Chandler links roundup - May 11th

Today's key political news and views in Chandler and environs culled from AZCentral:

1. City Hall alternative site (Site 7) has too much downside

Everything has to be somewhere, and right now Chandler is looking for a site for a new City Hall. A yearlong study by consultant RNL Design brought a solid, well-researched recommendation but Chandler City Council has hesitated to agree to it.

We already have advocated for the recommended site, at Chicago Street and Arizona Avenue, on the basic physical specifications alone. But there are other issues swirling around the council's hesitation of which residents should be aware.

2. Watchdogs better than zoning to address payday-loan centers

Phoenix City Council is trying to limit the number of payday-loan centers through zoning regulations. Recently, the Ahwatukee Foothills Village Planning Committee voted not to endorse the zoning regulation.

Payday-loan centers are not a problem in Ahwatukee. At most, the village has two. Yet the existence of any contradicts a common misperception that everyone in Ahwatukee lives by comfortable means.

3. Tempe ministry trying to help homeless

The need to address homelessness is growing in Tempe. And yet, the more the city seems to delve into the issue, the further it gets from finding any real solutions.

Consider the newest dust-up over the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program, a new Tempe-based ministry that is feeding and sheltering homeless in neighborhood churches.

4. Dist 21 GOP scheduling conflict with City Hall Election

The first forum for Republican candidates for District 21 legislative races is Tuesday night at the Vision Gallery in downtown Chandler. But it's not likely to draw a big local crowd of political activists because that's city election day, and there's a contentious Chandler City Council runoff.

...Forum organizer Maryanne Caccamo, wife of Chandler City Councilman Bob Caccamo, said she was unaware of the election conflict but there's no plan to reschedule. (Emphasis added.)

5. Mentors would 'adopt a neighborhood'

Chandler officials are testing the idea of pairing neighborhoods in a mentor program so they can help each other work through organizational issues.

6. Parents, staff can query Kyrene superintendent finalists

Parents and staff will have the chance to question finalists vying for the superintendent job in the Kyrene district later this month and in early June.