More Good News from Town Hall: Incoming Town Manager Andrew Ching

Dear Fellow Paradise Valley Resident:

Paradise Valley’s non-partisan, limited government remains laser-focused on service with excellence.  As your Town Council sets overall policy for our Town, we rely upon the skill, experience, knowledge and advice from a top group of professional employees – led by our Town Manager – to deliver results.

We have benefited greatly from Jill Keimach’s dedication as Town Manager over the past four years.  Jill is an exemplary person and leader, and has done more terrific work to help our community than I could possibly list here.  We are very grateful that even as she retires as Town Manager, Jill will continue to help our Town with special projects on a part-time basis.  Please feel free to join us on May 24 at 2 p.m. at Town Hall if you’d like to congratulate Jill in person.

Upon searching hard for a highly qualified successor to Jill Keimach,  I am excited to share that we have recruited a person of the very highest caliber.  Please join me in welcoming Andrew Ching as Paradise Valley’s next Town Manager.  Among other distinctions and qualifications, Andrew has the valuable experience of excelling for many years as both a City Attorney and City Manager in Arizona, and has consistently risen to the top in the various roles he has earned throughout his career.  You can learn more about Andrew Ching in this press release.  I have the highest confidence in Andrew Ching and his ability to carry on the great work that is underway -- and beyond. 

Our Town is moving from strength to strength, and I remain committed to each of you and your families to maintain and enhance our Town’s standing as the finest residential community around.  Here’s to a great summer, and thank you for the privilege of serving our community as your mayor!

Respectfully,

Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner

Massive Water Rate Increases Avoided for Paradise Valley Customers

Dear Friends,

On Wednesday, I made final arguments for the Town at the Arizona Corporation Commission hearing on proposed rate increases for EPCOR water customers in Paradise Valley. I am very pleased to report that for the second time during my service as Mayor, the Town has achieved the excellent result of avoiding huge, sudden increases in water rates.  More details to be released soon, including on the savings to Town EPCOR customers and the Town.

I am thankful to the elected members of the Arizona Corporation Commission, who ultimately voted 5-0 in favor of a proposal to keep the Town’s rates separate from other water districts, despite many recommendations for them to have Paradise Valley ratepayers subsidize others.  Several years ago, EPCOR had taken its own path in proposing higher rates.  This time, EPCOR worked closely with me and our senior staff to narrow the issues and support keeping Paradise Valley in its own district, which is very much appreciated.

I am very proud of the strategic planning, work, and advocacy as your Mayor to achieve this superb outcome.  Foremost, though, I want to express sincere thanks to each and every one of our citizens who spoke up when requested by the Town.  Your time, efforts, and remarks made a big difference. 

In addition, I am grateful to the Town’s Resort Community, who worked closely with the Town to keep rates low for everyone, and spent their own time and money to do that for our community.  

As we have come to expect, the Town’s legal and staff teams did a phenomenal job staying on top of this evolving and complex matter and in executing our strategy to perfection, with community buy-in and outreach.   

Last but not least, I am very grateful to the Town Council for its hard work and engagement on this issue – every single Council Member contributed and helped in these efforts.

I hope all Town EPCOR customers can rest easier tonight (I am told by our lawyers that the rate order is subject to final appeal, but that this is unlikely given the 5-0 vote).  

Rest assured, we will not rest on our laurels, and instead I will keep focused on avoiding unwelcome spikes in utility bills for PV citizens.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Mayor.

Paradise Valley Police Department Awarded Initial Accreditation

TOWN OF PARADISE VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Informational Release

2/12/2021

Commander Freeman Carney

(480) 948-7418

Paradise Valley Police Department Awarded Initial Accreditation

On January 28th, 2021, the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police voted to award the Paradise Valley Police Department initial accreditation through the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP). The award was presented during the Paradise Valley Town Council meeting on February 11th, 2021, by President Michael Soelberg, of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police to the PVPD Chief of Police, Peter Wingert.

The Paradise Valley Police Department is now one of ten law enforcement agencies accredited through ALEAP. The Paradise Valley Police Department has proven to the ALEAP Commission (Commission) that the Department is compliant with the 175 standards that the Commission has adopted by achieving accreditation. These standards are considered “best practices” for law enforcement agencies in the State of Arizona. The initial accreditation is awarded to agencies for a 4-year period.

To be awarded initial accreditation, the Paradise Valley Police Department began a self-assessment period on April 11th, 2019. During this time, the Department revised and updated policies and procedures, audited Department operations, and provided practice-based evidence to ALEAP.

Police departments have two years to meet the 175 standards, and the Paradise Valley Police Department was ready for their final assessment in less than a year and a half. ALEAP Accreditation Manager, Commander Carney, stated, “this achievement was a team effort, and everyone in the Department pitched in to make sure we were successful. The residents and visitors of Paradise Valley can be confident that their police department provides professional police services that meet best practices for law enforcement agencies.”

Through accreditation, the Paradise Valley Police Department has voluntarily taken steps to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining professional standards to help build lasting relationships within our community that fosters trust.

To read the full final Assessment Report for accreditation of Paradise Valley Police Department by the ALEAP Assessors, please visit: https://alertpv.us/FinalAssessment

The Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP) is the accrediting agency in Arizona. For more information regarding the Arizona Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, please visit https://www.azchiefsofpolice.org/aleap-accreditation-program.

For the latest information on what’s happening in Paradise Valley, follow us on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PVPolice

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PVPolice

Website: www.ParadiseValleyPD.com

Join Alert PV: Text “AlertPV” to 78015 to get started.

Join Neighbors app: Text “PVPD” to 555888 to get started.

IT'S OFFICIAL: Jerry Bien-Willner files petitions to run for Mayor of Paradise Valley

Dear Fellow Paradise Valley Resident:

I'm proud to let you know that yesterday, I filed my petitions to officially become a candidate for Mayor of Paradise Valley. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to sign my candidate petitions as well as those who volunteered to help.

It's going to be a busy summer, as the Paradise Valley Town Council continues to engage on key issues in our community before its summer break in July. And, for those candidates running for Mayor and Town Council, early ballots will arrive in mailboxes at the beginning of August — so there should be no shortage of campaign activities over the summer.

I'm running for Mayor because I'm committed to ensuring Paradise Valley remains an exceptional place to live. My priorities as your Mayor will include:

• Maintaining our exceptional quality of life and our traditional, unique residential character in Paradise Valley.

• Ensuring police and fire service is as efficient and effective as possible in keeping us safe.

• Open communication and working with people throughout the community to build consensus around key issues.

• Limited, accountable, and open government that does not require a property tax to balance budgets and provide quality services.

• Preserving and strengthening our Town’s sense of community and unique character.

• Beneficial relationships with our resorts, schools, religious institutions and neighboring communities.

I encourage you to e-mail me directly with your feedback at jerry@jerryformayor.com, or visit our campaign web site at www.JerryForMayor.com. Again, thank you for your consideration and your support!

Sincerely,

Jerry Bien-Willner

Paradise Valley Vice Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner Announces Candidacy for Mayor in August 2018 Election

Bien-Willner Also Shows Broad Spectrum of Endorsements from Community Leaders

PARADISE VALLEY, Arizona (April 4, 2018) — Two-term Paradise Valley Vice Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner has announced his candidacy for Mayor of Paradise Valley in the August 2018 primary election.

Bien-Willner has served on the Paradise Valley Town Council since 2014 and served prior to that on the Town’s Planning Commission. During this time, Bien-Willner has established a track record of promoting and protecting Paradise Valley’s unique character and status, building consensus, working to solve key community issues, and responding effectively to resident concerns. 

As a member of the Paradise Valley Town Council and Planning Commission, Bien-Willner has been a leader in defending Paradise Valley’s unique residential character. He also has been a key voice on important issues such as public safety, fiscal responsibility, resort and residential development, and governmental transparency and accountability.

“With my Vice Mayoral term concluding, I am excited to run for Mayor with the goal of ensuring our exceptional quality of life and our community’s wonderful character continue to thrive well into the future,” Bien-Willner said.  “I will continue to dedicate my energy, skills, knowledge, and experience to the Town and its residents by providing the kind of responsible and determined leadership and consensus-building I have worked hard to exhibit throughout my past five years of volunteer service on the Town Council and Planning Commission.  I look forward to working on behalf of our residents – together with our Town Council, as a successful team – to protect the many special characteristics that make our community the best of the best in our residents’ eyes, and to enhance our community whenever possible.”

As part of the announcement of his candidacy, Bien-Willner also announced a broad spectrum of endorsements from Paradise Valley elected leaders he has had the privilege of working with while on serving on the Paradise Valley Town Council and Planning Commission. They include:

—    Current Paradise Valley Mayor Michael Collins

—    Former Paradise Valley Mayor Scott LeMarr

—    Former Paradise Valley Vice Mayor and current Councilmember David Sherf

—    Former Paradise Valley Vice Mayor and current Councilmember Paul Dembow

—    Former Paradise Valley Vice Mayor and Councilmember Mary Hamway

—    Current Paradise Valley Councilmember Julie Pace

—    Current Paradise Valley Councilmember Scott Moore

—    Former Paradise Valley Councilmember Pam Kirby

Bien-Willner was born in Phoenix.  His family moved to Paradise Valley when he was three, after which Jerry attended Scottsdale public schools (SUSD) through high school. In addition to his volunteer service to the Town, Bien-Willner is a practicing attorney and entrepreneur.  

In 2012, Jerry was appointed to serve on the Town of Paradise Valley Planning Commission.  In 2014, he was elected to a four-year term on the Town Council, and continues to serve the Town and its residents in that capacity.  Jerry has taken a lead role in the consideration of several key issues for the Town with respect to its planning, zoning, public safety, infrastructure and services.

Bien-Willner is a proud and happy resident of Paradise Valley together with his wife, Robyn, their two children, and their dog. For more information on Bien-Willner and the campaign, visit www.JerryForMayor.com.