The U.S. Census Bureau has an immediate need for more Paradise Valley residents to apply for Census positions in the area. "We prefer to hire residents to work in our neighborhoods, rather than people who are unfamiliar with the Town," said Mayor Vernon Parker.

"Most Census jobs have flexible hours and all of them will make important civic contributions. An accurate count of the population will help the Town receive federal funding to support public safety, education, health care, and community services," he added. "Census workers will also help compile information that will be used to plan for the future of our community."

Testing is currently being conducted at several locations in or near Paradise Valley. For details and to schedule an appointment to take the Census test, call 480-214-2060. [Additional info...2010 Census]

Final Unofficial results from the Town Council Primary Election are now available. There were no winners at the Primary Election for Town Council. All six candidates will compete in a Run-off Election on May 18.

Proposition 402 - direct election of the mayor was approved by the voters with a 53% majority vote. Final Unofficial Results

Heavy precipitation this winter will result in an abundance of ground vegetation. By the summer, this vegetation will turn brown and create fuel for wildfires. Residents are encouraged to protect their property by creating a defensible space around their homes. Fire safety experts recommend the following:
• Keep dead grass and weeds cleared at least 30 feet from any building.
• Clear dead foliage and fronds from plants and trees surrounding your home.
• Be careful not to allow any vegetation to grow underneath porches or overhangs.

The Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management is also drafting a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to prevent and respond to wildfire. The Department is soliciting public comment on the Plan through March 31.
Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Starting in 2010, residents must obtain an Alarm User Permit for alarm systems operating within the Town. The Alarm User Permit renews for $20, and provides users two false alarms per year without an assessment. Otherwise fines and service charges are incurred.

Permit applications will be mailed to known alarm users by March 2010. New alarm system owners will be given permit applications by their alarm installer, or can be obtained from the Town website.

[Additional info...]

The start of a new year is a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. The smoke detectors need good batteries to work effectively and to sound an audible alarm. Since there isn’t a way to determine when those batteries are weakening, it is a good policy to change them once a year and now is an easily remembered time.

Last year there were 13 fire related deaths in Ohio and in each case there was not an active, working smoke detector in the home. We don’t want such statistics here! It is important to test the smoke detector once a month, change the batteries once a year and install new devices every decade.
More information on Ohio fires (external link)