An edition of the East Valley Tribune
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Love conquers for Gilbert war hero PAGE 20 Sunday, January 5, 2020
Politics, construction will fuel 2020 BY GARY NELSON GSN Contributor
T
hey say hindsight is 20/20. Foresight, not so much. But if there’s one safe bet, it’s 2020 will be a year for the history books. The East Valley will not sit meekly on the sidelines as the nation debates the fate of its obstreperous president by way either of impeachment or the ballot box or both. The region – tinged blue on the west and blazing a solid red on the east – will be every bit as embroiled as Washington, D.C., in the epic debate over America’s future. The East Valley’s tens of thousands of voters could play a deciding role in a pivotal U.S. Senate race, and they will decide as well whether
or not the two congressional seats representing the region remain split between the major parties. Legislative seats, city council slots and three mayoral gavels also are in play. Apart from that, the region’s physical shape will continue to evolve thanks to numerous major construction projects. First, a look at the political landscape.
President
With incumbent Donald Trump the presumptive Republican nominee, early campaign action will be on the Democratic side as voters in Arizona’s March 17 presidential primary help winnow down what was originally a slate of 20plus would-be nominees. The state Republican Party canceled its pri-
Disabled GPS students to get new intern program BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
mary to thwart any possible challengers to Trump.
U.S. Senate
Ordinarily, Arizona would not elect a senator in 2020, but this is a special election to fill out the term of U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who died in Aug. 2018. Republican Martha McSally, who was appointed to the seat by Gov. Doug Ducey, stands against several GOP primary opponents. Among the Democrats, former astronaut Mark Kelly is regarded as the front-runner and, according to some early polls, could defeat McSally in November. The winner will serve out a term ending in Jan. 2023.
see AHEAD page 6
Saving a landmark
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die Bahlman’s goal after graduating high school was to get a full-time job. It was a long shot for Bahlman, who has autism. But she landed a position in the central file room of a top Cincinnati bank, thanks to a program for students with developmental disabilities debuting in Gilbert Public Schools next year. “I’ve been using good organizational skills, being part of a team and giving good eye contact, said Bahlman in a testimonial video for the Project SEARCH program. “The best part of the day is getting my work done and being on task.” Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, in 1996, launched Project SEARCH. It gives students a total workplace immersion at a business or hospital with the expectation it will lead to a job offer. Project SEARCH boasted 77.3 percent of the 94 percent of students who completed the program in 2017-18, ended up employed, mostly in full-time jobs.
see BANNER page 4
Gilbert Eagle Scout Lucas Witcher shakes hands with Dennis Stark, one of the original Scouts who in 1951, began working on the development of the "<Phoenix" airmarker atop Usery Mountain in Mesa. Lucas opened the new year by restoring the landmark,. which can be seen for miles from the air and, to some extent, the ground. For details, see page 4. (Douglas and Diane Wright/Special to GSN)