This was an interesting week full of challenges, drama and negotiation. One consistent is the indomitable spirit of our local business community. I have written about this before, how our business people, though small in number are huge with heart, commitment and driven to succeed.

One situation in particular that rises to the top, is how our local Insurance Agencies have come together in a sort of alliance in support of each other and their industry. The situation that arose to bring these Agencies together was a local citizen, shopping for a policy and went to one Agent. When they could not come to a point and write a policy the citizen took his business not only to another Agent but to another City!

Well this Agent could not stand the thought of ANY business leaving Maricopa and thought “Hey if I have to loose a customer, I would rather loose to someone here in Maricopa.” “Let’s keep it local!” And the ideas and open communication between Companies started to flow.

Keep it local! I could not have said it better myself! My hat is off to these Agents and they have the full support of their Chamber of Commerce.

Recently at a backyard pool party I had for my son and a few of his friends, I found myself in a quiet personal conversation with a non-chamber, non-public person. This conversation was over heard by another parent at this party and has been since repeated in public to who knows how many people.

It is very sad that people feel an empowerment to spread things heard in private to others in the community. Have we, as a society, lost so much respect for each other that even personal conversation in the privacy of ones home can become the topic of outside “gossip?” We need to feel “safe” in our own back yards. Safe to be ourselves, relax and yes, maybe even complain a little to our friends. Forgive me for being human.

When new ideas and new industries move into an up and coming city like Maricopa it can either be a disaster or an amazing opportunity for cooperation, collaboration and partnering. The later is the case with Global Water.

Recently I have been involved with this process and have spent much time with all the management and owners at Global. What a focused, forward thinking group and their dedication and commitment to the City of Maricopa is full of the same passion and spirit of community that we all share.

Global was presented with an Award at the recent ASBA Arizona Companies to watch banquet for commerce. “Global Water was a great example of a leader who said, ‘I’m going to be the very best at maximizing water as a key resource by doing reclamation and water processing . . . in scarce water environments,’ ” said Joan Koerber-Walker, the CEO of the Small Business Association.

Your Director and our Mayor were given the opportunity to give a testimonial on the partnership between the City, Chamber of Commerce and Global Water. What a great night for our fair City as this not only brought the spotlight on Global but to the City of Maricopa as well.

The next day the entire City of Maricopa was invited to an “open house” out at the new facility and treated to guided tours lead by the upper management at Global and CEO Trevor Hill himself. Take some time during the week to go out and see the visitor’s center. It is family friendly, educational and FREE! The pride these individuals take in what they do mirrors the pride we all have in our City and this partnership will last a life time.

The City of Maricopa is becoming a leader in the State of Arizona for creating these types of invaluable, long lasting partnerships. I can not wait to see what the future holds, so hang on it is going to be quite a ride!