October 5 - 18, 2013
www.SanTanSun.com
Keeping current on health care reform in light of ACA
CUSD seeks ‘Yes for Chandler Students’ on override
BY ALISON STANTON
BY TRACY HOUSE
Since Oct. 1, people have seen more changes as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), says Alan Beyerle, owner of Alan Beyerle Insurance Agency in Chandler. These changes, he says, affect people with Individual, Small Business and Medicare plans.
ALAN BEYERLE Submitted photo
“The act was passed to help millions of Americans obtain health insurance coverage and to provide for stronger consumer protections,” Beyerle says. There have already been some changes as a result of the ACA, including the ability for parents to keep their children on their policy to the age of 26, whether they are enrolled in school or not. Another change, he notes, is the “80/20 Medical Loss Ratio,” which means the insurer needs to spend 80% of the premium on actual health care or provide a rebate. “The ACA also created a requirement for individuals to maintain essential health care coverage unless they qualify for an exemption,” Beyerle says. The passing of the ACA created “Exchanges” where individuals and small business owners can shop for insurance, Beyerle says. These “Exchanges” are also referred to as the “Marketplace,” he adds. “Anyone can use the Marketplace to explore their health insurance options but there are eligibility requirements to purchase from the Marketplace,” Beyerle says.
SEE OVERRIDE PAGE 6
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Hancock was an advocate of community events and had a passion for TASTE, he says. “With his passing we wanted to honor him,” Evans says. SEE TASTE PAGE 8
SEE PAGEANT PAGE 5
Late SanTan Sun News publisher to be honored BY MEGHAN MCCOY
HONORED: Geoff Hancock, shown here with wife, Laurie Fagen, will be honored at TASTE. Photo courtesy of Laurie Fagen
JIM BISHOP: “Yes for Chandler Students” chairman. Submitted photo
Miss Arizona gives pageant experience high marks Although Miss Arizona was disappointed that her name was not called for the top 15 in the 2014 Miss America Pageant last month, she was happy to support the other women, knowing it was their time to shine. “We all deserve to be Miss America,” says Jennifer Smestad, Miss Arizona and a Chandler High School graduate. “You can only compete at the national level one time. You literally have one shot with Miss America. I love the Miss America organization.” The preliminaries were held five days before the pageant, Tue., Sept. 10, with the onstage question; Wed., Sept. 11 was swimsuit and evening gown; and Thu., Sept 12 was the talent competition. “The preliminaries determines the top 15,” she explains of the highest score. Smestad, who lives in Gilbert, was questioned about her platform, one that has personally affected her— Tourette Syndrome. The question was how she can encourage children with Tourette Syndrome to overcome it or not be embarrassed. “I was diagnosed at the age of 10,”
SEE MARKETPLACE PAGE 4
TASTE moves to new location Downtown Ocotillo is revving up for this year’s TASTE, Chandler’s Culinary Festival, which features an abundance of food samples in a new location. TASTE Coordinator Landon Evans of HDE Agency says organizers decided to move the festival from downtown Chandler to downtown Ocotillo to provide a bigger location, as well as to generate more interest. The event is set for 6 to 10 p.m. Sat. Oct. 19, at 2855 W. Queen Creek Rd., Chandler. “Restaurants will be featured indoors and outdoors,” Evans says. “The ones outdoors will definitely be under tents.” In addition to a new location, the event will include a special honor for Geoff Hancock, late owner of the SanTan Sun News and longtime supporter of the event. “We will be doing a toast to Geoff at 6:30 p.m.,” Evans says.
The Chandler Unified School District is asking for support for its 2013 override initiative, Yes for Chandler Students, from Chandler voters, on the heels of the 2012 failed override, the first for the CUSD since 1989. Jim Bishop, Yes for Chandler Students chairman, explains that last year CUSD asked for a 15% override, as it is again this year. In the past, overrides have been 10%. During the last four years, CUSD has experienced $36 million in budget cuts. “Going from 10 to 15(%) increases your budget by $9 to $10 million. This is simply replacing the money that’s been cut and kind of restores the district to pre-recession spending level. It doesn’t even get them ahead,” he says.
EVENING GOWN PRELIMINARY: Jennifer Smestad, Miss Arizona, participates in the evening gown preliminaries on Wed., Sept. 11, in Atlantic City during the 2014 Miss America Pageant. Submitted photo
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Chandler water program honored . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 Some Chandler restaurants are cool with canines . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16 State Fair performances highlight talented youth . . . . . . . . .YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 28 Pesto’s is exactly what Chandler needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . Page 49 CCA season has comedy, nostalgia, more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 62
SanTan Family Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Center Section
More Community . . . . . . .1-15 Business . . . . . . . .16-27 Youth. . . . . . . . . . 28-34 Opinion. . . . . . . . 47-48 Neighbors. . . . . . 49-58 Spirituality . . . . . .59-61 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . 62-69 Directory . . . . . . .70-71 Classifieds. . . . . . .72-73 Where to eat . . . 74-78