SanTanValley.com

On Monday, November 19, Speak Out Arizona hosted a dinner at the O'Connor House with former U.S. Supreme Court Justice and Arizona Senator Sandra Day O'Connor, where volunteers from around the state were recognized for their service.  Cassandra Williams (Florence High School) and Bryan “Gator” Stephens (Poston Butte High School) attended the event representing their schools, and the PBHS Jazz Band performed as featured entertainment, led by director Aaron Heinen.

Pinal County Attorney James P. Walsh donated $5,000 from RICO funds to the San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition to assist with implementing a prevention program in all three area school districts.

The San Tan Valley Substance Abuse Coalition solicited funds to bring the Scottsdale based notMYkid Foundation’s programs to the area in an effort to tackle substance and alcohol abuse, depression, self injury, internet safety, safe dating, bullying and eating disorders.

The prevention sessions are lead by young adults, who overcame addiction and relate to the problems children face today.

Having increased its numbers dramatically over the past two years, the San Tan Valley Chamber of Commerce has announced an opportunity for new members to learn more information about the Chamber and the many resources it can provide to businesses.

The Chamber’s first New Member Orientation will be held Friday, July 20th, from 12:00 – 1:00pm. New members are asked to contact the Chamber to RSVP for the event at 480-626-7757, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I am not a resident of the San Tan Valley area, but as many know, I have been active in this area for many years as a consultant, developer and father of local resident. I have known and worked with Tisha for several years and during this time have noted that she been very involved with events, activities, and various situations that may significantly impact residents, economy and quality of life in the San Tan Valley area. 

Letter to the Editor,

I was thinking about you Tisha. I was thinking back to 2007 when you were so enthusiastic about the new Chamber of Commerce you were building upon out here in STV. You were instrumental in my decision to join.

With only 10 business days to complete requirements and gather signatures, San Tan Valley business owner Tisha Castillo filed for a slot on the ballot in the Pinal County Supervisor race during the August 28th Republican primary.

“My newly-formed election committee did a great job this weekend and easily tripled the required number of signatures we needed to file,” says Tisha.

My name is Tisha Castillo and I want to be your Pinal County District 2 Supervisor.

I relocated my family and my business to Pinal County in 2006.  Over the last six years, I chose to not only educate myself on the issues of our area, but I have committed my time, energy and resources to address those issues, provide solutions and implement change in order to move our area forward. 

I have "worked" for this community for 6 years. Not because it was my job. Not because I was being paid to do it (because I wasn't). But because I believe in this area. I believe in our community and what we can become, and I have worked every day without partisanship or bias -- and I have made a difference.

I made a decision a couple of weeks ago to throw my name into the hat for the appointment to District 2 Supervisor. Although no one has directed any comments or questions to me directly, questions are being asked.  I hope that this blog will explain why.

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors met on April 27 to discuss the process they will use to select a candidate to represent District 2 through the end of the year.

Supervisor Bryan Martyn resigned his seat, effective April 30, to accept the position of Arizona State Parks Director.

Arizona Revised Statutes 11-211.A and 16-230.A require that the person selected be a qualified elector in District 2 and be registered to vote as a Republican – the same party as the individual voters originally elected to the Board.

Relay for Life is supposed to mimic the journey of a cancer patient.  Starting at 6pm and running through the night until 6am the following morning, we are reminded that cancer never sleeps.  As someone who had never participated in a Relay for Life before, I wasn't sure what to expect.  You go to the committee meetings, training, etc and you hear about how "amazing" this event really is.   You hear that total strangers bond together and form a special trust.  You hear that it will move you as you participate in each of the steps along the way.  You hear about those people that share their stories and you remember the people in your life that you are "relaying for".  I had never really thought about why I decided to make this year the year I would finally relay, but after hearing the stories from others, I gave it serious thought and eventually wrote about it.  Nothing however could have prepared me for what I was going to feel, having participated in not only my first Relay for Life, but San Tan Valley's too.