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OPINION .......................14 BUSINESS..................... 17 SPORTS ..........................19 FEATURES .....................24 NEIGHBORHOOD......30 YOUTH ...........................32 OBITUARIES .................34 CLASSIFIEDS................35 NORTH
November 13, 2019
Yes and No to school funding BY TOM SCANLON
West Valley View Associate Editor
NEWS .............. 6
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West Valley voters approved most — but not all — bond and override measures last week. According to the Maricopa County Elections Department, Avondale, Littleton, Buckeye, Saddle Mountain, Tolleson, Liberty and Pendergast district voters approved financing measures on the Nov. 5 ballot. Early results were not official. “Unofficially, it looks like we have passed the bond election,” said Kristi Sandvik, superintendent of the Buckeye Elementary School District. “We are extremely grateful to the community of Buckeye who showed their support in a variety of ways.” There were, however, a few “split ballot” cases.
Liberty Elementary School District voters approved a bond, with 53% voting in favor. But a budget increase was rejected,; more than 54% voted against. In the Liberty district, 5,742 voted, which is just under 28% of the registered voters. One member expressed great displea- Left, Kristi Sandvik, superintendent of the Buckeye Elementary School District, expressed gratitude to voters. (Photo courtesy Buckeye Elementary sure with the Liberty School District) Right, Liberty Elementary School District board member Jeffrey Turbitt said, “If the people want a no-frills school system, then vote. “Speaking for myself, I they should have that.” (Photo courtesy Liberty Elementary School District ) think it’s pretty shameful federal level have borrowed $20 trillion-plus to vote against funding children in a state at against those same children’s future,” said Jefthe bottom of national educational spending Voters...continued on page 2 in a strong economy when the adults at the
The Best of the West award winners are ... BY TOM SCANLON
West Valley View Associate Editor
While business leaders were socializing before WESTMARC’s Best of the West awards show and dinner Thursday, Nov. 7, the Lee Perreira Trio played a slow version of Bob Marley’s “Stir It Up.” Fitting, as WESTMARC —the Western Maricopa Coalition— has stirred up the West Valley business and leadership scene for 27 years. Equal parts cheerleader, coach and matchmaker, WESTMARC is “a public-private partnership of the 15 communities, the business community and the educational sector in the West Valley.” The organization, according to its mission statement, “is committed to our members’ success and to our mission of enhancing economic development and promoting
quality of life in the West Valley.” At State Farm Stadium, on the covered field where the presenting sponsor Arizona Cardinals play, the preshow dinner delighted those in attendence. After dinner, WESTMARC signaled “touchdown” for organizations dubbed the West Valley’s best in various Sintra Hoffman, president and CEO WESTMARC, noted the extraordinary categories. growth of the West Valley. (West Valley View photo by Pablo Robles) “This is our opportunity to recognize all the great high-quality place to live.” work that’s been going on in the West ValThe good times continue rolling west: ley,” said Sintra Hoffman, president and Winners...continued on page 4 CEO of WESTMARC. “Clearly, this is a
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