Cactus Village Community

Cactus Village Community

Certificate of Appreciation

This Certificate of Appreciation was presented by Councilman Dave Siebert, Phoenix City Council District 1 to the Cactus Village Community on May 8, 1997. "Thank you for your hard work and dedication working with the Phoenix Police Department to help shut down drug houses in your neighborhood. You are all excellent examples of residents committed to making Phoenix a safer place to live and work."

About our association

Cactus Village Periodical - History

The first issue of the Cactus Village Periodical was published December 1994, and delivered to 501 homes (N 43rd Ave to N 47th Ave & W Cactus Rd to W Sweetwater Ave) in our neighborhood. Jim Sanders sponsored the newsletter with his real estate ad on the back. Mel Wilson and Jim Sanders were involved in the beginning of the Cactus Village Community 'Dedicated to Neighborhood Improvement'.

On February 22, 1995 at the meeting at Sweetwater Elementary school 17 individuals joined the committee.
On March 28, 1995 The committee consisted of Mel Wilson, Chairman; Howard Marshall, Vice Chairman; Monica Hart, Secretary; Block Watch, Margie Mercer & Lori Ferry; Graffiti TAG Team, Lori Ferry, Monica Hart, and Daniel Pacheco; Social activities, Kathy Nordyke, and Mark Kessler; Newsletter, Mel Wilson, Jim Sanders, Joy Marshall, and Howard Marshall; Organizational Liaison, Gwen Sparman; ASU West Security Liaison, Carol Peterson.
Note: Margie Mercer had been heading the 'Block Watch' program for our neighborhood since 1982.
In July, 1995 the neighborhood was organized into 15 areas for delivery of the Cactus Village Periodical by volunteers. Also, Crime Statistics for our community began to be published in the monthly newsletter. A telephone network is in the process of being established.

About 50 people participated in a very successful Flashlight Parade held by the Dahlia Block Watch on National Night Out on August 1, 1995.

A multiple block sale was held in October 1995.

The Sweetwater School Fall Carnival was held on November 3, 1995. There was fun, games and food for everyone.

Home Improvement Recognition was implemented in February of 1996 to recognize the efforts of neighbors maintaining their yard & home. The Volunteers delivering the newsletter were asked to submit candidates.

On November 26, 1996 a raid was made on a suspected drug house in the 4500 block of Bloomfield Rd. Warrants were served and arrests were made. The house was closed down.
This is an example of what can be done when the community get together and works with the proper organizations to get things done.

Dave Seibert, our District 1 councilman discussed the rezoning of the SE corner of 43rd Ave and W. Cactus Rd. at our December 12, 1996 meeting.

On May 8, 1997 our Cactus Village Community receives a recognition award for the effort of some of our good neighbors in helping the police eliminate a drug house on bloomfield Rd. It is neighbors like these that make our community a safe and comfortable place to live.