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AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS www.ahwatukee.com
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Wednesday, May 23, 2018
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City water meter probe comes up dry
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
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he investigation into unusual spikes in Ahwatukee water customers’ usage last summer has ended with the city Water Services Department exonerated and scores of residents out hundreds of dollars in payments they called abnormally high. But city Councilman Sal DiCiccio’s chief of staff remains convinced that some kind of malfunction in the city’s metering system was at fault in at least some of the unusually high bills. He just can’t prove it – and, apparently, no one will. “This is the single most frustrating issue I’ve dealt with,” said Sam Stone. “It still bothers me. “But I don’t know how you get at this,” he
AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS BALLET ARTISTRY
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DIGITAL HOUSE CALLS
(Kimberly Carrillo/AFN Staff Photographer)
These Desert Vista High School seniors, no doubt like their counterparts at Mountain Pointe High, are kicking up their heels and jumping for joy as they anticipate both schools’ graduation ceremonies tomorrow, May 24. Getting a jump on graduation are, from left, Palmira Federico, Audrey Williams, Eliana Burns and Charlie Cruz.
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METER on page 22
Ahwatukee Post 64 Color Guard to honor the fallen BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
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hile many people across the country may spend next Monday morning getting ready for picnics or barbecues, a group of Ahwatukee veterans will be in Cave Creek demonstrating what Memorial Day is all about. Members of the American Legion Post 64 Color Guard in Ahwatukee, they will join more than two dozen other color guards from across the Valley at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, to pay solemn tribute to the military men and women who served the country, many paying the ultimate price for the freedom Americans enjoy today. “It’s quite a ceremony, very solemn and
moving,” said John Boyer, a member of the Post 64 Color Guard. The ceremony, which begins at 8 a.m. Monday, May 28, begins with a biplane flyover and ends with a release of doves and includes a laying of wreaths, presentations honoring the fallen heroes and patriotic music. “It epitomizes the honor and remembrance of fallen veterans,” Boyer said, calling the ceremony “highly recommended.” In addition, the Memorial Day Flowers Foundation will be ready after sunrise to hand out two roses to each visitor at the ceremony – one to place on a veteran’s grave and the other to take home. The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation began in 2011 after U.S. citizens working in the floral industry wanted to do something to express their patriotism and appreciation for the
sacrifices made by America’s military men and women. Last year at the Cave Creek cemetery, volunteers handed out 18,000 roses. Several hundred motorcyclists will be on hand as well, as part of RidersUSA’s “Flags for the Fallen” program. They will place flags atop 10-foot poles on 500 graves. This is the 12th consecutive year that the men and women of The Riders USA organization will sponsor “Flags for the Fallen.” Each flag will have a special ribbon with the individual name of the honored warrior. In addition, an honor guard of approximately 200 motorcycles and hot rods will be positioned next to the flags. The riders and drivers will greet and offer respects to the families and friends who visit their interred loved See
MEMORIAL on page 12