide more in-depth coverage about your area than the daily or weekly publications ever could.

Investigations, however, take time. So please be patient while we ramp up and hope you’ll enjoy reading smaller items of interest while you wait.

– RuthAnn Hogue
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Goodyear pool hosts Open Swim weekends, Back-to-School Bash

GOODYEAR (Aug. 15) – Don’t miss Open Swim weekends and the Back to School Bash at the Goodyear Swimming Pool, 430 E. Loma Linda Blvd.

The pool will be open for Open Swim from noon to 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday  through September 28.

The Back-to-School Bash from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, August 9, has something for everyone – Hot dogs, chips, sno cones, games and prizes. Win backpacks, markers and other back-to-school supplies. Admission is free for children 3 years old and younger, and $2 per person for children and adults.

The pool reopens this weekend after being closed for cleaning on July 29, after the water tested positive for a parasite that can sicken swimmers.

The city closed the pool and splash pad immediately after tests returned positive for Cryptosporidium and hyper chlorinated the water. The chlorine level was raised to 40 parts per million, twice that recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

“The CDC recommends using this aggressive treatment because the high level of chlorine kills the crypto,” said Brian Barnes, Goodyear Public Works Deputy Director. “Now that the chlorine and pH levels are back to normal, we know the water is safe and residents can enjoy the pool again.”

Crypto is a parasite that can live in human and animal intestines and infects others through fecal contamination. It is important to wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing a diaper. Make sure children, especially the little ones, take frequent “potty breaks.” Infants and toddlers MUST wear snugly fitting “swim” diapers, such as Huggies Little Swimmers.

City officials will begin handing out brochures at the splash pad when it reopens to help educate the public about the importance of good hygiene for children and adults using the facilities.

“Keeping people safe is our top priority,” Barnes said. “Parents have a lot to think about, and we want to make sure everyone understands how important it is to use swim-proof diapers and use good hand-washing practices.”

Huggies Little Swimmers and similar products are available at most local retail stores. Come prepared, though. The leak-resistant diapers are not for sale at the Goodyear Pool or Splash Pad, and pre-potty-trained children will not be permitted to use the facilities without them.
Courtesy of the city of Goodyear

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Amazon to open fulfillment center in Goodyear

GOODYEAR (Jun 29) — To support growing customer demand, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), has announced plans to open a new fulfillment center in Goodyear during the third quarter.

The new facility, operated by Amazon.com azdc, inc., will be more than 500,000 square feet and will create more than 600 full-time positions this year, with an additional 700 temporary positions during the holiday season.

The facility is at 16920 W. Commerce Drive in Goodyear, and is Amazon`s second fulfillment center in Arizona, following the opening of a facility in Phoenix last year.

“Corporate America is beginning to discover the city of Goodyear,” said Mayor James Cavanaugh. “I know that Amazon appreciates the fact that our community is filled with people who are enthusiastic about joining such a well-known company. We`re fortunate to be a city where so many new jobs are being created, and we are thrilled to welcome Amazon to Goodyear.”

“As we continue to expand selection for customers across all product categories, we`re excited to be opening a new facility in Goodyear to allow us to serve customers more quickly and efficiently,” said Mike McKenna, vice president, Amazon fulfillment services.

Amazon is seeking highly motivated individuals with drive, ambition and a passion for giving customers a first-class shopping experience, and is currently recruiting for individuals seeking full-time employment. Management openings include roles as Area Managers, Operations Managers, Safety Managers and Facilities Area Managers.

Amazon conducted an open house for management roles on June 26 at the Radisson City Center, located at 3600 N. Second Avenue in Phoenix. Interested candidates can visit http://www.amazon.com/careers for more information or to apply for positions.

Goodyear signs lease with Franklin Pierce University

GOODYEAR (June 16) — The city signed off on a 99-year lease agreement Monday, June 9, with Franklin Pierce University, authorizing a new campus to be built on a 30-acre parcel near the northwest corner of Estrella Parkway and Yuma Road.

Goodyear also signed a 99-year lease in March with the University of the Incarnate Word, based in San Antonio, Texas. Like the lease with Franklin Pierce, UIW will build a campus on 30 acres, also on the northwest corner of Estrella Parkway and Yuma Road.

Both universities will initially develop their campuses on 20 acres near the future City Center, and are required to maintain the remaining 10 acres as parks until the property is developed in the future. They will share city amenities, including a library, the ballpark facilities, and a performing arts center which may be built in the future.

Both Franklin Pierce and University of the Incarnate Word offer a 15 percent tuition discount for Goodyear residents and city employees.

Franklin Pierce has also recently made arrangements with Abrazo Health Care and will begin offering a doctor of physical therapy program in December, and an associate’s degree nursing program in January 2009.

Franklin Pierce will pay the city $1 annually for the first 50 years of the lease term. The second half of the terms calls for Franklin Pierce to pay 15 percent of the market value of the land, with increases of 5 percent of market value every 10 years. At the end of the 99-year lease term, the university will have the right to purchase the land.

The lease calls for the university to have the campus operational by 2014, and penalties will be assessed if that deadline is not met. Phase I of the university is scheduled to be done in 2012, and construction will continue after that for several years.

Franklin Pierce is a private university, and was founded in the early 1960s. The main campus located in Rindge, N.H.

Courtesy of the city of Goodyear

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The river bottom burns near El Mirage and Southern roads.
Photos by RuthAnn Hogue
A brush fire which started about 1 p.m. March 22 at El Mirage and Southern Roads is still burning at about 4 p.m. as fire crews from around the West Valley pitch in to get it under control

Brush fire at El Mirage and Southern roads burns 50 acres

By RuthAnn Hogue

Goodyear Gazette

GOODYEAR (March 22) — Officials don’t know what caused a brush fire which started about 1 p.m. today and was still burning eight hours later that has destroyed about 50 acres near El Mirage Road and Southern Avenue.

The matter is under investigation. A family member who for 30 years has lived in a rental home on the property, however, said it’s likely related to uninvited guests who often wander onto the property at night.

“If they were down there last night and started a fire, they might not have noticed that it didn’t go out,” said Sherry Banosdell.

A helicopter drops water on a fire near El Mirage and Southern roads.Banosedell explained that today’s fire isn’t the first, and that until something changes, it likely won’t be the last. “I’m sure it has to be somebody out there doing something they shouldn’t be doing and shooting guns - at night when they can’t even see.”

From the road, the area appears to be filled with green brush and trees. But beyond the perimeter is an area where there is “so much dead grass and trees” in the river bottom, the woman said. Gabriel Gutierrez, a firefighter with Rural Metro’s Engine 837, said his pumper truck was the first one to arrive, bringing 1,000 gallons of water with it.

Other pumper trucks arrived later with more water, but the demand was still great and the supply of water limited because they could not find any fire hydrants close enough to be useful, he said.

Gutierrez welcomed an offer from a neighbor, Bobby Johnson, who said he had access to gates controlling the water flow in irrigation canals throughout farm land directly north of the fire. Goodyear Fire was among several departments which respond to lend assistance including Buckeye and Avondale, and the county’s Wild Fire Land Division, placing 50 fire personnel total on the ground and in helicopters overhead.

The Maricopa Sheriff’s Department also responded.

Paul Luizzi assesses the situation for Goodyear Fire.Paul Luizzi, battalion chief of emergency services for the Goodyear Fire Department, said he had no knowledge of previous fires, but noted that the land falls within Rural Metro Fire’s jurisdiction. Luizzi said at about 4 p.m. that he expected the fire to burn at least another hour, and that they’d probably have firefighters remain over night to keep it from reigniting.

Keith Goodwin, one of a couple dozen people who parked along the road to look at or take pictures of the fire, noted that he fire continued to do just that, however, as hot spots once under control intermittently popped up again with flames.

“It’s too bad if what caused all this is people being stupid,” Goodwin said. “It costs a lot of money and aggravation for a lot of people.”