Desert Peaks Awards 99REGIONAL EXCELLENCE HONORED THROUGH DESERT PEAKS AWARDS
Desert Peaks Awards 99
REGIONAL EXCELLENCE HONORED THROUGH DESERT PEAKS
AWARDS
PHOENIX (June 24, 1999) — From a cooperative agreement providing life-saving fire protection in the East Valley, to a coalition of cities promoting economic growth in the West Valley — the Maricopa Association of Governments honored those committed to regionalism at its Desert Peaks Awards last night.
The awards honor excellence in regional cooperation between MAG member agencies, citizens, public agencies and the private sector. Individuals and organizations throughout the Maricopa region vied for awards in five categories. The winners of each category are italicized below:
Public Partnership.
Automatic Aid Agreement. The cities of Apache Junction, Chandler,
Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Phoenix and Tempe have developed a plan
which provides automatic aid for fire protection and emergency
services across jurisdictional boundaries. Automatic Aid is an
agreement with neighboring fire departments to automatically respond
with the closest available fire apparatus to an emergency incident.
Automatic aid offers improved emergency service to citizens, providing
families, friends and neighbors with the highest level of service
— potentially saving lives by ensuring the closest available
unit is dispatched within participating jurisdictions.
Public-Private Partnership.
WESTMARC. The Western Maricopa Coalition (WESTMARC) is a partnership
of more than 400 business, community and government members representing
15 Western Maricopa County communities. WESTMARC was founded in
1990 to promote a positive image for the Western Maricopa County
region and to lobby on the behalf of its member agencies. WESTMARC
works to influence public policy to ensure quality growth and
overall community development within a vital section of the Maricopa
Region. The WESTMARC partnership has greatly enriched the lives
of West Valley citizens and enhanced the quality of life of all
West Valley communities.
Distinguished Service.
Katherine P. (Ginny) Hildebrand. Ginny Hildebrand currently serves
as Executive Director of the Association of Arizona Food Banks.
This organization works with food banks to strengthen communities
in order to build a well-nourished Arizona. Ms. Hildebrand has
been employed by
AAFB since 1985, and has held the position of Executive Director
since 1987. Called "the single most influential person in
Arizona's anti-hunger network," Ms. Hildebrand works tirelessly
to bring state agencies, corporate and religious communities,
and other non-profits into the effort to nourish Arizona's communities.
Ms. Hildebrand is a member of the Department of Economic Security
Hunger Advisory Council, the Arizona Community Action Association
Food and Nutrition Advisory Committee, the Western Regional Council
of Food Policy Advocates, and Bread for the World. She is the
first woman to be an honorary member of the Boy Scouts of America
and sits on BSA's Board of Directors. Ms. Hildebrand has spearheaded
advocacy efforts in Arizona that have resulted in the passage
of legislation resulting in millions of dollars in appropriations
for Arizona food banks. Nationally, she has played a lead role
with other state and national advocates to retain support of commodity
distribution programs for low-income Americans.
Regional Partnership.
Williams Gateway Airport. Seven years ago, the Department of Defense
announced that Williams Air Force Base would be closed in September
1993 — a projected loss of $300 million of economic activity.
But the East Valley communities of Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek
and the Gila River Indian Community were determined to ensure
the successful future of Williams Gateway. Through an intergovernmental
agreement, the communities executed a joint powers agreement to
contract for services in regard to ownership, development, reuse,
operation and maintenance of the facilities — and eventually
led to the creation of an airport authority. The successful development
of the airport will benefit not only the East Valley, but the
entire region.
Regional Excellence.
Mary Lynn Kasunic, Director, Area Agency on Aging, Region One.
Mary Lynn Kasunic is Director of the Area Agency on Aging, Region
One, which is the hub in Maricopa County in meeting the needs
of all handicapped and older persons in the county. Under Ms.
Kasunic's guidance, the Area Agency on Aging carries out a wide
range of functions related to advocacy, planning, interagency
linkages, information sharing, and enhancement of a community
based elder-support system serving each community in Maricopa
County. This system links older adults and persons with disabilities
and long-term care needs with programs and services to enhance
their lives. During 1998, the agency served more than 50,000 people.
The winners were announced during a ceremony at the Airport Marriott hotel in Phoenix. Video and photographs of the awards program are available. For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Kelly Taft at (602) 452-5020.