West Valley View - North - 01.13.2021

Gallego, Lesko on opposite sides

BY TOM SCANLON West Valley View Managing Editor

Rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, Jan. 6—delaying the Congressional certification of the Electoral College—may have been fortunate not to break into Rep. Ruben Gallego’s location.

The Democrat, who represents parts of Phoenix, Glendale and Tolleson, is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran.

As he hunkered down with other members of Congress, Gallego assessed his limited resources and came up with a plan.

“I had a pen. If anyone broke in, my plan was get that pen and jab it into somebody’s eye,” Gallego said in an interview with the West Valley View two days later.

“And if they had a weapon, disarm them and start shooting my way out.”

Gallego has been praised by many for keeping his cool during what he now calls “an insurrection.” He instructed

a riot at the U.S. Capitol, Rep. Ruben Gallego directed fellow lawmakers to remain calm and instructed them on how to put on gas masks. After order was restored, he gave a passionate “save your souls” speech imploring Republicans not to challenge Arizona’s Electoral College votes. Rep. Debbie Lesko, also from the West Valley, rejected his view. (Photos courtesy U.S. House of Representatives)

members how to use gas masks they were given—and guided stranded journalists (who were not allowed into the safe area

where Gallego and other representatives

Riot...continued on page 2

No Goodyear utility rate increase this year

BY TOM SCANLON West Valley View Managing Editor

Water is a big thing in Goodyear—after all, it has a subtropical desert climate.

So water dominating the Goodyear City Council’s meeting should not be a complete surprise, though there were a few twists.

After a wave of protests from city res-

idents, Goodyear did a backstroke on its plan to raise water and other utility rates

Rate...continued on page 6

now to find out more go to ouaz.edu or

During

were) to the safety of his nearby office.

Hours later, when the rioters were expelled and order restored, Gallego used floor time at the House of Representatives chamber to passionately speak against Rep. Paul Gosar’s objection to Arizona electoral votes.

Gallego urged Republicans to “save your souls” and reject Gosar’s proposal.

Republican Debbie Lesko represents the 8th Congressional District, which includes parts of Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Glendale and Peoria, where she lives.

She did not buy Gallego’s arguments.

“After much deliberation and consultation with constitutional attorneys, I decided to agree with the objection to Arizona’s electors,” Lesko said.

In an emailed statement, she said in its election policies and procedures, “Arizona violated state law, and thus the United States Constitution. … In line with upholding my oath to follow the U.S. Constitution, I voted to agree with the objection to Arizona’s electors.”

The House voted 303-121 against the objection, and Arizona’s electoral

votes for Joe Biden were certified.

Lesko stressed she did not agree with the violent takeover.

“The events (Jan. 6) at the U.S. Capitol were tragic and disturbing. Civil discourse and passionate debate have a place in our democracy, but violence and anarchy are never the answer,” Lesko said.

Gallego in action

According to a biography on his website, “Congressman Gallego enlisted in the Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq in 2005 as an infantryman, serving with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. His company saw some of the worst fighting of the Iraq War, losing 22 Marines and a Navy Corpsman to enemy action in eight months.”

On Jan. 6, his combat experience helped him stay calm and lead through the chaos, he said.

When he first heard a disturbance, “I was frustrated because we wanted to finish this and make sure democracy wasn’t being interrupted,” Gallego said.

“At some point, I could see people trying to smash through the doors, se-

curity trying to hold them up. I feared for my colleagues.

“It was survival at that point. I wanted to make sure my friends were safe and I was safe,” Gallego said.

Security instructed members of Congress to duck under chairs and prepare to put on gas masks.

“I wasn’t sure how bad it was. With all the unknowns, my adrenaline was pumping,” Gallego said.

“But that’s what you’re supposed to do when you lead people: You need to be calm, give instructions and be clear.”

As the New York Times wrote, “Rep. Ruben Gallego, Democrat of Arizona and a veteran, jumped on the arm rests of chairs and began directing members to move calmly and quickly from the chamber.”

He also advised his peers how to put on the gas masks.

Minutes later, elected officials were escorted from the main assembly hall to safe areas.

“Members and reporters were being escorted to (a safe area)—or so I thought. But then a guard at the door stopped reporters from entering: ‘No press,’” wrote Olivia Beavers, a Politico reporter.

“Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) stepped in to defend us and pressed the guard to let us in. But the guard didn’t budge. As we stood confused and trying to figure what to do next in an open hallway, Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) offered us his office, where I went with five other reporters until we got the all clear hours later. We are all very grateful for your help, Congressman.”

Two days later, Gallego bristled at the use of the word “riot.”

“It wasn’t a demonstration; it wasn’t a riot. It was an insurrection,” Gallego said.

Rep. Debbie Lesko, a Republican who represents parts of the West Valley, voted with those who objected to Arizona’s Electoral College results. (West Valley View file photo)

“It was an actual attempt by those terrorists to kidnap (leaders) and take over.”

Split remains

While Gallego and Lesko were united in survival mode, a chasm between their beliefs remains.

Gallego said he blames the Capitol takeover on “All Republicans feeding the belief that somehow elections were stolen and the only recourse was violence.”

He joined those who placed blame at the top of leadership.

“We’re going to impeach the president,” Gallego said, shortly before repeating his message on MSNBC. “We need to make sure he doesn’t stay in power.”

On Twitter, Lesko said anyone looking for impeachment was “adding fuel onto the fire. People are already at (a) breaking point and upset.”

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

The West Valley View is a controlled-circulation weekly. It is published every Wednesday, and distributed free-of-charge to homes and in high-traffic locations throughout Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Buckeye and Tolleson.

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DELIVERY

County begins vaccine registration for 75 and older

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

On Monday, Jan. 11, Maricopa County began allowing those 75 and older to register for COVID-19 vaccines.

There were first-day glitches on the state’s registration website and many said they were unable to schedule early in the day. Later, at least two dozen said on the West Valley View’s Facebook page they were able to register and schedule appointments.

Gov. Doug Ducey announced Jan. 8 that State Farm Stadium will be a “24/7” site “to dramatically expand the availability of COVID-19 vaccine doses in the Phoenix metropolitan area.”

“Our new vaccine site in Glendale will rapidly expand the number of Arizonans getting vaccinated,” Ducey said. “We need to get these vaccine doses out of freezers and into the arms of Arizonans who want it.”

The State Farm Stadium site was to be open Monday, Jan. 11, for law enforcement officers. Appointments for others in Phase 1B and Phase 1A were to be available starting Tuesday, Jan. 12.

Advance registration is required at podvaccine.azdhs.gov.

The county also listed a half-dozen pharmacies (inside Safeway and Albertson’s stores) that will be providing COVID-19 vaccinations. None of the locations were in the West Valley, but, according to the website, the “vaccine will continue to be allocated to pharmacies as it becomes available and additional loca-

tions will be added to the listings below.”

For the list of locations, visit maricopa. gov/5659/COVID-19-Vaccine-Locations.

According to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, “Registration information and link(s) to appointment sites for scheduling will be available for Phase 1B prioritized groups starting at 6 a.m. Mon., Jan. 11.”

The 1B group includes:

• School teachers, staff and child care workers.

• Police officers.

• Adults 75 and older.

“Adults living in congregate settings and other essential workers (to be determined) will be prioritized for vaccination in Phase 1B after these groups,” the county’s COVID-19 website notes.

“At your appointment, please be prepared to show 1) your appointment confirmation, and 2) a form of ID confirming your Phase 1B employment, such as a work ID or paystub, or an ID that shows your age if you are 75+.”

The vaccine rollout began in mid-December with the first group (1A) of

Those 75 and older, teachers and police officers will be able to register for COVID-19 vaccinations this week.

(West Valley View file photo)

health care workers and responders. The county noted the priority this week will be those from 1A to receive second shots of the two-dose vaccine. No walk-ins are allowed for vaccinations.

Those who do not have a computer or need assistance can call 602-506-6767 or 211. For more information, visit Maricopa.gov/COVID19Vaccine1B.

More than 125,000 Arizonans—at least 75,000 in Maricopa County— have received COVID-19 vaccinations in the 1A group.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR TREATMENT IS NOT WORKING?

City of Avondale unveils Marie Lopez Rogers Complex

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

The city of Avondale is opening the Arizona Complete Health Avondale Resource Center at the Marie Lopez Rogers Complex.

Located at 995 E Riley Drive, this multifaceted complex will be a onestop location for family, youth, senior and housing services.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city held a “virtual ribbon cutting” ceremony on its Facebook page Tuesday, Jan. 12.

According to the city, the 30,000-squarefoot center cost $11.7 million.

“The resource center has operated for years in an older facility that once served as the local library. Thanks to the vision and support of the Avondale City Council, and our partners, Arizona Complete Health and First Things First, this new state of the art facility will help us provide even greater centralized access to much-needed resources, not only to Avondale residents but to all individuals of the Southwest Valley,” said Christopher Lopez, Avondale’s neighborhood and family ser-

Ben Ruoti Associate Broker

623.600.8897

vices director.

The new complex includes meeting rooms, senior dining facilities, offices and space for providers of various programs that support residents of the community, as well as lush landscaped grounds and ample parking for patrons.

Services offered at the center are made possible through a partnership between the city of Avondale, First Things First and Arizona Complete Health.

Some services offered include: tutoring in English and literacy, teenager/adolescent support programs, employment services, parent education, TANF, SNAP and Affordable Care Act application and enrollment, WIC (Women, Infant and Children) services, rental and utility assistance, citizenship classes, Medicare benefits counseling, housing assistance, legal aid services, domestic violence support groups, veteran resources, senior services and a computer lab.

The complex is named for Marie Lopez Rogers, the granddaughter of migrant farm workers in Avondale, who dedicated her professional life to social work before running for Avondale City

2020 was a roller coaster year for home sales in Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and across the US. January and February started out strong before Covid-19 killed Arizona’s normally strong spring selling season. But the virus could not hold down 3 months of pent-up buying pressure and low interest rates with limited inventory, ignited a stronger than normal year end finish.

Nationally, the April sales figures, according to the National Association of Realtors, dropped 17.9% but regionally, the West had a 27% decline. NAR lowered its sales prediction for 2020 to 4.33 million homes sold, down from 5.4 million. By June, the roller coaster was on the way back up and NAR projected 4.7 million homes sold. Much of the turnaround was credited to extremely low interest rates and low inventory, forcing home prices up.

Economic and housing experts predict that 2021 will have an unemployment rate of 6.2% and a gross national product growth of 3.5%. Housing prices in Arizona are predicted to increase 10% and climb nationally by 8% for 2021 and 5.5% in 2022. Mortgage rates are expected to remain in the low 3% range through 2022. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun placed the greater Phoenix real estate market in the top 10 of the US. The Phoenix area is the number one destination for relocation from the west coast.

Below are figures for our local market from 2020 as taken from Arizona Regional MLS and the Cromford Report.

Council. Her tenure included two terms as mayor, until her retirement in 2014. In 2019, the Avondale City Council voted to name the new resource complex in her honor. Construction was supported by Abacus Project Management, Architekton and Haydon Building Corp. Due to pandemic health guidelines,

guests to the facility are limited.

Visitors may be asked to wait for entrance as the center adheres to capacity and sanitation protocols.

For information on services and to make an appointment for resources, call 623333-2703, email resourcecenter@avondaleaz.gov or visit avondaleaz.gov/NFS.

The Marie Lopez Rogers Complex at 995 E Riley Drive is a multifaceted complex for family, youth, senior and housing services. (Photo courtesy city of Avondale)

Better read this if you are 62 or older and still making mortgage payments.

It’s a well-known fact that for many older Americans, the home is their single biggest asset, often accounting for more than 45% of their total net worth. And with interest rates near all-time lows while home values are still high, this combination creates the perfect dynamic for getting the most out of your builtup equity.

But, many aren’t taking advantage of this unprecedented period. According to new statistics from the mortgage industry, senior homeowners in the U.S. are now sitting on more than 7.19 trillion dollars* of unused home equity.

Not only are people living longer than ever before, but there is also greater uncertainty in the ecomony. With home prices back up again, ignoring this “hidden wealth” may prove to be short sighted when looking for the best longterm outcome.

All things considered, it’s not surprising that more than a million homeowners have already used a government-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) loan to turn their home equity into extra cash for retirement.

It’s a fact: no monthly mortgage payments are required with a government-insured HECM loan; however the borrowers are still responsible for paying for the maintenance of their home, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and, if required, their HOA fees.

Today, HECM loans are simply an effective way for homeowners 62 and older to get the

extra cash they need to enjoy retirement.

Although today’s HECM loans have been improved to provide even greater financial protection for homeowners, there are still many misconceptions.

For example, a lot of people mistakenly believe the home must be paid off in full in order to qualify for a HECM loan, which is not the case. In fact, one key advantage of a HECM is that the proceeds will first be used to pay

medical bills or helping other family members.

Some people simply need the extra cash for everyday expenses while others are now using it as a safety net for financial emergencies.

If you’re a homeowner age 62 or older, you owe it to yourself to learn more so that you can make the best decision - for your financial future.

off any existing liens on the property, which frees up cash flow, a huge blessing for seniors living on a fixed income. Unfortunately, many senior homeowners who might be better off with a HECM loan don’t even bother to get more information because of rumors they’ve heard.

In fact, a recent survey by American Advisors Group (AAG), the nation’s number one HECM lender, found that over 98% of their clients are satisfied with their loans. While these special loans are not for everyone, they can be a real lifesaver for senior homeowners - especially in times like these.

The cash from a HECM loan can be used for almost any purpose. Other common uses include making home improvements, paying off

Ring in the New Year

Rate...continued from page 1 this year.

Also on the water front, Councilman Bill Stipp floated a suggestion to waive resident fees for the new Goodyear Recreation and Aquatic Center. It was dunked, with no support.

Stipp was the only no vote as council set annual fees of $600 for families and $250 for individual seniors for the $67 million Goodyear Recreation and Aquatics Center, which may be open by Memorial Day.

“I was surprised and disappointed,” Stipp said when asked by the West Valley View how he felt about his idea to waive fees this year being shot down.

He said it seemed like a no-brainer, considering the pandemic and the city’s strong financial position—boosted by $10 million in AZ Cares funding.

“We have a taxpayer-funded recreation center. It wasn’t private money. This is truly the city’s rec center,” Stipp said.

He estimated waiving the fees would cost the city no more than $100,000.

“My suggestion was let’s not charge a user free for the first six months— let’s let the people who pay for it come in and enjoy it before we start changing them user fees,” he said.

“We certainly have money to cover that. We did receive CARES funds, and through conservative financial practices we have a surplus, so we easily could have covered (waiving the fees).

“I was trying to give something back

to the community at a stressful time.”

While other members of the council raised concerns, Stipp said, “We could put things in place so it’s not overcrowded.”

The Goodyear Recreation and Aquatic Center, a 30-acre park near Desert Edge High School at Estrella Parkway and Goodyear Boulevard North, will have two lighted baseball/softball fields, two lighted multipurpose fields, lighted tennis, basketball, volleyball, pickleball and sand volleyball courts, a group ramada and picnic areas and walking paths.

And it will feature a two-floor, 48,000-square-foot recreation facility with a multipurpose gym and three multipurpose rooms, a fitness area and activity rooms, and an elevated walking and jogging track.

The centerpiece is an aquatic facility with water slides, a lazy river and a splash play area and a competition/ lap pool.

Nathan Torres, director of Goodyear Parks and Recreation, said the project “is funded by impact fees, general obligation bonds and general funds.”

Water increases checked

At its Jan. 4 meeting, Goodyear City Council took a look at proposed rate increases, compared to public reaction, and said, “No go.”

“This proves that this council and this staff listens to public comment,” said Mayor Georgia Lord.

The original plan unveiled last month was for “smooth” increases with rate

A wave of protests, with many saying rates are already too high, led Goodyear City Council to backstroke on proposed water-rate increases for 2021. (Image courtesy city of Goodyear)

increases in 2021 and the next four years adding up to a 21% increase by 2025, compared to current water, sewer and garbage rates.

On Jan. 25, the Goodyear City Council will consider a revised utility rate plan that will reduce fees for the typical customer in the first year.

The new plan includes a 3% decrease in 2021 for the typical customer and a 17.5% decrease in 2021 for garbage-only customers.

From 2022-24, the typical customer will see an average annual increase of 4% or approximately $5.25/month.

The new plan came after many who responded to Goodyear’s request for input insisted “rates are already too high.”

As Stipp put it, “Everybody was fully behind not increasing the rates this year.”

A recent West Valley View article showed Goodyear and Buckeye have some of the highest water rates in the Valley.

“The rates are what they are. We’ve done what we can to keep the rates down,” said Stipp.

Stipp took exception to the West Val-

ley View’s comparison that showed Avondale water is far cheaper than Goodyear’s.

“Using the comparison of Avondale to Goodyear—that is apples to pineapples,” Stipp said. “Avondale is about 50 square miles. Goodyear is 120 square miles. We’ve got to move water over that distance and it costs money.”

He said the reason Goodyear rates are far higher than cities like Glendale, Peoria and Phoenix is complex but “comes down to the age and the use.”

But he shot down the conception by some huge warehouses and other new businesses coming to Goodyear receive waivers and don’t pay their fair share of utility costs.

He said incentives to new businesses only impact the city general fund: “It does not have anything to do with enterprise (utility) money. When they use water, they’re paying the same rate as anybody else,” Stipp stressed.

“Installation and piping is paid for by the developer (through) impact fees. That’s born by the property owner. … The rate payer is not paying for that,” Stipp said.

City council set fees for the $67 million Goodyear Recreation and Aquatics Center, which may open by Memorial Day. (Images courtesy city of Goodyear)

Buckeye launches $500,000 utility assistance program

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

The city of Buckeye is launching a $500,000 utility assistance program approved by Buckeye City Council in mid-December.

Months ago, West Valley cities received more than $30 million in AZ CARES funds from the state (which were originally distributed by the federal government).

“The (Buckeye) Water Resources Department has seen a steady increase in the past due accounts meeting eligibility for disconnection of services over the past eight months, with just over 9% of our active accounts (2,368) eligible for shut-off of services due to non-payment.”

Democrats register record new voters, Republicans still have edge

BY MYTHILI GUBBI Cronkite News

Arizona Democrats registered more new voters in the last election cycle than any other party, moving ahead of independents in registration for the first time in 10 years—but still failing to overtake Republicans.

With thousands behind on bills to the point of getting shut-off notices, Buckeye is putting a chunk of the $9 million it received toward helping residents pay utility bills.

At its Dec. 15 meeting, Buckeye City Council Council approved up to $500,000 in AZ CARES contingency funds for the utility assistance program.

The Utility Assistance Program will be managed by The Salvation Army.

According to the agenda packet,

The program will allow qualifying Buckeye residents to utilize a one-time utility bill credit of up to $500.

Documentation is required to show low-income requirements are met, with applications submitted to The Salvation Army.

To receive assistance, customers must request an application by emailing assistance@buckeyeaz.gov or calling 623-349-6619.

For more information, visit buckeyeaz.gov/PaymentAssistance.

Democrats registered 226,579 new voters from 2018 to 2020 to reach 1.38 million voters, or 32.2% of the total, according to the latest numbers from the Arizona secretary of state’s office. Republicans added 220,446 in the same period, but still had 35.2% of registered voters at 1.5 million.

Almost 565,000 new voters registered in Arizona between the 2018 and 2020 elections—with just under 296,000 of those registrations coming since this year’s primary. Most of the new voters were Democrats, which party leaders attribute to years of grassroots effort and a Trump backlash. (Photo by Brande Jackson/Creative Commons)

The number of voters not affiliated with any party grew by 117,627, to 1.36 million voters, or 31.7% of the total.

Arpaio and the impact of SB 1070, the “papers please” law that let local police demand citizenship documentation from anyone they stopped.

Florian T. Walter

D.O.

Raj S. Rathee, M.D.

Jordan Oland

M.D.

B.J. Ho

D.O.

Sarah Colwell

D.O.

Ingrid Gold

CNM

Meaghan Gomez

FNP-C

Britt Michie

RNC, MSN, WHNP

Jennifer Woodruff

RNC, MSN, WHNP

Anna Gomez, CNM

Yisel Carter

PA-C

Tracy Burns CNM

Michaela Wagner CNM

But Democratic leaders remained focused on the positive, saying that they are in it for the long haul—that the gains in this cycle have been years in the making and that they expect to keep making gains in years to come.

“Political change and voter registration is something that doesn’t happen overnight or (in) a cycle,” said state Rep. Reginald Bolding Jr., D-Phoenix.

Bolding credited new, young voters for the surge in Democratic registrations, while other leaders pointed to a growing population of Latino voters who are increasingly engaged and who lean Democratic.

Wherever the new voters came from, advocates said grassroots outreach and involvement were instrumental in bringing them out and getting them registered, which was especially important in the face of the pandemic.

Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Phoenix, said that with long-term organizing, “You don’t see a return on investment for years, but when it happens, it’s big.”

Gallego said the process of energizing Latino voters began years ago, as a reaction to the anti-immigrant rhetoric of then-Maricopa County Sheriff Joe

“(The) Latino community in Arizona had been educated and organized over 10 years,” Gallego said. “The real benefit of Arpaio and SB1070 is the fact that it helped create the organizations and activists that turned 2020 blue.”

So much so, Gallego said, that when President-elect Joe Biden’s campaign team asked him to put together a Latino leaders network for Arizona, he “just hit the send button” to a network he had built for the past 10 years.

Joseph Garcia, executive director for Chicanos Por La Causa Action Fund, said this election was a “referendum on Donald Trump.” That feeling was particularly strong among Latino voters because of Trump administration policies in immigration, family separation and deferred deportation that Garcia said were “harmful to the Latino community.”

“There were a lot of people who wanted change,” Garcia said.

But the outreach was not without its challenges. Groups like Chicanos Por La Causa had to get creative to register voters remotely while staying safe during the pandemic. Lydia Guzman, the group’s director of advocacy and

Red Cross teams with NFL for blood, plasma donations

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

The American Red Cross and the National Football League are teaming up in January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals—especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 – to give blood and to help tackle the national convalescent plasma shortage.

The Red Cross notes donors are needed to help hospital patients.

Those who donate blood or platelets this January will be entered to win two tickets to next year’s Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. Those who donate between Jan. 1 and Jan. 20 will also be entered to win the “Big Game at Home” package, including a 65-inch television and a $500 gift card.

Schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-REDCROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa.

“Blood and plasma donors who have recovered from COVID-19 may have the power to help critically ill patients currently battling the virus,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, Red Cross medical director of clinical services. “With hospital distributions for convalescent plasma increasing about 250% since October, these gener-

Voters...continued from page 8

civic engagement, said she created a bilingual video campaign that showed people how they could register to vote in just a few minutes.

Because of the COVID-19 lockdown that was imposed in Arizona in the spring, progressive groups successfully sued to extend voter registration beyond the statutory Oct. 5 deadline, arguing that the lockdown threatened to disenfranchise thousands of potential voters. That ruling was overturned 10 days later, and registration for November’s election was stopped—but not before both parties and independents registered thousands of new voters in the brief window.

Bolding said local advocacy groups were able to register tens of thousands of additional voters during the brief

ous donations are vital in helping to save lives throughout the winter—a time that is often challenging to collect enough blood products for those in need.”

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows safety and infection control, and additional precautions—including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff—have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance.

Upcoming donation opportunities include:

Buckeye

• 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Jan. 30, Liberty Elementary School, 19818 MC 85.

Glendale

• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 26, EOS Fitness, 20255 N. 59th Avenue.

Goodyear

• 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 23, Aldea at Estrella Falls, 2400 N. Bullard Avenue.

Litchfield Park

• 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Jan. 14, Caliber Collision, 12405 W. Camelback Road.

Peoria

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jan. 18, Ridenow Peoria, 8546 W. Ludlow Drive.

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 31, Peoria American Legion Post 62, 9847 W. Desert Cove Avenue.

court-ordered extension because of their ongoing grassroots work. It was not just about registering voters, he said, but also mobilizing them to get out and vote.

November’s elections had the highest voter turnout in decades at 79.9%, second to 80.1% in 1980.

Requests for comment from the Arizona Republican Party were not returned.

Gallego thinks the Democrat party is on the right track and is hopeful for the future because it “activates and holds” the registration and re-registration of voters. Registration is an important step, he said, but “voter registration without political infrastructure makes no sense.”

“You get young people to vote once and nothing changes, it’s going to be hard for you to get them back,” said Gallego.

OUR READERS’ VIEWPOINTS

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Bedlam USA

Editor:

The inmates are running the asylum in Washington, D.C.

Democrats are undemocratic, Republicans are anti-Republican, independents are puppets and the Supreme Court is lawless. Bedlam rules.

So, folks, should we the people reconsider the dreaded “third-party” option? It is feasible in today’s America.

Seventy-four million disenfranchised patriots offer a huge recruitment pool. Other alleged “democracies” govern via multi-party systems. (China’s one-party utopia being a notable exception.) Why not give it a go?

Name: “Freedom Party.” A self-explanatory label. Party platform: guaranteed full civil liberties for each and every eligible American citizen.

Is 2021 party time?

Ken Williams Goodyear

What about seniors?

Editor:

There have been so many write-ups about new apartments being built in Goodyear and the small rental homes.

So many, but none for seniors. I do not mean these assisted living places that cost thousands a month! A place that seniors could be with seniors and not go bankrupt. An apartment building or these small rental homes just for seniors

I guess that doesn’t sound desirable to those who are money hungry. Not everyone can afford four, five or even six thousand dollars a month.

Just thought I would bring it to light. Maybe there are developers that would take this into consideration one of these days. They do Section 8 for adults and families; why not seniors?

Well, I hope something good comes out of this.

Trish Palmieri Goodyear

Wrong number?

Editor:

For those who bothered to read the new magazine sent out by the city of Avondale, on Page 13, under “stay informed,” is a phone number: 623-333-4200.

Don’t bother trying it, as it is not in service! What a hoot!

Don’t get your info; just wing it and hope they don’t tear your street up for some project they forgot to tell you about!

Lynda Fiorini Avondale

Response from the city of Avondale: “There appears to be a technical glitch on that line. We have forwarded to our IT Department to fix.”

A modest proposal

Editor:

Well, Georgia has decided on our Senate leadership for the 2021 Congress. The Atlanta Journal Constitution and many other media outlets reported on Dec. 17 that 76,000 new voters had registered between the Oct. 5 general election and the Dec. 7 runoff registration deadlines.

That was of no small importance, since the margin of victory in the GA-1 Senate race was only about 50,000 votes. What is important to note is that a large component of this 76,000 was movers and that it is perfectly legal for citizens to move between states, vote, then move back again after the election.

In fact, you could have hypothetically moved and registered as late as Dec. 7 and voted as early as Dec. 21, then been back home where you came from in time for the holidays.

Please note I am not some crazy person saying that the election was stolen. I acknowledge that many of the movers

were legitimately resettling at a coincidentally politically opportune time.

What I am saying is that we have a poorly constructed system that can be too easily exploited in any election but especially in a runoff when only one state is voting at a time. Furthermore, it is very possible that our nonexistent voter registration fraud protections did impact the course of this election and possibly the balance of power in Congress. There are too few protections on verifying the identity of voter registrations. If you apply for a driver ’s license, any state will pretty much register you to vote in good faith, and you can move again whenever you want.

Now, the solution to close this loophole is actually very simple and could save us a lot of time and superfluous doorbell ringing on the census, too. Instead of linking voter registration rolls to driver ’s licenses or other state-issued photo IDs, link them to previous years’ federal tax return addresses.

Where you file your residence on April 15 should automatically register you to vote at that location for that year’s November federal elections. Even just filing a zero-balance return and announcing your presence to the good people auditing for the IRS is the least you can do if you want to prove your

civic mettle as a voter. Furthermore, since the U.S. Constitution grants taxation powers exclusively to Congress, they should be exclusively elected by and accountable to the taxpayers first and foremost.

I believe that most of the current dissatisfaction with the election results of 2020 comes not from the election outcome itself but from the fact that the closer the election results are, the more faith we need to have in the registration franchise.

I can accept that my neighbors disagree with me politically in greater numbers, as long as they are actually my neighbors and not a bunch of election tourists.

Charles Peabody Goodyear

Jan. 6 disgrace will live long in our memory

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ West Valley View Columnist

After a few hours, you had to switch off the television and stop scrolling the videos on social media.

Clowns attacking cops inside the nation’s Capitol. Morons taking over the chambers of the House and Senate, taking selfies all the while. A female rioter—a 35-year-old Air Force veteran somehow turned QAnon loon—shot dead inside “the People’s House.”

Meanwhile, the president of the United States, surely watching on TV inside the White House, poured more gasoline on the flames like an arsonist with the heaviest of hands.

“These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously and viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly and unfairly treated for so long,” President Trump tweeted. “Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!”

And surely we will recall Jan. 6, 2021, for years to come—as a stain on a nation that feels more like Nero’s flaming Rome in ruins with each new spectacle.

I would say the day felt shocking to me, but that would be an utter lie. America has lost the capacity to generate new surprises lately.

A flailing pandemic response. An election where the number of lies told about the final result far outstrips the number of actual voters.

The inability to keep protesters armed only with Confederate flags and MAGA banners from temporarily disrupting the final tally of the 2020 election.

None of the above is much of a surprise anymore, is it?

To be honest, really only one thing has shocked me in the past few months, while I’ve been an ardent viewer of what feels like the season finale of America: A Nation Unravels?

People’s capacity to believe their own crap.

Let me give you one easy example, though it would be easy to conjure up a few thousand.

In the heart of summertime, when Black Lives Matter protesters twisted the deaths of George Floyd and Jacob Blake into reasons to riot, we heard lamentations galore about the violence that occurred in Minneapolis, Kenosha and elsewhere.

A police station burned to the ground; businesses torched; police officers attacked and shot; threats of mayhem spreading to the suburbs—these occurrences were all met with quick condemnation from many Americans, including the president.

How did the POTUS tweet go, back then? Oh, yeah: “These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to (Minnesota) Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!”

Once upon a time in this country—and not long ago—the majority of us seemed to be largely in agreement on the subject of social protests.

As a nation, we subscribed to the idea that they were protected under the First Amendment and a time-honored way to create social change.

Up until the moment they turned violent. That’s precisely where we draw the line.

My point in a nutshell: If like me you were disgusted last May when an unruly mob looted Scottsdale Fashion Square, sacking the Apple Store and Nordstrom and inflicting millions in damage, then you damn well better be disgusted by rioters staging a failed coup in our nation’s Capitol.

If you see “THUGS” on the one hand but “great patriots” on the other—if you believe in shooting to stop the looting yet feel only love and peace for hundreds of red-hatted election vandals—then you, my dear friend, very much need to examine your soul.

To see if, in fact, you still have one.

David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995. Contact david@leibowitzsolo.com

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Daughter supports cancer society with natural deodorant

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI West Valley View Executive Editor

Ginger Panico is doing everything she can to protect women from getting breast cancer, which claimed the life of her mother at age 38.

Panico makes natural deodorant under the name Sencilla in her Litchfield Park home.

“The reason I started Sencilla is because my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 34 and I was 12,” Panico said of her mother, Marilyn Gordon. “She used to run a lot of marathons. She would run up and down Squaw Peak twice in a day. She was very athletic. She was always using a lot of deodorant.

“When she found the lump in her armpit, we thought it was from the tox-

ic deodorant she was using all these years.”

Gordon died of bone cancer at age 38. Since then, Panico, now 48, has used natural deodorant. At first, she couldn’t find the right one.

“I found they either didn’t work, they didn’t smell good or the ingredients didn’t appear to be natural,” she said.

“I started making my own. After trial and error, I came up with the perfect blend. I started adding designer fragrances and fragrant oils and putting them in little sauce containers. That’s how it started. I also have unscented for those who prefer that.”

Her friends and her boyfriend, Edward Cota, were her “guinea pigs” and gave Panico their opinions. Everybody loved them, she said.

Ginger Panico makes Sencilla, a natural deodorant, in her Litchfield Park home.

(West Valley View photos by Pablo Robles)

A longtime labor of love, Sencilla came to life in 2020, thanks to the pandemic. In 2020, she ordered the labels and packaging to sell on her website and Etsy for $10. She wanted them to be different.

“The ones in the store are all lavender or lemon,” she said with a laugh. “I wanted to be unique. Primarily, though, I want people with cancer to try to use this to be more natural. I’m also donating a portion of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society so they can try to do more research.”

smell like the perfume. But they like it, and their friends like it. The scents are good for everybody.”

Panico carries this message to her daughters, Gianna, 15, and Mia, 16. The single mom encourages her daughters to do self-checks and to use her deodorant. Sometimes, they ask for “regular” deodorant, but Panico tries to persuade them otherwise.

“They said they don’t want to sweat,” Panico said. “But sweating is a natural process of the body. With my deodorant, you’re not going to smell. You’ll

Panico balances Sencilla with her full-time job as a dental hygienist at Smile Fitness Dental Center, which is owned by her father, Douglas Gordon, in West Phoenix. The Chaparral High School graduate formerly lived in Ahwatukee.

Panico admitted she was nervous when she turned 38, the age when her mother died. She chalked up her cancer-free status to using natural deodorant.

“I’m hoping that’s what saved me,” she said. “I stick with all-natural products. I think people need to take care of themselves, especially this year, during COVID. We need to put less chemicals in our bodies to have a healthier lifestyle.”

AIA blocks basketball, other winter sports

BY ERIC NEWMAN West Valley View Contributing Writer

There will be no seasons for basketball, wrestling and other winter sports.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association’s board voted Friday, Jan. 8, to cancel the 2020-21 winter sports season due to safety concerns caused by COVID-19.

The season, which was set to start on Jan. 18 following a series of delays voted on by the board, ended before it even began.

“While we understand the board’s position, we are saddened by this decision, especially considering that club sports are continuing,” said AIA Executive Director David Hines in a press release. “To the best of our knowledge, never in our 100-plus-year history has the AIA canceled an entire season. We want nothing

more than for our students to be active in school and participating in interscholastic sports and activities.”

With growing COVID-19 numbers in Arizona, the AIA board held a special executive meeting Friday, Jan. 8. Closed to the public, the two-hour meeting considered the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) recommendation that, due to Arizona having the highest coronavirus hospitalization rate in the country, the season be canceled.

Following discussion on Zoom, the AIA voted 5-4 to cancel the season.

Coaches from around the state said they were shocked when the news broke.

“Every single coach was glued to Twitter yesterday. With the updates on the executive board. I think we all found

out that way, and the news just spread like wildfire,” said Liberty High School wrestling coach Eric Brenton.

“It was probably the most difficult conversation I’ve had to have with a group of young adults who are eager to compete. How do I tell these seniors that have put this time and effort in? They had such big goals.”

The recommendation was based on hospitalization statistics. As of Jan. 8, 93% of all intensive care unit beds and 92% of all inpatient beds were in use, according to the SMAC. The AIA agreed that sports and gatherings could increase already-high numbers.

“Unfortunately, it is expected that the state will see a continued rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations for some

time. As medical professionals, we cannot in good conscience recommend that students engage in a winter season under the current conditions,” said SMAC Committee Chair Dr. Kristina Wilson.

Rick Greer, a board member and representative of the 2A conference, said many of the smaller schools—including those in sparsely populated areas and on Native American reservations—are located in areas that are already struggling with containing the spread of the disease. Playing and practicing, he said, would only make things worse.

“If we do not take this recommendation from the SMAC seriously, those numbers are going to be worse. I feel

like we need to honor that recommendation. I’m against winter sports at this time,” he said.

Some districts, including the Tolleson Union High School District, shortened or canceled fall sports seasons in 2020.

Zach Munoz, a board member and Peoria Unified High School District athletic director, cited the SMAC numbers.

“I don’t feel we can make a decision that overrides the decision of doctors,” he said.

But four of the board members were still in favor of sports happening this season. The discussion centered around the health of the students, staff and community.

Board member Camille Casteel said the mental health of the students set to participate in winter sports could be harmed by the lack of activity.

“I’m very concerned about the emotional connection and what this will say to our seniors,” Casteel said

Also a cause for concern by those voting “yes” for the winter sports season was the fact that club and independent sports will continue to play. They believe the school teams are better equipped to

handle safety protocols.

Throughout the course of the pandemic, there have been several leagues and tournaments throughout the state, hosted independently from the high schools or AIA.

For example, the Grind Session, a local prep basketball league with several Arizona teams, has been playing games for several months. Even a few squads from outside Arizona have been welcomed to play in Phoenix tournaments in recent months. Several board members believed the kids who were going to play AIA sports will find another way to get on the court, field or mat.

“Our athletes are going to play; they’re going to congregate,” board member Jim Dean said. “Jan. 18 was the start date, with the understanding that (the season) would close if the governor shut down the state. The governor has not done that.”

Raymond S. Kellis boys’ basketball coach De’Rahn Stinson was dealt the news mere hours before his team was set to practice on Friday. He said he would likely have his team scrimmage that day to let the kids “blow off some steam.”

“Overall it’s just crazy. I don’t know what to tell my kids, especially the seniors who might have gotten a chance to

go to college and get it paid for,” he said. Stinson agreed that kids around the state would eventually find some method of competing, AIA or not.

“There will 100% be another league. As a coach, you’re just trying to do the best for the kids, so you just hope whoever has these leagues is doing it for the right reasons and that they’re safe and not just about the money,” he said.

Several board members said the fact that kids might play outside of school should not factor into the decision.

“I understand what clubs are doing,” Munoz said. “We can’t control them. What we can control is what we do. I cannot support moving forward with winter sports.”

Many coaches and players were blindsided by the news, expecting to play less than two weeks from the Friday meeting.

Sunrise Mountain girls’ basketball coach Jenn Tolle, a science teacher at the school, had just finished her last class of the day when she heard the news of the canceled season. She wanted to be able to tell her players of the cancellation rather than have them find out on social media or other avenues.

The Mustangs were already set for a

non-basketball team bonding activity. Tolle expected some strong, raw emotions from the players, and a chance to simply be together with their friends in a controlled environment. However, she was not predicting she would have easy words to say to her students.

“I’ve dealt with a lot of things in 11 years at this school, but this situation both as a coach and a teacher has been absolutely unreal in every way,” she said.

“I don’t know what to expect for the future.”

The March 1 date for spring sports has not been changed, with no announced plans for the AIA to discuss that season.

The 2020 spring season was halted near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic’s spread in Arizona.

Hines said he hopes people will stay safe and that the statistics drop enough for the spring season to go on as planned.

“It is my sincerest hope that all Arizonans will follow the CDC and Arizona Health guidelines by wearing masks, washing hands frequently and practicing social distance to decrease cases and hospitalizations,” Hines said. “If for no other reason, I hope we can do it for the kids.”

The Hall of Flame was born out of one man’s hobby

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI West Valley View Executive Editor

Chicago-area industrialist George F. Getz Jr. and his wife, Olive Atwater Getz, were driving through Wilmette, Illinois, when they saw a broken-down fire truck on the side of the road.

George casually remarked he would like the 1924, Type 12 American La France fire engine. Considering the Globe Corp. chairman had everything, Olive surprised him with the old fire engine for Christmas in 1955.

The gift led to a hobby on his part of collecting antique and historic firefighting equipment. This resulted in his creating the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting, now located in Phoenix, in 1961. It houses the world’s largest collection of firefighting equipment and memorabilia.

“Somehow they kept it a secret from him,” said Mark Moorhead of the Hall of Flame Museum about George’s present.

“It was really, basically, intended as a gag gift, but he went nuts. He loved it. He gave the neighborhood kids rides in it. He just really became enamored of firetrucks. He started to collect more and more and more of them.”

He organized the National Historical Fire Foundation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to promote the museum’s programs.

The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting is one of the Valley’s best-kept secrets. After a stint in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, it opened its present building in Phoenix’s Papago Park in 1974.

The hall has grown from its original single gallery to five exhibit galleries,

the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, the museum store, a theater, a restoration shop, a collection storage building and administrative offices.

In its 70,000-square-foot space are 130 wheeled pieces and thousands of smaller artifacts.

“We’re the largest historical firefighting museum in the world,” Moorhead said. “There are around 200 firefighting museums in the United States and quite a few in other countries as well. We have items from all over the world, really, to trace the social and technological history of firefighting.”

The museum tells the story from the bucket brigade to the 21st century.

“It’s like you see in the Western movies, when the church is on fire, for example,” he said about the bucket brigade. “You

have the famous bucket brigade, where they pass up and down the line and the last person gets as close as he can to the fire, which usually isn’t very close. He tries to throw the bucket of water on it.

“It’s a terrible way to fight a fire, but it was all they had. As civilization developed and towns and cities got bigger, they had a lot of incentive to find a better way to fight fires in a more technological way.”

The oldest piece in the museum is from 1725—seven years before George Washington was born.

“This one is so old that it doesn’t have a good hose,” Moorhead said. “Instead of the last guy in line feebly throwing his bucket of water on the fire, he would pour it into a tub that held about 80 gallons of water.

West Valley View Dining

“You’d have the crew guys on either side pumping it out, up and down.”

The water sprayed out of a rigid, brass pipe—a branch pipe—and it angled up so the firefighters didn’t have to get right on top of the fire. They could arc it through a front door or, perhaps, a porch window. They could also hose down trees, bushes and the neighbors’ houses.

“It wasn’t just your house that would burn,” Moorhead said. “Three or four of your neighbors’ houses could burn, or the whole city block. Whole towns were known to burn.

“It seems really primitive, but it was

this huge leap forward over the bucket brigade. It’s essentially just a giant squirt gun, but it’s a pretty powerful squirt gun.”

From the old news to recent news—the Granite Mountain Hotshots are remembered in the museum. They were killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire, the sixth-deadliest American firefighter disaster, and the state’s deadliest wildfire.

The museum houses one buggy used to transport the hotshots on the last day of their lives.

“This is one of the few pieces that’s here that we don’t own,” Moorhead said.

“This one belongs to the Los Angeles County Fire Museum. The vice president of that museum’s son died (in Yarnell).

“The vehicles sat in a city garage up in Prescott for a number of years. Then, they took them out to be in that movie (‘Only the Brave’). Finally, Prescott said they were going to sell it as surplus city property. This guy in LA didn’t want to see this stuff sold. So, he got an anonymous donor, who turned out

to be the actor Randolph Mantooth, to donate $25,000. He put up a single bid of $25,000. We’ve had it for years, and we’ll probably have it for years more. If they ever build a museum of a facility of some kind in Prescott that would accommodate this, they’ll probably get it.”

Mantooth starred in the 1970s medical drama “Emergency!”

The Granite Mountain Hotshots exhibit is part of the National Firefighting Hall of Heroes, which opened in 1998. Other American firefighters who died in the line of duty are remembered, including those from 9/11. (Somber fact: “Saturday Night Live” comedian Pete Davidson’s father is pictured on a wall of 9/11 casualties.)

“We think we’re a real world-class facility,” Moorhead said. “The building isn’t fancy at all. It’s just a big warehouse, really.”

But what’s in it is worth the trip.

If You Go...

What: Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting

Where: 6101 E. Van Buren Street, Phoenix Info: 602-275-3473, hallofflame.org

Benevilla hosts financial planning workshop

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

Benevilla will host a free financial planning workshop via the Zoom online video platform at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19.

“Foundations for Investing” will be hosted by Brian Laurie, financial advisor with Edward Jones. He will discuss financial planning and tips on making wise investments.

To reduce the risk of public exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic, Benevilla is converting its education workshops into livestream, online Zoom events.

Reservations are required. To register, call Benevilla at 623584-4999 or visit benevilla.org/ community-events.

Mack not only made semis, but firetrucks as well. (Photo courtesy the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting)

King Crossword

GO FIGURE!

by Linda Thistle

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

Place

SUDOKU TIME

in

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

SCRAMBLERS

Unscramble

Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life goes virtual this year

BY ELLEN G. KELMAN Guest Writer

Years ago, life had a much slower pace. Stores closed earlier and TV stations (all three of them) went off the air by midnight.

Today, we have been thrust into a 24/7 society where nothing closes and nothing goes offline. We expect answers immediately from internet searches and depend on directions from our phones. The skills required, such as how to use an encyclopedia, read a map or recall from memory a friend’s phone number, are obsolete. While this has made our world easier to navigate, the demand on our brain and our bodies has significantly increased.

For adolescents, this constant demand can lead to negative thoughts and even self-harm. As a psychologist in private practice, I see first-hand the many pitfalls that contribute to this self-doubt and questioning of one’s self-worth. Although the world has dramatically changed, our physiology hasn’t.

Teens still need eight to 10 hours of sleep per day, yet 69% of high school students report sleeping fewer than seven hours per night.

Another issue we can all relate to is stress. Take the typical teen trying to fit way too much into 24 hours. Now throw into the mix social pressure.

For most teens, social media is the best and the worst thing ever. One thing is for sure: It is a living and evolving entity that is open for business 24/7. It can make your day or ruin your life, all in the same moment.

For the teen who has a rumor spread about them on social media this becomes a true source of trauma. As they read a comment alone in their room, it could create such overwhelming anxiety, embarrassment or sorrow that it prompts suicidal thoughts.

For teens whose bodies and brains are still developing, they may be unable to

process this in a way that allows them to see a path out of their despair. Without support, proper coping skills or a strong sense of identity, this traumatic event can prompt the fight-or-flight instinct to make a rash decision for them toward self-harm.

I once had a 14-year-old girl in my office whose parents believed her constant need to be on social media was the source of her problems. They threatened to lock her devices up, but her utter despair at this revealed a great deal of insight. She said, “If you’re not part of the conversation, then you are the target of the conversation.”

She felt driven to be on her phone and considered suicide as the only way out of this constant worry. For so many teens, this is reality.

So after painting a bleak picture for us and our teens, we are left asking, “What can we do to help?” I found the key is giving them the tools for handling all the stress, trauma and hopelessness. It means creating a tool belt designed for each individual, and not one size fits all.

This is why positive outreach like the movement of Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life is critically important. The annual youth conference provides the start to discussions about ways to manage social media that are realistic and still meet a teen’s need to be in the conversation. It also emphasizes the need for talks at home and among friends regarding how to protect oneself and each other. Just like a friend coming to your rescue if you are pushed in the school hallway, a friend online can come to your rescue and offer support.

The Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life conference also puts students in the same room as teachers, administrators, community leaders and first responders so teens know they are important and they are not alone or hopeless. It offers the start to a safe place to talk and

someone to listen. The message is then carried on and the necessary and lifesaving conversations continue. It can be at home or school, a youth group, a chat group, but teens need to know that what feels hopeless today may not feel

If You Go...

that way tomorrow.

To learn more about or register to attend the Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life virtual youth conference on Jan. 19, visit SpeakStandSave.com. Saving lives starts today!

Speak Up, Stand Up, Save a Life will be virtual this year, with the youth-oriented event scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19.

The agenda will feature “dynamic speakers and age appropriate topics with interactive breakout sessions designed to connect students with mental health professionals who will engage, educate and inspire lasting change.” The conference is for students in grades K-12, adults and volunteers. For more information or to register, visit speakstandsave.com.

Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek supports schools

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek is focusing on partnerships with Avondale, Litchfield and Agua Fria school districts, with emphasis on Title I schools where children from low-income families compose at least 40% of enrollment.

Most recently, GYPC Rotary donated 27 Chromebooks to students at Corte Sierra Elementary School in the Litchfield Elementary School District. The gift was made possible by grant support from the United Parcel Service.

Principal Tanya Rotteger noted the technology was needed, adding, “Especially in light of the pandemic, many families simply cannot afford adequate devices for all of their children.”

The GYPC Rotary Club has also raised money this year for emergency supplies for Title I school nurses, white boards for student use, STEM education funding, teacher appreciation gifts, student uniforms, and holiday boxes with food and books for families in need.

“Schools are working against all odds to meet the diverse needs of their students. We are committed to supporting quality education in our community,” GYPC Rotary President Joan Smith said.

Superintendent Jodi Gunning added community support is key to Litchfield

Elementary School District’s success.

“Community partnerships strengthen over time and provide a base of trust and consistency for our schools. The generosity of our Rotary members is astounding and impacts local children who really need an extra boost in life,” Gunning said.

According to Smith, “Our club is dedicated to ‘Service Above Self’ and we partner with 1.2 million other Rotarians around the world who are committed to truth, fairness, goodwill, friendship and enriching communities.”

The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek currently meets at 7 a.m. every Wednesday on Zoom.

Email goodyearrotaryclub@gmail. com for Zoom meeting information. (In-person meetings will resume when it is safely possible.)

Credit Union West scholarships for high school seniors

BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF

Credit Union West’s 2021 Scholarship Program is now accepting applications from high school seniors for five $1,000 scholarships.

“As a local credit union, we are committed to supporting individuals who live and work in the communities we serve,” said Karen Roch, president and CEO of Credit Union West. “Our tradition of providing meaningful scholarships to local high school graduates is one way that we help people achieve

financial stability and success.”

The $5,000 in scholarship funding will support five high school seniors who plan to attend a trade school, two-year or four-year college in 2021. Recipients can utilize the scholarship for tuition, class fees, books and other related expenses.

Students must meet specific requirements and submit a short essay. To learn more about the application, visit cuwest.org/scholarship. Applications are due by March 31. Scholarship recipients will be announced May 3.

Ruth Elizabeth Brassart

RuthElizabethBrassart

RuthElizabethBrassart,83of Goodyear,Arizonapassedaway December27,2020inGoodyear, Arizona.ShewasbornApril21,1937, toRobertAllenandRuthEichlerin Jeannette,Pennsylvania. Servicesareprivateatthistime.

Ruth Elizabeth Brassart, 83 of Goodyear, Arizona passed away December 27, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. She was born April 21, 1937, to Robert Allen and Ruth Eichler in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. Services are private at this time.

Condolencesforthefamilycanbeleft athttp://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/obituary/ruthelizabeth-brassart/

Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/ruthelizabeth-brassart/

AlexanderEmeterioGomez

AlexanderEmeterioGomez57 ofFlagstaffAZ,enteredhis eternalhomeDecember27th, 2020.BornJanuary16thto ArthurandCharlotteGomez.He ispredeceasedbyhisfather Arthur.Heissurvivedbyhis lovingwifeof35yrs,Genevieve Gomez.Heislovingly rememberedbyhisdaughter Cecilia(Gabriela),SonAlexjr, GrandsonNehemiahAlexander,andBrothersTom andAnthony(Colleen).Serviceswillbeheldon January8th,10amatSt.ThomasAquinasCatholic Church.

F. Jordan Barber

F. Jordan Barber, of Litchfiel d Park, passed away peacefully o n December 31st at the age of 86. H e was born and raised in New Yor k City by parents, Helen and Feli x Barber.

Jordan served his country for 2 1 years in the United States Air Force His field was Law Enforcemen t which took him to assignments in Italy, Korea, Vietnam T he Netherlands and many military bases across th e country such as NORAD Headquarters. He continued his career in Law Enforcement with his commitment to Ariz ona in the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for 2 0 y ears serving in the field as well as several years i n Homicide and Vice and Narcotics. After such an active career he got bored with his second retirement so opened h is own Private Investigative service. His cases wer e m ainly for defense attorneys so he joked he was no w w orking for the opposition.

Jordan is survived by his wife of 56 years, Nancy, his three daughters, Kimberley (Jeff Porter), Kirsten ( Chris Sheff), and Kerri ( Chris Bellino). He was blessed with f ive wonderful grandchildren, Noah, Cooper, Brienna , Chloe, and Cannon. He also adored his six “Fur” grandchildren, Sophie, Marley, Zoe, Harley, Lola, and Jeter. Jordan will be laid to rest on his family's private island off the coast of Boothbay Harbor, Maine. No services are planned in Arizona.

From left, GYPC Rotary President Joan Smith, Corte Sierra Elementary School Principal Tanya Rotteger and Colleen Dellolio-Coons of UPS gather at a donation of Chromebooks. (Photo courtesy LESD)

OBITUARIES

JoyceHendersonBrooks

JoyceHendersonBrooks,87,ofGoodyear,AZ passedawayDec.23,2020.BorninMontrose,COthe familylatermovedtoTolleson,AZwhereJoyce graduatedfromTollesonElementaryandTUHS. JoycewasprecededindeathbyhusbandBruce Brooksin1997.Sheissurvivedbyherchildren BrennaBrooks-Gabrielson(Jon),MichaelBruce (Margie)andDanaScheinost(Bill).Alsofive grandchildren,10great-grandchildren,twobrothers andsisters-in-law.Privateservicestobeheld.Forfull obituaryandtosharecondolencespleasevisit www.menkefuneralhome.com

Eric Rainier Backhaus

Eric Rainier Backhaus, age 29, of Laveen, Arizona passed away on January 3, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born February 21, 1991 to Mike and Judy Backhaus (Mattson) in Tacoma, Washington.

Funeral services were held at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear, Arizona on January 10, 2021.

Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/ericrainier-backhaus/

Rafael A. Gutierrez Sr.

RafaelA.GutierrezSr.

CarlThomasAllmon

ItweighsheavyonourhearttotellyouthatCarl ThomasAllmon,knownasTommyorTombymost. PastawayonJanuary1,2021attheageof65.

TomwasborninPhoenixArizonatoVaudieand AnnieAllmon.HegrewupinCashionAZwherehe livedmostofhislife,untilheopenedhisownbusiness. ProudownerofAllmon'sNapaAuto&TruckPartsin ChinoValleyAZfor20yrs.

HewasalovingfathertohisdaughterCarla.Heisand alwayswillbehereverythingassheistohim.Hewas PapaChinotohisgrandchildrenDaisyandRyder.Heis andalwayswillbelovedbyhisfamily,sistersMelvaand BettyandbrotherJerry,manyniecesandnephews.

Hewenthometobewithhisfather,mother,familyand goodfriendswhompassedbeforehim.Hisbattleisover andheislovedmorethanhewilleverknow.Mayhe restinpeace,inGod'sarmsandthearmsofhismother.

RobertFrancisFerguson

Mr.RobertFrancisFergusonofTollesonpassedaway peacefullyon12/27/2020inGlendale,Arizoniaatthe ageof78.

Lewis Charles Trujillo

Lewis Charles Trujillo, age 58 of Goodyear, Arizona passed away on December 20, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. He was born April 15, 1962 to Robert C. Trujillo and Maxine C. Heckart in Gallup, New Mexico. A funeral service was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Burial services were held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. To view the full obituary and leave condolences for the family please visit: http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/obituary/lewis-charles-trujillo/

GilbertEnriquez

GilbertEnriquezage41ofGoodyear,Arizona passedawayonNovember19,2020inGoodyear.He wasbornonNovember7,1979toRaulandIsabel (Chavela)EnriquezinPhoenix,Arizona.Heis survivedbyhisfatherRaulEnriquezbrothersRaulJr. AlexEnriquezandhischildrenKatrina,AvaAnd GilbertEnriquezJr.Hewasprecededindeathbyhis motherIsabel(Chavela)Enriquez.Aprivateservice washeldonDecember11,2020.Mayherestinpeace andforeverbeinourhearts.

Byron Rudd Graham

Byron Graham, age 80, passed away in Goodyear, Arizona, on December 11, 2020. He was born July 2, 1940, to Alvin Rudd Graham and Edrie Graham in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Rafael A. Gutierrez Sr., age 74, of Phoenix, AZ passed away on 12/27/ 2020 in Scottsdale, AZ. He was born 4/ 4/1946 to Rafael Gutierrez and Refugio Fierro in Obregon, Sonora, Mexico.

Robertwasborn1/30/1942inKansasCity,Moto SamuelWalterFergusonandBetty(Adams)Ferguson. Robertissurvivedbyhischildren,BettyBuchanan (Mo.),BobbyFerguson(Mo.),MalindaGarcia(Az.), BonnieSandstrom(Mo),AnnaMartinez(Az.),Gilbert MaciasJr.(Az.),DiannaArias(Az.),DanielMacias (Az.)hissisters,NancyDonahue(Mo.),DonnaHall(Fl.) hisbrothers,DanielFerguson(Az.),SamuelFerguson (Az.).Alongwith21grandchildren,20great grandchildren,1greatgreatgrandchildandseveralnieces andnephews.

RafaelA.GutierrezSr.,age74,of Phoenix,AZpassedawayon12/27/ 2020inScottsdale,AZ.Hewasborn4/ 4/1946toRafaelGutierrezandRefugio FierroinObregon,Sonora,Mexico.

RobertwasproceededindeathbyhiswifeChristina Ferguson,motherBettyBoan,stepfatherClemBoan, fatherSamuelFergusonandbrotherMichaelFerguson RobertwasaforkliftmechanicforClarkLiftTruckfor 20years.

ServiceswereheldatSt.Williams CatholicChurchinCashion,AZon1/8/ 2021.AburialwillbeheldatLouisB. HazeltonmemorialcemeteryinBuckeye,AZatalater date.

Services were held at St. Williams Catholic Church in Cashion, AZ on 1/8/ 2021. A burial will be held at Louis B. Hazelton memorial cemetery in Buckeye, AZ at a later date.

Afuneralservicewillbeheldfrom10:00AMto11:00 AMon1/08/2020attheHolyCrossCatholicFuneral Home,9925W.ThomasRd.,Avondale,Az.,wherethe familywelcomesalltocomecelebratethelifeofRobert F.Ferguson.

Condolencesforthefamilycanbeleftat http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/obituary/rafael-a -gutierrez-sr/

Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/rafael-a-gutierrez-sr/

ThefamilywouldliketoapologizetoRobert'sfriends thatmaymisshisserviceduetothelatenoticeinthe paper,withhispassingandthepaper'scutoffdatethe noticewasdelayed.

Byron earned his MBA from Western International University in 1996. After a lengthy international business career, he retired and moved to the West Valley. He then served as the marketing manager at Déjà Vu Med Spa for 12 years; and, he was a member of the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce.

He is survived by Janice Beacom Graham (now divorced, but married nearly 30 years), his daughters; Jennifer Dursteler, and Laura Graham, his brother; James Graham and his granddaughter, Juliet Dursteler.

A celebration of life for Byron Graham is under consideration for sometime this spring.

OBITUARIES

DavidLeeCurtis

Davidfoughthislastfightwithcancerwhenhewentto bewithJesushisLordonDecember10,2020athis GoodyearAZhome.Davewasprecededindeathbyhis parentsJackCurtis,PatsyBrandt,SteveBrandtalong withhisgranddaughterRaeleeRobertsandnieceShelli Sanders.HeissurvivedbyhiswifeBonnieCurtis;two sons,JasonCurtisTonopah,AZ;PhilipCurtisGoodyear, AZDaughterKristiRobertsgranddaughterCaraRoberts grandsonNeilRoberts,Florence,AZ.Twosisters,Diane SandersAurora,CO,Pam(Ken)CarpenterMidvale,ID, onebrotherDoug(Ev)BrandtSanford,COnumerous nieces,nephewsandcousins.Memorialserviceswere heldDecember19,2020inPeoria,AZ.

LivestreamingonYouTubeisavailableat https://youtu.be/dkCoE0UzyyY.Donationsmaybemade tostjude.orginmemoryofDavid(Dave)Curtis.

Classifieds

OBITUARIES

Marshaline Bernice Pettigrew

Marshaline Bernice Pettigrew, 83 of Avondale, Arizona passed away December 30, 2020 in Avondale, Arizona. She was born September 22, 1937, to Marshall Taylor and Arquilla King in Little Rock, Arkansas.

A funeral service was held on January 15, 2021 at Fountain of Life House of Worship, in Phoenix, AZ.

RECREATION CENTERS OF SUN CITY WEST

GREENSKEEPERS - $14.50 p/h, FT/PT with benefitsManual labor. Must be able to communicate in English, work weekends and OT. Previous golf exp. preferred.

Hugh M. Black

HughM.Black

Hugh M. Black, 89, of Litchfield Park, AZ. died December 26, 2020 in Goodyear, AZ. He was born May 18, 1931 in Kearny, New Jersey to Charles and Agnes (Prentice) Black. Hugh Served in the US Army from May 1951 to May 1971 and held the rank of Major. He later retired to New Jersey and acquired an oil business and in 1986 moved to Tucson, AZ and then to Phoenix, AZ in 1998.

HughM.Black,89,ofLitchfield Park,AZ.diedDecember26,2020in Goodyear,AZ.HewasbornMay18, 1931inKearny,NewJerseytoCharles andAgnes(Prentice)Black.Hugh ServedintheUSArmyfromMay1951 toMay1971andheldtherankofMajor.

HelaterretiredtoNewJerseyand acquiredanoilbusinessandin1986movedtoTucson, AZandthentoPhoenix,AZin1998.

HughissurvivedbyhiswifeJanetM.Black;daughter SusanMeacham;sonsHughM.andCharlesBlack;four grandchildrenandonegreat-grandchild.

Hugh is survived by his wife Janet M. Black; daughter Susan Meacham; sons Hugh M. and Charles Black; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

FuneralserviceswereheldonTuesday,January5, 2021atThompsonFuneralChapel.Committalservices wereheldonWednesday,January6,2021athisfinal restingplaceattheNationalMemorialCemeteryin Phoenix,AZ.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Thompson Funeral Chapel. Committal services were held on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at his final resting place at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ.

Condolencesforthefamilycanbeleftat http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/obituary/hugh-m -black/

Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/hugh-m-black/

Lee M. Valenzuela

Lee M. Valenzuela, known to many as Kiki, age 81, passed away December 29th in Goodyear, Arizona. He was born to Librado Valenzuela and Petra Martinez on August 11, 1939. Kiki was a lifelong resident of Buckeye, Arizona. He was a member of the Local Laborers Union in which he had various jobs. He also worked for the B.I.D. and Roosevelt Irrigation District. If you knew Kiki, you knew of the love he had for dogs. He is survived in death by his brother Frank Valenzuela (Dora), his sister Beatrice Wimblerley, and many nephews and nieces.Precedinghimindeath,werehisparents:Librado and Petra, his brothers: Manuel Sernas and Frank Bon Sr., his sisters: Carmen Davis and Mary Yanez. Services were held January 7th at St. Henry Catholic Church in Buckeye.

Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/lee-mvalenzuela/

Condolences for the family can be left at http://www.thompsonfuneralchapel.com/ obituary/marsha line-bernice-pettigrew/

Gabriel C. Pompa

Gabriel C. Pompa, age 72, of Phoenix, AZ passed away on December 28, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ. He was born April 24, 1948 to Ricardo Pompa and Maria Pompa in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Services were held on January 6, 2021 at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear, AZ. Burial services were held at West Resthaven Park Cemetery in Glendale, AZ.

For the full obituary and leave condolences for the family please visit: http://www.thompson funeralchapel.com/obituary/gabrielc-pompa/

LANDSCAPE WORKER - FT Mon-Fri $12.25/hour with benefits. Plan, care and maintain recreational grounds for the community; including trimming, weeding, raking and water plants. Experienced in use of small power tools and lawn maintenance equipment.

Apply online/view more jobs: employment.suncitywest.com or at Human Resources, 19803 N. R. H. Johnson Blvd, Sun City West, AZ 85375. The above positions include golf when availability is open. All positions must be able to communicate in English. All positions are open until filled. EOE

Arizona Statewide Virtual Hiring Event

Registered Nurses

Licensed Practical Nurses

Licensed Mental Health Professionals

WHEN: Friday, January 22nd, 2021

Schedule an interview between 11am – 3pm AZ time

Join us online for an opportunity to learn about our company and interview with us!

Advanced Registration Required. Please register at: www.CenturionEvent.com

HIRING!!

Caregivers

Program Leads and Managers

HBCS Assistant

AIRES is looking for caring, capable and compassionate people! Our mission is to help people live happy, healthy & fulfilling lives. Paid training provided. Must be 21+yrs, w/ good driving record & reliable transportation. Apply at www.aires.org or visit us at 2140 W. Greenway Rd, Ste 140, Phoenix.

Recruiters will be available to speak with RNs, LPNs, and Licensed Mental Health Professionals about correctional healthcare opportunities in the following cities: Buckeye - Douglas - Florence - Goodyear Phoenix - Safford - San Luis - Tucson - Winslow

For more information, contact Amy Smith at amy@teamcenturion.com

EOE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

$1500 REWARD

Payable to the person with any information leading to the arrest of person involved in home burglary occurring the last of 9/2020 in Verrado. Stolen items were : 1894 Commemorative Winchester Rifles, large coin collections and gold and diamond jewelry.

TEXT any information of lead to 719-276-8889

EMPLOYMENT

Immediate Openings for Direct Support Professionals

W orking with individual s with developmental disabiliti es. $12.15 - $15.00/hr, pai d t raining, benefits, FT & P T h ours avail. Apply online at www.aztec1.org or in person M -F 8:00a-3:30p at AZTEC , 7 400 W. Olive, Ste. 24. 623-412-2888 or EOE.

LOOKING for experienced compassionate CNA's. Certified Caregivers. Part time/ full time. 623-547-7521

HANDYMAN

JOEL Cedillo- I do construction work! Concrete, Block , Stucco, Bobcat work, Haulaway, Demolition. Call for free estimates, 623-707-6072

*Not A Licensed Contractor

HANDYMAN - 37 years experience. Drywall, framing, plumbing, painting, electrical, roofing and more. Stan 602-434-6057

LANDSCAPING SERVICES

O.N.B. Specializes in landscaping and trimming. Also Concrete: patios, driveways, sidewalks, additions and more. Free estimates. 623-249-0610 - Robert Residential/Commercial

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

Black GE Glass Top Stove and Microwave Combination used 1 year, together $350 or best offer. Call 623-849-1199

LAND FOR SALE

1 to 24 acres, Starting $14000. Various Locations, Seller financing, Owner/Agent, Call Ken, 602-510-8900

WANTED TO BUY

$100-$500+ Cash for Junk Cars all "as is" autos! Good condition more $$$$. Best Prices! Fast, free pickup. 623-329-2043

Send details to: P. O. Box 13557, Denver, CO 80201

AZCANS

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