A first-year mayor is getting recognition for his emerging leadership as a government official.
Late last month, the Arizona Capitol Times released its 2023 Leaders of the Year awards, highlighting Peoria Mayor Jason Beck as a winner for the “Government” category.
In addition to congratulating Mayor Beck and others who earned recognition under various categories, the Arizona Capitol Times wrote, “These individuals have demonstrated a commitment to serving their communities that are second to none. Their passion and talent have made Arizona a better place for all that live here.”
Since entering office at the beginning of this year, Mayor Beck has proven he is up for the task of leading his city forward, working with the council to keep several of the promises he made during his 2022 campaign. Beck made public safety a key focus of his campaign, and he has delivered on multiple fronts to increase funding and resources for Peoria’s police, fire, and school.
In July, Beck announced that there would be a police presence at all Peoria Unified School District schools during the 2023-2024 year. He added that there would be four new SLOs (School Liaison Officers) and rotating SLOs at every school, that this presence would be expanded to all elementary schools, and that there would be 22 Peoria schools with police coverage and an increase in SLO salary.
The action to provide additional school safety personnel for Peoria schools comes on the heels of an earlier announcement from Mayor Beck on funding for the city’s police pension funding. In a social media post, Beck noted that the Peoria City Council had moved $6 million to the police pension funding, which was now 80% funded – compared to 48% funded in 2020.
Earlier this spring, the mayor highlighted his vote “to approve the Peoria Police Association’s proposal for a wage increase for Peoria Police Officers.” His communication on March 16 stated that the Peoria City Council “unanimously voted to increase police wages by a 10% market adjustment and a one time lump sum payment of $2,500 to go in effect March 18th.”
Beck also revealed that his city had just arranged for the acquisition of land for a new, “state-of-the-art” police and fire station, which would ensure “efficient collaboration between the two crucial services in times of emergency.” Mayor Beck explained that he is “committed to ensuring that Peoria remains a safe and secure place for everyone,” and that he “understands the vital role that our police officers and firefighters play in maintaining this safety.” He expressed his pride in supporting the city’s first responders in “their tireless efforts.”
The mayor’s success at the helm of his city comes as no surprise to those who have interacted with him in the private sector before he entered the political realm. Before taking the oath as Peoria’s chief executive, Beck founded TYR Tactical, which manufactures police and military equipment. Beck has served as the company’s CEO since its inception in 2010, growing his operation into one of the city’s top businesses. In a letter posted on TYR’s site, Beck asserts that “protecting and serving the men and women of U.S. and Allied Armed Forces, as well as Law Enforcement and Federal Agencies, has always been my number one priority.”
At the beginning of March, Beck announced that he had been presented with the Patriotic Employer Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. The honor is a recognition for “contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve Force.” Beck wrote, “Those that have worked at TYR know the intensity in which we focus on perfection of the product and why we say every stitch matters. Every Police Office, Every Soldier and Every Life Matters! It’s what I am proud of TYR’s performance and we are proud of Renato and the many vests that have worked for us in the past and currently working for us now.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A state government agency is earning accolades for its positive workplace environment.
On Tuesday, the Arizona Department of Revenue made the 11th annual list of 2023 Top Companies to Work for in Arizona, giving the agency this honor for the second straight year. The list comes from the Arizona Capitol Times, Best Companies Group, and BestCompaniesAZ.
According to the Department of Revenue, “this highly selective list is the result of comprehensive, anonymous employee surveys measuring culture, work environment, leadership, and employee pride and satisfaction, combined with rigorous evaluations of workplace practices, policies, benefits, and demographics.”
“The Arizona Department of Revenue is honored to receive this award for the second year in a row, and all the credit goes to our incredible people,” said Rob Woods, Director of the Arizona Department of Revenue. “We have a diverse team with a culture of inclusion who daily display that they care about one another, lift each other up personally and professionally, and are consistently seeking excellence in their service to Arizona’s taxpayers. We are grateful that our people and culture have been recognized and are looking forward to the coming year as we celebrate this achievement and incorporate new initiatives for our team members.”
Woods was “appointed as Director of the Arizona Department of Revenue in March 2021, having joined the Department in January 2020 as Deputy Director.” He previously “founded the Government Transformation Office for the State of Arizona, led the development of the Arizona Management System, and served as Vice President at JP Morgan Chase.”
After then-Governor Doug Ducey appointed Woods to the Director’s position, Ducey said, “He continues to find innovative ways to improve operations and enhance efficiency, and he stepped up to a leadership role during a crucial time for our state.”
On January 17, Governor Katie Hobbs announced that Woods would remain as the Department’s Director. Hobbs released a statement about Woods (and two other members of her expanding cabinet included in the release), saying, “I have the utmost confidence that these directors have the expertise and wherewithal to take on the challenges and opportunities in their department.”
The Department also took time to share some features about itself in the news release about its inclusion in the exclusive list, writing, “ADOR offers a healthy work-life balance and a culture of personal and professional development, with educational opportunities and in-house training. The Department excels at helping our team members find meaningful, fulfilling careers with us. We recognize our people in several ways, highlighting those who exemplify our agency’s Core Values of Commit to Excellence, Care About Each Other, and Do the Right Thing. ADOR truly thrives in our collaboration and open communication. We excel in being transparent with each other and bringing everyone to the table. Our leaders are coaches, encouraging input from all and helping teams discover solutions to foster our culture of continuous improvement. At ADOR, we know we aren’t just developing employees; we’re developing leaders.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A little drama between a member of the Arizona press corps and a state senator marked this week at the Arizona Legislature.
On Thursday, the Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus issued a press release, revealing that “a Coconino County Judge granted Senator Wendy Rogers an Injunction Against Harassment, which was served to a reporter.” That reporter was Camryn Sanchez from the Arizona Capitol Times.
Senator Rogers outlined the reasons for the court order, writing: “Earlier in this legislative session, after the reporter repeatedly invaded my personal space at my desk in the Senate Chamber, I requested that the Senate Sergeant at Arms and staff convey to the reporter that I did not want her to approach me. I didn’t have any further issues with this reporter until this week, when she showed up at two of my Valley homes, multiple times. The latest attempted contact at one of my residences happened Wednesday night. I don’t know this reporter personally, I don’t know what she is capable of, and I don’t believe anyone in their right mind would show up uninvited to my home at night. Therefore, I don’t trust that this person wouldn’t lash out and try to physically harm me in some fashion.”
Earlier Thursday, Rogers tweeted out pictures of a woman standing at what appeared to be multiple homes, stating, “Creepy @azcapitoltimes reporter @CamrynSanchezAZ has been stalking me and my neighbors at my private residences with no explanation. A judge just issued a restraining order against her for her bizarre behavior. See photos.”
Creepy @azcapitoltimes reporter @CamrynSanchezAZ has been stalking me and my neighbors at my private residences with no explanation. A judge just issued a restraining order against her for her bizarre behavior. See photos. pic.twitter.com/ItrWNkxU6t
In a perceived sign of solidarity with Rogers, Senate President Warren Petersen included his own statement in the Republican Caucus’ release, saying, “Our members know that the media will frequently engage with us in order to document the happenings at the Legislature, but everyone deserves privacy in their personal residences without worrying about reporters repeatedly showing up unannounced. A judge, who is a disinterested, non-biased, third-party heard Senator Rogers’ complaint and agreed with her position.”
Rogers opined on her decision to seek the court-issued injunction: “After seeking guidance from my legal counsel, family, and neighbors who are also quite bothered by the attempted contacts, we decided the Injunction Against Harassment would be the best approach. My neighbors should not have had to put up with this harassment either. When I signed up to be a public servant, I understood what the job entailed, including unwarranted harassment. I’m thankful to the judge who recognized the need to issue the restraining order, and I’m hopeful this reporter will heed the warning and stop showing up at my homes or face the full force and effect of law.”
The reporter, Sanchez, was defended by many of her colleagues from around Arizona. Brahm Resnik, a longtime anchor for 12News Phoenix, tweeted, “Sen. Wendy Rogers is playing a very dangerous game in order to stifle a legitimate investigation of her acceptance of taxpayer dollars. Her irresponsible speculation about a reporter’s behavior creates a predicate for Rogers or others to take action against the media.”
Sen. Wendy Rogers is playing a very dangerous game in order to stifle a legitimate investigation of her acceptance of taxpayer dollars. Her irresponsible speculation about a reporter's behavior creates a predicate for Rogers or others to take action against the media. (1/4) https://t.co/WNY5JMqsrq
Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, a reporter with the Arizona Mirror, wrote, “Camryn Sanchez is nothing but professional. Knocking on doors is the most basic J-School 101 reporting technique. Reporters have been doing it forever. If a politician is afraid of a reporter knocking on their door it says more about them than the reporter.”
And Hank Stephenson, a writer for the Arizona Agenda, chimed in with his thoughts: “So I’m thinking press corps caravan to all of Wendy’s houses….How’s Saturday for y’all?”
So I’m thinking press corps caravan to all of Wendy’s houses…
