The Chandler Arizonan - 01.24.2021

SCHOOL CLOSURE DEBATE CONTINUES

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From Uptown to Downtown, covering Chandler like the sun.

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

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$33M lab among potential Chandler bond projects

BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

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handler Police are hoping that the city will include a new $33 million forensic crime laboratory in a bond issue that officials are now working on.

One of the largest projects among the many capital projects currently being vetted by a City Council committee is a standalone crime lab.

Police Chief Sean Duggan said his agency has outgrown the crime lab located within the city’s main station and that it’s time for

Chandler to build a separate facility that could house new amenities like ballistics testing or toxicological work.

That’s why a new lab has become the police department’s first priority, Duggan recently told a bond exploratory committee. The department said it could significantly enhance what Chandler’s forensic investigators could do without having to go outside the city.

Like many other Valley cities, Chandler outsources much of its forensic testing to the Arizona Department of Public Safety for cases requiring DNA analysis.

“We are 100 percent relying on their time-

line and where we are in the cue because they also provide that service to a number of agencies around the state,” Duggan said.

The police department collects about 600 DNA samples annually, the chief said, yet Chandler only sends out about 4 percent of these samples to get tested by DPS. The state agency won’t test items related to property crimes like thefts and burglaries, Duggan explained, and will prioritize samples tied to cases involving violent crimes.

Chandler’s current crime lab is capable

see BOND page 2

Commission encourages The curtain raises city to hire ‘diversity officer’

BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

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commission of Chandler residents wants the city to create a new position dedicated to tracking diversity and inclusion across the city’s departments.

After surveying hundreds of residents earlier this year, the Chandler Human Relations Commission is urging the city’s leaders to recruit a consultant to assess Chandler’s diversity initiatives and decide whether it might need to make some improvements.

“We want a (consultant) to sort of do a top-down review of what’s in the city and come back with some action items and recommendations,” said Tyler Conaway, a commission members.

The commission believes one of those recommendations could be the inclusion of a leadership position dedicated specifically to the diversity of the see DIVERSITY page 2 city’s workforce.

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

BOND from page 1

of conducting fingerprint analysis, drug identification and tests measuring the blood alcohol content of drunk drivers.

The agency typically processes 1,000 cases involving intoxicated drivers each year, Duggan said, so a bigger crime lab could greatly help manage the growing workload for the city’s forensic scientists.

Moreover, he said, DUI cases could potentially “skyrocket” soon in response to the recent statewide legalization of marijuana, generating an even greater need for Chandler to have an in-house toxicology testing center.

“It’s important that we have that capability instead of relying on DPS to do our analysis for drugs,” Duggan said.

A standalone crime lab would not only benefit Chandler, Duggan added, since it could process evidence from smaller agencies in Pinal County that also depend on DPS for their forensic needs.

“We could also use that as a regional asset and invite other cities to use that,” the chief said.

Chandler Police already identified some land near its evidence storage facility on Pecos Road to build the new lab.

Whether or not the project comes to fruition could depend on how the Bond Exploratory Committee makes its recommendations to the City Council later this year.

More than 50 percent of the city’s capital projects are paid with bond funds that have allowed Chandler to invest in expensive ventures without draining its general fund.

Chandler’s last bond election in 2007 saw when voters authorized a $451-million package for projects that improved parks, libraries, public safety facilities and wastewater systems.

DIVERSITY from page 1

“Other cities and corporations throughout America have designated chief diversity officers,” Conaway added.

“The role of that officer is to coordinate all aspects of diversity and equity as they pertain to the functional departments within a business.”

Other local government entities, like the Chandler Unified School District, have hired diversity officers in recent years in order to address disparities observed in how different demographics are treated.

The city formed the exploratory committee last year to study Chandler’s infrastructure needs and determine whether the city should call for another bond election to fund projects that have been accumulating over the last decade.

One of the committee’s main priorities has been looking for a bond package that could be passed by voters and not raise Chandler’s property taxes.

Dawn Lang, the city’s management services director, said the city could attempt to seek up to $426 million in new bond funding and still not raise taxes on local residents.

The bond committee has identified up to 70 projects that could be funded through new bond money and has begun assessing which would likely gain the favor of Chandler’s voters. The com-

mittee’s additionally been evaluating when projects should be executed over a 10-year period.

Some projects, like the forensic crime lab, have been categorized as needing to be completed sooner than others because their long-term operational costs might be lower and less burdensome on the city’s budget.

“We have to make sure we can afford the operations and maintenance,” Lang said. “We can’t build something and not be able to actually hire people to bring that building on line.”

The lab is estimated to cost the city $2 million annually to operate, which is slightly cheaper than another public safety project under review with the bond committee – a $12 million detention facility that would generate about $3 million in operational costs and require the creation of 26 new positions.

For years, Chandler’s officers have had to transport suspects to the County Jail in Phoenix and spend much of their shift waiting to complete the booking process.

Chandler attempted to make the process more efficient a few years ago by forming a partnership with Gilbert to utilize a section of that town’s detention center.

Duggan said the Gilbert partnership was only intended to last a few years and will eventually become unviable once Gilbert starts needing to use more of the facility for its own inmates.

When that day comes, Duggan said Chandler won’t have a place to locally book its defendants.

“We don’t have a Plan B,” the chief said.

“Because the town of Gilbert, things are certainly growing.”

The detention facility project is presently positioned on the bond committee’s list of projects that could be de-

layed by a few years.

The Chandler Fire Department has a number of projects its hoping will be prioritized by the committee before final recommendations are made before the council.

The most important one being a $6-million expansion of a fire station located near Alma School and Warner roads.

Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins said this station is one of Chandler’s busiest and urgently needs more space to house extra firefighters. The station gets about 4,700 calls each year, he said, and can currently only respond to about 65 percent of them.

“1,600 times, they’re not available,” Dwiggins said. “They’re probably on another call or they’re coming back from another call and they’re too far out.”

When the northern station is unavailable, then one of the city’s other stations or a nearby agency in Mesa or Gilbert might have to respond.

Dwiggins said this present arrangement is creating some inequity among the fire stations in the surrounding area and could be fixed by revamping the Alma School facility.

A redesign of the station has already begun, but completing the project will be more complicated than getting voters to pass a bond.

Because the station is so busy, Chandler can’t afford to temporarily shut it down while the renovations commence.

Dwiggins said the city will have to gradually build around the station in phases so that it never closes.

“It’s a big project,” he noted. “It’s very complex.”

Other bond projects under review with the committee include a $10-million renovation of A.J. Chandler Park, $32 million for improvements to Mesquite Grove Park and $4 million for various improvements to Alma School Road.

Conaway, who works for Paypal’s diversity programs, said this type of position can help communicate to the public Chandler’s progress with diversity and can highlight the city’s successes.

“They get out there, they show the diversity in the community, they coordinate media and relevant brand items,” he added.

A citywide survey by the commission indicated Chandler residents has an interest in knowing what the city’s doing to ensure it promotes diversity and inclusion.

“It’s time to move on from events to more quantitative action,” one survey re-

spondent said. “The city should study the latest strategies to provide assistance to marginalized community members.”

Some respondents feel the city should pay more attention to residents with disabilities, the LGBTQ community and those who celebrate non-traditional religious holidays.

Another respondent thinks the city “needs more spaces to share stories so we can all connect on a human level.”

The survey showed 27 percent of respondents did not feel their voice was represented in local government and 49 percent said they weren’t aware of the

city’s diversity initiatives.

The survey was undertaken after the city issued a proclamation in June in response to the officer-involved death of George Floyd in Minnesota that asked the commission to engage Chandler residents on issues involving race and equity.

Based on the survey’s results, Conaway and the other commission members came up with a list of recommendations, including the possible creation of a diversity officer position. Other recommendations include revamping

Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan said an expanded crime lab would greatly help his department. (Arizonan file photo)

see DIVERSITY page 3

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

DIVERSITY from page 2

The Chandler Arizonan is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Chandler. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of The Chandler Arizonan, please visit www.ChandlerNews.com.

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the city’s diversity training, evaluating hiring practices, networking with local schools, and organizing more educational forums for the public.

Mayor Kevin Hartke said he appreciated the commission’s recommendations and indicated they will likely come up during the council’s upcoming budget meetings.

“I know that these items will be reviewed and we’ll look forward to working with our staff to see what we can do,” the mayor said.

Since its inception, the Human Relations Commission has been tasked with trying to celebrate the many cultures and communities that exist throughout the city.

The commission’s 11 appointed members are often responsible for networking with Chandler’s organizations, hosting cultural events, and informing city officials of needs they see in the community.

The commission was created during the fallout of a turbulent chapter in the city’s recent history which left many of Chandler’s Hispanic residents feeling targeted and discriminated against.

In the summer of 1997, hundreds of undocumented residents were rounded up across Chandler during a five-day raid of various Hispanic neighborhoods.

Many U.S.-born residents were detained and questioned during the roundup due to racial-profiling tactics used by law enforcement.

The incident sparked public outrage across the state and resulted in an investigation into the Chandler Police Department’s partnership with the U.S. Border Patrol to carry out the operation.

Former Police Chief Bobby Joe Harris was reprimanded for how he conducted the raid and Hispanic activists attempted to oust some members of City Council.

The city later paid a $400,000 settlement to resolve a lawsuit filed by some

3

residents who felt their civil rights had been violated during the raids.

“It’s going to take 10, 15 years for people to feel comfortable in Chandler again,” said local activist Ed Delci, a few months after the roundup.

The creation of a citizen-led commission devoted to discouraging discriminatory practices in Chandler was perceived as the city extending an olive branch to a community that had felt betrayed.

But the commission’s roles have evolved since the 1997 roundup, Conaway said, and include representing the interests of citizens from every demographic and social class.

The commission thinks Chandler has a prime opportunity to review how its addressed diversity in recent years, he added, and potentially avoid discovering any blindspots.

“Our hope, ultimately, is for the city to continue to grow in its strengths in this area,” Conaway said.

Price Road public meeting available online ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

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handler residents who work on, live near or drive along the Price Corridor are invited to participate in an online public meeting for the Price Road Flexible Transit Study.

The study by Valley Metro and the city is assessing flexible transit options to serve one of Chandler’s most important economic engines.

Through Jan. 25, an online meeting will be available for public participation – with an informational video and the opportunity to ask questions or provide feedback on the study over a two-week period – at valleymetro.org/price-road.

The meeting will cover existing transportation conditions in the study area and present an overview of the potential alternative transit services including microtransit, flex routes and ride share.

Price Road between Germann and Queen Creek roads currently has limited bus service and only during peak commuting hours (6-9 a.m. and 2:30-6:30 p.m.).

Price Road employers north of Germann Road do not have any bus service, but many have expressed interest in having access to public transit.

Flexible transit, sometimes referred

Price Corridor residents and commuters have one mopre day to tell the city what improvements they would like to see.

(City of Chandler)

to as microtransit, could be an effective form of public transportation for the corridor. Flexible transit would utilize smaller vehicles and would travel throughout a service area, rather than following one prescribed route.

Flexible transit leverages modern technology such as smart phone apps and en-

hanced routing software to better match vehicle routing with passenger demand.

For passengers, this service is much more convenient and typically results in shorter walks to and from pick-up/ drop-off points and can result in shorter waiting times and reduced transfers to other bus lines.

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

COVID-19 claims life of beloved Chandler officer

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ore than 130 of Chandler’s public safety employees have tested positive for COVID-19 over the last year and one of them last week recently succumbed to the coronavirus.

Officer Tyler Britt, a 19-year veteran of the Chandler Police Department, died Jan. 11 after contracting COVID-19 a couple weeks earlier.

Survived by his wife and son, Officer Britt is one of the first known casualties reported among Chandler’s personnel since the pandemic began 10 months ago.

The department said its staff was deeply saddened by his passing, noting the “protracted battle” he put up against the virus.

“Officer Britt loved being a police offiOfficer Tyler Britt cer and cared dearly about the community he served,” it said. from Chandler’s police and fire departFriends have described Officer Britt ments. online as an “amazing” man, an exemIn order to accommodate staff sufferplary role model and an officer who gening from COVID-19, City Council has reuinely loved his job. cently extended a sick-leave policy that The pandemic has caused officer offers 80 hours of time off for employees deaths to spike nationwide by 300 perwho test positive for the virus. cent over the last year, making 2020 one AR-GCI0471325-02 Many municipalities and businesses of the deadliest years for law enforcestarted offering this extra benefit after ment since 1974, according to the NaCongress passed the Families First Corotional Law Enforcement Officers Memonavirus Response Act back in March. rial Fund.

The legislation forced certain employThough more than 140 officers from ers to provide extended sick leave to across the country have died due to COworkers who caught the virus or who VID-related illnesses, Officer Britt is only needed to care for a quarantined family one of a few officers in Arizona to sucmember. cumb to the virus.

Congress did not renew the FFCRA An officer from the Navajo Police Depolicy after it expired Dec. 31 but Chanpartment in June was the state’s first dler has decided to extend the benefit known COVID-related death among law for its workers until the end of March. enforcement. A couple weeks later, a Matt Burdick, a city spokesperson, said longtime Maricopa County Sheriff’s depChandler will be tracking how many emuty succumbed to the disease. ployees need the sick leave in the comOfficer Britt’s death has served as a ing months and may extend the policy somber reminder of the risk Chandler’s again depending on how the pandemic AR-GCI0471325-02 AR-GCI0471325-02 employees have faced doing their jobs plays out. while the coronavirus has continued to “We will continue to monitor the curproliferate across the Valley. rent situation and extend the policy beAs of Jan. 11, the city had 234 of its yond March 31 as needed,” he said. employees test positive for COVID-19 and 133 of these cases involved workers see COVID page 6

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COVID from page 4

At least 220 Chandler employees have utilized the FFCRA sick leave since the legislation was passed.

Gilbert, which has seen 129 town public safety employees contract COVID-19, also its FFCRA policy despite the federal

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

mandate expiring last month.

Gilbert officials believe the extension was necessary since more employees might catch the virus this month. Yet the town doesn’t expect it will need to extend the FFCRA benefit until the end of 2021.

Some advocacy groups are hoping President-elect Joe Biden will consider

renewing the FFCRA mandates in the economic recovery packages he’s expected to introduce.

PL+US, an organization that lobbies for paid-leave policies in various sectors, is pushing for the federal government to ensure paid sick leave will be available for all workers as the country continues

to feel the pandemic’s repercussions.

“Now is the time to seize the bipartisan momentum for paid leave to provide economic security to families and businesses, protect public health, and support our nation’s economic recovery,” PL+US recently wrote in a letter to the incoming administration.

Virtual learning could cost CUSD another $12M

BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

V

irtual learning cost the Chandler Unified School District $12 million this school year and eventually result in the layoff of nearly 200 employees.

Though many teachers and families have been advocating virtual learning over opening classrooms, CUSD officials said online instruction has already had a financial impact on the district’s budget.

The cost is driven partly by lower state reimbursements for online students and partly by an enrollment loss.

Virtually every East Valley district has lost enrollment this school year, and to some extent what happened to those students is unknown. Estimates are that as many as 40,000 students across the state simply dropped out and are not on enrollment rolls for either public or charter schools.

Per-pupil state reimbursement is 5 percent lower than what the state gives districts for each student in the classroom. Gov. Doug Ducey’s proposed 2021-22 budget indicates he won’t be equalizing those rates despite pleas by school administrators across the state.

Chandler Unified officials expected the enrollment decline to hit their spending plans but now the district released details on the impact of the lower reimbursement for online students.

The pandemic forced CUSD to keep schools closed until mid-September, meaning the district stands to lose about $12 million due to the number of days students weren’t physically in classrooms.

“This has been a huge hit,” said Lana Berry, the district’s chief financial officer.

Berry said Chandler’s current financial situation could potentially result in the elimination of 186 staff positions during the next school year.

The district will be spending the next couple of months reviewing its personnel

This chart shows how enrollment in Chandler Unified schools has dropped in recent months. (Courtesy of CUSD) and expenditures to see how it might make a major reduction in staffing, she added.

Tough decisions will likely have to be made by administrators in the 20212022 budget unless enrollment numbers quickly reverse and return back to pre-pandemic levels.

“Without that, we can’t fund certain programs and staffing at the levels we currently have,” Berry said.

In December, the district reduced its budget by $13 million because of an unforeseen drop in enrollment.

More than 2,300 students left CUSD over this last year as the district continuously shifted between virtual and in-person instruction.

Parents lamented the district’s inconsistency and many threatened to pull their children out and take them to a charter school. Other families reported not feeling safe about sending their children back to school now that CUSD has returned to inperson learning and have made plans to enroll them someplace else.

Chandler’s elementary schools have experienced some of the district’s biggest drops in enrollment. As of this month, the district has more than 2,700 fewer K-6 students than it had in 2018.

“We knew we were going to decline in elementary (enrollment) but not at the rate that we have,” Berry said.

By contrast, high schools have seen enrollment grow by more than 300 students over the last year. But the growth is not enough to supplement the lost seen in lower grade levels.

The enrollment loss combined with funding disparities has left the district feeling uncertain about its near future and increasingly dependent on the state government to come up with some sort of intervention.

According to the Arizona Department of Education, the state’s districts have collectively lost $266 million because of the lower funding rate that’s applied to virtual instruction.

Ducey announced last summer that school districts could receive additional grant funding to offset the enrollment shortfalls seen throughout Arizona during the pandemic.

The state set aside $370 million from its allocation of federal pandemic relief money to be doled out among Arizona’s 230 school districts.

CUSD had expected to get a $20-million grant from the governor’s relief pro-

gram, but Berry said the district ended up with $14 million due to limited resources.

“The need across the state was more than this $370 million that was allocated,” Berry said. “We heard it was closer to $600 million.”

CUSD also has had to grapple with several unexpected costs accrued during its response to the pandemic. The district has had to spend more than $18.5 million on technology, protective gear and cleaning supplies to keep schools operating while the virus continued to spread.

CUSD has so far has received only $3 million to cover its mitigation costs.

The district is hoping the Arizona Legislature may intervene soon and revise funding formulas to account for the millions of dollars taken out of Chandler’s budget.

“We could see a revision with less of a hit and we’re hoping our legislators eventually could maybe remove or change this,” Berry added.

It is not yet clear how state leaders may address education funding gaps, especially since Gov. Ducey recently indicated he doesn’t want to pay for “empty seats” in classrooms.

District leaders have expressed concerns over Chandler’s budget woes and remain hopeful the issue may be resolved if enrollment numbers get back to where they were less than a year ago.

“Our budget problems would be solved if we get the kids back,” said Governing Board President Barbara Mozdzen. “It won’t be solved if we don’t.”

Board member Joel Wirth, a former CUSD administrator, said he cannot recall a time during his 37-year tenure when the district faced the prospect of laying off so many employees.

“I don’t think we’ve ever experienced having to lay off 186 staff members,” Wirth said. “Hopefully, those individuals will find a job.”

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

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Demands for open classrooms hit Kyrene board

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

K

yrene’s newly constituted Governing Board this month got a taste of what their counterparts in Tempe Union High School District have been hearing for months – demands by some parents to open classrooms.

And parents sharing that sentiment in both districts got an ally in their fight – Gov. Doug Ducey.

“Parents need to put pressure on the districts and if the districts aren’t going to open, parents need to vote with their feet,” Ducey said in an interview Jan. 15 on KTAR Radio’s Mike Broomhead show.

“There’s thousands of kids inside classrooms today all over Arizona. Parents who need their kids to learn virtually, that option remains available, but the parents who want their kids inside a classroom, like me, need to find a school where they can get inside a classroom.”

The interview climaxed a week that

The Kyrene and Tempe Union governing boards earlier this month elected new presidents.

Arizona State University law school student Brian Garcia of Tempe, left, will head the Tempe Union board while Tempe lawyer Kevin Walsh will preside over the Kyrene board.

(Special to the Arizonan)

began with the governor using his annual State of the State address partly to warn districts that he would not fund “empty seats” and that ended with his 2021 -22 budget proposal calling for

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funding summer school to help kids, primarily in low-income communities, close the learning gap that educators believe has developed from prolonged school closures. He also proposed new funding

strategies to promote charter schools.

His budget also appeared to offer no hope to districts that the state will equalize the per-pupil reimbursement rate for online students, which is currently 5 percent lower than the rate for students in classrooms.

Ducey’s remarks and budget proposal came during a week when all Tempe Union and Kyrene schools remained in virtual learning for all students and indicated classrooms would be closed likely for the rest of January, since officials want the county metrics for virus spread in a moderate range.

Currently, both districts are far from that.

According to data released on Thursday, Jan. 14, virus spread in both Kyrene and Tempe Union surged in the last week of December – the latest numbers available – to 688 cases per 100,000 in Tempe Union and 713 in Kyrene. That was a jump of more than 200 from the previous week. Percentage of new test results that were positive leaped to 20 percent

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

Tempe Union addressing rising failure rate

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

A

s Tempe Union High School District began a new semester this month in all-virtual mode, teachers and administrators continued to address the learning gap that has emerged since the pandemic disrupted classroom instruction.

That slippage was discussed at the final meeting of the old Tempe Union Governing Board last month as the first semester of 2020-21 – marked by only a month of a limited student presence in classrooms – wound down.

“We’re concerned. We’re very, very concerned,” Superintendent Kevin Mendivil told the board as he and his aides discussed learning loss that has emerged over the last nine months of 2020.

“This is a less than ideal situation for all school districts,” he said. “Tempe Union is not alone.

“I have often spoken with my colleagues in our sister districts of the East Valley and in Central Phoenix and they’re all struggling with this – everybody is. So, we’re not unique to our little area of the town. We recognized there would be learning gaps and (the need) to begin addressing them sooner rather than later and we have been doing that.”

That gap was measured both by comparing results of proficiency test results administered in the first quarters of 2019 and 2020 as well as failing grades in those two quarters and the second quarter of the current school year.

Across the district, the latter data sets showed a third or more of stu-

dents failing in English Language Arts, math, science and social studies.

Mendivil cautioned the data on failing grades for the second quarter of this school year was not complete since there a couple of weeks remained at the time the data were compiled.

He also said, “The Fs are not static.

There’ll be a point where they are, but right now the Fs are going to be – it’s very mobile. They were different a week ago. They were different two weeks ago and so they won’t be static because we will continue with the ongoing support.”

The data showed that between the first quarter of 2019 and the second quarter of this school year: • Failing grades district-wide tripled to 30 percent in English among freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

• In math district-wide, Fs in Algebra

Tempe Union administrators presented these charts to the Governing Board last month to show how failures in core subjects are increasing since students remained largely in virtual learning.

(Tempe Union)

1 – generally a freshman course – went from 12 percent to 40 percent.

Failures rose from 14 percent to 30 percent in geometry, usually a sophomore course.

• Failures quadrupled in the social studies areas of American and Arizona history, economics, federal and state government and world history and geography and tripled in biology and integrated science.

Mendivil said that while the administration and teaching staff are addressing struggling students and trying to “maintain trajectory for graduation for all students,” the top priorities are freshmen and seniors.

He said seniors have only this semester to “make up any deficiencies or credits that they all need to have for graduation day come in May.” As for freshmen, he said, “We want to start them off successfully as well and capture any or mitigate support for them early on so they don’t get down the road in their junior and senior years and they’re behind.”

At the same time, he stressed, the district is trying to also address all students’ social and emotional needs – which have become an even greater cause for concern among all educations nationwide as a result of the isolation and disruptions in typical school life wrought by the pandemic.

Mendivil noted that in the final quarter of 2019-20, students – particularly seniors – caught a break because the state Department of Education provided “very clear guidance and latitude to hold students harmless” and allowed “flexibility with grading practices to prioritize opportunities for students to improve their grades.”

As the debate over open and closed classrooms has raged since September throughout many East Valley school districts – particularly Tempe Union, Mesa Public Schools, Gilbert Public Schools and Chandler Unified – parents and students arguing for open campuses frequently have cited failing grades from virtual learning.

Tempe Union is the first district in the

see GAP page 21

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

Kyrene yields home-grown leaders ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

F

or the last two consecutive years, all of Kyrene’s directors and principals have been promoted to their jobs from within district’s ranks.

That was no accident, but rather the fruits of the Kyrene Aspiring Leaders Academy, a decade-old professional development program led Kyrene de la Mirada Principal Nancy Branch.

The program is partly built around the same principles that are fundamental to the way Mirada is structured.

The Pre-K-5 Mirada is a “Leader in Me School,” one of scores of such schools around the country that are organized around the leadership development strategies of Frank Covey, an American educator, author, businessman and speaker best known for his bestselling book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

Just as the Chandler school has a statewide reputation for academic excellence – it routinely is in the top 5 percent for student proficiency in math and reading – Kyrene’s Leaders Academy over time has developed a reputation for producing principals and other administrators known for their proficiency in running schools that help students be the best they can be.

Eleven of Kyrene’s 26 principals are graduates of the academy.

Branch waxes enthusiastically about the academy and Covey’s strategies.

“I’m just passionate about it and I love just watching them grow,” she said.

“For me what’s been really is exciting is watching people grown and move into these leadership positions and becoming my colleagues and just watching them do such a fabulous job and you know part of that was the result of KALA. “Part of it was obviously just who they are as leaders and their own personal knowledge,” she continued, “but I think … they would tell you that KALA definitely had an impact on who they are as a leader.”

Branch has been with Kyrene for 30 years and spent 11 as a teacher before moving into administrative jobs.

She is in her 11th year as Mirada’s principal, a job she took on after serv-

trict’s commitment to provide new opportunities for advancement and growth within their profession, district officials say.

Moreover, the academy is not something we borrowed from another school but something that has grown organically in Kyrene,” Branch noted, adding that Kyrene has shared its program with other districts that have expressed an interest in starting their own.

Branch is preparing to recruit a new group of participants who will start their leadership training in March.

But she won’t be there to congratulate them when they finish.

She is planning to retire after the current school year Mirada Principal Nancy Branch has overseen the Kyrene Aspiring Leaders Academy since its inception and is handing the program’s in 2010. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Staff Photographer) reigns over to Dr. Sarah Collins, principal of Kyrene de las ing as principal of Kyrene del Milenio “They are passionate about learnManitas.

Elementary for seven years. ing more, about their own growth and And the fact that her final months with She said she has always felt passion- development, so that they’re willing to the program are winding down in a time ate about leading and developing lead- take time after their day of teaching or when the pandemic has rocked public ers among the ranks of educators, which after their day in whatever their position education, she said, means that future is why she was invited to help form the may be within the school district to add classes will have a lot to learn from the Kyrene Aspiring Leaders Academy. to their knowledge base,” she added. experience.

“They asked me if I would help them Participants meet roughly 25 hours a “I really hope that comes out of 2020 is design the program and then coordinate semester for two years, discussing is- the idea and recognition that education the program,” Branch recalled. “Teach- sues related to the challenges of lead- does need to change and so here at Miing and instructing and design have al- ing an organization. Reading materials rada Leadership Academy, we have been ways been something that’s been very Branch has selected also become grist on that journey,” Branch said. “I’m very close to my heart and to be able to do for those discussions. proud of really embedding compassion it with adults sounded like a wonderful Participants also are led in discussions and community within what we’re doing opportunity.” by other Kyrene leaders, minimizing to with our students – which then leads to Becoming a KALA student also is a almost nothing the cost of professional a greater increase in student achieverare opportunity, as roughly only 25 em- development that in some organizations ment and student engagement because ployees are selected through an applica- could easily run into thousands of dol- it’s not just about content and that’s tion process. lars. what I really hope people across the na“We wanted to keep the cohort groups “We’ve had some amazing deep dis- tion come to see. small and intimate so that we could cussions where I have just gained knowl“We need to take care of the well-being, really focus on the high-quality staff edge from the participants’ own experi- the social and emotional needs of chilmembers that we really felt would walk ences and the stories they share as well,” dren to help prepare them for the real into positions in the future,” Branch ex- Branch said. world…I really do believe – and we’ve plained.

The chance of professional develop- seen it here – that we may have a greater Branch and her colleagues at the acad- ment through a program like the acad- engagement in the content-academic emy look for applicants “who have al- emy also helps position Kyrene to be learning because children know that we ready proven that they are passionate more competitive in recruiting younger care and children know that too. There’s about education. teachers, who are attracted to the dis- more to life than just the content.”

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

Tax reductions, school choice high on Ducey budget

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

G

ov. Doug Ducey wants to reduce taxes by $200 million this coming budget year – and another $200 million a year in each of the following two years – but isn’t ready to say who he wants to get that relief.

Daniel Scarpinato, Ducey’s chief of staff, said the cuts, the largest since Ducey took office in 2015, are justified because the state’s revenues are healthy.

And he rejected suggestions that the cash should go to what might be considered unmet needs, including concerns by Democrats and others about adequate funding of school construction and repairs.

Scarpinato cited new and expanded programs being funded in the governor’s $12.6 billion spending plan.

But he said Ducey maintains the belief that people are in the best position to decide what to do with their money and not the state, especially given the financial hardships many suffered due to the pandemic.

Scarpinato said the governor’s proposed tax cut isn’t designed to be an offset for Arizona’s high-wage earners who will be hit with a 3.5 percent income tax surcharge due to Proposition 208. Instead, he hinted that what Ducey favors is cutting income tax rates at the bottom.

That’s based on the fact that Arizona has a staggered tax table.

So, for example, everyone pays 2.59 percent on the first $27,272 of income, then 3.34 percent on the next $27,272, 4.17 percent on the next $109,800 and 4.5 percent on everything over $163,632. The dollar figures are double for married couples filing jointly.

Scarpinato said the state has record revenues and that “the dollars are going to be spent somehow.’’

“The state is going to utilize them as part of the budget, if not for tax reform, they would go toward other initiatives,’’ Scarpinato continued. “The governor believes that people deserve to keep their money.’’

Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix, suggested there was some fiscal sleight of hand going on.

“It appears as though the governor is repurposing federal funds so he can have

Gov. Doug Ducey laid out his spending priorities Jan. 15 with the release of his 2021-22 budget. (Arizonan file photo) money to fund his proposed tax cuts,’’ she said, dollars from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. That includes nearly $400 million in CARES cash the governor gave to state agencies this fiscal year out of the $1.9 billion he had in discretionary funding, with those agencies then depositing about $300 million back into the general fund. That will create a positive ending balance on June 30 when the current fiscal year ends.

And some of the funds the governor is touting that he is giving out next year are also coming from new CARES allocations.

“Those dollars should be reinvested into helping people right now, as opposed to looking at a tax cut,’’ Rios said. “We did not see a lot of talk about immediate relief for those that are struggling the most.’’

State schools chief Kathy Hoffman also chided Ducey for relying on one-time federal dollars for K-12 education fixes.

“What our public schools are lacking is sustained investment from our state,’’ she said.

“With a projected $2 billion surplus in addition to the nearly $1 billion in a rainy-day fund, the governor’s budget should provide stability for schools by committing to increased, sustainable investments in Arizona’s public education system,’’ Hoffman said.

That includes funding both full-day

kindergarten, something the state abandoned during the last recession, and pre-K programs.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego ripped Ducey’s plan, saying it “does tremendous damage” to Phoenix, where 37 percent of its budget is funded by state money.

“The brutal $600 million yearly tax cut he is talking about translates to a potential $25 million cut to the city of Phoenix,” she said. “That kind of reduction will be felt first and most profoundly by our police and fire departments.

“I firmly believe we must build up our first responders and provide the resources they need, not recklessly slash their ability to do their jobs and continue the necessary reforms we have already begun.”

She predicted the cuts will “also damage the libraries and community centers that serve our families, as well as the programs that make life more livable for vulnerable seniors in Phoenix.”

She said she would work with legislators to “disregard this budget to favor of one that appropriately addresses the needs of communities statewide.”

Scarpinato said there are new and expanded programs being funded, including cash for summer-school programs to help kids, especially from high-poverty areas, make up what they aren’t learning this academic year and more staff to sur-

vey conditions in long-term care facilities.

He noted funding was being increased for repairs at state prisons and for universities to increase the number of graduates in high-demand industries like coding, artificial intelligence and what the governor calls “entrepreneurism.’’

More money also has been allotted to prevent and deal with forest fires.

But the budget does leave some gaps.

One in particular is that the governor last year promised he would hold schools financially harmless due to the effects of the virus as many had to go to virtual learning.

Ducey said the state would make up for the fact that the aid formula pays less for online students than those in classrooms to recognize there are additional costs.

And the governor said schools would not be penalized when some students disappeared from school entirely and the state would provide them with the same aid as the prior year to cover fixed costs.

The state did give out $370 million.

But that ran out before all the schools got what they believe they were promised, leaving many districts millions in the hole.

Scarpinato said the state is making that up by earmarking $389 million for special summer school programs aimed at helping students make up over the summer what they likely didn’t learn last year.

That includes $298 million to help nearly 600,000 students who come from low-income homes to provide at least 50 hours of instruction.

And there’s another $91 million targeted at grades K through 3 and 8th and 11th grades for 80 hours of summer school.

“Low-income kids and children of color in particular haven’t had the opportunities that other students have had during this pandemic,’’ said Scarpinato.

“So we’ve structured this in a way that does provide those dollars to schools, but that does it in a way that helps the kids that have been impacted through this pandemic.’’

But that doesn’t make the schools whole and make up for the cash Ducey promised last year but didn’t deliver.

The funds will be needed to pay the staffers teaching those summer school

see DUCEY page 15

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

DUCEY from page 14

programs.

Gretchen Conger, one of the governor’s advisors, said Ducey believes the schools still come out ahead because of an infusion of federal dollars.

The spending plan also does not include the $44 million that Ducey had proposed – but did not get – a year ago to expand “Project Rocket’’ grants of $150 per student to districts with low-performing schools and a high percentage of students who live in poverty to help reduce the achievement gap.

“Things have changed,’’ said Scarpinato. But he said the governor is willing to work with Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, who already has introduced legislation this session to fully fund the plan.

The budget also includes $6.9 million in early literacy, including sending literacy coaches to the lowest performing K-3 schools and requiring additional evaluation and training of new teachers to ensure they know how to teach reading.

And there is another $9.5 million in what the governor calls his “Driving Equity’’ initiative to promote school choice.

That is based on the idea that parents want to choose schools based on things like class sizes, programs available and learning styles but often cannot because they do not live near the schools they desire and may not have a way of driving their students there daily.

This would be available to schools, both traditional public and charter, to come up with “transportation innovations’’ to get those kids the rides they need.

And Ducey wants another $500,000 to publicize school choice options.

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Ducey also intends to put $120 million of tax dollars this calendar into keeping the state’s unemployment trust fund solvent.

At the beginning of last year, there was $1.1 billion in the fund, financed by employers who pay a tax on the first $7,000 of each worker’s salary.

The increased number of people who were let go or fired due to the virus has the fund on target to reach zero in February.

Under normal circumstances, when the fund runs out of money it is made up by the federal government in the form of a loan. But that has to be paid back by Arizona employers in the form of a surcharge on their normal unemployment taxes that they pay.

Instead, Ducey wants to use general fund dollars to avoid that surcharge.

At the same time, however, Ducey has shown no interest in raising the maximum benefit available to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Arizona’s cap of $240 a week, not raised since 2004, is the second lowest in the nation.

There also are no new state dollars for programs for the homeless, an issue that has become increasingly critical given job losses during the pandemic and the expiration of no-eviction orders.

Conger, however, said she expects more than $400 million in federal dollars to be available for rental assistance.

There are some things the Democrats like, including putting more money into state-subsidized child care for the working poor to help reduce the wait list. Rios also praised additional dollars to fund treatment for opioid treatment and the new body cameras for DPS.

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

17 CITY NEWS

Arizonans getting higher, new pot data suggests

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

A

rizonans legally smoked, ate or otherwise consumed nearly 106 tons of marijuana last year.

That’s up 27 percent from 2019 and nearly double the amount sold in 2018.

And that consumption likely will grow exponentially as Arizona adults could be purchasing legal weed for recreational this week.

State health officials began accepting applications Tuesday to run some of the more than 120 recreational sites that voters agreed to in November allow to sell marijuana to anyone.

On paper, the state has up to 60 days to review and approve. But agency spokesman Steve Elliott told Capitol Media Services it’s not going to take anywhere near that long.

“Our goal is not to be a barrier,’’ he said.

The process should be fairly simple as the initial batch of retail sales licenses will be going to shops already set up to provide medical marijuana.

These are facilities where the owners and the employees already have been vetted by the state.

All this is a direct result of passage of Proposition 207. Approved by a 3-2 margin, it allows anyone 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana or six plants.

Only thing is, there is not yet a place where Arizonans who do not already have a card as a medical marijuana user can legally purchase it.

That is what will change once the state approves the new recreational licenses, making flowers, edibles and other mixtures as available as a head of lettuce – sort of.

It still requires presentation of a state-recognized identification card proving age, though that does not have to be from Arizona.

And there’s that one-ounce limit.

Still, Hurley acknowledged that nothing in the law tracks individual sales to the point that one dispensary can find out if another one just sold an ounce of the drug to the same buyer.

Possession of more than an ounce remains illegal, though anything up to 2 1/2 ounces is a petty offense, subject only to a fine.

The new law creates a fiscal conundrum of sorts for the state’s nearly 300,000 medical marijuana users: Should they keep their stateissued cards?

The new law, however, requires imposition of a 16 percent excise tax on recreational sales. And assuming a price of $200 an ounce – a figure that could vary widely – that additional fee amounts to $32.

So that makes sales to medical marijuana users cheaper.

But Hurley said it’s not that simple.

Anyone wanting a medical marijuana card first has to get a diagnosis from a doctor that he or she has a condition for which the drug can be recommended. These range from glaucoma and AIDS to severe and chronic pain.

Hurley figures an office visit can set someone back about $150.

Then there’s the requirement for an identification card issued by the state, which carries its own $150 biennial fee.

“I’m guessing most people that have their cards will keep them until they expire,’’ he said. “Unless you’re a real heavy user, some people will probably not renew them.’’

In either case, customers should come armed with cash.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. And banks which are subject to federal regulation have been unwilling to accept credit card transactions from dispensaries.

Taxes aside, there is one other advantage to keeping a medical marijuana card. It allows individuals to purchase up to 2 1/2 ounces every two weeks, versus being limited to possession of no more than an ounce at any one time.

The latest report from the state Department of Health Services has no figures on how much Arizonans spent,

as any financial data from the state-regulated dispensaries is confidential.

But if an ounce of average weed goes for $200 – and there’s a whole lot of variables – that’s more than $675 million expended in 2020 on medical marijuana.

All that is just the stuff state health officials know about, based on the reports it gets from the more than 100 legal dispensaries around the state. The big unknown is how many medical marijuana patients are getting their drugs from other sources which may be more convenient -- or cheaper.

And none of that counts for those who are buying and using the drug illegally.

Other findings in the new report also show that: On average, more marijuana transactions occur in December than any other month; Male patients outnumber female by

3-to-2.

And if you divide up the number of legal medical marijuana patients by the amount of the drug sold in Arizona law year, the average user consumed close to an ounce a month.

Health department figures also show that the vast majority of what was purchased last year was in whole marijuana form, meaning the leaves and flowers that can be smoked or made into tea. Only about 10 percent was in other forms, including edibles like candy bars and drinks, as well as pills and liquids.

The increase in usage has been constant.

Sales totaled 87,000 in 2017 and about 58,600 for the year after that.

And that was a 52 percent increase over 2015 sales which, in turn, were double the 2014 numbers.

The number of patients with medical marijuana cards from the state in each county varies from 196,397 in Maricopa to 275 in LaPaz, according to the Department of Health Services.

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CITY NEWS

18

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

COVID-19 clips Ostrich Festival’s wings again ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

F

or the second consecutive year, the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival has been postponed from its usual March engagement because of the pandemic.

The Chandler Chamber, in partnership with Steve LeVine Entertainment and Public Relations, said it is postponing the event until the fall, though it is still working on dates with the city.

“It was determined that this decision would be in the best interest of the community due to the continued health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the state orders prohibiting mass gatherings over 50 people, as well as the current hold put on special event licenses,” the Chamber said in its announcement.

The Chamber was forced to cancel last year’s show after the pandemic broke in March. It had scheduled it tentatively for October until COVID-19 trends made it clear crowd restrictions had to be continued.

“It is a difficult time but the safety and

N’ Boots Queen Creek which was scheduled for March 2021, stating “it cannot confidently overcome the difficulties of staging a large event with the uncertainties and ever-evolving rules and guidelines associated with Covid-19.

“The board felt it The Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival was postponed last had an obligation to year, then ultimately canceled. This year's edition has been the contestants, stock put off to the fall. (Chandler Chamber) contractor, sponsors, vendors, and contract well-being of our community is our top pripersonnel to make a decision now rathority,” added Chamber CEO/President Terri er than wait until the last minute,” the Kimble. “Based on the state and federal exboard said, adding that it will just work ecutive orders on large gatherings still in efon its March 16-20, 2022, show. fect, the Ostrich Festival will unfortunately It added it will be exploring alternabe postponed. We hope to share more intives to continuing its presence in the formation on new fall dates soon.” community, in person and over social This isn’t the only high season event to media. The Rodeo Royalty will continue run afoul of COVID-19. to represent the town at various virThe Friends of Horseshoe Park board tual, community and state events and of directors canceled this year’s Roots the board “will continue to partner with

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Roots n’ Boots will be releasing its second issue of the AgTivity Book in March and asked that suggestions on partnering with other organizations or community involvement be sent to info@friendsofhorseshoepark.org.

While the Waste Management Phoenix Open will go on as scheduled at the end of the month, crowds will be kept to a minimum.

Scottsdale’s annual Parada del Sol was moved from February to March, as was the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, but it’s unclear if the continuing COVID-19 surge will force both events to be delayed again.

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19 CITY NEWS

Kyrene students hear from Holocaust survivor ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

K

yrene Altadeña Middle School students received a lesson in both history and humanity during a virtual presentation by Holocaust survivor Leon Malmed.

Students listened as Malmed joined eighth graders from his Lake Tahoe home.

“There have been many conversations about the impact of virtual learning on meaningful experiences,” Altadeña Assistant Principal Ryan James said. “This event is proof that we can still hear important voices and perspectives while staying connected to each other and to the outside world.”

Malmed discussed his childhood, beginning two years after the start of World War II when his parents were taken away.

Malmed, then 4 and his sister Rachel, 9, did not learn what happened to them until decades later.

After their arrest by Nazi soldiers, Malmed’s parents were sent to Auschwitz, where his father died just a few months before the concentration camp was liberated.

Malmed’s mother never received an identification tattoo, indicating she either died in transport or was killed upon arrival.

Malmed and his sister lived with a neighboring Christian family that protected them through roundups, air raids and famine for five years despite the threat of death if they were ever discovered.

That family’s heroism and compassion inspired Malmed to share his own story.

Descendants of the family consider Malmed and his sister uncle and aunt and they keep in close contact with each other, holding video calls between visits and reunions.

“Malmed’s candid recollection of the events of his childhood spurred many questions from students and teachers regarding hope, change and the repetition of history,” a Kyrene district spokeswoman said.

The students and teachers were inspired by Malmed.

Lauren Ring, 8th grade English Language Arts teacher, said, “Surprisingly, Zoom has made it feel very intimate as opposed to a stage and an audience.

Hearing the first-hand account from

Leon is priceless, impactful and emotional. I hope this has enhanced the learning from this quarter for our students immeasurably.”

Natalia Riehle, an eighth grade student, said, “Leon helped me realize that no matter the circumstance life will get better, but that will only happen if we never give up and keep fighting.”

In response to Leon’s promise that the sky is still blue beyond the storm clouds, Natalia said, “That statement really meant a lot to me, especially with this pandemic. It helped me to realize I need to find the good in life, even if it’s little things, and enjoy it.”

Despite the 70-year age gap between Malmed and his audience, one Kyrene student related to the trauma and shared his family’s own history with the Holocaust.

“This is a heavy subject, but we are so fortunate to have a witness to these events share his story with our students.” James said. “Our students have finished covering the era of World War II in class, but hearing Leon’s testimony is more powerful than a textbook.”

Despite the difficult subject matter, Malmed’s conversation with Altadeña students included a message of hope.

“We all have problems in life,” he said. “The problems can be solved. They are like clouds in the sky. It may be minutes, days, weeks or years, but the sky will be blue again.”

Malmed immigrated to the U.S. in 1964. Malmed was drafted in the French Air force during the French-Algerian war in the 1950 and 60s. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Paris as well as the AEA Senior Executive Program at the UCLA and the Executive Institute program for Management of High Technology Companies at Stanford Business School. He worked for tech companies in Silicon Valley and is currently on the board of the Lake Tahoe Community College Foundation.

After 60 years of total silence about his childhood during the Holocaust and aftermath, Malmed decided to publish his memoir. The book sales proceeds go to Holocaust survivors in need.

The book is titled “We Survived…at Last I Speak,” which he published in his 70s.

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KYRENE from page 8

from around 13 percent in both districts while percentage of hospital visits with COVID-like symptoms were above the threshold for significant spread.

Both districts have maintained virtual learning since Thanksgiving.

Kyrene offered open classrooms for a little more than two months to children in Pre-K through fifth grades and for about six weeks to middle schoolers.

Tempe Union has not offered five-day in-classroom instruction since the governor closed schools in mid-March. In midOctober, it began a hybrid learning mode that split student bodies alphabetically into two groups of students who wanted in-class learning that then rotate between classroom instruction two days a week and at-home learning the other three days.

In a letter to parents Jan 14, Kyrene said it is “prepared to make a rapid transition once the community health metrics show that it is safe to do so, and staffing levels are sufficient to welcome in-person learners back to campus. If the county reports overall moderate spread in the Kyrene boundaries for two weeks in a row, schools will receive that data on a Thursday and will be ready to welcome in-person learners to school the following Tuesday.”

Tempe Union’s website reminded parents the district remains in a fully virtual leaning mode and gave no indication when that would change, stating, “These are difficult decisions to make but we continue to focus on the safety and well-being of our students, their families, and our teachers and staff.

Ducey in both his State of the State address and his radio interview reiterated his previous contention that that approach is wrong. ”We need to get our kids back in school,” he said on the radio. “Every public health experts says schools are the safest place for our children to be.”

Parents whose letters to both Kyrene and Tempe Union were read at the districts’ respective board meetings last week were split on that contention.

Parents who demanded that Kyrene reopen classrooms echoed Ducey’s assertion, with one writing: “I have seen a significant decline in my son’s retention of knowledge and social emotional behavior. My son struggled through kindergarten and first grade.

We were hoping that this was the year he would take off and when he went to

in-person in second grade, everything finally clicked and we were so proud of him and so happy ...We want nothing more than for him to go back in-person, to be with his teacher who he loves and all of his buddies. He asks us all the time, ‘When can I go back to school?’”

Another parent expressed concern for the impact of closed classrooms on children’s emotional state as well as their academic proficiency, stating: “Has anyone monitored an online class to see the difference of attention span and distractions that occur in the online environment? I am also concerned with the reduced time of instruction the online environment provides our children.”

Some parents asserted that the district cared more about teachers than kids and asked if Kyrene would require teachers to get COVID-19 vaccines.

The trust that insures Kyrene and Tempe Union has said nothing about state law preventing districts from requiring teachers be vaccinated, with exemptions for medical or religious reasons.

But Kyrene told AFN two weeks ago there is no plan at this time to require vaccinations while Tempe Union has been silent on the issue.

Meanwhile, other parents in both districts whose letters were read last week praised decisions to maintain virtual learning until virus spread levels ebbed.

“We agree with (state schools Superintendent Kathy) Hoffman’s position that decisions around instruction should happen in a data-driven manner,” one wrote.

“We know the online environment can be challenging and we would love to safely return our children to the classroom.”

One letter came from a Tempe High School employee whose husband is a registered nurse and works with many COVID-19 patients. She said that as part of her district job, she has talked with or visited more than 900 families and after hearing their stories of how COVID-19 taken the lives of loved ones or otherwise impacted them adversely, she felt like she was living in a different world.

“I understand why the conversation is so polarized,” she wrote. “If your personal experiences and the experiences of those of you closest to you are not the same as the others, it is incredibly difficult to understand the need to completely retool your life. I implore you to continue the protections you’ve put in place.”

GAP from page 10

region to publicly present hard data on that learning loss among students.

Part of the problem with the widening learning loss is that an undetermined number of Tempe Union students are not even engaged in online instruction.

“We’re trying to get those students on campus for support,” Mendivil said of both students with failing grades and those who apparently are not engaged in online learning.

“We have been doing that the entire semester, actually,” he added. “We want to continue to identify the support, the social-emotional support that …that they may have.”

In some cases, he said, the district is calling and even making visits to the homes of those students who for all intent and purposes have dropped out.

He also indicated that addressing struggling students is a months-long effort and that the last thing the district wants to do is penalize students.

“We’re going to continue this process of the interventions,” Mendivil said.

21

“It’s ongoing. This isn’t something you do in an isolated weekend or a couple of weeks…This summer is going to look very, very different. All of our school sites will be providing some sort of support during summer education academy. All seven sites will be open to make sure that we hone in on those students who may have lost out a little bit and we need to provide that support so that they can get back on track.”

He also said that while some of the percentages of failures “can be overwhelming,” he saw a chance where “we can experience some immediate success potentially when we focus on that kid who may have not engaged quite as much.”

He said teachers can change many students’ grades if they complete assignments, retake tests or follow “whatever the intervention or circumstance that the teacher and the family and the students have agreed upon.”

“We find those students can easily turn that grade back into a passing or better and that’s the focus from here forward,” Mendivil added.

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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ARIZONA - “It’s a miracle these State Restricted Bank Rolls even exist. That’s why Hotline Operators are bracing for the flood of calls,” said Laura Lynne, U.S. Coin and Currency Treasurer for the National Mint and Treasury.

For the next 2 days the last remaining State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Morgan Silver Dollars are actually being handed over to Arizona residents who call the National Toll-Free Hotlines listed in today’s newspaper publication.

“I recently spoke with the retired Treasurer of the United States of America who said 'In all my years as Treasurer I’ve only ever seen a handful of these rare Morgan Silver Dollars issued by the U. S. Gov’t back in the 1800’s. But to actually find them sealed away in State Restricted Bank Rolls still in pristine condition is like finding buried treasure. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Bank Rolls had better hold on to them,'” Lynne said.

“Now that the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls are being offered up we won’t be surprised if thousands of Arizona residents claim the maximum limit allowed of 4 Bank Rolls per resident before they’re all gone,” Lynne said.

“That’s because the dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued Morgan Silver Dollars sealed away inside the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls have never been searched. But, we do know that all the coins date clear back to the 1800’s and are worth up to

JACKPOT: Imagine finding the 1892S Morgan Silver Dollar shown above worth thousands of dollars in collector value in one of these unsearched Bank Rolls. There are never any guarantees, but Arizona residents who get their hands on these State Restricted Bank Rolls will be the really lucky ones because even more common coins are still worth up to $125 - $1,000 in collector value.

100 times their face value, so there is no telling what Arizona residents will find until they sort through all the coins,” Lynne said.

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their face value for just $590 which is a real steal because non state residents must pay $136 per coin which totals $1,360 if any coins remain after the 2-day deadline.

The only thing Arizona residents need to do is call the National TollFree Hotlines printed in today’s newspaper publication before the 2-day order deadline ends.

“Rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued

coins like these are highly sought after, but we’ve never seen anything like this before. According to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins many Morgan Silver Dollars minted in the 1800’s are now worth $125 - $1,000 each in collector value,” Lynne said.

“So just imagine how much these R1015

(Continued on next page)

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

23 SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

(Continued from previous page)

last remaining, unsearched State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls could be worth someday. Remember, these are not ordinary coins – these rarely seen coins are over 100 years old. In fact, these coins have been forever retired by the U.S. Gov’t, and you can’t get them rolled this way anywhere because these are the only State Restricted Bank Rolls known to exist,” Lynne said.

“We’re guessing thousands of Arizona residents will be taking the maximum limit of 4 Bank Rolls because they make such amazing gifts for any occasion for children, parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones,” Lynne said.

“We know the phones will be ringing off the hook.

That’s why hundreds of Hotline Operators are standing by to answer the phones beginning at 8:30am this morning. We’re going to do our best, but with just 2 days to answer all the calls it won’t be easy. So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best

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REAL ESTATE

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2020

From Uptown to Downtown, we cover Chandler like the sun

Homebuyers hit a wall in East Valley

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

T

he top analyst of housing market trends in the Phoenix Metro Market last week sounded the alarms for homebuyers in 2021 that can be boiled down to one word: desperation.

The Cromford Report said that while January is normally the best month for new listings to come on line, the shriveling inventory of both resale and new homes is reaching historic lows.

“Since the turn of the year we have been closely watching to see if the arrival rate of new listings would improve and make the supply situation some-

what easier,” it said.

Instead, new listings have “arrived at a feeble rate, lower than lower than the January of the last three years and well below what we had been expecting based on December’s patterns,” it said, concluding: “As a result, the overall supply situation has got worse. not better.”

Chandler was among nine municipalities reporting fewer than 100 listings.

They included: Maricopa, 67; Fountain Hills, 70; Tempe, 73; Goodyear, 75; Chandler, 86; Cave Creek, 87; Buckeye, 90; Gilbert, 95; and Glendale with 98.

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fordable house and different way of life.”

Cromford backs that up.

Cromford’s analysis of closings for

are likely to outnumber sellers by at least “5Buyers to 1 for the foreseeable future. This is the most extreme example of a seller’s market we have ever witnessed.

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tie Ellis said. “Almost everyone says they can’t believe it.”

“In all fairness this is an unprecedented time: pandemic – people afraid to list and let others go through their house – low interest rates, lack of keeping up with the rate of building needed to support the natural growth.

She also said a dwindling labor pool in the home-building business has combined with a high demand for contractors among people who are taking advantage of a significant increase in their home equity to undertake major renovation projects.

Ellis also said inventory has been eaten up as a result of “the influx of neighbors to the West who are looking for more af-

December showed 20 percent of home purchases were by out-of-state buyers.

And there could be more than that, Many out-of-state buyers are using LLCs to purchase homes, Cromford said, explaining, that is “making closings more difficult to track and identify. That suggests the public percentages of outof-state purchases “are probably lower than in real life.”

As for the data on homes still out there, Cromford didn’t mince words.

“These numbers are pathetic, just a fraction of what we would normally see,” Cromford said, warning that “the situation for buyers is getting even more

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2020

25 REAL ESTATE

MARKET from page 24

desperate” and that “for new listings, the outlook for 2021 is already dire from a buyer’s point of view.: “Buyers are likely to outnumber sellers by at least 5 to 1 for the foreseeable future. This is the most extreme example of a seller’s market we have ever witnessed,” it added.

It also said the alarmingly low inventory is driving up prices faster than they were rising in the last six months, and that only 1,943 homes were available for under $500,000 in the Phoenix Metro market compared with 10,253 in December 2018.

It added, “1,943 is a crazy number for a metropolitan area of nearly five million people.”

“Prices are likely to increase massively over the next six months in these current circumstances,” it predicted. “This applies even if demand cools consider-

This 7,000-square-foot home on W. Trovita Place in Chandler recently sold for $2.1 million. Built in 2005, the seven-bedroom, four-bath house boasts hand-scraped walnut floors, chef-inspired gourmet kitchen and a sports court in the backyard, among numerous other amenities. (Special to the Arizonan) ably.”

Cromford noted that indexes reflecting inventory and pricing “are shooting

upwards from the already stratospheric heights.”

“Has the first week of 2021 given us

any signals that the supply situation is about to improve? That’s easy to answer – no. New listings are weak and inventory levels are lower now than on December 31.,” it said, adding that the market is “moving ever deeper into uncharted territory.”

Even without the influx of out-of-state buyers, most of the nation is in the same dire straights as Phoenix.

“The shortage of homes for sale nationwide has made it much more difficult to find a home to purchase, meaning that buyers are struggling to take advantage of the record-low mortgage rates on offer,” Realtor.com reported last week.

However, Fannie Mae reported people are exhibiting a “substantially more pessimistic view of homebuying and homeselling conditions.”

Its Home Purchase Sentiment Index, based on a survey containing 100 questions, fell nearly 18 percent year over year in 2020, Fannie Mae said.

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REAL ESTATE

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2020

As housing needs change, homes adapting

BY CAROL ROYSE Arizonan Guest Writer

T

he COVID-19 Era has changed how families look at their living spaces.

With parents having to work from home and kids attending school online, the need for adequate, dedicated space has never been greater.

The home now must be dynamic

enough to sustain each family member’s needs in the living, entertaining, working, and educational categories.

Before COVID, a family of four could be happy in a three-bedroom home, but today might need a den and even additional “flex” space.

Instead of that three-bedroom home, they’re expanding their search to include additional bonus rooms, some now potentially looking at a five-bedroom home to accommodate their working and schooling needs.

An expert Realtor can position your

home for optimal buyer demand, illustrating to prospective buyers how to best use your living space.

Additionally, with the disappearance of organized youth sports, school gyms, parks, and other outdoor amenities, more and more families want the accommodating backyard paradise, especially those featuring pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, fire pits and space.

Families need an escape, and their backyards are quickly becoming the

designation as travel and entertainment remain less conventional.

If you have a home to sell, your home may be just what these buyers are looking for. If you’re a homebuyer, you need an expert Realtor to unlock inventory you won’t find elsewhere.

Knowing the needs of both today’s buyers and sellers are Carol Royse’s specialty. For more information on home values in the area, call her at 480-776-5231 and ask about her “Trade-Up” program.

utilizes someone else’s land – land that is not owned by the trespasser, land that the trespasser did not purchase or contribute funds towards and land of which the rightful owner did not provide permission for the trespasser to occupy – after a certain period of time, the trespasser becomes the true owner of the land.

The original owner loses all rights in the property occupied by the trespasser. So

not only is the original owner prevented from evicting the trespasser, but the trespasser has the ability to formally get title to the property through the court system.

That’s right: the law in Arizona, as in many other states, actually rewards someone for trespassing on someone else’s property. It punishes the actual title owner by taking away the owner’s rights to the land without compensation.

How can this be legal and constitutional, and what is the rationale for having law like this?

In a nutshell, the reasons for the law can be boiled down to policy that favors productive use of land and stability in property rights, and disfavors sleeping on legal rights.

Adverse possession has historical roots going back hundreds of years to England,

Trespassers can acquire title to another’s land

BY BEN GOTTLIEB Arizonan Guest Writer

A

rizona recognizes the legal doctrine of adverse possession.

The doctrine is counterintuitive and seems to run counter to the values we were all taught in elementary school.

It goes something like this: if a person

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see GOTTLIEB page 28

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2020

GOTTLIEB from page 26

where statutes of limitations were put in place. If the true title owner did not assert rights in the property within the appropriate period of time, the occupier would become the lawful owner of the land.

This law addressed concerns arose over people losing land that they occupied for many years, only to have the true title owner assert rights in the property many years later.

This rule of law also afforded propertyoccupiers with a certain degree of confi-

dence that after making productive use of land for many years, but lacking evidence of title which might be difficult to obtain, that no one could eventually rob them of their investment in the land.

Today, in Arizona, lawsuits are filed each month by a trespasser (often termed an “adverse possessor”).

The adverse possessor must prove in court that he or she occupied land, without permission of the original owner, for a period of at least 10 years.

An adverse possessor may assert an adverse possession claim over land,

even if he or she possessed the property under the mistaken belief that it was their own. This type of situation often arises in boundary line disputes.

Arizona also recognizes the “tacking” rule. This means if an adverse possessor occupies a portion of his or her neighbor’s land, without permission from the neighbor for five years, and then sells the property to someone who continues to occupy the neighbor’s land for another five years, the adverse possessor could go to court and provide evidence to satisfy the 10-year requirement.

Most lenders require an appraisal before they’ll grant you a mortgage. Your home is their collateral, and if you can’t pay your mortgage, they want to make sure they can get back as much of their money as possible. An appraisal also helps protect you from buying an overpriced property.

The appraiser will take an unbiased look at a home, the condition it’s in, any repairs it needs, and other factors, and will also likely compare it to other similar properties in the area before providing an estimate of what they think it’s worth.

An appraisal goes deeper than the comps your real estate agent likely gathered and presented to you when you were first considering the property but not as deep as a home inspection, which you’ll also want to have completed in most cases before the sale is final.

If the appraised value is higher than the cost of the home you want to purchase, you’re making an investment that’s paying off from the get-go.

But if the appraised value is lower than the price of the house, then you have a vari-

Appraisal costs almost always on the buyer ARIZONAN NEWS SERVICES

I

f you’re buying a home, one of the many things you must check off your list is hiring a professional to do a home appraisal to assess the property’s value.

But what if you check it off your list and then, for whatever reason, the home sale falls through – who pays the appraisal fee then?

A home appraisal is a professional assessment of how much a property is worth. Unless you’re paying for your home in cash, it’s non-negotiable.

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While the doctrine of adverse possession has historical roots dating back to English law, its applicability remains relevant to this day.

If you have any concerns or questions over your property boundaries or whether you might need to assert your property rights, you should act sooner than later.

Chandler resident Ben Gottlieb is a partner and co-founder of MacQueen and Gottlieb PLC, the state’s top real estate law firm. Reach him at 602-5332840 or email him at ben@mandglawgroup.com. ety of options – including negotiating with the seller, challenging the appraisal, and/ or getting a second one. Or, of course, you could walk away from the deal completely.

The cost of a professional appraisal varies depending on where you live; but in general, you can expect to pay somewhere around $300 to $400 for one.

In most cases, even though the appraisal is for the benefit of the lender and the appraiser is selected by the lender, the fee is paid by the buyer.

It may be wrapped up into closing costs or you may have to pay it upfront. There are some cases, however, in which a seller will offer to pay the appraisal fee to make the deal more attractive.

So, back to the original question: When a sale falls through, who’s on the line for the fee?

In most cases, it’s still going to be the buyer.

“The buyer is usually required to pay the appraisal fee upfront, and it is owed even if the lender does not move forward with a loan,” said Realtor Lee Dworshak. “While the seller may have agreed to pay all closing costs, if the closing does not occur and the property is not conveyed, the seller is not required to pay your appraisal fee.”

If a buyer doesn’t pay the appraisal fee upfront and instead rolls it into the rest of the closing costs, that doesn’t mean the buyer is off the hook if the deal falls through.

“It has nothing to do with the seller; it is ordered by your lender and payment is due regardless of the outcome,” said broker Maria Jeantet.

“It is typically paid by the buyer unless specifically negotiated ahead of time to be paid by the seller.”

Having a home sale fall through is usually a bummer for both the seller and the buyer, and having to pay for an appraisal on a home you’re not going to buy adds a bit of insult to injury.

Realtor.com provided this report.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2020

29

Carol Royse, announces her “Trade Program” Carol her “Trade “Trade UpUp Program” CarolRoyse, Royse,announces announces her Up Program”

Many home sellers are concerned with the market being so limited homes and keeping the home they are selling in “show condition.” home sellers are concerned with the market being so ininventory inventory their home would too and the question in Many inventory their home would sell too fast, and the question arises, Many home sellers are concerned with the market being so limited limitedCarol’s in their home would sellsell too fast, and the question “Trade Program” allows sellers, who arefast, likewise buyers, to step arises,arises, “where would we go.”

Carol Royse, Teamhas hassolved solvedthis this dilemma instituting a new program “where would we go.would ” Carol Royse, CEO of theCEO Carol Royse Team “where we go.”

Carol Royse, CEOof ofthe theCarol Carol Royse Royse Team dilemma by by instituting a new program that that out of this undesirable situation completely. As a rule, most buyers who solves thisthis housing dilemma. solves thisdilemma housing dilemma. has solved by instituting a new program that solves this look at homes over $700,000 already own a home. Since higher priced RoyseRoyse knows, when a home seller who is ismoving to buy, buy,find findthemselves themselves inevitably stuck a “Catch 22” situation. knows, when a home seller who movingup upand and looking looking to inevitably stuck in ain “Catch 22” situation. housing dilemma. homes dofind notthe attract first timeor buyers, Royse’s Trade Program works well Either they sell their present home first and take the risk of not being able to right home, they take the risk of owning two two Eitherknows, they sell their present home first and take thelooking risk oftonot able to find the right home, or they take the risk of owning Royse when a home seller who is moving up and buy,being for thoseOr home homes. thought of storing their furnitureand and artwork is is not appealing. theysellers. place a contingent offer on the home they are The The thought of storing furniture fihomes. nd themselves inevitably stuck in their a “Catch 22” situation.artwork Either theynot appealing. Or they place a contingent offer on the home they are wanting to buy, knowing most sellers will notaccept acceptaacontingent contingent offer.

This lead to confusion andand frustration.

If you finddilemma yourselfcan incan this “Catch 22” situation, call CarolUntil Royse wanting to buy, knowing most sellers will This dilemma lead to confusion frustration.

Until sell their present home first and take the risk of not not being able to find the offer. now, the only solution has been buying a home while not having their current home sold and risk owning two homes.

Many sellers today for a no-obligation consultation ontwo the Carol Royse “Trade now,home, the only solution hasrisk been buyingtwo a home while not having their current home sold and risk owning homes.

Many sellers right or they take the of owning homes.

Theboth thought of and are concerned with the thought of maintenance on homes keeping the home they are selling in “show condition.”

Program”.

Carol they Royse, able to in bring global home buyers and are concerned with the maintenance onthey both homes andUp keeping the home areisselling “show condition.” storing their furniture andthought artwork isofnot appealing. Or place a conCarol’s Program” sellers, who are likewise buyers, tosellers step out of thisthrough undesirable completely.

AsHosting a rule, most together her situation extensive networking. a local tingent offer on“Trade theProgram” home they allows areallows wanting to buy, knowing most sellers Carol’s “Trade sellers, who are likewise buyers, to higher step out of this undesirable situation completely.

As a rule, most buyers who look at homes over $700,000 already own a home.

Since priced homes do not attract first time buyers, Royse’s radio show each week, Carol brings accurate, local real estate inforwill not accept a contingent er. for Th isthose dilemma can lead to confusion buyers who look at homes over $700,000 already own a home. Since higher priced homes do not attract first time buyers, Royse’s Trade Program worksoff well home sellers. mation to the Southeast Valley and the surrounding areas. Carol is a and frustration. now, thefor onlythose solution hassellers. been buying a home Trade ProgramUntil works well home If you find yourself in this “Catch 22” situation, call Carol Royse today for a no-obligation on the CarolShe Royse “Trade a sought-aft erno-obligation speaker andconsultation trainer on Real Estate. is Royse considered while notfind having their current home sold22” andsituation, risk owning two homes.

If you yourself in this “Catch call Carol Royse today for a consultation on the Carol Up Program”. Carol Royse, is able to bring global home buyers and sellers together through her extensive networking. Hosting a “Trade Many sellers are concerned withisthe thought of maintenance onbuyers both andleader the Realthrough Estate Industry.

Up Program”.

Caroleach Royse, bring global home sellersintogether extensive Hosting a local radio show week, able Caroltobrings accurate, local real estate information to the Southeasther Valley and thenetworking. surrounding areas. localCheck radio isshow each Caroland brings local real estate information toSeller the Southeast Valley and the surrounding areas.

Carol aout sought-after speaker trainer on RealHome Estate.

She is considered a leader in the Real Estate Industry. ourweek, Podcast for theaccurate, latest Buyer and Home Tips at CarolRoyseTeam.com

Carol is a sought-after speaker and trainer on Real Estate. She is considered a leader in the Real Estate Industry.

Trade Up to Trade Up to This Home

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Stunning views from most rooms! High upgraded and recently remodeled for today’s trendy buyer. Gourmet kitchen w/granite Lakefront Living at it's Best!counters, game room, French doors from master suite to private balcony overlooking the lake. doors leads to your privateand outdoor resort.

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Tune in Every Sunday from 2 to 3 pm 550 KFYI to hear the 2 to 3 pm Tune on in Every Sunday from "Carol on Royse orthe go to 550Radio KFYIShow" to hear CarolHasTheBuyers.com to listen to our Podcast "Carol Royse Radio Show" or go to

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Don't Get Stuck Owning 2 Homes - Ask About Our Trade Up Program

Don't Get Stuck Owning 2 Homes - Ask About Our Trade Up Program

Special Supplement to The Chandler Arizonan

HEALTH Winter 2021

WELLNESS

Your Local Guide to Better Living

COVID-19 clouds extent of cancer death decline have a median survival of less than a year will be alive and free of disease,” Lilenbaum said. “So, it’s really remarkable how much immunotherapy has impact-

BY KEVIN PIREHPOUR Arizonan Contributor

A

new study from the American Cancer Society finds that the U.S. mortality rate for cancer – the second leading cause of death in Arizona – has been declining for nearly three decades, with record-breaking declines in the most recent two reported years.

The study found a 31 percent decline in the cancer death rate nationwide from 1991 to 2018, with a record single-year decline of 2.4 percent from 2017 to 2018, topping the previous years’ record 2.2 percent decline in cancer deaths.

The decline is a testament to a widespread reduction in smoking, advances in early detection and new therapy options available for some forms of cancer.

However, the report said it’s unclear how COVID-19 will affect the longstanding decline.

“We’ve come a long way just in the past decade or so in terms of novel treatments, even when [patients] present with an advanced stage of the disease,” said Dr. Rogerio Lilenbaum, director of

leading to delays in detection and removing the option of early intervention.

“We have not at a national level adopted lung cancer screening as widely as

We’ve come a long way just in the past decade or “ so in terms of novel treatments, even when [patients] present with an advanced stage of the disease. ”

– Dr. Rogerio Lilenbaum

the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert.

According to Lilenbaum, drugs that target specific molecules involved in cancer growth, combined with immunotherapies that help activate the immune system, have been “nothing short of revolutionary” in combating cancer.

“Many of these patients who used to

ed the treatment of cancer.”

The report said a reduction in smoking is thought to have led to a decline in lung cancer – a driving force behind the falling cancer mortality rate.

Despite the downward trend, however, lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in Arizona than colorectal, pancreas, prostate and breast cancer.

Treatment of lung cancer is most effective in early stages of the disease before it has time to spread.

However, signs of lung cancer often surface at an advanced stage of the disease,

I think health experts and policy experts would hope,” Lilenbaum said. “My sense is that it’s even lower in the state of Arizona.”

Arizona ranks 47th in the nation for cancer-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In recent years, low-dose computed tomography scans, or CT scans, have been shown to improve early detection of lung cancer in high-risk patients, such as smokers, lowering the risk of dying from the disease, according to the Amer-

cise classes and other behavior change courses like chronic disease self-management, living life with chronic pain and diabetes self-management.

This February and March, the agency will virtually offer the Aging Mastery Program. Developed by the National Council on Aging, The Aging Mastery Program is a 10-week course that explores topics like fall prevention, nutrition, exercise, medication management,

financial management, emotional health and life care planning.

The class is taught by subject-matter experts. Participants receive a workbook and other supplemental materials. “The Aging Mastery Program is great because it is so comprehensive,” said Rose Leyba, the agency’s health promotion coordinator.

“It doesn’t just focus on one area like physical health or fall prevention but covers a variety of topics that are important

to older adults as they plan for the future.”

If you are interested in participating in the Aging Mastery Program, call 602241-5562 for information and to register. For information on all the classes the Area Agency is offering, call the 24-hour senior help line at 602-264-4357 or visit the website at aaaphx.org.

Melissa Elliott, MSW is vice president of programs & services for the Area Agency on Aging, Region One.

Dr. Rogerio Lilenbaum

Taking small steps for lifelong rewards

BY MELISSA ELLIOTT, MSW Guest Writer

S

taying engaged, socially connected and finding meaningful programs to participate in over the last year has been challenging for everyone—but especially for seniors who can be vulnerable and isolated.

The Area Agency on Aging has adapted to offer virtual versions of its Health Living classes, including Geri-Fit exer-

see CANCER page 36

Winter 2021

31

Health & Wellness

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32

Health & Wellness

Winter 2021

Southwest Cardiovascular Village at Ocotillo offers boasts added bene�its safe, vibrant lifestyle ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

S

outhwest CardioVascular Interventional Center boasts added benefits to its partners in the local healthcare community.

“These include more interpersonal and compassionate patient centered experiences, rapid response referral services, extended hours decreasing readmissions, and significantly affordable procedural treatments, increasing patient satisfaction, proven outcomes and overall our patients peace of mind in uncertain times as we face today,” a company release said.

Noting that “as a company, we must not only grow with the consciousness of our responsibilities to our patients and each other,” it said “an understanding that future growth comes with added responsibilities of continual knowledge regarding safety and compliance.

“Our practice offers precision and awareness to support this new paradigm

Southwest CardioVascular Intervention Center offers compassionate, state-ofthe-art care. (Special to the Arizonan) in high quality, affordable, outpatient medical procedural services for our patients.

This vision has led us to the opening of our newly built Cardiovascular Surgical Center which provides significant benefits to the overall medical community most especially in this new world of COVID-19.”

Information: swcva.com

C a r d i oVa s c u l a r A s s o c i a t e s

Michael D. Barry, DO.

THE PEDAL LOOP SPECIALISTS

Interventional Cardiologist

Southwest CardioVascular Interventional Center

Nachiket Patel, MD.

Interventional Cardiologist

Interventional Radiology

Michelle Gentsch, ACNP Kelli DuCray, ACNP Angie Aguilar

Strategic Marketing/ Business Development Cell 480-636-6259 aaguilar@swcva.com _____________ 7529 E. Broadway Rd. Mesa, AZ 85208 Rapid Referral Line: 480-945-4343

To Our Beloved Community,

Southwest

CardioVascular Interventional Center

Southwest Cardio EndoVascular Center

We did it! We are very proud to present, to the surrounding community and greater Phoenix area, our new CardioVascular and Interventional Ambulatory Surgery Center, located at: 7529 E. Broadway Road, Mesa, AZ 85208, now open.

Stuart C. Lipskind, MD.

Led by our founder and principal, Dr. Charles Jost, this hybrid facility incorporates our Cardiac Interventional Center and Endovascular Procedural Center. Combining these centers allows us to perform therapeutic cardiac catheterizations, electrophysiology studies, cardiac ablations, arrhythmia recorders, pacemaker and AICD implantations. We will also continue to provide peripheral arterial disease interventions, as well as a myriad of interventional radiology procedures performed by Dr. Minkus. These procedures include paracentesis, thoracentesis, drainage catheter placements such as gastric and G-J feeding tube placements, nephrostomy tube placements/exchanges, kyphoplasty for spine fractures, hemodialysis catheter and fistula treatments for diabetic patients on dialysis, embolizations for uterine fibroids and pelvic congestion syndrome, IVC filter and port placements, and pelvic venous outflow stenting.

Nareg Minaskeian, MD.

Our Cardiovascular Center is uniquely designed, not only for offering our patients the convenience of an alternative to surgery performed in a hospital setting but offering the sophistication our facility brings. We are providing the highest level of care in an outpatient surgery setting, geared towards proven quality measures. With over 50 highly trained and experienced physicians, multispecialty-disciplinary allied heroes, our skill-sets and diversity reflect our patient outcomes and overall patient satisfaction.

• 2 OR and 1 procedure room • 6 recovery areas • 2 preoperative rooms • Joint Commission Accredited (pending successful accrediation survey) • ASCA Member • Physician peer to peer reviews • Value Based Program (moving the program toward rewarding better value, based on outcomes and innovations, instead of mere volume) Instagram Linkedin Yelp Pinterest Twitter • Quality measures, Lower infection rate, Lower complication rate, Less patients transferred to hospital, Increase patient satisfaction surveys, Increase satisfaction with Facebook surgical experience, Increase satisfactionYouTube with recovery experience, Increase Nurse/patient ratio in recovery area.

Kirk D. Minkus, MD.

Cardiovascular Procedures we perform (CMS recently approved the following reimbursable procedures in an ambulatory surgery center setting): • Heart catheterization for the treatment of single vessel occlusive disease and stenting.

• Diagnostic Left and Right heart cath for diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension and possible occlusive coronary artery disease.

We also perform in a safe controlled environment:

• Loop recorder implants and ex-plants • Pacemaker implants and generator changes • ICD implants and generator changes

Michelle Gentsch, ACNP

In this new world of COVID-19, our broad outpatient cardiac, peripheral vascular, and interventional radiology service lines offered, will provide significant benefits to the medical community of skilled nursing and assisted living facility residents, by avoiding re-admissions for these patients to obtain these procedural needs, while offering them much more affordably, with faster scheduling and procedure completion times, greatly increasing patient satisfaction. Our Outpatient Interventional/Surgical Center will allow us to safely address the necessary changes our healthcare industry demands and will enable us to foster a culture of clinical innovation, in a center of EAST MESA excellence uniquely designed to offer all of these more affordable, cost-effective interventional procedures, in one environment. Our state-of-the-art, 13,500 square foot, JACHO accredited, MAIN ST Medicare Certified Interventional OR suites, Vascular lab and supported recovery rooms, will adhere fully to all regulatory mandates and requirements, as an Ambulatory Surgical Center.

202

Members

Charles M.T. Jost, MD.

Charles M.T. Jost, MD. Principal, Interventional Cardiologist

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Superstition Fwy

ELSWORTH RD

We are PROUD

7529 E. Broadway Rd. Mesa AZ 85208

SOSSAMAN RD

Respectfully yours,

Rapid Referral email: referrals@swcva.com

BROADWAY RD POWER RD

Please visit our website www.swcva.com and follow us on GOOGLE, FB and TWITTER, for more information, as we continue on this extraordinary journey to what we believe is the future of healthcare today. Call us at 480-945-4343 to arrange a consultation or procedure. We look forward to taking care of your patients!

Rapid Referral eFax: 480-522-3030

_____________

Nachiket Patel, MD.

Connecting the heartbeats of our communities, one footprint at a time.

7529 E. Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ 85208 is now open.

Stuart C. Lipskind, MD.

Kirk D. Minkus, MD.

Michael D. Barry, DO.

Southwest EndoVascular Center

Interventional Cardiologist

Electrophysiologist

T

he Village at Ocotillo in Chandler offers a vibrant retirement lifestyle with exceptional care.

The community promises “maintenance-free living with delicious dining options from the onsite restaurant, laundry and linen services, transportation and pick-up services and a full calendar of socially distanced or virtual cultural, educational and fitness activities – all delivered by a committed team of professionals dedicated to residents’ health and well-being.”

Residents also have the peace of mind knowing they have an “extended family” to provide support during these uncertain times.

Following the guidelines set by the CDC and other health officials, The Village at Ocotillo implemented extensive safeguards, including rigorous cleaning, disinfecting protocols and stringent

Southwest

Charles M.T. Jost, MD.

Interventional Cardiologist, Principal

Nareg Minaskeian, MD.

precautionary measures.

A health and wellness Zest team offers both virtual and touch-free in-person programs “that nurture the mind, body and soul,” the company said.

Supportive services are also available.

The community offers licensed and accredited assisted living complete with wellness teams to help with daily activities, personal and supportive care, and medication management.

The Village at Ocotillo’s supportive services have received the highest level of accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, an independent organization that sets exceedingly high standards and is recognized as the leading independent accreditation body for providers of health and human services.

Information: 480-400-8687 or TheVillageatOcotillo.com to schedule a personal tour.

ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

60 BASELINE RD

60 202

www.swcva.com

Winter 2021

33

Health & Wellness

Cutting Edge Vascular Care PHOENICIAN MEDICAL CENTER PHOENICIAN VEIN AND VASCULAR

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• Marc L. Eckhauser, MD brings decades of expertise in clinical and operative vascular surgery to the practice of Phoenician Vein and Vascular.

• Dr. Eckhauser graduated from State University of New York Downstate Medical Center and served as Chief Resident, University Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. He remained on the fulltime surgical faculty for 11 years teaching general/vascular surgery attaining the rank of Associate Professor of Surgery. He then practiced in southern Ohio where he started and endovascular program and organized the Vascular Institute of Northwest Ohio.

• He has in the past been Chief of Surgery at three local hospitals.

• He maintains Board Certification and has recertified three times.

• Aneurysms • Arterial Dissection • PAD (Peripheral arterial disease)

• Lymphatic & Circulation Disease • Non-Atherosclerotic Vascular Disorders

• DVT (deep vein thrombosis) • Carotid Artery Blockages • Venous Insufficiency

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34

Health & Wellness

Winter 2021

Area Agency on Aging

Aging Mastery

®

Taking small steps for lifelong rewards The Aging Mastery Program (AMP)® is a fun and engaging education and behavioral improvement program for aging well.

aaaphx.org Sessions are one day a week for 10 weeks. Call to Register Now

602-241-5562

Learn from experts about topics including: remaining financially secure, managing health care, increasing social connectedness, developing healthy eating habits, and planning for the future.

The Agency is offering two virtual class series of Aging Mastery ® (via ZOOM) Feb 10 – April 14 March 23 – June 1

Winter 2021

CANCER from page 30

ican Cancer Society.

Lilenbaum said if patients “undergo a low-dose CT and are identified as having silent lung cancer, they will live longer than patients that are diagnosed by the time they develop symptoms.”

Beyond advanced screening techniques, systemic racial inequities in our healthcare system have created a gap in the cancer death rate among ethnic groups, specifically in the Black community.

Today, Black patients “have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial/ethnic group for most cancers,” according to the American Cancer Society.

“I think that we’re still working to undo the legacy of that history and it’s an issue that deserves greater attention from health care authorities all over this country,” Lilenbaum said. “It’s not unique to Arizona.”

Included in the report, are estimated U.S. cancer trends for 2021. However, the effect of COVID-19 is not included in

35

Health & Wellness

this year’s prediction.

Waves of COVID-19 cases since early 2020 have resulted in a “significant delay in cancer diagnosis” as more patients have avoided taking unnecessary trips to the hospital at the risk of coming in contact with the virus, according to Lilenbaum.

“I believe that once we become more comfortable – outside of COVID – we will see a higher number of cancer diagnoses and we will see patients with more advanced disease than we typically do,” Lilenbaum said.

“But we will be prepared to manage those patients, to help those patients; to offer them all the options that are available to them.”

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, he added, significant progress has been made in cancer treatments and mortality.

“We continue to develop new treatments, we continue to investigate new options and we will remain on the cutting edge of this fight against cancer,” Lilenbaum said.

Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Gilbert is one of the region’s major treatment providers for cancer victims.

(Arizonan file photo)

Kelly Jorn Cook’s dentistry has 3 decades of service ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

D

r. Kelly Jorn Cook, D.D.S., offers a wide range of dentistry services to suit almost any dental need.

Located at 3800 W. Ray Road, Chandler, his practice includes the most recent dental technologies to make a patient’s visit safe, convenient, painless and positive.

“We offer full-service dentistry, including dental implants, Invisalign, and cosmetic restorations,” Cook said. “The entire team strives to provide the highest quality personalized dental care for pa-

Kelly Jorn Cook, D.D.S.

tients of all ages in a stress-free, fun environment. Dr. Cook’s unique approach to dentistry is in the office atmosphere.”

While providing “the highest quality of dentistry,” he said he creates an environment of more fun and less fear. Cook balances “being the doc that rocks and with keeping it simple” and is continually upgrading his ability and knowledge through continuing dental education and encourages and supports his staff to do the same.

“What you see with the doc is what you get: great dentistry and a really good time,” he said.

When not practicing dentistry, he is golfing with his wife or hanging out with their 12 dogs.

“The health and well-being of our patients and team members continues to be our top priority,” Cook added. “We practice all COVID-19 safety protocols and are seeing patients by appointment only. Many of these safeguards have always been a part of our practice, but we have taken additional precautions to ensure your protection for your appointment.”

Information: kellyjorncook.com

– it’s no wonder a nationwide 2020 Life Care Services survey turned up some surprising results,” the company said in a release.

The survey was sent to more than 21,000 individuals considering a move to a senior living community.

About 62 percent of the respondents reported the pandemic had no impact on their desire to move to a senior living community or that the pandemic increased their desire to move into one because they didn’t want to be alone in their own homes and/or wanted access to the available care

and services a community offers.

Communities managed by Life Care Services ensure residents get access to critical vaccinations— including COVID-19 vaccine.

Residents in Clarendale of Chandler will be among the first in the county to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

To learn more, seniors and their families may schedule a virtual visit by calling 480-571-2407.

The community offers independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Information: ClarendaleOfChandler.com.

Clarendale of Chandler committed to residents’ health ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

I

f you’re curious about why seniors choose to move to a retirement community, many Clarendale of Chandler residents say it’s because the community is committed to helping them set a course for health, wellness and total well-being.

Clarendale of Chandler, managed by Life Care Services, an LCS Company, said it offers “the assurance and peace of mind of a program designed to help residents maintain a healthy lifestyle and navigate

any medical challenges that lie ahead.”

Clarendale’s Health & Wellness Navigation, although in place before the pandemic began, features trained wellness navigation team that partners with residents to anticipate health needs and address them – from day-to-day nutrition, fitness and life-enriching activities to preparation and follow-up for hospital care if ever needed.

“When you consider all the creative ways Clarendale of Chandler has found to keep residents physically and socially engaged in life – following even the strictest safety guidelines

36

COMMUNITY

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

Businesses come to ICAN Center’s rescue ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

G

ilbert Realtor Mindy Jones Nevarez saw a need for teens in Chandler – and rallied local businesses to fill it.

And last week, teens who consider ICAN’s nationally-accredited teen center their second home got to see the fruit of her efforts.

Nevarez, owner of the real estate team Amy Jones Group, saw a chance to give back after a recent visit to showcase the center in a Facebook live video.

“I left ICAN with the feeling that we needed to give it some love. Turns out, their own renovation plans were stalled by lack of funding,” she said.

The Amy Jones Group partnered with businesses to update the center to better serve the up to 150 at-risk kids who use it daily.

Those businesses included Fidelity

Teens who look at the ICAN center as a second home helped tear down the old furnishings and interior to make room for the upgrade provided by a number of businesses.

(Special to the Arizonan)

National Title, Complete Home Renovations, IronDrive, Elite Shutters and Blinds, Fairway Independent Mortgage and Spice Up Your Home.

Teens helped clear the room and then Nevarez’s group turned it into a vibrant new space.

Her volunteers marked a MLK Day of Service by installing brand new Chromebooks, TVs, furniture, flooring and other amenities at the ICAN Teen Center.

“We’re lucky to partner with local businesses who love giving back, and who understand what we do to foster our community – our home – will come back tenfold,” Nevarez said.

“We hope the teens who use the space to get homework help and as a safe haven where they can develop healthy life skills feel this support in their new

see ICAN page 37

2 Chandler students on $1M-winning ASU project team

BY HERMINIA RINCON Guest Writer

T

wo Chandler residents were on a five-member team at Arizona State University that recently won the million-dollar XPRIZE Next-Gen Mask Challenge to redesign the face masks used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by making them more comfortable, functional and affordable.

The contest drew nearly 1,000 entries from young innovators in more than 70 countries around the world.

Katie Pascavius and Tarun Suresh, both of Chandler, were on the team.

“It hasn’t been about money or even recognition for this team,” said team leader Nikhil Dave of Ahwatukee. “It’s been about doing what we can to impact our communities and to solve pressing challenges as they arise.”

The contest invited young adults ages 15 to 24 from around the world to shift

Members of the ASU team that won $1 million are, clockwise from top left: Katie Pascavius of Chandler, an undergraduate mechanical engineering student; John Patterson of Tempe, a graduate electrical engineering student; Jerina Gabriel of Kingman, an undergraduate graphic design student; Tarun Suresh of Chandler, a graduate industrial engineering student; and team leader Nikhil Dave of Ahwatukee, an undergraduate doublemajoring in neuroscience and innovation in society. (Courtesy of Luminosity Lab) the cultural perspective around maskwearing behavior by developing the next generation of surgical-grade consumer masks.

The biggest problem the ASU team

cracked was masks fogging up eyeglasses.

Their Floemask features a bifurcated chamber design in which air exhaled from the nose is kept in a separate chamber from the face and mouth. Your face

stays cooler, the air you breathe is fresher, and the flow of air stays away from glasses where it would otherwise cause fogging.

“We went through several design iterations, trying to create something that doesn’t fog your glasses but doesn’t leave hot air on the face is not an easy task for sure,” Dave said. “But I think the other thing is to ensure that whatever we’re creating also has to be breathable, but also maintain the filtration efficiency needed to be an effective mask and preventing any sort of contagious pathogen.”

The mask was also designed to lift up easily for eating and drinking. See it in action in the team’s submission video.

XPRIZE is a nonprofit organization that uses global competitions to crowdsource solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. The contest is spon-

see ASU page 38

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

37 COMMUNITY

ICAN from page 36

space.”

ICAN creates programs to tackle substance abuse, gang involvement and support the teens’ families.

“Seven out of 10 teens who visit the center live in extreme poverty, four will go to bed hungry tonight and two will be gang affiliated by age 12,” an ICAN spokeswoman said.

She noted that as the pandemic continues, the upgraded space will enable ICAN “to positively impact the lives of even more teens and their families.”

Nevarez agreed.

“We are so grateful for the support that ICAN provides to our kids and wanted to find a special way to give back to them and our future generations. We hope the work we do will inspire others to keep their eyes open for how they can help

Realtor Mindy Jones Nevarez is flanked by ICAN CEO Shelby Peterson and Dan White as she waits for kids to get their first look at the new teen center. (Pablo Robles/Arizonan Staff)

the Southeast Valley.

IronDrive, a familyrun business offering quality flooring installations, prepped the floors. Complete Home Renovations, a one-stop-shop for repairs and home remodeling services, put in new vinyl flooring, painted, and assisted with any additional repairs.

Elite Shutters and Blinds, a full-service window covering company, provided new

someone else,” she said.

Nevarez had visited the ICAN Youth Center last month for The Amy Jones Group’s “Live Love Local” series, a video series that features businesses within

window coverings.

Fairway Independent Mortgage, a Top 10 ranked national mortgage lender, purchased new technology for the room

“Digital Cookie introduces lessons about online marketing, application use, and eCommerce to Girl Scouts, through building their cookie website and managing their virtual sales,” said Woodbury.

Local Girl Scout troops will also be coordinating drive-thru booths with cashless transactions. The drive-thru booths will be in parking lots that allow for space for the girls and their parents.

Cars will have the chance to pull to the front of the line, make their orders (masks required to make an order) and have the contactless or near contactless ability to pick up their cookies as they would from a traditional booth. Parents will be stationed at booths with sanitizing products to help the girls ensure maximum safety and monitor cookie transfer to cars.

“The girls will not only be selling at these locations but helping market them via signage and other promotions, enabling the girls to flex their creative and communication muscles in a new way,” said Woodbury.

Girl Scouts and Homie, a real estate brokerage, have partnered to build a “castle” made of Girl Scout Cookie boxes. People can tour the 13-foot by 13-foot by 9-foot castle every Sunday in February at The Shops at Norterra, 2450 W. Happy Valley Road, Phoenix.

Girls will be setting up a temporary

“shop” in front of local businesses providing socially distanced options for customers to purchase cookies. Booth locations this year include longtime supporters Fry’s Food Stores, Bashas’ Family of Stores, Walmart, and other retailers and small businesses.

Last year, 25 of the Valley’s top business leaders and CEOs, including Diane Veres, Lisa Urias, and Ray Roberts, joined more than 100 local girls for the first Cookie Fast Pitch. GSACPC is bringing the event back in a virtual format this year Jan. 23.

Participating girls will make their cookie sales pitch to one of the local CEOs or corporate executives in attendance, then get feedback on their pitch and one-onone coaching sessions.

The girls will apply the strategies they’ve learned and give their best pitch to the mentors.

All attending CEO mentors plan to support the cookie bosses with a $500 cookie purchase.

Given COVID-19, the beloved Girl Scout Cookie Dessert Challenge will not be held this year.

“We know our Arizona restaurant community has been impacted during the pandemic and wish them well. We are grateful for their partnership and support and look forward to returning to the Dessert Challenge in 2022,” said Woodbury.

and a fridge. The Amy Jones Group, in partnership with Fidelity National Title, providing title insurance and other real estate-related products and services, purchased new furniture including couches, conference tables, storage, desks, and more.

The final decor pieces were donated

by Spice Up Your Home, a Chandlerbased furniture and staging store.

This project will help ICAN continue its mission of giving teens a safe place to go after school that not only keeps them off the streets and out of trouble but teaches them real-life skills that encourage academic success and career development.

The Amy Jones Group of Keller Williams Integrity First is an all-female company of real estate professionals that has helped thousands of families buy and sell homes. For more Information: amyjonesgroup.com and icanaz.org.

EV Girl Scout Cookie sales in high gear ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

T

he Girl Scout Cookie season in Chandler has begun and will continue through Feb. 28, helping local troops raise funds for various activities.

The lineup includes Lemon-Ups, Thin Mints, Tagalongs, Samoas, Trefoils Do-sidos for $5 a box and Girl Scout S’mores and gluten-free Toffee-tastics for $6.

“Given COVID-19, GSACPC has developed new and different scenarios and ways for girls to sell cookies safely,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO of GSACPC. “We are extremely proud to be able to offer our girls both a sense of normalcy in a near-year that has been anything but normal, and a means to help girls grow their entrepreneurial, public speaking, financial and other skills through this modified take on our cookie program.”

A Digital Cookie app enables girls to take pre-orders from previous customers, friends and family online. Through this digital selling platform, girls build a custom website and then they invite friends and family they know to purchase cookies via email marketing, with the option of having cookies delivered via contactless pick-up and drop-off or shipped directly to their home. Girls can also use the Digital Cookie Mobile App to accept credit card payment from customers on-the-go.

Customers can find cookies nearest them at girlscoutsaz.org/cookiefinder.

On Feb. 1, GSUSA will release a national cookie link where customers nationwide can purchase cookies directly from local troops by entering their zip code. Cookie orders placed from this direct-ship troop link will be shipped directly to the customer and cookie proceeds will go directly to that troop.

All sale proceeds fund local Girl Scouts’ Take Action projects for the community and girl-led adventures for troops.

The Fund High Award chooses projects that impact the community, like hosting a camp for youth, donating to those in need and improving community parks.

In 2020, many Girl Scouts sewed masks and made care packages to donate to essential workers, including physicians and hospital staff, grocery store staff and first responders.

Proceeds also help GSACPC provide Girl Scout programs in STEM, the outdoors, life skills, entrepreneurship, camps, and leadership training, to all girls regardless of financial situation and go toward maintaining four local camp properties.

The council said there are two commercial bakers licensed by Girl Scouts of the USA to produce Girl Scout Cookies.

The bakery for GSACPC is Little Brownie Bakers. 

38

COMMUNITY

ASU from page 36

sored by Marc Benioff, CEO and cofounder of Salesforce, and Jim Cramer, the host of “Mad Money” on CNBC. The Sun Devils won $500,000 of the purse; two additional teams will split the remainder. They will be connected to rapid manufacturing opportunities in the U.S. to accelerate production of their new mask designs. The ASU team has CAD files and fabric templates ready for mass-scale creation.

The team comes from ASU’s Luminosity Lab, an interdisciplinary research and development lab driven by a handselected team of high-performing students.

“I am incredibly proud of our students,” said the lab’s executive director,

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

Mark Naufel. “These remarkable students competed against thousands of other teams internationally, knowing that they could contribute novel ideas for a unique mask, designed to resolve issues that they had personally experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Four years ago, Luminosity was created with an aspiration to impact society and a belief that our students are capable of achieving anything. By enabling our students with the agency to lead their own research and development efforts, they have continued to demonstrate their ability to innovate through the development of this prize-winning, next-generation mask that has the potential to impact countless lives.

“It is an honor to work with the stu-

dents of ASU’s Luminosity lab, and I have no doubt that these students will go on to be the leaders and innovators of this generation.”

Dave credited ASU’s approach to innovation for their success.

“If it wasn’t for ASU, frankly, we wouldn’t think the way that we do,” he said. “And I don’t think we would even be in a situation where we could apply for something like this. And so we’re grateful to ASU as well, and we’re happy to show off the fact that we are No. 1 in innovation.”

Dave is a student regent on the Arizona Board of Regents and an undergraduate earning a double major in neuroscience and innovation in society. Katie is an undergraduate mechanical engineer-

ing student and Tarun is a graduate industrial engineering student.

The Luminosity Lab team also includes John Patterson of Tempe, a graduate electrical engineering student, and Jerina Gabriel of Kingman, an undergraduate graphic design student.

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes.

As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.

Chandler man authors book on his escape from diabetes ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

the book for people to know my story and “theI wrote information that was not given to my brother, or

C

handler resident Larry Kuhlman wants people with diabetes to have hope.

So, he has written a book, titled “Lose Weight and Get Rid of Your Type 2 Diabetes, like I Did.” The title may be a mouthful but it pretty much sums up his own experience.

“The VA has been treating me for diabetes for about 17 years,” Kuhlman said.

“They have been treating me about the same way as my two brothers who both died from complication of diabetes, and I wanted to do something different.”

Kuhlman, 73, was a high school teacher, mostly in government and social studies, in Page for 27 years before he moved to Chandler, where he taught for another 13 years.

Diagnosed in 2002 with Type 2 diabetes, he writes about his struggle with the disease and his frustrations with doctors who described different drugs that only added weight and some who advised that only exercise would help him.

In both instances, he said, neither drugs alone nor exercise alone did anything to reduce his blood sugar level.

Stressing throughout the book that readers should consult their physician, Kuhlman discusses in length how he discovered the Keto Diet after reading Dr. Jason Fung’s book, “The Diabetic Code” and discovering a website called diet-

me. When I asked the VA about this, they said it is hard for people to follow this way of eating and that I should have asked for a low carbohydrate nutritionist.

How was I supposed to know this ahead of time?

”

– Larry Kuhlman

Larry Kuhlman doctor.com.

That and some recommendations through acquaintances led him to still more doctors.

Three months after following the advice he gleaned, his condition improved to the point where his blood sugar improved and he now has his diabetes under control – as long as he watches what he eats.

While diabetes is what he calls “the crown jewel of his book,” Kuhlman also provides information on nutritional approaches to Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and obesity.

“The only reason I wrote the book is to let people know they have a choice

in the treatment of diabetes,” he said.

“There are a lot of medical people that think diabetes can be treated with both nutrition and medical advice.

“I wrote the book for people to know my story and the information that was not given to my brother, or me. When I asked the VA about this, they said it is hard for people to follow this way of eating and that I should have asked for a low carbohydrate nutritionist. How was I supposed to know this ahead of time?”

He believes many physicians “do not share this information with their patients. This book is a starting point with information on how to get started and what resources are available to them.

Most of the diabetes books out do not mention the nutritional way of helping with one’s diabetes.”

Kuhlman packs his book with a range of sources, reminding readers that it is

only a starting point to a healthier life and lifestyle.

“I do not use the word ‘cure’ but say that my diabetes is in remission, as probably if I went back to my old way of eating, the diabetes would probably return,” he said.

He said reaction to the book “has been pretty favorable.”

“The people who read it say it was a good read, the information is very valuable for them and they are willing to share it with friends and family members,” he said.

“I want you to know that in Canada, England, South Africa, Australia and other parts of the world, people are claiming to halt and even cure their diabetes by eating the keto way,” he writes, adding his book “is a guide to get you started in the right direction.”

The book is available at Amazon.com for $9.99.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

39 BUSINESS

Steelyard filling up fast with retail, food tenants

BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

T

he Steelyard, a $12 million commercial center in southeast Chandler, has recently opened its doors to a variety of new tenants in a region of the city notably lacking in retail options.

Named after the steel yard business that had existed on the property before it was sold to Capital Asset Management a couple years ago, The Steelyard consists of 26,000 square feet of new retail space within a complex of three freestanding, multi-tenant buildings.

Pita Jungle, Jersey Mike's, and Someburros have recently moved into the re- The Steelyard is south Chandler’s latest retail-restaurant hub and sits on the site of an tail space and many more are planning old steel plant. (Special to the Arizonan) to open their doors soon. only about 1,000 square feet are left to pletely occupied.

Jason Hersker, executive vice presiOther tenants who have committed to lease out before the Steelyard is comdent of Capital Asset Management, said

spaces at Steelyard include High Tide Seafood, Heartland Dental, Tan Max, GOAT Haircuts and Nail Logic.

Hersker said CAM purposefully looked for a balanced mix of tenants that would appeal to residents in southeast Chandler.

The area between Chandler Heights and Riggs roads has long been underserved for retail, he added, and residents of this region deserved to have a diverse range of restaurants and shops.

“We were searching for uses that would cater to the exceptional demographics in this trade area,” Hersker said.

“The household income is higher in a 5-mile radius than most of Scottsdale by comparison. Yet, they didn’t have very many options for food and services

see STEELYARD page 41

Couple opens food truck bakery after job loss

BY MELODY BIRKETT Contributor

L

oss of work due to COVID-19 prompted Amber and Eric Leediker to start a new career and open a & e b.a.k.e.d at the Premium Outlets in Chandler.

“Eric and I both have strong roots in the kitchen,” said Amber. “It was just a natural progression. Like so many families, we had to learn to readjust and reinvent ourselves during COVID. So, it was a natural progression for us to come up with the bakery. Eric made up the name.”

“We’ve been in-and-out of the restaurant industry,” said Eric, who was laid-off as a car salesman. “We managed a couple of restaurants together. We’ve spent so much time developing our recipes together it just felt natural to apply that to a retail setting and see if we could find work for ourselves.”

Amber is also a respite habilitation

provider and homeschools their four children.

“With COVID and the loss of work from the dealership…it was a hardship on us,” explained Eric. “I ended up being home full-time with Amber and that’s how we spawned the bakery together.”

Added Amber: “We were like, ‘How can we rub our pennies together?’ We did not apply for a small business loan.

Every paycheck that came in, we allocated funds to get creative and do this.”

Eric said he and Amber Amber and Eric Leediker have opened a & e b.a.k.e.d at the “did all of the construcPremium Outlets on the Gila River Indian Community. (Courtion ourselves.” tesy of Amber Leediker)

“Amber did all of the graphic design, all of the photography, all of the food you see in our photos,” he explained. “That’s actually our food. None of that is stock footage. That’s from our home kitchen.”

“Even when I worked full-time, we always tried to collaborate and find something to mesh our talents together,” Eric said. “We love it.”

Amber describes herself and Eric as “entrepreneurs at heart.”

“So, we always have something up our sleeve,” she said.

Married 10 years, the couple also has the Mad Dog Happy Salads food cart but that business is on hold due to COVID. Nothing is produced in the a and e b.a.k.e.d. food truck. Everything is baked and packaged for consumption offsite.

Amber said people like “our very highquality products.”

“We’re an organic bakery and we ca-

see BAKED page 41

40

BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

Laser component company expands in Chandler ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

A

Germany-based manufacturer of semiconductor detectors is extending its international growth with a new plant in Chandler.

Laser Components Detector Group eventually will employ 70 to 80 people involved in the manufacturing of optoelectronic components for key technologies such as those used in medical treatments and autonomous driving.

“We are ramping up our hiring and are looking to fill some operator and engineer positions,” said Raj Chakraborty, general manager of the facility at 2277 N. Nevada St. “Our current headcount is 37 and we are looking to progressively get to 70 over the next year or two.”

The Chandler operation is Laser Components’ first fully owned all-American manufacturing, engineering and R&D installation,” Chakraborty said.

“Chandler was picked due to the concentration of skilled labor, other electronics suppliers and manufacturers

Laser Compnents Detector Group's new building in Chandler is the German company's latest production facility, one of only two in North America. (Special to the Arizonan) tion,” the company said in a release.

Over 12,000 square feet are devoted to cleanrooms with air locks in the entrance and hallways to ensure strict particle control. In addition, the floor, work stations and cleanroom clothing are protected against electrostatic discharge.

The new facility has state-of-the-art clean rooms to prevent contamination of any equipment manufactured by Laser Components. (Special to the Arizonan) that enable our supply chain, favorable economic and tax climate for new business growth and expansion,” he said.

Besides, he noted, “Chandler is turning into the high-tech hub of the Phoenix metro area.”

The 29,000-square-foot building, designed by LGE Design Build, “comfortably accommodates 80 employees; approximately 200 in a three-shift rota-

“During the planning stages of the building, great importance was assigned to elements that have been tested and proven at the headquarters in Germany: spacious social rooms such as a cafeteria with open areas and ultra-modern offices that support working in small teams,” the company added.

Laser Components includes all steps in the development and manufacture of

semiconductor detectors. The company specializes in a wide variety of technologies: In addition to silicon and InGaAs avalanche photodiodes for the detection of the smallest amounts of light, their product range also includes pyroelectric detectors for flame detection and photodiodes mainly used for gas measurement.

“For us, the new production center is also a clear commitment to the Phoenix metropolitan region,” Laser Components CEO Patrick Paul said. “In recent years, Chandler in particular has developed into a center for future technologies such as autonomous driving. We look forward to continuing to operate in such an exciting and dynamic environment.”

Paul also noted the new facility is near a building that Laser Components had occupied and said staying nearby “will allow us to continue to benefit from the expertise of our long-standing employees and to expand our close ties with Arizona State University.”

Chakraborty said the building enables the company “to meet the rapidly increasing demand for our technologies and create a basis for growth in the coming years.”

Chakraborty assumed management of the site from Laser Components cofounder Dragan Grubisic, who will continue to be available to the company for special developments.

“We are thrilled to welcome Laser Components and their highly skilled

workforce to our Uptown Chandler Employment Corridor,” stated Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. “This advanced technology company is truly pushing the frontiers of innovation and we wish them many years of success at their state-of-the-art building.”

In an earlier interview, Grubsic also praised LGE, stating, “From our first meeting with LGE Design Build, we were very impressed by their approach to the project and their professionalism. We have quite some experience with construction projects in different parts of the world, but we have never met such a good, skilled, well-organized and wellbalanced team as LGE.” Laser Components was founded by Günther Paul as a sales company in 1982, when neither the European Union nor the euro existed.

“It was almost impossible for companies to import components from abroad; we became the reliable partner for imported components,” the company says on its website. “Much has changed since then: The internet has made the world smaller, start-ups have become major players, and last but not least, we have also continued to develop.”

The core of its business is the production and sale of optical and optoelectronic components and it now has production facilities in Chandler and Canada as well as Germany and sales offices in France, Great Britain, Sweden and U.S.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

41 BUSINESS

STEELYARD from page 39

said. “These homeowners need their amenities and this was a retail trade area that was significantly underserved with retail options.”

Residents living in south Chandler have been waiting for more retail options since the area started to boom in population more than a decade ago.

Last month, many residents living near Gilbert and Riggs roads unsuccessfully attempted to thwart a multi-family housing development, known as The Villages at Chandler, from getting built near their neighborhood.

A recurring complaint made by the 700 single-family lots in various stages of development,” Hesker said. “These homeowners need their amenities.”

Added Cristie Brown, a resident, who asked the city not to rezone land in south

BAKED from page 39

“We haven’t outsourced anything yet,” said Amber. So, it’s been manageable for us to do every aspect, so far.”

In addition to the food truck, Eric said, “We do weddings.

We have a special event cake.

We do up to a three-tier cake.

We do special offers. We would love to cater to offices. We’re available to do anything.”

Although the couple doesn’t sell pies in the bakery, they can make them or just about any kind of baked good on special order.

“We always have been the entertainers of our entire family - both sides,” Amber said.

“We’re known for having these huge dinner parties and doing the cooking and baking for all of it. It’s just been one of our passions in life to share that with others. So this we can do The Leedikers’ nicely appointed bakery serves a variety of baked goods, including cookies, cinnamon on a larger scale. We’re optirolls, brownies, bread and bagels. The couple cater gatherings and also make cakes on special order. mistic, right now. We’re really (Courtesy of Eric and Amber Leediker) enthusiastic and super excited for the future.”

“We feel blessed that even we do our own flare on flavors and how a cookie recipe that’s over 100 years though the world is turned upside down, we deliver them and package them,” he old. The olive oil cake recipe is from my right now, we’re able to work together said. grandfather who’s from Italy. They’re as a husband and wife team and still be “We do everything in small batches very traditional but our own at the same able to provide for our four kids,” Eric and it just produces a higher quality at time.” added.

“And we get to be together. So, it’s the end-of-the-day,” explained Amber, Eric said he and Amber try to “put a the best of both worlds.” who said the couple does the baking nice flare on it.”

Information: icravebaked.com “We use the traditional processes but overnight.

nearby.”

Demographic projections have indicated that the neighborhoods surrounding The Steelyard will grow in population by 9 percent over the next few years.

The average annual household income of residents near the retail center is $163,000, which is more than double Chandler’s overall median income.

The one-mile radius surrounding The Steelyard’s property currently only has 24 retail businesses and 23 food service shops.

Demand for more retail will grow in the near future, Hersker said, as more houses get built in the surrounding area.

“This is an area where there were over 700 single-family lots in various stages of development and sell offs,” Hersker

ter to a lot of people who have dietary needs. We offer plant-based, gluten-free and keto.”

It’s also a joint effort.

“We do everything as a team,” Eric said. “We’re connected at the hip.”

The bakery also offers traditional baked goods without dietary restrictions.

“We source the finest organic ingredients,” said Eric. “There’s never a preservative. No GMOs. No additives.”

Asked why, Amber replied, “We wanted to put our lifestyles into the food that we offer others.”

Eric explained, “If you take one of our traditional cakes in our standard form or one of our plant-based cakes and you eat them side-by-side, the consistency is so close that nobody is missing out on this. And that’s one of the beautiful things about using high-quality, simple ingredients is you can create such beautiful, enjoyable things.”

Some of the more popular menu items are olive oil cakes that come in all sizes and flavors, cinnamon rolls, brownies plus bread and bagels.

A variety of cookies includes glutenfree chocolate chip, regular sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies with bing cherries, chocolate and organic coconut.

“Half of our recipes we have written on our own,” said Amber. “We’ve done this ever since we’ve been together. Some of our recipes are inherited. We have

Chandler from commercial to residential. “Once this is approved, we’ll never have the opportunity for retail.”

Capital Assets, which is based in Phoenix and has been developing commercial properties since the 1990s, planned to have its newest Chandler project reflect the city’s history by having The Steelyard’s aesthetics intentionally embrace the region’s rural roots.

In addition to preserving the property’s old water tower, the complex is constructed with several steel beams to fit with the project’s agrarian, simplified style.

Before south Chandler was filled up with subdivisions, it was mainly home to large patches of agricultural land owned and operated by the Riggs family.

The family for whom Riggs Road is named, Lyle and Willetta Riggs, owned

up to 400 acres of desert land in south Chandler and farmed it for several generations.

The family’s farm dwindled in size as more houses were built in the 1980s and the Riggs family eventually sold Steelyard’s property to CAM. Stephen Herman, vice president of development for CAM, said the company hopes Steelyard will represent the character and atmosphere of this region of Chandler and serve as an important asset to the community.

“The Steelyard is going to be a special place for the growing neighborhood,” Herman said last year. “We have gone to great lengths to bring amenities to the area through a unique blend of retail uses and an emphasis on a modern-industrial agrarian design.”

BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

Rudy’s features a broad menu of Bar-BQ favorites such as brisket, turkey and ribs.

The meat is wood-fired with oak, a slower burning wood as opposed to mesquite.

Rudy’s opens daily at 7 p.m. and serves made-to-order and grab-and-go breakfast tacos.

The Rudy’s model is very similar to a meat market, so customers order as much or as little as they want, satisfying the individual or even the largest group.

Family and group meal plans are also available for a family dinner, office lunch or game day party. Catering is offered for groups of 100 or more.

“We have really enjoyed sharing our southern hospitality and oak smoked Bar-B-Q to the folks of Arizona”, said Area Director Andy Jenne, “And we hope to keep expanding into other areas over the next few year.”

The store also sells Rudy’s signature “Sause” and Rub. Information: Rudys.com.

42

Rudy’s Bar-B-Q keeps expanding in East Valley

R

udy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q, which made its first foray in Arizona by opening a restaurant in Chandler, is growing.

In the 1800’s, Max Aue developed the small community of Leon Springs, in the Texas Hill Country outside of San Antonio. In 1929, Max’s son, Rudolph, opened a gas station, garage and grocery store.

In 1989, Barbecue was added to the Country Store and Rudy’s “Country Store” and Bar-B-Q was founded. Today, Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q, has expanded throughout the southwest with the same original recipes that made Rudy’s Leon Springs famous.

Rudy’s brought their Real Texas Bar-B-Q to Arizona in 2012, settling first in Chandler at 7300 W. Chandler Blvd. and eventually opening a second eatery in Goodyear.

Now it also has opened a third establishment at 1733 N. Higley Road in Gilbert.

Rudy’s meal packs are ideal for family dinners, office parties and, of course, game day gatherings. The Chandler restaurant opened in 2012 and since then two new restaurants have opened in Gilbert and Goodyear. (Courtesy of Rudy’s)

6 mistakes small businesses should avoid in 2021

BY GENA JONES Arizonan Guest Writer

S

top-and-go government regulations and rapidly changing economic conditions have created uncertainty, but also opportunity for small businesses.

Leaders must focus on revenue, but why a business fails often has less to do with revenue and more to do with blind spots.

Specifically, there are six common mistakes that generally lead to catastrophic business failure: Lack of financial planning leads to many issues and often the problems start before the business generates any revenue. Start-ups are notorious for underestimating the capital needed for the first six to 12 months of operation.

Last year provided unique funding opportunities with the Paycheck Protection Program but there were so many businesses that did not qualify due to lack of financial records.

Businesses must plan not only the occurrence and timing of financial inflows

and outflows but the resulting tax and cash flow implications, too. Planning prepares leaders to pay any tax liability and address in advance any projected capital limitations.

Failure to budget can occur even when a business starts with the appropriate financial planning. Rapid growth can be one of the leading causes.

Entrepreneurs frequently fail to use information on hand to build proper budgets that inform decisions to invest or cut costs and empower their ability to scale.

Cash flow woes are the first warning sign that a business needs to adjust its budget.

Being prepared allows a business to continue operating successfully despite economic bumps in the road. Ultimately, proper budgeting enables future growth.

No marketing plan is a surprisingly common shortcoming. Entrepreneurs with a big vision often underfund marketing activities.

Many have a few favorite tactics they plan to use, but a comprehensive marketing strategy is needed to help drive sales in highly competitive conditions. Entrepreneurs also erroneously view marketing as

an expense instead of an investment.

Sadly, the marketing budget is often the first thing cut in tough times. Generally speaking, the marketing investment is directly related to a business’s projected increase in sales. If the expectation is conducting marketing activities will increase sales, then why cut them during tough times?

A professional and well-funded marketing plan will help ensure the business’s value proposition is sustainable, in good times or bad.

Lack of separate bank accounts is a frequent problem for small business owners who do not separate personal and business accounts.

They co-mingle funds creating unintended financial, tax and legal liabilities. Business owners should seek professional accounting and tax advice to separate their accounts and correct the situation right away.

Unqualified business advice is everywhere. Business owners are leaders by nature, and instinctively seek input from others for important decisions.

However, there are unintended conse-

quences in taking strategy, tax, and financial advice from family and friends instead of a qualified professional. It can hurt revenue and even create costly tax liabilities.

Business owners should have a trusted inner circle that offers input, but they must balance that advice with the counsel of a professional before making business-related decisions.

Not understanding how and when to utilize an LLC is one of the most common new business mistakes. There is an entrepreneurial boom taking place in conjunction with the growth of ecommerce across the country.

Many form an LLC for their new business but do not understand how an LLC is taxed. They file their returns incorrectly creating tax debt and liabilities. It is important for the business to be properly structured upfront, but even if there is an unfavorable set-up, it still may be possible to get things corrected with qualified legal and tax advice.

Gena Jones is an attorney, CPA, Certified Tax Resolution Specialist and a business coach in Chandler. Information: genajones.com.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

43 BUSINESS

Financial lessons learned from 2020 and the pandemic

BY HAROLD WONG AFN Guest Writer

W

e’ve just lived through an amazingly turbulent 2020, where the coronavirus pandemic has upended the lives of tens of millions of Americans.

There have been mass layoffs and huge government shutdowns of the economy in various states. Most of us are hopeful that the recent approval of coronavirus vaccines will allow us to get back to normal by the end of 2021.

What are the lessons we can learn from what happened in 2020?

Almost no traditional Wall Street investment is safe.

Earlier in 2020, it took only 5 weeks for a major stock market index to drop by 35 percent. The stock market has since not only rebounded, but reached record levels.

However, these elevated stock market levels do not match the real economy, where millions are unemployed and major industries are on life support. Many companies are losing money and won’t be able to pay bond interest or stock dividends.

Real estate investments are much more unstable than normal.

The Cheesecake Factory was the first national restaurant chain to declare “We just won’t pay our rent!”

New Chandler IT company offers broad array of services ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

A

company that helps protect other companies from hackers and other issues that can threaten their digital data has opened in north Chandler.

CMIT Solutions’ Chandler office is its fifth location in Arizona.

Entrepreneur Arvind Hariharan, president of CMIT in Chandler, said his company is a leading provider to small and mid-market businesses of flat-rate, around-the-clock maintenance and monitoring solutions.

Hariharan worked for Microsoft Technical Support, has over 10 years of consulting experience and managed IT teams at Silicon Valley Bank in Tempe, “My professional career began as a front-line technician which gave me the opportunity to understand customers' pain points first hand,” said Hariharan. “I slowly grew up the ranks, eventually managing a team of technicians and developers, to deliver tools that empowered employees to deliver the outcomes businesses wanted to achieve – be it revenue growth, increased productivity or improved service availability. These past experiences allow me to understand

what business owners value in order to guide them in the right direction for their business and IT strategies.”

CMIT Solutions offers a broad spectrum of proactive computer monitoring, maintenance and virtual technology packages, along with quick response to emergencies.

“IT is complex, but every business deserves to have access to the proper tools and support services large enterprise companies receive,” Hariharan continued. “Business owners shouldn’t be the ones worrying if a backup was completed successfully, an anti-virus program is up to date or if networks are secure from hackers.”

CMIT has been ranked number one in its category in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for seven consecutive years.

“We have a team of dedicated experts who manage these things, so they can focus on building their business,” Hariharan said. “We want to empower them by providing solutions that will allow them to be the best at what they do.”

Information: 800-399-2648 or cmitsolutions.com/tempe-andnorth-chandler.

Hotel occupancy declined to 20-30 percent during the pandemic and it takes at least 60 percent occupancy for most hotels to break even.

If you own an apartment building catering to the working class, you are getting much less rent and many states have passed moratoriums where you are not allowed to evict the tenants. Yet, your mortgage lender and the utility companies expect you to pay.

We can’t rely on government to solve our personal financial problems.

Earlier in the year, the massive CARES Act was passed. However, if your income reported on previous tax returns was too high, you did not receive the $1,200 per adult one-time stimulus check.

So, what are the crucial financial resolutions and lessons for 2021?

Do everything you can to protect your current job.

This may mean doing things that most of your fellow workers don’t want to do, such as: working the weekend or evening shift or taking on projects that most won’t do.

Develop new skills so that you become invaluable.

Virtually every business needs a website and social media marketing. If you are the one who handles this area, you have job security.

Start a side business in addition to your full-time job.

Every household in your neighborhood needs a mobile car mechanic or handy man for simple jobs.

Every business needs a website and social media marketing. Delivering the morning newspaper can create an extra $1,200 per month.

Save 30 percent of your gross income at least for the next years.

The typical savings rate is normally 7-8 percent of after-tax income. You need to save 30 percent of gross income to create an emergency cash reserve that can cover one to two years of living expenses.

The pandemic and government shutdowns have shown many Americans that there’s a big difference between what’s essential vs. optional in our lives.

Savings rates will increase substantially when one doesn’t go to malls, restaurants, bars, sports and entertainment events, or travel for vacations.

Save income tax.

By having side-business deductions, many can save at least $5-8,000 of income taxes each year. If you have high income, powerful tax planning can save $10,000 to $30,000 of annual income taxes.

If you annually save $20,000 taxes and average an 8 percent return, in 20 years you’ll have an extra $988,458 in your retirement fund.

Free information on tax savings, retirement planning, and solar business investments can be found at drharoldwong.com or solarbusinessinvestments.com.

To schedule your free consultation, contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480-7060177 or harold_wong@hotmail.com.

Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs. 

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44

SPORTS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

Sports

Chandler athletes take in Ed Doherty experience

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

T

he 2020 football season faced an adversity unlike any other as teams were forced to navigate through rigorous mitigation protocols as the coronavirus pandemic raged on in the state.

Players were quarantined. Games were canceled and at times, seasons came to an unfortunate end. But champions were crowned and on Saturday, Jan. 9 at Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, the 2020 Ed Doherty Award winner was named.

Mesquite quarterback Ty Thompson, who led the Wildcats to two straight state championships to end his high school career, was named the recipient this year after throwing for 3,431 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2020. The Oregon-bound five-star quarterback was among the 53 total players nominated for the award, and one of five finalists.

“It means the world to me, it’s a huge blessing, a huge honor,” Thompson said. “It’s a testament to everything my coaches and teammates have put in and the hard work they’ve done supporting me. I’m just really thankful.”

Several other East Valley and Scottsdale athletes were among those in attendance for the ceremony. Each nominee wore a medallion around his neck, given out by the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club throughout the course of the season.

While only one winner can be named, every athlete in attendance felt a sense of accomplishment just for being recognized during a difficult season.

“It’s a blessing just to be here,” Chandler senior running back Eli Sanders said. “Just everything we’ve been through, not knowing if we were going to have a season. We all just kept working and pushing through those hard days. We all came together as one unit, all of Arizona football, and it feels amazing to be at this point.”

Sanders was among the other four finalists for the award. His teammate, Chandler quarterback Mikey Keene, was also a finalist but was an early enrollee at the University of

Eli Sanders

Demond Williams Jr

Cole Martin

Central Florida and was unable to attend.

The 6-foot, 190-pound running back made the most of his first and only season as the lead-back for the state champion Wolves after transferring before his junior season. He rushed for 1,377 yards and 23 touchdowns, helping Chandler capture its fifth straight championship and second Open Division title.

His recruitment recently picked up as a result of his breakout senior season, with recent offers from Iowa, Iowa State and Hawaii.

“Going through recruiting, it’s stressful but fun,” Sanders said. “I’m just blessed to be in this position. I’ll be able to make the best decision for myself soon.”

Hamilton defensive back Cole Martin, a sophomore, was also among those nominated for the Ed Doherty Award.

Martin has long established himself as one of the top defensive backs in the state and country, regardless of class. He was named a varsity starter as a freshman and has become a lockdown corner with exceptional return abilities on special teams.

His skill has helped him earn double-digit offers from Power 5 schools in just his first two seasons at the varsity level.

Now, he can add Ed Doherty nominee to

his already long list of accomplishments.

“It’s crazy. I was just talking to Bijan (Robinson) and seeing guys like Demond (Williams Jr.), Eli Sanders, Bram (Walden); it’s an honor and humbling,” Martin said. “It’s a crazy experience and I feel blessed to be part of it.”

Martin was key in Hamilton’s run to the Open Division semifinals in 2019 and the state championship this past season, where the Huskies lost to rival Chandler after a missed game-winning field goal.

Junior quarterback Nicco Marchiol also played a key role and was nominated for the Ed Doherty Award.

Holding up the Ed Doherty Award before he leaves high school is one of several goals Martin said he has for himself. Most importantly, he wants to continue to help bring Hamilton back to its standard of being a powerhouse in the state and country.

“I try to push myself to be the best version of myself I can be,” Martin said.

“That’s going to keep going as I get older.

I’m going to keep working behind the scenes and keep working toward being a leader for my teammates.”

Attending the Ed Doherty Award ceremony was a surreal moment for Basha freshman quarterback Demond Wil-

liams Jr. He became the first-ever freshman quarterback to be nominated for the award after leading the Bears to win six straight at the end of the regular season and finish with a 6-3 overall record.

“This is a really good experience,” Williams said. “To be the first-ever freshman quarterback to do it, it feels good.”

Game-by-game, Williams was able to adjust to the speed at the varsity level. At times, he was able to show off his dualthreat ability. His skill set complimented the talent level of other Basha offensive players, including senior running back Caleb Jones, who was also a nominee for the Ed Doherty Award.

In his first varsity season, he threw for 1,814 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also rushed for 239 yards and three touchdowns.

Like Martin, Williams aims to hold up the trophy in the future, perhaps more than once. For now, he remains focused on helping build the Basha program into a state title contender, which may happen sooner rather than later.

“I want to bring Basha its first state championship,” Williams said. “Whether it’s in the Open or 6A, I just want to win it. Hopefully, I can bring home one of these trophies, too.”

GET OUT

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

45

Chandler café's owners stress quality food, service

BY MELODY BIRKETT Contributor

A

fter running a full-service restaurant in Chicago for 22 years, Sekia and Reggie Memishovski had their �ill of cold weather and head to the Valley of the Sun. This month, they are celebrating the second anniversary of their Chandler breakfast-lunch eatery, the Blackberry Café at 2090 N. Dobson Road and don’t regret the move one bit.

“Because we did work so hard in our Chicago restaurant 16 hour days, seven days a week, I was like, ‘ok, we’ll do it again but breakfast and lunch’ so we can have a little bit of quality time to enjoy the nice weather we have here,” said Sekia.

“We have a huge menu even though we’re just breakfast and lunch,” Memishovski said. “We serve pancakes, homemade crepes. Everybody raves about our crepes. They say they’re the best crepes they’ve ever had. Even customers who’ve said they’ve been to France and Paris, they say our crepes are the best.”

The many varieties include strawberry, fresh apple cinnamon, Nutella banana and berry special crepes topped with vanilla yogurt and granola crumbles.

Sekia and Reggie Memishovski escaped Chicago’s bitter winters and opened a breakfast-lunch eatery called the Blackberry Cafe in Chandler, where generous portions are a mainstay of the menu.

(Special to the Arizonan)

is a favorite among customers, she added.

Skillets, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, biscuits and gravy, salads, made from scratch soups are also on the menu.

For lunch, burgers are popular along with tuna salad.

“Everyone who has had a burger says, ‘It’s the best burger,’” Sekia said. “We use Angus beef, homemade tuna salad with

de�initely been hard, we’re only at 50-per“centIt has capacity. We’re taking all of the necessary precautions such as sanitizing, masks and following all of the guidelines.

”

– Sekia Memishovski

As far as other popular breakfast items, many customers enjoy the omelettes.

“We’re one of the few restaurants that use extra-large eggs,” explained Sekia said. “So, when you order an omelette, that three-egg omelette is going to look more like a �iveegg omelette. It’s going to be huge.”

The avocado, bacon and tomato omelette

homemade chips.”

She said portions are generous so customers can split.

The cafe´ also serves up a special blend of coffee made just for them.

The couple tries to source local, too.

“We only use the �inest, quality ingredients,” said Sekia. “We do not cut cor-

ners on anything. We use fresh, organic vegetables.

We try to accommodate everybody’s food allergies. We have a gluten-free menu. Everything is made to order so we can customize.”

And they cater to vegetarians and vegans.

As she puts it, since they’re locally owned, they’re able to put “more love into each dish.”

Reggie is the chef and both husband and wife are “here at 5 o’clock in the morning,” Sekia said. “My husband’s cutting, preparing, making the soups. We open up at 7. He’s a hardworking guy. He takes pride in what he does.”

After being open for a little over a year, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“It has de�initely been hard,” Sekia said. “We’re only at 50-percent capacity.

We’re taking all of the necessary precautions such as sanitizing, masks and following all of the guidelines.”

For customers uneasy about indoor dining, Blackberry Cafe´ has a pet-friendly, outdoor patio with tables spaced over 6 feet apart.

“It’s very important to support local family-owned businesses,” Sekia added.

“They’re the ones who need the most support right now.

“There are a lot of businesses closing.

It’s very sad because they’ve worked their whole entire life to get this business going and to shut the doors is just heartbreaking. So we all try to support one another. It’ll keep everybody a�loat during this tough, trying time.”

She said about half their customers are regulars “who come in to support us because they care and we care about them.”

“In this little short time, we have regulars we know by their �irst name. We know their family. We treat them the way we want to be treated. There’s always a smiling face at the door to greet you. I’m always here because I want to ensure that everything goes the way I want it to.

That everybody leaves satis�ied.”

The Gilbert couple eventually would like to open another location.

“Basically, we’re just a local restaurant where people come in and enjoy great food, great service, in a family-friendly neighborhood atmosphere.”

Hours 7 a.m.-2 p.m., 7 days a week.

Information: blackberrycafeaz.com.

46

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

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apply.gcu.edu | 855-428-7884 *Average tuition after scholarships is approximately $8,700. Scholarships may be awarded based on 6th semester transcripts. At the time in which final, official transcripts are received, GCU reserves the right to rescind or modify the scholarship if it is determined that eligibility was not achieved. GCU reserves the right to decline scholarship awards for any reason. If a student does not meet the minimum renewal criteria, their scholarship will be forfeited. GCU reserves the right to change scholarship awards at any time without notice. If a student does not meet the minimum renewal criteria, their scholarship will be forfeited. Prices based on 2019-20 rate and are subject to change. **GCU students graduate with less debt on average ($18,750 according to College Scorecard) than the average at public and private nonprofit universities ($28,650 according to 2017 data from the Institute for College Access and Success).

Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (800-621-7440; http://hlcommission.org/). Prelicensure nursing students who begin or resume attendance in Fall 2020 and beyond will be ineligible to utilize most GCU institutional aid/scholarships for tuition and fees once accepted into the clinical portion of the program. Important policy information is available in the University Policy Handbook at https://www.gcu.edu/academics/ academic-policies.php. The information printed in this material is accurate as of AUGUST 2020. For the most up-to-date information about admission requirements, tuition, scholarships and more, visit gcu.edu. GCU, while reserving its lawful rights in light of its Christian mission, is committed to maintaining an academic environment that is free from unlawful discrimination. Further detail on GCU’s Non-Discrimination policies can be found at gcu.edu/titleIX. Š2020 Grand Canyon University 20GTR0603

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

Obituaries Marilyn Jean Leafdale

Obituaries Nancy D. Cords Mesa AZ/Madison WI, Nancy D Cords (Schuh), Age 80, died after a long battle with respiratory issues at Gilbert Mercy Hospital in Gilbert AZ on Monday January 11, 2021. She was born on March 12, 1940 in Madison Wisconsin, the daughter of Peter and Lorraine Schuh and graduated from Madison East High School in 1958. She was married to Robert G Cords in November of 1958 and lived in the Madison WI area until 1980 when they Husband Robert moved to Arizona. passed away in 2004. Nancy's nickname was "Fancy Nancy" and her first job was at Federal Bake Shop on Mifflin Street and jobs worked in various administrative most notably with Wisconsin Teachers Madison Water Utility, J&C Retirement, Plumbing and Dane County Health and Human Services before moving to Arizona. There, she worked for the City of Tempe as an Administrative Supervisor in their Public Works Department.

Nancy was a devoted wife and loving mother. She routinely siphoned money away from her budget to provide the children with extra clothes or treats rather than spend on her needs. Over the years she and Robert fostered and adopted stray dogs with regularity and at one time had 6 dogs in the household.

Nancy is survived by her four sons, Robert (Amiee) of Jacksonville FL, Donald in San Diego CA, William (Cecilia) in Leonardtown MD, and Steven in Mesa AZ, 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren: brother Paul Schuh in Dalton GA. She will be buried with her husband Robert at the Medina Cemetery in Marshall WI. Funeral Services will be postponed until a proper gathering can be convened to celebrate her life. Instead of flowers, in honor of her kindness to animals please donate to your local Human Society or no kill shelters.

Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

Marilyn Jean Leafdale (age 81) died peacefully in her sleep early Sunday morning, December 20, 2020, in Mesa, Arizona. She died of colon cancer, after receiving Memory and Hospice Care at Brookdale North Mesa.

She was born in Kimball, Nebraska, November 15, 1939. She is survived by her brother, Keith L. Leafdale of Auburn, California, a nephew, Kevin Salger in Long Beach, CA, two nieces, Laura Sy in Cool, CA, and Debra Grady, in Whiting, NJ, and by many first cousins, and many in the next generation, in a dozen states.

She was preceded in death by her parents, C. Edgar Leafdale (1991), Inez L. Leafdale (1975) and sister Amber Cook (1993).

Marilyn graduated with the Mesa High School class of 1956; she held three academic degrees, two Baccalaureates and one Masters, from Arizona State University. With degrees in art as well in business management, she received recognition for managing the restoration and re-purposing of the high rise Pioneer Hotel in Tucson, following damage by fire in1970. That led to a specialty in real estate property management, which she followed in both CA and AZ. Marilyn enjoyed quilting and restoration of old family quilts, multiple art forms including graphics and photography. Her work was published in the book We Walk in Sandy Places, co-authored with Byrd Baylor, featuring Marilyn's photos of tracks of insects and small creatures on Arizona's desert sands. Cremation was arranged at Regency Mortuary in Sun City, per Marilyn's wishes. No memorial or funeral service has been planned during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Marilyn would be pleased with any contributions that are made in her memory to the scholarship programs at Arizona State (https://alumni.asu.edu/give-back/donate).

Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

47 CLASSIFIEDS

Obituaries Karen Sue Stevens

Karen Sue Stevens, loving daughter, wife, mother, sister and friend, passed away on January 11, 2021 at the age of 61 after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Karen was born on November 7,1959 in Garden Grove, California to Alvin and Donna Kunau. The eldest of seven children, she grew up in Southern California and graduated from Elsinore Union High School.

Karen was an accomplished horse woman who loved the outdoors, a passion she passed on to her daughter Jessica. She was a skilled seamstress who recently started a business with her daughter, designing and producing custom western wear for women. A true renaissance woman, her talents also included: illustrating, painting, earning her private pilot's certificate and being a music aficionado.

Karen is preceded in death by her mother Donna Kunau and brother Richard Kunau. She is survived by her husband Ron Stevens, children Jessica Stevens, Ryan Stevens, father Alvin (Al) Kunau, siblings Cindy Blackmon, Loren Kunau, Julie (Robert) Watson, Lloyd Kunau, Jennifer (Eric) Sommers and her many nieces and nephews.

Send condolences to the family at: awisechoice.com

Need help writing an obituary?

We have articles that will help guide you through the process.

Deadline for obituaries is Wednesday at 5pm for Sunday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays.

Call 480-898-6465 Mon-Fri 8:30-5 if you have questions.

Visit: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

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“Memories cut in Stone”

480-969-0788

www.everlastingmonumentco.com info@everlastingmonument.phxcoxmail.com

Employment Employment General

Employment General

Virtuouspros has openings for Software Engineers in Phoenix, AZ. Reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach + 5 yrs exp w/ skills in MS SQL/Oracle/J2EE/JSP/HTML/ Java to analyze/design/develop/ implement/test systems & apps.

Email resume to Tanya at tanya@ virtuouspros.com with ref no 2021-19 & ref ad in EVT

Water Eng (Mesa, AZ): Water/wastewater engin’g, incl. design, hydraulic modeling, microbiology analysis, treatment process, permitting & project mgmt.

Research treatment techs & prepare reports.

Ensure compliance w/ safety reqs. Req: MS Enviro Eng’g, 1 yr exp., Civil 3D, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, Microbiology & ROSA. Resumes to: Brandon Denicke Sunrise Engineering 6875 S. 900 E. SLC, UT 84047

Employment General HUMAC, Inc has openings for the following positions in Phoenix, AZ and/or client sites throughout the US. Must be willing to travel/relocate. IT Engineer reqs US Masters/equiv or bachelors + 5 yrs exp to design/dev/test systems/apps using Java/J2EE/HTML/CSS/Unix/Windows. IT Analyst reqs US Bachelors/equiv (3 or 4 yr degree) to test/maintain/monitor systems/programs using SQL/Oracle/Java/Hadoop/Unix.

Send resume to jobs@humacinc.com with ref # 2021-19 for IT Eng; 2021-21 for IT Analyst & ref this ad AGGREGATE COMPANY IS SEEKING A FULL-TIME HR & PAYROLL CLERK • 2-3 years exp’d HR and processing Payroll experience in ADP • Solid understanding of payroll & payroll tax laws • Maintain integrity of HR database by reviewing personnel and payroll documents.

• Maintains payroll information by collecting, calculating and entering data; making adjustments.

• Maintains quality control by reconciling each payroll prior to finalization. Resolves payroll discrepancies • Must have knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, ADP Payroll.

• Excellent written & verbal communication skills, strong accuracy and detail skills.

• Ability to work in a team oriented environment • Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).

• Bachelor’s degree or similar work experience required.

• Must possess a driver’s license and be insurable.

Deadline: January 29, 2021. Please submit application and resume for consideration Further questions, please call 520-418-4026. Resume & application can also be faxed to: 520-418-2109 or emailed at clara@grsg.com . Application online at www.grsg.com

48

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

The Chandler Arizonan

1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway #219 • Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465 class@timespublications.com

Deadlines

Classifieds: Thursday 11am for Sunday Life Events: Thursday 10am for Sunday

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | ChandlerNews.com Employment General TechMileage has openings for the following positions in Scottsdale, AZ area.

Software Engineers reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in Java/Jscript/SOAP/CSS/ Clear Case to dsgn/dev/implement/test apps/systems. Sr. Programmer Analyst reqs US Bachelors/equiv (3 or 4 yr degree) in Commerce/BusAdm/STEM field to analyze/resolve/test/report on IT related projects using skills in EMC/MS/SQL/ Excel/Java/C. Email resume to techmileagejobs @gmail.com with ref # 2021-19 for Software Eng; 2021-20 for Sr. Prog Analyst & ref EVT ad.

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Place your ad online!

Call 480-898-6465

Employment General Hiring Auto Technician / Auto Mechanic Both Experienced and Entry-Level Huffs Automotive Chandler AZ .

HuffsAutomotive.com Submit Resume for Consideration

huffsautomotive @yahoo.com 480-726-8900

Announce

ments Religion Healing Ministry Sufi Tradition If interested send letter of inquiry care of Master Warren Muen 4340 E. Indian School Rd, Ste 21-126, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

Manufactured Homes

THE LINKS ESTATES Why Rent The Lot When

YOU CAN OWN THE LAND And Own Your New Home

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Call Pat 480-323-8846 ALMA SCH & MAIN 1b 1 bath duplex Income verified UTILITIES INCLUDED Bad Credit OK. No Deposit Close to Lightrail $700 (602) 339-1555 WANTED BY COLLECTOR OLDER MODEL 22 CALIBER RIFLES AND HANDGUNS IN NICE CONDITION CONSIDER OTHERS I DO NOT SELL GUNS. CALL WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. LEE 602-448-6487

Cemetery Lots FOR SALE 2 CEMETERY PLOTS Mountainview Cemetery Mesa $2,400 or best offer Contact Lisa at (612) 400-5937 goodlisa691 @gmail.com

Real Estate

For Rent FROM THE UPPER 100’S

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APACHE TRAIL & IRONWOOD Secluded Cute Studio, A/C $650/Month Bad Credit ok No Deposit.

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ASK US HOW YOUR $105,000 CASH INVESTMENT AND OUR SENIOR LOAN PROGRAM ENABLES QUALIFIED 62+ SENIORS MAKING THE LINKS THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE HAVE NO MORTGAGE PAYMENT & NO LOT RENT AS LONG AS YOU LIVE IN HOME. 40667 N Wedge Dr • San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

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Homes For Rent

Service Directory Air Conditioning/Heating Family Owned & Operated

PUBLIC NOTICE The City of Chandler Housing and Redevelopment is requesting comments on the proposed 2021 Annual Plan and Capital Fund prepared for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The plans are the City of Chandler’s comprehensive guides to the policies, programs, operations, and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals. The plans are available for review at the Housing Office located at 235 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on our website chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing from Jan. 24, 2021 to March 8, 2021. A Public Hearing will be held during the Housing and Human Services Commission (HHSC) meeting on Feb. 10, 2021 at 6 p.m., located at 235 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225 (Due to social distancing guidelines, please contact the Housing Office at 480-782-3200 to request information on how to attend the meeting, or go to the website at chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing to view the Public Hearing information.) Written comments addressed to “Annual Plan” must be received by March 8, 2021 at 5 p.m.

(MST); may be mailed or dropped off at 235 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225; or emailed to chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov. For more information, please contact Amy Jacobson at 480-782-3200. Persons with disabilities requiring assistance or alternative forms can contact the Housing Office at 480-782-3200 or the Arizona Relay Service at 800-367-8939 or TTY 7-1-1, TTY English 800-367-8939, or Español 800842-2088, or email chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov.

Equal Housing Opportunity

AVISO PÚBLICO El Departamento de Vivienda y Redesarrollo de la Ciudad de Chandler está solicitando comentarios sobre el Plan Anual y Fondo de Capital de 2021 propuesto que fue preparado para el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos (HUD por sus siglas en inglés). Los planes son las guías integrales de la Ciudad de Chandler para sus normas, programas, operaciones, y estrategias para satisfacer las necesidades y metas locales de la vivienda. Los planes están disponibles para su revisión en la Oficina de Vivienda, ubicada en 235 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225, de lunes a viernes, de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m., y en nuestro sitio web chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing del 24 de enero de 2021 al 8 de marzo de 2021. El 10 de febrero de 2021 a las 6 p.m. en 235 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225, se llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública durante la reunión de la Comisión de Vivienda y Servicios Humanos (HHSC por sus siglas en inglés). (Debido a las directrices de distanciamiento social, por favor póngase en contacto con la Oficina de Vivienda al 480-782-3200 para solicitar información sobre cómo asistir a la reunión, o visite el sitio web en chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing para ver la información de la Audiencia Pública.) Los comentarios por escrito relacionados con el “Plan Anual” se deben recibir antes del 8 de marzo de 2021 a las 5 p.m. (tiempo estándar de la montaña); se pueden enviar por correo a ó entregarse en 235 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225; ó se pueden enviar por correo electrónico a chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov. Para más información, por favor llame a Amy Jacobson al 480-782-3200. Las personas con discapacidades que requieran asistencia o formas alternativas pueden llamar a la Oficina de Vivienda al 480-782-3200 ó al Servicio de Relevo de Arizona al 1-800-367-8939 ó TTY al 7-1-1, TTY inglés al 1-800-367-8939, ó español al 1-800-842-2088, ó enviar una nota electrónica a chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov.

Oportunidades Equitativas para la Vivienda.

Published: East Valley Tribune, January 24, 2021 / 35714

Three Phase Mechanical

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Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship Furnace / AC Tune Up - $69 New 3-Ton AC Units - now $3,995 New Trane Air Conditioners NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 MONTHS!

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We Also Buy, Sell & Trade Used Appliances Working or Not

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

Garage/Doors

Glass/Mirror

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS

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Not a licensed contractor

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Drywall, framing, plumbing, painting, electrical, roofing and more. Stan, 602-434-6057

Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you. QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices.

FREE Estimates

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Call 480-306-5113

Concrete & Masonry

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Home Improvement

OUR JOB BOARD HAS THE TALENT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR.

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Home Improvement

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Handyman

HOME REMODELING LLC REPAIRS & CUSTOM INTERIOR PAINTING • Drywall Repair • Electrical Repair Move a wall; turn a • Plumbing Repair • Bathroom door into a window.

Remodeling • Dry rot and termite From small jobs and • Home Renovations damage repair repairs to room additions, I do it all.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Precision interior FIND THE painting, carpentry, BEST TALENT. All Estimates are Free • Call: Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! drywall, tile, www.husbands2go.com EASILY Painting • Flooring • Electrical windows, doors, Licensed, Bonded & •Insured • ROC#317949 Plumbing Drywall • Carpentry POST JOBS. skylights, electrical, Decks • Tile • More! fans, plumbing and Ask me about FREE water testing!

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AND EXPOSURE Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting • Flooring • Electrical All trades done by “No Job Too More info: 480-898-6465 ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry hands-on Man!” or email jobposting@evtrib.com Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More!

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Quality Work Since 1999 Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing Friendly, artistic, 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, intelligent, honest and 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 ✔ Drywall Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job affordable. ✔ Carpentry 40 years' experience.

Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Call Ron Wolfgang Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” Most jobs also appear on Indeed.com ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Pleas text or leave Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens message 9 199 ce Sin rk Wo ality Qu e, abl ord Aff ✔ Bathrooms Cell 602-628-9653 BSMALLMAN@Q.COM 2010, 2011 9 199 ce Sin rk 2012, “No 2013, Job Too Affordable, Quality Wo Wolfgang And More!

2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 MISSED THE DEADLINE? 2012, 2013, Construction Inc. 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor 1999 Since Ahwatukee Resident / References Place your ad online!

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49 CLASSIFIEDS

Home Improvement

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CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

Landscape/Maintenance

Irrigation Repair Services Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured Technician

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

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showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

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Roofing

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Painting

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JAMES MADISON PREPARATORY SCHOOL, INC 5815 S MCCLINTOCK DR. TEMPE, AZ 85283 480-345-2306 480-345-0059 (FAX) www.madisonprep.org Announces open enrollment for grades 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10 for 2021-2022 school year.

The open enrollment period is February 1-19, 2021.

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF THE THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SUMMONS CASE NUMBER: 2020-CP-23- 05688 STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF GREENVILLE NINA BETH ALLEN, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Billy James Mood, Plaintiff, vs. SHAWN MICHELLE DILSAVER MOODY a/k/a SHAWN MICHELLE DILSAVER, Defendant. TO THE DEFENDANT ABOVE-NAMED: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to answer the Complaint herein, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, or otherwise appear and defend, and to serve a copy of your answer to said Complaint upon the subscriber at his office, 32 E. Main Street, P.O. Box 315, Williamston, South Carolina, 29697, within thirty (30) days after service hereof, exclusive of the day of such service, and if you fail to answer the Complaint within the time aforesaid, or otherwise appear and defend, the Plaintiff in this action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded therein, and judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. s/ G. Lee Cole, Jr.____________ G. Lee Cole, Jr. SC Bar Number 100352 COX & COLE, ATTORNEYS AT LAW P.O. Box 315 Williamston, SC 29697 Tel. (864) Fax (864) 847-7895 847-9289 LeeCole@CoxandCole.com ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF Williamston, South Carolina Dated: 12/10/2020_________ Published: East Valley Tribune, Gilbert Sun News Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 7, 2021 / 35776

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Public Notices

Seeing Double

480-477-8842

Tree Trimming • Tree Removal Stump Grinding Storm Damage • Bushes/Shrubs Yard Clean-up Commercial and Residential

480-354-5802

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident

Plumbing

ALL Pro

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We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

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Voted #1

Call Lance White

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Painting

CB

ANSWERS: 1. Art in frame changed 2. Standing man -- champagne is now a spyglass 3. Package on left is now a die 4. Ladies hat changed 5. Sparkler is now a pinwheel 6. Left bottle on table has changed 7. One glass on table is missing 8. Sitting man has 3 legs and feet 9. Tie changed color

50

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

51

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ALL DAY SPECIALS MONDAY $10 Burgers WEDNESDAY $10 Wraps

FRIDAY $9 Fish & Chips and Fishy Wrap

TUESDAY BUY ONE, GET ONE ALL APPETIZERS

SATURDAY $10 Pizzas SUNDAY $10 Pastas

THURSDAY BUY ONE, GET ONE WINGS & TENDERS

The location is formerly Majerle’s Sports Grill at Fashion Center in Chandler

3095 W Chandler Blvd Chandler AZ 85226 www.howlerssportsbar.com

480-899-7999

REGULAR HOURS DAILY 11AM - 12AM

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 24, 2021

palmabrisa.com

NOW SELLING

A new gated resort community is now selling in the Ahwatukee Foothills with a dramatically different style. It feels exclusive, but also lively and exciting — and it's called Palma Brisa.

• Modern resort-style gated community with stately palms

• Diverse architecture: Modern Bungalow, Urban Farmhouse, Italian Cottage, Andalusian, Modern Craftsman, French Country, and Spanish Mission • Four amenity areas connected by expansive lawns

• Homes from 1,700 sq. ft. to 4,000 sq. ft. from the $500’s

ERIC WILLIAMS

480-641-1800

TERRY LENTS

© Copyright 2021 Blandford Homes, LLC. No offer to sell or lease may be made prior to issuance of Final Arizona Subdivision Public Report.

Offer, terms, and availability subject to change without prior notice. Renderings are artist’s conceptions and remain subject to modification without notice.