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www.ahwatukee.com
FURNITURE DRIVE
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
. 23 FIRST TIME GOING AWAY NOVELIST
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BBQ AND BEER
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Constable’s resignation followed job warnings BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
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@AhwatukeeFN |
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lmost from the day he started his job as the new constable for the Kyrene Justice Court, Kent Rini was a flop. Less than two months after he unseated Ahwatukee Republican Brandon Schmoll last November, the Tempe Democrat botched tasks. To cover up his ineptitude, he even falsified records in a way that could have resulted in the imprisonment of two people, official records show. He provided what his supervisor called “inaccurate and incomplete information” in connection with his duties. He showed up late
Suicide experts issue post-break warning to parents
for a training session. When he got there, he backed his county vehicle into a constable training trailer, then told his supervisors he had a severe hangover. On Valentine’s Day – six days after he received a blistering KENT RINI reprimand and an order to undergo job remediation training – Rini submitted a one-sentence resignation, saying he was giving up “due to personal reasons.” Rini did not return an AFN call seeking comment. Last week, a flurry of new candidates joined
Schmoll – who changed his party designation to apply for the vacancy – in seeking to replace Rini. Three later dropped out after they learned applicants had to be living within the justice court boundaries. With the deadline for applying now passed, one woman and six men are seeking the $48,000-a-year post. The job must be filled by a registered Democrat under state law because Rini is a Democrat. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will pick his replacement, although it is unclear if they will make their choice when they next meet March 26 since candidates are subject to background checks.
Are we there yet?
see CONSTABLE page 10
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
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A BIKE DEBATE
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s Ahwatukee and many other students return to class from spring break, they also are starting a troubling period that generates a noticeable spike in calls to the suicide prevention teen hotline, experts warn. Representatives of the Teen Lifeline last week issued a reminder for parents and other adults that the final eight weeks of the school year pose significant emotional challenges for many teens that range from upcoming performance exams to life after graduation to a feeling of isolation that summer recess often brings. “We know the time leading up to and after spring break can be especially stressful
Open Houses: Saturday, February 20th at 9:00am see SUICIDE page 11 Wednesday, February 24th at 6:00pm Call to RSVP
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MONTESSORI A Foundation for a Lifetime of Learning
Although it’s unknown whether Max will be defending the best of show and cutest senior titles he won at last year’s Ahwatukee Dog Show, plenty of other canine lovers are expected to bring their masters to this year’s show on Sunday. For details, see page 24. (Kimberly Carrillo/AFN Staff Photographer)
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