Sunday news and links roundup - May 20

It's been a great weekend working outside - sunny weather and lots of new stone tiles to lay for a new terrace in preparation of the kids' Vacation Bible School this coming July.

Lots of links on Chandler news and views today, too - enjoy!

1. New blood infuses City Council (no permalink)

Chandler’s electorate has infused the City Council with new blood and will place a 29-year-old nonprofit executive and a 36-year-old businessman on the dais next month. Voters overwhelmingly supported Trinity Donovan and Jeff Weninger in Tuesday’s general election, and the pair will become the newest members of the council.

2. Civic leaders say they’re disappointed with activist (no permalink)

Civic officials and a spokesperson for Covance said a local animal rights activist was disingenuous and hiding an agenda when she asked her supporters to start a letter-writing campaign but told them not to reveal their cause.

3. Tower to commence construction after delay (no permalink)

The sky’s the limit again for a local developer who is building a 10-story hotel near the Chandler Fashion Center. After a month of inactivity, Chandler-based developer Jeff Cline said construction would commence shortly on the four-star hotel, which is located at the southwest corner of Frye Road and the Loop 101 Freeway. “Despite the recent slowdown in activity, we’re actually about a month ahead of schedule,” Cline said. “It’s a good problem to have.”

And in the latest edition of the San Tan Sun, always an informative read for local news and views (24 MB .pdf here)

4. Donovan, Weninger elected to Council, Page 1 and 8.

5. HOA Dispute, page 1.

6. Katrina survivors start anew in S. Chandler, Page 2.

7. City budget includes lower property tax, Page 4. See also my take on this pointless "reduction" in property taxes, here.

8. New Museum finds home, Page 5.

9. Residents give city two thumbs up, Page 5.

10. Historic home to greet visitors, Page 6.

11. Nominate city heroes, Page 8

Nominations are being taken in May and June for Chandler residents, living or deceased, who displayed outstanding civic commitment, leadership, public outreach and service to the city to be honored for the new Celebration Plaza at Tumbleweed Park. Nominations are due June 30, and there is no nomination fee.

12. Chandler Chronicles and Development Update, Page 11.

13. Chamber of Commerce welcomes new members, Page 21.

14. "Focus on the positive" a letter to the editor by Mark Pentz, Page 24.

15. Oppose the recall, a letter to the editor from several city leaders:

As the representatives of Chandler’s public employees, almost 1000 hard working men and women, we were disappointed when we heard about the attempted recall of some of our City Council members. Whether or not we agree with Chandler's council members on particular issues, this is not the time for a recall.

16. Food bank serves Chandler's own, Page A+3.

17. Neighborhood Networks, Page A+8.

18. ACE Scholars hear Vice-Mayor, Page A+10.