January 5 – 18, 2013 35www.SanTanSun.com OpinionCommunity Commentary

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Wishing you a Happy New Year

from the team at the SanTan Sun News!

Publisher’s Note

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WhAT dO YOU ThINk?how can we better protect Chandler’s children? Should school staff be trained

and armed? Must funding be found for full-time police officers at every school? Or, is Sandy hook an isolated incident that shouldn’t impact current safety measures?

Send your responses to Letters@SanTanSun.com and include your community name and ZIP code for possible inclusion in a future issue of the SanTanSun News.

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by MAyOR JAy TIbSHRAENy Wrapping up our community’s Centennial

Anniversary year, this is a good time to reflect on the many positive things Chandler experienced in 2012. We kicked off our 100th anniversary in February and held a number of great events in May to honor the founding of this great city. It was heartening to see thousands of residents not only turn out for the events, but also volunteer at the many activities held.

We announced that both the University of Arizona and Arizona State University will have a presence in downtown Chandler; in fact, U of A is already holding classes in our newly refurbished Community Center.

Chandler received a number of awards and accolades in 2012. We were named one of the top 50 places to live in the United States by Money Magazine; we made the top 10 best run cities in the U.S. by the 24/7 Wall Street website; and we were recently listed as the fourth best city in America for tech company startups.

This past year, many companies announced they were expanding or moving to Chandler, bringing thousands of new jobs to the community.

We maintained focus on our neighborhoods, continuing a number of programs like our Traditional and hOA Academies, my Listening Tour stops, a voluntary demo program for substandard structures and a virtual online forum to connect residents with their elected officials during budget time.

So as you get ready to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, take some time to reflect on how well we have progressed as a community. But also remember that many in the community have not fared as well. If you can, please donate some time or make a donation to one of the many nonprofit agencies in Chandler who help those in need now and throughout the year.

A good place to find information is through Community Information and Referral Services at cir.org. They list a number of local charities that need your help.

Remember to follow me on Twitter at @jaytibshraeny and visit the City’s award-winning website chandleraz.gov for more.

Mark your calendar now for my 2013 State of the City address, scheduled for the evening of Feb. 21 in the City Council Chambers. I hope you will take the time to attend and learn more about our great city and the many exciting things that lie ahead.

Shop local in 2013 As 2012 comes to a close, many of us will make

resolutions to lose weight, read a book, learn a language or one of a million other goals we have put off to improve our wellbeing.

however, there is something we can do to make a far greater impact on our own lives and in our community: pledge to shift 10% of the money you spend from national chains to independent businesses.

Studies show that for every $100 spent at a chain, only $13 stays and benefits the local community. Conversely, $100 spent at local businesses keeps $45 in the local economy.

It is estimated that if an average American city shifted 10% of their spending from national chains to local businesses, it would bring an additional $235 million per year to the community’s economy. This equates to more jobs created, dependable services and an improved standard of living.

Easily shift 10% of your spending this year by pledging to lose that weight at a local gym, buy that book at an independent bookstore or learn a new language from a local instructor.

Find other ways to shift and 2,200 independent businesses at localfirstaz.com.

Kimber Lanning, founder and director, Local First Arizona

New taxes fund healthcareRemember “Obamacare?” Well, it’s in the news again but this time it has nothing

to do with healthcare. Part of the bill Congress passed includes various tax increases, including surtax on investment income.

The surtax, an additional tax in addition to anything else paid by the individual, is 3.8% of income derived from investments like stocks and bonds and applies to any individual whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds $200,000 or $250,000 for a couple.

If you suspect this surtax will apply to you, give some serious thought to doing a little tax planning for 2013. Consider cutting your losses on underperforming stocks that could offset gains.

If you don’t think the surtax applies to you, you’ll still want to keep your eye on changes Congress is making. The bill for “Obamacare” is expected to be huge and Congress is busy right now attempting to figure out how to fund it further.

One thing’s for certain – taxes are on the rise.

Evan Nielsen, Nielsen Law Group, PC, Queen Creek

Time to reflect on 2012

Mayor Jay TibshraenyKimber Lanning Submitted photo

36 January 5 – 18, 2013 www.SanTanSun.comOpinionCommunity Commentary

Perfect timing for “Power of One”by COuNCILMEMbER KEVIN HARTKE

Like many of you, my heart this holiday season has been bruised and my mind numbed by the horrific events at Sandy Creek Elementary School in Newtown, CT.

I can imagine nothing more senseless or tragic than what occurred in that small suburban community. And I wrestle with emotions that range from sorrow to frustration, anger to resignation. It’s as if I need to do something, say something. Something that can help, that can make a difference. Something that can make me feel better.

Experts tell us to seek out our friends, embrace our families, express

our feelings. Good advice for sure, but it’s going to take a while to calm the turbulence within me. And I would bet that I am not alone.

The community in Newtown will rally around each other and provide comfort. We can do the same here. I wish to share something I just became aware of that offers the opportunity for personal involvement in something positive and emotionally nourishing.

The Greater Phoenix Jewish Film Festival and East Valley Jewish Community Center (EVJCC) are bringing an event called “The Power of One” to the Chandler Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Sat., Jan. 12.

The event includes a screening of the film “Nicky’s Family,” the story of one man, Nicholas Winton, who quietly organized the rescue of more than 600 children before the outbreak of World War II.

An accompanying awards ceremony will honor Chandler Police, Fire and community volunteers and include a call to action as attendees have the opportunity to connect with community organizations during a pre-event fair.

It is the kind of event that celebrates the goodness in people and our ability to make a positive difference in the lives of others. The critically acclaimed film has won 29 awards, including 12 audience awards from U.S. film festivals.

dozens of Winton’s “children” have been found and to this day his family has grown to almost 6,000 people, many of whom have gone on to achieve great things themselves.

Proceeds from the event will contribute to the building of the Center for holocaust Education & human dignity planned for the property located next to the EVJCC near the southwest corner of Ray and Alma School roads.

Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for active military and veterans, available at evjcc.org, or by calling 480-897-0588.

Kevin Hartke is director of For Our City-Chandler

SIR WINTON: In addition to formal recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives, Nicholas Winton was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in honor of his heroic deeds. Submitted photo

LIFE ON FILM: The story of Nicholas Winton, who rescued hundreds of children just prior to World War II, is told in the film “Nicky’s Family,” screening at Chandler Center for the Arts Jan. 12. Submitted photo

SAVIOR: Nicholas Winton pictured as a young man with one of the children he rescued and more recently with a group of his survivors. Submitted photo