THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON Girl with Veteran leukemia takes up holding woodworking, fundraiser photography PAGE
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This Week
NEWS .............. 6 Avondale man arrested for sexual exploitation
SPORTS ........ 17 Millennium swimmer honoring late coach
9 DAYS ......... 18 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar
LETTERS ........................10 BUSINESS..................... 13 SPORTS ..........................16 FEATURES .....................19 YOUTH ...........................24 OBITUARIES .................26 CLASSIFIEDS................28 NORTH
The Voice of the West Valley for 33 years
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November 28, 2018
ISM Raceway, Abrazo some of the ‘Best of the West’ By Connor Dziawura
ISM Raceway, Abrazo West Campus and Cheryl Covert, Avondale’s economic and business development specialist, were among the many winners at the Western Maricopa Coalition’s (WESTMARC) annual Best of the West awards dinner at State Farm Stadium earlier this month. Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise, Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck, Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord, Litchfield Park Mayor Thomas L. Schoaf and Sen. Sine Kerr were among the many elected officials and dignitaries who were present. More than 500 guests attended this year. Now in its 26th year, the event bestowed prizes in the categories of Economic Engine, Excellence in Innovation and Quality of Life Enhancement: Community and Education. Select dignitaries also received Regional Advancement, Inspiration in Leadership and President’s Choice honors. “Tonight we recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions to the image, lifestyle and economic development of the West Valley,” said Bobbi Magdaleno, ASU’s executive director of government and community engagement and WESTMARC’s board chairwoman. “It has been my honor and privilege to serve as WESTMARC’s chairman of the board for 2017 and 2018, and I extend my deepest appreciation to board members, committee members and the WESTMARC team for our most recent growth and success, including financial stability, improved processes, increased membership, increased PR and media exposure,
WESTMARC President and CEO Sintra Hoffman speaks at her organization’s annual Best of the West awards dinner. (West Valley View photo by Pablo Robles)
and completion of the workforce strategy. Moving ahead, we have exciting plans to work with all of you as we increase our efforts to promote and brand the West Valley and all of our assets.” Founded in 1990, WESTMARC is a public-private partnership between 15 West Valley communities: Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Gila Bend, Glendale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Phoenix, Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise,
Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown. In addition to merging the education and business sectors of the communities it serves, the Glendale-based organization sets forth three main goals: Promote the West Valley, enhance economic development and increase member value. Greater Phoenix Economic Council Senior Vice President of Business Develop-
Awards...continued on page 2
Avondale Aquaculture helps keep lakes healthy By Eric Newman
The city of Avondale is taking a nontraditional route to cleaning area lakes and ponds. Rather than resorting to chemicals to kill vegetation, Public Works is using tilapia. The fish are bred at the Avondale Aquaculture, which started operations in April.
Avondale Public Works has utilized tilapia to naturally clean water for years, but before the Aquaculture opened, public works bought the fish elsewhere for about $25,000. Now, with just a $9,000 investment – and a couple thousand more a year for maintenance – the Aquaculture sustains the program and fish are born organically.
“We were having to procure fish from out of state, and it was expensive, and we could only do it maybe once a year. It just wasn’t effective for us,” said Cindy Blackmon of Avondale Public Works. “This has made a huge difference.”
Aquaculture...continued on page 3