News
Riddle named president of GVCCC
By Ellen Sussman, Special to the Green Valley News
The Green Valley Community Coordinating Council held its first post-summer Board of Representatives meeting on Thursday, Sept. 18, electing Stan Riddle president to succeed Russ Symes, whose resignation became effective that day.
Expressing gratitude and appreciation for Symes’ service, Riddle said a donation to the Continental School music program was being made in Symes’ name.
Chet Davis introduced new superintendent of Continental School, Jim Nelson, then Riddle introduced and bid farewell to Lt. L.T. Pratt of Pima County Sheriff’s office, who is leaving to assume a job in forensics with the Department of Homeland Security. Replacing Pratt is Lt. Sandy Rosenthal, who was also introduced.
Riddle urged the audience to complete the transit survey inserted in Wednesday’s Sept. 17 Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun. He said completed surveys will give the Transit Committee guidelines and help identify pick-up areas. It is hoped service will begin in February.
Chair of the Architectural Review Committee Susanne Blodgett summarized recent approvals, which included a three-story, 121 retirement apartment building near the Shell Station and Elks Lodge off Camino del Sol.
Also approved was construction of a physical therapy building on Duval Road between Manuel’s restaurant and the car wash.
Executive Director Joyce Finkelstein spoke about each person’s ability to freeze credit reporting accounts with the three primary agencies — TransUnion, Equifax and Experian — to help protect against identity theft. Freezing each account is $5; unfreezing when a credit check is needed is also $5.
Executive Director of the Greater Green Valley Community Foundation Michelle Phillips gave background on the philanthropic foundation that has been in existence since 1970. The GGVCF will hold a walk-a-thon on Saturday, Oct. 4, to kick off the annual fund drive. Phillips said she’s aiming for 500 participants.
District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll had kind words for departing Lt. L.T. Pratt and said he has appreciated Green Valley’s support and encouragement over the years. He expects the Nov. 4 election to have the highest voter turnout ever and urged those present to “be patient this Election Day.”
Vanessa Helms of the Pima County Attorney’s Office gave an informative talk of the Victim Witness Program coming to Green Valley and Sahuarita. As she explained it, the program provides assistance to victims for all types of crimes with highest priority to victims of violent crimes.
The program has staff but is largely volunteer-based.
A training program for those interested in volunteering for the program will begin in October. Called by law enforcement when a crime has been committed, volunteers will be trained to provide emotional support, give information on victim’s rights and the criminal justice system and help the victim to get over immediate trauma.
“We need the community to be involved; it’s a 365-day-a-year program,” Helms said. The target date to be established locally is Jan. 1.
Anyone interested in the volunteer program should contact Helms at 740-5525 or Vanessa.Helms@pcao.pima.gov.
Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.
Expressing gratitude and appreciation for Symes’ service, Riddle said a donation to the Continental School music program was being made in Symes’ name.
Chet Davis introduced new superintendent of Continental School, Jim Nelson, then Riddle introduced and bid farewell to Lt. L.T. Pratt of Pima County Sheriff’s office, who is leaving to assume a job in forensics with the Department of Homeland Security. Replacing Pratt is Lt. Sandy Rosenthal, who was also introduced.
Riddle urged the audience to complete the transit survey inserted in Wednesday’s Sept. 17 Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun. He said completed surveys will give the Transit Committee guidelines and help identify pick-up areas. It is hoped service will begin in February.
Chair of the Architectural Review Committee Susanne Blodgett summarized recent approvals, which included a three-story, 121 retirement apartment building near the Shell Station and Elks Lodge off Camino del Sol.
Also approved was construction of a physical therapy building on Duval Road between Manuel’s restaurant and the car wash.
Executive Director Joyce Finkelstein spoke about each person’s ability to freeze credit reporting accounts with the three primary agencies — TransUnion, Equifax and Experian — to help protect against identity theft. Freezing each account is $5; unfreezing when a credit check is needed is also $5.
Executive Director of the Greater Green Valley Community Foundation Michelle Phillips gave background on the philanthropic foundation that has been in existence since 1970. The GGVCF will hold a walk-a-thon on Saturday, Oct. 4, to kick off the annual fund drive. Phillips said she’s aiming for 500 participants.
District 4 Supervisor Ray Carroll had kind words for departing Lt. L.T. Pratt and said he has appreciated Green Valley’s support and encouragement over the years. He expects the Nov. 4 election to have the highest voter turnout ever and urged those present to “be patient this Election Day.”
Vanessa Helms of the Pima County Attorney’s Office gave an informative talk of the Victim Witness Program coming to Green Valley and Sahuarita. As she explained it, the program provides assistance to victims for all types of crimes with highest priority to victims of violent crimes.
The program has staff but is largely volunteer-based.
A training program for those interested in volunteering for the program will begin in October. Called by law enforcement when a crime has been committed, volunteers will be trained to provide emotional support, give information on victim’s rights and the criminal justice system and help the victim to get over immediate trauma.
“We need the community to be involved; it’s a 365-day-a-year program,” Helms said. The target date to be established locally is Jan. 1.
Anyone interested in the volunteer program should contact Helms at 740-5525 or Vanessa.Helms@pcao.pima.gov.
Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.
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