THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
Six summer programs to keep kids busy PAGE
Avondale Elementary now has co-principals
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westvalleyview.com
INSIDE
This Week
NEWS .............. 3 High school donates $3,200 to K-9 Unit in Buckeye
SPORTS ........ 22 High school athlete is propelled to competitions in New Mexico
9 DAYS ......... 24 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar
LETTERS ........................10 BUSINESS..................... 18 SPORTS ..........................19 FEATURES .....................26 YOUTH ...........................30 OBITUARIES .................34 CLASSIFIEDS................35 NORTH
The Voice of the West Valley for 34 years
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May 29, 2019
Census: Buckeye had nation’s fastest growth BY MIRANDA FAULKNER AND JULIAN PARAS West Valley View Contributing Writers
Buckeye posted the fastest growth rate among cities in the nation last year, while Phoenix held the top spot for the size of its overall growth, according to new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau. The report, released May 23, said Buckeye added 5,813 residents, an increase of 8.5% in just a year, while Phoenix’s population grew by 25,288 to top 1.66 million last year. The two No. 1 finishes by Arizona cities were surprising, but the booming growth in the Valley did not come as a surprise to experts, who note that it is regularly among the fastest-growing regions in the nation. Just a year earlier, Phoenix had posted the second-biggest gains in the nation and Buckeye had the fifth-fastest growth rate. The latest census report also showed Mesa posted the 16th-largest gain in population from 2017 to 2018, with its 8,563 new residents putting it just behind Miami for growth. “Individuals can go anywhere, but they come to Phoenix for a reason,” said Garrick Taylor, a spokesman for the Arizo-
Available land for new housing is just one of the factors that experts believe people are attracted to Arizona, where the city of Buckeye last year posted the nation’s fastest growth rate and Phoenix had the biggest overall population gains. (Photo courtesy city of Buckeye)
na Chamber of Commerce. “Population spikes are usually due to a growing economy, plentiful jobs, a high quality of life and a competitive cost of living.” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego called the population growth “a testament to all of
the innovation happening in our city.” “We must continue to provide high-quality services to the public and we need to do more than just keep up with growth, we
Growth...continued on page 2
EMCC president Dr. Ernest Lara announces retirement BY ANDREA ESTRADA
West Valley View Staff Writer
From attending Glendale Community College to helping establish Paradise Valley Community College in the 1980s and serving as president of Estrella Mountain Community College, Dr. Ernest “Ernie” Lara boasts years of involvement with the Maricopa County Community College District.
He is now retiring. After more than 37 years of service, Lara, who has witnessed and contributed largely to the growth and success of the Maricopa Community Colleges, said he believes it’s the right moment for him to step away from his role. “I think the colleges worked very hard to become part of the community. We’ve got great staff; great programs. We’re in
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the position where we’re getting ready for accreditation and different opportunities,” Lara said. “For me, right now is the right time because it will allow somebody else to come in and continue with the missions we’re working on.” One of those missions mentioned by Lara is strengthening local partnerships.
Retirement...continued on page 2
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