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THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
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This Week
NEWS .............. 4 PCH celebrates topping-out ceremony
BUSINESS...... 18 BUSINESS Ground Control funded for ‘good business’
SPORTS ......... 19 Junior golfers honored at Troon event
OPINION ................. 8 BUSINESS.............. 14 SPORTS ..................19 FEATURES ..............20 YOUTH ..................24 OBITUARIES ...........26 CLASSIFIEDS ..........27 SOUTH
West Valley Stages
24
January 5, 2022
The Voice of the West Valley for 36 years
Avondale council terminates city manager BY LAUREN SERRATO
West Valley View Staff Writer
T
he Avondale City Council unanimously voted Dec. 23 to terminate City Manager Charles A. Montoya during a special meeting. According to the termination letter obtained by the West Valley View, Montoya violated several rules since being hired as city manager in July 2018. The letter stated Montoya directed city staff to pay funds that he claimed were due from the city. He also took a loan against his retirement account and failed to make timely payments. By doing so, the letter stated he potentially jeopardized the tax-exempt status of the city’s plan and the opportunity for other employees to take loans against their retirement funds. According to the letter, Montoya also sought and received tuition reimburse-
ment funds in excess of the amounts allowed in the employment agreement. He received tuition payments from the city in advance of paying for or taking classes, without proper documentation, and through the improper use of his procurement card and the procurement cards of other city staff. Montoya violated the city charter by failing to reside in Avondale during part of his appointment as city manager and did not repay vehicle allowance funds, according to the letter. When inquiries were made about Montoya’s residency, he obfuscated, deflected and misled city staff and council members. The letter indicated that city council determined Montoya damaged the reputation of the city or city council and acted immorally, imprudently and unprofessionally,
City...continued on page 6
A termination letter says Avondale City Manager Charles A. Montoya violated several rules. (Photo courtesy the city of Avondale)
Mark O’Shea wants to improve the lives of veterans BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI West Valley View Staff Writer
M
ark O’Shea peppers his conversation with the phrase “comfort zone.” He said he does not attempt to tackle new challenges, but his words point elsewhere. Calling his teenage self shy, O’Shea joined the military to turn his life around. “I was very timid,” he said. “I was very quiet. I avoided confrontation at all costs.
I wasn’t doing well with the people I surrounded myself with. I didn’t have any confidence in myself whatsoever. “I thought about joining the military when I was young, but I was always so small. I didn’t seem like it was in the cards.” Eventually, he did it — and he called it the best thing he has done. Others might say the same. As a result of his service, he founded Operation Prevent 22, which provides resources and monthly outings to
provide the companionship veterans may have lost and the safe space they need. O’Shea collaborates with other local nonprofits and organizations to accomplish this. “The statistic, which I hate to say, is that 22 veterans a day take their own lives due to PTSD, depression or anxiety,” said O’Shea of Avondale.
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O’Shea...continued on page 6 JUST A CLICK AWAY