Tangerine Road Traffic Update: Jan. 21

Beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday, January 21, through 5 a.m. Monday morning the contractor will put traffic control in place to shift motorists onto the newly paved westbound lanes at the intersection of Tangerine Road and La Cholla Boulevard. Travel lanes on La Cholla Boulevard, south of the Tangerine Road intersection, will be shifted to the west.  There may be intermittent restrictions while this traffic control is set in place.

Traffic will remain in this new configuration while the contractor continues work on the eastbound (south-side) lanes of Tangerine Road.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Kathy or Nanette at (520) 623-3073 or by email at info@tangerineroad.info. We look forward to working with you throughout the project, and encourage any feedback to ensure the Project Team can deliver a beneficial project for the whole community. 

For more information on this project, please visit www.tangerineroad.info. For more detailed schedule information please click here.

Please be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians in the area and ensure that dogs, horses and other animals are not in the construction zone to ensure the safety of all.

Marana Water involved in two award winning projects

Marana Water Department had a role in two projects that earned a Metropolitan Pima Alliance Common Ground Awards. The awards honor community leaders, real estate projects, and economic development oriented programs that overcame great obstacles through unlikely and atypical collaboration.

Marana Water was involved in the Northwest Recharge, Recovery, and Delivery System (NWRRDS) and the Arizona Pure Water Brew Challenge.

For 2017, the MPA received a list of over 50 projects, whittled them down to a top-20 and then gave awards for the top-10 projects.

The Northwest Recharge, Recovery, and Delivery System is an agreement betwen Town of Marana, Oro Valley, and Metro Water to move stored Central Arizona Project water from northern Avra Valley near the Marana Airport to the northside of the Tucson basin. This will help to reduce groundwater withdrawals and allow the north area of the Tucson Basin aquifer to recover from decades of native groundwater pumping

“As local water providers and local water users, maintaining and keeping a healthy aquifer system in the Tucson Basin and the Avra Valley sub-basin is critical not only to our current operations but to our future operations for the community as a whole,” said Marana Water Director John Kmiec.

The NWRRDS will lead to the construction of a groundwater withdrawal well field, a large diameter pipeline and a two-million gallon capacity reservoir. From that reservoir, each water provider will move their water to their respective service areas.

The project will be completed in 2025. Metro Water, the lead agency, began property acquisition in 2015 and that will continue until approximately 2018 when the design phase will begin. Construction is likely to begin in 2022.

The Arizona Pure Water Brew Challenge was the 2017 Water Innovation Challenge project, whose goal is to increase public awareness about water quality and the potential for potable reuse in augmenting local water supplies. The team consisted of Marana Water, Pima County Wastewater, Tucson Water, the University of Arizona, Arizona Community Foundation, CH2M, and Carollo Engineering.

With a prize of over $300,000 and several hundred thousand more in resources and In-kind support, the team changed state rule that at the time prohibited direct potable reuse, designed and built an advanced water purification treatment plant in a semi-trailer, and verified the purity of the water. All in less than eight months! They partnered with local brewers across the state to make beer using recycled wastewater. The hope was that by producing great tasting beer, will launch a statewide discussion on water reuse and help change the public’s perception on the concept of purifying recycled wastewater to produce safe, high-quality drinking water.

Dragoon Brewing Company in Tucson had the winning beer with their Clear Water Pilsner. Tucson’s Crooked Tooth Brewing Company’s Tamarind Sour Brown won the People’s Choice Award, while Gilbert’s Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company was the runner up. 26 brewing companies from 12 municipalities competed in the contest.

Marana Police Department issues fitness challenge

The Bod Pod will be used to measure body fat and lean muscle mass. 

The Marana Police Department believes they are the fittest public safety agency in Southern Arizona and are willing to prove it. Marana PD has issued an open challenge to see who can gain the most muscle, and lose the most body fat.

Marana PD issued the Pride 4 the Patch “Fit 4 Duty, Fit 4 Life” Fitness Challenge on Facebook, and already a number of surrounding public safety agencies have accepted. The response has been so well received that they are hoping to expand the challenge next year, possibly statewide based on the feedback from Marana PD Sgt. Scott: “We have had some agencies from the Phoenix area tell us they want in.”

On Tuesday and Wednesday, participants will have their body fat and muscle mass measured as a baseline via a Bod Pod examination. Three months later, participants will again be tested a final time and learn how much fat they have lost and how much muscle they have gained.

“This is an excellent gauge of physical fitness,” Scott said. “It is more than just losing pounds; we are measuring actual fat lost and muscle gained.”

MPD is encouraging first responders to maintain healthy levels of fitness. As a matter of historical fact, first responders are prone to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and myriad other health related problems. Providing them with the tools necessary to combat these issues will place them on the right track to enjoying long and healthy lives both during and after their career in public safety.

Three sworn personnel from each agency with the highest percentage of change from their baseline measurements will be counted as ambassadors for their agencies towards the competition. The agency with the overall highest percentage of change is the winner, and will rightfully claim the “Championship Belt” for the year. The belt will be displayed at the winning agencies headquarters.

As of Friday afternoon, personnel from Marana PD, Oro Valley PD, Tucson PD, Sahuarita PD, AZ DPS, Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Golder Ranch Fire District, Northwest Fire District, Pima Regional SWAT, Tucson FD, US Probation-Tucson Office, Pima County Sheriff’s Department-Corrections, University of Arizona PD, Pima Community College PD, and Pascua Yaqui PD have committed to this challenge. They anticipate over 160 personnel from the various agencies participating.

Tangerine Road Traffic Update Jan. 15

On Monday, January 15 the contractor will begin preparing the roadway for paving operations at the intersection of Tangerine Road/La Cholla Boulevard. The following traffic restrictions will be in place from 6 a.m. Monday, January 15 through 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 16:

• Traffic will be shifted and travel lanes reduced to one-lane in each direction.
• The traffic signal will cycle through one direction of travel at a time.
• Right turn movements from westbound Tangerine Road to northbound La Cholla Boulevard are not allowed, all other turn movements will be permitted 
• Motorists should expect delays and use an alternate route when possible.  

Landscaping and utility adjustment work along the westbound lanes of Tangerine Road from Camino de Oeste to the end of the project, west of the Dove Mountain/Twin Peaks intersection, will continue through January 24, 2018. Motorists should expect intermittent daytime lane restrictions around the work area.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Kathy or Nanette at (520) 623-3073 or by email at info@tangerineroad.info. We look forward to working with you throughout the project, and encourage any feedback to ensure the Project Team can deliver a beneficial project for the whole community. 

For more information on this project, please visit www.tangerineroad.info. For more detailed schedule information please click here.

Please be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians in the area and ensure that dogs, horses and other animals are not in the construction zone to ensure the safety of all.

Marana Police Officer named an "Unsung Hero"

Marana Police Department Officer Erin Ysaguirre was honored as one of four Unsung Heroes by the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation. The award is given for going above-and-beyond in their service to the community.

Ysaguirre and the other officers selected for the award were picked because of their dedication to their jobs and for helping the community. The honorees were recognized Wednesday, January 10, at the University of Arizona’s Hall of Champions.

Ysaguirre was recognized for her contributions to the community, both on and off duty. Her commitment to providing “unparalleled service” as a member of Marana PD, while also participating in events like Tip a Cop, the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and Special Olympics while off-duty were factors in earning the award. Ysaguirre volunteered as an instructor and represented Marana PD at Camp Fury. Camp Fury is a partnership between local public safety agencies and the Girl Scouts. The camp exposes teen girls to careers in public safety with hands on training. Ysaguirre is a regular instructor with Marana PD, Field Training Officer and mentor to newer officers. She volunteers at her daughter's school and regularly teaches at Marana PD's Citizen's Academy.

The Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation is a nonprofit foundation, which was previously known as the Tucson Police Foundation. The “Unsung Heroes” award was established in 2003 and only awarded Tucson police personnel, until this year, which is the first the award was open to other local agencies. Ysaguirre becomes the first Marana PD officer to win the award

The mission of the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation is to raise funds to help purchase equipment, technology, and officer safety training for law-enforcement agencies.

Ysaguirre has been with Marana PD since 2010. Before joining the Marana PD family, she was an officer with Flagstaff PD for three years.

Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation-SALEF

Tangerine Road Traffic Update

On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the contractor will complete work on the traffic signals at the intersection of Tangerine Road and La Cholla Boulevard. All traffic signals at the intersection will be de-energized while the work is completed.

• Officers will be on site to direct traffic through the intersection.
• Motorists should plan for delays and use alternate routes when possible.
• Work is scheduled to be completed in one day.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Kathy or Nanette at (520) 623-3073 or by email at info@tangerineroad.info. We look forward to working with you throughout the project, and encourage any feedback to ensure the Project Team can deliver a beneficial project for the whole community. 

For more information on this project, please visit www.tangerineroad.info. For more detailed schedule information please click here.

Please be aware of bicyclists and pedestrians in the area and ensure that dogs, horses and other animals are not in the construction zone to ensure the safety of all.

Marana looking for volunteers for Board of Adjustment

The Town of Marana is seeking four qualified citizens for open positions on the Board of Adjustment with terms beginning  March 1, 2018 and expiring February 28, 2022 .

The Marana Board of Adjustment is a 7-member quasi-judicial body of citizens whose main functions are (1) to hear and decide citizen appeals from the Zoning Administrator's interpretations of the Marana zoning regulations; and (2) to consider citizen requests for variances from Marana zoning regulations.

Applicants must be Marana residents.

Scheduled meetings are at 2:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month in the Council Chambers, or as needed.

The deadline to submit an application is February 1, 2018.

All applications will remain active for one year from the date of receipt. 

Applications are available at http://www.maranaaz.gov/boards-commissions and can be submitted online.  Call 382-1960 or 382-2655  for more information.

Planning Commission to hold on-site meeting

The of the Marana Planning Commission will hold an on-site meeting that is open to the general public to discuss the consideration for the development of the Abrazo micro-hospital.

The Commission will meet on Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at or after 12:30 PM at the northwest corner of Cortaro Road and Cerius Stravenue in the I-Hop parking lot.

The public is welcome at the meeting and are encouraged to give their opinions on the project. Action may be taken by the commission on this item or any other items on the agenda. Revisions to the agenda can occur up to 24 hours prior to the meeting. Any revision can be found at www.maranaaz.gov on the Town Clerk page under Agendas, Minutes and Recent Actions.

Egg Nog Jog 2018 results, photos, and video

Nearly 300 people rang in the New Year by participating in the Town of Marana’s Egg Nog Jog. The annual road race added a new distance, featuring both 5K and 10K races.

There were some serious runners taking part, as well as some people who just wanted a fitness based start to the year. Some dressed up to celebrate, while others brought their four-legged friends to take part. Some ran, some walked, some did something in between. There were plenty of other activities for both the runners and their well-wishers, including the ever-popular fun photo booth.

The race started at 9:18 a.m. with a burst of confetti to keep the festive atmosphere going.

Ina Road Update: Jan 8

Everyday more progress is being done on the Ina Interchange Project. Last month eastbound traffic was moved from the old roadway to the new surface and that paved the way for the old roadway to be dismantled.

Last week crews finished demolishing the old bridge at Ina Road. In its previous incarnation I-10 travelled over Ina Road. Now, Ina Road will travel over I-10 and the Union Pacific Rail Road, making it safer as and faster. It is similar to the project at Prince Road.

With the old bridge down, the new bridge can be completed. The bulk of the bridge on the west side of the freeway is complete, and eastbound traffic travels under the structure.

Another milestone in the project will be met by the end of January as westbound traffic will move to the new eastbound pavement. This will allow three lanes in both directions until the project is complete. Once the westbound traffic is moved the bridge and new westbound pavement can be completed.

When the work is complete in early 2019, I-10 will have four lanes in each direction, Ina Road will be two lanes in each direction and there will be two bridges over the Santa Cruz River west of I-10, each carrying two lanes of traffic.

ADOT is overseeing the $128 million project, which is funded by the Federal Highway Administration, the Pima Association of Governments and the Regional Transportation Authority. The town of Marana is contributing $7.9 million toward the cost of the new Ina Road bridges over the Santa Cruz River.

For more information on the project, visit azdot.gov/InaTI.

Town accepting applications for Marana Citizens' Forum

The Marana Citizens’ Forum (Forum) brings residents, business owners and community partners together to study and address multidisciplinary issues facing the Town.   Outcomes and recommendations are presented to the Town Council.

The Forum meets for two sessions each calendar year.  Each session consists of six 1 ½ hour meetings, held on Thursdays in the Conference Center at the Marana Municipal Complex beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The next session will begin February 15, 2018 and conclude April 17th. 

All applications will remain active for one year from the date of receipt. 

Applications are available at http://www.maranaaz.gov/marana-forum

under Community/Marana Citizens’ Forum.  Applications can be submitted online.  Call 382-1960 for additional information.

Traffic Update:

Union Pacific Railroad will be performing Crossing repairs on Cochie Canyon Trail on January 9th and 10th.

During the repair work it will be necessary to close the crossing entirely on Cochie Canyon Trail. The closure begins at 6 a.m. on the 9th and ends at 12 p.m. on the 10th.

Please take an alternate route. Detour route signs will be in place during the closure.

In the event of inclement weather, the work may be delayed without notice.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with all traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs. Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested. 

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice.

Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. 

Marana, a great place for New Year's Resolutions

Marana Interim Town Manager Jamsheed Mehta provided a Manager's Message for the latest issue of the Marana News:

A New Year is almost upon us, and with the holidays in the rearview mirror many of us will start making our New Year’s Resolutions. Some dream big by planning major life changes, while others keep their goals modest with just little life tweak here or there.

Whether your goals have to do with fitness, learning a new skill, or broadening your horizons, there is no better time to jump start your New Year’s resolutions than right now.

Marana Parks and Recreation programs are a great way to fulfill new goals. What better way to tackle those resolutions than to spring into the new year? Run, walk or jog into 2018 at the “11th Annual Egg Nog Jog”. Kickoff your fitness resolution, or have fun with family and friends at this popular event on New Year’s Day beginning at 9:18 a.m. 

This sanctioned 5K route and new 10K option begins at Continental Reserve Park and loops through the beautiful Reserve neighborhood. The race is non-competitive, but timing chips will be available on race day. Enjoy egg nog and fun raffle prizes at the finish line.

Make sure to show some 2018 spirit and you might win big. Break out those funny hats, light-up glasses, or matching shirts, because the best show of spirit will win a fun bonus prize.

 Not sure you can make it on New Year’s Day? Fear not, the Town of Marana will have another race to celebrate Mother’s Day on Saturday, May 12.

While there is no better way to get that jump start on your 2018 physical fitness endeavors, Marana residents can go “Full Steam Into Spring” through a wide variety of activities in the Prks and Recreation spring program. There is a little bit of everything for everyone.

In February, the Parks and Recreation Departments of both Marana and Oro Valley will team up for the “MOVE Across 2 Ranges – Hike Challenge”. This event is an awesome way to explore nature. Hit the trails and experience the challenge and beauty of Southern Arizona’s Tortolita and Catalina Mountains in one day. Trail run, hike, or stroll through this fun event. Hikes are as short as six miles, and as long as 21.5 miles for those with unreal endurance.

Our monthly guided hikes, horseback rides, and mountain bike rides of the Tortolita Mountain Trails continue. These popular guided treks are fantastic ways to view the scenic beauty that Marana offers.

Want something less strenuous? “Camping under the Stars” returns in April. Take the family camping at the Ora Mae Harn District Park. Sleep under the stars without having to leave town

If sports are more your thing, then Marana offers plenty of youth and adult sports leagues and lessons. For the kids, there are golf and tennis lessons and soccer leagues. For adults, there are softball leagues, open gyms for volleyball and basketball, and adult tennis lessons.

All ages can learn self-defense from “Steve Berry’s Monthly Martial Arts Academy”.

If your goals are less athletic and more academic, there is plenty to do in the Town to tackle those mental and emotional resolutions.

New parents can enjoy the “Mini Me Parent/Tot” classes, while DIY-enthusiasts really enjoy the “Make & Take” craft classes. Have a dog? You will have the best behaved pooch on the block after you take our “Ruff House: Dog Obedience Classes”.

Maybe you want to take up a new hobby? We can accommodate that. We are partnering with Pima Community College on a variety of classes from poker strategy to beginning guitar, floral design, and photography. There are classes on retirement planning, BBQ cooking, and rock and roll.

Whatever your resolution might be, the Town of Marana’s Parks and Recreation Department can help you achieve those goals. From getting fit to getting outside or to just learning a skill, there is plenty to do in Marana.

Learn more about Marana’s Park and Rec programs at http://www.maranaaz.gov/recreation

Town-wide, post-holiday clean-up

The holidays are a busy time in Marana. With all of the hustle and bustle from holiday shopping, it can leave a bit of a mess. Now that the holiday shopping season has concluded, it is time to take to the streets and clean things up. 

This week the Town’s Street Department will be conducting a town-wide clean-up of business areas due to the heavy traffic from the holidays.

The plan is  to do street sweeping as needed. Crews will clean streets that were most heavily impacted from additional holiday shopping traffic. In addition, Town crews will undertake trash and debris clean-up of business areas. 

The final portion of the Town-wide clean-up will be to address any Town right-a-way hazards.

Marana Water hosts Holiday Season grease collection and recycling

Marana Water is doing their part to help “save our sewers” by offering a Holiday grease collection. From now through Tuesday, January 2 the Marana Operations Yard at 12775 N. Sanders Road, the Town of Marana and Grecycle will collect cooking grease.

Pouring grease down the drain can cause a variety of problems to the pipes beneath your home and in the sanitary sewage system. Over time, grease buildup can obstruct pipes, reduce sewage flow, and act as a magnet for other debris. Eventually this buildup can clog pipes enough to cause a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO). An SSO is the backup of raw sewage into the street, the environment, or even into your home or other buildings through sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets.

Put your grease in an container and take it to the Sanders Road drop-off site, or place grease in a container and toss it in the trash.

The collected grease will be recycled into biodiesel, which is a cleaner burning fuel than regular diesel.

Donated toys allow police to bond with community

The Marana Police Department uses stuffed animals officers to give to children during emergency situations, but thanks to a generous donation, found themselves with more than they knew what to do with. 

PetSmart donated hundreds of stuffed animals for Marana police officers to utilize. Giving them to children during emergency situations was a primary use, they have also been useful in reaching out to the public as part of the MPD’s community policing.

Marana PD officers at the Marana Holiday Festival handed out a number to children at the event, giving officers a great opportunity to interact with young people in the community. Here’s the story behind the stuffed animals!

“It is a great way for our officers and the children of Marana to get to know each other,” said Officer David Danielson Community Resource Unit. “We think it is very important for officers and the community to get to know each other and build up a level of trust.”

The Chance, Lucky and Stanley stuffed animals have been placed in first responder vehicles and will be handed out at police sponsored events. They are also available for purchase at PetSmart now through December 24 for $5 each.

PetSmart will donate 10 percent of the sales from its Holiday Philanthropic Collection to PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada, the largest funders of animal welfare in North America, to help pets in need across the U.S. and Canada.

Marana PD has received hundreds of stuffed animals and expects to receive hundreds more as the holiday season approaches. The next time you see a Marana PD officer out and about, have your kids ask for a stuffed animal!

Marana In The Media: Sklar Is Living The Dream And Making History

Marana Town Magistrate Laine Sklar was recently profiled by Chronicle of the Horse about her love of dressage (as well as adopting two miniature donkeys). 

“My mantra is I’m living the dream,” said Laine Sklar. “My horse in my backyard.”

In early October, Sklar moved her dressage horse, Paladin SF, or “PJ,” home and acquired two rescued miniature donkeys, Tanner and Amore, to keep the 10-year-old Arabian/Trakehner (Aul Magic—Padua Go) company. Not every upper level dressage horse can claim best friends of the long-eared persuasion, but PJ gets jealous when the donkeys pay more attention to her than they do him.

“What amazing little creatures,” Sklar said of the donkeys. “I had no experience with donkeys before I got them, you read about them and how they are such soulful animals, and you are like ‘whatever.’”

But she said, the billing is accurate, and they really are quite soulful.

Sklar’s animals and riding are respite from a fulfilling but stressful job as the town magistrate of Marana, Ariz. Sklar is the sole judge for the Marana Municipal Court, and she deals with issues such as criminal misdemeanors, civil traffic violations, injunctions against harassment and orders of protection.

People don’t think of misdemeanors as a big deal, but Sklar notes they have a big impact on their lives.

Injunctions against harassment and orders of protection are often a result of felonious criminal behaviors, such as stalking and assault. “You certainly hear some horrendous factual situations,” she said.

Sklar laughingly calls herself a “typical dressage person” in that she is a self-described perfectionist and control freak. She graduated college in only three years, then went to law school, graduating from the University of Arizona in 2003. By 2006 she was Marana’s assistant town attorney, then later senior assistant town attorney, supervising the Marana’s Prosecutor’s Office. In the fall of 2015, the Town Council appointed her magistrate, the first female to hold the position in Marana’s history.

Read the rest of the story at Chronicles of the Horse

Update: Weather causes second delay of Cracker Barrel Road project

Effects from recent rains are requiring additional work to have to be performed on the Town of Marana’s Cracker Barrel Roadway Restoration Project. As a result, the asphalt paving of Arizona Pavilions Drive and Cracker Barrel Road planned for Wednesday, December 20 and Thursday, December 21 has been rescheduled. Motorists should expect the following impacts along Arizona Pavilions Drive, Cracker Barrel Road, and Hospitality Drive:  

Continuing through Friday, December 22 at 7 p.m., Arizona Pavilions Drive will be closed to all through traffic between the eastbound I-10 frontage road and just east of Continental Links Drive for reconstruction of the Cracker Barrel Road/Arizona Pavilions Intersection. During this closure, the following restrictions will be in place:

·         Cracker Barrel Road will be open for two-way, local traffic only. The road will be closed to all through traffic just south of Arizona Pavilions Drive.

·         Motorists exiting Continental Links Drive must turn right onto Arizona Pavilions Drive. No left turns will be allowed.

·         Arizona Pavilions Drive will be closed just west of the eastbound I-10 frontage road leaving access only to the New Town Buffet restaurant parking area. Motorists must exit back onto the eastbound I-10 frontage road. In order to access other businesses on Cracker Barrel Road or Arizona Pavilions Drive, motorists will be detoured along the eastbound I-10 frontage road to Cortaro Road.

On Friday, December 22, from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., asphalt paving operations will take place at the Cracker Barrel/Arizona Pavilions Intersection. During this work, the movement of haul trucks and paving equipment will impact traffic flow along Arizona Pavilions Drive. Once this work is completed, the intersection will be reopened for through traffic in all directions.

On Thursday, December 28, from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., asphalt paving of the northbound and southbound lanes of Cracker Barrel Road from just north of Cortaro Road to Arizona Pavilions Drive will be completed. During this work, movement of haul trucks and paving equipment will impact traffic flow along Cracker Barrel Road at its intersections with Cortaro Road, Hospitality Road, and Arizona Pavilions Drive and at various business driveways. Flaggers will be present to guide motorists through these work areas.

Traffic control devices and directional signs will be set up to guide vehicles through the work area. The speed limit in the work zones is 25 MPH. Business access will be maintained during construction.

For your safety and that of the contractor’s personnel, please comply with all traffic control devices, flagging personnel, and/or detour signs. Travel time through the project area may increase during construction so please adjust your schedule accordingly. Construction may restrict traffic lanes and create congestion. Taking alternate routes is suggested. 

If inclement weather or other events cause delays, the work may be rescheduled without further notice. 

Stay up-to-date on Town of Marana news, projects, and events. Visit MaranaAZ.gov, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

MPD Focus On: Frauds

Although one has to be aware of frauds and schemes all year round, they really ramp up around the holidays. It is a time many of us become generous with our charitable contributions, but the Marana Police Department wants to make sure you are giving your hard earned money to a worthwhile charity and not a con artist. 

As part of their Focus campaign, MPD is giving some tips on how to avoid frauds. 

Marana News: Town discusses new public art policy

This story originally appeared in the Marana News

The Marana Citizens’ Forum recently proposed a Public Art Policy Development to the town council that could enhance Marana’s sense of place, beauty, tourism and economy. 

“Public art, when done correctly and tastefully, improves the beauty of any given area and adds an element of sophistication and culture,” said forum delegate Kathy Officer to the council. “Public art enhances public spaces and makes them more enjoyable.”

The Marana Citizens’ Forum spends several months, twice a year, deliberating over a topic of their choice that will better the town. 

The idea is that art pieces would help build a sense of place in specific parts of town. For example, a sculpture downtown would represent the town’s center, and a work of art could enhance the Ina Road Interchange once it’s finished.

Officer said, for example, an addition that’s akin to the entryway to Dove Mountain could go in the entrance to Tangerine Sky Community Park.

“With art showcased in different areas of the town, we can address the individual identities of the town and showcase their beauty,” Officer said.

Read the full story at the Marana News