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The Voice of the West Valley for 35 years
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January 6, 2021
Goodyear looks at utility increases BY TOM SCANLON
West Valley View Managing Editor
OPINION ......... 9 Goodyear mayor defends raises, utility increases
FEATURES .... 13 Meet the biggest baby you’ll ever see
YOUTH ......... 14
Will teachers be required to get vaccines? OPINION ................. 8 BUSINESS.............. 10 SPORTS ..................12 FEATURES ..............13 YOUTH ..................14 OBITUARIES ...........16 CLASSIFIEDS ..........17 SOUTH
Some say city bills are like Luke Air Force Base jets: They keep going up. Indeed, at a Jan. 4 public meeting, Goodyear was to consider increasing utility rates by 21% over the next five years. (Results of the meeting were too late for this issue.) The increases are proposed in a detailed presentation that justifies the need for residents to pay more—yet also shows Goodyear has far higher water rates than most comparison cities. According to the city presentation, the Citizen Rate Committee recommended “smooth rate increases” and establishing a stormwater utility to pay for increasing costs of providing water, sewer and garbage services. The city presentation stressed the rate-setting process included “public participation/input.” But many who commented on West Valley View Facebook posts about the proposed Goodyear increases were not happy about current rates—and furious over the
In late 2019, Goodyear broke ground on a $129 million water treatment plant, part of the reason the city is pondering proposed rate increases. (Photo courtesy city of Goodyear.)
proposed increases. You might say they are dripping mad. “Goodyear charges an obscene amount!” Adriana Greisman said. Paula Gutierrez-Jones agreed: “Racket! More companies moving in getting tax breaks means more money out of regular Joe’s pockets.” “My water bill doubled moving from
Phoenix to Goodyear,” added Amy Jo Green. “Goodyear charges too much and now they want to do a rate hike for the next 5 years! I think not!” Debbie Turnage wrote. Several noted a recent West Valley View story on the city approving raises after re-
Utilities...continued on page 2
Districts advised to keep classrooms open BY TOM SCANLON
West Valley View Managing Editor
A New Year begins with school districts struggling with a divisive question: to close classrooms or not to close? Arizona’s COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population soared to 121, highest in the country, according to CDC data released Monday, Jan. 4. As of Dec. 31, Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear and Tolleson were all above 700 cases per 100,000 in the last seven days, with Li-
tchfield Park over 600 new cases per 100,000 in the last seven days. While previous guidance from public health officials was to close classrooms and have online teaching, officials are now urging districts to teach students in classrooms. The guidance is somewhat conflicting. For public schools in the West Valley, the Maricopa County school metrics shows an overall risk level of “substantial” and “recommended learning scenario is: virtual with onsite support.”
But, according to new guidance updated Dec. 31, “Maricopa County Department of Public and Arizona Department of Health Services have agreed to support those jurisdictions who are able to maintain a safe learning environment with regular schoolby-school monitoring, regardless of levels of community COVID-19 transmission. “Further, with the recent publications emphasizing the benefits of in-person learning,
Districts...continued on page 4