Chandler Lions Club, ex-mayor to be honored Nov. 22

• Head to Tumbleweek Park's Celebration Plaza at the SWC of McQueen%2C Germann this Saturday%2C 9 a.m.

Saturday morning, Mayor Jay Tibshareny will recognize former Mayor Coy Payne and the Chandler Lions Club for their service to Chandler residents at Tumbleweed Park.

Payne and the club will be inducted to the Celebration Plaza wall, which displays brass plaques honoring individuals and groups for outstanding service, leadership and commitment to the community.

Payne served on City Council from 1982 to 1990 and as mayor from 1990 to 1994. He was the first African-American mayor in Chandler and in Arizona and was known for his roles as a consensus builder and facilitator.

He studied at Arizona State University and served in the Korean War.

In Chandler, he helped create the city's Housing Authority and expanded various parks and recreational programs.

The long-time community leader and Chandler resident is also a former Chandler Unified School District teacher and school administrator.

The Chandler Lions Club is being honored for its programs that work to improve the health of community members. The group helped build the city's first hospital, provided thousands of glasses and eye exams to students and volunteered time to support the needy and disabled in other ways.

The event begins at 9 a.m. and is open to the public. Head to Celebration Plaza, the monument near the center of the park, at the southwestern corner of McQueen and Germann roads.