The Chandler Arizonian - 2.20.2022

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From Uptown to Downtown, covering Chandler like the sun.

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

COMMUNITY .........

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Hartford Elementary earns A+ School rating.

BUSINESS .................... 27

This Chandler resort going to the dogs.

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February 20, 2022

Housing crisis threatens us all, economist warns

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

C

handler and the rest of the Phoenix Metro area must build their way out of the current housing de�icit or face economic catastrophe down the road, a noted Valley economist is warning local of�icials.

The housing shortage is just not dire in Arizona but throughout the country, economist Elliott Pollack told Gilbert Town Council as part of a presentation he is giving to a wide group of municipal bodies in the Valley, with Chandler expected to be scheduled soon.

“Affordability is falling but it’s about to plummet,” Pollack said. “There’s virtually no vacancy or available units. Supply has not kept paced with demand and our success as a community in attracting jobs and people has not been matched by a suf�icient increase in the housing supply for those new employees and a continued shortage of housing is going to drive up costs and threaten economic development efforts.

“Virtually nobody is going to get a free pass on not having to deal with this.”

Pollack belongs to Home Arizona, a group comprising former politicians and industry

insiders that is trying to get the word out on the supply-demand crisis confronting the region.

The group analyzed housing in 11 Valley municipalities – including Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdale – and came up with a series of alarming statistics.

“The �irst decade of this century, we overbuilt in both single-family homes and apartments,” Pollack said. “The second decade of this century we way underbuilt and we are now at a situation where the vacancy rates

Advance team Parents, teachers rip new state, CUSD sex ed

��� HOUSING ���� 15

BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

SPORTS .........................

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Chandler athlete gets a Super Bowl salute.

NEWS .............................................. 03 COMMUNITY ............................. 24 BUSINESS ...................................... 27 OPINION ...................................... 29 SPORTS .......................................... 31 CLASSIFIEDS ................................. 34

M

ore than a dozen students, teachers and parents admonished the Chandler Uni�ied School District Governing Board Feb. 9 over its rollout of a new policy that requires parents to opt into any classwork that includes sexuality.

A couple of the 16 people who spoke became emotional as they told the board the district went even further than the state law requires, calling it discriminatory in how it treats LGBTQ+ people.

“I personally had to sign a permission slip for my ninth-grader to read ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ of all things,” Krista McKinney

��� SEXED ���� 2

Five members of Chandler City Council yukked it up with an impromptu "band" to promote on social media Mayor Kevin Hartke's State of the City address on Feb. 17. Hartke delivered an upbeat look at the city and celebrated some Chandler young people who have distinguished themselves, For the story, see page 4. (City of Chandler)

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said. “Parents also had to sign permission slips for their children to participate in a cooking class about chicken breasts.”

The comments came during the time the public is allowed to address the governing board. Each speaker was limited to two minutes for their comments and board members are forbidden by law from responding to those comments during the meeting under most circumstances. Most of the speakers met afterward with a district official.

The CUSD Governing Board revised its Parental Involvement in Education policy in December to conform with the new state law that made Arizona the fifth state in the country requiring parents to opt into sex education for their kids. The policy has been referred to as the “KB Policy” because it was sections K and B that were revised.

District spokesman Terry Locke confirmed that a permission slip was sent in January to parents of students in a cooking class because the subject involved chicken breasts but stressed that “simply it was a misinterpretation of the

During last week’s Chandler Unified Governing Board meeting, students, teachers and parents ripped the state’s new “opt-in” policy for sex education and CUSD’s revisions of its own policies made to conform with that state law. (YouTube) legislative statute” and that it “was corrected and did not apply to the context

or content.”

He said the “administration and teacher resolved and communicated the correction.”

Several speakers said the revisions burden teachers, forcing them to track who has returned signed permission slips and who has not and then having to create an alternative lesson for the children of parents who did not opt in.

Several teachers and high school students also ripped the policy, noting the rising suicide rate among young people in the LGBTQ community and warning the new policy would further marginalize them.

“When I first heard this I thought, all right, no problem, I don’t teach sexuality,” said Caroline Sheridan, a teacher at Chandler High School. “I teach English and I teach criminal justice. … Somehow, I found out I need permission slips before I can teach, ‘Of Mice and Men,’ ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ ‘Othello,’ ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ I can’t teach about Emmett Till without a permission slip. Of course, this makes no sense.”

Sheridan said she was told she would need permission slips to teach any subject material if the author was a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

District officials immediately said that was incorrect.

Sheridan said she also received notice

in a district email that she would need a permission slip if any character in a work is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Imagine how it would feel to be a student and feel … people need permission slips to hear about someone like me,” Sheridan said. “It’s horrifying, it’s offensive and it’s tragic.”

Diane Mendel of Gilbert asked the board what it and the district did to ask students and parents for input when it was formulating the policy.

District officials denied that the policy suppresses all teaching about the LGBTQ community.

“At no point, I can tell you, that when we were deciding how to address this policy, which is based on legislation, at no time was it that we should not be addressing or learning about LGBTQ in our community,” said Dr. Craig Gilbert, the assistant superintendent of secondary education.

Gilbert told the speakers if they have concerns now, they should check out what the Legislature is working on this year because he said they are looking to build on what they passed last year.

“We’re not asking our teachers to stop teaching what they are teaching,” Gilbert said. “The issue with this policy has to

see SEXED page 6

CITY NEWS

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Chandler Council OKs fireworks use on streets 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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BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

A

n inadvertent change to the Chandler’s fire code to allow fireworks to be set off on residential streets is now being embraced by City Council – even though their attorney warned it opens them up to possible lawsuits.

Meanwhile, the State House has signed off on a bill, which now goes to the Senate, that would ban the use of fireworks between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. on days they’re allowed. The only exception would be New Year’s Eve and July 4, when fireworks could be used between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.

The 2014 Chandler Fire Code banned legal fireworks from being set off on residential streets and sidewalks without a permit. The fire code is updated every few years based on recommendations by the International Code Council and National Fire Protection Association.

In 2018, that part of the code that banned fireworks from being set off on residential streets and sidewalks was

inadvertently left off when the Council approved it.

This year Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins urged putting the language back into the code.

“This language, right now, if you look at our website, and if you look at a lot of the things that we push out to the business community and our citizens, it already says this right now, that it is prohibited in these areas. So, we’re just trying to make sure that we are in alignment with what we’re pushing out to the community and put it back into the ordinance.”

However, Councilmember Mark Stewart objected.

“I don’t want to be on a Council that tells kids they can’t shoot off fireworks in front of their house,” Stewart said.

Stewart said he considers forcing citizens to set fireworks off on their property riskier because they would be closer to their homes or trees that could catch on fire.

He said setting them off in a cul-de-sac is relatively low risk.

However, City Attorney Kelley Schwab urged caution.

“Generally, we prohibit anything on the road other than driving for safety reasons,” she said. “As the city attorney, and risk manager, I have to express some concern about allowing people to go onto the streets to set off fireworks or engage in other activity that may not be complimentary to cars driving on it. If somebody wanted to have a party, there’s ways to do that, and do it safely.”

Councilmember Matt Orlando said he would oppose the change that would remove residential streets and sidewalks because of that liability risk.

“I just don’t want to put the burden back on the taxpayers on this one,” Orlando said. He asked Schwab if passing the fire code without banning the fireworks from residential streets puts the city at risk.

“If there’s an injury, somehow, and someone is hurt or their property is damaged, the person who lit off the fireworks is very likely to be sued and the city will probably be dragged into that

during its meeting Thursday.

As part of the deal, the city will try to add 83 officers over the next five years.

It has not added any new positions since 2008 and the city has grown by about 50,000 residents since then.

One of the issues is that cities all across the country have had open positions in law enforcement that they have been unable to fill because of a lack of applicants.

Council is hoping the higher pay and the one-time bonus will help fill those positions. With the raise, Chandler will become the third-highest paying law enforcement agency in the area, improving one spot from its current fourth.

Some police officers and sergeants who work in specific units will also get another 5% raise. Those units are auto theft/property; criminal intelligence; financial crimes; property crimes/arson; public information; professional standards section; and K-9.

There is also a 2.25% raise for police officers who meet expectations or better

and have been with the department for eight years or is at the top of their pay range.

All three of the MOUs say every August the city Human Resources Department will conduct a compensation survey looking at the pay in eight Valley cities.

In addition to Chandler, they are Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.

The eight will be ranked based on their compensation, and if Chandler is not in the top three, then salaries will be adjusted to get them into the top three.

There are also some increases in the MOU for uniforms and equipment as well as additional contributions to the health savings accounts for employees with five or more years of service with the city.

“These sometimes, always have, there was a while as you guys know, they always have bumps and bruises along the way, and I think the bruises and bumps are a little less this time,” Councilmember Matt Orlando said. “I think it’s a very, very good agreement.”

see FIREWORKS page 4

Chandler beefs up pay for first responders

BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

T

he Chandler City Council is taking aggressive action to both retain and attract first responders, including giving most of them a 5% raise each of the next two years.

They are also offering most police officers a one-time bonus of $2,000 to be paid this July. Sergeants will also get the bonus.

“We appreciate that the City Council recognizes the difficulties of policing for our current officers, and how competitive the market is for new recruits,” said Michael Collins, president of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association. “Our officers have worked incredibly hard for a very long time, and I’m glad we are able to find ways to reward them for the excellent job they have done to keep the community safe.”

Council approved memorandums of understanding with CLEA, and organizations that represent the city’s firefighters and police lieutenants and sergeants

4

CITY NEWS

FIREWORKS from page 3

lawsuit,” she said. “From a safety and risk perspective, our best recommendation is to allow traffic-related activities in the street.”

Stewart stressed these would be only legal fireworks set off during the four periods allowed by the state. Any illegal fireworks, including all of them that explode in the sky, would still be banned.

Councilmember OD Harris said that setting off legal fireworks in the streets has been legal since that inadvertent change in 2018, and that so far, there have been

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

no ill-effects or lawsuits because of it.

Schwab pointed out that change was never publicized and most people did not know about it. In fact, as Dwiggins said, city materials said it was banned even if the code did not.

However, Harris said he would support the amendment removing streets and sidewalks. He did say that it may be something to look at later if it becomes a problem and they could put it back in at that time.

Council voted 6-1 to remove residential streets and sidewalks from the fire code with only Orlando voting against.

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Chandler mayor upbeat in State of City address

BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

C

handler Mayor Kevin Hartke last Thursday touted the city’s overall economic numbers in an upbeat State of the City address.

He said more than 740,000 square feet of industrial office space was added last year and another 1.8 million square feet is currently under construction.

The mayor’s speech at Chandler Center for the Arts was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd that dined on local food items prior to his address and later listened to the QVLN. “These investments by developers and the support of brokers are creating space for companies to expand and produce jobs,” Hartke said.

The mayor added that in addition to the nearly $20 billion Intel is investing in the city, another $245 million is planned in capital investments by other busi-

The State of our City “ is strong and focused on

the future, while honoring our community’s rich heritage and culture.

”

– Mayor Kevin Hartke

nesses over the next three years.

“We get compliments all the time about the ease and speed of our development process. We do our part to help Chandler businesses succeed,” Hartke said.

Hartke said a building boom continues, with the city surpassing $1 billion in the combined value of building permits for the second straight year.

“Chandler is a great place to live and work. Growth of Chandler-based jobs has increased our ratio to 1.23 jobs per household,” he said.

The mayor highlighted the city’s employment areas and the success they

Mayor Kevin Hartke have had in bringing jobs to Chandler.

He called the zone around Chandler Municipal Airport “the last frontier” and said that the city is working on bringing more jobs to that area.

The city saw an uptick in tourism as more people feel comfortable traveling despite the pandemic.

“Hotel room demand was up 35% in 2021, which is 5% higher than pre-pandemic levels,” Hartke said.

The mayor also introduced a new program called Chandler Changemakers, which will highlight inspiring young residents over the coming year. He introduced some of them in a short video.

“As the saying goes – children are our future and with these kids, I think our future is in great hands,” the mayor said.

Young people occupied a portion of the mayor’s address in two ways.

Interviewed on an accompanying video were members of the Hamilton High School girls volleyball team: Jordan Middleton, Micah Gryniewicz, Tatum Thomas and Ella Butler.

The Chandler Changemakers were asked to stand, and they will be the subject of special monthly features throughout the year. They are: Milayna Jones, Anshul Verma, Prisha Shroff, Hamilton High School girls volleyball team members Jordan Middleton, Micah Gryniewicz,

see MAYOR page 6

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MAYOR from page 4

him and Alyssa Gamby. And the Mayor’s Choice Award went to Kimberlie Martinzes-Wolf.

Hartke briefly touched on one controversial subject that the Council will be dealing with later this year, protecting traditionally marginalized people. Last year the Council rejected creating a non-discrimination ordinance on a 5-2 vote. Council has since brought in a consultant to evaluate the city’s need for such an ordinance.

Chandler is the largest city in Arizona that does not have a non-discrimination ordinance to protect LGBTQ residents.

“And we are engaging community

stakeholders in the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Assessment to help us create a roadmap for future DEI programs,” he said.

Hartke said the city added 700 single-family homes and 300 multi-family buildings in the past year. He said construction on 167 affordable housing units is planned for this year through a public-private partnership.

The mayor said the city has been proactive in dealing with homelessness, preventing 71 evictions by connecting residents with resources.

Hartke said the city’s crime rate is low-

est it has been in 35 years, and thanked both the police and community for working together.

“Crime rates this low occurred in the ’80s when Chandler only had 80,000 residents,” Hartke said.

“The State of our City is strong and focused on the future, while honoring our community’s rich heritage and culture,” Hartke said. “Our financial security is great. Our water supply is secure. Our city is safe. Our downtown is kicking it.

“We have never had more jobs or corporate headquarters located in Chandler, all over Chandler. Our future is bright.”

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once it becomes statute.

“It doesn’t matter who writes a book, if it’s great literature, it will be read,” Narducci said. “We are not going to destroy classics. There was some confusion … if we went past what needed to happen.

We definitely need to look at the impacts and that we do not put ultra-burdens on our teachers. We take that seriously all

the time.”

Katie Nash, the president of the Chandler Education Association that represents teachers in the district, said the communication for the rollout of this new policy could have been better.

“Unfortunately, I think the district … the communication, the roll out of it, the delivery of it, wasn’t well done,” Nash

said. “There probably should have been a staff meeting to explain to people what it is and how to implement it in their classes. Unfortunately, it was sent as an email with attachments saying please use this permission slip.”

Nash said that some teachers may have gone too far in implementing the policy to “cover their butts.”

Tatum Thomas and Ella Butler; Gwyn Satterlee, Fernando Sandoval, Ella Wang, Sam Bregman and robotics team members Rohan Vallamshetla, Sidharth Kanderi, Ari Kanderi and Karan Vallamshetla.

Also, winners of the city art contest were announced.

Winners in the 6-9 age bracket are Kaiwen Yao, Sahana Karthik and Olivia Brooks. The 10-13-year-old winners are Chetan Sai Vudaru, Emma Robertson and Violet Welch. In the 14-18 bracket, winners are Payton Harvey, Noura Ibra-

do with the permission slip, not to stop teaching. … We have to put in policy because of the legislation.”

Superintendent Frank Narducci said the public needs to pay attention to what the Legislature is passing because they have little choice but to follow the law

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Kyrene and Tempe Union end their mask mandates

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

T

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empe Union High School District is lifting its mask mandate, effective Feb. 22 - the day after the coming long holiday weekend.

In terminating a mask mandate that has been in effect since the current school year, Tempe Union follows Kyrene School District, which ended its mandatory mask policy beginning Feb. 14.

The district cited "our metrics being in a favorable position." That was a reference to today's release of new data by the county health department that showed virus transmission levels continued a monthlong freefall, though they still remain in the "high transmission" category."

The latest data showed cases per 100,000 people within district boundaries dropped from 520 to 258 and the percentage of new positive test results fell from 23.8% to 14.7%.

"Some of our families will choose to wear masks indoors and some of our families will not. At this time, both scenarios are appropriate and both scenarios need to be honored," the district said in its announcement as it became the last East Valley school district to drop its mask mandate.

Most of Tempe Union's neighbors, which include three of the state's five largest school districts, have had an optional mask police since the school year began.

As is the case with Kyrene, students must wear masks on Tempe Union buses because they are under a federal mask mandate. In her announcement, Toenjes cited “improving trends” for three weeks in case counts for both the district and county as well as absences among staff and students.

“Case rates, absence rates and community spread have declined since January, while substitute availability has improved,” she said, adding that masks are still required on school buses because they fall under a federal directive.

Kyrene and Tempe Union had begun the 2021-22 school year with mandates, setting off a tiff with the Ducey administration that could cost them a total $8 million in pandemic relief funds.

That came after Ducey punished school districts with mandates for violating a

law the Legislature passed in the waning days of its 2021 session – and that was subsequently ruled unconstitutional by the Arizona State Supreme Court.

Toenjes in November had announced that masks would become optional but abruptly switched gears near the end of winter break as omicron cases soared here and around the country.

“We began to see downward or stabilizing trends during the week of Jan. 27 and continued to trend downward in the week of Feb. 3,” Toenjes noted.

She also stressed that “families and staff are expected to follow the CDC’s guidelines regarding wearing face coverings, following illness or exposure.”

And she said the district is not changing any other safety measures at this time and that “our plans remain flexible enough to respond to the evolving circumstances of the pandemic.”

In a discussion of case numbers since the calendar year began, Carrie Furedy, executive director of school effectiveness, outlined the strain that the omicron surge had on staffing in January, with the number of absent teachers exceeding 100 on two days.

She said there were “upwards of 30 unfilled positions in a day” at one point that the district’s contractor for providing substitutes could not fill.

“I want to make sure that it’s clear, though, that while this says it was an unfilled absence, absolutely these children are supervised and cared for,” Furedy said, pointing to a chart showing absentee rates in January among teachers.

“What this means is either one of the certified coordinators here at the district office was deployed to that school to cover that classroom or a special area teacher was not teaching their special area in the elementary” schools,” she said. “One of our administrators was covering that classroom or other teachers were giving up their planning period during that day to cover those students.”

“We do want to highlight again that despite the numbers of unfilled classrooms that we had, .... schools had classroom learning in person and we ensured that children received high-quality instruc-

see MASK page 10

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Kyrene's latest dashboard showed that while the chances of virus spread remain high in its schools, actual cases of infection were low. (Kyrene School District)

MASK from page 8

tion,” Furedy added.

The lifting of the mandate likely puts an end, at least in Kyrene, to the most divisive issue in the district for more than a year. Parents opposing and supporting the mandate frequently appeared before the Kyrene board to express their views.

But the lifting of the mandate doesn’t end one problem facing both Kyrene and Tempe Union – Ducey’s withholding of $5.2 million from Kyrene and $2.8 million for Tempe Union from a pot of about $163 in pandemic relief money for schools that he has control over.

While the Biden administration has demanded that Ducey explain his rationale

for withholding the money – and threatened to ask for its return – Ducey has asked a federal judge to rule he did nothing wrong by withholding the funds.

Toenjes in an interview three weeks ago told AFN that because that money is to be given to school districts as reimbursement for expenses incurred as a result of the pandemic, Ducey’s action has not really been an issue yet.

“We did play a little phone tag with the governor’s office,” she said. “We’ve not connected and they’ve not said anything. Nor have they sent us anything in writing to say we’re not getting it. So I think it’s a little bit of a waiting to see when we submit our reimbursement if there’s actually an issue.”■

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Chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and the most debilitating balance problems.

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determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation. As long as you have not sustained at least 95% nerve damage there is hope!

Fig. 2

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3) How much treatment will your condition require?

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“Did your new hearing aids cost much?” inquired a friend.

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After a reflective pause, she added: “Sure I invested some money to get these hearing aids... but it doesn’t compare with what it cost before I got them.”

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(See the special neuropathy severity examination at the end of this article) In order to effectively treat your neuropathy three factors must be determined.

1) What is the underlying cause?

2) How much nerve damage has been sustained.

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480-274-3157 4540 E Baseline Rd., Suite 119 Mesa Az 85206

CITY NEWS

12

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

Child care shortages put strain on parents

BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

Coming soon: a better Valley.

ADOT’s I-10 Broadway Curve improvement project is in the works. When complete it will

Stay #AheadOfTheCurve with traffic updates at i10BroadwayCurve.com or download “The Curve” app for your phone.

143

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University Dr

Broadway Rd

An eleven-mile stretch of Interstate 10 between Loop 202 and I-17.

Southern Ave

60

48th St

40th St

60 ments)

24th St

16th St

40th St

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oads:

Existing Freeway

Baseline Rd

Guadalupe Rd

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Elliot Rd

Warner Rd

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d Chandler Blv

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We don’t have huge “ overhead like the centers

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time and help support our growing economy.

tate Rep. Jennifer Jermaine knows how hard it is for working parents to find child care right now.

“I am one of those parents who’s had to reduce my participation in the work force because I can’t get child care after school,” the Democratic legislator from north Chandler told the Chandler Chamber of Commerce recently.

Jermaine said she went to a day care center looking for service, and was told her name would be put on the waiting list. How many names are on that list? About 1,000.

“Nine months later, we’re in the top 100,” she said.

She is not alone. This newspaper reached out to other Chandler parents on a social media post asking for their experiences.

“I actually had to turn down a job back in November because we weren’t able to find day care we could afford that could bus our school age kids to school,” Emma – Sharnet Parker Hurdel wrote. “They had openings for the big kids, but nothing for an infant until January, 2022. So I turned down the job, and had to find a work from home been doing that for 26 years. solution to avoid day care.”

“We don’t have huge overhead like the Day care centers say the problem is centers do, so we can offer lower prices, one many industries are struggling with longer hours,” Parker said. right now: Hiring workers. Managers at She said some people are leery of two day care centers declined to com- home providers. ment for this story.

“They would rather go to centers be“As a lead teacher who works at a local cause they think I’m not licensed,” Parkday care center … you’re on such a wait list er said. “I am state licensed, I can have because we don’t have the teachers or staff 10 kids with two adults.” to accommodate,” Beth Custer wrote.

Parker said she is full with 10 children For those who do find openings, ex- now, but she’s starting a wait list. But pect to suggested any parent struggling to find 10 pay.

143 “We have been looking for a day care child care look at care.com and check 17

University Dr for three months,” Terragene Shea out home providers. Some are not li

wrote. She said most day care centers censed by the state, but others are. require a non-refundable deposit to be There Broadway Rd is one thing she wants parents put on their waiting list. “We are down to know about home care providers.

to the wire with still no call backs on “They see us as babysitters; we’re not Southern Ave the waiting lists we’ve put in. The day babysitters,” Parker said. “Most of us cares we have toured are ranging from60 have more qualifications than centers Rd $1,100-$1,500 a month for just one child do.Baseline I was part of the Intel network, they full time. I’m struggling on seeing how sponsored us, gave us 12 hours of trainwe can afford that.” ing, taking six classes a year.”

Guadalupe Rd

do, so we can offer lower prices, longer hours.

improve access to Sky Harbor, improve travel

10

S

Another parent said they saw prices that start at $800 per month.

The Economic Policy Institute says the average annual cost of infant care in Arizona is $10,948. It drops to $8,547 for four-year-old children.

Jermaine says she has introduced a bill that might help with that. Current state law says day care centers must have a separate teacher for infants than other children. Her bill would give them more flexibility, allowing a single teacher to look after both.

Sharnet Parker suggested parents struggling between wait lists and high prices look for an alternative. She provides day care from her home and has

2 HOV Lanes +6 General Purpose Lanes +Auxiliary Lanes 1 HOV Lane +4 General Purpose Lanes +Auxiliary Lanes New Collector-Distributor Roads: EB 48th St to Baseline Rd WB Baseline Rd to SR143 & 40th St New Lanes on SR 143 & US 60 (to connect to I-10 improvements) New Pedestrian Bridges Improved Sun Circle Trail Connection

Elliot Rd

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

CITY NEWS

13

Catalytic converter thefts bedevil Chandler owners ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

C

handler motor vehicle owners are feeling the sting from one of the nation’s most rapidly increasing property crimes.

Catalytic converter thefts in Chandler totaled 447 in 2021. Though Chandler Police only last year started keeping track of converter theft reports it receives, it’s likely the city is no different from its neighbors or the nation.

The number of catalytic converter thefts in Gilbert, for example, soared from a mere dozen in 2020 to 141 last year.

Of that total last year, 101 occurred in parking lots – sometimes in broad daylight – while 18 occurred in residential driveways, 10 in locked commercial yards and the remainder on streets, alleyways and even an auto parts yard, according to Gilbert Police.

Mesa Police also have seen a staggering rise in the crime: They handled two stolen catalytic converter cases in 2018 and one in 2019. In 2020, that jumped to 69 and in the first 10 months of 2021, police got 431 converter theft reports.

“The statistics are comparable to the upward trend in catalytic converter thefts across the nation,” said Gilbert Police spokesman Paul Alaniz.

State and national statistics bear that out.

According to an analysis by the public data website BeenVerified, reported thefts in Arizona have grown from 30 in 2019 to 142 in 2020 before skyrocketing to 1,501 through the end of September, a 956.4% increase from last year. That was second only to Colorado, which saw catalytic converter thefts jump 1,254% in the same period.

Nationwide, there were 49,611 converter thefts through the first nine months of year, up 244% from 14,433 stolen through all of 2020. BeenVerified estimates that number will reach 70,000 in 2021. In terms of overall thefts, Arizona ranked sixth in the first nine months of this year, trailing only California, Texas, Washington, Minnesota and Colorado.

A catalytic converter looks like a small muffler along with the exhaust system. It is designed to convert the environmentally hazardous exhaust emitted by an engine into less harmful gases.

The brazen thieves literally crawl be-

One Chandler victim complained their vehicle had been left overnight at a repair shop and got a call the next day that converter thieves had struck.

“It’s pretty evident on how I discovered it because it’s really loud when you start the engine,” one unlucky Honda owner told the SanTan Sun News. “Half of the sensor was also stolen because it’s easier for the thief to just cut it away rather than unscrew it. ...Even with comprehensive insurance coverage, it’s still a huge hassle not having a car for several days. I strongly suggest others learn from my experience and take some precautions.”

Travis Robertson admitted A California sheriff’s office released this photo of stolen catalytic converters found during a raid on he doesn’t know much about one black market operator. (Special to the Arizonan) cars – but he does know that a loud rumbling is not supneath a vehicle and saw the devices off, an opportunistic crime. As the value of posed to come from underneath them then find an unscrupulous junkyard that the precious metals contained within when they’re started. might pay as big bucks because the con- the catalytic converters continues to “It scared me,” Robertson said. “That’s verters contain much-sought precious increase, so do the number of thefts of an understatement, it was really scary, metals rhodium, palladium and plati- these devices. There is a clear connecmy car was dying.” num. tion between times of crisis, limited Robertson, a senior at Arizona State UniEarlier this month, Phoenix Police ar- resources, and disruption of the supversity, was on his way to a football game rested a couple who were allegedly saw- ply chain that drives investors towards on in October when he realized he had being off sawing a converter off an auto. these precious metals.” come a victim of catalytic converter theft.

David Glawe, president and CEO of the “Removing a catalytic converter takes Robertson, whose car was parked on National Insurance Crime Bureau, said only minutes using some basic, readilythe ground-floor level of his apartment’s the rise in theft is due to the increased available, battery-operated tools from a parking garage on the day of the theft, value in the metals contained in the con- local hardware store,” he added. “And for acknowledges that it was “really not the verters. the vehicle owner, it’s costly due to the most secure spot.” Since then, he has Federal regulations have effectively loss of work, finding and paying for alheard from friends and others who were required catalytic converters on all cars ternate transportation and then paying also hit by converter thieves. for decades. If one is stolen, Glawe said, anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 to get He suggests that people need to be it can cost several thousand dollars to your vehicle fixed.” aware of where they park if they do not install a new one while thieves can get The value of the catalytic converters varwant to become a victim of theft. $150 to $200 per converter. ies with the model, though Ford pickups, “If you live in an apartment, be mindThe black-market operators who buy Priuses and other hybrids and luxury veful of how secure it actually is,” Robertfrom the thieves then collect the valu- hicles are the most prized among thieves. son said. “A lot of people think, ‘This will able metals that the converters contain Astonishingly, they are rarely discovnever happen to me,’ but I think they and reap thousands. ered in the act even though they often should be mindful because there’s alThe converters contain platinum, pal- are doing their dirty deeds in residential ways a chance that it will.” ladium and rhodium. Glawe’s group said neighborhoods at night in victim’s driveAccording to NICB’s Operations, Intelrecently that rhodium is valued at $13,100 ways. Some reports indicated a skilled ligence and Analytics study of reported per ounce, palladium at $1,975 per ounce thief can remove the converter in less thefts, there were 108 catalytic convertand platinum at $1,011 per ounce. than a minute. er thefts per month on average in 2018, “We have seen a significant increase Most times, the victims don’t discover during the pandemic,” Glawe said. “It’s the thefts until the next day.

see CATALYTIC page 18

CITY NEWS

14

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

Sunset Library finally reopens after blast

BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

T

he new librarian in charge of Chandler’s Sunset Library said she had a feeling it would take a while to reopen after a gas explosion last summer damaged the building. It ended up taking 5½ months. It reopened on Feb. 14.

“Looking at the building next door, I thought this is a long, long time if there’s that much damage to that building,” Debe Moreno said. “I thought of the Burton Barr Library in Phoenix, when it had to shut down because of roof damage from the storm.”

That storm closed the Burton Barr Library for 11 months. Sunset opened in half the time.

On the morning of Aug. 26, Moreno parked her car where all employees parked, on the building’s west side. A little more than half an hour after they opened, the explosion happened inside

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Platinum Printing, which was just west of the library.

Moreno was at her desk, which was on the west wall.

“Directly next to the building that exploded,” she said. “What we felt didn’t come from the side, it came from above.

What we felt and heard was like a sonic boom that we heard and felt at the same time. The best way I can describe what it felt and sounded like was if a giant airplane just fell out of the sky and landed on top of the building.”

A staff member ran for the back door and looked outside. Moreno said his first words were, “Call 9-1-1.” Then the next words were, “Oh my gosh, it’s on fire.”

The immediately began evacuating the building and eventually sent everyone to Sunset Park, which is east of the library.

Moreno said her car was totaled by the blast.

During the months that construction crews were repairing the building, Moreno said she heard from many

of their regulars about how much they missed coming to Sunset.

“People have been telling us all along, ‘They can’t wait to reopen, how much they miss us,’ and all of that. [On Feb. 14] people were very, very happy. And a lot of people were pleasantly surprised to come in, all the way in, to the library.”

Delia Salas said she was very grateful Sunset Library has been doing pick-up/ drop off service for most of the time they had to close.

“It’s been easy, we just go on the computer, browse through what we want, and then just come and pick it up,” the Mesa resident said. She said she usually comes to the library at least once a week.

She said she and her daughters are happy it has finally reopened.

“We are thrilled, because my girls, although they enjoy the pick-up, they like to browse and look in person. There’s nothing better than holding a book in your hands to figure out what you might want to read.”

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Monet Simpson of Chandler visited Sunset Library for the first time this week. She said she didn’t know anything about the explosion or that it had been closed until they arrived there.

“I am in awe, I’m in such love with this … the energy is great,” Simpson said.

Moreno has been working for Chandler Public Libraries for 24 years, first starting as a page and working her way up. She was part of the crew that helped open Sunset in 2000.

She took over as the branch’s librarian a couple of weeks ago. The change was planned before the gas explosion, Moreno said. The location is one of the most popular branches in the city.

“I think that it’s our location and our demographics,” Moreno said. “When we closed, they were very concerned. We had so many people calling and emailing the library to check up on us, making sure we were OK. What makes us so popular is we have a very library userrich area.”

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

15

HOUSING from page 1

for both single-family housing and for apartments are as low as they have ever been.”

For the first decade, the Greater Phoenix area saw 487,000 new housing units while that number fell to 240,000 units in the second decade of this century.

At the same time, 880,000 new residents will be moving here this decade.

“Phoenix employment is growing rapidly not only as we re-employ people who were laid off during the pandemic but all the economic development agencies in the Valley have done an extremely good job and there are lot of very large manufacturers and home offices and the number of companies relocating here is essentially greater than I’ve ever seen,” Pollack said.

“So, employment growth is going to be high and that’s going to bring a lot of new employees. Population growth will be just under 20 percent but that is close to 90,000 new people a year.”

And, demographically the largest adult cohort worldwide is millennials, 27-32 years old, who are now in their prime home-buying age, Pollack said.

“On top of that there is a lot of other pent-up demand,” Pollack said. “Oddly enough there are more people living with mommy and daddy who are 18-29 – literally more than any other time than the end of the Great Depression in 1940.

“Sooner or later their parents are going to kick them out of the house and they are going to have to basically create their own housing unit. That is even more demand on top of everything else.”

The housing supply can’t keep up with the demand.

“You are down to about a 23-day supply,” Pollack said. “If any of you have friends or kids who are out buying a house, you know what it’s like. That is down from a 70-day supply normally.”

And, if buyers are looking for a house priced $350,000 and lower, there’s only a 10-day supply, according to Pollack.

“In addition, you know most homebuilders, when they build a subdivision have homes that people can move into right away,” he said. “Well, 18 months ago there were 1,600 of those. You are now down to 500 of those, so there is essentially very little supply.”

He said shrinking affordability threatens to price once-secure wage earners

Economist Elliott Pollack and his team analyzed 11 Valley cities' average home prices and rents to show what groups of employees could afford in 2020 and 2021. Fewer groups could afford those average prices last year and Pollack said it will be worse this year.

(Courtesy Elliott D. Pollack) priced out of homes and apartments.

“They’ll buy less expensive smaller homes,” Pollack said. “At some point, they will have to stay in rental units and that keeps on going down. And then people on the bottom really have nowhere to go and that’s going to be a big issue.”

He pointed out that in 2015, 73% of the families in the Phoenix area could afford a median-priced home. Today, that affordability has dropped to 51% and “it’s going to be somewhere at 45% by the end of this year.”

That assumes average mortgage interest rates won’t rise above 3.5%. Affordability will shrink further still if the rate increases to 4%, Pollack said.

He said based on data crunched out to 2025, less than 30% of people would be able to afford a median-price home.

“That is something that Phoenix has never faced before because it has always been an affordable market relative to our competition,” he said. “Housing prices since 2000 has gone up roughly 188% in Phoenix.”

For those renting, the apartment inventory also is low and becoming less affordable.

“If you want to basically dig your way out of the hole, a shortage, to get vacancy rate in apartments back to the historic norm

you need an additional 15,000 apartments on top of what you need for your annual population flows,” Pollack said.

“So, you’ll need probably about 16,000 apartment units for the next five years to get things back to normal.”

Right now, there will probably be about 14,000 new apartment units opening this year, he said.

“There’s more than that in the pipeline but we don’t have the labor to build them,” he added. “So, we’re behind the eight ball. We are not getting to the point we need to be at.”

Area rents have shot up 29.5% over last year and single-family resales increased by 28.5%, according to Pollack.

A person will need to earn $72,680 a year to afford a median-priced apartment rental by the end of 2025, Pollack predicted.

“If you keep on getting these rapid rate increases because of the supply-demand imbalance, you are going to need $90,000,” he said. “It’s going to be a real problem.”

And that leads to the question of where will the people needed to run a community live – nurses, cops, firefighters, teachers, chefs, the guy who works for Circle K, according to Pollack.

He presented a chart that showed none of those groups of workers could even af-

ford to buy a home in Gilbert in 2020 and those on a nursing or police salary could only afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment in town while firefighters, highschool teachers and chefs can only afford a one-bedroom apartment.

The others such as middle-school and elementary-school teachers, construction workers and retail workers could afford neither in Gilbert.

Move forward a year to 2021 and the picture is bleaker: only nurses and police officers able to afford to rent a two-bedroom and all the others priced out of living in Gilbert.

“Your essential workers along with people coming in earning those salaries in other jobs and private-sector jobs are just going to have difficulties,” he said. “And this is a reality you are going to have to face over the next several years.”

Pollack emphasized that in the current shortage, all types of housing in all price levels and all income levels are needed.

“We are at the bottom of the norm of affordability at the moment,” Pollack said.

“We’re about to fall off a cliff in terms of affordability. It becomes very difficult especially as interest rates go up.

see HOUSING page 18

16

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

UA expanding presence here with online program

BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

T

he University of Arizona is expanding its presence in Chandler by opening up an online school across from City Hall.

School officials, including President Robert Robbins, were on hand last week for the grand opening of the University of Arizona Global Campus, which has more than 28,000 students enrolled for online classes.

The school will have about 80 employees working out of a Chandler office, mostly administrators and technical support workers, but possibly some teachers as well, UAGC President Paul Pastorek said.

“Some of the teachers who lead other teachers will be housed here,” Pastorek said. “It’s administrative in nature, our technical operations will be here in Chandler as well.”

UA began offering undergraduate courses in Chandler in the fall of 2018 as

UAGC President Paul Pastorek cut the ribbon for the University of Arizona Global Campus as university officials looked on during a ceremony Feb. 7. (David Minton/Staff Photographer) part of its 2+2 program, which allowed students to attend community college

for two years then finish up their bachelor’s degree with two years at a loca-

tion near them. UA holds its Chandler classes at the city’s community center.

For now, UAGC is an independent institution that is affiliated with the University of Arizona. However, Robbins, the UA president, has said he wants to bring it into the university officially and has begun that process.

That decision has been controversial. Professors at the Tucson school raised objections as a Faculty Senate meeting. UA bought the Global Campus school from Ashford University, which had a dubious record as a for-profit business.

The California attorney general filed a 2017 law-

see GLOBAL page 17

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GLOBAL from page 16

suit against Ashford and its parent company Zovio, saying it engaged in false advertising and illegal business activity.

The lawsuit claims they misled students to get them to enroll and then used illegal debt collection practices to get them to pay their bills.

According to Inside Higher Ed, the University of Arizona purchased Ashford University for $1 in December of 2020.

However, as part of the agreement, UAGC will use Zovio for recruiting, financial aid, counseling, institutional support, information technology and academic support services. Zovio will get paid for that work plus get about a fifth of the school’s tuition and fee revenue.

Gail Burd, UA’s Provost, said he’s not worried about Ashford’s woes.

“The agreement that we have, all those liabilities fall onto the OPM, and not on to Ashford, or the University of Arizona Global Campus, or the University of Arizona,” Burd said. “Those liabilities are not our concern.”

UAGC is currently certified. However, the certification body, Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission, placed a notice of concern on its accreditation status – meaning it is in danger of being found out of compliance.

“We have had to focus on making sure, most importantly, that we are being responsible with students,” said Pastorek.

“And we are being responsible to them in every domain: When we market to them, when we enroll them, when we educate them and when we graduate them.

“We have made it our No. 1 mantra in our organization over the last year since we took over the operations of Ashford University that we would be different, it would be a new day, that there would be a student-centered, student-focused approach. I can’t speak to what happened before, but my job is to make sure that every day that every person who works on behalf of the university is studentcentered, student-focused and doing it for the right reasons.”

If UA does eventually welcome in the Global Campus as an official part of its organization, it would have two different online schools. Its Arizona Online was ranked No. 7 in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report and has more than 6,000 students.

Burd said they haven’t quite figured

17

First, we need to re“ search, we need to figure

out what other institutions have done that have worked, and decide for our institution what’s the best answer.

”

– Gail Burd

out how they will handle two different online schools should Global Campus officially become part of UA. “First, we need to research,” she said.

“We need to figure out what other institutions have done that have worked, and decide for our institution what’s the best answer.”

She pointed to Purdue adding online school Kaplan as an example. That become Purdue Global and that deal is very close to the same one UA made with Zovio. Kaplan provides many of the services to Purdue that Zovio does to UA, and also gets a slice of the tuition.

Purdue did not offer any online education prior to its deal with Kaplan. However, Burd said they started to do so after and kept them separate.

“That’s a model that looks attractive to me, so I want explore that, but others too.”

Burd said that Kaplan had many of the same image problems that Ashford had when Purdue took it over.

And she said they may ultimately decide to keep their online school separate instead of merging them, because they serve different audiences.

“They’re two different missions,” Burd said. “These students, this faculty, have a very different mission, job, and approach than what we have at the University of Arizona. The University of Arizona primarily takes in 18-year-olds, there’s an online program that is very highly ranked … I think we can learn from each other and support each other.”

Pastorek agreed.

“We serve really different kinds of communities,” he said. “We serve different kinds of programs right now. With the announcement we’re moving into the University of Arizona, we’re exploring just how we will be partners. We will be partners, whether we will be merged or not is yet to be decided.”

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

HOUSING from page 15

“There is not a group that is being spared difficulty right now. Obviously, it hurts worst at the bottom because you have fewer and fewer choices.”

If housing stock remains low, Pollack said municipalities can expect to see families doubling up, millennials and Gen Z generations trying to live with their parents or face homelessness.

“And, it’s a very bad economic-development picture because affordable housing is one of the things that’s always made us a draw,” Pollack said. “There’s going to be upward pressure on wages and city budgets and slower growth for the economy as a whole – which means less real-income growth and that’s what bothers me most.”

He reiterated what municipalities such as Gilbert could do to address the problem – build more housing units of all types across all ranges of income.

“Normally you’d need 20,000 to 25,000 for-sale units and about 15,000 rental units, you’d need another 2,000 to 25,000 new home inventory and you need some replacements,” he said. “But, basically we have to build in total to get out of

This chart shows the continuing gap between the number of apartments needed in the Valley and the number that are or are projected to be available. (Courtesy Elliott D. Pollack & Company) this thing over the next five years almost 42,000 housing units a year that’s total housing units.”

He said meeting that need is made more difficult with labor shortages and supply chain issues.

“I know the Gilbert team makes every effort as shorthanded as they are to work with our developers and have encouraged higher density in commercial areas,” Mayor Brigette Peterson said. “And we allow for accessory dwelling units and other factors.”

She added that the Town a few years ago

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created a new zoning category called multifamily high to allow for additional height and density for multifamily projects.

“We have seen multifamily developments coming to our community with about 5,000 multifamily units planned that are not yet developed,” she said.

Vice Mayor Aimee Yentes asked how to frame the issue to residents in the community who don’t believe that it’s an issue.

“How would you explain it in a way that makes them want to care and I say it like that because the other side of the coin is people

CATALYTIC from page 13

282 average monthly thefts in 2019, and 1,203 average thefts per month in 2020.

The state attorney general’s office last year conducted a sting with Mesa Police that resulted in the arrest of three suspects in a catalytic converter theft ring.

The suspect who purchased the catalytic converters from undercover officers was also charged with commercial burglary at an auto recycler in Mesa.

In the one case, 141 catalytic converters were stolen with a value of over $40,000.

So far, 18 states were evaluating potential legislative actions to curb the theft problem. Arizona was not among them.

To increase their protection from thieves, motor vehicle owners are encouraged to install a catalytic converter anti-theft device.

These are available from various manufacturers and can provide a level of security from theft, the NICB says, but they can cost several hundred dollars online – and some additional cost to have them installed.

Owners also can have their Vehicle Identification Number etched on the de-

have a motivation to protect the values of their home,” Yentes said. “And so they see kind of the ability to close as…a good thing.”

Housing developments and especially apartment projects in town often attract opponents who complain about density, traffic and potential impact to their property values.

It’s a difficult situation because those people who are anti growth make a lot of noise, Pollack responded.

“The question is are there people on the other end who don’t make noise who will now start to make noise to help you understand that most people don’t want their city to have reduced levels of real income,” he said.

“They want jobs, they want places for their kids to live and you are not going to get any of that unless you do some things that maybe in a perfect world you would not do but the world is not prefect.

"The reality is not everybody is up here in income and even those people are going to be living down here because it’s so expensive for a house that they used to afford and if you wait for the trouble to occur, if you wait for the homelessness, if you wait for companies not locating here because housing was too expensive that time it’s too late. Take a look at California.”■ vices – though that will help only if police happen to find the stolen converter in some thief’s possession.

The bureau also advises, “Park personal vehicles in a garage. If not possible and vehicles must be parked in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor security lights. While lights may not provide complete security, it may make some thieves think twice, making them leave the area and your vehicle untouched.”

The bureau also said victims should call police and their insurer.

“In some cases, this theft is covered by insurance,” it said. “The optional comprehensive portion of your insurance policy, the portion that covers damage caused to your vehicle not caused by accident, covers this kind of loss. However, the owner will be responsible for paying the deductible. If your deductible is $1,000 and the cost to repair the damage costs $1,000 or maybe a few hundred dollars more, drivers may not opt to file a claim.”

The NICB advises drivers to contact their insurer to report the theft and determine the best course of action.

Cronkite News contributed to this report.

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

19

Chandler helping people file their income taxes ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

T

he City of Chandler is partnering with Mesa United Way for its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program to help working families who earned less than $58,000 in 2021 with free tax preparation and filing services.

There are seven tax preparation sites located in Chandler that are currently operating through April 14. Free tax assistance will be available either of the sites by either walking in or by appointment.

Appointments can be scheduled online at chandleraz.gov/VITA, selecting your preferred location site and checking date and time availability. Residents also may email vita@mesaunitedway. org for an appointment or call 480-8342122 (please leave only one message.)

• AZCEND Chandler, 345 S. California St., 4–7 p.m. Tuesdays • Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, 2133 W. Elliot Road, 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, by appointment only.

• Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Pecos Campus, 2626 E. Pecos Road, Cholla

Hall, Room CHO-106, 6–8 p.m. Wednesday • CGCC - Sun Lakes Center, 25105 S. Alma School Road, Sun Lakes, 10 a.m. to noon Fridays. To schedule an appointment, call 480-895-9270, ext.113. This site will be closed on March 18.

• Chandler CARE Center, 777 E. Galveston St., noon–4 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays, by appointment only.

Closed Feb. 19, March 19 and 26.

• First Credit Union, 25 S. Arizona Place, Suite 111, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays, by appointment only.

• Salvation Army, 85 E. Saragosa St., 6–9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Interpreters also are available at some sites to assist Spanish-speaking residents. All volunteers are certified with the Internal Revenue Service and have completed the VITA training program.

When visiting a VITA site for free tax preparation, residents must bring several items with them including W-2 forms, photo identification, Social Security cards (including those of all dependents) and more. Applicants should to review the complete list of what to bring at chandleraz.gov/VITA.

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Residents are encouraged to view the complete list of what to bring at chandleraz.gov/VITA. The website also has locations of other East Valley VITA sites serving the community through Chandler’s partnership with Mesa United Way. Face masks are required and no more than two people can attend an appointment.

The Downtown Chandler Library is hosting AARP Tax-Aide now through April 18 to help taxpayers file personal

tax returns for free. Appointments are available 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; and 3–7 p.m. Wednesday, and reservations are required. Information: chandlerlibrary.org/research-taxes.

Information: chandleraz.gov/ VITA or mesaunitedway.org/volunteerincome-tax-assistance. People also can contact Don Jensen at 480-834-2113, or Lauren Koll at 480-782-4358 with questions or concerns.

20

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

Republican Senate OKs voucher expansion

cause the tuition at many private schools is higher than that. Gonzales said those in rural areas simply don’t have the option of a nearby private school.

Then there’s the transportation issue.

“This doesn’t work for families that are working two jobs, sometimes three jobs, just to keep food on the table and a roof over their families’ head,’’ Gonzales

said, parents who lack the time to drive a child to a private or parochial school.

“They can’t just hop on a city bus,’’ added Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale.

And then there’s the fact that these private schools need not take all applicants.

“Eligibility does not equate to the ability to use it,’’ he said. More to the point, Quezada said, the “choice’’ in this program is not for parents but for the schools who get to pick and choose who to admit.

“It’s not our kids with disabilities, it’s not our kids with discipline issues, it’s not our kids that are behind in their classes,’’ Quezada said. “They’re going to pick the kids that are easier and cheaper to educate and so that will raise their scores and make them look like a highperforming school.’’

But Sen. Vince Leach, R-Tucson, said the opposition to making more vouchers available ignores what already is happening.

“Parents are not walking away from public schools,’’ he said. “They are absolutely running.’’

He said that’s why already existing law provides vouchers for students attending schools that are rated D or F. Foes of the measure argued the solution is spending the money to fix schools with low academic achievement. But Leach said that often is fought as school

boards call it an issue of “local control.’’

Ultimately, he said, there’s nothing wrong with the state providing funds so parents have more choices.

Quezada said Leach’s arguments undermine the need for more vouchers.

“If it’s happening already, why do we need to expand it?’’ he asked.

What most Arizonans want is subject to debate.

A prior bid by the Republican controlled legislature to vastly expand the voucher system was rejected by voters in 2018.

But Boyer said that was because some voucher supporters feared that ratifying what lawmakers had approved would impose a permanent limit on how many could be provided in the future. And he cited polls he said show strong support for what he is proposing.

Quezada said he sees vouchers as a method of promoting segregation, with the parents of some students who have the means to be able to take advantage of them moving their children to private schools.

Boyer called that contention “preposterous,’’ arguing that vouchers are just the reverse in providing parents and their children alternatives to neighborhood schools.

“Assigning families to inferior schools based upon their home address is true segregation,’’ Boyer said.

three municipalities, breaking windows and slashing tires on parked vehicles.

The most recent series of incidents occurred shortly before their arrest a little after midnight Feb. 17 at Alma School Road and Mesquite Street as police went to investigate damage done to 12 vehicles in the area.

Police heard windows being broken and saw Davion’s vehicle leaving at a high rate of speed, according to a release.

Witnesses to various acts of vandalism described seeing a car with a missing hub cap and police put out a bulletin about the suspect vehicle.

Police began zeroing in on the cul-

prits on Valentine’s Day, when they had stopped Lacour’s car and saw that it had a hub cap missing on the same wheel as described by witnesses. They also noticed a hammer and flashlight in the car, but apparently did not have enough evidence to detain Lacour at the time.

But subsequent investigation also showed that clusters of the incidents occurred near some of the suspects’ homes.

Police began following Lacour and stopped him after the latest round of incidents.

According to the arresting officers, police found a hammer, tire iron, two

knives and a pole inside the car.

Police said that Lacour admitted they were out damaging vehicles and had done so on about a half dozen occasions the past few weeks. “Davion said he mostly just drove the other subjects around, but he did damage about five vehicles on his own and knew what the other subjects were doing,” a police report stated.

Police are continuing to study video tape of other incidents to identify the suspects and are asking anyone who has not reported any vandalism to their vehicle to call 480-782-4130 and file a report.

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

S

tate senators voted Wednesday to make more taxpayer dollars available to more parents to send their children to private and parochial schools.

The 16-12 vote came over the objections of Democrats, who said SB 1657 is built on the fallacy that the vast expansion of the voucher program is designed to help students from poor families.

They pointed out that much of what is proposed by Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, has no income caps.

Boyer acknowledged that the measure would grant automatic vouchers to children of first responders and first-line health care workers. And it would also make vouchers available to any student living in the boundaries of a Title I school – those serving a large percentage of low-income children – regardless of their own financial status.

Still, he said, it would provide a “lifeline’’ to students in schools that are not meeting the needs of students.

But Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales, D-Tucson, said that ignores the fact that even many students who come from poor families really won’t be able to take advantage of the $7,000 vouchers and not just be-

Phoenix Republican Sen. Paul Boyer advocated for passage of the massive expansion of school vouchers. (Special to the Arizonan)

4 nabbed in rash of vandalism to vehicles in Chandler ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

C

handler police have arrested an adult and three juveniles in connection with a dozen of some 67 acts of vandalism to vehicles totaling more than $75,000 in Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa that occurred between Feb. 1-17.

Arrested on Feb. 17 following an intensive investigation was Davion Lacy Lacour, 19, of Chandler. He was booked into the County Jail on 12 counts of criminal damage while the three juveniles were booked into the Durango Juvenile Detention Facility.

Police said the four suspects drove around residential neighborhoods in the

Share Your Thoughts: Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

21

Chandler 911 operators get special training for kids

BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

C

handler is one of only three Valley police departments that gives its dispatch officers extra training to help them deal with missing children.

Communications Director Michelle Potts said it’s easy to see why Chandler PD makes it a priority.

“These are our children,” Potts said.

“The children of our community matter, and I think that we have a responsibility, to our community in general, but especially have a responsibility to the most vulnerable in our community, and I think our children are some of those.”

Chandler renewed its membership in the Missing Kids Readiness Program sponsored by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in January and has belong to the program since 2012.

Potts said operators have seen the value of that extra training.

“We had one call where a little boy went missing,” Potts said. “One of our call takers specifically asked, ‘Is he prone to

Chandler Police Communications Director Michelle Potts said it’s important that 911 operators have extra training in dealing with children. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

anything specific, or drawn to wander toward a specific location?’ And the mom said, ‘yes, he likes this one park.’

And the call taker said, ‘Does he like water?’ And she said yes. So, we went and looked on a map, we found bodies of water and the officers were able to go to those bodies of water and we did find him close to the water. That was a real great success story.”

Potts said the training mostly focuses on what questions 911 operators need to ask when a caregiver tells them a child is missing.

“This certification, which offers the most thorough training for telecommunicators in our industry, and I think it shows our community that we’re devoted to protecting the children in our community,” she said.

“It’s additional training, it shows really start to finish what is needed for every second along the way where we can make sure that we’re dotting every i and crossing every t in asking all the questions when we receive that first call that comes in.”

Potts said when they get a call about a missing child they have no way of knowing if it’s a serious emergency, or just a child

has stayed too late at a friend’s house.

“We don’t know, we never know,” Potts said. “And that’s the value of knowing what questions to ask as soon as possible. We have to ask the parents those critical questions. …

We never know exactly what we’re dealing with, and that’s why we treat it as urgent as possible right from the very beginning.”

Besides Chandler, Mesa and the Gila River Indian Community also have law enforcement communications offices that are certified. Potts said there’s not a lot of cost to get certified, just the annual application fee.

However, there is a cost as far as devoting the time for staff to get the training needed.

“It is an investment of time,” she said. “It’s time, and training, and certification. We have to align our policies and it takes time.”

“People calling 9-1-1, they call in crisis,” she said. “In everyday communication, we’re thinking critically and we’re thinking rationally. When people call 9-1-1 they’re not thinking critically, and so this training really provides us a way to guide those questions to help people to answer the questions we need.”

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

Hartford Elementary gets A+ designation

BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

H

artford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School Principal Heather Anguiano says you know you’ve done something special when even a kindergarten student realizes it’s a big day.

“I was at lunch duty … and a little kindergartener came up to me and he said, ‘I can just imagine how you felt yesterday because it was the best day of my life.”

The Chandler school was recognized the day before as one of only 21 in Arizona to receive an A+ grade by the Arizona Education Foundation.

“Just that a kindergartener realizes that A+ is a great big deal, and he’s so proud to be at an A+ school,” Anguiano said. “We really try to make it about the kids.”

To qualify for the A+ grade, a school

Kids at Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary School were joyful after the announcement of its A+ designation. (Special to the Arizonan) must have a letter grade of B or better from the state Department of Education

and have had the same principal for at least three years.

Any pre-K-12 school can apply if they meet those conditions.

Then, the real work starts.

“It’s a ton of work,” Anguiano said. “It’s a grueling process. And this year, they changed the deadlines.”

Typically, the applications are due in January, but because of staffing issues the AEF moved it up to August. That’s also when schools were busy preparing to reopen and dealing with new COVID protocols.

The school’s officials must fill out the application and then AEF officials go through it. For the schools that they think might receive an A+ grade, the foundation sends between four and six inspectors to spend two days making sure everything in the application is accurate.

AEF started its A+ program in 1983.

see HARTFORD page 25

Longtime Chandler benefactor’s photos on display

BY SRIANTHI PERERA Arizonan ContriButor

C

handler resident Robert J.C. Rice, whose name is on the city’s latest elementary school, is known for his volunteerism but not so much for his photography.

Until now.

Rice exhibits his work in a show titled “Essence of a Photographer—Fifty Years of Images by Robert Rice” through March 19 at Art Intersection, 207 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert.

Six bodies of work are shown, comprising more than 100 pieces, mostly monochrome.

“This represents 50 years of taking pictures and trying to find something that is meaningful and that meant something to me and hopefully meant something to someone else,” Rice said.

His creativity can be seen in the diverse range of images – from simple daily life

Robert J.C. Rice of Chandler presents 50-years of his photography at Art Intersection in Gilbert. (Srianthi Perera/Arizonan Contributor)

to beautiful, striking landscapes as well as portraits commemorating personal events and relationships.

“Roberts’ photography shows us not only his imagination and heart, but the successful transition between the abstract and reality,” said Alan Fitzgerald, owner of Art Intersection.

Rice expresses his life’s journey with his work on show.

“From the memorialized images of Roz, his close college friend, to his heartfelt poetry from Alone After Midnight, then his majestic portfolio, The Field, about the cycle of life, and enticing collections of travel and landscape photographs, and finally, his Opus 99 portfolio of still life, architecture, and landscape images, we feel Robert in every stage and chapter” wrote Fitzgerald.

Rice, who has lived in Chandler since

see RICE page 26

COMMUNITY

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

25

Kyrene school’s AVID program getting national eyes ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

K

yrene School District is in the running to have Aprende Middle School in Chandler certified as an AVID National Demonstration School – one of fewer than a dozen in Arizona and about 250 in the country.

AVID, an acronym for Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college- and career-readiness program and Aprende is one of the first schools in the state to offer it as an elective for students with special needs.

Through the AVID system, students develop essential skills to design their own futures, such as critical thinking, collaboration, reading, writing, and relationship building.

“AVID is the foundation for teaching and learning at Aprende,” said Stephanie Ingersoll. Kyrene’s assistant director for communications and strategic partnerships. “Special Education students in the AVID elective apply AVID skills in all their core classes just like students in the general population. Applying AVID schoolwide ensures that all students and staff are speaking a common language in the classroom.”

While AVID’s goal is to prepare students for college and career success, Aprende Principal Renee Kory believes AVID is critical to preparing students with special needs for success in high school. And taking this as an elective in middle school means they’ll have the opportunity to continue in AVID in high school.

“All students deserve an opportunity to succeed in high school and beyond,” said Kory. “Providing special education

HARTFORD from page 24

Hartford received its first A+ grade in 2017.

It is the only CUSD school to earn the honor this year. The awards are made every four years, so Hartford will be able to hang that A+ banner through at least 2025.

Anguiano anticipates reapplying for the designation then.

“I feel like I owe it to my school community and my students to apply every

The AVID elective for students with special needs is cotaught by 15-yearveteran teacher Katie Desserres and Rachel Polay, a teacher who not only is in her fifth year as a Kyrene employee but also completed her student teaching at Aprende when she was earning her degree.

Polay testified to the effectiveness of AVID with special-needs These Aprende Middle School students have chosen to participate in the AVID program, which stands for Adstudents at the school. vancement Via Individual Determination. (Kyrene School District) “At the beginning of the year, I witnessed students with the AVID curriculum en- sent a team to observe the program in students walk in shy, apprehensive, sures they are included and have the action and talk to participants and will and nervous,” said Polay.

“Throughout same skills as their peers.” hold a final visit March 1. the school year, we have focused on the AVID began more than 40 years ago Toenjes said if Aprende earns the desAVID strategies to improve note-taking, with one high school and 32 students. ignation, “it will be a big deal.”

It has now grown to serve more than At the midde school level, AVID largely study and discussion skills, and individ425,000 elementary and high school focuses on developing good work and ual determination to succeed.

“Beyond that, Katie and I have focused students across the country. study habits as a foundation for learning on each student’s ability to self-advoAprende was recognized as an AVID job and college readiness in high school. cate through email and in person. The Schoolwide Site of Distinction and is “Organizational skills is a big part of growth we have seen in our students is currently working to become validated that,” Toenjes said, saying students learn exponential.

Our students are willing as an AVID National Demonstration “what it takes to be a good student, and to be vulnerable and offer up their own School, which means its implementa- to stay on track.” personal experiences and opinions on tion of AVID practices is exemplary and Toenjes said her two sons were both sensitive topics.

I am honored every day serves as a model for other school sites in an AVID high school and that some to witness their individuality in academand districts interested in implementing of the basic organizational lessons they ics and personality.” the program. learned “actually trickled into home, too Next school year, Aprende plans to of“We’re really looking very good” for – so it was nice.” fer additional sections of the AVID eleccertification as a demonstration school, As an elective, Aprende follows the tive for Special Education students. AVID Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes same AVID curriculum and the level of was first implemented at Aprende five said. course rigor is the same as all other secyears ago.

The national AVID organization has tions of the elective.

four years, just because we truly are an A+ school and we do great things,” Anguiano said. “I truly feel like I owe it to my students, my staff, my families, to continue to reapply and hopefully we’ll continue to get it.”

She said one thing that may keep some schools from applying is the fear of not getting it. Anguiano said it’s no secret when you apply, people hear about it.

So, if you apply and don’t get it, that can have a negative effect.

“I would never want to go for A+ and put ourselves out there if the staff didn’t feel we were A+,” she said.

Hartford is a Title I school, which means it receives federal funding because it at least 40 percent of its student enrollment is considered below federal poverty thresholds.

“I am really proud that we’re a Title I school, and that we received an A+, because there are so many misconceptions

out there about Title schools and Title populations,” Anguiano said.

As for any advice she would give to other principals who want to earn an A+ in the future, she offered some suggestions.

“Surround yourself with great people, be transparent, build those relationships, determine what your leadership style is, and really stick to that,” Anguiano said. “Every single decision we make, better be about kids.”

26

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RICE from page 24

1980, was a U.S. Air Force officer and a senior manager of manufacturing at Intel.

He has been an active volunteer: at the board of the Chandler Unified School District and the Valley of the Sun YMCA, at the Rotary Club and Read on Chandler, among others.

In 2020, Chandler Unified School District’s Robert J. C. Rice Elementary was named for him – an honor he called “very humbling.”

He also served on the school board for 16 years and developed long-range plans and goals that helped transform the district.

Rice grew up in Jackson, Ohio and has dabbled in photography since high school. He used a Polaroid Swinger camera at first and bought a more sophisticated one when in college.

In the mid-1970s, he moved to Arizona and set up a dark room in his walk-in closet at home. He moved to Chandler to work for Intel, which he did for 23 years.

There wasn’t too much time for photography during that period, but after retirement in 2001, he took it up again extensively. He also traveled, and the color photographs in the show were taken during trips in Iceland, Morocco, Italy and Ireland, among other countries.

“Mainly, I like to photograph the things that are of interesting design, still life that has a nice kind of elegant design or flow to it,” he said.

One particular horizontal image of a piazza in Venice catches the eye because he captured it in five separate images together. A software program helped

stitch them together, align digitally and balance the final version.

“It is a 180-degree picture. Optically, it does not look quite like that, but that’s what it is,” he said, adding “A few pictures come out of the camera that are just perfect. Any photographer is going to do something to enhance or highlight the area they want to.”

Is there a reason why he stuck so long with photography?

“It’s just one of the things that resonate with me from a creative end,” he said. “I like to look at pictures and when I make one, I like to make one that I really like and that gives me happiness and if someone else likes it too, that’s even better.”

Fitzgerald, who has known Rice for more than a decade, said, “His work is very unique. He has good eye for composition, and beyond the composition, his technical ability in his printing is absolutely superb. It is a characteristic that’s hard to fine-tune and all good photographers have this ability to see, to capture an image and then print it. I’m surprised his work is not further out in the world.”

Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier Bresson, Edward Weston, and Michael Kenna influenced Rice’s photography. He studied with Ansel Adams in the mid-1970s in Yosemite and Tom Mallonee in the early 2000s.

Rice surrounds himself in photographic works from acknowledged masters in the field to unknown, energetic, early career photographers.

Characteristically, any proceeds that he earns from the current show are to be donated to the Chandler-Gilbert YMCA. Information: artintersection.com

BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

27

Pooches can live in luxury at new Chandler ‘dog hotel’

BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

W

hen it comes to pets, many families are willing to pay a little extra to make sure they get the best.

“It’s an extended member of the family,” Keith Nicholson said.

Three years ago, when he was still living in New Jersey, Nicholson needed a place to board his two dogs. He came across K9 Resorts and loved the service so much, he’s bringing it to Chandler.

The business offers dogs a luxurious experience for either overnight or day care service. At a dog resort, luxury means chandeliers, Italian tile �looring, intricate crown molding and baseboards for dogs.

And that doesn’t include a private TV in some rooms.

“Everybody coming in really sees their dog, and wants their dog to be treated like a member of their own family,” he said. “When you drop your dog off you know, you’re comfortable that you’re leaving them behind, and they’re �ine.”

K9 Resorts opened recently at 1870 W. Germann Road in a strip mall at its intersection with Dobson Road.

It gives canines’ masters a few options to choose from. Top of the line is a luxury suite, which is a large private room with a TV running animal programs. There are only six luxury suites.

There are also 44 executive suites that are 4’x7’ in size. All the luxury and executive suites come with a Kuranda bed, which Nicholson says is one of the top brands available.

For those whose dogs don’t need quite as much luxury, there is a compartment area for dogs that are used to being kept

t? o G ws Ne

Left: The K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel staff are ready to pamper pooches during their stay. Right: Keith Nicholson, owner of K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel on Germann Road in Chandler, escorts Snoopy to the executive suite. (David Minton/Staff Photographer) inside a container. The 27 units are not cages; they have a see-through door. A single compartment is big enough for small dogs, but bigger dogs will probably need a double unit.

There are also both indoor and outdoor play areas.

So how much does this luxury cost? A luxury suite goes for $85 a night, an executive suite is $65, a double compartment $55 and a single compartment $48. That’s for overnight service.

It is possible to put multiple dogs in some spaces at a discounted rate for families with more than one dog. K9 Resorts also offers day care for either a half ($38) or full ($48) day.

There are additional charges for baths, private play time with staff, treats, etc.

Nicholson, a local accountant and real estate agent, said he’s been working on

bringing the �irst K9 Resort franchise to Arizona for about three years.

“I like to keep myself busy,” Nicholson said.

He said the demographics are right to open his business in Chandler. He also looked at some locations in Gilbert.

But he settled on Chandler because of the location, which was in a residential area, close to the highway and on the way to the airport.

To get ready for opening his business, Nicholson and his assistant manager, Kaila Gong, trained in New Jersey.

“We were immersed right in with the day care, taking care of, giving baths, feeding, everything,” Gong said.

K9 Resorts is undergoing major national expansion. There are currently 16 locations on the company’s website, but some, like Chandler, are not open yet.

Nicholson said there are plans to expand to 70 locations relatively soon. The �irst location opened in 2005.

Americans spend a lot of money on their dogs. The American Pet Products Association says consumers spend billions on their pets each year. Last year, that was $103.6 billion. It doesn’t break down how much of that goes to boarding, but it’s a relatively small slice.

Boarding is combined with grooming, training, pet sitting and walking. Last year Americans spent $8.1 billion for these other services.

Nicholson and Gong said they are both dog people.

“I have a couple, well, I had a couple, one passed away,” Nicholson said. “Getting pressure to get another one at some point.”

Informatio: k9resorts.com/chandler.

Contact Contact Paul Paul Maryniak Maryniak at at 480-898-5647 or or pmaryniak@timespublications.com pmaryniak@timespublications.com

28

BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

Traditional IRAs can be a tax timebomb

BY HAROLD WONG Guest Writer

A

mericans are not big savers.

Prior to the last two COVID years, 7.78% of after-tax disposable income was the average savings rate for the 10-year period from 2010-2019., according to Statista 2022.

People save for many reasons, but a big incentive is the immediate reduction in taxes from contributing to a traditional IRA, 401k, 403b, or 457 retirement plan.

To simplify this article, we will call all tax-deferred retirement accounts IRAs. If you contribute $6,000 to an IRA and are in the 25% tax bracket, that saves you $1,500 in federal taxes for that tax year. If you contribute $19,500 (the maximum 401k contribution limit for 2020 and 2021 for those who are under age 50 and have at least this much of earned income) and you are in the 30%

combined federal and state tax bracket, you save $5,850 of income tax.

At my many live seminars, I meet many who have been good savers and many engineers fall into this category.

By the time they are 62, many have saved $1 million in traditional IRAs, and extra in non-quali�ied money (meaning not a traditional tax-quali�ied retirement plan).

Suppose they contributed a total of $10,000 each year to their retirement plan from age 33 to 62, for a total of 30 years. Total contributions come to $300,000. If they were in an average 25% tax bracket, they would have saved a total of $75,000 of income tax. They rode the stock market roller-coaster and now have $1 million in their IRA. Congratulations!

However, the $1 million is now a ticking tax time bomb because whenever you pull money out to enjoy in retirement, it’s fully taxed as ordinary income because it’s really deferred wages. Once you turn age 72, the IRS forces you to

start annual Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), or distributions of part of your IRA. The RMD amount increases each year.

If you have $1 million in your IRA at age 62, you only need a 7% compound average return for it to become $2 million at age 72. When you �ile your tax return for the year, you are shocked to �ind out that your �irst RMD is $72,993 ($2 million divided by 27.4 year life expectancy).

If you always maintain $2 million, at 82, you have an 18.5-year life expectancy and so your RMD is $108,108. At 92, your life expectancy is 10.8 years and your RMD is $185,185.

Suppose you and your wife died in a car crash any time starting at age 72 or older with $2 million in your IRA and you had two kids. If each kid inherits $1 million, it adds to whatever taxable income they have.

Suppose their total tax bracket is 40% and they each owe $400,000 of income tax on the inherited IRA. You saved $75,000 of tax by contributing $300,000

40 Years

to your 401k; and yet your family pays $800,000 in total tax. Your family paid 10.67 times the tax that you saved.

That’s why traditional IRAs are a ticking tax time bomb. The bigger your IRA becomes, the bigger tax burden occurs!

The only solution to this tax problem, or the problem of taxable RMDs, is to do a Roth IRA Conversion. The next article, to be published in March, will cover how to convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, with or without having to pay lots of income tax.

Free seminar and lunch: Join Harold Wong at 10 a.m. Saturday Feb. 26 at Hyatt Place, 3535 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, for a free seminar followed by lunch catered by La Madeleine French Café.

The topic is “Advanced IRA Strategies.”

To schedule a free consultation: 480706-0177 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. His website is drharoldwong.com.

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Opinion

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

29

Don’t let Legislature’s games hurt your children

BY BRIAN GARCIA AND ARMANDO MONTERO Guest Writers

M

any people utilize some type of budgeting system for household and living expenses. The most basic principle of budgeting is that money comes in, and money goes out, with a primary focus of not allowing expenses to outweigh

income.

School districts are no different. And while the education funding system can be complex, at the foundational level, it operates on these same principles that

so many of us use in our personal lives.

Imagine for a moment if your employer deposited your paycheck and it came with certain stipulations. You have enough money to cover your monthly mortgage payment –$2,000 – but you are told on the 25th day of the month that you are only allowed to spend $1,500 of what you had budgeted. The remaining $500 will sit in your bank account, but you will not be allowed to spend it until your employer gives you a green light.

You will have to find the $500 somewhere else in your budget, or cut your mortgage out entirely in the months ahead, even though the funds have already been allocated to you directly and are sitting frozen in your bank account.

While the above scenario may sound

ridiculous, it is exactly what school districts are currently facing.

In 1980 – nearly half a century ago – Arizona voters passed a measure to limit how much K-12 schools can spend in a school year, which is known as the Aggregate Expenditure Limit (AEL). The impact to districts varies, but overall it will cause great harm to all Arizona schools.

For Tempe Union High School District, the overall impact will be $17M in funding that will not be allowed to be spent.

This represents 11% of our total operating budget.

These funds will be cut beginning with the March 1 deadline, with only two and a half months left in the current school year.

This amount will also have to be slashed from budgets for future years, until the

legislature decides to take action.

The AEL thresholds are unrealistic, outdated, and must be changed to reflect the current environment in which school districts operate.

School districts, their employees, and governing boards are keenly aware of the responsibility to be good stewards of public resources. It is a duty that is taken seriously and subject to much oversight and scrutiny, as it should be.

The funding in question is not new money or additional appropriation. It is existing funds that the Legislature and Governor have already given to schools that they are now holding hostage for political gain. Our students are not in-

a theatrical attempt to fight racism after activist groups complained that officers on campus would racially profile students, a concern lacking any conclusive evidence.

The Tempe Officers Association also released a statement emphasizing the importance of the relationships built between SROs and their school communities: “Regardless of the outcome of this vote

by TUHSD’s Governing Board, we will continue to advance those relationships in the community and its schools and do everything we can to keep campuses, educators, and students as safe as possible.”

Though SROs were originally placed in schools as an added security measure, their presence on campus far exceeds that of an officer in uniform as they build relationships and a sense of community for those on campus. Additionally, these officers often form strong bonds with the students and teachers and act as important role models for them.

The safety and well-being of students is of incredible importance to SROs

and should be equally as important to school boards and administrators. A series of recent studies entitled “The Thin Blue Line in Schools: New Evidence on School-Based Policing Across the U.S.” concluded that the presence of SROs led to declines in violent incidents in schools, such as rape, robbery, and physical attacks.

In the City of Chandler, the SRO program has been debated every year. The Chandler Police Department SROs serve in the Mesa, Chandler, and Kyrene School Districts. Chandler Officers follow the existing Arizona Department of Education’s School Safety Program. This program is implemented throughout the state with quantifiable success.

The program is consistent with recommendations from the US Department of Education, National Association of School Resource Officers, 21st Century Policing and Procedural Justice Principles in the successful integration of law enforcement within the school community.

Having police officers in schools teaches our youth that they can have positive interactions with police. We have seen and documented tremendous reductions in violence and crime committed on campuses with SROs in place. With the current anti-police sentiment we are seeing in society, it is important that our cities are committed to ensuring school safety, on their local campuses.

It is imperative that SROs are kept in our schools and reintroduced into those districts which have carelessly, or even worse, strategically, ended the programs. SROs are the first line of defense against school shootings and acts of school violence. Instead of removing police officers, schools should work together with police departments and ensure that SROs receive the best training possible so they can continue to keep students safe.

Rodney Glassman is currently Major in

see GARCIA page 30

Arizona families deserve SROs protecting our kids

BY RODNEY GLASSMAN AND SGT. TOM LOVEJOY Guest Writers

J

ust when we thought the “Defund the Police” movement couldn’t get any more extreme, it’s now coming for our schools and our children.

Tempe Union High School District Governing Board is studying whether to end its school resource officer programs at district schools. Though liberals will have you believe this is a positive, even fiscally responsible move, it is actually devastating for school safety, students, teachers, and the greater community.

Sadly, Tempe Union is not the first school district in the Valley to do away with their SRO program. It will be joining Phoenix Union High School District which ended their SRO program in July 2020 during the height of the “Black Lives Matter” protests.

According to the superintendent, this was not a budgetary move. Rather, it was

see SRO page 30

30

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

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GARCIA ���� page 29

fer at the hands of our legislators.

Contact Senate President Karen Fann and Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers to let them know that refusing to suspend and repeal the AEL with no strings attached is unacceptable for our students, their learning, and their futures.

We are not going to stand by and allow the Legislature’s political games to rob our students of a quality education. Legislators can and must take action because the alternative will cause economic disaster that directly hurts our students and staff.

Please join us now in calling on our state leaders to do the right thing. Our students deserve better.

Readers can find contact information for their legislators online at azleg.gov/ findmylegislator.

Brian Garcia is president of the Tempe Union High School District Governing Board and Armando Montero is vice president.

SRO ���� page 29

at rglassman@beusgilbert.com.

Sgt Tom Lovejoy is the President of the Chandler Lieutenant’s and Sergeant’s Association. He may be reached at clasapresident@gmail.com.

terested in the Legislature’s political games, and neither are we.

The bottom line for Arizona is that close to a billion dollars of existing school funding –funding that has already been collected, allocated, and distributed - is in jeopardy as a result of inaction by the Arizona legislature.

Districts have this money, but will not be allowed to utilize it in the way in which it has already been previously budgeted and approved. While we are prepared to weather this storm, operating in this antiquated manner is detrimental to our schools, staff, and students.

We urge you to make yourself aware of the impact that this inaction will have on our students, and our communities. Every level of the education system has been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and public schools continue to sufthe United States Air Force JAG Corps Reserve and practicing attorney at Beus Gilbert McGroder PLLC. He may be reached

Interested in serving on a Board or Commission?

Resident input and participation is a valuable asset to any government organization, and assists the Chandler City Council with their goals and decision-making, thereby benefiting the community as a whole. If you are interested in serving on a Board or Commission, complete the online application at chandleraz.gov/boards.

Sports

SPORTS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

31

Chandler teen among those honored Super Bowl week

BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor

D

iego Foster was admittedly shocked when he was told he would be one of just 10 Hispanic student-athletes honored in Los Angeles during Super Bowl week.

He had applied on a longshot, knowing that his chances of being picked out of the more than 30,000 applicants would be slim. But he remained hopeful.

The Chandler native and senior at Tempe Prep spent a week in Los Angeles, home to Super Bowl LVI. On Feb. 8, he was a part of a ceremony where one student-athlete was named a national recipient of the annual Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards.

“It feels amazing. When I found out I was a finalist in the first place, I was like, ‘Oh, wow,’” Foster said. “I worked

really hard on the essays because I knew that was how they would really see me as a person. Finding out about it was so shocking. Even then, when I realized I was a finalist and found out about the Super Bowl experience, I was in disbelief.

“I knew working hard in high school and even before that would bring me good things.”

Foster first heard of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards last year as a junior in high school from one of his friends.

Chandler native and Tempe Prep senior Diego Foster was among the 10 applicants chosen as finalist for the Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards in the Sports & Fitness category. Foster flew to Los Angeles and took part in the ceremony, which was held Tuesday, Feb. 8 at the Los Angeles Convention Center as part of the Super Bowl Experience. (Courtesy Diego Foster)

Every year different categories of students have the opportunity to receive the award.

A guidance counselor at Tempe Prep walked him through the process. He didn’t hesitate to get going.

A quarterback on the football team and Monmouth College commit in baseball, Foster applied under the Sports & Fitness category, which is hosted by the NFL this year. He went through a rigorous application process, which includes a resume showcasing his 4.3 weighted GPA. He also had to answer five essay questions.

After a few months, he received the call. It was a special moment for the senior, who had the opportunity to bring a guest. He chose his grandfather, Kevin English, who he said has made a dramat-

see SUPER BOWL page 32

Valley Christian basketball setting sights on gold ball

BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor

G

reg Haagsma had to rebuild the entire boys’ basketball roster at Valley Christian heading into the 2021-22 season.

The head basketball coach and school athletic director graduated 10 of the 12 players on a team that lost just one game all year. But that lone loss came during the playoffs, cutting short the Trojans’ bid for a 3A state title.

Haagsma welcomed in a number of new players to the varsity level – four of which are freshman that see a considerable amount of playing time and have made a dramatic impact. He also welcomed in transfers Caleb and Luke Shaw from PHH Prep and Jaylen Lee from Canada.

The result: Valley Christian is now one

From left: Valley Christian sophomore Luke Shaw, senior Caleb Shaw and junior Jaylen Lee have been leaders for head coach Greg Haagsma’s program this season as they prepare to enter the playoffs as one of the top teams in 3A and the state. (Dave Minton/Staff)

of the top teams in the state, let alone the 3A Conference.

“We’re a little more athletic at the top this year,” Haagsma said. “We’ve had teams that were just as skilled. But when you combine all the different aspects of what makes a basketball team good, I would say this team probably has it in the athleticism category. That’s what makes them different from some of the teams in the past.”

Valley Christian took the summer circuit by storm, competing at a high level at Section 7, the massive multi-state tournament that returned this past year after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The Trojans faced a variety of out-of-state teams at State Farm Stadium and neighboring Kellis High School in Glendale for the tournament.

see VALLEY page 32

32

SPORTS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

SUPER BOWL from page 31

now.”

The Youth Awards were founded in 1998 by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to honor Latino seniors in high school who excel in the classroom and community. The first-of-its kind ceremony is expected to draw several Hispanic athletes and celebrities, with the national winner rewarded grants to help fund or support an idea or project in the

VALLEY from page 31

tional champion Baylor, is Caleb and Luke’s other uncle. Their mother Dana is in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Their grandfather is Homer Drew, who coached Washington State, LSU and Valparaiso, among others. He currently ranks sixth alltime among Division I college coaches with 640 career wins.

Now, Caleb and Luke are trying to make names for themselves at Valley Christian this season.

“It’s fun being able to play together,” Caleb said. “I did it with my older brother, Isaiah, too. We set out at the beginning of the year to win a state title. That’s all we care about.”

But they admit they can’t do it alone.

Moving from Canada coronavirus lockdowns that kept him away from the court, Lee found a home at Valley Christian. And the Trojans found a 6-foot-5 junior who can do just about anything on the court.

He currently averages 10.6 points and 6.5 rebounds, most of which on the defensive end, Caleb Shawk, a transfer from Phoenix Prep, has per game for the 21-3 Trojans. played lights out for the Trojans averaging 25.5 points Lee has been key all season long per game and has gone off at times for 53 points helping the team secure wins against the likes of Eastmark. (Dave Minton/Staff) against competition in higher conferences and keep games playing with him and he’s a great leader.” against the likes of 6A Centennial and Basketball runs in the Shaw family.

Casey Shaw, the boys’ father, is an as- Shadow Hills (Calif.) close.

“I just do as much as I can to help the sistant coach at nearby Grand Canyon University. He was hired two seasons team,” Lee said. “We all love the game ago from Vanderbilt to coach under GCU and put our time into it. We all have the head coach Bryce Drew, his brother-in- same goal and want to do what it takes to reach that.” law and Caleb and Luke’s uncle.

Valley Christian wrapped up the season Scott Drew, head coach of 2021 na-

ic impact on his life both on the field and in the classroom.

“The most exciting part is I get to spend the time with my guest, my grandpa,” Foster said. “It was a no brainer who I picked as my guest. He’s kind of the guy who taught me how to play baseball, taught me how to play football and basketball, all the stuff I’m interested in

They later went on to play in more contests outside of Arizona in the fall to prepare for the winter Arizona Interscholastic Association season.

Haagsma believes playing in multiple tournaments helped his team mature and build chemistry. Afterall, only one player from last year’s roster remained.

Only one player – senior Austyn Gerard – was at the school when Valley Christian won its most recent boys’ basketball championship in 2019.

“We had a lot of growth to do,” Haagsma said. “We aren’t a school that practices every day in the summer. We had so many new pieces that had to get to know each other a little bit. That didn’t happen until we were into November and maybe even December a little bit.

“We’re really learning how good we can be defensively right now. It’s taken awhile for all parts to gel at the same time.”

The Shaw brothers have been among key editions to the Trojan roster this season. Caleb, a 6-foot-5 senior guard, is averaging 25.5 points per game along with 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists.

It’s one of the best stat lines in the state and will likely continue to improve with the outings Caleb has had as of late. On Feb. 4 against Eastmark, Caleb scored 53 points.

Luke Shaw, a 6-foot-2 sophomore guard, is second on the team in scoring with 13 points per game. He is still coming into his own as a player but admires the opportunity to play alongside his older brother on a team poised to make a run at the title.

“Growing up with him, I know how he plays,” Luke said. “But to have the chance to play with him on a serious level, it’s really awesome. He’s a great player. The passes he makes, the plays he makes, I love

health and fitness space.

Foster said before the event he planned to use the award toward his education at Monmouth if he won. Before heading to Los Angeles, he was on the school’s campus in Illinois applying and interviewing for another prestigious scholarship offered by the school that would cover his tuition.

Along with playing baseball, Foster plans to major in kinesiology.

He said he was eager to meet the other finalist for the award who have similar interests. Some of them came as far as New York, Florida and Hawaii for the event.

“That’s one of the coolest things about this opportunity is I’ll get to meet people who are as interested in this kind of stuff as me,” Foster said. “I’m very overjoyed to have that connection with those people.”

For us, sharing the “ basketball, sharing the

load I think is important, The other thing is capitalizing on how good we can be defensively.

We’ve had the tendency at times to lapse defensively. You combine those things, we have an opportunity to do some damage at state.

”

– Greg Haagsma

Friday against Arizona College Prep. The Trojans had the opportunity to clinch the 3A Metro Region for the second straight season in their last two outings.

And with the top seed as of the final week of the season in the 3A Conference, they have secured at least two home playoff games.

Now, they hope the momentum they’ve had all season carries forward into the postseason. Haagsma believes that is possible if they stick to two basic fundamentals of the game.

“For us, sharing the basketball, sharing the load I think is important,” Haagsma said. “The other thing is capitalizing on how good we can be defensively. We’ve had the tendency at times to lapse defensively. You combine those things, we have an opportunity to do some damage at state.”

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

33

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At Dreamstyle Remodeling, our goal is to deliver the best home improvement experience of your life and it’s our #1 priority. From our top-of-the line customer service, expert installation, and superior products from top name brands, we aim to deliver a five star experience and won’t settle for anything less.

WITH

* OR LOW MONTHLY PAYMENTS THIS MONTH ONLY

Call your FREE consultation: 833-356-1735 *Valid with the purchase of 4 or more windows. Not valid on previous orders. Valid on initial consultation only. 0% APR for 18 months available to well qualified buyers on approved credit only. Finance charges will be waived if promo balance is paid in full in 18 months. Down payment may be required, OAC, See representative for details. Valid on purchases made in the month and year of consultation and purchase of product. ©2021

34

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

Obituaries Mardella Ruth “Mardy” Kopp

Obituaries H E A D STO N E S

EVERLASTING MONUMENT Co.

“Memories cut in Stone” • MONUMENTS • GRANITE & BRONZE • CEMETERY LETTERING • CUSTOM DESIGNS

480-969-0788 75 W. Baseline Rd. Ste. A-8 Gilbert, AZ 85233

www.everlastingmonumentco.com info@everlastingmonument.phxcoxmail.com

Make your choice Everlasting 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

LEGAL NOTICES

Deadline for Sunday’s Edition is the Wednesday prior at 5pm. Please call Elaine at 480-898-7926 to inquire or email your notice to: legals@evtrib.com and request a quote.

Mardella Ruth “Mardy” Kopp, age 99, died in Prescott, Arizona on January 30, 2022, in the loving care of the staff of The Cottage at Highgate Senior Living and the staff of Maggie’s Hospice.

She was born May 31, 1922, in Sidney, Ohio, the daughter of Clarence and Velma (Fogt) Monroe. She was united in marriage to Paul Kopp in Sidney, Ohio on June 16, 1941. Paul preceded her in death on October 10, 2003.

Paul and Mardy moved to Arizona in 1954, where they raised their son and three daughters and resided for the rest of their lives. Mardy worked at Motorola and later at Angels Home Store. She enjoyed weekend outings with her family, including boating and camping trips to the lakes and to the mountain country of Arizona.

In her retirement years, she was always on the go, enjoying bus rides and outings with friends to the casino to play Bingo.

She never passed up an opportunity to try something new. Among her memorable adventures were riding in the gunner seat of a WWII bomber and making a tandem parachute jump at the age of 82. Her most precious possession in her later years was a large photograph of over 30 family members who were on hand for a celebration of her 95th birthday.

Mardy is survived by her daughters: Linda Ortega of Mesa, Arizona and Barbara Shaneyfelt and her husband Jim of Chino Valley, Arizona. She is also survived by her Grandchildren: Marc, Kim, Deanna, Steven, Mike, Beth, Shannon, Stacey, and Meghan, 20 Great-Grandchildren, and four Great-Great-Grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Paul, she was preceded in death by her brother, Bob Monroe, her son, Steve Kopp and her daughter, Peggy Stewart.

Cremation services are being provided by the Cremation Society of Arizona. A celebration of Mardy’s life will be held at the Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery in Scottsdale, Arizona at a date to be determined.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Mesa Arizona or to Maggie’s Hospice in Prescott, AZ.

EVERYBODY GRAB A FUTURE Team Member Full and Part Time

Peter Piper Pizza’s commitment to outstanding service starts with our employees.

• Competitive benefits and rewards • Day, Evenings, Night positions • Flexible Management hours - go to school and work full-time • Opportunities for growth - we promote from within • Early paycheck access

McDowell and Miller Road • (480) 947-9901 Apply at: 7607 E. McDowell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

Located between Hayden Road and Scottsdale Road on the southwest corner of Miller Road.

JOIN CENTURION HEALTH FOR A HIRING EVENT!

BONUSES AVAILABLE!

Seeking Healthcare Professionals to join our exceptional team in Arizona.

Thursday, February 24th

at Arizona State Prison Complex - Phoenix

For more information or to RSVP (not required), please contact:

Laurie Koch lkoch@teamcenturion.com 520.317.3154

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

MetroPhoenix

JOBS

Employment General

Three Day Hiring Event Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Feb. 25 - 27 9am – 3pm

Where:

CMC Steel Arizona 11444 E Germann Rd. Mesa, AZ 85212

NOW HIRING IN MESA: • Forklift Operator • Mechanic and Electrician • Production Operator • Entry Level Positions • Technical Training Program

CMC Steel Arizona has proudly been making the steel that builds America since 2009.

With great benefits, competitive pay, and a family-like culture, we hope you’ll take the opportunity to grow in your career. Visit us next weekend to apply in person!

To Advertise Call:

480 898 6465

When:

Scan to see all job openings!

35

36

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

Ahwatukee Chandler Gilbert Glendale Mesa North Valley Peoria Phoenix San Tan Scottsdale Tempe West Valley

MetroPhoenixClassifieds com To Advertise Call: 480-898-6465 or email Class@TimesPublications.com Employment

Employment General

Employment General Certified Nurse Assistant CNA One on One Patient Care Full-time and Part-time hours available $18.00 per hour - Private duty caregiver Benefits at 30+ hrs/week $500 Sign on Bonus To learn more and Apply go to cnscares.com/careers/ EOE Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Senior Solution Specialist in Gilbert, AZ & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to drive software development and implementation services to address manufacturing, financial, human resources, customer relationship management, supply chain, and other business needs, utilizing SAP products. 15% travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0222GIL260 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/veterans.

Scrum Masters: Phoenix AZ & various unanticipated locations throughout USA: Plan, guide team to perform data extract frm sources. Create, onboard teams, intr into org, pvd prdt vsn. Mng timelines, reslv prob, coach teams on Agile methodologies. Auth impl manuals, enhncmt modules to prep docu.

Work w/product team, owners in idtfy, prtz bklgs.

Inv in deplymt, integr. Skills reqd: Oracle, SQL, SQLServer, Unix, Jira, Rally, Confluence, Scrum, SAFe, TFS, ServiceNow. Master’s in Sci, Tech, or Engg (any field) w/1yr exp in job offrd or rltd occ reqd. Bachelor’s in any of ab-mntd flds w/5yrs exp in job offrd or rltd occ reqd in lieu of Master's +1yr exp. Any suitable combo of edu, train, exp acceptable. Mail resume: 4 Peaks Business Solution LLC. 1345 E Chandler Blvd., Bldg 2, Ste 107, Phoenix AZ 85048.

OUR JOB BOARD HAS THE TALENT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR. FIND THE BEST TALENT. EASILY POST JOBS. COMPETITIVE PRICING AND EXPOSURE More info: 480-898-6465 or email jobposting@evtrib.com

Most jobs also appear on Indeed.com

J BS.EASTVALLEYTRIBUNE.COM

Join our experienced inside sales team!

Do you have print media/digital advertising selling experience? We may be looking for you! The position is in Tempe (Broadway curve area) includes lots of outbound calls selling advertising all over Phoenix Metro and even Tucson!

Our 20 local publications, newspapers, magazines and digital solutions fit pretty much every need!

Great team environment Our small team wants to grow with you! Do you get excited when you sell? Do you talk louder when you are selling something you believe in? We get it it's exciting to sell!

Do you learn quickly, like to stay organized, multi-task, are you familiar with Gmail, Google Docs/ Sheets/Voice, Word, Excel, internet browsing and other software programs?

This is a full time job with benefits. 8:30-5pm Mon-Fri. If you think you are the missing puzzle piece, please apply!

Wait, did I mention we are a FUN team?

Send resume with over letter to Elaine

Employment General Hiring Photographers and Photographer Assistants.

School Pictures - Early Risers, Must Love Kids.

Will Train. Call Tim 480-239-0656

Announce

ments Prayer Announcements Thank You St. Jude For Prayers Answered - JRH

Auctions & Estate Sales 3 SISTERS ESTATE SALES LET US SELL THE CONTENTS OF YOUR HOME 19 YRS EXPERIENCE IMPECCABLE REFERENCES LOCATED IN MESA 763-443-0519 ALSO DO PRICING FOR YOUR SALES

Diabetic Test Strips by the box, unused. Any type or brand.

Will pay top dollar.

Call Pat 480-323-8846

Sell Your Stuff!

Call Classifieds Today!

480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Garage Sales/Bazaars Superstition Sunrise RV Resort (an active adult community) located at 702 So Meridian Road in Apache Junction will hold their twice-yearly patio sales on Saturday, February 26th from 8am-Noon. Pick up a resort map at the gate house to see where individual sales will be held.

Real Estate for Sale

WE’RE ALWAYS HERE TO SERVE YOUR CLASSIFIED NEEDS

480.898.6465

Manufactured Homes

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Lost & Found Boats & Marine

CLASSIFIEDS and LEGALS Deadline: Thursday at 10am for Sunday 480-898-6465 Email Your Ad: class@times publications.com

ChandlerNews.com

THE LINKS ESTATES Why Rent The Lot When

2019 Clayton, 16x60, 2B/2B, Like new, Central A/C, Large Living Room, Laminate Flooring, Carpet in BRs, Microwave, Dishwasher, Refrig, Gas Range (All Black Appliances), Pantry, W/D Hookups, Front Porch, 2" Blinds, Recessed Canned Lighting in Kitchen, Concrete Driveway with Awning. Located in Meridian MHP, a 55+ Gated, Active Resort Community with Tons of Activities. Within walking distance of banks, groceries, shopping and restaurants.

YOU CAN OWN THE LAND And Own Your New Home

2003 Lund Explorer 1800. 115HP. Includes shoreline trailer. $5500 obo Call 480-686-4121

ecota@times publications.com EOE

Manufactured Homes

Wanted to Buy

Stolen dog 1/29/22 Cross roads n Alma School rd and w Galveston st Chandler AZ Stolen out of the front yard around 2pm.

Black truck, older couple. 2 young girls in the car too.

Her name is Brooklyn, 7 years old. Yorkie Maltese mix. 4 pounds.

White with black patch on back. She was wearing a pink collar with our phone number on it.

Cash reward for safe return.

If seen or found please call 978-798-5178

FROM THE UPPER 200’s

ASK US HOW YOUR $150k-180k 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.

Gawthorp & Associates

4046 N Green St. • San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

602-402-2213

www.linksestates.net

2022 Champion Park Model 12x33, 1b/1b, with a front porch view of the beautiful putting green and pool, concrete carport w/awning, skirting, steps, and central a/c, SS/black appliances, built-in pantry, dual kitchen sinks, walk-in shower, laminate flooring throughout, matching shed with w/d hookups all set in Shiprock RV resort, a 5 star, 55+ community in Apache Junction, AZ. $68,000.

CALL 480-228-7786 FURNITURE FOR STAGING PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT INCLUDED

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

Carpet Cleaning

Drywall

Hauling

JOSE DOMINGUEZ DRYWALL & PAINTING House Painting, Drywall, Intall Doors, Baseboards, Crown Molding Reliable, Dependable, Honest!

Air Conditioning/Heating

QUICK RESPONSE TO YOUR CALL! 15 Years Experience • Free Estimates

Family Owned & Operated

480.266.4589

Three Phase Mechanical

josedominguez0224@gmail.com

480-671-0833

Not a licensed contractor.

www.3phasemech.com Sales, Service & Installation

NO TRIP CHARGE • NOT COMMISSION BASED ACCREDITED BUSINESS

QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE!

• Serving Arizona Since 2005 •

Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship New 3-Ton 14 SEER AC Systems Only $5,995 INSTALLED! New Trane Air Conditioners NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 MONTHS!

Over 1,000 Five-Star Google Reviews ★★★★★

• Panel Changes and Repairs • Installation of Ceiling Fans • Switches/Outlets • Home Remodel

ALL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL Call Jim Endres 480.282.7932

Cleaning Services

480-405-7588 Appliance Repairs

Appliance Repair Now

If It’s Broken, We Can Fix It! • Same Day Service • On-Site Repairs • Servicing All Major Brands • Quality Guaranteed

We Also Buy, Sell & Trade Used Appliances Working or Not

480-659-1400 Licensed & Insured MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE! www.ChandlerNews.com

Call Classifieds Today!

480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Glass/Mirror

GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS

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

Best Auto & Home Insurance Brokers Rates in AZ. One Agency with 20+ companies Like Progressive, Safeco and more, that will shop Instantly & Save you money.

Call/Text Ed Caceres 480-717-7277 www.TheFreedomInsurance.com Ed@TheFreedomInsurance.com

Hauling

Over 28 Years Experience • ROC #246019 Bonded/Insured

Handyman

10 OFF

$

Your First Recurring Cleaning

Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252

Need to hire some help?

Insurance

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

HAULING LOW RATES! $20 AND UP BRUHAUL JUNK REMOVAL 480-639-6142

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR Call 480-306-5113 wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

Electrical Services

ROC# 247803 Bonded • Insured

37

LLC

License #000825-2018

480-550-8282

Monday-Friday 8am-5pm • Closed Weekends

www.twomaidsgilbert.com

Add a Background Color to Your Ad! Classifieds 480-898-6465

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

All Estimates are Free • Call:

520.508.1420

• Furniture • Appliances • Mattresses • Televisions • Garage Clean-Out • Construction Debris

• Old Paint & Chems.

• Yard Waste • Concrete Slab • Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!

Classifieds 480-898-6465

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

Concrete & Masonry

www.husbands2go.com Painting • Flooring • Electrical

Licensed, Bonded &•Insured • ROC#317949 Plumbing Drywall • Carpentry Decks • Tile • More!

Ask me about FREE water testing!

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

Marks the Spot for ALL•Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting Flooring • Electrical Block Fence * Gates ✔ Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry “No Job Too Small Man!”

602-789-6929

Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More!

Quality Work Since 1999 Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, Roc #057163 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 ✔ Drywall Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job ✔ Carpentry Lowest Prices * 30 Yrs Exp Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” Serving Entire Valley ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry

Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens ✔ Bathrooms 2010, 2011 2012, “No 2013, Job Too Afford And More!

2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 2012, 2013, 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ NotResident a Licensed Contractor 1999 Since Ahwatukee / References Work ty Affordable, Quali 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor Insured / Not aCall Licensed Contractor 2014 Bruce at 602.670.7038 rk Since 1999 Affordable, Quality Wo 1999 ceBSMALLMAN@Q.COM able, Quality Work Sin

YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST! Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

Home Improvement

General Contracting, Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198

One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766 Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers, Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, Stucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs.

Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service!

38

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

Home Improvement HOME REMODELING REPAIRS & CUSTOM INTERIOR PAINTING Move a wall; turn a door into a window.

From small jobs and repairs to room additions, I do it all.

Precision interior painting, carpentry, drywall, tile, windows, doors, skylights, electrical, fans, plumbing and more.

All trades done by hands-on General Contractor.

Friendly, artistic, intelligent, honest and affordable.

40 years' experience.

Call Ron Wolfgang Pleas text or leave message Cell 602-628-9653 Wolfgang Construction Inc. Licensed & Bonded ROC 124934

Landscape/Maintenance

LEGAL NOTICES

Deadline for Sunday’s Edition is the Wednesday prior at 5pm. Please call Elaine at 480-898-7926 to inquire or email your notice to: legals@evtrib. com and request a quote.

Painting

Insured/Bonded Free Estimates

ALL Pro

T R E E

S E R V I C E

L L C

Prepare for Winter Season!

LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

Tree Trimming • Tree Removal Stump Grinding Storm Damage • Bushes/Shrubs Yard Clean-up Commercial and Residential PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

480-354-5802

Voted #1

10% OFF

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

NTY 5-YEAR WARRA

480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

Landscape/Maintenance

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011 PAINTING

SEWER CABLE COMPREHENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE PLUMBING COMPANY

Free Estimates!

Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM

CALL US TODAY!

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

ROC# 256752

20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED ROC 3297740

(602) 502-1655

ROC#309706

Pool Service / Repair

Now Accepting all major credit cards

Plumbing

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH! FREE Service Calls + FREE Estimates Water Heaters Installed - $999 Unclog Drains - $49

Juan Hernandez

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

Roofing

All Water Purification Systems Voted #1 Plumber 3 Years In A Row OVER 1,000 5-STAR REVIEWS

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

480-477-8842

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

10% OFF

Interior & Exterior Residential/Commercial Free Estimates Drywall Repairs Senior Discounts References Available

— Call Jason —

Irrigation Repair Services Inc.

HYDROJETTING

www.eastvalleypainters.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING

Please recycle me.

Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

480-688-4770

Painting

Your newspaper.

Your community.

Your planet.

Plumbing

Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service

Drain Cleaning Experts, water heaters, disposals, water & sewer lines repaired/replaced & remodels.

Rapid Response.

If water runs through it we do it!

602-663-8432

East Valley PAINTERS

Family Owned & Operated

Irrigation

Plumbing

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!

480-898-6564

Serving All Types Clean, Prompt, Friendly and Professional Service of Roofing: • • • •

FREE ESTIMATES

Tiles & Shingles sunlandroofingllc@gmail.com Installation Repair Re-Roofing

602-471-2346

CALL CLASSIFIEDS

480-898-6465

We'll Get Your Phone to Ring!

We Accept:

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

NOTICE TO READERS:

Roofing

PHILLIPS

ROOFING LLC COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

Family Owned and Operated 43 Years Experience in Arizona

623-873-1626 Free Estimates Monday through Saturday Licensed 2006 ROC 223367 Bonded Insured

PhillipsRoofing.org PhillipsRoofing@cox.net

Most service advertisers have an ROC# or “Not a licensed contractor” in their ad, this is in accordance to the AZ state law.

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC): The advertising requirements of the statute does not prevent anyone from placing an ad in the yellow pages, on business cards, or on flyers.

What it does require under A.R.S. §32-1121A14(c) www.azleg.gov/ars/ 32/01165. htm is that the advertising party, if not properly licensed as a contractor, disclose that fact on any form of advertising to the public by including the words “not a licensed contractor” in the advertisement.

Again, this requirement is intended to make sure that the consumer is made aware of the unlicensed status of the individual or company.

Contractors who advertise and do not disclose their unlicensed status are not eligible for the handyman’s exception.

Reference: http://www.azroc.g ov/invest/licensed_ by_law.html As a consumer, being aware of the law is for your protection. You can check a businesses ROC status at: http://www.azroc.gov.

Roofing

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof

MonsoonRoofingInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

aOver 30 Years of Experience

aFamily Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING

Public Notices NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION United Access, LLC hereby provides notice that this vehicle: 2103 Honda Odyssey VIN: 5FNRL5H65DB073389 will be sold at public auction on March 1, 2022 at United Access, 1825 E Germann Rd, Suite 24, Chandler, AZ 85286 at 1PM. All bids must be in cash and the winning bid must be paid at the time of the auction.

Published: East Valley Tribune /Chandler Arizonan, Feb 20, 2022 / 44715

It is understood that the Arizona Museum of Natural History (AzMNH) made an agreement with now deceased Mr. Richard Hupfer in Mesa, AZ to house archaeological material uncovered in the Riverview complex. The agreement was made in 2004 or 2005.

It is the intent of AzMNH to claim title to these artifacts if no valid claims are made by May 10. To make a claim or for further information, please contact Dr. Emily Early at emily.early@mesaaz.gov or (480)644-5907.

Published: East Valley Tribune, Feb. 20, 27, 2022 / 44597 OUT WITH THE OLD, CHIP RETURN RETURN YOUR TABLE GAMES CASINO CHIPS AT HARRAH’S AK-CHIN BEFORE THEY EXPIRE! If you have Table Games Casino chips received before July 7, 2021, please redeem them at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino cashier cage no later than March 31, 2022 for a full refund.

Disclaimer: Any discontinued Table Games chips not returned by March 31, 2022 will be void and hold no cash value. Redemption must take place at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino cashier cage in person. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is not responsible for any unreturned Table Games chips.

Roofing

Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

SHARE WITH THE WORLD! Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today!

Call us for details.

“Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising” - Mark Twain

Valley Wide Service

480-446-7663 FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

39

class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465

480.898.6465

class@timespublications.com

40

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 20, 2022

Arizona’s Resort-Style Home Builder MASTER PLANNED CELEBRATED COMMUNITIES BY BLANDFORD HOMES

Award-winning Arizona builder for over 40 years.

F BELL RD.

56TH ST.

Blandford Homes specializes in building master planned environments with a variety of amenities, parks, and charm.

You’ll find the perfect community to fit your lifestyle.

A STRATFORD NOW SELLING B C D E F G H

A Dramatic New Gated Community in Gilbert Vintage Collection • From the low $600’s • 480-895-2800 Craftsman Collection • From the low $700’s • 480-988-2400 PALMA BRISA – In Ahwatukee Foothills NOW SELLING A Dramatic New Gated Community Vintage Collection • From the high $600’s • 480-641-1800 Craftsman Collection • From the low $800’s • 480-641-1800 BELMONT AT SOMERSET – Prime Gilbert Location CLOSEOUT Luxury estate homes and timeless architecture • From the low $1,000,000’s • 480-895-6300 MONTELUNA – Brand New Gated Community in the Foothills of Northeast Mesa NOW SELLING B McKellips Rd just east of the Red Mountain 202 Fwy • From the high $600’s RESERVE AT RED ROCK – New Upscale Resort Community in the Foothills of Northeast Mesa COMING IN 2022 Stunning views of Red Mountain • From the $600’s TALINN AT DESERT RIDGE – SALES BEGIN EARLY IN 2022 Spectacular location at Desert Ridge ESTATES AT MANDARIN GROVE – In the Citrus Groves of NE Mesa CLOSEOUT 11 luxury single-level estate homes with 3- to 6-car garages plus optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the mid $1,000,000’s • 480-750-3000 ESTATES AT HERMOSA RANCH – In the Citrus Groves of NE Mesa CLOSEOUT 12 single-level homes on extra large homesites with 5- to 6-car garages plus optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the mid $1,000,000’s • 480-750-3000

E H G

D

C GERMANN

A

BlandfordHomes.com Not all photos shown are representative of all communities.

Terms and conditions subject to change without notice.