Scottsdale Progress 03-05-2023

Native son watches over his hometown

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

Whether you live in a modest apartment or a mansion, whether the sounds of wailing sirens or howling coyotes fill your nights, his boots have probably been on your block.

If his face is familiar, he may have written you a speeding ticket, escorted your inebriated child home on prom night, or rang your doorbell to investigate a noise complaint. Maybe he even kicked down your door – if you’re a drug dealer.

Scottsdale Police Chief Jeff Walther may be the city’s “top cop” now, but he worked

his way up through the blue ranks on the its streets. Hired as a patrol officer in 1994 he moved on to detective, SWAT member, patrol sergeant, training lieutenant and commander.

Ask Walther how his skills at target shooting compare with the rest of his officers these days and he says with laugh, “There’s plenty better than me. I’m just an administrator.”

But his experience – and those who know him – tell a different story: This native son has covered nearly every inch of the city’s 184 square miles in four decades. And

see NATIVE page 4

Police Chief Jeff Walther prepares to shoot on the same range he first learned police techniques 28 years ago. The Scottsdale native says his officers and new ones coming in desperately need an upgraded training center, which will now cost around $20 million, double its original budget. (Tom Scanlon/Progress Staff)

SUSD instruction costs dipped, but students tested well

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

Scottsdale Unified School District spent 2.6% less on instruction last school year than in pandemic-challenged 2020-21, but students continued to out-test their peers both statewide and in similarly sized districts.

According to a new state Auditor General’s report released last week, the slight dip in instruction spending is in line with a trend: over half the state’s districts “allocated a smaller proportion of the increased

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operational spending to instruction than in prior years,”

SUSD spent 56.7% of its money on instruction in the 2020-21 school year, but that percentage dropped in the 2021-22 school year to 54.1% – lower than the state average of 54.5%.

In 2003-04, SUSD spent a high of 63.7% of its budget on instructional spending; the low came in 2017, when the district spent only 53.6% of its budget on instructional spending. Broken down in dollars., instruction spending per pupil in Scottsdale Unified dropped by $273 from 2020-21 to last school year while spending in two other classroom-

related areas increased.

Instruction costs don't include all the spending that Scottsdale Unified devoites to the classroom – which consumed 70.7% of all district spending in 2021-22, according to the report, which breaks total classroom spending into three categories.

Instruction costs include “teachers, teachers’ aides, substitute teachers, graders, guest lecturers, general instructional supplies, instructional aids, field trips, athletics, cocurricular activities, and tuition.”

see STUDENTS page 20

Scottsdale

Council approves extra $10M for fire training facility

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

How did a 10,000-square-foot fire training facility that was approved by voters in 2019 balloon to nearly three times its original size?

Scottsdale Fire Chief Tom Shannon told City Council a “clerical error” put an erroneously-sized building on the 2019 bond request.

The issue came up at the Feb. 14 meeting, during which council approved an extra $10 million for a Fire Department training facility that has nearly tripled in space – blowing up from an original construction cost of $18 million to $33 million.

City Engineer Ailson Tymkiw said voters approved an “8,000 to 10,000-square-foot training facility … In early 2019, the original project estimate of $18,258,500 was based on the 2018 scope statement with a 10,000 square foot building.”

The following year, she said, design plans “determined that the 10,000-square-foot building originally programmed was not sufficient and the design increased to 27,000 square feet in 2021.”

She noted that when the Citizens’ Bond Committee was asked to approve an extra $10 million and that members “expressed they were more comfortable with city council making decisions on non-bond funding.”

Shannon alluded to a ‘clerical error” on the bond narrative, stressing that the size of the building always should have been larger.

The process of putting together descriptive language for the bond “resulted in an 8,000 to 10,000-square foot declaration of space – that was the error,” Shannon said.

While council previously approved the expanded size of the project, agreeing to an extra $5 million in General Fund money for the project in 2021, several council members expressed surprise at hearing Shannon’s description.

Councilman Tom Durham said he was “kind of bothered by how we went from 10,000 square feet to 27,000 square feet. I think you referred to it as a clerical error?”

Durham told Shannon. “It’s weird, how that happened.”

The fire chief said some sort of miscommunication happened when the bond narrative was being written.

“The 8,000 to 10,000 declaration of space–that was the error,” he said, adding he understood the confusion: “When you see 10,000 square feet and then you see 27,000 square feet, you scratch your head. But there is no training facility that can be built at 10,000 square feet that would meet our needs.

“It’s not a great answer,” Shannon added.

Indeed, it didn’t satisfy Councilman Barry Graham.

He said he visited the current training facility and agreed with Mayor David Ortega’s view that “it’s not Scottsdale quality.”

Even so, Graham said, “Just three years ago, we asked voters for one thing–now we’re asking for something three times the size…Can you shed a little more light on the mistake?”

Shannon said he “couldn’t fathom a guess why 8,000 to 10,000 appeared in the bond.”

When pressed by Graham, the chief said he did not know who made the mistake.

Even so, Shannon insisted, “The intent of the project was in the narrative.”

Graham also expressed what could be called “accounting angst,” after clarifying with City Treasurer Sonia Andrews that the 58 projects pitched to voters as having a total price of $318 is now $433 million, a 33% increase.

“Are we going to be able to buy all the things we promised residents?” Graham asked.

Andrews’ answer was vague: “It’s a prioritization process based on available

see FIRE page 9

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he seems to be as skilled at chatting as handcuffing.

“He’s very charismatic,” Councilman Barry Graham said of Walther. “He's an effective listener and has a presence that puts others at ease.”

“Effective and likable,” Councilwoman Solange Whitehead said. Vice Mayor Kathy Littlefield agreed with that assessment – which is a good thing because Walther will need those skills in the coming months.

Littlefield, Whitehead and Graham, along with Mayor David Ortega, are among the council members who must vote on Walther’s request for a revamped police training center that will cost upwards of $20 million – more than double the original price tag when voters in 2019 approved the project as part of a $319-million bond package just three years ago.

Also part of that bond package was an $18 million fire training facility, which has ballooned to $33 million. (See story, on page 2)

The elected officials who praise him say they trust Walther. He says he understands he has to earn that trust, sharing bad news as well as good.

Indeed, though no major crime hit the city during the tourist-bomb of the Super Bowl and WM Phoenix Open, just three days after the Chiefs topped the Eagles, Walther received notice that any police chief would dread.

Except for jail, the last place chiefs want to see their officers is at AZPOST. At monthly meetings of the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, officers who have been investigated for wrongdoing can lose their right to wear a badge.

On Feb. 15, two cases involving former Scottsdale Police Department officers were on the agenda.

Just moments after telling the Progress how proud he is of his force, Walther discussed these cases without sugar coating them.

During the February AZPOST meeting, one former Scottsdale cop turned in his peace officer certification – required to be a police officer anywhere in Arizona –and proceedings to take another officer’s certification away formally started.

In the latter case, Cameron Douglas was off duty just after midnight Oct. 25,

2021 when on-duty officers found him asleep at the wheel of a vehicle stopped at Hayden Road and Shea Boulevard. A pistol and shotgun lay on the passenger seat.

After a test showed Douglas had nearly three times the legal limit of alcohol, Douglas was fired by Walther.

The chief said he understands the pressures and traumas of being a cop.

When a Scottsdale officer is arrested for driving under the influence, “I will look at those on a case by case basis,” Walther said. “But in Douglas’ case, he can no longer be a police officer.”

More recently, Cody Lutz was the subject of an internal affairs investigation “related to integrity.”

“We were moving to dismiss Lutz based on an integrity issue,” Walther said. “First and foremost, he was willfully dishonest and admitted to doing so. Secondly, he admitted to forging the signature of another officer on a piece of evidence. He would have been terminated for those integrity violations.”

Walther added the investigation started with a citizen complaint of theft; “We

could not prove that allegation.”

Lutz voluntarily relinquished his certification to AZPOST, after violating a cardinal rule: “What you can’t do is lie,” Walther said.

Honesty and integrity are two things Walther demands of his officers, who work in a fast-changing world.

Now 52, looking fit enough to still chase down a suspect, Walther’s saltand-pepper hair and a few smile wrinkles hint at the time he has spent on the police force.

‘I hope you said no’

As a kid in then-sleepy Scottsdale, Walther grew up in an era when cops were considered good guys–and he wanted in on that.

After graduating from Horizon High School, he studied criminal justice at Northern Arizona University, then landed a job with Scottsdale Police. The salary came just in time, as the childhood sweetheart he married at 19 was pregnant. They now have three grown chil-

see NATIVE page 6

Even during the pandemic, Chief Jeff Walther found ways to meet his goal: connect with the community. (Scottsdale Police Department)

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dren and five grandchildren.

In 2019, the Walthers made a massive life change: He retired, and they moved from their beloved – though fast-growing –hometown to Alpine, a mountain town of a few hundred in far northeastern Arizona.

And so, Walther “missed” the Fashion Square riot of May, 2020. Shocked, he watched the looting and plundering from Alpine.

Did he feel he should have been there or was he glad he missed it?

“Both,” answered Walther, who, when he grins and looks sideways, somewhat resembles Woody Harrelson, though he is hardly as off-the-wall as the actor.

Want to talk about why you don’t trust the cops or why their funding should be cut? Bring it on, says Walther – as long as you’ll listen to his side.

“We want to participate in the narrative on law enforcement in this country,” he said. “There are too many police organizations that don't want to participate in the narrative. And that's hurt us.”

“Not participating in the narrative

is hurting communities because what we're seeing is that over the last two and a half, three years, a steep, steep decline in the number of people who actually want to be police officers.

“Now, they may want to be police officers, but because of the negative narrative on law enforcement in this country and other countries, they're like, ‘Yeah, I don't think I want to do that.’ That's my fault. I need to participate as a police chief. I need to participate in the narrative.”

“Let's you and I talk about the national narrative–you tell me (complaints) for five minutes. And then I want to spend the next 55 minutes telling you about what Scottsdale PD is doing and how we're different and how we connect with the community.”

The Fashion Square riot came during local and nation-wide protests over the murder by Minneapolis police of George Floyd.

A few months later, then-Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell, who came under criticism for the department’s handling of the riot, announced his resignation to work in the private sector.

Up in Alpine, Walther took a call from Jim Thompson, Scottsdale’s city manager.

To borrow a line from “The Godfather”: “Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in…”

When Thompson asked Walther to take over as police chief, he said he

would have to think about it, then discussed it with his wife.

“She said, ‘I hope you said NO,’” Walther said. Then, she thought about it and all the city and the department had meant to them and done for their family.

“I changed my mind,” she told Walther. “How could we say no?”

So Walther gave a conditional “yes,” stressing he would take the job starting Dec. 1, 2020, on an interim basis. That turned out to be permanent…but Walther stresses that doesn’t mean “forever” as that house in the wilds of Alpine beckons.

When Thompson asked him in March 2021 to be permanent chief of police, Walther told him: “I will give you the national average for a police chief: Three to five years.”

With a few years to go on that timeline, Walther feels like he has made progress on his goal of taking what he felt was already “good” and making it “great.”

“We’re a progressive police depart-

see NATIVE page 8

Scottsdale’s Jeff Walther was named “Police Chief of the Year” in 2021 by the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police Chiefs. (Scottsdale Police Department)

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NATIVE from PAGE 6

ment, with a national and international reputation,” he proudly said.

Unlike many police departments, Scottsdale doesn’t have gaping holes; a recruit class of 17 would nearly fill the 20 vacancies.

Walther’s pitch to newcomers of potential transfers from other cities:

“Come here, where you can still make a difference. You can make a difference, and make a living.”

And it’s a pretty good living: According to a recent Scottsdale Police Department recruiting pitch on its Facebook site, “We're the 2nd highest paid agency in the Valley with unparalleled support from our community!”

Starting pay for a new officer, according to the department’s website, is $32.10, or about $67,000 per year. Super-busy

On an average day, according to Welther, Scottsdale police respond to about 600 calls a day. That number ballooned to 1,000 on Feb. 11, the unofficial “party day” of the WM Open at TPC Scottsdale. “At the Open, we made 88 ejections and 18 arrests,” Walther said.

But, the chief noted, there were hundreds of thousands in attendance.

And, Walther said, during the WM Open/Super Bowl week, “We had no significant incidents. None. No shootings, no stabbings.”

He said the presence of officers from Scottsdale and many outside agencies at events around the city was a comfort to visiting tourists and a deterrent to would-be offenders.

And now: Spring Training.

The chief’s advice to rookie cops working the ball games?

“Have a great time,” Walther said, with that Woody Harrelson grin.

While typically far more mellow than Super Bowl revelers and WM Open partiers, policing Spring Training games and the bar scene shares a similarity, Walther stressed.

“It is about crowd management. There are going to be a lot of people and people are going to have too much to drink. You know, let's treat people with dignity and respect. And then when they commit a crime, they commit a crime and then they're taken into custody or cited for it.”

Last year, after barely more than a year as Scottsdale’s top cop, the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police named Walther Chief of the Year.

“Chief Walther epitomizes the very best in leadership regarding serving the community,” his nomination form proclaimed, stressing “the police department’s holistic role in society.”

Whitehead said that is spot-on: “Scottsdale police and our community are really tight. That’s well earned.”

She added that starts at the top, with Walther: “He’s just practical, down to earth and funny. And he really cares.”

Littlefield seconded that. “The only time I hear a negative comment (about Scottsdale police) is when someone gets a ticket.

“Or,” Littlefield added with a chuckle, “complaints about speeding.”

Littlefield added: “The only time I hear a negative comment (about Scottsdale police) is when someone gets a ticket

“Or,” she added with a chuckle, “complaints about speeding.”

So true, Walther agrees.

“While the citizens seem to support the police, you certainly can’t please everyone,” he said. “what makes it hard is that 50% of the people will say we need more traffic enforcement, because traffic is out of control, people are driving like crazy–and what are you going to do about that?

“And the other 50% will say, you know, ‘I saw a bunch of officers out on the street and they're writing me tickets and photo radar is out there–and you’ve got to stop this!’ There's always competing interests.”

Same thing in the Old Town Entertainment District: Some clubs complain there are too many cops bothering people while those who live around Old Town tell Walther he needs to shut down noisy bars.

“So there's competing interests,” Walther said, “between our business owners and our residents.”

Being a listener, an administrator, dealing with the comparatively petty dramas of Scottsdale 2023 sometimes makes Walther pine for the good old days when he was a young cop back in the 1990s.

“Working street crimes,” he said, with that knowing grin, “chasing bad guys all over the Valley.

“That was great.”

Thanks in large part to Police Chief Jeff Walther’s efforts, the Scottsdale Police Department boasts of having the second-highest pay among police departments in the Valley. Walther said this has helped SPD fill vacancies. (Scottsdale Police Department)

Bill would make fetuses eligible for tax credit

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The way Matt Gress sees it, a person is a person, no matter how small - or even if not born yet –for the purposes of getting a state tax credit.

The first-term Republican representative from Phoenix wants to expand state law providing for a tax credit for children to also include the number of months a woman was pregnant. He told Capitol Media Services that HB 2501 is only fair, as families have expenses during that period, too.

But that isn't Gress' only foray into the question of who is a person.

He is separately sponsoring HB 2417, which would allow pregnant women to drive in the lane reserved for carpooling. Gress said he sees no difference between a woman who may be ready to give birth and a woman who puts her day-old child into an infant seat and qualifies under current law to use the high-occupancy vehicle lane.

So far, though, Gress has gotten no traction for that measure. In fact, it never even got assigned by House leadership to a committee for a hearing.

That's not the case with the tax credit, which gained preliminary House approval on Wednesday.

Arizona law allows individuals earning less than $200,000 a year to get a $100 income tax credit – an amount deducted from the actual taxes owed to the state – for each child younger than 17. The income eligibility figure is $400,000 for married couples filing jointly.

Dependent children 17 and older qualify a family for a $25 per child credit.

Only thing is, current law applies that credit only for the years after a child is born. Gress said there's no reason for what he sees as an artificial cutoff.

"There still are pregnancy related costs that expectant families go through, either doctor's visits or getting the baby's room set up,'' he said.

What it also is, Gress said, is unfair.

Consider, he said, a woman who has a baby in September. The family gets to

claim the tax credit for the entire calendar year even though the baby is around for only four months of that tax year.

"But what if the baby's born in January?'' Gress asked.

"That family's experienced costs prior to the baby being born,'' he said. But the tax credits kick in only after the baby is born.

As HB 2501 is crafted, tax credits could be claimed for the year prior to birth on a pro-rata basis.

So, the family whose baby is born in January would get to claim 75% of the credit for nine months of the prior year. Similarly, a family that had a baby in June would get 50% of the credit for the six months of pregnancy in the prior calendar year.

Legislative budget staffers said their best estimate of what that would cost the state is $2.4 million per year based on the assumption of babies being conceived from April through December and the pregnancy lasting nine months.

for two weeks later, into the new calendar year, there would be no tax benefit.

Rep. Mariana Sandoval, D-Goodyear, said she appreciates the intent of the bill.

"But if we were really serious about helping families we would make health care accessible and affordable to everyone so that we wouldn't have to hear a bill that gives a single person that makes up to $200,000 a $100 credit,'' she said. "I don't know how that would help families that are really in need.''

Gress said he can speak only from his own experience.

"I'm the youngest of four, raised by a single mom,'' he said, saying that his mother took advantage of the tax credits proposed and signed into law in 2001 by then-President George W. Bush. That was in addition to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit designed to provide a benefit to the working poor.

"We were able to get new clothes for school, school supplies,'' Gress said. "I mean, it was huge.''

He said while the state tax credit is nowhere near as large as either of the federal credits, "every dollar counts, especially in this inflation.''

funds.”

Shannon stressed 143 of his current 332 firefighters will be eligible to retire July 1, 2025.

In the near future, Council likely will be asked to approve increases in the Scottsdale Police training facility expansion.

Combined, the costs of the new fire training facility and police facility expansion have “mushroomed” to $50 million, Graham pointed out – far more than the $30 million originally budgeted for the two.

“I think that’s a humongous increase for this council to consider,” Graham said. “I don’t think making a rushed decision is in the best interest of the residents.”

He asked for more time “to understand where the mistake was.”

Councilwoman Tammy Caputi said the increase in the cost of a training facility was understandable, with inflation. She asked the chief about implications if the council didn’t approve the facility.

“I fear we would be closing fire stations because we would not be able to staff engines,” Shannon answered.

According to the bond request description, the project would replace the “outdated building and structures” with a burn training tower, a building

“utilizing converted storage containers,” an outdoor area and “a 8,00010,000 sq/ft building to include, but not limited to; conference room to accommodate 100+ people, break out rooms, 25 person locker rooms, bathrooms, physical fitness room, administrative offices, full kitchen and two apparatus bays.”

Councilwoman Solange Whitehead expressed frustration over the cost increase, citing previous cost escalations in fire station construction projects.

On the training facility put to voters, she said, voters “trusted us (that) we were at least in the ballpark of what the cost would be. I’m very bothered…an error turned into an unreasonable cost which undermines the trust our citizens have in us.”

Ortega stated the current training facility “is totally unworthy of Scottsdale.”

He called the issue “our prime responsibility” and, in making a motion to approve the extra money to come from the General Fund, urged council members to vote for it: “This absolutely has to be done tonight.”

Graham made an alternate motion, asking the fire training facility vote be delayed to provide more information “so we can understand where the mistake was.” His motion failed, and Graham was the only vote against the extra $10 million, which passed 6-1.

Council mulls how to pay for ‘wish list’

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

As the city begins its budget process, several Scottsdale City Council members raised concerns about how to pay for a “wish list” of construction projects.

Doing all the projects deemed “necessary” by city staff in 2018 was projected at $750 million – and, considering inflation, may be well over $1 billion.

After months of whittling down that list to 58 projects for a projected $319 million, the city received voter approval in 2019 to sell bonds (financed by property taxes) to cover that.

But with each council meeting over the last few months, it is becoming obvious the $319 million is not even close.

This led to another grilling of Dan Worth, who lately might add “Bearer of Bad News” to his Public Works Director title, as on multiple occasions he has shared with council what he calls “short-

falls” and what others might call “overruns.”

While Council will not vote on the 2023-24 city budget until June, a sneak peek presentation at its Feb. 21 meeting raised alarm bells.

Scottsdale residents may notice they are paying more property tax, sales tax, fees. That trend is not likely to stop, as the city’s spending continues to accelerate.

In the coming months, Council will be asked to dip into the city’s General Fund for tens of millions of dollars in construction projects.

The good news is the city cashed in big time, during the pandemic: In January, City Treasurer Sonia Andrews said Scottsdale raked in nearly $40 million more than expected in sales tax in 202122.

Asked by Councilman Barry Graham how many weeks of operating expenses the city has, the treasurer answered: “We have about $800 million in cash.”

On Feb. 21, Andrews gave a quarterly update, emphasizing “sales tax is the largest revenue source in our general fund.”

After explosive growth during the pandemic, “consumers are starting to pull back on spending…our sales tax revenue is growing at a slower pace.”

workers taxing (so to speak) the general fund.

Meanwhile, those big sales tax increases and federal COVID relief funding that pumped tens of millions to the city are fading in the rearview mirror.

Yet, she concluded, “Scottsdale’s economy remains strong,” highlighted by population growth, high property values, tourist and event activities and a high median income (40% higher than U.S. average, she noted), with “more affluent consumers less impacted by inflation and rising interest rates.”

In several “what to expect” slides, Andrews warned of salary and healthcare increases, with an expanding force of police, fire, engineers and other city

While the treasurer’s report was greeted by smiles and some frowns of con-

see WISH LIST page 19

City Treasurer Sonja Andrews shared the good news about higher revenue from sales taxes. (City of Scottsdale)

The city said there are other “shortfalls” in funding various 2019 bond projects. (City of Scottsdale)

‘Unknown substance’ left at board member’s home

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

Scottsdale Unified Governing Board member Carine Werner said an “intruder left behind a substance” at her home near the Scottsdale/Phoenix border.

Sgt. Brian Bower of the Phoenix Police Department confirmed Werner called police on Feb. 17, saying “an unknown substance was left near the victim’s rear door. The substance is unknown at this time and will be tested at the Phoenix crime lab.”

Asked why Phoenix police are investigating, Werner replied, “I live in Scottsdale. However, my services are Phoenix.”

Werner stressed she felt invaded and that “the sanctity of my property was invaded, leaving my family and my pets at risk.”

She indirectly blamed Dr. Scott Menzel, who has become the center of controversy after Fox News aired a story focused on a 2019 interview Menzel made while he was in Michigan. Three legislators then sent a letter demanding the board fire Menzel for “hateful comments” about “white people being problematic.”

“I am certain that the incendiary rhetoric by some weighing-in, either in support or in opposition to, the controversial comments made by Dr. Menzel has put all of us unnecessarily on height-

ened alert,” Werner said.

While vowing “petty crimes and nasty words will not deter me from representing our community,” she also asked everyone to “consider our part in tamping down the rhetoric.”

Werner also complained about “a letter (from Menzel) to the board members on Feb. 19 that stated no threats had been made.

“This insensitive and premature act is unacceptable from an employee of our school board,” she said.

SUSD spokeswoman Kristine Harrington, said, after receiving a voicemail from Werner about finding a substance at her home, “Dr. Menzel forwarded Ms. Werner’s voicemail message to District Security and immediately followed up with this text message to our Director of Security.”

She said the message state, “From Carine Werner. Apparently, she had a threat at her home. Can you work with SPD on this? Want to be sure we address any and all threats.’”

And, Harrington said, in the letter from Menzel that Werner complained about, “the sentence, ‘There haven’t been any threats, just an expected large turnout’ references the board meeting.

“Dr. Menzel did not, would not and will not ever dismiss a threat received by a SUSD Governing Board Member,” Harrington stated. “Any suggestion to the contrary is simply not true.”

‘Dirtville’ still dry: county ignores city plan

BY TOM SCANLON Progress Managing Editor

There was joy in what might be called “Dirtville” – can’t call it Mudville, it’s too dry.

Then, after a few days of bright optimism, Rio Valley Foothills (aka Dirtville) had its hopes for a quick water solution dashed.

At a Feb. 21 meeting, after Scottsdale City Council voted unanimously on an agenda item titled “Temporary Water Supply Intergovernmental Agreement” and called “a giant step forward” by one council member, Rio Valley Foothills residents were guardedly thrilled.

After profusely thanking Scottsdale, Lee Harris said, “We want the county to step up to the plate and take care of us because we are county taxpayers.”

Cody Reim and Christy Jackman, coleaders of RVF residents looking for water, were guardedly thankful; they had questions about the plan, but were re-

spectful.

A few days later, their gloves came off.

After the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors failed to do as Harris suggested – Supervisor Tom Galvin openly opposed Scottsdale’s plan – the Rio Verde leaders and a few others raged against Scottsdale.

Reim was particularly livid, placing the blame directly on one person.

Calling Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega a “dictatorial tyrant,” Reim insisted private company EPCOR “has water in the CAP and they are waiting for you to get off your throne and make a deal!

“You may think you’re playing a game, but what you are doing is ruining people’s lives,” Reim ranted at Ortega on Facebook. “You are single-handedly destroying an entire community of Arizona residents.”

After Galvin ridiculed Scottsdale’s proposal, Jackman said it was “the exact effect the city hoped for. Now it's the county's fault.”

Like Reim, she referenced a proposed deal to use EPCOR water, which would be processed by Scottsdale, while Scottsdale’s proposal is contingent on the city acquiring 600 acre feet of water that it would process for Rio Verde Foothills.

“Scottsdale was not even close to a secure deal,” Jackman posted on Facebook. “And their ‘plan’ was contingent on Scottsdale acquiring the source of water. Double the amount we use. Scottsdale needs to reconsider the offer that has been on the table since September.”

After decades of indirect water service, Rio Valley Foothills – just outside the boundaries of northeast Scottsdale – lost Scottsdale water after the city turned off its stand pipe Jan. 1 that supplied water haulers who serviced over 500 homes on the county island.

Scottsdale rejected various plans proposed by Rio Verde residents.

Then, after a favorable opinion by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes that “a county board of supervisors has the

authority to temporarily supply water to county residents to preserve public

Maricopa County Supervisor Tom Galvin spoke out against Scottsdale’s proposal, stating “My plan is better.” (Maricopa County) see

Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen almost ready

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

The names of 66 Scottsdale area residents who died during the nation’s armed conflicts will be engraved on the granite faces of the Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen.

The new memorial will be dedicated at 10:30 a.m. March 18, at Scottsdale City Hall’s Memorial Lawn, 3939 N. Drinkwater Boulevard.

The ceremony will feature Scottsdale historian Joan Fudala, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Band and the Scottsdale Fire Department’s pipes and drums, with a wreath laying by representatives from Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

In June 2014, a group of Scottsdale citizens formed the City of Scottsdale Memorial Action Committee.

The effort was led by Jim Geiser, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of Vietnam, and a graduate of Scottsdale High School and

Arizona State University.

The nonprofit Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen was formed and Geiser led the

effort to raise more than $300,000 to design, engineer and build the memorial.

The city of Scottsdale supported the effort, including providing a location just east of City Hall. Dozens of community organizations, foundations and private individuals donated for the memorial’s construction.

The memorial area includes benches, one honoring the project’s champion, Geiser, who passed away in August 2022.

As Scottsdale didn’t have formal boundaries until it incorporated in 1951, the Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen includes residents from what is now Paradise Valley, and the Salt River PimaMaricopa Indian Community and Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

Most attended Scottsdale area high schools.

The young men whose names appear on the memorial served in the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force; one served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II.

Three are World War I casualties, 25 lost their lives in World War II, six were lost during the Korean War era, 25 are casualties of the Vietnam War era, and seven died since 2001 in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One was a Scottsdale High classmate of Geiser’s – star athlete Curt Tarkington, who was killed in Vietnam in 1965. The most recent casualty was Chief Warrant Officer Josh Silverman who was killed in a Black Hawk helicopter crash Dec. 17, 2013, in Afghanistan.

A memorial for veterans will be unveiled March 18. (City of Scottsdale)

health and sanitation,” Scottsdale came up with a plan, approved it and sent if off to the county.

A few days after telling Courthouse News he considered some things in the agreement “non-starters,” Fields Moseley, a county spokesman, told the Progress that on the March 1 county agenda:

“There are no action items…related to the proposed contract from Scottsdale. Scottsdale’s proposal is an offer that will be discussed and negotiated before the board schedules a vote.”

Galvin told reporters he had already proposed water utility company EPCOR as a source of the water, but Scottsdale rejected his plan.

"My solution is better because it's the cheapest, the most affordable, the quickest, and the most expedient," Galvin said.

"The only thing I'm grateful for is (Scottsdale) finally acknowledged that they have to be part of the solution," Galvin added.

In a letter emailed to Scottsdale officials Feb. 21, Galvin pushed the EPCOR

plan as “of financial benefit to Scottsdale and of no cost to Maricopa County.

“This plan makes sense because a private water utility company went on record, with a willingness and ability to be part of an interim solution to the water issue.”

It wasn’t just Reim and Jackman firing off complaints to the city. Other Rio Verde Foothills homeowners took to social media to blow off steam.

After Scottsdale Councilman Barry Graham posted, “I’m proud the City of Scottsdale has played a principal role in crafting a plan to temporarily restore the flow of water to Rio Valley Foothills,” Carol Foti shot back:

“You have got to be kidding me. I don't see any water yet. The county is never going to sign what Scottsdale proposed.”

In a Feb. 28 email to the Progress, Graham reiterated his position.

“Scottsdale citizens have been very generous with their water,” Graham said. “Rio Verde Foothills is an unincorporated area in Maricopa County and is not part of Scottsdale… My hope is that we continue to respect Scottsdale's priorities of being a good steward of our residents' natu-

ral resource and also a good neighbor to Rio Verde Foothills' residents.”

But Mike Skye, in a Facebook post, saw it from more of a business lens, rather than a neighborly one:

“Well, they played this right!” he wrote. “It is very clear that Scottsdale has put it all on Maricopa County now…There really is no requirement for negotiation because there is no ‘obligation’ on the part of Scottsdale to even help.”

Karen Pollari Nabity and others dissected the Scottsdale plan, which calls for the city to find and purchase 600 acre feet of water but only sell at most 378 acre feet (126 acre feet per year for two or three years). She noted, “That leaves the city with 192 acre feet.”

The Progress asked Ortega if he was satisfied with the county’s response.

Via his spokesman, Ortega said, “Once Maricopa County is ready to move the agreement forward, city staff will work to obtain additional water resources, which will then be treated and made available for county residents in the Rio Verde Foothills area.

“Scottsdale will work with Maricopa County on this solution as quickly as

possible, details will be available once the intergovernmental agreement with Maricopa County is finalized.”

The Rio Verde Foothills water situation was not mentioned at Council’s Feb. 28 meeting.

Ortega fired back at Galvin, insisting Scottsdale's plan is "comprehensive and protects Scottsdale residents, businesses, schools and essential services."

The Scottsdale mayor said Galvin frequently "goes for the sound bite and never puts anything in writing. Frankly, his approach is an annoyance.

"Last year," Ortega continued, "Galvin led Rio Verde Foothills along the DWID (domestic water improvement district) route -- and when RVF asked for DWID approval from Scottsdale, we gladly consented. Galvin reversed course."

Ortega's conclusion about his county adversary: "Galvin's rhoretic is identical to those suing Scottsdale voters and residents. He does not speak for the Board and nor for 180,000 concerned Scottsdale voters.

see DIRTVILLE page 18

Red Cross leader here calling it quits

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

After piloting the Arizona and New Mexico region of the American Red Cross through pandemic and several other health crises, Regional CEO Kurt Kroemer is retiring at the end of March.

The Scottsdale resident started in the role in 2016 but had prior experience with the Red Cross serving in various roles for nearly a decade.

From 1999 until 2008, he worked his way up the nonprofit’s ranks, starting in the government relations office then deputy chief of staff to the CEO, vice president of strategy and vice president of biomedical services.

In all his roles with the American Red Cross, Kroemer said he kept the same focus that had prompted him to work for the humanitarian organization in the first place.

“I always think about and I've talked to people about living a life of consequence and how when you're done with whatever you're going to be doing in your life, can you look back and say ‘I've done something good?’” he said.

“Helping people was a motivating force for me, and with the Red Cross every single day somewhere we were doing something good. We are alleviating human suffering, which allowed me to go home every night and look myself in the mirror and know that we had helped somebody that day. That's very rewarding.”

This mentality carried him through some of the toughest crises that the nation had ever faced.

“Soon after I started with the Red Cross, 9/11 happened and so I saw a lot of things that we did there that imprinted on my mind,” he recalled. “The Red Cross had a lot of conversations with families who lost loved ones on 9/11 and oftentimes, they just wanted someone to listen to their story.”

It would be the first of many times Kroemer found himself offering a compassionate ear for victims and survivors to tell tales of terror to.

“I've met lots of people along the way that have been impacted by a disaster

and I'm often interested in their resilience,” he said. “People are often very resilient and I find that very courageous, so that too is motivating to see people somehow get through a disaster by picking themselves up and getting to a better place.”

However, Kroemer's quest to do more good deeds eventually pulled him away from the Red Cross for a role with the Scottsdale-based nonprofit the Make-AWish Foundation, where he was a member of the senior leadership team and his first experience in Scottsdale, a city he quickly fell in love with.

Although his next career change in 2012 took him to San Francisco, Kroemer always had an interest in settling down in Scottsdale.

Then in 2016, he did just that after he returned to the Red Cross, as the CEO of the New Mexico and Arizona region.

“It was just the right place at the right time and I knew I was more than not only comfortable with the Red Cross, but I knew that I could find meaning with them,” said Kroemer.

Although this gave him the opportunity to re-settle in Scottsdale and buy a home in the DC Ranch area, his focus remained on growing the Red Cross.

He said he inherited a region that was in good shape but saw room for its growth.

“What I wanted to make sure of is that we were reaching out to all the different communities that we were going to serve,” Kroemer said. “I think it's important for the Red Cross to reflect the communities that we serve and we've spent a lot of time over the past six and a half years trying to get connections through all the different communities through these two states.”

Although Kroemer initially panicked

in March of 2020 when pandemic struck, he quickly found himself marveling at how the nonprofit was able to pivot from being a provider of in-person humanitarian aid to virtual and socially distanced assistance.

In the pandemic’s early months, Kroemer and his team provided shelter by putting up people in hotels and serving them meals.

“We've been able to deliver on our mission at a higher level than we were before the pandemic and we're delivering more services today than we were in 2019,” he said.

After navigating through the pandemic, Kroemer felt that the region was in better shape than he entered it and decided it was time to call it a day.

Although he admits he struggles to sit still, Kroemer said he is looking forward to retirement and plans to continue cycling around the city with his wife Lani and perhaps taking some family trips.

Although he is bidding his job adieu, Kroemer teased that this might not be a permanent farewell from the Red Cross.

“I cannot stand still and I have a very hard time doing nothing,” he said. “Maybe at some point, I'm going to jump back into something as a volunteer or some space that I find really compelling … but for the next three to four months I’m going to explore what’s compelling to my soul.”

DC Ranch resident Kurt Kroemer is retiring this month from his position as American Red Cross Regional CEO. (David Minton/Progress Staff Photographer)

Scottsdale insurance agent triggers GOP storm

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The president of the state Senate is blaming the House, at least in part, for what happened at a day-long hearing on elections two weeks ago when a Scottsdale insurance agent charged, without evidence, that the governor, state lawmakers and county supervisors took bribes from the Sinaloa Cartel.

Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, said it was House Speaker Ben Toma, R-Peoria, who asked for permission for a joint hearing to hear presentations arranged by Rep. Liz Harris.

The Chandler Republican had lined up several witnesses who were supposed to update lawmakers on issues related to the 2022 election.

The hearing featured Scottsdale insurance agent Jacqueline Breger, who was given nearly 45 minutes to accuse dozens of officials and private citizens of taking bribes.

Petersen said that he had asked that all materials be reviewed by Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, ahead of time.

"That was not shared with him and was a surprise to the committee,'' Petersen said.

"I assure you, had he known about the report (Breger planned to present) he would not allow it to be included,'' he continued. "It was definitely not the proper venue to make such allegations nor to assess the credibility of such a statement.''

And Petersen, in washing his hands of responsibility, said "I imaging the House will discuss how to deal with it.''

On the State Farm website, Breger says, "I help drivers in Scottsdale as they select the auto coverage to protect their vehicles and assets how they want."

Her office is listed in North Scottsdale near Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and Thompson Peak Parkway.

On her Twitter profile, Breger describes herself as "Risk Management Guru. Mom of 3 wonderful girls. Lived in

Scottsdale AZ for past 20+yrs."

Toma is refusing to take all the blame for allowing permitting the hearing.

"So did he,'' the speaker told Capitol

Media Services of Petersen's role in all this. "We agreed to it collectively.''

And he, in turn, blamed Harris for "bad judgment'' in inviting anyone "to present unsubstantiated and defamatory allegations in a legislative forum.''

"I said Ms. Harris needs to address this,'' he said.

Harris, however, did not return several messages seeking to interview her.

Less clear is whether the speaker will take any action against the first-term lawmaker, including using his ability to remove her from the Committee on Municipal Oversight and Elections.

"We'll see,'' he said.

Toma is in a difficult political position.

He needs the cooperation of every one of the 31 Republicans to pass the GOP agenda, did not address whether Harris will be removed from committees or otherwise disciplined.

The day-long hearing of both the

see GOP page 18

Jacqueline Breger

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House and Senate elections panels was filled with topics that have been popular with conspiracy theorists.

Presentations included the state's power over federal elections, foreign and domestic national security threats to the state's electoral system, and one titled "The county is the first line of defense, not the federal government.''

Democrats on the panels foresaw problems with what they expected to be a one-sided presentation of conspiracies and refused to attend.

"Our constituents did not send us to the Capitol to defame our elections officials, cast doubt on the security of our elections, or mislead the public,'' three Senate Democrats said in a video statement. House Democrats later followed suit.

That left only Republicans to hear the testimony.

Breger's testimony stood out when, without any factual backing, she said the governor, several Republican Maricopa supervisors, 12 Maricopa county superior court judges and Republican Mesa Mayor John Giles all had taken bribes that came in the form of money laundered through a scam involving real estate deeds.

She also presented documents to the committee which listed others – including Toma – as guilty of corruption.

The closest she came to citing a source was a reference to a forthcoming book by John Thaler, who has been cited by My Pillow executive and Trump follower Mike Lindell as being a forensic investigator. Thaler has claimed to have reviewed 120,000 documents to back his claims of extensive fraud.

None of that leaves the Senate blameless. Borrelli was, in fact, at the Feb.23 hearing. But Petersen said he is not to blame for failing to halt the testimony at any

county."

Galvin fired back at the mayor..

point during its 45-plus minutes.

"He was caught off guard,'' Petersen said.

And at the end of her presentation, Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, who chairs the Senate Committee on Elections, called Breger brave for her testimony, though she said the witness should stay on the topic of elections.

By Sunday, however, Rogers was distancing herself from the whole thing –and from both Harris and Breger in particular.

"To our knowledge, none of the people named had charges filed, have proceedings pending, nor had any convictions made against them,'' she said in a press release.

But Rogers also made it clear she was not saying that the unsubstantiated claims that Breger presented were unfounded. She said it's just not the job of lawmakers to reach such a conclusion.

"If any of the allegations presented are

I suspect Mayor Ortega already knew this," Galvin said.

in fact true and there's evidence to support these claims, the Legislature most certainly is not the proper authority to pursue charges,'' Rogers said.

"Any claims as serious as those presented to use should have been immediately turned in to Arizona law enforcement officials and not brought before the Legislature,'' she said. "This was not the appropriate venue to discuss what could potentially be criminal activity.''

The only one to actually say something during the hearing was Sen. Ken Bennett, R-Prescott, who said "this is not the appropriate place'' for such claims.

The hearing came less than 24 hours after Attorney General Kris Mayes released various internal documents from her office showing that her predecessor, Mark Brnovich, found no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.

"He needs to quit trying to get into Scottsdale water business so developers can build dry lot subdivisions in the

"My law firm doesn’t represent any builders that are looking to get a single drop of water from the standpipe, but

"Mayor Ortega continues to be focused on lobbing false or misleading allegations at me while I remain

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focused on trying to get increasingly desperate families the water that they so urgently need and getting this resolved for the City of Scottsdale," he added.

DIRTVILLE from PAGE 14

Airpark dispensary requests window service

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

Sorry, no fries.

On Feb. 15, Harvest of Scottsdale in the Airpark area at 15190 N. Hayden Road asked the city to allow drive-thru service at marijuana dispensaries. According to the city, the weed seller is asking for “a city-wide Zoning Ordinance text amendment amending Section 1.403.M. Marijuana use, allowing drive-thru operations for marijuana dispensaries.”

WISH LIST from PAGE 10

cern, the public works director took a comparative beating in presenting on Capital Improvement Projects – many of which have gone well over budget.

The notable examples are the police and fire department training facilities, which started at a combined $25 million and have ballooned to more than double that. Council recently approved an extra

A city explanatory video said none of Scottsdale’s other four marijuana dispensaries have requested permission to sell via drive-thru windows.

The Harvest of Scottsdale request will be heard at a future public hearing yet be scheduled.

The application does not mention Harvest of Scottsdale, instead describing Trulieve.

According to a Forbes magazine 2021 article, “Florida-based cannabis multistate operator Trulieve Cannabis Corp.

$10 million for the fire training facility.

Many other projects in the 2019 bond also need funding assistance from the General Fund.

Worth said $14 million of General Fund money will be needed for five other projects, including the McCormick-Stillman Roundhouse and Pima Road sound wall.

Worth blamed “construction inflation” of around 35% since January 2019 for project costs skyrocketing.

has completed its acquisition of Harvest Health & Recreation Inc.”

The Scottsdale request for drivethrough service states, “Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S. operating in 11 states, with leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania.”

The application notes that drive-thru service “at a dispensary allows for faster transaction times, and importantly, allows for our most immunocompromised

During Worth’s presentation, Graham and Councilwoman Betty Janik both expressed frustrations about not enough information being provided, in terms of initial project costs and overages.

“When you keep going over budget…I think you really need to examine it,” Janik said. “Me personally, when I’m over on my budget, things get cut. I expect nothing less from the city.”

Councilwoman Tammy Caputi re-

patients to receive their medicine without exposing themselves to in-person shopping. Drive-thru capabilities are allowed by state law.”

Indeed, several Valley dispensaries have drive-thru windows, including Mint in Tempe (which is also open 24 hours Thursday through Sunday).

For more information on the Harvest request, contact Scottsdale’s Current Planning department at 480-312-7767 or visit scottsdaleaz.gov/planning-development.

peated the “big wish list” term others used for the construction project–but complemented Worth for a “great job” in his presentation, and shifted the focus:

“We need to generate the revenue to pay for our wish list,” Caputi said. “It’s really important to remember these things get paid for by our sales tax revenue…So economic development is really important.”

“Without your donations, I would not be able to go to my Christian school. In my past, I struggled quite a bit with learning, but this school has helped me get better grades and make better friends. This was the opportunity I have been needing for a very long time.”

STUDENTS from PAGE 1

Instruction support covers “librarians, teacher training, curriculum development, special education directors, media specialists, and instruction-related technology services” while student support includes counselors, social workers, attendance services and various medical-related personnel.”

That support comprised 5.5% of all district spending last school year – $549 per pupil, or $3 more per pupil than the previous school year.

The third area of classroom spending –student support – saw a big increase last year over 2020-21, rising by $124 per pupil to $1,125.

State instruction spending was down .8% in the last year, and down more than 4% from the high in the 21 years the state has studied the trend.

The report also classifies as “high” SUSD’s spending on administration, which rose $39 per pupil to $974. While

lower than the state per-pupil average of $1,088, SUSD’s per-pupil administration costs were higher than the average $921 spent by comparably sized districts.

SUSD had 70 students per administrator, higher than the state average of 63 students per administrator.

The AG defines administrative costs broadly, however, saying it includes “principals, business managers, clerical, and other staff who perform accounting, payroll, purchasing, warehousing, printing, human resource activities, and administrative technology services; and other costs related to these services and the governing board.”

A previous Auditor General report showed SUSD has yet to spend $18.4 million of the $43.4 million it received in pandemic relief funding.

In 2021-22, SUSD students out-tested their peers and far surpassed state averages.

In math state tests, 56% of SUSD students passed – 9 points higher than SUSD’s peers and 23 points above the state average of 33%.

In English Language Arts, 61% of SUSD students passed, compared to 53% of peers’ students and the state average of 40%.

And 38% of SUSD students passed the science test, 5 points higher than the peer average; across the state, only 24% of students passed the science test.

Fueled in part by COVID-relief funds, Scottsdale teacher salaries and overall spending continue to rise.

In the fall, SUSD teachers will make an average $64,081 per year, up 5% from the current average of $61,127.

In the 2021-22 school year, SUSD teachers were paid an average of $59,061, slightly above the state average of $58,366.

According to the Auditor General, average teacher salary rose 20.7% for the state over the last five years. Rising from an average of $49,435 in fiscal year 2017, SUSD teacher salaries climbed by 19.4%. Teachers with less than three years' experience comprised 13% of the district's faculty, which was higher than the 9% the previous year.

SUSD put 29.3% of total spending last year in non-classroom categories other than administration, which comprised 9.6% of all expenditures last school year.

Other non-classroom spending in 2021-22 included building operations

(12.8%), food service (3.3%) and transportation (3.6%).

Over the last five years, according to the report, SUSD’s classroom spending increased by 2.9%, with student support leading the way with a 2.2% increase.

SUSD instruction spending in that time period increased by a half percent while instruction support rose less than that.

Over the same time period, non-classroom spending dipped by 2.9%, with building operations falling by 1.3%, food service .9% lower, transportation dropping .6% and administration spending .1% lower.

SUSD’s spending for plant operations per square foot was $6.42 – which the report rated “low,” compared to a peer average of $7.23. The state average was $7.21.

SUSD’s $2.92 per student meal was on par with its peers’ $3.03 per meal and below the state average of $3.25.

But at $7.20 per mile, SUSD’s transportation spending was considered “very high” – well above the SUSD peer average of $5.70 per mile. The state average was $5.53.

Similarly, SUSD spending $2,669 per rider was well over its peers’ spending average of $2,137 per rider. The state average was $1,945 per rider.

A pie chart shows how Scottsdale Unified School District spent its money last school year. Instruction spending dipped to 54.1%. (Arizona Auditor General)

SUSD students out-tested their peers and far surpassed state averages in assessment testing for math, science and language arts. (Arizona Auditor General)

Per-pupil spending last school year by Scottsdale Unified dropped, largely as a result of far lower operational costs, especially for land and buildings. (Arizona Auditor General)

Rare Gershwin pieces part of Musicfest performance

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Progress Staff Writer

Multihyphenate entertainer Michael Feinstein and renowned concert pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet will debut their program

“Two Pianos: Who Could Ask for Anything More” as part of the Arizona Musicfest.

The show is 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at Highland Church in Scottsdale.

“It’s a new program that we’ve put together,” Feinstein said.

“It’s a program that we will be taking to other places. It’s a debut of our new program. We’ll be subsequently doing it with the Boston Pops, Detroit Symphony, and the Tanglewood (Massachusetts) and Blossom (Cleveland) music festivals.”

Feinstein, the Pasadena Symphony and Pops’ Principal Pops conductor, said this is a “very different kind of show for me.”

“I’m performing with the eminent pia-

nist,” Feinstein said. “We are collaborating on a two-piano program that is all new arrangements of Gershwin music and a whole selection of incredible lesser-known pieces that are like fireworks. They’re so exciting to play and present to the audience.”

The songs are “little gems” that are rarely heard, he said. The concert will feature their piano collaborations and Feinstein singing classic Gershwin songs.

Last year, Feinstein released “Gershwin Country,” an album of standards in duet with some of the biggest names in country music from Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss to Brad Paisley and Amy Grant.

Anytime he can perform Gershwin songs he gets excited.

“The fun thing about this program is Gershwin was part of the world of Amer-

ican popular song,” he said. “However, he also wrote concert music, which JeanYves Thibaudet has played extensively.

“It’s fun to be able to present some of the more classical pieces of Gershwin. They’re pop classics. They’re concert miniatures, like a prelude he wrote in the 1930s.

“We’re going to play an arrangement of ‘Tea for Two,’ which gets pretty wacky at the end.”

If You Go:

Michael Feinstein with JeanYves Thibaudet: “Two Pianos: Who Could Ask for Anything More”

When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5

Where: Highlands Church, 9050 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale

Cost: Tickets start at $62

Info: azmusicfest.org

Michael Feinstein and renowned concert pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet will debut “Two Pianos: Who Could Ask for Anything More” as part of the Arizona Musicfest. (Courtesy Boston Pops Orchestra)

Expert discusses Scottsdale sister city’s history

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West and Scottsdale Sister Cities Association recently sponsored an evening for local citizens to experience the impact of Alamos on the settlement of the Southwest.

“Scottsdale’s history spans decades, while Alamos’ history spans centuries,” explained Sister Cities member and former president Max Rumbaugh.

More than three centuries old, Alamos “had signi cant impact on Arizona and California starting nearly 250 years ago,” he said, and “its colorful history contributed to the decision by the Scottsdale City Council to become sister cities with Alamos 53 years ago.”

Dr. Juan Carlos Holguin Balderrama, historian for Alamos shared several stories at the packed gathering about its in uence. Alamos was established near one of the largest silver mines in what was then northern New Spain. e rst recorded baptism in Alamos was in 1685. It quickly became the “capital” of northern New Spain, due to its extreme importance of providing Spain with the riches from its mines.

As the Spanish were settling northern

New Spain, they built an “El Camino Real” going north from Alamos towards Mission San Xavier del Bac. Most Californians know of their “El Camino Real” along the Paci c Coast, but few are aware of this one, Rumbaugh said.

“In those early years of expansion, the journey from New Spain (now Mexico) to Alta California was treacherous, requiring travel by sea and/or over inhospitable land along the Baja California coast,” he said.

Holguin described the De Anza trail that crosses through Tucson, along Arizona Route 238 to Gila Bend and then along Interstate 8 to Yuma towards Imperial Valley. e namesake for that trail comes from Juan Bautista De Anza Becerra Nieto De Anza, who recruited in 1775 a group of Spanish families and continued across what is now southwestern Arizona to Mission San Gabriel Arcángel in Alta California. He left settlers in what became Los Angeles.

Alamos, is the probable birthplace of Joaquin Murrieta, aka “El Patrio,” who was the inspiration for the ctional character Zorro. He was also referred to as the Robin Hood of El Dorado.

As the silver ran out in the early 20th century, the importance of Alamos declined. Many of the beautiful villas and

haciendas originally built there became neglected and deteriorated.

After World War II, Alamos was rediscovered by Americans.

Levant Alcorn, came from Pennsylvania and saw value in the plazas, arches, ornate iron-work, carved wood doors, high ceilings, 5’-thick walls and proximity to the border.

He began to acquire ruined mansions and sold property to independent Americans. Restoration projects began of the old

deteriorated villas and continues today.

“As a result of the massive restorations, the city has been designated a ‘Pueblo Magico’ by the Mexican government and has become an international tourist destination.

Alamos in 1969 became Scottsdale’s rst sister city and was the rst such relationship between any Arizona city and any city in Sonora, Mexico.

Information: scottsdalesistercities.org.

Brandeis alums slate author lunch here

PROGRESS NEWS STAFF

Brandeis National Committee Phoenix Chapter will hold its 33rd annual Book & Author event 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort at Gainey Ranch.

e day includes a sit-down lunch, with the authors speaking before and after the meal, books for purchase and book signings. Boutiques will also be on the scene with jewelry, gift items and more.

is year’s authors are Rabia Chaudry, Larry Loftis, Rebecca Makkai, Wanda M. Morris, and Dani Shapiro. All are New York Times bestselling writers.

Chaudry is an attorney, podcaster, and author of Adnan's Story: e Search for Truth and Justice After Serial. Rabia’s most recent book, Fatty Fatty Boom Boom: A Memoir of Food, Fat & Family, was named one of the Top 10 Memoirs of 2022 by Library Journal and Best Non ction of 2022 by Kirkus Reviews.

Morris is the acclaimed author of All Her Little Secrets, named one of the best books of 2021 by Hudson Booksellers and selected as the #1 Top Pick for “Library Reads” by librarians across the country. Her new book, Anywhere You Run, was named one of the Top Ten Crime Fiction Books of 2022 by e New York Times.

Makkai is the author of the novels e Great Believers, e Hundred-Year House, and e Borrower, and the short story collection Music for Wartime. Her work has

been translated into 20 languages.

Loftis is an internationally bestselling author of non ction spy thrillers and Shapiro has written 11 books and is the host and creator of the hit podcast Family Secrets. Moderator for the event is Olivia Fierro, co-host of Good Morning Arizona. Registration is required at brandeisphoenix.org/2023ba.

Proceeds from the event will bene t Brandeis National Committee's library campaign.

Dr. Juan Holguin Balderrama receives a photo history book of the Scottsdale’s Sister Cities relationship with Alamos from Max Rumbaugh with Rene Bermudez. (Photo by Bob Rink)

March 10-12, 2023

The Superstition Mountain Museum presents a celebration of fine ar t at this free three - day event. Ar tists from Mexico, including Mata Or tiz potters

Lila Silveira, Trini Silveira and Elvira Bugarini as well as Oaxaca woodcar ver Julia Fuentes, silversmith Yesenia Salgado and master weaver Por firio Gutierrez will delight audiences with live demonstrations of their craft

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Scottsdale Airpark eatery gets big Yelp nod

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Sta Writer

When hungry patrons rst set foot in the homey Middle Eastern restaurant in Scottsdale Airpark called De Babel, they are quickly greeted by spotless oors, the aroma of freshly cut chicken, lamb and beef and the sounds of French fries and falafel being made to order.

Behind the counter, carefully crafting meals is owner Marwan Kandeel, who meticulously inspects each meal to ensure he and his sta serve only the nest and freshest foods possible.

is commitment to perfection and authenticity has garnered his establishment the recognition of being one of Yelp’s top 100 places to eat this year.

“We don't want to compromise on the quality of food or the quality of service or cleanliness or hygiene or safety,” Kandeel said. “We believe a good product would sell itself,  good service is obvious and a clean restaurant is obvious."

Although these details are easily noticeable when customers dine in at his casual dive, Kandeel attributes his commitment to quality to his career in the food service industry which has spanned nearly three decades.

Kandeel, a native of Jordan, began working in the industry at the age of 14 at an Italian restaurant before jetting o to Dubai where he would work for big chains like Five Guys Burgers and Fries and Cinnabon for over two decades before making another trek overseas to the United States.

“I always wanted to settle somewhere with good opportunities and a growing, sustainable market and the United States was the place I thought I could settle with my wife and start my own business,” Kandeel said.

Because of this, Kandeel says he

began seriously devising his idea of a restaurant about three and a half years ago.

His idea was to create a restaurant titled De Babel as Babel translates to Babylon in Hebrew and offered an idyllic setting to base his concept around.

“I wanted to associate the restaurant and the authenticity of something really back in time,” Kandeel said.

In addition to creating a space with authentic-tasting food, he wanted to create a haven for customers to customize their orders that would satisfy their taste buds.

“ e customization is unlimited,” Kandeel said. “People can customize the meals, the sandwiches, the toppings and condiments, or they can customize something new every time they come in.”

However, his dream took time to come to fruition.

When Kandeel arrived in the United

States, he started his career by working for Sheraton Hotels in Houston, Texas where he would work for nearly a year before packing his bags for the west's most western town and making his dream come true.

The dream began to take shape when Kandeel found an intimate space off of Loop 101 and Raintree Drive that could cater to the surrounding businesses looking for a quick and tasty lunch or a healthy portioned dinner to take home.

“ ere’s a wonderful potential for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food because it’s everyday food, it’s not food you eat once a month or once a week,” he said.

Kandeel opened his doors in July 2021 and after a few weeks, he began seeing lines wrapping outside of the door during his lunch rush and into the nighttime rush.

His demand is often so high in-house that Kandeel will shut o delivery during

his peak hours to keep orders properly ful lled.

is hasn’t impacted his business as it still boasts a ve-star rating on Yelp and was recently recognized as one of the top 100 places to eat at this year by the company that calls itself “the company that connects people with great local businesses.”

Although the award is an honor, Kandeel sees it as an expectation that customers and he will hold himself and his employees accountable to uphold.

“It's actually a heavy responsibility for many reasons,” Kandeel said. “Now we're challenged to maintain that trust and I also worry that this could drive increased tra c which could cause some kind of delays since we want to keep the operation smooth to where people get their food quickly.

“ is is a big challenge when we have people lining up outside the door and we want to respect their time.”

Kandeel is still not backing down on his commitment to quality and selling his big sellers like the “late night chicken” sandwich, chicken tawook plate and hummus with pita bread.

Because of this, he plans to continue to hire the help he needs to accommodate the rush of hungry customers and feels honored by the recognition.

“Being recognized by such a prestigious award, it's something really good,” Kandeel said. “I left everything behind in my life and this makes me feel proud because I made the right decision and we will continue to try to hire more people as much as possible to be able to compete with the new sales train.”

Info: De Babel is located at 14884 N. Pima Access Road, Suite 106, Scottsdale,  480-991-2022, de-babel.com

Owner Marwan Kandeel said patrons won’t leave hungry at his De Babel Middle Eastern Restaurant. (David Minton/Progress Sta Photographer)

Chaparral, Horizon win 5A soccer championships

BY ANDREW LWOWSKI Progress Contributing Writer

It all came down to the right foot of Chaparral senior Faith Secrest for the 5A State Title. She had her corner chosen and her mind empty as she placed the ball, staring down the Casteel goalie. She gave a quick stutter step akin to Messi, followed it with a swift kick, and the ball sank into the back of the net. The Firebirds were state champions.

“I saw that in the World Cup and I said, ‘I want to do that,’” Secrest said. “I practiced that all season and it paid off,” Secrest said. It took every ounce of strength with every player digging deep, but it was certainly earned after the Firebirds came out victorious, 1-1 (3-2 penalty kicks) after nearly two hours of playing.

“(It was) pure relief,” Secrest added. “That when it went in, we won. It was everything I needed — this is my last soccer game ever.”

In a game which she didn’t know if she would be playing due to an inflamed MCL, Secrest cemented Chaparral as state champions.

However, it couldn’t have been done

without the effort of the entire team. Morgan Cohen scored the game’s opening goal with an assist by her younger sister, Marin, 10 minutes into the first half.

Junior Aria Cain of Casteel answered back with a goal of her own 10 minutes later.

Both teams had scoring opportunities, but the two evenly matched teams remained in a stalemate for the remainder of regulation. Then through both 10-minute periods of extra time. Then through both five-minute periods of sudden death.

Morgan Fielder sank the first PK for the Colts, then both the Firebirds and Colts next two tries were stuffed.

Cohen was up next.

“I was a little scared,” she said. “I was thinking, ‘don’t miss, don’t miss.’”

And she delivered, tying it for the Firebirds, 1-1.

Morgan Longacre sank the next kick for the Colts. Hennessey Brown answered back for Chaparral. Then, Sophia Trice of Casteel was denied at the net by Lexi Baldwin, leaving Secrest to win it.

Chaparral coach Robyn Carlson said

they had to play with heart.

“There’s a point when you go to exhaustion, and you have to lift above that,” she said. “To watch them all season then to finish like that is amazing. We practice PKs all the time in practice, and you just got to know that they’re going to believe in what they’re going to do and take a deep breath and do it. And they just did just that.”

On the boys’ side of things, the Horizon Huskies took down the Ironwood Eagles, 4-1, in a fast-paced, physical match for the 5A state championship.

Thanks to Justin Lozoya, the Huskies found the back of the net just 14 minutes into the first half. The Eagles answered right back six minutes later off a free kick by Bryan Romero. However, that would be the only goal scored by Ironwood all afternoon.

The Huskies were able to maintain zone control and provided their playmakers opportunities to find the goal, senior Isaiah Benjamin did so twice.

With the Huskies up 2-1, Benjamin connected on a beautiful pass from Dylan Chacon, essentially putting the game out of reach for the Eagles with un-

der 20 minutes in the second half. Then, with little over eight minutes remaining, Benjamin knocked in a brilliant volley from Luca Nieri-Lang — who also scored a goal — icing the game and clinching the trophy.

“It feels amazing,” Benjamin said. “It was just a rush through my body — pure joy. Just so thankful for them (his teammates), we couldn’t do it without each other.”

Amidst his two-goal performance, Horizon coach Rafael Saragosa said Benjamin's play throughout the postseason has been “phenomenal.”

“When you’re able to have a season like this, you know it means something special to those boys,” he added. “When you get to go to a state championship and win a state championship, that’s a memory that very few kids get. For them to have that, that’s fantastic. I’m so excited for them.”

This was the Huskies first title in 20 years, and coach Rafael Saragosa made sure his boys didn’t take the opportunity lightly. Now on the top of 5A soccer again two decades later, Saragosa said his only emotion was pride.

On the boys’ side, Horizon won its first title in 20 years by knocking off top-ranked Ironwood on Saturday, Feb. 25. (JJ Digos/Progress Contributor)

The Chaparral girls won yet another 5A soccer championship on Saturday, Feb. 25, defeating defending champion Casteel in penalty kicks. (JJ Digos/Progress Contributor)

Chairs for charity exhibit earns standing ovation

BY ALEX GALLAGHER Progress Staff Writer

Mixed-media artist Jeff Zischke has long had an infatuation with designing chairs and recently published a book featuring ones he designed using artificial intelligence. However, he couldn’t stop thinking about creating chairs.

“I've created a lot of chairs in my life, a lot of functional chairs and recently I was working on this book of chairs that are just exotic,” he said.

Then when Zischke saw the Rotary Club of Scottsdale was auctioning off painted stallions placed all around Old Town and North Scottsdale, he had an idea of his own.

He purchased 20 natural, solid pine chairs from IKEA to give to artists to get creative with and plans to donate their sales to the Scottsdale Artists School.

“I wanted something to do with the chair since, of course, the schools have chairs that they sit in and I thought that might inspire other people,” Zischke said.

His premonition served him correctly as 20 other artists signed on to participate.

Among the contributors are artists like Daniel Funkhouser, Kaori Takamura, Mayor David Ortega and the man Zischke stole the show with at Canal Convergence last fall, Dr. Kirk Strawn of Walter Productions.

Strawn and Ortega were two of the first artists approached, according to Strawn.  Strawn and Zischke had crossed paths in the past but it wasn’t until the two met while promoting Canal Convergence that they cordially met.

The duo then met with Ortega. After Ortega reminded Zischke that he had painted one of the 36 horses featured as part of the Rotary Club project, Zischke decided to present them with his idea.

“He didn't tell me what it was right away, but once it was all formulated, he let me know it was the chairs project and I was excited to be part of it,” Strawn said.

Zischke gave the 20 artists a month to create “a functional or non-functional piece of art that is reflective of their personality or work.”

Strawn created a work he calls “Antigravity” which utilizes weights and meticulously made cuts to stand on its head instead of on its legs.

“I decided to go a different route And make my chair stand out by being upside down and balanced,” Strawn said. “I modified it to stand on the two back posts and lowered the center of gravity by installing some weights in the back of the chair and changing the angles of where it sits on the floor.”

While Strawn’s piece defies gravity, Zischke’s work creates an optical illusion as his work is one-dimensional but casts shadows to appear as if it’s threedimensional.

“I just did a sketch and I was thinking ‘What if I just did it as an isometric view of a chair?’” Zischke recalls. “I just started with that and then did more sketches and then did a 3D print and then I built the actual chair.”

Zischke also hinted that he might have another work in the exhibition.

Another chair has a sawed-off leg that is replaced by a cast made by an artist who goes by the pseudonym “Ross Montgomery.”

Zischke says the work is inspired by an ankle injury “Ross” sustained while hiking that left him in a cast and handicapped for several months.

“From what Ross Montgomery told me, he had a broken ankle two years ago and he now has a plate and eight screws in it that bothers him every day,” Zischke said while hinting at his alter ego. “That was a direct influence and it spawned the realization about how important ac-

cessibility and handicapped parking is.”

Drawing from the experience of being temporarily handicapped, Zischke also wanted to create a second work that would become anthropomorphic and “that turns almost into an anthropomorphic chair that actually becomes kind of human,” he said.

He admits he could have made far more but felt it was best to keep it at two and keep the entries varied.

“I could have done 10 chairs since my mind is constantly working but I want to create one to keep the mystery of who's Ross Montgomery and I wanted the chairs to be a reflection of these artists' work,” Zischke said.

Although the exhibition, which opened on Thursday, March 2, features over 20 swanky seats, the real purpose was to ensure funding kept rolling through for the Scottsdale Artists School — especially for Strawn.

“The Scottsdale artists school has a special place in my and my family's heart as it was the first place that my wife Mary started to paint at and she since has become a very accomplished

painter and that really brought a lot of art into our house and into our family,” Strawn said.

“The opportunity for someone to be able to go there and take classes who might not have otherwise been able to and have the experience to express themselves creatively can be life-changing,” Strawn said.

Added Zischke: “I hope the students come and see the show and maybe it’ll inspire them to create something that they normally wouldn't create. I hope that this bends their minds a little bit to create something that is non-functional but from a functional object.”

If You Go:

Chairz: a group exhibition of altered IKEA chairs

When: Through March 16

Where: Zischke Gallery, 7172 E. Main St., Scottsdale

Cost: Free Info: zischkegallery.com, 480815-2929

Scottsdale artist Jeff Zischke shows off several pieces for Chairz exhibit after he has partnered with 20 other artists and local creatives for the project to benefit the Scottsdale Artists’ School. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

CLASSIFIEDS.PHOENIX.ORG

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NOTICE OF HEARING

Case Number: CV2022-053761 Hearing Date: Friday, March 31, 2023 Hearing Time: 1:50:00 PM All required documents must be emailed to the division email listed below one week prior to your hearing. Failure to provide the required documenation may result in your hearing being vacated. Any Parental Consent Forms, Waiver of Notice, Acceptance of Service and/or Affidavit of Service by Certified Mail must be filed with the Clerk of Court one week prior to your hearing. Service by Publication can only be granted by the Commissioner assigned to your case. Hearing Type: NAME CHANGE FOR A MINOR CHILD Please select the link below to attend your hearing from your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Both video and audio must be enabled and working at the time of your hearing for your case to be heard. Your hearing will be held by video via Microsoft Teams before: Commissioner Gary Popham Judicial Assistant: Lisa Cooper Division Email: nec02@ jbazmc.maricopa.gov Judicial Assistant Phone: 602372-3131 MICROSOFT TEAMS HEARING

Published in the Scottsdale Progress, Feb 26, Mar 5, 12, 19, 2023

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