Building a Grassroots Shield in the East Valley

Jane Poston, Accountability and Resource Protection in Chandler

Municipal decisions shape the immediate realities of our neighborhoods. In this episode, we sit down with Chandler City Councilmember Jane Poston to discuss her transition from municipal public affairs to write city policy. Poston leverages her  experience as a former twelve-year city employee and local small business owner to demand structural accountability. We discuss how Chandler enforces some of the strictest land-use zoning laws in the country to protect community resources. The council recently rejected a massive data center due to water and power grid constraints, which sets a necessary barrier against unchecked corporate growth. Poston also breaks down how Chandler became the first Arizona city to fully eliminate its public safety pension debt. This fiscal strategy secures the city's AAA bond rating and frees up millions of dollars for immediate neighborhood services. Watch to learn how Chandler partners with Arizona State University to fund the ASU Chandler Innovation Center, a shared space that teaches local entrepreneurs how to manage administration and launch successful brick-and-mortar operations. Check us out on Substack: https://aroundthedistricts.substack.com/p/jane-poston-chandler-part1 [https://aroundthedistricts.substack.com/p/jane-poston-chandler-part1] == Learn more about Jane Poston == Website: https://www.janeposton.com/ [https://www.janeposton.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janepostonchandlercitycouncil/ [https://www.instagram.com/janepostonchandlercitycouncil/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janepostonchandlercitycouncil/ [https://www.facebook.com/janepostonchandlercitycouncil/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeposton/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeposton/] The opinions shared on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not represent any organizations or affiliations.

Matt Orlando Outlines the Future of Chandler Growth and Safety

Chandler transformed from a quiet farm town into a global economic hub. As the July 21st mayoral election approaches rapidly, the city requires leadership that understands this massive demographic shift. In part two of our talk with Chandler mayoral candidate Matt Orlando, we examine the three pillars necessary for the future of the city. He prioritizes community safety, economic development, and quality of life. Orlando shares stories from decades of public service, highlights the impact of a diverse workforce, and explains why he gives his personal cell phone number to the residents. Check us out on Substack: https://aroundthedistricts.substack.com/p/matt-orlando-chandler-mayor-part2 [https://aroundthedistricts.substack.com/p/matt-orlando-chandler-mayor-part2] == Learn more about Matt Orlando == Website: https://www.mattorlandoformayor.com [https://www.mattorlandoformayor.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattorlandoformayor [https://www.facebook.com/mattorlandoformayor] Verify your registration status: https://beballotready.vote [https://beballotready.vote] The opinions shared on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not represent any organizations or affiliations.

Melissa Galarza Details the Power of Local Representation

Local districts must collaborate to defeat well-funded political machines. In this episode, Legislative District 12 Chair Melissa Galarza details how grassroots campaigns swap resources and bypass the consultant class. We discuss the direct path from local school boards to federal office. When we elect strong leaders at the municipal level today, we block bad national policy tomorrow. Watch to learn how to secure power in your neighborhood. Check us out on Substack: https://aroundthedistricts.substack.com/p/collaboration-melissa-galarza-part-2 [https://aroundthedistricts.substack.com/p/collaboration-melissa-galarza-part-2] == Learn more about LD12 Democrats == Website: https://azld12dems.org/ [https://azld12dems.org/] Melissa Galarza Profile: https://azld12dems.org/2026/05/melissa-galarza/ [https://azld12dems.org/2026/05/melissa-galarza/] Contact: contact@azld12dems.org [contact@azld12dems.org] The opinions shared on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not represent any organizations or affiliations.

Safe Streets and Collaborative Compromise in Chandler

Chandler Council Member Matt Orlando campaigns to become the next Mayor of Chandler. He brings 25 years of public service to city hall. In this episode, we sit down with Matt to discuss the true cost of high-tech industry sprawl, data centers, and community safety. He explains his recent vote to reject a massive artificial intelligence data center where developers failed to guarantee local jobs. We also examine his collaborative model for safety, which includes addiction recovery and mental health access. Finally, Matt shares his practical approach to local peace and neighborhood compromise. Check us out on Substack: https://aroundthedistricts.substack.com/p/matt-orlando-chandler-mayor-part1 [https://aroundthedistricts.substack.com/p/matt-orlando-chandler-mayor-part1] == Learn more about Matt Orlando == Website: https://www.mattorlandoformayor.com [https://www.mattorlandoformayor.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattorlandoformayor [https://www.facebook.com/mattorlandoformayor] Verify your registration status: https://beballotready.vote [https://beballotready.vote] The opinions shared on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not represent any organizations or affiliations.

Local Action and Real Relationships for Chandler Families

Welcome back to Around the Districts! In this episode, we sit down for Part 2 of our conversation with Chandler City Council candidate Cicely Rocha-Miller to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to run a grassroots local campaign. Cicely shares her perspective on why the arts are a fundamental connector—not a luxury—for the Chandler community, detailing the unique partnership between the Chandler Center for the Arts and local public schools. She also gets real about the physical and financial grind of local politics, from overcoming the "guilt" of campaign fundraising to canvassing in 105-degree Arizona heat. If you want to know what municipal leadership looks like when it is built on real relationships rather than corporate PAC money, this episode is for you. Check us out on Substack: https://aroundthedistricts.substack.com/p/cicely-rocha-miller-part2 [https://aroundthedistricts.substack.com/p/cicely-rocha-miller-part2] == Learn more about Cicely Rocha-Miller == Website: https://www.cicelyforchandler.com [https://www.cicelyforchandler.com] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cicelyforchandler [https://www.tiktok.com/@cicelyforchandler] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cicelyforchandler [https://www.instagram.com/cicelyforchandler] Facebook: http://facebook.com/cicelyforchandler [http://facebook.com/cicelyforchandler] The opinions shared on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not represent any organizations or affiliations.