September 6 - 19, 2014
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Primary voters elect new council GM opens IT and approve Home Rule Innovation Center BY JOAN WESTLAKE
The predicted importance of the primary election was confirmed Tuesday, Aug. 26. Even in a crowded field of candidates, it appears that sole council incumbent Kevin Hartke, former Mesa police Officer Terry Roe and project manager Rene Lopez have won
the three council seats outright, ending the need for a November runoff. Mayor Jay Tibshraeny ran unopposed and was re-elected. Chandler’s Home Rule measure also was approved, which means that $104 million will not need
SEE ELECTIONS PAGE 4
WINNING SIGNS: Winning City Council candidates, from left, Rene Lopez, Terry Roe and Kevin Hartke with Keith Frankel, celebrate on election night. Photo courtesy of Rene Lopez
BY TRACY HOUSE
General Motors opened its fourth Information Technology Innovation Center, adding Chandler to its list of locations already operating in Warren, Michigan, Austin, Texas and Roswell, Georgia. The grand opening was held Friday, Aug. 22 with approximately 500 facility employees in attendance in addition to guests that included Randy Mott, senior vice president, global information technology and chief information officer; Mayor Jay Tibshraeny; U.S. Reps. Matt Salmon and Kyrsten Sinema; Arizona Senate President Andy Biggs; and Speaker of the House Andy Tobin. In his opening remarks, Mott said, “I would like to just say it’s hard to believe that just 17 months ago we were here in March of 2013 announcing our decision to open General Motors fourth IT Innovation Center in Chandler.” The 170,000 square-foot facility, located at 2900 W. Geronimo Pl., was completed in June. The center is expected to employ 1,000 workers,
Chandler Regional hopes to meet demand with new 5-story tower
RIBBON CUTTING: Randy Mott, senior vice president, global information technology and chief information officer, was joined by Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and other invited guests in the official ribbon cutting of the new GM IT Innovation Center. STSN photo by Tracy House
hiring 500 more during the next five years. “Today, approximately 25 percent of our folks are recent graduates from local and regional universities. Another 25 percent of them are seasoned professionals newly located to the greater Phoenix area,” Mott said. SEE INNOVATION CENTER PAGE 4
CCA 25TH ANNIVERSARY
BY MEGHAN MCCOY
Before Tuesday, Aug. 26, patients who needed services at Chandler Regional Medical Center most likely encountered long wait times before being admitted to the facility. Hospital officials hope that problem is solved with the addition of a 96-bed, five-story tower. “We anticipate moving patients through the hospital much more rapidly,” says Tim Bricker, president and CEO of Dignity Health’s Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers. “We need more capacity to meet the needs of the community.” The $125 million project, which began in December 2011, includes a 171,000-square-foot expansion, spread throughout the tower and basement. The space boasts a new emergency
RIBBON CUTTING: Peter Menor, vice president of hospital operations, Tim Bricker, president and CEO of Dignity Health’s Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers, and Brian Evans, manager of hospital security, have a ribbon cutting for the new 96-bed tower that opened Tuesday, Aug. 26. Submitted photo
room, 56 treatment spaces and four trauma bays. Two helipads were added, and the radiology department was expanded. The former emergency room, which closed at the end of August, treated about 65,000 patients annually. The new facility can accommodate
CELEBRATE DANCE: Savannah Goebel of the Youth American Ballet Company shows perfect form during her performance in the Bogle Theatre. STSN photo by Tim Sealy For more photos of the Chandler Center for the Arts’ 25th anniversary see p. 60
SEE CHANDLER REGIONAL PAGE 5
F E AT U R E STO R I E S Bogus SRP caller scamming businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5 Wang delivers on his promises. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 16 Spanish 4kids immerses children in foreign language. . . . . . . YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 27 Chandler photographer wins prestigious awards. . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . Page 49 improvMANIA plans to make Chandler laugh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 61
SanTan Family Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Center Section
More Community . . . . . . .1-15 Business . . . . . . . .16-26 Youth. . . . . . . . . . 27-34 Opinion. . . . . . . . 47-48 Neighbors. . . . . . 49-60 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . 61-66 Spirituality . . . . . 67-69 Directory . . . . . . .70-71 Classifieds. . . . . . .72-73 Where to eat . . . 74-78
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Community
September 6 – 19, 2014
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ELECTIONS FROM PAGE 1
INNOVATION CENTER
to be cut from services to Chandler. Results were not finalized as of press time, as early-voting ballots and other provisional ballots had yet to be counted. These include voters who dropped off early ballots at the polls on Tuesday; those who lacked identification at the polls and had until Friday to prove eligibility; those whose names were not on the voting list; and other voters who encountered any other problem at the polls. Hartke, Roe and Lopez are endorsed by the Legislative District 17 Republican Party. The trio held its election night festivities together at Flordino’s Pizza and Pasta, owned by Lopez’s campaign chairman and outgoing Councilman Jeff Weninger. J.D. Mesnard and Weninger won places on the ballot for Legislative District 17 House of Representatives in the November general election. Roe and Lopez replace Trinity Donovan and Weninger, whose terms expire in January. Retired principal Sam Huang, former Intel engineer Chelle Daly and former Mayor of Fountain Hills Jon Beydler finished fourth, fifth and sixth. As of press time, Hartke had 12,398 votes, Roe 10,732 and Lopez 8,795, according to the Maricopa County Recorder. Lopez, who had run unsuccessfully previously, says he relied very much on Weninger’s advice and direction. Some of the mailers and other campaign promotions combined the three successful candidates.
Tibshraeny, who also addressed the audience, said, “This is a great day, not just for Chandler, not just for the region or the county, but for the State of Arizona.” He thanked GM employees, the City Council, the City staff and the Arizona Commerce Authority. He said the addition of GM to the Price Road Corridor adds to Chandler’s reputation as an innovation-and-technology hub. “This project, along with others, means high quality, sustainable jobs,” Tibshraeny said. “It means that we further diversify, which is really critical, our workforce and adds a positive economic impact to our community,
“We share very similar visions and goals for fiscal responsibilities and putting the needs of the citizens of Chandler first,” says Lopez. “From the campaigns, we come into the council with the established, positive relationships that will help accomplish the work that needs done.” One Chandler issue that will be on on the November ballot is whether to extend term limits so that council members can serve as many as three consecutive four-year terms. Opponents say turnover brings new vitality and ideas while proponents of the measure argue longer terms foster continuity and opportunities to serve on regional organizations.
FROM PAGE 1
and more importantly, to the State of Arizona.” According to a press release, GM’s IT innovation centers are part of a companywide transformation to improve performance, reduce the cost of ongoing operations and increase its delivery of innovation. “We have made significant progress transforming GM IT over the past 20 months,” Mott said. “The success of the Chandler Innovation Center is yet another important proof point that illustrates our progress.” Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.
Joan Westlake is a freelance writer for the STSN. She can be reached at news@santansun.com
ON DISPLAY: Onlookers had an up-close look at a Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac Escalade outside the GM IT Innovation Center on Aug. 22 as part of the center’s official opening. STSN photos by Tracy House
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Community
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Bogus SRP caller scamming businesses The Chandler Police Department warns that an individual is calling local businesses and identifying himself as an employee of Salt River Project. He tells the victim that the power bill for the business is past due and the power will be shut off within an hour if it is not paid in full. The victim is instructed to purchase a pre-paid credit card and provide the credit card access code to the impersonator. This is a phone scam, according to police. SRP never contacts customers by telephone and threatens to shut off power if a payment is not made immediately. SRP sends out a delinquent reminder bill if the account is up for disconnection. SRP Customer Services offers these tips to avoid being a victim of this crime: • Never give a credit or debit card number or other personal information to any caller or visitor without knowing their true identity. • When any concern arises, immediately contact the account manager listed on the top portion of the SRP bill statement or the SRP Business Contact Center at (602) 236-8833. • Residential customers can call SRP at (602) 236-8888 for accurate information about their electric account, program information or to confirm SRP employee identification. Additional information can be found at www.srpnet.com/scam
nearly 80,000 patients a year. The intensive-care unit also was expanded. Bricker says 32 more beds were added to the existing 17 critical care beds. Sixty four general hospital beds for patients who are not critically ill, but still need to be hospitalized, were added to the new tower. The hospital now houses 16 operating rooms, which, Bricker says, will significantly expand the surgery capabilities. “The hospital itself is a beautiful space,” he says. “We designed it in such a way that the physical environment is intended to contribute to healing.” The design features natural light, artwork, colors and tones that are soothing and calming. Additional renovations, such as a new front entrance, lobby, chapel and dining area, are being completed. “After the new hospital tower opens next week, we have another six months or so for renovations,” Bricker explains. Chandler Regional opened a level I trauma center in March, which, Bricker says, is busier than anticipated, having treated more than 800 trauma patients. “We are on a pace right now to probably be 60 percent busier than anticipated,” he says. “We obviously knew there was a community need. Our experience has confirmed that. We know that there are many patients that wouldn’t be with us today if the trauma center was not open.”
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ROOMS: The trauma operating room was a part of the expansion project of the new five-story tower at Chandler Regional. Submitted photo When Chandler Regional opened at what is now McQueen Road and Chandler Boulevard in 1961, it staffed 25 employees for its 42-bed facility. In 1984, the hospital moved to its current location at 1955 W. Frye Rd. In 1996, the hospital received $40 million in bonds for a 10-year expansion. A 140,000-square-foot tower was added in 2002, which included a women’s center, outpatient diagnostic imaging and a dedicated emergency CT and MRI. Two new labs and an additional
nine-bed holding unit for its cardiac catheterization laboratory was added in 2011. A neonatal intensive-care unit with 12 private patient rooms was added the following year. Meghan McCoy is the Neighbors and Business section editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at meghan@santansun.com.
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September 6 – 19, 2014
Community
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Elevation Chandler closer to coming down BY TIM J. RANDALL
There are considerable changes ahead for 26 acres next to the Chandler Fashion Center near the Loops 101 and 202. The site holds a decade-long debacle known as Elevation Chandler, a skeleton of a six-story hotel plan that went financially bust in 2006. That changed, however, last month when the Chandler City Council unanimously approved a zoning ordinance for Chandler Veridian. The mixed-use development includes retail and a hotel in the northern half of the parcel northwest of the Loop 101/ Loop 202 interchange. Office buildings would be in the center of the parcel with multifamily residential in the southern half. The new project is undertaken by Hines, a privately owned real estate partnership with 272 million square feet of building space in more than 855 properties. “Hines is very excited about moving forward with the mixed-use Chandler Viridian development,” says Chris Anderson, managing direction for Hines in Phoenix. “From the beginning, Chandler Viridian has been a strong focus of Hines to create a place where people can live comfortably, work efficiently and enjoy the amenities offered by this outstanding location in the city of Chandler.” Anderson notes that the project will be developed in phases, provided the City Council opts to provide final sign-
OVERVIEW: West elevation from Galleria Way. Submitted photo
OVERVIEW 2: Residential elevation. Submitted photo
CHANDLER FASHION CENTER: Overview of proposed zoning. Submitted photo
off on the development package in early September. “The delivery of Chandler Viridian to this point has been a result of a strong collaboration of the City of Chandler public officials, planning staff, citizen input and our design team that will finally realize the great potential this location embraces,” Anderson says. The remainder of 2014 will involve Hines finalizing the purchase of the north and south parcels. The demolition and clean-up of the old Elevation structure will likely occur in early 2015. As the project unfolds, the site will
offer considerable outdoor access with connected walking paths and integration to Chandler Fashion Center and Chandler’s public transportation. According to the Hines Viridian overview statement, “The development of Chandler Viridian is centered on creating places for people to gather, relax and contemplate.” Anderson adds, “Hines has a longstanding reputation for delivering highquality projects that positively impact the community and its citizens.” With Viridian, Chandler adds another significant accomplishment to its
OVERVIEW 3: Office elevation. Submitted photo
strong resume of strategic and dynamic expansion. “We are excited to see this plan develop going forward and make a positive impact on the area,” says Chandler Vice Mayor Rick Heumann. “From an economic perspective, this project is a great driver of growth. The mixed-use concept will add businesses, workers and consumers.” Tim J. Randall is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at news@santansun.com.
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Community
September 6 – 19, 2014
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Community
September 6 – 19, 2014
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Garmin celebrates new building in Chandler BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
With Chandler and Arizona officials on hand, Garmin cut the ribbon to its new 60,000-square-foot research-anddevelopment facility. Garmin employees, Chandler Chamber of Commerce members, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, members of the Chandler City Council and U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema were among the dignitaries who spoke and officiated at the ceremony. “Recently, we’ve been expanding and decided it was time for us to have more of an Arizona presence,” states Merlin Smith, director of auto OEM software at the Garmin Chandler facility. “Garmin has a total of three facilities in Arizona…a lot of people don’t know that. We have a facility in Tucson and then an R&D facility here, and we have a small manufacturing facility up in Deer Valley.” Located at 480 N. Juniper Dr., the new building will support Garmin’s software engineering needs in aviation, automotive original-equipment manufacturing and desktop applications. “We are delighted to open such a state-of-the-art research-anddevelopment facility here in Chandler,” says Smith. “We chose to expand in Chandler because there is a large population of highly skilled engineers here locally and we have very much appreciated the support of both the city and state throughout the process.”
BUILDING THE FUTURE: The new Garmin facility in Chandler is the company’s first LEEDcertified building. STSN photo by Lynette Carrington
Garmin had leased space at a nearby office in Chandler for five years before opening the new facility, which will offer 141 new jobs. This is Garmin’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) gold-certified building. Seventy percent of the building’s electrical needs will be supported by solar power. Twenty percent of the building materials were recycled materials. It will use 30 percent less water than a traditionally constructed building and uses an abundance of natural light. The building includes 23 conference rooms, opencollaboration spaces, whiteboard walls, 180 covered parking spaces, solar panels, four labs and a mother’s room. Additional comfort features include showers, table
tennis, basketball and volleyball courts and a large grassy recreation area. Sinema praised Garmin for choosing Chandler as the site for its expansive building and addressed the company’s many employees at the event. “For everyone who is here working in R&D...it is important to know that the work that you’re doing is making a measureable difference in the lives of people that you sell your products to,” Sinema says. “It’s an incredible privilege to see so many smart, talented people choose Chandler as their home.” She continues that Chandler is “a real center for growth.” “And a big part of that credit goes to the mayor and council who have been impressively recruiting companies just
IT’S OFFICIAL: Garmin officials, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, the Chandler City Council and Chandler Chamber of Commerce members preside over the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, along with U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema. STSN photo by Lynette Carrington
like Garmin to come in to this area,” she says. Tibshraeny welcomed Garmin’s expansion as the city continues to grow its research-and-development community with “solid, progressive employers. “Leading-edge firms like Garmin choosing to locate and expand in Chandler show that we continue our commitment to bring the best companies and jobs to our community,” Tibshraeny says. Lynette Carrington is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. She can be contacted at lynette@santansun.com
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September 6 – 19, 2014
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Recap of recent Chandler City Council meeting The Chandler City Council met in mid-August and took action on 66 agenda items including: • Approved a rezoning for Chandler Viridian, a commercial and multifamily development, planned for the southwest corner of the Loop 101 Freeway and Frye Road. • Approved rezoning for Continuum at Dobson Road, a planned development of five office buildings and one hotel on the northwest corner of Dobson and Queen Creek roads, to allow for the development of parcels less than 15 acres. • Adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, series 2014, not to exceed $250 million and authorized the management services director to determine whether it is in the City’s best interest to sell the bonds in a competitive bid or through a negotiated sale. • Approved the transfer of property between the City’s Municipal Utilities Department and the Housing Division and authorized the development of two affordable rental-housing units, which would be leased to qualified families. The 7,000-square-foot lot is across the street from one of the City’s existing rental properties at 127 N. Kingston St. • Approved a preliminary development plan for the Ocotillo Plaza Shopping Center, on the
northwest corner of Alma School and Queen Creek roads, to change the existing signage and include additional commercial buildings, including drivethrus. • Approved a preliminary development plan for an amendment to the Intel Ocotillo Campus master plan that provides a projection of future site development. • Approved annual membership dues to Valley Metro Rail Inc. (METRO), in the amount of $50,000, and the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, in the amount of $82,701. • Awarded a construction contract to Nesbitt Contracting Co. Inc., for Gilbert Road Improvements Phase III, from Chandler Heights Road to Hunt Highway, in an amount not to exceed $5,003,048. • Approved the purchase and installation on baseball fields 1-6 at the Snedigar Sportsplex of 12 shade structures by Shade ‘N Net in the amount of $74,535. • Approved special-event liquor licenses for the Chandler Center for the Arts for the Mariachi Festival on Oct. 12, and for the Larry the Cable Guy performance on Oct. 18. Also approved a special-event liquor license for the Downtown Chandler Community Foundation for the annual Rock the Block event along Arizona Avenue on Nov. 8.
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TO UNCLE BEARS, OREGANO’S & B.L.D.
• Approved a new contract for City Manager Rich Dlugas in the amount of $203,088. • Denied a use permit to build a single-family dwelling within the multifamily residential district on the property at 380 S. Washington St. The council also held a public hearing on the City’s Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), which details Community Planning and Development Programs and is submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. At the conclusion of the regular meeting, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny welcomed Chandler’s new Communications and Public Affairs Director Matt Burdick. The mayor and council also thanked Economic Development Director Christine Mackay for her 16 years of service; she is taking a position with the City of Phoenix. Tibshraeny noted that the new shade structures at Snedigar Sportsplex give spectators a better experience and he gave an update on Chandler’s two newest parks, Centennial and Valencia, which are being completed next month and dedicated later this fall. It was acknowledged that the Center for the Arts commemorated its 25th anniversary in August. Councilman Jack Sellers asked the community to support 5-year-old Ethan Butters, a local golf
phenomenon who competed in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in North Carolina. Vice Mayor Rick Heumann reminded everyone that schools are back in session and to be aware that “15 means 15” in school zones. He also encouraged all those registered to go vote to do so. Councilman Kevin Hartke announced that the new Level I Trauma Center at Chandler Regional Medical Center is open, and he invited residents to the next session of the Mayor’s Listening Tour at 7p.m. on Sept. 9, at 1150 W. Erie St. Councilwoman Nora Ellen reminded people that August was Drowning Impact Awareness Month and to watch children around water. She recently taped a show focusing on drowning prevention for Chandler Channel 11, which is streamed at www.chandleraz. gov/video. During another City Council meeting last month, the council took action on nine items. This included adopting two resolutions authorizing a Crime Victim Assistance Program Grant Agreement between the City and the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. The grants cover the expenses for a victim-services specialist in the police department, with DPS providing 80 percent and ACJC 20 percent of the SEE CHANDLER CITY COUNCIL RECAP PAGE 11
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funding. The position interacts with victims of actual or threatened crime in the Chandler community to assist in their recovery. At the beginning of the meeting, Tibshraeny welcomed members of the Tainan City, Taiwan, Little League team and their coaches, who were here touring the state. They practiced and played games with the Chandler National Little League Team. Scheduled appearances concluded with Tibshraeny welcoming members of the City’s Housing and Human Services Commission and proclaiming Aug. 22, as CDBG Day in Chandler in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant Program, which is responsible for funding many critical programs in the community. The next meeting of the City Council is a regular meeting at 7 p.m., followed by a study session on Monday, Sept. 8. Council meetings are aired live, as well as replayed, on Chandler Channel 11 and streamed on the web at www. chandleraz.gov/video.
Three-day FEMA basic disaster training available Learn about the options and the skills necessary, in an emergency or disaster, to secure home, family and neighbors in a free, 21-hour, three-day FEMA Chandler Community Emergency Response Team Basic Class taught by specially certified Chandler firefighters. You must be at least 16 years old. After completing the course, attendees take part in a disasterdrill simulation. The course takes place 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays Oct. 4 and Oct. 11, and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Oct. 18, at Chandler Fire Health and Medical Training Facility, 3550 S. Dobson Rd., Chandler. Email CERTAdmin@chandleraz. gov for reservations and information, or call (480) 782-2116. Attendance at this basic course is the first requirement for membership in CERT.
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Chandler City Council awards downtown project Ryan Companies, a national company specializing in office development, construction and management, received the request for proposal for the premier downtown property known as Site 6, located on Arizona Avenue. The firm proposes to develop and lease a mixeduse project of two office buildings and
related retail and restaurants as well as outdoor dining, pedestrian walkways and open space. “We expect this to be a signature development project in downtown,” says Kim Moyers, downtown redevelopment manger for the City of Chandler. “It is expected to open up much-needed
office space, bringing jobs to downtown, while building on the momentum we have as an entertainment destination.” The project is being built in two phases based on market conditions and pre-leasing. City staff is negotiating a development agreement to be presented to the council by spring.
City staff receive recognition Mayor Jay Tibshraeny, Councilwoman Trinity Donovan and the rest of the council recognized the City’s 2014 Employees of the Year during a Monday, Aug. 11, study session. They are: Deborah Moreno, community services; Mike Pallas, fire, health and medical; Wes Thomson, general government; Melissa Deanda, police; Chris Sikora, management services; and Sam Andrea, transportation and development. The municipal utilities winners were
members of the Solid Waste Services Division: Justin Baldwin; Peggy Clemens; Traci Conaway; Jeremy Dickman; Mary Dorsch; Stephanie Gomez; Scott Irwin; Mike Jada; Patrick Johnson; Mark King; Silas Lal; Rosalina Ortega; James Salazar; Tabitha Sauer; Christine Vrabec. Also recognized were several City employees for their years of service including: Charlie Estrella, 10 years, municipal utilities; Anupa Jain, 15 years, municipal utilities; Niki Tapia, 15 years,
Academy presents HOA management expertise Attend the free Homeowners Association Academy to network and learn from experts knowledgeable in HOA management. The academy includes four classes scheduled 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesdays Sept. 16, through Oct. 7. The City of Chandler partners with Mulcahy Law Firm PC, Shaw and Lines LLC, Torrent Resources and Chandler’s Storm Water Management Program to present the academy, which is being held in training rooms A and B on the second floor of Chandler City Hall, 175 S. Arizona Ave. Contact the Neighborhood Programs Office at (480) 782-4354 to register. Find applications at www.chandleraz. gov/neighborhoods. Class topics include: • Sept. 16: Legislative Update and How to Effectively Deal with Rental Properties. Participants receive an in-depth review of the community association bills passed in the 2014 legislative session and engage in discussions related to rentals and the applicable new laws. • Sept. 23: Save the Association Money by Maintaining Dry Wells
and the Reserve Study. This class provides an overview on association dry wells and discusses common systems, inspection and maintenance and applicable city requirements. Participants also discuss Reserve Studies and their importance as the community ages. • Sept. 30: CC&R Enforcement and Collections Simplified. Participants learn about proactive approaches and the five secrets to collecting assessments and using the association’s available legal remedies to collect delinquencies. • Oct. 7: Properly Choose Vendors and Protect the Association Concerning Vendor Transactions. Learn the proper steps an HOA should take when hiring vendors such as management companies, landscapers and attorneys. Enrollment priority for the Chandler HOA Academy is given to Chandler residents. Those who complete all four classes receive a Certificate of Completion and are recognized at a future Chandler City Council meeting.
neighborhood resources; and David Payne, 10 years, police. Members of the City’s Employee Wellness Committee joined the mayor in accepting an award from the American Heart Association designating the City a Fit-Friendly Worksite. The mayor then recognized the accounting staff for receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
Domestic violence awareness event announced Join the City of Chandler Domestic Violence Commission at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center, 745 E. Germann Rd., for its sixth annual Domestic Violence Awareness Event–Speak, Share, Survive. The event will feature an inspirational keynote speaker who has been impacted by domestic violence. Joannie Sandoval will speak at the kick-off to National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. The event brings local agency representatives, community partners and citizens together to raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence in the community and learn about the resources available to help and prevent it. RSVP for the 7:15 a.m. breakfast at www. dvdcommision-awareness.eventbrite. com. Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and council members are also scheduled to appear.
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Mayor’s Listening Tour to Little Leaguers from Taiwan, reveal neighborhood initiative Chandler play ball A new neighborhood initiative designed to broaden citizen participation and develop the next generation of neighborhood leaders is being announced by Mayor Jay Tibshraeny at his 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, Listening Tour stop at Arizona College Prep—Erie Campus, 1150 W. Erie St. The Mayor’s Listening Tours are held throughout the city in partnership with the Neighborhood Advisory Committee. Prior initiatives have included the City’s Voluntary Demolition Program,
Neighborhood Excellence Awards, DIY Connect and formation of a Traditional Neighborhood Academy. As with past Listening Tours, the meeting provides residents an opportunity to find out about City resources and services including the Neighborhood Registration Program and Neighborhood Grant Program, which provides grants of up to $5,000 to assist with neighborhood revitalization. Find out more about the grant program at (480) 782-4354.
A Little League baseball team from Tainan City, Taiwan, was in Chandler recently on a goodwill tour and cultural exchange. Free exhibition games were arranged between the Taiwan team and the Chandler National Little League Team at Snedigar Sportsplex. The City worked with the local Taiwanese Community, the Taiwan
Chamber of Commerce and Arizona Governor’s Office to organize the games and tour that included cultural exchanges with Chandler youth, visits to several professional baseball facilities, recognition of the team at a Chandler City Council meeting, a tour of the Grand Canyon and meeting with the governor.
Mayor named VP of League of AZ Cities and Towns Mayor Jay Tibshraeny was named vice president of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns as the organization elected three executive officers during its annual conference in August. He serves a twoyear term along with Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell, president, and Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen, treasurer. In addition to the three officers, the group is governed by an Executive Committee made up of mayors and council members from incorporated cities and towns across the state. Tibshraeny is a longstanding member of the Arizona League of Cities and
Towns, serving as treasurer from 2012 to 2014, as well as serving on the Executive Committee from 2000 to 2002, and the National League of Cities Transportation Infrastructure and Services Policy Committee 1986-2002. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns is a voluntary association of all the 91 incorporated cities and towns in the State of Arizona. It provides policy and legislative advocacy, information and inquiry services, along with publications and educational programs to strengthen the quality and efficiency of municipal government.
UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE: No matter what language, baseball is the voice of youth as this Little League team from Taiwan spoke with local teams on the fields of Chandler in August. Photo submitted
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Street construction continues into fall Frye Road between Price and Alma School roads is experiencing minor traffic restrictions while more than 50 aging manholes are rehabilitated. A contractor working for the City, AchenGardner Construction, is expected to complete the project by Thanksgiving. Construction moves down the road west-to-east as repairs are made. Traffic lanes are being reduced or shifted as necessary to accommodate the construction, but work areas are minimized as much as possible to reduce traffic impacts. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times.
September begins the next phase of the Gilbert Road Improvements Project, from just south of Chandler Heights Road to Hunt Highway. Expanding Gilbert Road to four lanes, the project includes sidewalks, bike lanes, curbs, gutters, street lights, storm drainage, traffic signals and landscaping.
November Projects Work on McQueen Road between Ocotillo and Riggs roads is expected to begin early in the month. The project will widen the street to four lanes and will include bike lanes, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, street lighting, turn lanes,
DEADLINES FOR SANTAN SUN NEWS The deadline for news and advertising is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, for the Saturday, Sept. 20, 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 www.santansun.com and click on “About us” and call (480) 732-0250 for advertising rate details.
traffic signals, storm drainage, medians, landscaping and utility relocation. Late November, the widening to two lanes in each direction of Ocotillo Road between Arizona Avenue and McQueen Road begins. The project will create center-turn bays, bicycle lanes, curb, gutter, sidewalks, storm drainage and landscaping. A new pedestrian signal is being installed where the Paseo Trail (located alongside the Consolidated Canal) crosses Ocotillo Road, and the railroad crossing is being improved. Late in the month, improvements are planned for Queen Creek Road,
west of Price Road, including a new traffic signal at Queen Creek and Old Price roads, new turn bays and work associated with Wells Fargo’s expansion near this location.
Police seek suspects in robbery The Chandler Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying two men who reportedly robbed the Subway at 1020 E. Pecos Rd., at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11. One hoodie-wearing suspect collected the money while the second suspect held a handgun. Once the first suspect collected the cash, the two left the store. Anyone with information is asked to call CPD at (480) 782-4130, or Silent Witness at (480) WITNESS (948-6377). Silent Witness is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of these suspects. Do not confront these men, as they are armed and considered dangerous.
Suspect descriptions: • Suspect 1: White male (light-skinned), 18-21 years of age; 5 foot, 6 inches to 5 foot, 8 inches; medium-to-thin build wearing a black-and-red pullover hoodie sweatshirt, black shorts, a black or purple baseball cap with a yellow brim, black skater shoes with white low socks, black low-cut gloves. • Suspect 2: White male (light skinned), 18-21 years of age; 5 foot, 9 inches to 6 foot; medium, bulkier build; wearing a white sleeveless shirt, black basketball shorts with blue trim, black skater shoes, medium length (at ears) brown hair, with a tan scarf or rag over face. Suspect 2 displayed a handgun.
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