Episode 14 of the Around Chandler Podcast where we welcome new Vice-Mayor Terry Roe. Terry has been in the valley since he was a kid growing up in Gilbert, serving on the police force in Mesa and when it came time to pick a city to live in and raise his kids, he and his wife chose Chandler. We talk about why he made that decision, some of the biggest challenges facing the City going forward and how you can get involved and give back.

I want to welcome

:42 What was your childhood like and how have things changed

• Moved from Michigan
• Lived in Mesa and then Gilbert
• Gilbert High School class of 1977
• Lindsey and Elliot owned acreage

2:19 What did you do after high school

• MCC
• Worked at photography services for Williams Air Force Base
• Ran a photo lab - 1-hour photo place
• No career in photofinishing
• Tested for Public Safety hired by Tempe Police but never took job
• Ended up going through the process with Mesa and went to work for them

4:33 What was the process like then to become a police officer?

• Written Exam
• Psych Exam
• Physical Exam
• Background checks

6:05 How long were you a police officer in Mesa

• There until 2007
• Did a lot with family victims towards the end

7:06 When did you move to Chandler

• 30 years ago
• Chandler Ranch
• Kids went to Chandler Schools
• Son was in first year of Hamilton High

7:33 You grew up in Gilbert, Served in Mesa, why settle in Chandler

• Downturns in economies over years
• Chandler Schools were great
• Good value in Chandler

8:08 When was your first attempt at public office?

• 2010
• Retired and decided wanted to get involved
• Fiscal hawk my whole life and concerned with government finance
• $75million on City Hall when the economy was bad was not the best use of cash reserves in a bad time.

9:32 What are your thoughts now on that City Hall

• Believe I was right at the time, but grand facility now
• Shouldn't be taking chances with finances

10:47 When you first ran a decade ago until now, what has been the biggest change in the City?

• Fortunately economy came roaring back
• Good news all the time
• Price Corridor is exploding
• Downtown growing

12:23 There is a lot of news about pension problems in Phoenix and other states. What is the current status of the Chandler pension system?

• We have a plan for our pensions
• Return on investments was not realistic for a long time
• Each city has its own plan and is involved with a Mesa and Chandler, and Chandler has a great plan for the changes going forward

14:28 What is the biggest issue Chandler is facing that needs to be addressed in the next few years?

• Build-out redevelopment
• Traffic becoming the biggest concern with all these new buildings

15:42 Are there solutions for the increased traffic that may be coming?

• We have planning boards working on the roads
• Roads have been being widened over the last couple of years
• Gilbert Rd/AZ Ave/ SE Chandler many road programs

17:17 We see a lot of driverless cars/Waymo. Will Chandler keep pushing this?

• Waymo is opening another facility in Mesa
• Will have driverless vehicles coming soon

18:42 Downtown Ocotillo, Downtown Chandler, Price Corridor, do you see any more hubs coming?

• Used to be a goal of every 4-corner being a hub
• Would like to see something in North or Uptown Chandler

20:12 What are plans for Uptown Chandler

• Turbo is a big new plant there
• Opportunities have empty lots
• Exciting opportunities
• Spike Lawrence helped develop Ocotillo, doing Site-6 west of city hall

21:48 Other Downtown activities

• Around Jack 'N Box City owns some land and another company owns a piece too
• Need someone to come up with a plan there
• Company that built Flix owns the other piece of land there

23:09 What is one thing that someone in Chandler should know about their City Council

• Mayor and Council made up of 7 people don't make all decisions
• Hire City Manager and others to help run city
• Hire good people with experience who help the city be run well
• Council is much like a board of directors

24:52 There are several boards that are run by citizens that advise the Mayor and Council on different topics

• Many areas people can be heard and serve
• They advise on their priorities and what they should be

If you had a friend of relative coming to visit, what should they do?

• Chandler Museum by mall
• Basha Museum

And after the museum what one place would you recommend going to for dinner?

Contacts
Roe for Chandler on Facebook
Roe for Chandler on Twitter