Entries by Rodney Bertram

Debbie Lesko BNSF Letter to STB and STB Response

In response to the many calls and emails I’ve received regarding BNSF Railway’s current construction activity for their planned intermodal facility in Wittmann, I sent a letter to the Federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) on March 30, 2026, to request information about federal permitting, approval, and environmental review requirements. During a recent meeting with BNSF […]

ACC Rate Hike – It’s not too late!

Arizona seniors cannot afford another rate hike. APS is asking for a massive increase that will hit fixed‑income households the hardest, especially in dangerous summer heat. Every resident in Sun City West must speak up now. The Arizona Corporation Commission reads and counts every public comment, and large senior communities have real influence. Tell them […]

Sun City West Foundation

PORA and SCWF Team Up to Host Emergency Management Conference SCW Focused on Community Preparedness Maricopa County’s All-Hazards Approach to Incidents Sun City West, AZ — April 14, 2026 — Residents and community leaders in Sun City West are invited to attend the upcoming Emergency Management Conference Sun City West, focused on preparedness, safety, and […]

Water conservation works, but climate change is outpacing it: Phoenix, Denver, and Las Vegas offer glimpse of the future

Authored by Renee Obringer, Penn State and Dave White, Arizona State University When a drought turns into an urban water crisis, a city’s first step is often to limit lawn watering and launch a campaign to encourage everyone to conserve. It might raise water-use rates or offer incentives for installing low-flow devices. While demand management […]

SCW residents urged to contact ACC about Rate Hike

Sun City West Residents Urged to Contact Arizona Corporation Commission About Rate Hike Impact on Seniors Sun City West residents are being encouraged to speak out about the financial strain that proposed utility rate increases would place on older adults living on fixed incomes. Community leaders say the voices of individual residents carry significant weight […]

MAG Sun Cities on the Move: Public Survey #2

We need YOUR input! The Sun Cities on the Move project is sponsored by Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the regional transportation planning organization, and conducted in partnership with Valley Metro and Maricopa County. This project will explore potential transportation alternatives in Sun City and Sun City West based on the unique mobility needs of […]

GROUP HOMES – What you can and cannot do…

  GROUP HOMES   THE FEDERAL LAW THAT PROTECTS GROUP HOMES IN SUN CITY WEST 🇺🇸 The Fair Housing Act (FHA), as amended by Congress in 1988 This is the controlling federal law that protects the placement of group homes — including 10‑bed rehab, recovery, or disability homes — inside single‑family residential neighborhoods like Sun […]

PORA Advocates for the Community – Opposition to the Proposed APS Water Rate Increase

As the Property Owners and Residents Association (PORA), we are the primary liaison between our unincorporated community, Maricopa County, the City of Surprise and other municipalities, the State of Arizona, and our federal government. PORA is committed to fostering good relationships with local state and federal governments. PORA stands ready as the voice of impact. We […]