THE NEWSPAPER OF AVONDALE, BUCKEYE, GOODYEAR, LITCHFIELD PARK & TOLLESON
In memory of Hunter
Christmas in the Park PAGE
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westvalleyview.com
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This Week
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The Voice of the West Valley for 34 years
31
December 11, 2019
Secrecy continues over leaves BY TOM SCANLON
West Valley View Associate Editor
NEWS .............. 8 Holiday festivals light up Tolleson, Buckeye
SPORTS ........ 20 So close: Desert Edge loses in title thriller
9 DAYS ......... 22 Looking for something to do? Check out the 9 Days a Week calendar
OPINION .......................13 BUSINESS..................... 17 SPORTS ..........................20 FEATURES .....................24 YOUTH ...........................31 OBITUARIES .................34 CLASSIFIEDS................36 NORTH
Two months after top leaders at the Goodyear Police Department were placed under scrutiny, administrative leaves continue for the city’s police chief, deputy police chief, an officer and another employee. Intense secrecy also continues. Other than an Oct. 7 statement “Chief Jerry Geier and Deputy Chief Justin Hughes were placed on paid administrative leave due to recent allegations of impropriety,” the city refuses to provide details on the actions. The West Valley View submitted a public records request on Oct. 24, asking for copies of all complaints the city received against Geier and/
Top, the Goodyear Police Department has been without two of its top leaders for two months. (West Valley View photo by Tom Scanlon) Left, Santiago Rodriguez, formerly a deputy chief, has been acting police chief since Oct. 7, when Police Chief Jerry Geier and Deputy Chief Justin Hughes were placed on paid administrative leave after “allegations of impropriety,” according to Tammy Vo, a Goodyear spokeswoman. (Photo courtesy city of Goodyear)
or Hughes. The city responded on Nov. 27. The only complaints attached to the email were filed by Jose Roman against Geier and Hughes.
Roman resigned from the Goodyear Police Department in 2013. In 2015, Ro-
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Students learn discipline, win trophies
BY OCTAVIO SERRANO West Valley View Staff Writer
Because of its association with street gangs, retired army veteran Johnny Williamson’s parents prohibited him from learning martial arts at a young age. “I started in junior high because it’s when Bruce Lee came out,” Williamson said. “My father forbade me to do it.” However, he defied his parents’ orders and continued to delve into the world of martial arts, which lead him to open his own academy in Goodyear years later. The studio is thriving locally and earning respect outside of Arizona. At the recent Regional Tang Soo Do Karate Championships in St. George, Utah, Starworld Martial Arts Academy brought home five Grand Championship trophies back to the West Valley.
The martial arts studio owner’s daughter, MoShay Williamson, earned her fifth consecutive Grand Championship title in the 18 to 34 age group. Diana Garcia won her first Grand Championship in the 35 to 49 age group. In the 14 to 17 age group, Kellicia Taing took her third Grand Championship title in four years. Tylah Stalling and Anthony Lake, both in 13 and under age groups, also won titles. The students of the Goodyear dojo learned to value the core principles of martial arts which lead them to their victories. In his dojo, which teaches the art form of Tang Soo Do, Johnny Williamson said the principals he focuses most on are men-
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At his Starworld Martial Arts Academy, Johnny Williamson teaches all levels and ages. The confidence he instills is evidenced by students’ numerous championship trophies. (Photos courtesy Starwood Martial Arts)