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THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
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westvalleyview.com
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This Week
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The Voice of the West Valley for 37 years
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JUNE 29, 2022
West-MEC’s Greg Donovan departing BY SCIANNA GARCIA
West Valley View Staff Writer
W NEWS .............. 4 Wally Campbell honored at this year’s Swaggies
FEATURES ..... 22 Vietnam veteran feels appreciated after flight
YOUTH .......... 26 Young artists pay homage to endangered species
OPINION ................. 8 BUSINESS.............. 13 SPORTS ..................18 CALENDAR ............20 FEATURES ..............21 OBITUARIES ...........25 YOUTH ..................26 CLASSIFIEDS ..........27 NORTH
est-MEC Superintendent Greg Donovan is stepping down this month after leading operations and supporting the growth and success of the organization for more than 20 years. Donovan is the founding superintendent of West-MEC, a career technical education public school district serving 12 public school communities in the north central and western portions of Maricopa County. As superintendent, Donovan led the district through foresight and future-minded initiatives. His guidance has helped the organization grow to serve 200 adult students and 30,000 high school students daily, at 49 traditional schools in the West Valley, according to a statement. Donovan has also instituted numerous community and professional partnerships that provide hands-on career experience to West-MEC students. Most notably, Donovan was key to the innovative partnership between a public utility, APS Palo Verde Generating Station;
Greg Donovan, superintendent of West-MEC for more than 20 years, will leave the district this month. (West-MEC/Submitted)
a community college, Estrella Mountain Community College; and West-MEC’s Southwest campus to encourage and provide a pathway into the power generation
industry and augment an aging workforce. Additionally, Donovan led efforts to de-
Donovan...continued on page 3
Mendoza named interim public safety director BY SCIANNA GARCIA
West Valley View Staff Writer
T
he city of Tolleson tapped Police Chief Rudy Mendoza and Assistant Chief Jeff Grow as interim public safety director and interim police chief, respectively. The appointment comes after Fire Chief George Good’s retirement. He was fire chief for 17 years, followed by one year under contracted services. Good’s accomplishments include a new fire station, the acquisition of fire apparatus, and his legacy of leadership.
Most notably, he aggressively pushed for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations to thwart the illness’ impact on residents. Mendoza has worked for the department for 22 years, starting in 2000 as a dispatcher. Five years after graduating the police academy, he was promoted to sergeant. In 2017, he was named commander, overseeing police operations. As interim public safety director, Mendoza will temporarily oversee the fire department. Mendoza’s new responsibilities will include handling most day-to-day operations,
like managing budgets and ensuring hiring and staffing goals are being met. As interim police chief, Grow will oversee the daily tasks of the police department, ensuring the needs of the officers are being met while Mendoza is in his new role. He will continue to contribute to important decision making in the police department as well. Mendoza said that although his experience is within the police department, his mission as interim public safety director remains
Mendoza...continued on page 6