The West Valley’s top 20 of 2020
BY TOM SCANLON West Valley View Managing Editor
The closing credits are ready to roll on an unforgettable, often regrettable year.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a true global disaster, killing millions across the Earth.
Though the West Valley’s year was largely shaped by the devastating spread of the coronavirus, and the shutdowns and slowdowns called by state, county and school officials, there was quite a bit of “non-COVID news” in 2020.
Here are 20 of the top stories of the year in the West Valley:
20. Jackie Meck retires
The longtime mayor’s life could share the same title as a history book written by his wife, Verlyne Meck: “Buckeye Then and Now.”
Many wonder what Buckeye “now” will be like, without the soft-spoken Meck, who quietly helped shepherd the explosive growth of Buckeye over the last decade.
Before retiring from public life, Meck was Buckeye’s mayor since 2008, win-
Above, the future arrived in 2020, as Amazon launched a robotics delivery center in Goodyear. (West Valley View file photos)
ning three consecutive four-year terms. (He was previously mayor from 1973-75 and served on Buckeye City Council from 1968 to 1975.)
At age 79, he decided not to run for reelection in 2020: “It’s time for younger people to be the leaders of Buckeye.”
The new mayor of Buckeye, Eric Ors-
born, faces the unenviable task of following in Meck’s footsteps.
19. Bank robber busted
An alleged serial robber was nabbed after Goodyear police found a discarded
Overdoses spike during pandemic
BY TOM SCANLON West Valley View Managing Editor
More than 330,000 Americans have died from COVID-19—with nearly 5,000 of those deaths in Maricopa County.
Indirect impacts are also powerful, as the pandemic is contributing to a frightening rise in drug overdoses.
According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Dec. 18 press release, new data suggests “an acceleration of overdose deaths during the pandemic.”
According to the CDC, over 81,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in the 12 months ending in May 2020—the highest number of overdose
deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period. In Goodyear, data on drug overdoses in 2020 shows “a pretty dramatic increase,” said Goodyear Fire Department Fire Chief Paul Luizzi.
In 2019, the Goodyear Fire Department
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The looks of 2020 was masks, as Avondale Mayor Kenn Weise, left, and other officials urged West Valley residents to wear masks to slow the spread of COVID-19.
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shirt that had DNA linked to a man who served 18 years for previous bankheist convictions.
On Aug. 28, FBI agents arrested Scott David Williams, 59, in Peoria.
According to the FBI, Williams robbed seven banks in the West Valley, including West Valley National Bank in Goodyear.
18. Actor arrested
Bryshere Gray, an actor from the show “Empire,” faces charges of domestic violence, kidnapping and aggravated assault July 13.
His wife was treated at a hospital after Gray allegedly beat and strangled her at a Goodyear home.
17. The robots are coming
Amazon added to its accelerating West Valley imprint in a futuristic way, launching a robotic facility in Goodyear.
At the new 855,000-square-foot fulfi llment center in Goodyear, humans “work alongside innovative technologies, including Amazon ro-
botics, to pick, pack and ship small items to customers.”
16. NASCAR in Avondale
Due to COVID-19, it was something of a “yellow flag party.”
Even so, NASCAR Championship Weekend coming to Phoenix Raceway helped put Avondale on the map.
And the big races are scheduled to return to Phoenix Raceway Nov. 7, 2021—by which time COVID-19 hopefully will be in the rearview mirror.
15. City projects planned
Goodyear and Tolleson moved closer to building multimillion-dollar city halls, with both cities combining new libraries and other amenities.
Avondale City Council approved the building of a $12.5 million fire station at Van Buren Street and 127th Avenue.
14. Goodbye golf course
Much to the chagrin of neighbors who cried “bogey!,” the Falcon Golf Course will become a FedEx “crossdock” transportation center.
Despite protests from dozens of Goodyear and Litchfield Park resi-
dents, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors gave the development on West Camelback Road the green light.
13. Local elections
Though hardly as contentious as the presidential election, new school board members were elected and most school funding requests passed by West Valley voters.
11. Heroic save
On May 21, Avondale Fire Capt. Chris Spire, out for a quiet family meal, dashed out of a restaurant into the danger zone after hearing multiple gunshots.
Spire charged into action, and his efforts helped save the life of Alfredo Jaime, 19, one of the Westgate shooting victims.
Florian T. Walter D.O.
Raj S. Rathee,
COVID-19 put a dent in competition, with many local and state officials uncontested in their reelection bids.
Going door to door to collect signatures during a pandemic was simply too daunting for many would-be candidates.
12. Buckeye schools struggle
Buckeye Elementary School received a third consecutive “D,” which by state guidelines translates to an “F.”
Three of the seven Buckeye Elementary School District schools received “D” grades.
Despite the pandemic, the district is committed to bettering school grades.
“I knew that you were their angels that protected them that day, that God sent you,” said Magdalena Jaime, Alfredo’s mom.
10. State reps test positive
State Sen. Lupe Contreras of District 19 tested positive for COVID-19 in April. He recovered at his Avondale home.
Months later, his neighbor and fellow District 19 Rep. Lorezno Sierra was on a ventilator in an East Coast hospital, where he was diagnosed with
Jackie Meck retired from public life after years of service as the soft-spoken mayor who led Buckeye’s explosive growth. (West Valley View photo by Tom Scanlon)
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COVID-19 while on a family visit. After a few frightening days, Sierra was breathing on his own and released from the hospital.
9. O.K. Fulton passes away
The West Valley lost one of its legendary figures when Orin “O.K.” Fulton died in Litchfield Park Jan. 17. He was 87.
Fulton spent 36 years at Agua Fria Union High School as a teacher, coach, athletic administrator, assistant principal and principal.
His name will live on for generations, as the Agua Fria High School gym is named after him.
And his personal touch will be long remembered.
“His mentoring of students and personal leadership style has had a profound impact on our profession,” said Dr. Dennis Runyan, the Agua Fria superintendent.
8. Sun Health ‘grows’
In Litchfield Park, Sun Health will grow—a farm as well as senior-living homes.
Litchfield Park City Council approved an expansion for 70 more independent-living homes, dubbed the Orchard at Rancho La Loma.
In a reversal of the farms-to-buildings trend that has swept over the West Valley in the last five years, Sharon Grambow, CFO of Sun Health, said the company’s Litchfield Park plan includes a farm on 25 acres in Litchfield Park.
“We are talking with a local farm that will have a farm there with a stand and a farm-to-fork restaurant,” she said.
7. Luke flies high
With more F-35A Lightning II jets on the way, Luke Air Force Base is set to take off—and take the West Valley economy along for the ride.
support approximately 13,900 total jobs, $820 million in total compensation, and $1.5 billion in value-added impacts to the West Valley, according to a Maricopa Association of Governments study.
6. Trouble at Goodyear PD
After months of investigations and appeals, the Goodyear Police Department had quite a shake-up.
Former Chief Jerry Jerry Geier was terminated for lying during an investigation that started with complaints about him.
A mission expansion revolving around 144 new fighter jets will pump up Luke AFB’s population—as well as the surrounding areas, including Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Avondale. Luke is gradually ramping up for the F-35A Lightning II jets over the next six years.
By 2026, the defense spending in support of Luke AFB is expected to
Former Deputy Chief Justin Hughes and former Officer Kyle Cluff were also investigated. Cluff resigned after being found guilty of lying to Hughes—who took medical retirement after a report blasted his handling of Cluff.
5. The BLVD
In 2019, Avondale City Council announced a huge stretch of farms and fields on both sides of Avondale Boulevard would be known as “The BLVD.”
With more F-35A Lightning II jets on the way, Luke Air Force Base is set to take off—and take the West Valley economy along for the ride. (West Valley View file photo)
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responded to 95 overdose calls.
Through the first week of 2020, Luizzi’s crews had 151 overdose calls—a 58% spike.
Capt. Manny Cordova is a paramedic who has been on “too many” overdose calls in his 14 years with the Goodyear Fire Department.
Though he stressed it’s hard to pinpoint the pandemic as a cause of the overdose calls, “Definitely, this year we’ve seen an uptick,” Cordova said.
In Goodyear, he noted, many overdoses are due to the misuse of prescription drugs.
“It can be any time—day or night,” he said.
“Each morning when the new crew comes on, we have a drug box check, to make sure all the medications we are authorized to use are in stock and not out of expiration date,” he said.
One of the most important tools in the box is Narcan, a brand of Naloxone.
The drug can immediately reverse the effects of opiods—snatching life back into someone taking gasping last breaths.
“Each (fire engine) has two paradmecis and a drug box,” said Cordova. The drug boxes contain four doses of Narcan.
Goodyear police also are armed with Narcan, he added. “They’ve received training, and if they believe (a person) has had an opioid overdose, they can administer it,” Cordova said.
Cordova noted overdose calls range from friends and/or family of a passed-out person on the scene to provide an idea of what happened to a lone person turning blue, with no clue to what happened.
The idea that you can only die from an injection of heroin is false, Cordova noted.
“That is definitely not the case. Even with prescribed opioids for pain management, the effects an opioid has on the respiratory system can cause death from lack of breathing,” he said.
Here in Goodyear, there is no “overdose type.”
“The age ranges vary,” Cordova said. “We’ve seen from the early 20s to up into the 40s-plus age range. Socioeconomically, there is no one group. It’s across all levels of that,” he added.
Overdose calls range from “the pa-
Sweetly Ring In the New Year
tient is in a state of confusion all the way to respiratory arrest.”
Paramedics can administer Narcan via nasal spray or an injection.
The reversal caused can be nearly instant, with unconscious patients being slapped back to reality.
Many times, the person who overdosed has no idea what is going on.
“There’s definitely some confusion when they come to: ‘Who is this group of people standing around me?’ We do have on occasion folks getting a little bit irritated and not in the best of moods. They can be a little perturbed there’s all these folks standing over them in their living room or wherever they are,” Cordova said.
During a training, Goodyear Fire Department first responders check a “drug box” used for overdoses, which have been rising during the pandemic. (Photo courtesy Goodyear Fire Department)
Even after a patient is stabilized, the Goodyear Fire Department will try to convince him or her to take a trip to the hospital.
“The risk factor is once Narcan wears off, they can slip back into that same state where they’re not breathing anymore,” Cordova noted. Here, as is the case around the coun-
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...continued from page 4
try, a likely factor leading to increasing overdoses is the rise of fentanyl, a cheap, synthetic opioid that is many times more powerful than even heroin.
According to the CDC, fentanyl overdoses increased 38% in the first part of 2020, compared to 2019.
“The disruption to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with substance use disorder hard,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield. “As we continue the fight to end this pandemic, it’s important to not lose sight of different groups being affected in other ways. We need to take care of
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In 2020, the leaders’ vision for the area started to come into 20/20 focus. A hotel was launched and construction started on an apartment complex, with developers announcing more plans for an area Mayor Kenn Weise promises will make Avondale a destination for visitors—and a place to eat, shop and play for locals.
4. Buckeye booms
After earning the title “America’s fastest-growing city,” Buckeye showed no signs of slowing its extraordinary growth, with new residential projects and extensions of ongoing developments throughout the still largely undeveloped city.
And it’s not just Buckeye.
Goodyear kept pace, with multiple large-scale residential developments, including several apartment complexes.
And here comes Avondale: The first residents moved in at Alamar, a colossal development in the south part of the city that plans 3,695 homes across 1,127 acres.
3. ‘Farm-to-warehouse’
Goodyear’s economy was boosted by the construction of Amazon and several other massive warehouses.
Nike backing out of a giant deal? That might have devastated some cities, but Goodyear merely shrugged it off while signing off on dozens of construction permits.
Goodyear continues to flip farms
people suffering from unintended consequences.”
Cocaine overdose deaths also spiked by 26%. “Based upon earlier research, these deaths are likely linked to co-use or contamination of cocaine with illicitly manufactured fentanyl or heroin,” said the CDC press release.
“The increase in overdose deaths is concerning,” said Deb Houry, a CDC director.
“CDC’s Injury Center continues to help and support communities responding to the evolving overdose crisis. Our priority is to do everything we can to equip people on the ground to save lives in their communities.”
into warehouses—while some locals cry out, “No more warehouses! Too much traffic!”
2. The classrooms yo-yo
In March, Gov. Doug Ducey closed all schools in Arizona.
With kids learning online, classrooms stayed closed for months before tentatively reopening … only to close again in November and December.
After winter breaks, all West Valley public schools will be online only when classes resume Monday, Jan. 4.
With post-Christmas COVID-19 cases expected to rise even more, no one knows when kids will be back in classrooms.
1 COVID-19
The coronavirus was a wrecking ball, knocking down much of the year and destroying the word “normal.”
West Valley cities raced to keep pace with the pandemic, issuing mask orders, making meetings online only, closing facilities and canceling events from Fourth of July to Christmas celebrations.
Restaurants and other businesses struggled to survive during lockdown periods, with some receiving much-needed Paycheck Protection Program federal funding.
As Abrazo West and other hospitals filled with COVID-19 patients struggling to breathe, the most devastating impact of the disease was on families that lost loved ones.
Through Dec. 26, 4,902 people in Maricopa County died of COVID-19. The good news: COVID-19 vaccinations began in mid-December.
JANUARY 9 & 10
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Tolleson Police Chief Wayne Booher to retire
BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF
After 28 years with the Tolleson Police Department, the last four as police chief, Wayne Booher will retire in January.
“We have come a long way since the agricultural times, and I am honored to have served you and your families,” he said.
Rudy Mendoza, a 20-year veteran of the Tolleson Police Department, will be the new police chief.
Mendoza began his career with the Tolleson Police Department in 2000 as a dispatcher. Ten months later, he was hired as a Tolleson patrol office. He was later promoted to sergeant and became a commander in 2017.
He first served under Larry Rodriguez, who was Tolleson’s police chief for 17 years before retiring and giving way to Booher.
“Over the past 20 years the Tolleson Police Department has continued to
grow and improve,” Mendoza said. “This certainly can be attributed to the wonderful people we have working here as well as my two predecessors, Chief Rodriguez and Chief Booher. Through their leadership they have raised the bar and expectations for the police department.”
Tolleson City Manager Reyes Medrano Jr. praised Booher and said Mendoza “is more than prepared to meet the challenge.”
Fireworks permitted but regulated through Jan. 3
BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF
According to Arizona law, consumer fireworks are permissible for use between Dec. 24 and Jan. 3.
But bottle rockets, firecrackers and devices that shoot into the air and/or make loud noises are not legal.
In Avondale, consumer fireworks use is prohibited on public property, including streets, city parks/open spaces. Consumer fireworks use is allowed on private property within city limits, with the owner’s consent.
The sale or use of any illegal fireworks in Avondale is subject to a fine of $1,000 for each violation.
And a person may be legally and financially liable for injuries caused by using any fireworks.
According to Fire-Medical Depart-
ment professionals, they have seen many injuries serious enough to require hospital treatment. Fireworks can result in severe burns, fractures or scars, disfigurement or even death. Serious injuries each year typical from fireworks are harm to the eyes, head or hands. Even sparklers, which are considered by many to be harmless, can reach temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees.
For information regarding approved use and sale of fireworks in Avondale, call 623-333-6140, email fireprevention@avondaleaz.gov or visit avondaleaz.gov/fireworks.
To report a violation in Avondale, call 623-333-7001.
In Goodyear, fireworks violations can be reported by calling the nonemergency number at 623-932-1220.
Rudy Mendoza, left, will be Tolleson’s new police chief in January, after Wayne Booher retires.
(Photos courtesy city of Tolleson)
Vaccine rollout continues as COVID-19 spread accelerates
BY TOM SCANLON West Valley View Managing Editor
While COVID-19 vaccines will not be provided to the public for weeks, if not months, hundreds of health care workers in Maricopa County received the first of a two-dose vaccine as the coronavirus continues its alarming spread.
On Christmas Eve, Maricopa County reported 4,670 new COVID-19 cases. In September and October, most days the county reported 500 or fewer new COVID-19 cases.
The average number of new daily cases in the county in December is 3,865, more than double the November daily average of 1,558.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 vaccinations at points of distribution like Abrazo West picked up steam, with the county reporting more than 18,000 people received vaccinations during last week’s beginning of the rollout.
While the county focused on health care workers, this week, residents of senior facilities will begin receiving protection against a virus most deadly with the elderly.
Three quarters of the COVID-19 deaths in Maricopa County have been in the age group of 65 and older.
And 1,488 of the county’s 4,840 deaths from COVID-19 were residents of long-term care facilities.
Less than 2% of people in the county with COVID-19 have died from the disease.
But 26% of the 5,714 people in longterm facilities diagnosed with the disease died.
“The CDC is partnering with CVS, Walgreens and Managed Health Care Associates in the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care (LTC) Program to offer on-site COVID-19 vaccination services for residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities,” said Jennifer Franklin, a county spokeswoman. She said most long-term care facili-
ties in Maricopa County will be included in the CDC program.
“The county will provide vaccinations to those facilities who are not part of the program. We do not yet know the total number of facilities or vaccine doses needed to fill in those gaps,” Franklin added.
At Glencroft Center for Modern Aging in Glendale, the largest senior facility in the state, “We expect our licensed areas to be offered vaccines perhaps as early as the week of Dec. 28,” said Scott McClintock, Glencroft’s chief strategy officer.
The first vaccine phase (1A) is for “paid and unpaid persons serving in health care settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials.” That includes workers at hospitals, longterm facilities and school nurses.
According to Franklin, “more than 55,000 health care workers have registered” for the coronavirus vaccine, as of Dec. 24.
The second phase (1B) includes police officers and teachers.
The third phase (1C) for COVID-19 vaccinations includes people 65 and older.
According to the county, “There is no sign-up process or pre-screen survey available for Phase 1B or 1C. More information about eligibility and the vaccine distribution process for populations prioritized in Phase 1B and 1C will be shared as soon as it becomes available.”
Maricopa County continues Phase 1A vaccinations, including health care workers, first responders and school nurses. Residents of long-care facilities may receive vaccines this week. (Photo courtesy Abrazo)
Merry Christmas: $1.9 million ticket sold in Buckeye
BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF
Two days before Christmas, someone in Buckeye scored enough for presents—for years.
A $1.9 million lottery ticket was sold by Circle K, 537 S. Watson Road in Buckeye.
According to Sue KernFleischer, an Arizona Lottery spokeswoman, “the winner did come forward but wants to remain anonymous.”
The winning jackpot numbers for the Dec. 23 Arizona Lottery The Pick drawing were: 2, 5, 13, 15, 27, 41.
Greenlight Communities breaks ground on Cabana in Goodyear
BY WEST VALLEY VIEW STAFF
Goodyear residents will soon have more neighbors.
Greenlight Communities broke ground last month on Cabana Encanto at 2323 N. 150th Drive in Goodyear.
Greenlight bought 8.8 acres in June 2020 and plans to complete construction by next winter.
Cabana Encanto will have 286 units, including 114 studio, 114 one-bedroom and 58 two-bedroom apartments.
According to Greenlight, “The above-average percentage of studio units is standard for Cabana communities and contributes to overall value realized by Cabana tenants. Cabana communities provide brand-new living spaces with modern designs and desired amenities—all at attractive, attainable rental prices.”
Cabana Encanto is next to Goodyear’s new Civic Square project, which will be built in phases over the next several years.
Civic Square will include a library, city hall and park space.
“We are excited to bring this new Cabana property to the city of Goodyear and give residents the opportunity to enjoy an exceptional living environment at an attractive cost,” said Patricia Watts, principal of Greenlight
Communities. “At Greenlight Communities, we are dedicated to creating opportunities for teachers, first responders, health care workers and others to enjoy high-quality finishes and amenities they want in residences that are designed from the ground up to be attainable for those in a broad spectrum of employment fields.”
Greenlight is currently in the process of building more than 3,000 new Cabana units in the Phoenix metro area and beyond.
Watts said the city of Goodyear was “an excellent partner in the planning process for Cabana Encanto, and their proactive approach will help make the property a strong addition to the growing community.”
For more information, visit livegreenlight.com.
Greenlight Communities is building a 286-unit apartment complex called Cabana Encanto near the proposed Goodyear Civic Square. (Image courtesy Greenlight)
OUR READERS’ VIEWPOINTS
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SMITH’S OPINION
Vaccines work
Editor:
With the approval of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the major tasks are now distribution and vaccination. Developing the vaccines has been a technological marvel, but until we get shots in the arms of 80% of the population the pandemic will not be aborted. History can give us a few examples to help with the rollout and a few personal notes from my vaccination history.
In March 1947, New York City had an outbreak of smallpox. A smallpox vaccine had been developed in the 18th century, and much of the population, at the time of this outbreak, had been inoculated, but the city health commissioner decided on a mass inoculation effort.
President Harry Truman and the mayor of New York City were inoculated, and in two weeks, 5 million New Yorkers rolled up their sleeves for the shot.
I was 11 years old, living in New York, and I remember getting my inoculation. I did not get smallpox but still have the inoculation scar on my arm. In 1980 the World Health Organization reported that smallpox had been eradicated from the world. A victory for science against a disease that had ravaged the human population for centuries.
The disease my parents were concerned about was polio (aka infantile paralysis). In 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower announced the development of a polio vaccine that was safe and effective. A mass immunization was begun both in the United States and around the world.
I received my polio vaccine and did not get the disease. Within a few years a scourge that crippled millions, including President Roosevelt, was eliminated from our planet. It was another success for science and vaccination. Leadership by the president matters.
I served in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1985 and received
more immunization than any civilian could imagine. During those 22 years, I spent time in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia but missed out on Antarctica (no virus there). I never had a significant infection. I believe in vaccinations.
The Air Force brought me to Arizona as Commander USAF Hospital Luke. After retirement, I have had a multitude of health care-related positions and activities. They include chief medical officer, Mercy Care Plan; AHCCCS director; board of directors of Sun Health; PMH Health Resources; AzHHA; Arizona Town Hall; and Wickenburg Community Hospital. I’ve been president of AARP Arizona, a member of the State Medicaid Advisory Committee, a member of the National Advisory Council on Services for the Elderly and Disabled and a member of the Harvard University School of Public Health Leadership Council. I am a longtime member of the Arizona Medical Association, Arizona Perinatal Trust, Arizona Public Health Association and Maricopa Medical Society.
In all those activities, preventive medicine and public health have been a key component of my professional life. Preventive medicine starts with immunizations, and science has given us the tools to prevent 25 different diseases.
This brings us to 2020-21.
COVID-19 has ravaged the earth like no other infection since the Great Flu of 1918-19. The end is in sight if we, as the human race, can muster the will and fortitude to practice simple public health measures and bare our arms for “the shot.” In this day and age of instant communication, there is a plethora of misinformation and conspiracy theories flooding the internet. Ignore the noise and take “the shot” for you, your family and humanity.
Leonard Kirschner
Litchfield Park
Election notes
Editor:
Early in the morning on Nov. 4, President Trump announced he had won the election as the battleground states were trending in his favor. However, at around 1:30 a.m., voting tabulation stopped in four battleground states and there was a halt to the vote counting.
Sen. Rand Paul from Kentucky, a libertarian, tweeted on Nov. 29: “Trump margin of defeat in four states occurred in four data dumps between 1:34-6:31 a.m.” in which most of the votes were for Biden. Indeed, in one case, Sen. Paul noted, “An update in Michigan listed as of 6:31 a.m. EST on Nov. 4 which shows 141,258 votes for Biden and 5,968 votes for Trump,” nearly a 24 to 1 ratio. On Wednesday, Dec. 16, in the Senate Judiciary committee meeting on election fraud, Sen. Paul reiterated his belief that the “election was stolen.”
In spite of these glaring cases of fraud, President Trump still received 74 million votes, nearly 12 million more than in 2016. Having an incumbent president gain that many votes in a second election cycle and still lose is unheard of and has never happened before in modern presidential elections. Instead, President Obama received 66 million votes in 2012, 4 million less than in 2008 and
yet still won! Even better, Joe Biden received over 81 million votes without campaigning, nearly 15 million more votes than a popular President Obama in 2012, a 23% increase by staying home in his basement. Go figure. Apparently Trump still “lost” because he was so unpopular and hated, except Trump always drew enormous, enthusiastic crowds, whereas Joe Biden could hardly draw crowds enough to fill a large McDonald’s. These kinds of significant voting anomalies usually occur in socialist countries where elections are rigged and outcomes predetermined.
Igor Shpudejko Goodyear
My New Year’s wish: Cancel the partying
BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ West Valley View Columnist
As we stare 2021 in the face, here’s hoping that our elected leaders take a stand against one of the most serious public health threats currently facing the state of Arizona. New Year’s Eve.
Which this year might as well be known as “The Planet’s Largest OneNight Superspreader Event.”
One of the things we have learned about COVID-19 this year is that the virus thrives on congregations and people spending time together unmasked and in close proximity.
That makes holidays especially dangerous in terms of community spread, as we saw a couple weeks after Thanksgiving, when positive case numbers spiked in Arizona and across the United States.
As someone who has urged a balance between social restrictions and the economic damage those restrictions create—and as a human being who values family, spirituality and interpersonal connection—I was loathe to suggest we legislate Hanukkah and Christmas out of existence this year.
But let’s be honest: New Year’s Eve has no such emotional or familial weight. It’s mostly just an excuse to tie one on for folks who are into that sort of thing.
Personally, if history is any indication, I’ll be asleep before the ball drops in Times Square in New York City—where they intend to have a televised celebration sans crowd in 2021.
As for the rest of you, you may not like this, but I’d be thrilled if our state’s governor, mayors and county supervisors took a page out of Tucson and Pima County’s book for one night only and declared a mandatory curfew beginning at 10 p.m. sharp and lasting until 5 in the morning.
We can exempt first responders, doctors, nurses and other health care professionals, essential workers and the homeless, along with anyone else headed to work or dealing with a legitimate emergency.
In keeping with the Pima County measure, bars, restaurants, clubs and other businesses that help people defy the curfew—say, by serving champagne at midnight—would be subject to having its license or business permit revoked.
As for individual curfew breakers, I’d rather not tie up police officers writing citations as opposed to, say, tracking down New Year’s drunken drivers. But a stern warning wouldn’t bother me much.
For the past nine months, I’ve found myself repeatedly caught between two warring factions: people who think COVID is fake and believe every mitigation measure is abysmally stupid and people who want to lock down the entire state “because if a lockdown would be enough to save even a single life, then that’s our responsibility.”
I have disagreed with both sides at every turn, arguing instead for two things these camps seem to have forgotten: personal responsibility and balance.
The notion of a New Year’s Eve curfew irks me, because it represents government depriving citizens of our freedom.
With that said, it’s not much of a deprivation: one night where we’d be forced to head home a few hours early. Balanced against avoiding the inevitable positive case spike, especially after the Christmas holidays, one night of curtailed fun seems a small price to pay.
With the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines already being distributed and an end to this nightmarish year—and potentially the pandemic—finally at hand, now seems like a lousy time to risk your health or the health of those you love. Regardless, even a cursory scan of the events listings shows lots of nightclubs planning to host lots of New Year’s parties to welcome in 2021. Not to mention thousands of intimate gatherings that will happen in thousands of living rooms.
There oughta be a law. Because hoping people will display some common sense has failed all year long.
David Leibowitz has called the Valley home since 1995. Contact david@leibowitzsolo.com
Business Briefcase
BY TOM SCANLON
The Philly Pretzel Factory in Goodyear has closed.
“We are sad to say today will be our last day opened,” said a PPF Goodyear post Dec. 20. “Thank you all for your support during this past year.”
This will break the hearts of many who shared love for the place, such as Carol S. of Goodyear, who posted on Yelp shortly after PPF’s opening in Goodyear in June of 2019, “This is my kids new favorite place.”
• Becker Zarling Law has moved into a larger location in Avondale.
The practice, which provides family law (divorce, child custody, child support issues) and wills and trusts, doubled its size, moving to a new building (from C to F) in the same office park at 12725 W. Indian School.
“We have also recently been accredited with the BBB and have received Attorney and Practice Magazine’s Top 10 Family Law Attorney, Top 10 Family Law Firm and the Best of the Best Top 10 Estate Planning Law Firm for 2020,” said Gina Zarling • The booming computer science school iCode has arrived in Goodyear.
Online classes are currently available for K-12 students at the Goodyear iCode, which opened its brick-andmortar location in the summer at 13185 W. Thomas Road, Building 2.
The location will offer STEAMbased computer science education and a “belt program,” designed “to keep students motivated to continue developing their skills similar to how belts function in the martial arts.”
The school teaches students of all skill levels with programs that teach students how to build games, apps, websites and work with robotics.
The school’s costs range from $140 to $360 per month.
“We’re thrilled that Chase has opened his online classes to students in the Goodyear area,” said Abid Abedi, founder and CEO of iCode. “Now, students can have the opportunity to learn often overlooked skills that can benefit them for a future in tech. With custom programs built for every experience level, we’re looking forward to seeing how the kids and teens at Chase’s location develop their skills.”
For more information, visit icodeschool.com/goodyear114.
• A new community is brewing in Avondale.
WestStone Communities paid $4.9 million to purchase 19 acres on McDowell Road just north of Interstate 10.
The plan is for a 217-unit residential development. WestStone hopes to have the Cottages on McDowell ready by 2022.
WestStone has 10 other projects around Phoenix.
The company’s pitch: Showcasing urban living floor plans designed to fit a multi-faceted life, WestStone provides breathe-easy lifestyles in unique, beautiful settings. Each community offers amenities such as clubhouses and swimming pools that appeal to homeowners and their families.”
On Oct. 5, the Avondale City Council approved a general plan amendment and rezoning request to make way for the development at the southwest corner of Avondale Boulevard and McDowell Road.
• A week before Christmas, Richmond American Homes paid $3.2 million for 60 lots at Citrus and Lower Buckeye roads in Goodyear.
Richmond has multiple projects around Goodyear, including Las Brisas by Richmond American Homes down Buckeye Road from the new land purchase and Canyon Trails North.
• Michael Cowley and company are
busy again.
On Dec. 21, Cowley’s Strategic Capital Management acquired 109 acres at Watson and Lower Buckeye roads in Buckeye for $4.3 million.
Cowley’s various development companies are frequent Business Briefcase players. Cowley recently purchased a staggering 475 acres next to Sun City Festival in extreme north Buckeye.
The new purchase looks more like a farm-to-warehouse project.
Cowley and company purchased the
Golf Course several years ago, then sold it to a developer who will build a FedEx facility on the Goodyear/Litchfield Park border.
West Valley View Managing Editor
Falcon
The new Goodyear school iCode teaches coding, apps and website development. (Photo courtesy iCode)
WEST VALLEY NAACP ELECTS NEW LEADERSHIP
On Nov. 13, the West Valley branch of the NAACP elected new leadership. Bishop Anthony Holt is the new president, Larnell Farmer vice president, Pastor Ace Carter second vice president, Linda Cutright third vice president, Sherelle Knight secretary and Michael Harris treasurer.
(Photos courtesy West Valley NAACP)
PEBBLECREEK QUILTERS SET A RECORD
The PebbleCreek Quilters of Robson Resort Community made 7,959 masks that went to Abrazo Hospital, New Life Center, Hospice of the Valley, Navajo Nation, Banner Hospital, Cancer Centers of America, Dignity Health, PebbleCreek residents, friends and family. The group also made and donated 61 quilts to Hospice of the Valley, 217 receiving blankets and 19 teddy bears to Abrazo Hospital, 23 quilts and 16 flannel blankets to Southwest Family Advocacy, six quilts to Natalie’s House, two quilts for foster children, 42 cosmetic bags for New Life Center and 51 hope gags for New Life Center.
(Photos courtesy PebbleCreek Quilters)
West Valley View Dining
King Crossword
GO FIGURE!
by Linda Thistle
The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.
EVEN EXCHANGE
by Donna Pettman
SUDOKU
Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.
SCRAMBLERS
Unscramble
Schools return from winter break in online-only mode
BY TOM SCANLON West Valley View Managing Editor
For most West Valley public schools, winter break ends Jan. 4, with classes resuming.
But most classrooms will be closed, as 2021 begins with online learning for most public school students.
“Litchfield Elementary School District’s data from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health has skyrocketed. Our kindergarten through eighth grade students will remain in distance learning until further notice,” according to an LESD website prebreak post. “We will continue to monitor the metrics and will send you another update on Jan. 15.”
At the other LESD, Littleton Elementary School District, “All students
will remain in full-time dynamic distance learning through Jan. 15.”
At Buckeye Elementary School District, “families should plan for continued virtual instruction the week of Jan. 4,” according to a pre-winter break post at the district website.
Buckeye Union High School District “will be in Distance Learning for all students for at least the first two weeks of January,” according to the BUHSD website. “On Jan. 4, all schools will follow their late start schedule.”
Agua Fria Unified High School District also begins its new semester online. “As we continue to monitor the possible future return to ‘in-person’ campus classes, we will bring an update to the first Jan. 13 board meeting.
This meeting will include an update on metrics and information for future planning opportunities that can be safely considered,” Superintendent Dennis Runyan said in a letter posted before winter break.
Similarly, Avondale Elementary School District—which returned to online teaching Dec. 14—will remain in virtual learning mode after winter break. “AESD has not established reopening guidelines to return to in person learning. We will address this in a governing board work session after the winter break,” according to a posting on the district website.
There will be some activity at many school campuses, however.
As the county website stresses: “Per Executive Orders 2020-51 and
2020-41, school districts and charter schools are ‘still obligated to provide on-site learning opportunities and support services,’ regardless of the level of community COVID transmission, unless a waiver from the Arizona Department of Education has been obtained.”
The county COVID-19 schools website shows West Valley districts with overall risk levels of “substantial” and recommended learning scenarios of “virtual with onsite support.”
The county updates school district data each Thursday, with three benchmarks: cases per 100,000, percentage of positive tests and percentage of “COVID-like illnesses.”
Anything over 100 cases per 100,000 is considered “substantial spread”—
and the West Valley is many times above that minimum.
• On Dec. 23, the Buckeye Elementary School District’s cases per 100,000 rose from 658 to 741.
• Liberty Elementary School District’s cases per 100,000 rose from 716 to 794.
• Avondale Elementary School District cases per 100,000 rose from 656 to 891.
• Littleton Elementary School District cases per 100,000 rose from 749 to 839.
• Litchfield Elementary School District cases per 100,000 rose from 526 to 614.
• Saddle Mountain Unified School District cases per 100,000 rose from 680 to 804.
• Buckeye Union High School District cases per 100,000 rose from 689 to 771.
• Agua Fria Union High School District cases per 100,000 rose from 567 to 708.
• Tolleson Union High School District cases per 100,000 fell slightly, from 695 to 692.
“The Arizona Department of Health
Services developed the benchmark thresholds at the request of the education community as a guide to help school districts determine when it is safe to return to in-person instruction. The experiences of other countries have indicated that reopening schools may be lower risk in communities with lower community transmission,” according to the schools COVID-19 website.
According to Maricopa County Public Health, school nurses and other school health care personnel are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID-19 in Phase 1A, the first part of the rollout.
Also according to the county’s school COVID-19 website, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the quarantine period has been shortened to 10 full days with no symptoms or seven full days with a negative test.
The bottom line, according to the county and state: “The health, safety and well-being of students, teachers, staff and their families are the most important considerations in determining when schools can open for in-person learning.”
NEW MEMBERS OF THE AGUA FRIA UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD
Trey Terry, left, Kristen Acton and Gina DeCoste were sworn in as members of the Agua Fria Unified High School District by Maricopa County Superintendent Steve Watson. (Photo courtesy AFUHSD)
MaryEllenJohns
Sheissurvivedbyherdaughter'sMaryann Trujillo,DianaHausel,CynthiaJohns.Shewasprecedeby youngestdaughterPatriciaJohnstoheaven.Shewasalso survivedbysister'sLindaVela,LupeCamberosand BrotherConradGraica.NineGrandchildren,SixGreat grandchildren.
l Margaret Pierce
Avril Margaret Pierce, age 85, of uckeye, Arizona passed away on ecember 17, 2020 in Goodyear, Ariona. She was born October 4, 1935 Nellie and Mr. Haines in Reading, erkshire, United Kingdom. Services are private at this time.
Condolences for the family can be left at http://www thompsonfuneralchapel com/obituary/avril-margaret-pierce/
DonnaIreneDowning
DonnaIreneDowning,73,entered hereternalhomeDecember15,2020. BorninPhoenix,ArizonatoClyde andEthelMcClarenMarch12,1947. Married56yearstoMarion(Jerry) DowningOctober2,1964. DevotedMothertoherChildren andGrand-Children.Donnaenjoyed investinghertimeinlovedones,attendingchurchat CornerstoneChristianCenter,andlivingherlifefor Jesus.
SurvivedbyherhusbandMarion(Jerry)Downing, herchildren;LonnieDowning(Terry)andLea Ramirez(Albert).Grandchildren,LorisaSjaaheim (Aaron),MakenaDowning,MadelynRamirez,Cecilia andChristopherSmith.Great-grandchildren,Landen, Tyler,Aiden,Havah,Serena,Iuna,andIzana.Sisters SharonNolteandCarolynMcClarenandseveral niecesandnephews.
PrecedingherindeathwerehersonLeslie Downing,brotherJerryMcClarenandsisterMarilyn Moore.Thefamilyfindsgreatcomfortinknowing theyresttogetherinthearmsofJesus.
ServiceswereheldWednesday,December23rd, beginningat9:00AMatCornerstoneChristianCenter.
EMPLOYMENT
Bear Cat Manufacturing is a leading Manufacturer of Road Maintenance Equipment we are looking for welders assemblers and machine operators. We offer competitive salary and benefits package, please submit resume or fill out application at 3650 Sabin Brown Rd. Wickenburg, AZ
EMPLOYMENT
Immediate Openings for Direct Support Professionals
EMPLOYMENT
HANDYMAN
- 37 years experience.
HIRING!!
Caregivers
Program Leads and Managers
HBCS Assistant
AIRES
people! Our mission is to help people live happy, healthy & fulfilling lives Paid training provided Must be 21+yrs, w/ good driving record & reliable transportation. Apply at www.aires.org or visit us at 2140 W. Greenway Rd, Ste 140, Phoenix.
VALLEY LIFE
Tips for Having a Great Garage Sale!
1. Sort through your closets, cupboards and garage for items to sell.
2. Partner up with a neighbor or friend. This is helpful to give each other breaks during the day.
3. Advertise your sale — ask us for our Yard Sale Special!
4. In your ad include the type of sale, (e.g., Yard Sale, Multi-Family Sale), date, time, address/ cross streets, and be specific on prices for high dollar items. Popular items you can include: furniture, appliances, electronics, tools, yard equipment, designer/children’s clothes and shoes, craft items, antiques, unique items and collectibles/ collections.
5. Place signs on major cross streets and on the corners leading into your neighborhood. Just a fat, solid black arrow on colorful poster board works fine.
6. Price your items. If having a Multi-Family sale, each family should have a different colored price tag. You can do a $1 table, $5 table, etc., to save time.
7. Money. Be prepared with change, including coins. Do not accept checks. Cash only!
8. Have electricity available to test items.
9. Be safe. Do not let anyone into your home. Take your phone outside with you Have an extra person relieve you occasionally.
10. If it’s warm, offer cold bottled water for sale to cool off your customers! Happy customers buy things!
11. After the sale, remove your signs and donate leftover items to a local charity.
