May 18 – 31, 2013 39www.SanTanSun.com OpinionCommunity Commentary

by Mayor Jay TibshraenyChandler’s high-tech hub helps drive

state economyA recent opinion piece by Robert Robb

in the Arizona Republic, “Despite jabs, economy remains strong in Ariz.,” May 1, 2013, brought out a pretty intriguing statistic. He cited a U.S. Chamber of Commerce report that ranked Arizona 12th in the nation in high-tech companies

as a percentage of all business.Certainly, Chandler has played a key role in that standing as

we have steadily emerged as the Innovation and Technology Hub of the Southwest. This does not happen overnight. For decades, Chandler has followed a carefully managed plan to create a high-tech presence. Beginning with Rogers Corp. and Intel in the late 1980s, we continue to this day to bring new, STEM-based (Science, Technology Engineering and Math) jobs to our community.

The recent announcement by General Motors to place its research and development Innovation Center to the Price Road Corridor is indicative of the success we have had by charting this strategic course. Beyond the $5 billion investment in its newest fabrication plant in south Chandler, Intel is also building an R&D facility in west Chandler. This bodes well for the region, if not the state on a number of levels. Chandler has done well to lure manufacturing to its borders over the years. Adding research jobs diversifies the employment base and opens new avenues for suppliers and other cottage industries to grow and thrive.

Beyond the larger companies with a presence in Chandler, such as Infusionsoft, Microchip and Orbital Sciences, we are also cultivating many start-ups at Innovations, a model incubator for tech development. American Express Open Forum placed Chandler among the four best places in the country for tech start-ups last year for good reason.

Cummings Engineering, a developer of mobile encryption technology, was one of the first tenants at Innovations, and a growing leader in the field of smart phone technology. Cummings was recently awarded a job training grant through the Arizona Commerce Authority to allow for the expansion of 53 new positions for the company. Another tenant, Serious Integrated, was a winner of the Arizona Commerce Authority’s 2012 Innovation Challenge grants program—one of 10 companies in the state to receive the designation.

All of the companies noted here provide high-paying sustainable jobs that fuel the state’s economy. Businesses find Arizona attractive because we do have a very talented workforce thanks in large part to a quality state university system that is producing a creative class of skilled labor at all levels. Arizona State University will soon begin renovations of a former city public works yard to expand its College of Technology and Innovation that will include the state’s first Tech Shop.

Our collective efforts to make this state, region and community a great place to do business are paying off. And dynamic knowledge and technology hubs like the Price Corridor will continue to move Arizona’s ranking up the ladder.

by Marc J. VicTorArizona has an initiative

process whereby citizens can get a proposition on the ballot for voters to approve. If the citizens approve the proposition, it becomes law. Elected officials are allegedly elected to “serve the

people” they represent. It sounds great! However, in practice, things aren’t always as they appear.

When it comes to marijuana, some of our elected officials are confused about who they represent. When proposition 200 was passed in 1996, it deleted the prison option for first time marijuana users and mandated drug counseling instead. Despite the obvious common sense in the voter-approved initiative, the Arizona legislature effectively invalidated it. The voters had to effectively pass it again. Despite the drug war apologists’ warnings, the sky didn’t fall. Indeed, it has been good for Arizona, and it was a small step in the right direction.

This time, Arizona voters have approved medical marijuana. Despite this fact, it seems both Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery are doing everything they can to thwart the will of the very people they were elected to represent. Both of these elected officials, who have each loudly voiced their personal support for the failed war on drugs, have run to the courts in an attempt to apparently enforce their personal views rather than represent the will of the people.

Despite the will of the voters, and despite court rulings against them by Judge Susan Bolton in the federal court and Judge Michael Gordon in the state court, these elected officials continue to waste tax payer funds by continuing their court battles to appellate courts. It all begs the question, “Who do they represent?” It also begs the question, “Why would Arizona voters retain elected officials who so blatantly work contrary to the clear will of the people?”

From what I’ve seen, I don’t expect Gov. Jan Brewer to ever understand or respect the rights of peaceful competent adults to control their own bodies. She seems, to me, hopelessly enmeshed in the old school failed politics of the extreme religious right wing stuffy big brother conservative crowd. However, County Attorney Bill Montgomery seems much brighter. I am hopeful he could someday repent for his past sins and join the new emerging Rand Paul-type Republicans who promote freedom and actually desire strictly limited government. Admittedly, Mr. Montgomery is off to a bad start.

However, the drug war is destined to end. It was a horribly un-American idea in the first place. Shockingly, it exists despite the relatively recent and

clear lessons of alcohol prohibition, but it will die for exactly the same reasons. It has already started. Now, lots of states have medical marijuana and two states have legalized marijuana possession for all purposes. More states will surely follow. The sky isn’t going to fall. Indeed, honest statistics and observations will undoubtedly reveal countless benefits.

The time we live in is exciting for lots of reasons. Given that the drug war is coming to an end, pro-freedom people have a great opportunity to make the case for freedom. Rather than arguing the obvious economic and practical benefits of ending the drug war, we have an opportunity to argue for real self-ownership. We will soon have a great opportunity to argue that free and competent adults own themselves, and therefore must be free to peacefully use or abuse their own bodies as they wish. I realize a real free society can be scary, but freedom is worth it. SAYING you are for a free society is easy; actually BEING for a free society is much harder.

Hopefully, Mr. Montgomery will soon be out of court options in his misguided quest to thwart the will of those he represents. Undoubtedly, like other states, Arizona will likely soon have an initiative to legalize marijuana possession for all purposes. Eventually, I expect it will become law.

Instead of working against the will of the people and for failed programs, Mr. Montgomery should use his prosecutorial discretion to protect the public. After all, that is his job. As the elected Maricopa County Attorney, Mr. Montgomery should dedicate all prosecutorial resources of his office to prosecuting people who actually hurt and trespass against others. He could prosecute crimes that actually have victims instead of prosecuting people for fake crimes that involve no victims at all. Such an effort is actually consistent with the will of those he represents, and would have the greatest positive impact on the safety of Maricopa County residents. Indeed, diverting precious resources away from prosecuting dangerous and violent people so non-violent marijuana smokers, growers, transporters and sellers can be prosecuted is ridiculous.

Instead of working against the will of the people, Arizona’s elected officials could actually take the lead and advocate for freedom, instead of against it. Especially given all the well-deserved bad press Arizona has garnered over the immigration issue, we could benefit from being a respected national leader on ending the disastrous drug war.

I have lived in Arizona since 1989, and I love so much about our state. Instead of being at the tail end or even in the middle of the pack of states eventually moving to end the foolish drug war, we should be a leader and do it for all the right pro-freedom pro-American reasons!

Marc J. Victor is a former U.S. Marine whose law practice is located in Chandler.

Chandler’s high-tech hub helps drive state economy

Who Do These People Represent?

publisher

Steve T. Strickbinepublisher emeritus

Laurie Fagenaccount executives

Jane MeyerDebbie Jenningswebsite maintained by

Susan Kovacs, n-ergizing

DeadlineeDiToriaL anD aDVerTisinG:

NOON WED., MAY 22, 2013

FOR THEJUNE 1, 2013 ISSUE

35,000 Total circulation

27,250+ Driveways

Fifty square mile coverage areafrom Price/101 to Greenfield

and from Frye to Hunt Highway.

mailing address:PO Box 23Chandler, AZ 85244-0023telephone:480-732-0250fax:480-883-8714©2013 SanTan Sun News

For News Tips, EditorialArticles, Opinion orClassifieds, email is preferred.news email address:News@SanTanSun.comads email address:Ads@SanTanSun.comwebsite address:www.SanTanSun.com

ad design

Christine Bryner, Studio 509layout design

Tad Smith, The Design Ideacontributors

Wendi OlsonSuzanne IncorvaiaJeff HensleyLorena DeCristofaroKatie PerryKathie ButtersXimena Rodriguez

executive editorShanna Hogan

editorChristina Fuoco-Karasinskinews editorKristen ShermanwritersLynette CarringtonTracy HouseK.M. LangAlison Stantonsection editorsTeri CarnicelliTracy HouseSharon McCarsonSteven Solomon

Proud member of the

40 May 18 – 31, 2013 www.SanTanSun.comOpinionLetters to the editor

oops – In the May 4 issue of the SanTan Sun News, on page 25, it should have identified the president of Foothills Insurance Agency as George Markovich. Jeff Tagsold is the president of Auto-Owners, which announced that Foothills Insurance Agency was named one of the Top 10 growth agencies for the company in Arizona for 2012.

We know you have an opinion! Share it with the SanTan Sun News. Unless you’re the Mayor, however, please keep your Letters to the editor around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, community or development name in Southern Chandler (Cooper Commons, Ocotillo, Sun Groves, etc.) or ZIP code and daytime phone number for verification. Anonymous letters are not typically accepted. Email is the preferred submission method, to Letters@SanTanSun.com.

All submitted Letters to the Editor and Community Commentaries become the property of the SanTan Sun News and may be reprinted in part, quoting the letters’ authors, or in their entirety. Your submission to the SanTan Sun News is considered your permission to print your written opinion. Opinions expressed in Community Commentaries, Letters to the Editor or cartoons are those of the author, and not that of the SanTan Sun News.

have a story idea or news tip? Know of an interesting photo opportunity? How about positive feedback or constructive comments? We’d like to hear from you. Email us at News@SanTanSun.com.

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to the women of Mesa, Arizona Hermosa Vista Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My Sisters’ Place recently received 60 beautiful handbags filled with an assortment of makeup, jewelry, lotion, perfume and notes filled with love and encouragement for the women in our shelter.

Too often women fleeing domestic violence must escape in a hurry, with only enough time to gather some clothes and few of their children’s favorite toys. Receiving such a lovely gift of encouragement reminds our women that they have value, that people do care, and gives them strength to build an independent life free from abuse for themselves and their children.

My Sisters’ Place has been providing shelter and assistance to women and their children who are fleeing domestic violence since 1985. We are one of only two confidential domestic violence shelters serving the East Valley. We provide a private, comforting environment for safety and recovery. Last year, we provided 8,308 nights of safety for 309 women and children.

Again, on behalf of the shelter and the women we serve, thank you to the women of Hermosa Vista Stake and to the community for their continued support in helping women escape abuse.

In gratitude,

Sheryl Christianson, senior program manager, Catholic Charities Community Services

Chandler

Thank you Hermosa Vista Stake for donation