We asked Maricopans: What would you like to see in Maricopa in 2017?
“I just want to see joy, health and happiness for the community in 2017. But, I’m really looking forward to the groundbreaking of the overpass.” – Fitzgerald Johnson
“I just want to see prosperity and economic development.” – Kendra Johnson
“We’re starting to grow again, so I’m excited. I’ve been here since the boom, so I’m hoping that Maricopa keeps growing.” – Helen Ford
“I would like to definitely see a lot more community support, ways that we can help each other and stay connected better, and maybe some more development programs for youth.” – Marina Love
“I’m looking for a really prosperous year in terms of development, and I see good things coming.” – Santa Claus (Rich Huggins)
“I’d like to see the Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship doing more for the kids coming out of high school. When they come out of high school they don’t really know how to go into the workforce or how to properly apply for jobs.” – Susan Cameron
“My truck got broken into. And, we recently found some graffiti on the walls in Acacia … so it’d be good to see a little more [law] enforcement, just driving through [neighborhoods].” – Robert McAlister
“I’d like to see some more jobs for disabled people, or more people willing to hire more disabled people. It’d be good to see a center for seniors, too.” – Alonzo Anthony
“I’d like to see more parents keep their kids in Maricopa versus trucking them out to Chandler, because all of our best students are leaving Maricopa schools.” – Mac Mooney
“I want to see more restaurants, breakfast places like Denny’s or IHOP, not just the little hole-in-the-wall places.” – Michelle Balon
This article appears in the January issue of InMaricopa.
![An image of one of 56 elevation renderings submitted to Maricopa's planning department for the Elena Trails subdivison. The developer plans to construct 14 different floor plans, with four elevation styles per plan. [City of Maricopa]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/city-041724-elena-trails-rendering-218x150.jpg "Elena Trails releases home renderings")
![A blue square highlights the area of the proposed affordable housing development and "Restaurant Row" sitting south of city hall and the Maricopa Police Department. Preliminary architectural drawings were not yet available. [City of Maricopa]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/041724-affordable-housing-project-restaurant-row-218x150.jpg "Affordable apartments planned near ‘Restaurant Row’")
"More restaurants, breakfast places like Dennys and IHOP." What? More boring cookie cutter excuses for food? Support your local restaurants. These people are supporting members of your community, not a faceless mega conglomerate. Their children go to your schools. They support you with their taxes. Granted , it seems like the Sunshine Cafe has fallen on difficult times, whether a new cook or less than excited servers, but, with our support, they will improve. I love the Headquarters, what a wonderful view in Maricopa's past, and inexpensive, hard to find in todays food world.