July 20 – August 2, 2013 www.SanTanSun.com
CUSD welcomes new principals
BY TRACY HOUSE
Eager, nervous, anxious—the start of the school year is a whirlwind of excitement. When the bell rings to officially start the 2013-14 school year on Mon., July 22, students at four Chandler schools will be greeted by new faces to the CUSD family.
Heading up Chandler High School (CHS) is Principal Larry Rother who comes to CUSD from Higley Unified School District. Rother was with Higley for eight years, three as an assistant principal and the last five as principal of Higley High School. He mentions there were about 1,600 students at Higley, “half the size of Chandler.”
Even though he is transitioning from a smaller school, Rother says a lot of it is the same. “The difference going into Chandler, getting to meet with teachers and students, there’s a lot more to offer at a bigger high school and there’s a lot more programs that are designed to meet students’ needs, but also meet students’ interests,” he explains.
“What I’ve seen so far in Chandler, there’s something for everyone.” He mentions, for example, sports, fine arts, career and tech education and clubs and activities for students to be involved. “There’s really something for everyone and that’s what I’m excited about.”
Rother’s appointment as principal was announced in the spring, replacing
Terry Williams. Rother lives in Chandler with his wife, Jessica, and two children, Eli, 6, who will attend CTA Goodman Elementary, and Ava, 3, who will be at CHS as part of the Little Express program.
He says when the opportunity came along to lead a large high school it was a no-brainer to come to CHS.
“I think that anyone can tell you that the reputation of the Chandler School
CHANDLER BACK TO SCHOOL
ISSUE: Mon., July 22 is the first day of school for students in the Chandler Unified School District.
Banner Chandler ready to fulfill community’s health care needs
BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
With all the changes in the health care industry in the past several years, it can be a confusing or daunting task to find the right doctors. Banner Health Center Chandler will begin seeing patients at its new medical facility on Aug. 7 on Alma School Road, south of the Santan Loop 202 Freeway. In one convenient medical center location, the entire family can
be seen.
Patricia Lowrance, practice administrator of the new center and Banner Health Center Queen Creek, explains what patients can expect at the new Banner Health Center Chandler.
“The center will house one internal medicine physician, three family medicine physicians and two
Council denies backyard chicken ordinance
BY TRACY HOUSE
The Chandler City Council met July 11 to decide the fate of backyard chickens in Chandler, listening to arguments for and against the fowl, before voting 4-3 denying the ordinance change. Voting against the ordinance were Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, Vice Mayor Jack Sellers and councilmembers Rick Heumann and Jeff Weninger.
The yearlong process started last summer when a group of residents approached the council at one of the meetings asking them to change the laws, allowing them to have chickens in their backyards.
Mayor and council directed staff to look into the backyard chickens to see what other cities were doing
around the state and nation.
“It’s not something that just small towns are doing. All the major metropolitan areas are doing this,” explains David de la Torre, principal planner for the City of Chandler. He cites other cities in the Valley that allow chickens with varying restrictions; Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Phoenix and Scottsdale.
The introduction of Ordinance No. 4449 would have amended Chapter 35 of the City Code to permit residents to raise chickens on single family lots.
In terms of the Chandler population, “Effectively speaking, it would only have affected about 18% of the single-family lots,” says de la Torre.
and presented information about the
About 82% of Chandler’s singlefamily lots are in HOAs (homeowner
4TH OF JULY
GOOD TIMES: Jennifer Hall and Michael Douglas came prepared with chairs —and even a table—to enjoy their 4th of July snacks in comfort. STSN photo by Adam Moreno
See more photos on page 58
principal
LEADER OF THE PACK: Chandler wolf, Larry Rother. Submitted photo
BANNER HEALTH CENTER CHANDLER: The newest Banner facility will offer the convenience of many primary care physicians in one location. Submitted photo
CITY PLANNER: David de la Torre, Chandler’s principal planner, researched
backyard chicken trend to the Chandler City Council. STSN Photo by Tracy House
Heumann named water board president
The new president of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) for 2013-14 is Chandler Councilmember Rick Heumann. He began his tenure on the Chandler City Council in January 2009 and previously served as AMWUA’s vice president.
“Water management is a responsibility that we take very seriously in Chandler, along with every city in Arizona,” Heumann says. “I feel privileged to represent Chandler as we work with municipalities across the state on this important issue.”
AMWUA is a nonprofit organization through which member cities and towns advance the rational and effective use of water resources within the state, and position cities and towns in the forefront of water resources policy development and planning.
Heumann is also a board member with the Desert Cancer Foundation and has served as an ex officio board member of the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership.
The 2013-14 property tax levy is adopted by the Chandler City Council, with a total tax rate of $1.2714 per $100 of assessed valuation. Mayor Jay Tibshraeny notes that this levy includes no increase in the City of Chandler portion of the tax rate.
The mayor also announced that OnTrac, a western U.S. package delivery service, is moving its corporate headquarters to the Continuum on the Price Corridor in Chandler. He says that the company is making a $5 million investment in Chandler and will move close to 200 jobs to the facility, with plans to grow to about 850 employees during the next decade.
In addition, the mayor congratulated Chandler Police Chief Sherry Kiyler on her retirement and thanked her for devoting more than four decades to public safety in Chandler and Phoenix. Also, Senior Code Inspector Larry Hammock was honored for his 40 years with the City of Chandler and Senior Maintenance Supervisor Don Dong was recognized for his 20 years of service.
Council seeking 37 acres
The council also is authorizing the city’s real estate coordinator to negotiate for the acquisition of approximately 37 acres of vacant land located adjacent to the southwest corner of Price and Queen Creek roads. The cost is expected to be its appraised value, plus closing and escrow fees. Eminent domain proceedings are also authorized if necessary.
In addition, the council has approved a matching grant request for $5,000 for the D’Arcy Ranch Homeowner’s Association, located south of Ray Road, west of Federal Street and east of Country Club Way. The community will use the grant funds to replace and install gravel along streets that are visible to the public, in an effort to enhance the appearance of their community.
For a complete list of actions taken, visit chandleraz. gov/agendas. For previous council meeting minutes, call 480-782-2180 or visit chandleraz.gov. Council meetings are aired live, as well as replayed, on Chandler Channel 11 and streamed chandleraz.gov/video.
Town Hall meeting to discuss SRP plans
Residents and business owners who are impacted by the proposed SRP power line routes along Germann and Dobson roads are welcome to attend a Residents’ Town Hall meeting at 6 p.m. Thu., Aug. 1, at Tri-City Baptist Church, 2211 W. Germann Rd., in Chandler. For more information, email Elska Watts at elskabloom@yahoo.com.
RICK HEUMANN
City needs water donations
The City of Chandler hosts an annual water drive for employees to help the community.
To meet the extreme need for water in our community, water and sunscreen will be distributed through For Our City programs, such as Operation Back to School, and to the Chandler Christian Center, Matthews Crossing and a “Cool Spot” at the Salvation Army.
Chandler’s mayor, City Council, employees and residents are working to help raise cash donations or bottled water to support local charities. The drive runs through July 31.
The city extends its reach to the community and asks that donations come in the form of cash, as well as cases of water, because the
monetary donation will make it easier to increase the amount of water provided the community. Cash donations, rather than lugging water bottles, may help beat the record of 1,200 cases donated last year.
Chandler business owners and residents are encouraged to provide a product/service or gift card in the amount of $5 to $10 as raffle prizes for incentives to donate money or water. As a thank you, the City of Chandler will include the business name and logo on all fliers and internal city web pages about the water drive.
For details or to arrange a donation of either water or money, contact Nan Kahl at 480-7822184 or James Kame at 480-782-3367.
A bus strike is off the table
Service continues for East Valley transit riders as First Transit, Valley Metro’s East Valley bus operator, and the ATU 1433, the bus operators’ union, have agreed to continue labor negotiations throughout July.
“We’re pleased that First Transit and the ATU have agreed to continue discussions and make progress on an agreement that supports operators and riders,” says Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell.
First Transit and the ATU have been in labor negotiations since the first of the year to define their collective bargaining agreement, consisting of operator wages, benefits and work rules.
“Earlier this year, our board made a landmark decision to unify bus operations in Tempe and Mesa,” says Steve Banta, Valley Metro CEO. “First Transit and the Union are integral parts of our plan to more seamlessly serve our customers. I appreciate their hard work and willingness to continue to meet.”
Continued talks have also been urged by local elected leaders, who are concerned about the impact of a work stoppage to their residents and business community.
For more information, call 602-253-5000 or visit valleymetro.org.
associations). The area that would have been most affected by the ordinance change was north of the Santan Loop 202 Freeway and east of the Price Road Loop 101 Freeway de la Torre mentions. Single family homes located within a HOA would have had to go through the HOA board to request permission to have backyard chickens had the ordinance passed.
“What we were proposing would not supersede HOA rules,” de la Torre clarifies. “They would still have the ability to prohibit chickens.”
Proponents’ arguments for backyard chickens included property rights, health benefits of backyard chickens’ eggs, minimal number of noise complaints and sustainable efforts. Those opposed cited their property rights as well and included code enforcement efforts, odor, noise and health concerns related to disease and sanitary issues.
“Generally speaking, the main complaint was that people who moved to Chandler do not want to live next to a farm or agricultural area,” de la Torre says.
Council initially denied the proposal on May 23 then decided to reconsider the change if a permit requirement were added.
In order to have chickens in Chandler, residents need to be in a zoned agricultural or SF33 area—33 indicates lot sizes that are 33,000 square feet in size.
This was “democracy in action,” de la Torre says of the council’s decision. Single-family homeowners who want chickens and do not live in an HOA still have an option.
“Residents who do not live in SF33 or AG1, agriculture, and want to have chickens still have the option to apply for a use permit, so the City Council will allow them specifically to have chickens only on their lot.” explains de la Torre. “It is a public hearing process that would require a neighborhood meeting and then it would go to the planning and zoning commission and then finally it would go to the City Council for approval.”
There is no established limit to the number of chickens allowed under the use permit, although recommendations can be made to the City Council by the planning and zoning commission and restrictions can be specified based on individual basis.
Tracy House is a freelance writer living in Ironwood Vistas with her husband and four children. She can be reached at Tracy@SanTanSun.com.
District is second to none and the opportunity to work in a school district like Chandler was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass
Also coming to CUSD from Higley Unified School District is Jessica Edgar, principal of Basha Elementary School. Edgar says she has come full circle. She attended Weinberg Elementary School in Chandler where Camille Casteel, Ph.D, superintendent of CUSD, was her principal and Janis Weyenberg, principal of Riggs Elementary School, was her kindergarten teacher. An Arizona native, Edgar says, “I wanted to come back to Chandler to complete that circle.”
“The interconnectivity is interesting,” she mentions. Throughout the process of coming to CUSD, Edgar has seen several people with whom she went to school and has reconnected with others. “There is something about the East Valley, and specifically Chandler where you want to stay here and raise your own family because it was a great place to grow up.” Edgar has four children—two attend Carlson Elementary—Marissa, 9, and Joseph, 6. Her two other children are Jantzen, 3, and Jaxon, 18 months. She shares that having her own kids helps understand what the parents are going through and the developmental ages of the kids. “It’s been a great process to raise my own kids and work in education—be able to take my own things back to my staff and have a good conversation.”
Basha Elementary has approximately 800 students, with 83 staff members.
“I am so glad to be back in Chandler, to be working with this staff. They’re amazing,” Edgar says. “They are so excited to teach kids. They’re very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.” She looks forward to working with them, but really getting to know the students as a hands-on principal.
“I definitely want to greet them with a smile and make sure they understand Basha is their second home. I can’t wait to have these Bobcats as my new family.”
Back at home as principal is Joe Priest who began his educational career in 2002 at Galveston Elementary, first as a classroom teacher then as an instructional coach before moving on to Bogle Junior High School as dean of students and assistant principal for four years.
Priest lives in Chandler with his wife Melissa, a teacher at Conley Elementary, and two sons, Dylan, 4, and Kyle, 1.
“I’m able to come back home and get
back to my roots and lead the group of people that I’ve learned so much from already,” Priest says. “It’s really an exciting opportunity.”
Priest says he’s reconnected with parents of former students and students who were in kindergarten when he taught at Galveston. He mentions there is still 70% of the staff as when he taught there.
“I feel very fortunate to be able to come back and serve this community. There’s always been a special place in my heart for the members of this community, not just the kids but the families and the staff members at the school.”
Galveston has 50 certified teachers with around 800 preschool through sixth grade students.
“We can do a lot of work in the summer time, in June and July, but our real work starts when the kids arrive,” he explains. “It doesn’t really feel like
a school until there’s the hustle and bustle of lots of little people around. I’m excited to see them back on campus, to welcome a new group of kindergartens to our school, to welcome a new group of sixth graders as the leaders at our school and really just see my students here and get to know them individually and as a group.”
Korry Brenner, Ph.D., spent some time during the summer getting to know Shumway Elementary as the new principal, transitioning to CUSD from Gilbert where she was an elementary teacher, dean of students and principal. Brenner is celebrating 20 years in education with the beginning of the 2013-14 school year.
“It’s exciting to be in a district that has such a great reputation and to be a part of that team and how supportive this district as a whole has been in terms of bringing somebody new in who doesn’t know who to call when there is a problem, that type of thing,” she says, “They’ve been wonderful.”
Shumway has 550 to 600 students, preschool through sixth grades. Since transitioning to Shumway, Brenner has seen a staff that really works with each other and are dedicated and committed to what they do on behalf of kids.
“Shumway is a community that should be very proud of their school,” she says. “I’m anxious to meet the kids and the families.”
Although Brenner lives in Gilbert with her husband and two children, Elaina, 13, and Alex, 11, she mentions she plans on getting to know the community and
BASHA BOBCAT: Jessica Edgar, comes full circle. Submitted photo
BEAMING WITH PRIDE: Joe Priest is back at home with his Galveston lions. Submitted photo
building relationships to run a successful school—relationships with the staff, the students and the families.
She explains her focus is “Getting to know the community and what they are most proud of about their school. What are the things that we can continue to build on to maintain our success and what are the visions for the future. Where do we want to go as a community?”
As the new school year approaches, Brenner says, “I’m looking forward to that first day and that energy and that enthusiasm, just that optimism for a new year and meeting the students.”
Tracy House is a freelancer living in Ironwood Vistas with her husband and four children. She can be reached at Tracy@SanTanSun.com.
BANNER FROM PAGE 1 pediatricians. It’s built for primary care,” says Lowrance. The facility will have extended hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. This schedule assists in keeping people out of urgent care facilities and hospitals, which can often cost more than seeing a primary care physician. Lowrance says that the schedule works really well at the Banner Health Center Queen Creek.
The 18-acre facility was specifically built for expansion. Initially, it will house six physicians utilizing 16 exam rooms and two procedure rooms, and as demand grows, the facility will double in size to 32 exam rooms and three procedure rooms.
“We have lab and onsite X-ray; it’s already in. In the future, we want to add ultrasound,” notes Lawrence.
She also anticipates that MRI services will eventually be added.
“We will have rotating specialists,” Lowrance says of the expansion which may happen as early as next year. “We will have telemedicine and pharmacy.”
Rotating specialists may be added within just a few months of the grand opening.
“We have a lot of great specialists and it’s easier on the patient to get all their care at one site.”
The geographic location of the new center is excellent, she says. Banner Desert, Cardon Children’s and Banner Gateway medical centers are all within relatively close proximity in the
event a patient needs more in-depth medical care. Banner accepts nearly every health insurance plan, giving an added measure of convenience and flexibility to patients. They will also be happy to see cash-pay or self-pay patients.
“The nice thing about these centers, too, is we have the concierge services. They take all the appointments so the medical assistants…can pay attention to the patients and can give them total care because the phones are ringing off-site,” Lowrance explains.
The staff also likes being able to focus on the patients without interruption. As an added convenience, phones are answered before and after center hours, and during lunch.
“Of course, we have electronic medical records. So if (a patient) went to one center or a practice within Banner, the doctor could look up a patient’s record at that time,” Lowrance states.
The excellent care available at Banner Health Center Chandler is reason enough to go there, but the convenience is a big plus, too, she says. “The important thing is you have your care for the entire family. You have the pediatrics, you have geriatrics, even the family medicine doctors; there are some that have a specialty that they enjoy…it’s a very nice blend,” Lowrance says. She also notes that the Saturday hours have been incredibly helpful for patients utilizing the Queen Creek center
and she expects patients at the new Chandler facility to take advantage of that convenience, as well.
Look for Banner Health Center Chandler to do many community events in the future. A grand opening celebration is set for 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sat., Aug. 3. “The whole family can come out. We have fire trucks and the entire community participates. It’s a really wonderful event,” Lowrance explains. There will also be food, entertainment and giveaways. Additionally, tours of the new facility will take place during the grand opening.
Doctors at the new facility include Kothandapany Shalini, M.D., internal medicine; Vivek Kesara, M.D., family medicine; Aimee Lee, M.D., family medicine; Frank Truong, M.D., family medicine; Amy Guzek, M.D., pediatrician; and Zafar Abdul Quadir, M.D., pediatrician. Kesara previously helped with the opening of the Queen Creek center and now will be moving to the Chandler center. The doctors are accepting new patients. “I’ve had the opportunity to hire these doctors, along with others and they are great doctors,” Lowrance states.
Banner Health Center Chandler is located at 1435 S. Alma School Rd. Call 480-668-1600 to schedule an appointment or for additional information visit bannerhealth.com.
Lynette Carrington is a freelancer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at news@santansun.com.
‘STAR’ PRINCIPAL: Dr. Korry Brenner is Shumway Elementary’s newest star. Submitted photo
City of Chandler Insider
Officer Travis Miller, Chandler Police Department
Officer Travis Miller has been on the job for 23 years, most of them on a motorcycle. During that time, he’s seen his share of the damage that happens when drivers make mistakes.
“I think motorists don’t realize the damage a vehicle can cause. If you are going 17 or 18 miles per hour in a school zone, that’s too fast, and if you hit a little kid you don’t realize the damage you can do.”
Fortunately, school zones in Chandler haven’t had any major incidents, and Miller likes to think he and his fellow officers on traffic patrol have a hand in that.
“I like to think that it’s because we are in the area. I like to think we’ve been able to minimize the danger because we are proactive.”
He says that despite popular belief, motorcycle officers don’t have a ticket quota they are trying to meet, they aren’t paid based on the number of tickets they write and he’s not trying to ruin anyone’s day. What he is trying to do, is modify driving behavior.
“According to my latest physical, I do have a heart,” he jokes. “If I think a warning is going to modify someone’s behavior so they drive safely, I can give a warning.”
But there’s not always room for leeway, especially in a school zone.
“I have the desire to make it more safe—not because it’s a job or an assignment—but because most of us
have seen the devastation of a human body versus a vehicle. So if there’s something we can do to lessen the risk, we certainly will.”
Miller says he enjoys working with
the schools, which the Chandler Traffic Division does on a regular basis, heavily as school begins and periodically throughout the year. “I like giving high-fives to the kids going
by, and pointing out that we always wear our helmets, so they should, too,” he says.
He says a lot of the requests for extra patrols come from the schools themselves, and many from parents who are obeying the laws. He says sometimes parents are just running late, but unfortunately some think the rules don’t apply to them. The top issues he sees are parking in a no parking zone, parking on the wrong side of the street and letting children cross the street, U-turns where it’s not safe and simply, drivers not paying attention.
“Little kids can’t look at the big picture, and when it involves children, we all take it seriously,” Miller says. For instance, when drivers don’t stop for buses, many times the bus driver will take down a make and model and let police know. “They are attentive to what they do, and many of them take it personally when motorists don’t respect their stop sign. When they call us, Chandler Police will put seven or eight officers in the area.”
And he enjoys knowing he’s doing his part for the community. “In my small way, in my little piece of the world, I am making a difference in driving behavior, and if I can get people to slow down I will absolutely stay on a motorcycle. In my own way I think I am making it a little safer place.”
City of Chandler Insider
Excessive speed in a school zone is a no-no
Summer vacation seems to come to an end quickly in Chandler, as the Chandler Unified School District begins the school year on Mon., July 22 and the Kyrene School District two weeks later on Aug. 5.
It’s a time when motorists need to be even more aware of their surroundings as children, buses and bicycles take to the streets. Parents also need to teach their children to do their part in preventing accidents as well.
The Chandler Police Department works closely with the schools to send letters, offer extra traffic patrols and make sure motorists are obeying traffic laws to ensure our most vulnerable residents get to school safely.
School zone safety is one of the Police Department’s highest priorities, and in fact, traffic officers have a no tolerance policy toward speeding in a school zone. Drivers are required to drive 15 miles per hour—17 or 18 mph is too fast.
Lt. Lucas Hunt of the Chandler Police Department says drivers also need to give themselves adequate time to slow down. “They should be traveling 15 miles per hour when they enter the school zone,” Hunt says. “They should not be using the school zone as a slowing area.”
Not only are cars also required
to stop when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, they aren’t allowed to proceed until the person is completely through the intersection, and out of the crosswalk.
Hunt also reminds drivers that many schools have reduced speed limits during school hours and drivers should be aware of speed and traffic laws that might not be in effect 24/7, but apply when school is in session.
With school, come school buses. Yellow flashing lights show the bus is preparing to stop or unload children, and when the red flashing lights are on with the “stop” sign arm extended, drivers on both sides of the road need to stop. It’s OK to proceed once the stop sign is retracted. Hunt suggests that drivers take note of where those bus stops are in the neighborhood, because of course, that’s where there will be a large gathering of children. He says, “For some reason, kids always seem to step in the street. They just aren’t aware of the big picture like adults are.”
Parents need to do their part to make sure their kids know the rules of the road. Police recommend that children who walk understand how important it is to use crosswalks, preferably those with a crossing guard. Children should take the same route every day, so they are familiar with
their surroundings, and parents know where they should be in case of an emergency.
Many children ride a bike to school, and should always wear a helmet. They should also understand traffic safety. However, because inexperience and youth can lead children to be erratic on bicycles, motorists should be especially careful when they see kids on bikes. “They just don’t understand why riding on the right is so important instead of the left. They just want to go where they want to go, and have a tendency to just jump off the sidewalk to cross the street and not look behind them.”
Because each school has different
traffic patterns, each has different issues, so the police department works hand in hand with faculty there, and even parents who complain of dangerous driving near the school zones.
“Twenty or 30 years ago, the issues surrounding our schools were different,” Hunt says. “Most kids rode a bus or walked. With more kids being picked up or dropped off by car, we need to partner with the school to alleviate the problem and make it safe.”
Information provided by the City of Chandler Communications and Public Affairs Department.
It’s Parks and Recreation Month through the end of July in Chandler, and the city’s Community Services Department has planned activities for residents to share their thoughts with the community about why they love Chandler.
When residents visit one of Chandler’s six recreation facilities, six aquatic centers, four libraries, arts center or museum in July, they will see postcards on display on which people have written some of the reasons they love Chandler Parks & Recreation. Blank cards are available for anyone to fill out and add to the display.
“I’m looking forward to reading the creative ways Chandler residents answer this question,” says Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. “Quality parks, playgrounds and aquatic centers have been Chandler priorities for decades, because we know the importance of providing fun and fitness opportunities for families and children.”
Playgrounds for healthy weight
The mayor notes that children who have easy access to a playground, less than two-thirds of a mile from their home, are approximately five times more likely to have
a healthy weight than children who do not have easy access to playgrounds. Chandler’s total developed park acreage is 1,198, or about 1 acre of play space per 200 residents.
The 2013 “I [heart] my Park and Recreation” campaign was initiated by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), which encourages people of all ages and abilities to visit their local parks and recreation areas. Chandler offers a variety of programs designed to inspire healthy, active lifestyles and activities to appreciate nature and the environment.
In addition to getting involved in Park and
Recreation Month locally, people can also share on a grander scale through the “Show UR Love” weekly photo contest at nrpa.org/ July-love. During each week of July, NRPA will have a different theme that people can follow to snap pictures in their local parks and recreation. The public can submit photos that show their love for local parks and recreation to NRPA through Facebook to be entered into the contest. NRPA will award weekly prizes and a grand prize at the end of the month.
For more information, visit chandleraz. gov/recreation.
Police deflate tire thief
A man suspected of stealing 30 spare tires this year in Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert has been arrested by detectives from the Chandler Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit.
Angel Pat Ortiz, 39, is charged with two counts of trafficking in stolen property and one count of theft. He was booked into the Maricopa County Jail.
In each of the reported cases, the spare tire was mounted on the vehicle’s exterior and was not secured by a locking lug nut or other antitheft device. The Jeep Liberty, Toyota Rav 4 and Honda CRV models were most often targeted. Detectives believe there are additional victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone who has been a victim of a similar theft is asked to call 480-782-4130 and reference police report No. 13-67292.
For more information, call Detective Seth Tyler at 480-782-4105.
FirstLight offers respite for caregivers
A new business has opened in Chandler to provide nonmedical in-home care to seniors and aging adults. FirstLight HomeCare of Chandler, 3135 S. Price Rd., Suite 113A, also provides caretaking services to new moms and patients recovering from surgery.
“Services include things such as bathing and grooming, prescription reminders, companionship, respite care for caregivers and more,” says owner Holly Gale, R.N. “Although there are no state licensure requirements for home health agencies in
Arizona, FirstLight HomeCare operates as if these requirements exist and provides only the highest quality of care.”
Gale says she opened the business after losing her parents to cancer. During their fight, she says she cared for both parents and at that time realized how important it is to have high-quality caregivers who not only deliver services, but are compassionate, trustworthy and genuine.
For more information, call 480-4222690.
Fund will assist Yarnell 19 families
Donations accepted at all Wells Fargo branches
A fund has been established with Wells Fargo and the public is invited to make tax-deductible donations at any Wells Fargo branch to meet the educational needs of the children and families of the 19 hotshot crew members who died fighting the Yarnell Hill wildfire. The goal is to raise $5 million.
The Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Education Fund will provide the 13 children, three unborn children and the spouses and fiancées of the crew members all reasonable assistance with education-related expenses throughout the children’s school-age years.
“This fund was established to provide a way for all Arizonans, and compassionate people everywhere, to honor the brave men who were lost and stand by the families of the Yarnell 19 over time as they lay educational foundations for the future,” says Tim Carter, Yavapai County schools superintendent, who has worked as liaison between the statewide organizations spearheading the effort and Prescott-area groups, including the family services branch of the local firefighters’ union.
Until children are 22 Assistance to families, which will be provided until the youngest of
the children turns 22, could include funds for early childhood education opportunities, such as preschool, K-12 needs, such as school clothes and supplies, activity fees for extracurricular activities and college admissions testing, and post-secondary needs, such as college textbooks and tuition or vocational training programs.
The groups pledging their assistance to help build the fund and support the families over time through regional, state and national efforts are the Arizona School Boards Association, Arizona Association of School Business Officials, Arizona School Administrators, Arizona Education Association, Arizona Association of County School Superintendents and Yavapai College Foundation.
The public is invited to make taxdeductible donations at any Wells Fargo branch using account number 8008516158. In addition, checks to the Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Education Fund, with account number 8008516158 noted in the memo line, may also be sent to the fund’s fiscal agent, the Arizona School Boards Association, at 2100 N. Central Ave., Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85004, for deposit into the account.
Why not surprise her with a
She will be glad you did!
ANGEL PAT ORTIZ
Free HOA Academy is in session
Community association law is focus
Discussions on a number of legal issues affecting homeowner associations will be led by the Mulcahy Law Firm and Shaw & Lines during the Chandler Homeowners Association Academy, to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday from Aug. 8 through Aug. 29.
The free academy is designed to give HOA board members an opportunity to network and gain a better understanding of their roles and importance in their neighborhoods. The Aug. 8 class, “How to Properly Amend Bylaws and CC&Rs,” will review a simple five-step process for potential amendments. Participants will also receive an overview of new laws impacting HOAs. Classes will be held at Chandler City Hall,
Training Rooms A & B on the second floor, 175 S. Arizona Ave.
Preregistration is required and preference is given to residents living in neighborhoods participating in Chandler’s Neighborhood Registration Program. Registration deadline is Aug. 1. Applications can be downloaded at chandleraz. gov/neighborhoods and faxed to 480-782-4350 or emailed to cristabel.dykstra@chandleraz.gov.
Participation in all four classes is not required, but those who complete the entire academy will receive a certificate of completion and be recognized at a future Chandler City Council meeting. For more information, call 480-782-4354.
Valley Leadership seeks nominations for man, woman of the year
Valley Leadership is now accepting nominations to honor the 2013 Man & Woman of the Year at the 65th Annual Man & Woman of the Year Luncheon, to be held Thu., March 27, 2014 at the Arizona Biltmore. Nominations are due 5 p.m. Fri., August 30.
Each year, Valley Leadership solicits nominations from the public in its search for one man and one woman who have demonstrated significant visionary leadership, service and commitment to the Valley and its communities.
A representative committee headed up by previous honorees, Valley Leadership Founders, past Board presidents and current leadership recommends the honorees for approval by the Valley Leadership Board of Directors.
To nominate an honoree, visit valleyleadership.org/ nominations.
Valley Leadership is also accepting applications for a new program officer, who is responsible for providing administrative support to Valley Leadership’s flagship program, the Leadership Institute, and its youth development program, Valley Teen Leadership. The full position description is posted at valleyleadership.org/common/files/VL_ProgramOfficer_2013_ FINAL.pdf. Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume by Aug. 2 to vl@valleyleadership.org.
For more information about nominations or the open position, contact Executive Director Christy Moore at christy@valleyleadership.org, 602-952-6760, ext. 1 or visit valleyleadership.org/mw.
HOA GRADS: Recent HOA Academy grads gather at a Chandler City Council meeting to receive their certificates of completion. Submitted photo
Police volunteers capture national award
Approximately $308,000 in
labor savings
Chandler is one of only two police departments nationwide to receive the 2013 Outstanding Achievement in Law Enforcement Volunteer Programs award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in Virginia.
The annual award recognizes volunteer programs that demonstrate innovative and effective practices for augmenting sworn or civilian staff and improving service delivery to their communities.
Community members have been volunteering at the Chandler Police Department since 1992, and the department’s Volunteers in Policing Services (VIPS) was officially established in 1994.
VIPS assists sworn and civilian employees in 19 different units within the department. In 2012, more than 60 VIPS logged more than 14,152 service hours, amounting to approximately $308,000 in labor savings.
“The key to the success of Chandler’s VIP program is the spirit of our volunteers,” says Detective Seth Tyler, the department’s media relations officer. “We are all very proud of our volunteers and deeply appreciate the service hours they donate to the organization.”
The department will be presented with the award at the Annual IACP National Conference in Philadelphia in October.
For more information, call 480-782-4105.
Gilbert road construction continues
Road improvements to Gilbert Road between Ocotillo and Riggs roads continue this summer.
Traffic remains shifted to the west side of Gilbert Road, one lane in each direction from approximately Mead Drive to just south of the intersection of Gilbert and Chandler Heights roads. Crews continue installation of the 12-inch reclaimed water pipeline and 30inch water transmission pipeline on the east side of Gilbert Road from Brooks Farms Road, working in a northerly direction.
Crews are working to build the subsurface of the future roadway south of Chandler Heights Road, on the east side of Gilbert Road, off the existing roadway. Electrical crews are installing electric conduit on the east side of Gilbert Road from Wood Drive to Powell Place; conduit will also be installed on the south side of Chandler Heights Road, from Gilbert Road to Four Peaks Way. Crews continue patching back the trench lines in various places in the project area. Access to businesses and residences will be maintained; residents will be notified in advance of any planned water service outages. Residents are encouraged to exercise caution when driving through construction zones and to continue to patronize local businesses during construction. For more information, visit GilbertRoadImprovements.com or contact the project hotline at 480-898-4100.
SANTAN SUN CHRONICLES
Chandler Councilwoman Trinity Donovan is elected vice chairwoman of the board of Valley Metro, the regional public transportation authority providing public transit and rideshare services in the greater Phoenix area. The board, which represents elected officials from 15 member cities and the county, gives policy direction. Donovan serves for the 2013-14 term. Info: valleymetro.org.
DEADLINES FOR SANTAN SUN NEWS
The deadline for news and advertising is noon, Wed., July 24 for the Aug. 3 issue of the SanTan Sun News. All news must be submitted to News@SanTanSun.com by that day to be considered for the next issue or by filling in the “submit a news release” form on the newspaper’s website at SanTanSun. com. To send an item for consideration in the SanTan Family Fun, email it directly to STFF@SanTanSun.com.
Send advertising files and information to account reps or contact Ads@SanTanSun.com. For deadline information, visit SanTanSun.com and click on “About us” and call 480-732-0250 for advertising rate details.
TRINITY DONOVAN
Arizona doctor leading leukemia clinical trial
Mahesh Seetharam, M.D., oncologist and hematologist with Arizona Oncology, will lead an international, Phase III clinical trial for U.S. Oncology Research to test a drug that may lengthen the lives of those in remission after treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML)—a form of cancer that, if left untreated, could be fatal within weeks or months. It is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults, and it is more likely to occur as a person ages. The American Cancer Society estimates that around 14,590 new cases of AML will be diagnosed this year.
The study is open to those AML patients age 55 and older who have experienced complete remission up to 90 days after intensive treatment to be eligible for enrollment. Patients must also be ineligible for a bone marrow transplant to qualify for the trial. It is a randomized, double-blind study—meaning doctors or participants do not know if the patient is receiving the drug or a placebo.
The trial, to take place at more than 100 medical facilities worldwide, including sites affiliated with U.S. Oncology Research, requires 450 patient participants. The enrollment period is expected to take up to three years and the trial may last five years. Seetharam believes the trial may find a higher percentage of participants in Arizona compared to other areas due to the state’s large population of seniors.
“As lead investigator, I’ll be responsible for oversight and eligibility of the trial for all U.S. Oncology Research sites,” Seetharam says. “It’s a great honor to have been chosen, and I’m looking forward to supporting the outcomes of this study.”
Arizona Oncology is one of the largest medical groups in Arizona, with more than 50 practicing physicians devoted exclusively to comprehensive, compassionate and high-quality cancer care to patients in several communities around the state, including Chandler.
For more information call 800-482-6700 or visit usoncology. com.
Beat the heat at county park
San Tan Mountain Regional Park, 6533 W. Phillips Rd., Queen Creek, is continuing its summer Wet ‘n’ Wild promotion and will be giving away more tickets to Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park in Phoenix. Many July programs continue as well.
Upcoming Wet ‘n’ Wild programs
These programs are part of the Wet ‘n’ Wild program. A family pack of four tickets will be given away at the end of each program to Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park.
Panning for Gold is 9 to 10 a.m. Sat., July 27. Take a chance panning for real gold and hear the story of San Tan’s rich history along the way. Guests will be able to find and take home “Family Fun Gold Nuggets” as well as participate in a separate gold panning with a real sample of gold.
Snake Feeding is 1:30 to 2 p.m. Sat., July 27. What has no legs, two fangs and launches a strike in less than half a second? Find out as venomous creatures and snakes are fed in a jaw dropping display of predator meets prey.
Stories in the Sky is 8 to 9 p.m. Wed., July 31. Join a 1.3-mile night hike and uncover the stories and myths from past cultures exploring the constellations, planets and stars of the night sky. Bring a flashlight, water and proper hiking attire.
More programs in July
Creature Feature is noon to 2 p.m. Sat., July 20. Sit back, relax and enjoy a cinematic adventure on San Tan’s very own huge projector screen. Before the movie begins enjoy an animal presentation and chance to meet the cool critters
of San Tan. Bring snacks, blankets and pillow for viewing comfort.
Friday Fitness Hike is 7:30 to 9 a.m. Fri., July 26. Head outside and take in the scenic beauty of the San Tan Mountains along this 2.2-mile fitness hike. This program is part of the a hiking series that will take place on select Fridays each month with a new fitness topic for each hike
Desert Edibles is noon to 4 p.m. Sat., July 27. Learn about some of the appetizing delicacies of the Sonoran Desert inside the comfort of the San Tan Nature Center. Samplings of Ranger Adam’s famous Mesquite Pancakes and Prickly Pear Syrup will be offered. No utensils necessary. Visit maricopa.gov/parks/santan to learn more.
