Gilbert Calls for Applicants to Join New Task Force Targeting Teen Violence

The Town of Gilbert is inviting applications for its newly reconstituted Community Engagement Task Force, with a particular focus on combating teen violence.

This call for applications extends to both teens and adults who are passionate about addressing issues of violence among youth and are eager to contribute constructive solutions to the community.

This initiative comes as part of Gilbert's proactive steps to tackle social challenges, with the task force consisting of 11 regular members—including at least four teens—and three alternates.

Teen applicants must be enrolled in a school within Gilbert's boundaries and cannot be seniors during the 2023-24 academic year. The group's mandate includes reviewing existing resources, identifying service gaps, and formulating strategic recommendations aimed at resource optimization, educational outreach, and promotional activities.

Applicants are expected to engage respectfully, honestly, and transparently, focusing solely on solutions. The process requires a video interview post-application, and all participants must be residents of Gilbert.

The task force is scheduled to meet monthly from June through December, culminating in a comprehensive report to the Gilbert Town Council in December.

These are volunteer positions, reflecting the town's commitment to community-driven change. Interested individuals can apply online or request a paper application by contacting Judy Martinez at 480-503-6791 or [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is May 6, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.

New Arizona Law Accelerates Council Members' Transition from Election to Office

The state of Arizona has enacted a new law aimed at enhancing democratic representation in city and town councils. Signed by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs, House Bill 2080 allows candidates who win their seats in a primary election to immediately take office after the election results are officially canvassed, provided the seat is currently held by an appointee.

This law, sponsored by Representative Laurin Hendrix, a Republican from Gilbert, ensures that elected officials can begin their terms without undue delay, particularly when they replace appointed incumbents.

Governor Hobbs signed the bill into law last Tuesday, marking a significant shift in how vacancies are filled on non-charter city or town councils. The law stipulates that the county canvass of votes must occur within ten days after the Primary Election, thereby setting a clear timeline for the transition of power.

This legislative change was inspired by Hendrix's personal experience. In the August 2020 Primary, he won a council seat in Gilbert against Bill Spence, who was an appointee at the time.

Despite winning outright, Hendrix faced delays imposed by the town, which preferred to wait until January following the end of Spence's term. This led Hendrix to pursue legal action, resulting in a judge ruling that allowed him to assume his council seat in early November.

During legislative discussions, Hendrix highlighted the tendency of sitting councils to appoint individuals who share their ideological leanings, thereby influencing council decisions until an election.

His advocacy for HB 2080 was driven by a desire to ensure that voters' choices are respected and implemented at the earliest opportunity, reducing the influence of appointed officials who have not been elected by the public.

With the passage of this law, Arizona takes a step towards strengthening the responsiveness of local governments to their constituents by minimizing the gap between election outcomes and the assumption of office by elected officials.

Swim Season Scholarships Available to Gilbert Youth, Application Details Inside

Gilbert's youth and those participating in adaptive recreation are invited to apply for the 2024 SRP Aquatics Scholarship, aimed at facilitating access to various aquatic programs. This scholarship opportunity, available to residents aged 17 and under, provides a substantial reduction in the cost of enrolling in aquatic activities offered by Gilbert Parks and Recreation.

Starting May 25, the Greenfield, Mesquite, Perry, and Williams Field pools will open for the season, hosting a range of programs that cater to all ages and abilities. Offerings include swimming lessons, aquatic exercise classes, and diving, among others. Interested parties can view a complete list of available programs and register online at gilbertrecreation.com.

Those selected for the scholarship will receive a 90% discount on program registration fees for the duration of the aquatic season. Scholarship recipients are required to cover the remaining 10% of the registration cost.

Application Process:

Applicants are urged to complete the 2024 SRP Aquatics Scholarship application available online at https://glbrt.is/AquaticsScholarship. Additionally, they must provide documentation demonstrating eligibility such as a current Eligibility Notification Letter from either Gilbert Public Schools or Higley Unified Schools Food Service Department for participants in the Free Lunch Program, or verification of government assistance such as unemployment, nutrition assistance, or WIC benefits.

All personal information submitted will be treated with confidentiality. Applications, along with the required documentation, can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:

Gilbert Parks and Recreation
Aquatics Scholarship Application
90 E Civic Center Drive
Gilbert, AZ 85296

The approval process is swift, with eligibility confirmations sent via email within five business days. Upon acceptance, payment of the discounted fee is required at the time of registration.

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