Page 10 May 2012 This month’s report from Justice Steven Sarkis This month’s report from Councilman Sal DiCiccio Phoenix is making it easier for Valley businesses to succeed with a new program that fl ags Valley merchants and service providers about products and services the city is looking to buy. The program, approved recently by the Phoenix City Council, alerts locals when the city is looking for something they sell. Previously, local business people had to sign on to and search the city’s procurement system regularly to see if there might be something worth bidding on. Now, with this new procedure, they’ll register one time, and the city will send them an email about what Phoenix is looking to buy. Credit Mayor Greg Stanton with getting this program moving and on the council agenda. Multiple advantages accrue to such a system. Primarily, it helps local businesses, which not only pay local taxes but also hire local workers and spend those dollars in the local economy. That helps other local businesses that may have nothing to sell to the city. It also develops a better and broader base of competition for bids. The program targets goods and services less than $50,000. Because of arcane and a Byzantine process of bidding on government jobs, many businesses that size might not bother going through the headache required to seek government work and sales. This makes it easier for them, adding potential new pro fi t centers for them and more competitive companies for the city and region. Phoenix will notify local businesses fi rst under this program, giving them the fi rst crack at earning the business. Local in this case means the entire Valley. An estimated $17 million a year could fall under this program, one of the fi rst in Arizona and the nation, according to fi nance director Jeff DeWitt. It is my mission to make Phoenix the best place in the nation to do business. A committee chaired by me and Councilman Tom Simplot also is working to reduce – and in some cases, eliminate – the red tape involved in getting a business up and running. That will help businesses start and expand what they do in our city, which will create more jobs quickly, boost the local economy and produce more tax revenue for important programs for children, families, library patrons and others. Our goal is to set the stage for Phoenix leading the nation out of the recession. This is one more arrow in the quiver that will help us do so. Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio represents District 6, which includes Ahwatukee, Arcadia, Biltmore, East Camelback and North Central. He can be reached at council.district.6@phoenix.gov or 602-262-7491. Some reports state that Phoenix is one of the few big cities that seems to be stabilizing from the housing crisis. This could very likely be true. Yet the courts are still seeing a large volume of cases involving foreclosures. One of the recurring case types over the past few years involves fi nancially distressed homeowners walking away from their mortgages only to fi nd their homeowners associations, or HOAs, are still legally allowed to collect dues. A common misconception is that upon foreclosure an HOA cannot, or simply should not, continue to collect its monthly dues. This is not so. As long as a home is in foreclosure, even after the resident has left the property, the HOA can continue to assess fees. They are doing it. Often, instead of attempting to track down the former homeowners, the HOAs simply fi le lawsuits. These lawsuits are disconcerting to the courts and to the individuals being sued. A typical HOA lawsuit might include a principal balance of $1,000 in past due monthly fees and assessments. Yet nearly all HOAs are represented by attorneys and with attorneys come attorney fees. The $1,000 past due balance quickly turns into $2,000 or even $3,000. You may ask yourself, why doesn’t the judge just reduce such fees? Suf fi ce it to say, attorney fees are a very complex issue. Unfortunately, within all of the HOA paperwork the homeowner fi rst signed when buying the house, in the fi ne print, were small clauses that entitle the HOAs to collect attorney fees should the case ever go to court. Whether you or someone you know is considering foreclosure, do all you can to stay current on the HOA fees until the foreclosure process is fi nal. This will avoid the possibility of the scenario mentioned above and may hopefully soften the blow for many who already are facing hard times. Steven Sarkis is the justice of the peace for the Arcadia Biltmore Justice Court. The Musical Instrument Museum is offering concerts in May ranging from a Sound of Music Sing-Along to two concerts by the Brad Mehldau Trio. For more information, call 480-478-6000. Serving the Arcadia area since 1958 Y" - % 1Y!21Y ' 0 "1Y#6-2' !1Y Brian A. 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Page 11 May 2012 Dr. John Woellner Prepare to beat heat this summer By John Woellner, M.D. Here is the good news about the summer heat: Your seasonal allergies will feel better once it’s above 100. In May, the average high temperature is 95. By June, it’s 104. By July, it’s 106. And let’s just not think about August just yet. (OK, the average high temperature is supposed to be 104, but then last year’s record-breaking August averaged 109 degrees for the high. Plus there were all those days above 110 degrees. Sigh.) For Valley residents, the heat can be as dangerous as the snow, so adjust your schedule accordingly and drink lots of water. Run errands, exercise or do outdoor work in the early mornings and late evenings as much as possible. That’s when the average lows range from the 60s and 70s in May and June to the 80s in July. Keep your car cool. On the hottest of days, the interior temperature of a car can reach as high as 200 degrees. Look for covered or shaded parking spots, crack your windows, use sunscreens, and never leave children or pets in the car. Seatbelt buckles, steering wheels, seats and car seats can be hot enough to cause burns. Wear shoes outside. The sidewalk can be hot enough to cause fi rst-degree burns, particularly on the sensitive feet of toddlers. Wear loose- fi tting, light-colored clothing in a fabric designed to wick away sweat. Use sunscreen and remember to apply to the tops of your ears and the back of your neck. A hat and sunglasses protect your eyes and skin. Stay hydrated. Recommendations vary on the exact amount to drink, but about two quarts is average. The best way to tell if you’re getting enough water is the color of your urine. Clear means you are well hydrated. Dark yellow is a symptom of dehydration. Continued on page 18 7624 E. Indian School Rd. Ste. 101 | Scottsdale, AZ 85251 NE corner of Indian School and Miller Rd., Scottsdale (Next to Fry’s Grocery Store) (480) 421-9442 | M-F: 10am-7pm, Sat: 9am-5pm, Sun: Closed Follow us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Yelp Us! Join us for our weekly Group Rides & Group Runs Checkout the Multisport Training Center & TRI Kids Training 7624 E J Receive a FREE Drivetrain Clean with Bike Tune-Up Just bring in this Ad. FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS: Tribe Sponsored Ironman athlete, Jozsef Major CASITAS | COURTYARD RESIDENCES | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE 7325 E. PRINCESS BLVD., SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255 Reservations now being accepted. Please call 480-359-1980. MaravillaScottsdale.com New Assisted Living & Memory Care —Now Open We take your care personally. For over 20 years, SRG has been delivering personal, supportive care in engaging environments that truly feel like home. Maravilla is in the heart of all things Scottsdale, with Assisted Living in private, spacious residences featuring Arizona rooms, and Memory Care in a thoughtfully designed, secure residential setting. Come see how you or a family member will live. 10 One-hour Private Sessions $350 Barbara Marchbanks 602-471-1192 Arcadia Spinal Health Center 4203 E. Indian School Road, Ste 300 Phoenix, AZ 85018 • One on one customized training. • Sessions available from 6am - 6pm • All ages and ¿ tness levels. • Certi ¿ ed Stott Pilates and personal training. • Private Pilates Reformer, Cadillac Chair and Mat classes. • First session $25.00 includes a free posture analysis and program design. Pilates with Barbara or Kim SPANISH SUMMER CAMP! 2-7 year olds June 4th - July 27th Wild Safari, Under the Sea, Have a Ball! Sports, Flavors and Cultures of the World Registration materials available online Little Big Minds Spanish IMMERSION Preschool Little Big Minds Preschool Of ğ ce Phone: 602-910-4417 www.littleBIGmindspreschool.com We are located in the Biltmore Preparatory Academy Campus 4601 N. 34th Street • Phoenix, AZ 85018