Page 6 September 2011 This month’s report from Justice Steven Sarkis I was recently summoned for jury duty in the Maricopa County Superior Court. Although I would actually like to sit on a jury, having an active judge on a jury invites various potential issues. So naturally, I was not picked. Yet the whole process once again reminded me just how important this civic duty is not just to my court, but all courts. From the beginning, American law has long viewed the jury system as an effective means of drawing on the collective wisdom, experience and fact- fi nding abilities of everyday people. Most citizens likely underestimate just how fundamental they are to the legal system in this respect. Without the ability to summon a jury of one’s peers, the justice system would likely grind to a halt. Without jury trials, each and every case would be left to the discretion of a judge. Understand that judges try to do their very best to apply the law to each and every ruling. Some cases, however, are so evenly split, with both sides presenting valid cases, that a judge must use discretion. With a jury, this is not an issue. Jury trials enable a panel of one’s peers to draw upon the above mentioned attributes in an effort to decide a person’s fate. On a side note, it’s worth mentioning that when compared with many other communities around the Valley, ours has a much smaller percentage of DUI cases. In my opinion, this can be attributed to the limited number of bars, night clubs, or other alcohol establishments in the Arcadia/Biltmore area. Fewer alcohol establishments likely equates to fewer alcohol-related incidents, such as DUI. Courts in some parts of the Valley, such as those with Tempe’s Mill Avenue or Old Town Scottsdale within their jurisdictions, do indeed have more DUIs and more jury trials. While it may be an occasional inconvenience, or worse, jury service is one of the most necessary civic duties that we possess as citizens of this great country. In addition, the ability to hold jury trials is imperative to the justice system. So, next time you are summoned for jury duty, please remember how important this duty is as a citizen, how much weight it can occasionally take off the shoulders of judges and just how much it means to our legal system as a whole. Steven Sarkis is the justice of the peace for the Arcadia Biltmore Justice Court. This month’s report from Councilman Sal DiCiccio The biggest myth or misrepresentation in the city election is that there is no grand vision being discussed. I disagree. While the vision being discussed is not new or complicated, it is both jolting to the system and necessary if Phoenix is to be the great city many of us envision. Our world changed big about fi ve years ago. Citizens and businesses have struggled to fi gure out how to survive in this new environment. Some have done so better than others. But Phoenix city government leaders continue to play hold and hope – following the same path that got us here and hoping that the economy bounces back and saves them from having to do hard things. Well, the real estate-driven business environment that buoyed Phoenix through multiple national recessions is not coming back, at least not for a while. When the business cycle kicks back up, it won’t be to the same local economy that was so (some say solely) dependent on real estate growth to sustain itself. Cities and other governments had grown fat counting on the ever-rising real estate prices to drive tax revenues. That’s over, and it’s time to think differently. The “how you think differently” is the vision that is being discussed. The pundits who fail to see the vision discussion are those who can only think of vision as an expensive and expansive new government project. Rather than adding another project we can’t afford and that government doesn’t do well, the new vision for Phoenix is to do fewer things and do them a lot better. Phoenix can lead the nation out of the recession by creating a well-run, business- (and jobs) friendly structure, one that focuses on its core responsibilities and gets out of the way of the rest of the economy rather than trying to bleed it for its own bene fi t. That means that businesses would be able to get plans approved and through the permitting process at their own pace, paying private, certi fi ed professionals, rather than begging bureaucrats to let them start creating jobs. The city would act as an auditor, a check and balance. The city should also slowly move to the private sector functions that can do as well or better, and do so without expensive, life-long pensions that taxpayers have to fund forever. Left to focus on such duties as public safety and libraries, with a fairly but not extravagantly compensated work force, Phoenix will get out of the way of job-producing businesses that create a robust and prosperous economy. Phoenix no longer can afford to pay itself and its employees market rate and a half, banking on taxpayers’ home equity to fund that. Continued on page 12 Cell: () - • Office: () -  E. Camelback Road, Suite , Scottsdale cionne.mccarthy@russlyon.com www.CionneMcCarthy.com Cionne Cionne McCarthy McCarthy for those who expect excellence Put Cionne’s knowledge of Arcadia, Paradise Valley, and Scottsdale to work for you! With over 29 years of Luxury Real Estate experience in the Valley, Cionne can help you navigate your way to a timely and successful close. A proud Arcadia resident for 27+ years A top RLSIR real estate sales producer for over 25 years Ranked by The Business Journal as one of the Top 25 Realtors in the Valley Member, Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors for Luxury Home Tour Listing Agent for the sold Arcadia Home designed/built by Frank Lloyd Wright for son, David $3,200,000 ~ 6901 N O R T H H I G H L A N D S D R I V E $2,250,000 ~ 5111 E A S T B U T L E R D R I V E $2,200,000 ~ 5317 E A S T D E S E R T V I S TA R O A D $1,290,000 ~ 6323 N O R T H 61 S T P L A C E $500,000 ~ 2544 E A S T D E N T O N L A N E $390,000 ~ 18282 N O R T H 92 N D S T R E E T Listed = SOLD HOMES BY CIONNE MCCARTHY Sold Sold Sold Sold

Arcadia Ranch 4853 E. Calle Del Medio • $895,000 5 Bedroom / 4 Bath • 4,350 square feet Charming Rental 2917 E. Mariposa • 1,850/month 2 Bedroom / 2 Bath • 1,775 square feet 4624 E. Mulberry St. • $355,000 3 Bedroom / 2 Bath • 2,100 square feet Charming Ranch visit Tommy Atkinson .com Free MLS Access • Complete list of ALL Hopi properties for sale • Complete List of ALL Tavan properties for sale • Complete list of ALL Arcadia foreclosures 2011 Tavan School District Sales Results (1/1/2011 – 7/31/2011) Homes Sold - 142 homes Average Sale Price - $215,776 Average Sold $ Per SF - $110 Average Days On Market - 108 Days • 2011 total home sales have increased 40% this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) • Home prices have decreased 26% this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) • $ Per SF prices have decreased 22% this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) • Homes are taking 22% less time to sell this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) 2010 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Results Homes Sold - 145 Homes Homes Sold - 145 Homes Average Sale Price - $294,278 Average Sale Price - $294,278 Average Sold $ Per SF - $142 Average Sold $ Per SF - $142 Average Days On Market - 140 Days Average Days On Market - 140 Days 2009 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 135 Homes Average Sale Price - $321,858 Average Sold $ Per SF - $154 Average Days On Market - 129 Days 2008 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 107 Homes Average Sale Price - $412,687 Average Sold $ Per SF - $203 Average Days On Market - 140 Days 2007 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Results Homes Sold - 147 Homes Homes Average Sale Price - $486, $486,045 045 Average Sold $ Per SF - $238 Average Sold $ Per SF - $238 Average Days On Market - 113 D Average Days On Market - 113 Days ays Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2917 E. Mariposa 9 E 2917 E a 7 E 2 17 Mariposa o 2 7 . a 1 a E 2 Bedroom / 2 Bath 2 Bedroom / edr 2 Bedroom / 2 Bath B 2 e o / B r ® Tommy Atkinson Cell: 602-625-6020 • www.tommyatkinson.com 2011 Hopi School District Sales Results (1/1/2011 – 7/31/2011) Homes Sold - 158 homes Average Sale Price - $621,770 Average Sold $ Per SF - $196 Average Days On Market - 132 days • 2011 home sales have increased 25%. (Based on 2010 sales results) • Home prices have decreased 7% this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) • $ Per SF prices have decreased 2% this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) • Homes are taking 15% less time to sell this year. (Based on 2010 sales results) 2010 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 202 Homes Average Sale Price - $670,142 Average Sold $ Per SF - $200 Average Days On Market - 156 Days 2009 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 140 Homes Average Sale Price - $754,006 Average Sold $ Per SF - $239 Average Days On Market - 185 Days 2008 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 121 Homes Average Sale Price - $1,002,622 Average Sold $ Per SF - $307 Average Days On Market - 133 Days 2007 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 151 Homes Average Sale Price - $1,079,446 Average Sold $ Per SF - $361 Average Days On Market - 131 Days 22,878 Square Foot Lot 4714 E. Lafayette • $499,000 3 Bed/2 Bath • 1,840 square fee t Arcadia Ranch 4216 N. 42nd Place • $165,000 2 Bedroom / 1 Bath • 888 square feet If you are buying , selling , leasing or selling a short sale in Arcadia, call Tommy! 5028 N Camelhead • $1,150,000 5 bedroom / 4 bath • 3,976 square feet Camelback Mountain Estate 3445 N. Valencia • $650,000 20,533 square foot lot Arizona Country Club Lot 5115 E. Lafayette • $1,550,000 4 Bedroom / 5 Bath • 4,392 square feet Charming Arcadia Remodel