June 6, 2021 | www.santansun.com
Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Pressure mounts on Council for discrimination ban
BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
Chandler’s Democratic legislators and the Chandler Chamber of Commerce are urging City Council to pass an ordinance prohibiting discrimination. Sen. Sean Bowie and Reps. Jennifer Jermaine, Mitzi Epstein and Jennifer Pawlik wrote Mayor Kevin Hartke, asking him and Council to adopt an ordinance that would ensure equal access to employment and housing. Including for what Bowie called “our active and growing LGBTQ community.”
“We strongly believe that passing an anti-discrimination ordinance that treats everyone with dignity and respect is representative of the values and the character of the city that we love and represent,” the letter said. Noting that Chandler is now the largest Arizona municipality without such an ordinance and is home to many major employers, the letter stated: “We believe that implementing these protections in Chandler will not only protect our LGBTQ community but will also send a strong message to our business community that Chandler is a
place that values equality, diversity, and equal rights for all and is a great place for its employees to live and work.” Both Scottsdale and Mesa in recent months have passed anti-discrimination ordinances, joining Tempe, Tucson and Phoenix. The state does not have such a law. The lawmakers warned that the absence of a discrimination ban could discourage developers and businesses from coming to Chandler. “We believe the failure of Chandler to consider and adopt such an ordinance will harm the city’s ability to
compete and bring future investment and jobs to the city,” the legislators wrote. The Chandler Chamber of Commerce has expressed similar concerns about the economic harm Chandler could experience by failing to institute more protections for minorities and vulnerable populations. In its own letter to Council, the Chamber board asked to pass new policies that promote equality, diversity and inclusion. See
BAN on page 8
Police group calls Chandler officer hiring inadequate BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
Hamilton High grad Joe Jackson will be competing in the ParaOlympic Games. (Special to SanTan Sun News)
The Chandler Police Department will be hiring more officers in the coming year to make up for years of stagnation, but some police officials think the city’s plan doesn’t go far enough to meet the agency’s long-term needs. Police Chief Sean Duggan has drawn up a five-year plan that adds 67 new positions to various divisions in the de-
partment. Several of these new positions could potentially come online in the next fiscal year, followed by more positions in subsequent years. But a separate five-year plan devised by the Chandler Law Enforcement Association, which represents the interests of more than 250 local officers, goes beyond Duggan’s plan by recommending the addition of 83 officer positions.
Chandler grad to compete Sign of summer in Tokyo games in August BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer
A Hamilton High School graduate will be traveling to Tokyo this summer to compete for medals in the upcoming Paralympic Games. Joe Jackson, 31, is one of 12 players who have been picked to represent the U.S. wheelchair rugby team during the international games this August. Jackson, who sustained a spinal injury while playing football back in high school, has spent the last few years training for the opportunity to compete on a global stage and is thrilled to finally be given the chance to play in Tokyo. “This will be my first time going to a paralympic tournament,” Jackson remarked. “I’m pretty happy about that.”
Jackson’s vertebrae snapped during a Hamilton High football practice 16 years ago. Even though health restrictions might prevent Jackson’s family from being able to cheer him on from the sidelines in Tokyo, the athlete said he’s eager to be playing against a group of elite opponents. The pandemic hasn’t allowed for many opportunities to travel and scrimmage against other teams, Jackson said, so players have had to find alternative ways to keep their skills sharp. “We know how to beat ourselves,” Jackson added, “but it’s time to go beat up on the world.” Wheelchair rugby can look like a brutal sport to the novice spectator. Two teams of four crash up against each See
RUGBY on page 6
Congratulations Class of 2021! Proud Sponsor of the Annual Graduation Section
See
POLICE on page 3
As temps settled into 100+ kids hit Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center as Chandler pools opened last week for summer-long fun. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)
F E AT U R E STO R I E S City Uber-like service for Price Road?. . . . . . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . Page 9 New billiards-bowling joint in Chandler. . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . Page 29 Chandler coach's death stuns sports world. . . . . . . SPORTS . . . . . . . . Page 34 Basha science teacher rated best . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . Page 36 Chandler singer releases new song. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARTS . . . . . . . . . . Page 40
More Community . . . 1-20 Graduation. . . .21-28 Business . . . . . 29-33 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 34 Neighbors . . . 36-39 Arts . . . . . . . . . 40-43 Faith . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Directory . . . 45-46
