Karlene Keogh Parks said she’s running for Phoenix City Council in part because she’s tired of seeing city employees treated badly by City Councilman Sal DiCiccio.

What do United States Congressman David Schweikert, State Senate Majority Leader John McComish, Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCicco, Kedrick Ellison of the Phoenix Community and Economic Development Department, Kyrene Superintendent Dr. David Shauer, Tempe Union High School Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Baca, and Pangea Development have in common?

Editor’s note: This is part one of a continuing summer series on the proposed South Mountain Loop 202 Freeway.

Joe Campbell’s letter (“Phoenix taxpayers deserve better representation,” AFN, May 8) has a unique view as to what is and what is not in the interests of those of us who live in District 6 of Phoenix.

Seeking to keep fields accessible and available to some 4,000 kids in and around Ahwatukee, various youth sports leagues met with the Kyrene School District on Monday after add-on costs to the Ahwatukee Foothills Pony Baseball Association caused heated community concern.

It was a small turnout with a lot of passion at the Protecting Arizona’s Resources and Children (PARC) meeting on Saturday, May 11.

The Phoenix City Council will vote on the final draft of the city’s 2013-14 budget, which includes new efficiencies in the city’s public information office, parks and public transit, on May 21 but Councilman Sal DiCiccio says the city could have increased even more services if staff didn’t get any raises or bonuses.

The persistence and determination I have shown in the past four years is about reform and getting us ready for the new world we live in. There is a bigger reason why I have been pushing so hard for change. It’s about getting Phoenix ready to compete in a global economy. If the council repeals the food tax it will be added to a long list of reforms we accomplished. There were three significant reforms toward the goal of getting us ready to compete in this new world market and getting government to operate more like your household

Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio works day and night to rob the wages and pensions from city employees.

A medical marijuana dispensary in Ahwatukee Foothills was on the agenda for a city zoning adjustment hearing Thursday but the meeting was postponed.

The Phoenix City Council voted on Wednesday to begin phasing out a portion of the city’s food tax on Jan. 1, 2014.

The Phoenix City Council will discuss options for the city’s food tax during a public policy meeting on Wednesday, including an idea to phase out a portion of the tax beginning January of 2014.

Connecting to Serve and the Ahwatukee Community Network would like to extend our gratitude to our panelists and the victims of domestic violence who attended our special forum on this serious issue April 16 at Mountain Park Senior Living.

Domestic violence is a problem that hits all neighborhoods.

City Councilman Sal DiCiccio says he believes he’s reached a compromise with other City Council members that will allow at least a portion of the city’s food tax to phase out before the 2015 deadline.

The company looking to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Ahwatukee Foothills has located a new site for a possible dispensary at 48th Street and Warner Road.

Public awareness, using the city of Phoenix as a model, system reform, coordinated services and partnerships are all part of a plan to make domestic violence a focus for the city of Phoenix.

The public got its first opportunity Monday to travel on an automated inter-terminal train at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The city of Phoenix is celebrating Valley Bike Month throughout April with a variety of activities intended to get residents out on their bikes to share in the experience of cycling throughout the city. In partnership with Valley Metro, the city is encouraging seasoned cyclists and those new to biking to give it a try at one of these events:

Ahwatukee Foothills residents called for increased transparency and increased accountability Thursday night as city of Phoenix staff presented the 2013-14 budget.

Just two months away from a deadline set to close The Lakes Golf Course and organizers of the Save the Lakes group say they haven’t heard a word from the owner of the property.

Last week, Mayor Greg Stanton backed away from his campaign promise to the repeal of the food tax. Although I and many other Phoenicians are disappointed in his decision, I have appealed to the city manager and the other city councilmembers to help provide a plan that allows us to wean ourselves off the food tax revenue.