Patrick Duffy: District 3 Newsletter — December 2021
Posted
By Patrick Duffy
Celebrate with the City of Surprise at the 20th Annual Surprise Party at the Surprise Recreation Campus!
• Friday, December 3, will include a Balloon Glow (weather permitting), skydivers, tree lighting ceremony, live music, Santa's workshop, roaming entertainment and fireworks!
• Saturday, December 4, will include a Special Interest Class Showcase, car show, live music, arts and crafts festival, pony rides, roaming entertainment, petting zoo, great food and more!
We honored our service members at our 7th Annual City of Surprise Veterans Day Parade on November 11. If you didn't attend, you can watch it here: surprisetv.surpriseaz.gov/index.php/watch. Thank you to our incredible community for coming out to participate and support. A big thank you to Surprise Parks and Recreation for a successful pancake breakfast and parade.
Day of Service
Surprise is looking for volunteers for its Day of Service on Saturday, December 11. Volunteers will participate in various projects throughout the city including landscaping, painting, and trimming of shrubs, debris removal and more.
Surprise trash collection zones will change beginning Monday, January 3to balance the number of homes serviced on each collection day as the city continues to grow.
Not all residents will see changes to their trash collection schedule. These changes apply to City of Surprise sanitation customers only, and some neighborhoods will retain their current collection day.
Solid waste rates will not increase due to changes to the collection days. By adjusting the collection schedule, the City will avoid accruing costs associated with purchasing additional sanitation trucks and hiring more operators to service new customers. View the 2022 Trash Collection Zone Map
Mayor Business Roundtable
On Thursday, November 4, Mayor Hall, Council Member Cline and I joined forces with Surprise Economic Development to host our first in-person Mayor’s Roundtable! Economic Development was thrilled to invite local, small businesses as well as our partners from Arizona Small Business Association and Arizona Commerce Authority to lend an ear regarding their troubles, wins and everything in between over the last year. Thank you all for making time for us in your busy schedules!
EPCOR Franchise Extension
Surprise voters have approved an EPCOR franchise extension. EPCOR is one of six water providers in the City of Surprise. This approval allows the company to construct, maintain and operate a potable water delivery system and a wastewater collection, treatment and disposal system throughout the city public rights-of-way. Under this agreement, EPCOR will pay a 2% franchise fee to the City. https://bit.ly/3nXXbkd
MLK Celebration Events
The City of Surprise is excited to announce two events honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in January 2022. The programs are for all ages and will include a variety of local musicians, performers and speakers.
• Wednesday, January 12 – MLK Musical Celebration & Reflections
• Saturday, January 15 – MLK Day of Celebration & Service
Sunday in the Park returns to Mark Coronado Park in January! Join us on January 23 from 3 - 7 p.m. for live music, various food trucks, an assortment of beer and wine, and family-friendly entertainment such as bounce houses, face painting, a trackless train and more! View event details: bit.ly/3sw1lBr. Future dates are February 13 and April 3.
EricsHouse Support Groups
EricsHouse helps people integrate loss of a loved one using a variety of healing resources that reduce grief symptoms, promote growth and personal well-being, and provide a community of like-minded people who understand this unique grief journey. ericshouse.org
Grieving Mothers Support Group
Open to mothers who have lost a child to suicide, substance abuse, homicide, illness or any sudden loss. This group runs weekly on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Sessions are virtual zoom meetings: 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22 & 1/5/22.
Contact marianne@ericshouse.org to determine if this group is right for you. Pre-registration is required
Support Group for Grieving Men
This closed group begins November 16 and will run weekly on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Participation is limited to nine members. Sessions are virtual zoom meetings: 11/30, 12/7, 12/14, 12/21, 12/28, 1/4/22 & 1/11. Please contact greg@ericshouse.org or 480.734.3423 to determine if this group is right for you.
Surprise Fire Station 308
“COURAGE is not living without fear, but being able to walk through it while doing the right thing anyway.” This statement is part of a new art installation at the recently completed Surprise Fire Station 308 and pays tribute to the character of our Surprise Fire-Medical Department team and all they do to keep our community safe. Stop by and check out “Courage Walk 308” at 13771 W. Cactus Rd.
Artist: Kai Ekbundit
Meet and Greet
My next meeting will be on December 4 at 8 a.m. at Spencer's Place, 15341 W. Waddell Rd. #B101. Please check surpriseaz.gov for updates to my Meet and Greet schedule. As always, feel free to email me at patrick.duffy@surpriseaz.govwith any questions or concerns you may have.
City Council Meetings
The next regularly scheduled City Council Meetings are December 7 and 21 at 6 p.m. Please tune in on surpriseaz.gov/surprisetv, the Surprise City Gov Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofsurprise, or on Cox channel 11.
Please continue to check the City of Surprise website, at surpriseaz.gov for updates to meeting schedules and other important announcements.
