Visual corridors: Paradise Valley council hopefuls talk planning parameters

On Tuesday, Aug. 28, local voters will elect a new mayor and three people to Paradise Valley Town Council.

Paradise Valley Vice Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner, who is running unopposed, is seeking the top spot at the apex of the local governing board while four council candidates are seeking one of three seats.

Paradise Valley Town Council candidates are:

• Ellen Andeen — a Paradise Valley Police Department volunteer.
• James Anton — a member of the Planning Commission.
• Paul Dembow — an elected member of Paradise Valley Town Council seeking re-election.
• Anna Thomasson — a member of the Board of Adjustment.

The Town of Paradise Valley does not hold district elections as the mayor is directly elected and the council hopefuls run at-large.

The Town of Paradise Valley Independent reached out to each candidate to offer the second installment of an eight-part series focused on the issues that matter to local residents.

This week’s installment is focused on what the importance of the both the General Plan and new provisions meant to protect visually significant corridors of the community.

This is what candidates had to say:

Jerry Bien-Willner

•As a resident of Paradise Valley what weight do you give the municipality’s General Plan?

The General Plan remains an important document in that it provides a reference point for many of the planning and aspirational questions that our community may encounter. That said, it is not intended to act as a substitute for the informed judgment of the public’s representatives on the specific issues our community considers, nor do I believe it should serve to mute the voices of our residents or other stakeholders on those issues.

Read the entire article at this link.

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 deserves the best leadership possible for a bright future

By Jerry Bien-Willner

Vice Mayor  |  Candidate for Mayor

When you take a step back and think about it, we are truly privileged to live in a remarkable community.

It’s a place where the incredible beauty of our scenery is matched by an unparalleled quality of life, and where we have found a balance between responsible growth and unique character. Ours is one of the most affluent communities in America, and yet its operations can be funded without a property tax.

Paradise Valley is one-of-a-kind, and the attributes that make it an incredible place to live deserve and need protection.  That’s why I have decided to run for Mayor in the August 2018 primary election.

By way of background, I grew up in Paradise Valley.  I moved away for my education, and then worked on both coasts as a successful professional.  I met my soulmate in New York City, where my wife-to-be worked in the corporate world of fashion.  My wife (who was raised in California) and I decided to return to P.V. to raise our family – we have never looked back or had a single regret.  

I have served on the Paradise Valley Town Council since 2014 and served prior to that on the Town’s Planning Commission. I have always worked diligently to establish 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.  Like most Paradise Valley residents I have spoken with over the years, we chose Paradise Valley because we love our Town.  I have therefore always been committed to the principle that actions taken by the Town’s government should be well-considered, necessary, transparent, geared toward success, and, most importantly, enjoy the support and backing of our residents.

As my second consecutive term as your Vice Mayor concludes, I’m 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. 

My top priorities if I am chosen your Mayor will be consistent with the vision our community’s leaders have had for decades:

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

• Limited, accountable, and transparent 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 and strong relationships with our Town’s resorts, schools, religious institutions and neighboring communities.

As I have experienced first-hand in my service as a Councilman and your Vice Mayor, there will be challenges ahead for our community and to our way of life.  If privileged to serve as your Mayor, 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, vision, and consensus-building I have worked hard to exhibit throughout my past five years of volunteer service on the Town Council and Planning Commission.  Along with my passion for our Town and my civic experience, I will also bring to bear for our residents my valuable professional experience as a lawyer and entrepreneur. 

I am honored to have earned the support of those who have worked closest with me, including the past two mayors of Paradise Valley — Michael Collins and Scott LeMarr — as well as many esteemed colleagues from the Town Council. I have greatly enjoyed working with and learning from them over the past several years. Moving forward, I’m excited about what our Town Council can accomplish as a successful team working together on behalf of our residents!

I invite any and all Paradise Valley residents to let me know if they have questions, comments, ideas or concerns about the Town’s services and its future. For more information on my campaign, feel free to contact me directly at jerry@jerryformayor.com or visit www.JerryForMayor.com.

Paradise Valley has a rich history and a bright future. I am asking for your continued support so I can keep working to protect our incredible quality of life as Mayor.

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.

Task force assembling with aim to solve Paradise Valley cell phone woes

From the Paradise Valley Independent

Paradise Valley Town Council is looking to solve a problem that has plagued residents and visitors alike since the dawn of the Digital Age: cell phone reception.

Because of the community’s geography and land-use patterns, traditional macro cell sites are limited within town limits. Sloping hillsides and mountains create challenges to the quality of cell phone coverage and how that service can be improved, town officials say.

But a solution will be found, contends Paradise Valley Mayor Michael Collins and Vice Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner, as Paradise Valley Town Council are forming a citizen task force to develop workable solutions the community can live with.

Read the entire article at this link.

Paradise Valley unanimous in support of Vice Mayor Bien-Willner

From the Paradise Valley Independent

Paradise Valley Town Council unanimously reappointed its Vice Mayor, Jerry Bien-Willner for a second consecutive year.

Mr. Bien-Willner was first appointed to the position of vice mayor in January 2017.
While the municipality elects a mayor every two years, the vice mayor is appointed by the group of elected officials.

During a Jan. 11, Paradise Valley Town Council meeting, Mayor Michael Collins asked his colleagues for nominations for the vice mayor’s seat — Mr. Bien-Willner was the only nomination.

“First of all, I want to thank Jerry Bien-Willner who has been vice mayor for the last year,” Mayor Michael Collins said during the meeting, noting that Mr. Bien-Willner had excelled in his performance and duties.

“It has been my experience that Jerry has demonstrated great concern for residents and a commitment and interest to the town.”

The role of vice mayor has evolved over the years, Mayor Collins said, and now the role serves as a liaison between the council and Planning Commission.

Read the entire article at this link.

The pursuit of happiness remains focus of Paradise Valley Town Council

From the Paradise Valley Independent

“As I often share with people who ask about Paradise Valley, in many ways our elected leaders’ top priority is to protect and preserve what our community has already achieved through the vision and work of its founders and residents — that mandate has many dimensions, and public safety is always a key area of emphasis,” said Paradise Valley Vice Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner in a Dec. 27 statement.

“We need to stay alert and prepared for any curve balls that may come our way, while also not trying to seek solutions for problems that don’t exist.”

Vice Mayor Bien-Willner expects to work closely with his mayor and fellow members of council to maintain a positive working relationship as municipal happenings unfold in the new year.

“We always focus on public safety. Other areas of focus should be maintaining the town’s financial health while striving to maintain or achieve town service levels at an ‘A-plus’ standard, responding effectively to resident concerns, avoiding any wasteful or untimely spending, and working with the cell industry to improve cell phone service coverage in our town without sacrificing the hard work that has been done to promote the town’s high aesthetic standards and beautiful vistas.”

Read the entire article at this link.

Town of Paradise Valley begins municipal budget deliberations

From the Paradise Valley Independent

Things are good in the Town of Paradise Valley as local leaders heard the initial public offering on the municipality’s operating budget for the coming fiscal year.

Paradise Valley Town Council Thursday, April 13 hosted a work session discussion on budget parameters for fiscal year 2017-18 where elected leaders heard reports of more revenue and new town projects in the timeline.

Paradise Valley Town Manager Kevin Burke says fiscal year 2017-18 could be a banner year for the municipality.

“The reopening of two landmark resorts in Paradise Valley along with the strengthening state economy and its related revenue sharing with the town set the tone for a positive fiscal year,” said Mr. Burke in an April 6 memo to members of town council.

Within Mr. Burke’s budget is an earmark of $52 million for the municipality’s total funds budget — a number that also includes capital improvement projects — while the town’s operation budget is pegged at $29.7 million.

“This is a 7.8 percent increase or $2.1 million,” Mr. Burke said. “The vast majority of that can be attributed to the new resorts with the balance coming from state-shared revenues.”

Read the entire article at this link.