FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Kelly Taft
MAG Communications Manager
(602) 452-5020

PHOENIX (June 28, 2012) – During a ceremony attended by nearly 300 people, the Maricopa Association of Governments honored nine partnerships and individuals in six categories who were selected to receive the 2012 Desert Peaks Awards. The awards are presented to those agencies and individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting, recognizing, and attaining the ideals of regionalism. In addition, the first-ever “Lifetime Achievement Award for Regional Planning” was bestowed upon Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, in recognition for her 22 years of service exemplifying regional cooperation.

“Even before she took office, Mayor Scruggs was involved in the ‘get out the vote’ campaign for proposition 300, which implemented the half-cent sales tax that built the regional freeway system we are driving on today,” stated MAG Chair and Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman in conferring the award. “She was a charter member and driving force in creating the Transportation Policy Committee and a primary champion of Proposition 400 to extend the tax another 20 years. She was instrumental in accelerating the regional freeway system completion by seven years. Mayor Scruggs continues to work closely with citizens, and is noted for being visible, accessible and approachable,” he said.

Awards were distributed in six categories: Public Partnership, Public-Private Partnership, Professional Service (two recipients were selected for this honor), Regional Partnership (two recipients were selected for this honor), Regional Excellence (two recipients were selected for this honor), and a new category added this year, Outstanding Economic Development Champion. See the list of projects below, as well as the partners in the project in the attached page. (Photos available on request.)

This year, two individuals were selected to receive the program’s highest honor for Regional Excellence, Avondale Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers and Tempe Councilmember Shana Ellis. Mayor Rogers was nominated “for her regional leadership in guiding the transformation of not only Avondale but the entire region through her direct engagement to ensure its economic, social and cultural vitality.” Councilmember Shana Ellis was cited for being instrumental in having the Regional Public Transportation Authority (Valley Metro) and METRO light rail work in tandem to realize significant efficiencies through a combined, streamlined regional agency.

View the Desert Peaks Awards Slideshow - 2012

2012 DESERT PEAKS AWARDS RECIPIENTS

2012 DESERT PEAKS AWARDS RECIPIENTS/PARTNERING AGENCIES

Public Partnership:  Regional Emergency Transportation Service

• Apache Junction Fire District
• Town of Gilbert
• City of Mesa
• Town of Queen Creek

Public-Private Partnership:  Gangplank Avondale

• City of Avondale
• Gangplank Collective

Professional Service:  Ed Beasley, former Glendale City Manager

Professional Service:  David Smith, former Maricopa County Manager

Regional Partnership:  Domestic Violence Protocol Evaluation Project

• City of Apache Junction Police Department
• City of Avondale Police Department
• Town of Buckeye Police Department
• City of El Mirage Police Department
• Town of Gilbert Police Department
• City of Glendale
• City of Goodyear Police Department
• Maricopa Association of Governments
• Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
• City of Mesa Prosecutor’s Office
• City of Peoria Police Department
• City of Phoenix Family Advocacy Center
• City of Phoenix Police Department
• City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office
• City of Scottsdale Prosecutor’s Office
• City of Tolleson Police Department

Regional Partnership:  Regional Wireless Cooperative/Topaz Regional Wireless Cooperative

• Apache Junction Fire District
• City of Apache Junction
• City of Avondale
• Town of Buckeye
• City of Chandler
• City of El Mirage
• Town of Gilbert
• City of Glendale
• City of Goodyear
• Town of Guadalupe
• City of Mesa
• City of Peoria
• City of Phoenix
• Town of Queen Creek
• City of Scottsdale
• City of Surprise
• City of Tempe
• City of Tolleson

Regional Excellence:  Mayor Marie Lopez Rogers, City of Avondale

Regional Excellence:  Councilmember Shana Ellis, City of Tempe

Outstanding Economic Development Champion:  Flinn Foundation

Lifetime Achievement Award for Regional Planning:  Mayor Elaine M. Scruggs, City of Glendale

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