District 1 Councilwoman Ann O'Brien

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Councilwoman Ann O'Brien's Comment on the Adoption of the Final 2021-22 Budget https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/1954City Council District 16/16/2021 10:52:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1954/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpgCouncilwoman Ann O'Brien's Comment on the Adoption of the Final 2021-22 Budget <div class="ExternalClass8F7DDD008C70470F9E508B533D15529D"><html>First, I want to thank City staff in all the different departments who have put so much time and effort into creating this budget.<br><br>My office has received well over 200 emails and phone calls asking us not to defund the police and to oppose the budget. I want to make this very clear, I do not support reducing or defunding our public safety officers. This budget, as proposed, does NOT defund the police. There has been misinformation passing around claiming the current budget will cut and/or fully defund the police. This is simply inaccurate.<br><br>In fact, this budget actually provides more funding to our public safety department in additional civilian positions created for the expansion of the Community Assistance Program, which will be designed to provide properly trained responders to deescalate situations where police officers may not be involved.<br><br>I supported the budget as written so that our police force can continue to receive the funding they need in order to keep our neighborhoods and communities safe, as well as to actively recruit more officers to maintain the recommended 2.5 officers per 1,000 residents recommendation.<br><br>This 2021-22 budget also helps to address early childhood education attainment for our most vulnerable communities. I believe a proper education for every child is the first step to raising Phoenix to the standards I know we can achieve.<br><br>This budget allocates necessary funding to help address our homeless population and works to create regional solutions with our neighboring municipalities to ensure our City doesn't bear the brunt of helping our vulnerable community members. This budget also provides necessary funds to our transit department which connects our citizens across the City. I hope to work closely with our Public Transit Department over the next year to develop new routes into the northern part of the City.<br><span style="background-color:window;color:windowtext;font-size:10pt;"><br>Once again, thank you to city staff, who put all their time and effort into creating this budget. And more importantly, thank you to all the Phoenix residents, particularly Council District 1 residents, who participated in this budget process to ensure that everyone had a voice, had an opportunity to advocate for the programs that are important to them, and to share their thoughts and ideas on the future of our city.</span><br></html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/district1Newsdistrict-1
A Message on the Adoption of the Ordinance to Establish the Office of Accountability and Transparencyhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/1919City Council District 15/20/2021 12:00:00 AMA Message on the Adoption of the Ordinance to Establish the Office of Accountability and Transparency<div class="ExternalClassC3057F7859C6495192E15092ED5CD274"><html> <p></p> <span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span> <span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Thank you to all Phoenix residents, who called or emailed the District 1 Office to express their opposition of the adoption of the ordinance that establishes the Office of Accountability and Transparency. </span> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <span style="font-size:14.6667px;">As I mentioned during the Council discussion, the Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT) is supposed to serve as a "checks and balances" mechanism. But the way it is written currently, there is no balance.  </span> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <span style="font-size:14.6667px;">For example, the ordinance states that the OAT is being mandated to employ a future director and staff members without any background in law enforcement or have family members who previously served in law enforcement. Essentially, we are creating an Office that is supposed to work in tandem with our Police Department, yet not have ANY background or experience in how these types of investigations work or carried out. How can an Office designed to provide accountability and transparency by working with our Police Department function without any institutional knowledge?</span> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <span style="font-size:14.6667px;">The city is creating an additional department and growing government to perform a process where one is already in place. Creating multiple departments and positions performing the same task is certainly a waste of taxpayer dollars. Currently, the Phoenix Police Department has a Use of Force Process. The moment there’s an application of force by an officer, the incident is either investigated by the Professional Standards Board or by the Violent Crimes Bureau. From there, the incident is either sent to the County Attorney or forwarded to the Use of Force Board, then to a Disciplinary Review Board before ultimately going to a Civil Service Board. That’s essentially five separate boards PLUS potentially being reviewed by the County Attorney. So why are we creating another Department of government to perform what is already a detailed investigation process?</span> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Again, I want to reiterate that I am supportive of increasing accountability and transparency, but by giving this Office of Accountability and Transparency FULL investigative authority, we are creating a system of checks and balances that has a whole lot of checks and not enough balances.​<br></span> ​​​<br>​<br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> <br style="font-size:14.6667px;"> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/district1Newsdistrict-1
Phoenix 2021 Inauguration Ceremonyhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/1867City Council District 14/19/2021 7:00:00 PMhttps://youtu.be/7V8Kvr84Q-gPhoenix 2021 Inauguration Ceremony<div class="ExternalClassFF08A3F618C64860943C2F105B714367"><html> <p>​On Monday, April 19, 2021 Councilwoman Ann O'Brien was officially sworn in as the City of Phoenix's District 1 Councilwoman. The Councilwoman will serve a four-year term. ​<br></p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/district1Videodistrict-1
Statement From Councilwoman Williams on the Passing of Calvin C. Goodehttps://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/1678City Council District 112/24/2020 1:00:00 AMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1678/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpgStatement From Councilwoman Williams on the Passing of Calvin C. Goode<div class="ExternalClass5843DB53827A4459B342C84AD393B924"><html> <p>​<span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>“Today we lost a living legend. Calvin broke down barriers, uplifted our city and through his leadership challenged us all to do better. His statesmanship lead to an ordinance that prohibited workplace discrimination, he was instrumental in the observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and championed many programs that still touch the lives of many Phoenicians today. His legacy is all around us and Phoenix is a better place because of him."<span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><br></p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/district1Newsdistrict-1
October 2 Statement from Councilwoman Williams on 2020 Census https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/district-1/1546City Council District 110/2/2020 8:00:00 PMhttps://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1546/Newsroom_Council_Statement_01.jpgOctober 2 Statement from Councilwoman Williams on 2020 Census <div class="ExternalClass73939724F844434F8738499C4FBADDA1"><html> <p>​“Thank you for your participation in the 2020 Census. As counting wraps up for the 2020 Census, I want to thank our residents who fulfilled their civic duty and responded, doing so will help to shape resources for children and our community over the next decade. I appreciate all of the Census workers, volunteers,  community partners, count committee members and government employees who worked so hard to help  residents get counted."​<br><br></p> <p style="text-align:center;"> <img style="margin:5px;width:462px;height:125px;" src="/district1site/MediaAssets/Census_iCount_cityofphx_logolockup_RGB_h_Opt3%20(002).png" /> <br> </p> </html></div>https://www.phoenix.gov/district1Newsdistrict-1

​Councilwoman Thelda Williams

 

 

On the Issues with Councilwoman Thelda Williams - Phoenix Sister Cities and Chinese Week4331https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1C6HjWh2Xvg/hqdefault.jpgOn the Issues with Councilwoman Thelda Williams - Phoenix Sister Cities and Chinese Weekhttps://www.phoenix.gov/phxtv/video/Video/4331On this episode of “On the Issues,” Councilwoman Thelda Williams highlights the importance of the Phoenix Sister Cities program in fostering relationships between the residents of Phoenix and it’s sister cities through economic development and education and cultural exchange programs. In the first half of the show, Councilwoman Williams explores the Sister Cities Program with Protocol Program Administrator Paula West. In the second half of the show, the councilwoman and Paula are joined by Elaine Wong, president of Phoenix Chinese Week, to learn more about this year’s Chinese Week festivities, held each February in Phoenix at Margaret T. Hance Park. For more information: http://phoenixsistercities.org http://phoenixchineseweek.org0x0120D520A8080024BEB85F89C3F04A914B972402332B7A00CAE6754F5A4FF84B9A33352EE2524CFAtext/html; charset=utf-8 PHX11Video
On the Issues with Councilwoman Thelda Williams - Transportation 20504157https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EGyIXuYIuF0/hqdefault.jpgOn the Issues with Councilwoman Thelda Williams - Transportation 2050https://www.phoenix.gov/phxtv/video/Video/4157On this episode of “On the Issues,” Councilwoman Thelda Williams is focusing on transportation and the major expansion of service hours for the city’s buses, funded by Transit 2050 funds, that just kicked off citywide. While the expanded bus service has made it easier and more convenient for residents to get to work, school and shopping, it also has created career opportunities for drivers, mechanics and bus yard staff at the city’s contract bus operators. Phoenix Public Transit Department Director Maria Hyatt is on hand in the studio to discuss the current and planned improvements from Transit 2050, while Dave Todd, Assistant General Manager with Transdev Services, talks about their efforts to recruit new employees to fill the demand for expanded bus service. 0x0120D520A8080024BEB85F89C3F04A914B972402332B7A00CAE6754F5A4FF84B9A33352EE2524CFAtext/html; charset=utf-8 PHX11Video
On the Issues with Councilwoman Thelda Williams - Animal and Domestic Violence and Deer Valley Airport5067https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wU1sJ3lQm3g/hqdefault.jpgOn the Issues with Councilwoman Thelda Williams - Animal and Domestic Violence and Deer Valley Airporthttps://www.phoenix.gov/phxtv/video/Video/5067On this episode of "On the Issues," Councilwoman Thelda Williams discusses the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse with City Prosecutor Vicki Hill and Elizabeth Ortiz of the Arizona Prosecuting Attorney's Advisory Council. Later in the show, Councilwoman Williams sits down with Deer Valley Airport Manager Ed Faron to discuss development at Deer Valley Airport, including hanger development, west perimeter road reconstruction, new signage and more.0x0120D520A8080024BEB85F89C3F04A914B972402332B7A00CAE6754F5A4FF84B9A33352EE2524CFAtext/html; charset=utf-8 PHX11Video
On the Issues with Councilwoman Thelda Williams - Metrocenter and Redevelopment4223https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gJqvj9EXp5o/hqdefault.jpgOn the Issues with Councilwoman Thelda Williams - Metrocenter and Redevelopmenthttps://www.phoenix.gov/phxtv/video/Video/4223On this episode of “On the Issues,” Councilwoman Thelda Williams is focused on redevelopment projects in District 1, especially planned renovations for Metrocenter Mall. The councilwoman interviews Christine Mackay, director of the city’s Community and Economic Development Department, about redevelopment throughout District 1 and how plans for Metrocenter will impact economic development in the city. Then she talks with Warren Fink, COO of the Carlyle Development Group, the firm redeveloping Metrocenter Mall about their plans for creating a mixed-use development at the site. 0x0120D520A8080024BEB85F89C3F04A914B972402332B7A00CAE6754F5A4FF84B9A33352EE2524CFAtext/html; charset=utf-8 PHX11Video
On the Issues with Councilwoman Thelda Williams - Paint Phoenix Purple Campaign and Blockwatch Programs - October 20164051https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xhC0nzHbkcQ/hqdefault.jpgOn the Issues with Councilwoman Thelda Williams - Paint Phoenix Purple Campaign and Blockwatch Programs - October 2016https://www.phoenix.gov/phxtv/video/Video/4051On this episode of “On the Issues,” Councilwoman Thelda Williams discusses the city’s Paint Phoenix Purple campaign to prevent domestic violence with Mo Gallegos, Director of the city of Phoenix Human Services Department. Phoenix is a leader in preventing and ending domestic violence and marks each October as Paint Phoenix Purple to increase awareness. In the second segment, Councilwoman Williams focuses on Blockwatch, G.A.I.N. (Getting Arizona Interested in Neighborhoods) night and the Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol program, a partnership with the Phoenix Police that certifies block watch groups through classes and training. She’s joined by Sgt. Scott Cain from the Phoenix Police Department and Frank Steinmetz, chair of the Cactus Wren Neighborhood Block Watch. 0x0120D520A8080024BEB85F89C3F04A914B972402332B7A00CAE6754F5A4FF84B9A33352EE2524CFAtext/html; charset=utf-8 PHX11Video

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ACTF 1st Place23https://www.phoenix.gov/district1site/MediaAssets/091598.jpgACTF 1st Placehttps://www.phoenix.gov/district1site/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=230x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214008C7328475303C04FBB59B64F05B6D605Image
Report Animal Cruelty and Abuse25https://www.phoenix.gov/district1site/MediaAssets/logo2.jpgReport Animal Cruelty and Abusehttps://www.phoenix.gov/district1site/MediaAssets/Forms/DispForm.aspx?ID=250x0101009148F5A04DDD49CBA7127AADA5FB792B00AADE34325A8B49CDA8BB4DB53328F214008C7328475303C04FBB59B64F05B6D605Image