Mesa Tribune: Southeast 02-23-2020

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The hometown newspaper returns

Mesa baseball museum hopes may be fading

PAGE 16 An edition of the East Valley Tribune

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Sunday, February 23, 2020

Tower grant readying Mesa for major airline

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

O

nce considered a dusty, remote military castoff, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is moving toward a major breakthrough that enables it to host major commercial airlines – thanks to a $10 million federal grant for a new, long-awaited air traffic control tower.

The new tower promises to unlock the airport’s full potential when it is completed at the end of 2022 – which will cost nearly $30 million, with the Federal Aviation Administration

pledging $25 million and the rest coming from state and airport funds.

Replacing a vintage Vietnam War-era tower built in 1970 when the airport was still Williams Air Force Base, the much taller and wider new tower is expected to bolster Mesa’s efforts to land a major carrier.

The FAA’s large commitment to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway amplifies the airport’s credibility while eliminating the old tower – the airport’s most glaring deficiency – according to J. Brian O’Neill, the airport’s CEO and executive director.

Mesa clips wings of 2 vintage plane groups

“It will be an impressive monument,’’ viewable from throughout east Mesa, southeast Gilbert and Queen Creek, he said. “I think there will be a favorable reception from the airlines.’’

O’Neill said the tower, when combined with the airport’s three 10,000-foot-long runways, strengthens the airport’s longstanding efforts to attract a “legacy carrier’’ with regular service to a western hub where passengers could make connections to hundreds of destinations.

Although O’Neill stressed that he has no

see TOWER page 6

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

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plan to preserve Falcon Field’s rich history as a World War II training base seemed so simple and laudable on the surface – but it’s still encountering a bumpy ride.

A lease approved by the Mesa City Council in December combined two non-profit vintage aviation organizations into one of two large hangars built during WWII, when the U.S. Army turned a quiet orange grove into a significant training base, especially for the Royal Air Force.

Under the plan, Wings of Flight and Falcon Warbirds would keep history alive, showing off their collection of vintage planes to school children and flying in special events as the Warbirds focus heavily on honoring veterans by flying missing-man formations during funerals.

“It seemed like a perfect fit. Let’s dedicate this one hangar to

see HANGAR page 4

Retired Air Force Brigadier General Rick Stich of the Falcon Warbirds, standing near his own vintage plane, said Mesa’s plan for rearranging hangar space at Falcon Field will leave some of his group’s members without a place to store their aircraft. (Chris Mortenseon/Tribune Staff Photographer)

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

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NEWS

3

New MCC president: ‘Be prepared to be amazed’

BY CHRISTOPHER BOAN Tribune Staff Writer

W

isconsin native Dr. Lori Berquam was named the interim president of Mesa Community College in late January.

Berquam, who came to MCC originally as the school’s executive vice president in July of 2019, assumed succeeds Dr. Richard Haney, who resigned in January.

Prior to arriving in the East Valley, Berquam served as the dean of students and vice provost for student life at the University of Wisconsin in Madison for more than two decades.

Berquam also spent the 2018-19 academic year in Tucson, taking part in the American Council on Education Fellowship at the University of Arizona.

The Mesa Tribune sat down with Berquam, who started her new role on Feb. 1, to go over her first few weeks as the campus’ interim president.

The Q&A below, edited for brevity and clarity, covered a host of topics meant to introduce Berquam to the community.

Q: How did you find your way to Mesa Community College?

A: I had a fellowship down at the University of Arizona and working with the provost in the Provost’s office from the University of Wisconsin. And when I was in Arizona, I fell in love with the two-plustwos, working with Cochise and Pima.

And really, I think, not expectedly happened upon my love for the community college and how it really can change the course of a person’s life and give them an opportunity they never thought possible.

I’m a first generational college graduate. What drew me to the community college and then what drew me to Mesa was actually the innovative, executive vice president position, which combined academic and student affairs.

Q: How do you create a culture of compassion with academic rigor?

A: Many of our students have one, two and sometimes three different jobs. I met with a student yesterday who was telling me about wanting to stop one of their three jobs so they could spend more time studying. And it’s pretty amazing. So, it’s my journey.

I really always thought I’d be in Wisconsin. I thought I would finish my career in

Dr. Lori Berquam is jazzed about becoming interim president of Mesa Community College. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)

Wisconsin. Had the fellowship nomination, went down to the University of Arizona, experienced some great opportunities at Cochise and Pima, was recruited for this position as an [Executive Vice President].

I was offered the position and accepted it; and before I knew it, my president, who I love, said he wanted to spend more time with his family and would I be interested in being the interim president and here I am.

Q: How has your time in the role has gone so far?

A: So, I started Feb. 1, so it gives you some sort of idea. I think I’ve had a very, very warm and supportive reception. I think the college, the faculty, the staff, the students are really welcoming and inviting to me, and I think have supported me in this role.

And we still have work to do and we’re working on it – working on the Shared Governance Bodies, working on the GPS, or Guided Pathways, transitions, transformation happening over the course of this spring and into the coming years.

Working our diversity, equity and inclusion goals, making sure we’re creating an environment welcoming to our students, it’s also welcoming and supportive of our faculty and staff.

I had the opportunity to go to the mayor’s State of the City address and one of the things fascinating to me is just how

the demographics of the city are changing and evolving.

The fact we now have an official Asian District, with a whole marketing campaign around it, tells me the city is changing; and how are we as a college changing with it?

Q: What’s your vision is for this campus as president?

A: I want our graduates to be the most sought-after graduates in the county, in the state and possibly even in the nation.

Certainly, because we do great academic work in supporting them to understand the academic fields they want to go into.

But more importantly, because we focus on the type of people we want them to become.

Globally-engaged citizens in the community, in their church, in their schools – it’s what we want to create.

We want this to be a place people want to work at, so much so we are turning people away because we have such a wonderful environment for people in which to work and to thrive.

That’s what my vision is. Certainly, it means we have to do some infrastructure support, meaning ‘are we at the highest level of IT?’” Are we at the place where we can be for our students when they need it? Are we available online?

Do we have flexible schedules so our students can take classes when it meets

see MCC page 12

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

HANGAR from page 1

this specific purpose’’ of honoring Falcon Field’s unique history, said Corinne Nystrom, airport manager.

But the planned marriage between the two organizations with some similarities but different missions is hitting turbulence because it fits a bit too snug.

Although the 20,000-square-foot hangar is quite spacious, it’s still not large enough to accommodate both collections of vintage aircraft.

In hopes of keeping all of their aircraft together, the aviation organizations want to lease a 13,000-square-foot hangar next door from the city.

But because it has no historical connection, they will have to pay market rate and compete against private industry.

Mesa has advertised the coveted hangar but has not selected a new tenant.

“It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s not a fix,’’ Dan Condon, president of Wings of Flight, said about his lease with Falcon Warbirds. “We want this to be a central location where we can celebrate the history of Falcon Field. It’s impossible to fit 10 pounds in a five-pound sack.’’

Dick Stich, a retired brigadier general in the U.S. Air Force and president of the Warbirds, said his organization would need to kick out five of its 10 vintage planes to make room from Wings of Flight in May. “We’ve got to get rid of five of our guys, it’s what tears me apart,’’ Stich said. “It’s going to hurt the hell out of us.’’

It’s why the goal of combining two hangars together works so well for both organizations – but it remains uncertain if it works out for the city.

Stich and Condon presented the twohangar plan as a solution rather than just dwelling on the space issue.

“We just thought it would be great to have all of these planes in one spot. I would say 90 percent of our flying is for veterans,’’ Stich said.

The Warbirds’ missing-man formations require considerable skill by the four pilots flying in close quarters.

They make a powerful statement at the funerals of veterans as one plane peels off from the rest as the symbol of death, he said.

If the two vintage aviation organizations could somehow rent the smaller hangar next door, they could merely open a sliding door during special events, al-

Falcon Warbirds member Monte Montez is a retired Air Force general who fears losing a place at Falcon Field to park his plane. (Chris Mortenson/Tribune Staff Photographer)

lowing visitors to see all of the planes, Stich said.

Although such an arrangement would be ideal, Nystrom said the lease signed by the Warbirds and Wings of Flight anticipated the space issue.

It reserves four small hangars, designed to store one airplane each, as an overflow area for any planes not fitting in the historic hangar when the two organizations combine.

“I think we all knew because of the size of the hangar, it would be a tight fit in there,’’ she said.

From the start, Mesa had a strong desire to preserve the WWII history of Falcon Field, Nystrom said.

More than 2,000 cadets were trained at Falcon Field between 1941 and the war’s conclusion in 1945.

A plaque located in Falcon Field Park across from the WWII hangar pays homage to the 23 British cadets who were killed in accidents during the training mission, along with one American.

These Royal Air Force cadets are buried together at the Mesa City Cemetery, the scene of many memorial ceremonies over the years.

The base was turned over to Mesa after the war and has gradually grown into a major municipal airport and an economic asset as East Mesa has grown up around it.

Mesa attempts to signal the area out as a special destination through the creation of the Falcon District, with blue street signs featuring a wing as a nod to aviation.

“We played a big part in this. Our history at Falcon Field is very important to us,’’ Nystrom said.

Wings of Flight’s collection includes a Stearman trainer from World War II, much like the trainers used at British Flight School Number 4, and a T6 Texan, also a WWII trainer.

The Warbirds’ collection includes military trainers from the U.S., Russia and China, mostly from the Cold War era. Stich’s immaculately maintained Ryan Navion looks like it just rolled off an assembly line – though it actually was built in 1950 as a civilian version of the popular P-51 Mustang, an acclaimed post-WWII era fighter.

“It’s a great way to get people interested and to say, this is the role we played,’’ especially with the RAF cadets, Nystrom said. “It’s a great way to commemorate the history we have.’

She said the organizations are required by the lease to serve as ambassadors of Falcon Field, giving tours and demonstrations. The city’s prefers WWII vintage planes.

This is a perfect fit for Wings of Flight, which focuses on preservation and educa-

tion, Condon said.

“We’re basically a marketing division for Mesa and Falcon Field,’’ Condon said.

“Our program is education, preservation and education.’’

While historic preservation is important to the airport, other, somewhat competing interests also are important, Nystrom said.

“The hangar located next to them has no historic value,’’ she said. “We will be renting it out at fair market value and we will award it to the highest and best use.’’

The lease considerations go beyond price and also take into account such factors as whether the tenant will improve the premises and if the tenant would create jobs, another mission of Falcon Field, Nystrom said.

“The airport is fully self-sustaining. We do not get any of our revenues from the city’s General Fund,’’ Nystrom said.

The space problem is not expected to reach its height until May, when Wings of Flight’s lease in a less desirable airport location is scheduled to expire.

The hopes of both organizations rest heavily on securing the second hangar, but they both vow to take due, no matter what.

“We understand the city has an obligation to the citizens,’’ Condon said. “They have to make money.’’ 

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

TOWER from page 1

“And, U.S. airlines transport 2.4 million passengers each and every day and travelers continue to take to the skies in record numbers due in large part to historically low airfares.”

Built for military purposes long before commercial flight was a consideration, the old tower also was considered a safety issue because it is too short for the controllers to see the far side of the north runway.

Spotting towers used for military planes were demolished when the base closed.

O’Neill said this problem was overcome through radio communication between air traffic controllers and pilots.

“Phoenix- Mesa Gateway Airport is a very unique airport. We are the most active contract air traffic control airport in the country,’’ he said. “The dedicated air traffic controllers have to be some of the best in the business because of the diverse air traffic.’’

O’Neill said the air traffic might include anything from a large airliner to a military jet to small planes used by the flight schools that still fulfill the airport’s original training function.

Contract towers are mostly at smaller airports and operated by employees of a private company, rather than by the FAA. The FAA lists 256 such towers nationally, with six others located in Arizona besides Gateway.

The new tower was made possible when Congress eliminated a $2 million cap on spending on contract control towers.

A letter sent to Deputy FAA Administrator Daniel Elwell in December by the four Arizona congress members said that in the past five years, operations have increased 85 percent, making Phoenix-Mesa Gateway the 35th busiest airport in the country.

In January, an airport press release said that 1,774,763 passengers used the airport in 2019, a nearly 16 percent increase from the previous year.

“We were very fortunate to receive the discretionary funding from the FAA’’ to start building the tower, O’Neill said. “The FAA truly understands the regional importance of the Phoenix- Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.’’

The authority is a consortium of local governments who took over the airport’s operation after the federal government closed Williams Air Force Base. It includes Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Apache Junction and the Gila River Indian Community. 

6

deals in place, he said potential examples might include United Airlines, with service to its Denver hub, or Delta Airlines, with service to its Salt Lake City hub.

“They really want to insure they can operate safely and efficiently,’’ O’Neill said.

The new tower contributes heavily towards that goal, expanding the capacity for a larger number of air traffic controllers to handle more flights.

“I do think the desire and the demand is there,’’ O’Neill said, citing the East Valley’s population and job growth. “We do hear on a very frequent basis, if you had daily service to a hub, we’d rather use your airport.’’

He said the East Valley is heading to a point where it will become a separate market and that the metro area is large enough to support more than one commercial airport.

While O’Neill is reluctant to compare airports, saying they all are different, some obvious examples include Dallas-Ft. Worth, Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

The antiquated tower is 106 feet tall and has tight quarters – only 250 square feet – that can accommodate a maximum four air traffic controllers, who need to climb up a ladder to get to the top.

The new tower will be 165 feet tall, with 550 square feet of work space for a maximum of eight controllers.

“The old tower was too short and the cab was too small. We have just outgrown it,’’ said Ryan Smith, an airport spokesman. “We are at 100 percent design and ready to go.’’

Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Phoenix, announced that Arizona’s congressional delegation has secured a $10 million discretionary grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to start construction.

“Phoenix-Mesa Gateway’s air traffic control tower is more than 50 years old and is the busiest contract tower in the country.

The new tower is a critical addition to help the airport keep pace with our region’s growth,’’ Stanton said.

“The FAA delivering on this commitment is a win for the East Valley and for the entire Phoenix region,’’ Stanton added.

Stanton, whose district includes west Mesa and Tempe, said he views the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway tower as one of Arizona’s most important infrastructure projects.

“This town is big enough for two great

The aged control tower at Gateway Airport on the left would be replaced by this tower on the right within the next couple of years. (Special to the Tribune)

airports. This is a great aviation town,’’ he said. “Sky Harbor and Phoenix-Mesa are not competitors at all.’’

He said he would like to see more passenger service at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, but that the airports should work together to provide the most efficient service possible to the most locations rather than fighting over a particular carrier.

“There’s not an inch of space between economic development in Phoenix and Mesa,’’ Stanton said.

U.S Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced $13.7 million in FAA funding for the Mesa tower as part of more than $500 million in grants nationally through the Airport Improvement Program.

“We issue AIP grants to airports for eligible projects. We don’t necessarily have specific goals in mind for each grant,’’ said Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesman.

Mesa Mayor John Giles said PhoenixMesa Gateway is in transition from a general aviation to a commercial airport.

He said it has similar infrastructure to Sky Harbor International Airport, but the antiquated tower has limited it’s potential.

“It’s less and less touch and goes by pilot schools and more and more commercial airlines,’’ he said. The new tower “takes the lid off what the capacity of the airport would have been.’’

“The new tower will allow the airport to keep pace with growth,’’ Giles said.

“For safety and growth, it’s really the right thing to do.’’

Ross Aimer, a retired United Airlines pilot and CEO of Aero Consulting Experts in Los Angeles, said that removing the blind spots created by the old tower might usher in a new era at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway.

Aimer, who has flown a corporate jet into Phoenix-Mesa Gateway in the past, said no new airports have been built in the US for decades and Sky Harbor is getting congested.

“It’s a very interesting airport because all of the facilities are already there,’’ with the new tower added to the long runways, Aimer said. “All of this gives credence to passenger service at Mesa Gateway.’’

But Aimer said major carriers have launched service to “feeder airports’’ in the past, such as Long Beach, only to pull out even when ticket sales were good.

He said people in the industry have told him, “we found we were stealing from our own business’’ because passengers at Long Beach would have gone to Los Angeles International Airport anyway if necessary.

Katherine Estep, communications director for Airlines for America, a trade organization that represents airlines, said she could not speculate on the business decisions of airlines.

“This is an exciting time for air travel,’’ Airlines for America said in a statement.

“Across the country, airport construction is booming. More than $200 billion has been invested in runway, terminal and cargo facility expansions and renovations.

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

More development at Gateway Airport underway TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

M

ore development is getting underway at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport after Caliente Construction Inc., last week broke ground for a combination office-hangar building for Aviation Performance Solutions.

APS is the largest provider of upset prevention and recovery training in the world.

Caliente, an Arizona general contractor, said it collaborated with architect Dekker Perich Sabatini on the $9 million development, which will include 10,000 square feet of office and training space on two levels and a 14,000-square-foot hangar.

“The new facility will provide airplane pilots with the advanced skills to overcome the No. 1 cause of aviation-related fatalities – loss of control in-flight,” a spokesman said.

Aviation Performance’s new headquarters facility complex will be two separate developments at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

“The expansion by APS at the Phoenix-

This rendering shows the design of the new office-hangar building that Aviation Performance Solutions has hired Caliente Construction to build at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. (Special to the Tribune)

Mesa Gateway Airport with these two all-new facilities underscores our commitment to the economic growth of the region, creating jobs and expanding our ability to meet a major shift in demand for our unique flight training services,” said Paul B.J. Ransbury, CEO of Aviation Performance Solutions.

“We help pilots bring everyone home safely. Our team is dedicated to saving lives in aviation by aggressively solving the top threat to commercial flight operations worldwide.”

APS will now have two separate developments at the airport.

The first, now under construction, will

2830 also means that police agencies would be limited to no more than 10 percent of their vehicles doing traffic enforcement being without the traditional lights on the roof and markings all around the front, sides and back. But he said that doesn’t bother him.

“I just don’t want to encourage law enforcement to go undercover on the general public all the time,’’ Grantham told Capitol Media Services.

“There’s no better way than a real police car, with a uniformed police officer in it, with lights all over it and markings all over it, that, in itself, prevents crime,’’ he said, adding: “I don’t want to see our police departments, which I love, going to these fully undercover, unmarked, super-secret police type tactics, which I actually think can be quite dangerous.’’

But the driving force, Grantham said, is making the driving public skeptical of being pulled over by anything that doesn’t look like a police car.

As crafted, HB 2830 forbids the use

of anything that’s totally unmarked for traffic enforcement. Instead, police could use what the measure calls a “specially marked’’ law enforcement vehicle.

It would not need the lights on top or the markings all around. But at the very least it would have to have the name and logo of the law enforcement agency on the right door.

And anyone using that vehicle would have to be dressed in an official law enforcement uniform, “including shoulder patches, a badge and any other identifying insignia normally used by the employing law enforcement agency.’’

What that means, Grantham said, is anyone who is stopped by what appears to be an unmarked vehicle can demand that the person making the stop open the right-side door of the vehicle to display the marking.

At that point, he said, the motorist can be assured that it’s a real officer making the stop and not someone playing a cop.

“It gives the public some peace of

also include a second-floor lounge with an outdoor viewing deck looking onto flight activities. The remainder of the second floor will be occupied by the APS corporate offices.

“The facility is designed to have a modern aviation aesthetic with sweeping curves and abundance of glass and natural light,” a spokesman said.

Caliente Construction President/CEO Lorraine Bergman, said, “This is an important project which will boost the area’s economy and bring international attention to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.”

The second development on the property is a speculative hangar-office building with 4,000 square feet of office space and 35,000 square feet for the hangar.

The hangar will be “large enough to house multiple G650 aircraft,” a spokesman said.

Both facilities are easily accessible from main airport roads and provide direct access to flight operations from the hangar areas as well as parking.

The project is expected to be completed

by January 2021. 

Gilbert lawmaker wants fewer unmarked police cars HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

A

Gilbert Republican lawmaker wants to limit the number of unmarked cars that police can use for traffic stops.

And the few unmarked vehicles they would get to drive would at least have to be inscribed with the name of the agency on the right front door.

Rep. Travis Grantham said he wants the public to be suspicious of being pulled over by “some creep’’ driving what might actually be a private vehicle outfitted with some red and blue lights in the grille.

And the fewer legitimate unmarked vehicles out there, he said, the less the chance that a motorist might be fooled.

A Gilbert Police spokesperson said, “Because this deals with pending legislation, our department is waiting to see how the bill moves forward before providing our insight into the topic.”

Grantham acknowledged that his HB

mind,’’ Grantham said. “I’m terrified, just so you know, with the rash of these unmarked cars and these guys dressed in what appears to be some sort of uniform pulling over folks randomly in the middle of our city and issuing them tickets.’’

A ticket, though, is the least of his worries.

“I’m actually fearful a young woman or a young man or whatever is going to be pulled out of their car at some point and put in the back seat of an unmarked fake police car and perhaps driven off and have some horrible crime committed against them,’’ Grantham said.

“That has happened in other states,’’ he continued. “And I think it’s just a matter of time and I want to try to get ahead of it.’’

And what of traffic enforcement?

Grantham said he’s not all that convinced that unmarked cars are the best way to enforce traffic laws.

“It’s no different than a real police car,’’

see UNMARKED page 15

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

Mesa lawmaker leads charge for initiative curbs

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

L

ed by a Mesa lawmaker, Republican legislators are moving to erect new hurdles in the path of Arizonans who want to propose their own laws and constitutional amendments.

HCR 2039 – pushed by House Speaker Rusty Bowers of Mesa – would require signatures on initiative petitions from each of the state’s 30 legislative districts. They would have to get a 30th of the minimum from each of those districts.

With a requirement for 237,645 signatures for statutory changes, the measure would mean at least 7,922 signatures from each district; constitutional changes which have to have 356,467 signatures on petitions would need at least 11,883 names on 30 separate batches of petitions from each district.

This is far different than existing law, which does not impose a geographic requirement.

It is a lack Bowers seeks to alter to en-

House Speaker Rusty Bowers, a Mesa Republican, is proposing legislation that would impose new demands on petitions circulated by citizens to get an initiative on the ballot. (Tribune file photo)

sure measures do not get on the November ballot solely because they might have support only in one area of the state.

The flip side, however, is organizations lacking volunteers throughout the state -- or cannot afford paid lobbyists in rural

counties -- would never get their measures before state voters.

There are other states with geographic requirements on the initiative process.

But Geoff Esposito, who represents Living United for Change in Arizona, told lawmakers considering a similar plan last year this is far more onerous than anything else.

In Colorado, he said, it takes the equivalent of only 5 percent of those who voted in the prior election to get a measure on the ballot. In Arizona this figure is 10 percent.

And while there is a mandate for signatures to be gathered in each of the state’s Senate districts, the number is just 2 percent of the total, versus the 3.3 percent it would be here.

The hurdle Bowers is proposing would apply only to initiative petitions. Nothing in his proposal would affect candidates for statewide office – who still could get their names on the ballot for the election

see BOWERS page 12

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BOWERS from page 10

by without gathering signatures across the state.

There were objections from those who have been involved in crafting initiatives and getting them on the ballot.

“This would unduly constrain the people’s right to initiate laws,’’ said Sandy Bahr, director of the Arizona chapter of the Sierra Club.

Her organization has been involved in multiple ballot efforts, ranging from the successful ban on leghold traps on public lands to a failed 2000 effort to curb urban sprawl.

Bowers’ measure is just one of several being considered by the House Elections Committee.

HCR 2032 – pushed by Rep. Anthony

MCC from page 3

their needs? Are we providing staff the developmental, professional, personal growth support, so they can be at the top of their game when they’re teaching our students?

Those are the things I think I want MCC to stand for and to be about, and it’s our vision. We’re right now working on our strategic priorities and what our strategic plan is for the next four years.

This will be part of it – how do we have a workforce dynamic committed to students and they are also committed to their profession, committed to knowing the most they can know so they can be the best instructors they can be.

Q: How do you see the community college system fitting into the greater education system in the state?

A: It’s the best-kept secret. The community college system is the best-kept secret.

And I say that because it’s an economically viable way to attain an education.

It’s an economical way, because it’s $85 a credit to go to school here. This is considerably less than what you’d pay at any of the state institutions. And what’s great about it is we have built-in relationships with the state universities and with GCU to have automatic transfer.

t ?

Gow s Ne

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

Kern, R-Glendale – would spell out initiatives being sent to voters “shall embrace but one subject and matters properly connected therewith.’’

And it says any provision not in the official title of the measure would be void, even if approved by voters.

Rivko Knox of the League of Women Voters warned lawmakers of pitfalls.

For example, she noted, the 2016 measure which hiked the state’s minimum wage also contained a provision to require companies to provide paid time off for their employees, provisions Knox said were all part of the issue of workers’ rights.

She said a measure like this could preclude such a proposal from ever getting enacted again.

And, if nothing else, Knox said creating this new hurdle would give challengers

So, the work our students do here can automatically transfer to a four-year degree if it’s what you’re hoping for.

The other thing about what I believe community colleges add is it is the connection to the community.

We have the Mesa Promise, and I think the partnerships with the city help the city in the Achieve60AZ is a part of a national campaign spearheaded by President Obama. But the idea of raising the educational level of a community raises all boats.

It really helps the community in economic development. It helps the community in understanding where we need to go as a city, where families need to go to be economically prosperous. Where the state needs to go to be, obviously, one of the destination states in the country.

I think the community colleges play a huge role in that. We have access to anybody. So, you want to go to school here, we welcome you.

We want to be the place where you can learn to be your best self, where you can dream, where you can find a way in which to achieve your dreams. It’s what we’re about and it’s what I’m proud to say I am the interim president of, a school willing to do that.

Q: What does it mean to you to see

new legal opportunities to try to knock proposals off the ballot with claims of multiple subjects, potentially quashing initiatives even before voters got a chance to weigh in.

Bowers also is pushing HCR 2046, which would require anything voters enacted would have to go back on the ballot every 10 years.

This measure also would be retroactive, requiring reauthorization of anything approved going back to 1994.

This would force new votes on everything from medical marijuana and minimum wage hike to creation of the system allowing statewide and legislative candidates to get public funding if they agree not to take special interest dollars.

Sen. Vince Leach, R-Tucson, has crafted SCR 1020, which would at least partly

the mayor buying into MCC and what you guys are trying to achieve?

A: Isn’t that awesome? I mean, seriously, I put that video on my Facebook and said about how amazing it was.

I love Madison, Wisconsin. And if you know much about Madison, it’s very similar to Boulder, and it’s an amazingly progressive city that’s doing some amazing things.

I went to the State of the City address

by Mayor Giles and I was blown away – literally, blown away. I could not be more proud to be a part of a city that considers partnerships with MCC and also ASU and other institutions of higher educations, to be a part of the fabric of the city that helps its citizenship to become better citizens, to be more productive, to be more economically stable.

All of that matters to me, because it should matter to all of us.

I mean, how your neighbor does is actually directly related to how you will do.

And the quicker that we understand that we are far more alike than we are different, we are far better together than we are apart, then the more goals we can attain together, the more in which we will be stronger, the greater ways in which we can find success with each other.

And so, I’ve had the opportunity to meet

override the 1998 Voter Protection Act prohibiting lawmakers from repealing or making changes to anything voters have approved.

On paper, Leach’s proposal would apply only to measures of public health and safety. But he acknowledged to Capitol Media Services it could be interpreted broadly.

For example, he cited the 2016 measure creating a $12 minimum wage. That, he said, was a matter of public health and safety as it had an effect on the ability of some organizations which provide services to the developmentally disabled to be able to hire staff.

Even if all the measures gain legislative approval it does not mean they will take effect: Each change would go on the November ballot where voters would get the last word.  with Mayor Giles and I appreciate his passion. I appreciate his care. I appreciate the way in which he actually loves this city and the people in it.

Q: What do you think they should know about you and how you approach your role here at MCC? A: Well there’s a saying that’s in my family, which is, “everybody save your fork.”

And I would say to the community of Mesa, “save your fork, the best is yet to come.”

And what we are creating here, people will want to be a part of. So, be prepared to be amazed. It is a great place and we’re going to make it even better. We’re going to make sure that we’re a viable part of this community. We want to partner with the community. We want to be a resource for the community in which they can achieve their dreams.

Q: Would you be interested in becoming the full-time president?

A: I’ve always had the dream of someday becoming a college president. That said, I’m honored to be here now, and I’m being fully immersed in the present, and what will reveal itself down the road.

I don’t know. I’m honored to be in the role right now and I’m going to take advantage of it. And again, be prepared to be amazed. 

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

Bill would let community colleges offer 4-year degrees

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

C

alling it a less expensive and more accessible alternative, a House panel voted Monday to allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees.

The 7-3 vote by the House Education Committee for HB 2790 came despite objections from the Arizona Board of Regents and the three state universities they govern, currently the only publicly funded schools allowed to award baccalaureate degrees.

Regents’ lobbyist Brittney Kaufmann questioned the need, saying the universities already have partnerships with community colleges to offer four-year degrees, though it can require a student to complete the program through the university on campus or online.

But Darcy Renfro representing the Maricopa Community Colleges, said it’s not as simple as that. She said there are some

programs students cannot get through one of these partnerships.

And then there’s the cost.

Renfro said a full-time student at her schools pays about $2,500 a year. And what it means, she said, is the ability to get a four-year degree for as little as $10,000.

By contrast, tuition for a single year at one of the state’s three universities runs more than that.

The measure is being pushed by Rep. Becky Nutt, R-Clifton.

“This is a vital, I should say, very important to rural communities where we lose our children often to the cities,’’ she told lawmakers. “They don’t have the option in their rural community to finish a fouryear degree oftentimes.’’

And she stressed to colleagues nothing in her legislation forces any community college to expand its program.

Instead, Nutt said, it allows each governing board to decide if they want to offer such degrees and whether they have

the capability to do so. And she said none of this would require additional state aid.

Much of the push is coming from Eastern Arizona College in Safford, the area Nutt represents.

“It is meant to support students,’’ said Gibson McKay, a lobbyist for the school.

“What we’re attempting to do is allow students to get an education within their community,’’ he continued. “A lot of them can’t leave to go to universities.’’

Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction, said it makes sense.

“The big winners in this are the kids,’’ he said, “the kids that are going to benefit from not having to lose their jobs they might have had for two or three years during high school and the expertise they have in the local economy.’’

And it’s not all academic. Fillmore referred to “the raging hormones at that age’’ and the fact that being forced to leave for college elsewhere means relationships are torn apart.

Kaufmann said it’s not necessary.

She said universities have 245 programs leading to baccalaureate degrees through every community college. And Kaufmann said the most recent figures show they served 3,600 students, with a 75 percent graduation rate.

Kaufmann did not dispute the cost differential.

But she said the universities offer various forms of financial aid. And Kaufmann said some of the universities offer “alternate pricing,’’ citing programs through Northern Arizona University where students attending classes at local community colleges pay just 70 percent of the regular resident tuition.

Anyway, she said, there are “institutional costs’’ that make a university-provided education more expensive – costs Kaufmann said may have escaped the community colleges that want to go down

pensation” to victims of abuse while they were Scouts.

The organization said in 2018, it has a “social and moral responsibility” to compensate victims of abuse.

“We are outraged there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to abuse innocent children and sincerely apologize to anyone who was harmed during their time in Scouting,” Tuesday’s statement said.

Expert witnesses have testified to evidence of more than 12,000 victims of abuse from 1944 to 2016.

The Scouts said in their statement Tuesday about 90 percent of claims stem from incidents around 30 years ago.

While the bankruptcy will allow the Scouts to move forward, one advocate worried it reduces the suffering of the victims.

“My heart weeps for the victims of the Boy Scouts of America because many of them are going to feel like data,” said Kathryn Robb, executive director of Child USAdvocacy and a survivor. She does not believe the BSA has been completely transparent from the beginning.

“I don’t believe they were really 100

percent earnest in their saying they want to support victims,” she said. “I think they were basically forced to.”

Robb said the Boy Scouts of America will move on, but victims “live with their pain and their scars in perpetuity” and could “lose their personal voice in their journey to justice in a bankruptcy filing.”

But Price said bankruptcy “is the direction they frankly have been forced to take,” as the national organization worked to meet its goals of fairly and equitably compensating victims while continuing Scouting activities.

There were more than 38,000 youth registered in 1,700 Scouting units in Arizona in 2018, the latest year for which numbers are available, and almost 18,000 registered adult volunteers in the state.

The decision to declare bankruptcy comes as more states, like Arizona, are changing laws keeping victims from filing claims they were sexually abused as children.

In 2019, Arizona was one of nine states to pass laws expanding this statute of limitations on old cases, limitations were an “arbitrary barrier to justice,” said Will Laird, state government affairs officer

with the National Children’s Alliance.

“It’s very common for victims of child sex abuse to not come forward and report abuse until well into adulthood,” Laird said.

But under Arizona’s old law, a victim had to file a claim of childhood abuse by age 20 or sooner.

The Arizona Child Protection Act passed last year gives victims until age 30 to file suit against their abuser or the entity that should have prevented the abuse.

The law also opened a window, until Dec. 31, 2020, during which victims who are older than 30 can file a new claim.

Laird said Arizona was not alone in passing “window legislation” to revive expired claims, with 16 states and the District of Columbia now having such laws.

“It’s important to provide victims any sort of pathway to justice and healing and to take steps to combat institutional abuse,” Laird said.

Robb said social and medical data show that abuse “silences” children, which is why many states are reforming their statutes of limitation for young victims.

see COLLEGE page 15

Bankruptcy not affecting Arizona Boy Scouts

BY JESSICA MYERS Cronkite News

A

rizona officials said Boy Scouting in the state will not be affected by the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to file for bankruptcy as the national group grapples with up to $1 billion in damages from decades of sexual abuse lawsuits.

Andy Price, CEO for the Scouts’ Grand Canyon Council, said the bankruptcy will allow the national organization to compensate victims of what he called “historical incidences” of abuse while allowing Scouting activities to continue.

While any incident of sexual assault is horrific and incredibly sad, he said parents need to know “Scouting is very, very safe” now.

“There is no reason to expect any services would be impacted to our local Scout troops, our camps, our programs,” said Price, noting councils in the state are legally and financially independent from the national organization.

The BSA said in a statement it will use the Chapter 11 bankruptcy to create a trust fund to provide “equitable com-

see SCOUTS page 15

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

UNMARKED from page 8

he said.

“I don’t see a difference,’’ Grantham continued. “If that’s going to be an effective tool, why not just put a real police car out on the road?’’

Anyway, he said, it still leaves police with that option for 10 percent of their vehicles to be “specially marked’’ with only the logo on the right-side door.

“That’s a very generous number,’’ Grantham said. He said the Department of Public Safety informed him it has only 18 currently unmarked vehicles out of its fleet of about 600 cars in traffic enforcement.

And Grantham even has a provision for small police departments, those with 10 or fewer traffic enforcement vehicles: They could still have one be specially marked.

The legislation, however, does not make that 10 percent automatic. It allows police agencies to use specially marked vehicle only on a finding that its use “will contribute to the safety of the traveling public.’’

There is no date set for a hearing. 

COLLEGE from page 14

this path.

Nutt said nothing in her bill forces governing board members to approve anything they cannot afford.

Some legislators not convinced.

Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, D-Chandler, said she understands the cost of a higher education.

But she said the universities appear to be open to providing programs perhaps not offered in local communities. And Pawlik said it makes legislation like this premature.

SCOUTS from page 14

She said claims that the new laws would result in an avalanche of cases just hasn’t happened. What matters is “victims have a right to justice,” she said.

Price said there is frustration among those in Scouting that “these lingering issues from such a long time ago could be perceived as a current issue or could be perceived as something that puts things at risk today.”

The Boy Scouts currently require youth

“I feel there needs to be more conversation,’’ she said.

And Rep. Geraldine ‘Gerae’ Peten, DGoodyear, was skeptical somehow community colleges could start offering fouryear degrees.

“It sounds like a great program,’’ she said.

“The question is, is it feasible?’’ Peten added, what with having to add not just faculty but also equipment and physical space. “I didn’t hear anything convincing me you could do it without any more additional funding.’’

The measure goes to the full House af-

protection training and background checks for all adults and have policies prohibiting one-on-one interaction between Scouts and staff.

Any abuse must be reported to law enforcement and any individual accused of abuse must be removed from the organization, according to the organization’s youth safety page.

Price said in the 15 months he has been at the Grand Canyon Council, there have been two allegations of inappropriate behavior: One, found to be a misunder-

standing between a youth and a leader, was later retracted and the other was a bullying claim between Scouts.

Price said Scouting is “vibrant” and alive.

“The future is bright,” he said. “And as challenging as things will be for the national organization working through this bankruptcy filing, that’s a good thing for our organization because it’s going to allow us to put these horrific events from the past in the past and move forward.” 

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ter constitutional review.

Linda Thor, who chairs the Maricopa County Community College District Governing Board hailed the move on social media, stating: Linda Thor, Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board “This is an idea whose time has come for Arizona. All states surrounding Arizona allow their community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees in high demand areas such as health care. Imagine getting a baccalaureate degree for around $10,000! Let’s get this done!” 

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

Scottsdale baseball museum plan would cost Mesa

BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Tribune Staff Writer

S

cottsdale is taking another swing at bringing a baseball-themed tourist attraction to Scottsdale Stadium after a previous attempt in 2019 fell flat – threatening Mesa’s long-held ambition to have one.

Last August, Scottsdale issued a request for proposal for a partner to lease city land behind the left-field wall at Scottsdale Stadium to build a baseballthemed visitor experience with an eye towards the history of the game in Arizona.

Scottsdale officials sought a partner to fully fund the construction and operation of the new facility and pay rent and portions of shared revenues back to the city.

The city received only one response to the RFP from HOME: The Baseball Experience, senior assistant city attorney Eric Anderson said.

HOME: The Baseball Experience is a still developing technology-based baseball project and could incorporate items like virtual reality and focus on the role

Mesa hero planning new Chick-fil-A a ‘camp out’

An Army veteran in Mesa recently realized his longtime ambition of opening a Chick-fil-A at Power and McKellips roads.

Robert Ervin’s first encounter with the chain came while serving in the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Gillem in Georgia.

Ervin’s 23-years serving his country included 17 years overseas and several combat deployments as a master bomb disposal. He received a Bronze Star and six Meritorious Service awards, His dream of putting down roots in Arizona and becoming a franchise owner were both fulfilled in 2010, when he was named Operator of the Chick-fil-A at Crossroads Towne Center in Chandler.

Awarded the chain’s highest operator honors at the end of last year, Ervin is transferring to the new Mesa restaurant, which he’ll operate with his wife, Amy, whom he met while stationed in Saudi Arabia, and their twin daughters.

“Knowing that my team members may only be with me for a short season in their life, I am committed to growing leaders and helping them achieve their dreams,” said Ervin, who will celebrate his 10th anniversary with the chain in June.

Ervin’s 5,000-square-foot restaurant has a dual-lane

of analytics in baseball, according to Street & Smith’s Sports Business Daily.

The HOME proposal was considered non-responsive – meaning it did not meet all city requirements, Assistant City Manager Bill Murphy said.

Murphy did not elaborate on what requirements HOME failed to meet.

Anderson declined to provide the HOME proposal, citing language in the original RFP stipulating the proposals would be kept private until the contract was awarded.

Despite the setback, the city still has plans to bring a “baseball experience” venue to Scottsdale Stadium.

On Feb. 7, it issued a request for qualifications once again, seeking a development partner for the land to create “a modern, first-class facility offering a visitor experience celebrating baseball (including the history of professional baseball, the role of baseball in the Valley of the Sun).”

The city has a long list of requirements for a potential suitor and respondents are required to submit proof of financial backing and organizational structure to

follow through on their plans.

The city seeks proposals for “a modern, first-class facility offering a visitor experience celebrating baseball” it includes a nod to the sport’s history in Arizona and interactive exhibits for visitors.

The project would be located on a piece of city property sitting between the stadium and the Civic Center parking garage along Drinkwater Boulevard.

City staff said it is anticipating signing a 25-year lease for the land, similar to the length of the city’s deal with the San Francisco Giants at the stadium.

Scottsdale Public Works Executive Director Dan Worth said the city would look for market-rate rent for the property, citing local and state gift bans, but it is open to discussions on the lease rate take into account shared revenues generated by admissions.

The city expects to realize money from rent, shared revenues and increased tourism that could result in sales and bed tax boosts.

The new baseball experience facility would also integrate with Scottsdale Stadium and the city will discuss sharing

the costs of maintenance for shared-use areas.

A city informational session on the new RFQ on Feb. 7 drew significant interest from construction companies and others with ties to Major League Baseball.

That included Marc Appleman, former CEO of baseball analytics firm SABR, which has close ties with Major League Baseball.

Appleman is CEO of Home: The Baseball Experience, according to his Linkedin profile.

Appleman declined to speak at length regarding the new RFQ, only stating that he is still interested in the project and is working with a different group.

The meeting also included representatives from a number of regional construction, development and architecture firms, including Marc Taylor Inc., Waltz Construction, DPR Construction and Dig Studio.

One party notably absent from the meeting was The Arizona Spring Training Experience, the Valley’s most promi-

drive-thru that can handle upwards of 200 cars an hour, a recycled Coke bottle chandelier positioned over a community table made from reclaimed wood, two trash compactors in the dining room will help to reduce the restaurant’s landfill footprint, 108-seat dining room with a two-story indoor playground and free Wi-Fi and a 16-seat covered patio with misters.

Ervin is hosting an overnight, 12-hour First 100 “camp out party” and the first 100 adults to gather at 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 26 for the 6 p.m. opening will get a digital offer card for a year of a free Chick-fil-A meal once a week for a year.

Rules are at thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/News/ Future-Openings.

There will also be a food truck selling hot dogs, soft pretzels and ice cream.

Information: mesalibrary.org.

love,” by providing free healthcare.

Nicely, of Gilbert, will be recognized “for her critical work in founding and developing a non-profit organization in Gilbert that supports individuals and families who have been victims of child abuse, domestic violence, and other traumas.”

Nicely also has spearheaded efforts to develop advocacy centers and renovate shelters, as well as provide training and education in awareness, prevention and treatment, Positive Paths said.

Wirth has spent more than two decades as a leader at every level for many East Valley causes and organizations. She will be recognized with the East Valley Legacy Award, which is awarded for long-term outstanding contribution to women and families.

Wirth is best known for her work as a founding member, president and events chairperson, for the Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona, which has provided free mammograms to more than 1500 women. Proceeds from the Gala on April 16 benefit Positive Paths, which serves East Valley women with education and mentoring programs. The group believes women strengthen families and build strong communities.

Major sponsors of the gala include the Rudge Foundation, TrustBank, McColes Ranch, SRP, Intel, Dignity Health, TTG Advisors and Wells Fargo Bank. Sponsorships, tables and tickets are available at positivepathsaz. org/annual-gala. 

AROUND MESA

Mesa library to host rescue cat, dog and rat adoptions

Mesa Public Library is hosting a pet adoption fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at the Main Library, 64 E. First St. Local community organizations, including Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and Any Rat Rescue, will be set up outside the library with adoptable dogs, cats and rats.

Inside the library, there will be pet-themed activities all day, such as reading to registered therapy animals, making pet bandanas and the showing of the Disney movie “Homeward Bound.”

Positive Paths honoring 3 East Valley leaders

Positive Paths, a regional nonprofit whose mission is “building life bridges for women,” has named its East Valley Man and Woman of the Year award winners to be honored at its annual East Valley Night of Heroes Gala on April 16 at Stonebridge Manor in Mesa.

The “Igniting a Future” gala will include silent and live auction items, as well as time to honor those individuals who have done exceptional work serving East Valley women and families.

This year’s honorees are Dr. Brad Smith of Chandler, medical director and primary on-site physician for Mission of Mercy; Jessica Nicely, founder and CEO of Winged Hope Family Advocacy Foundation in Gilbert; and Paula Wirth of the Desert Cancer Foundation of Arizona.

Smith manages the day-to-day operations at seven clinic locations for Mission of Mercy, overseeing nearly 200 clinic volunteers and providing direct supervision of physicians and medical students. Sites in Mesa and Chandler provide free mobile medical programs for the uninsured, where 64 percent of all patients are women.

MOM’s mission is to restore dignity, “healing through

see MUSEUM page 17

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

MUSEUM from page 16

nent existing Spring Training museum.

The Arizona Spring Training Experience is supported by the Mesa Historical Museum and has displayed temporary exhibits at Scottsdale’s Civic Center library in the past and held its Cactus League Hall of Fame inductions in Scottsdale.

Last August, Leon Natker, executive director of Mesa Historical Museum, said his organization had no plans to respond to the Scottsdale’s RFP, because it does not have the financial resources to meet the city’s requirements and previous partnerships had been a financial burden on the Mesa Museum.

Still, at the time, Natker did not rule out working with whichever party the

city ultimately partners with.

“If there’s a donor out there or an entity that wants to we’d love to participate,” Natker said.

Scottsdale should know by the end of the summer whether or not any entity is willing to fulfill its lengthy wish list.

An evaluation committee put together by the city will vet all responses to the RFQ. The deadline for the RFQ is March 31, and the city plans to negotiate with the recommended submitter in June and July with the intention of bringing a proposed agreement and lease before the City Council by the end of August.

According to a presentation given to prospective respondents, the city expects the facility to be complete by Jan. 1, 2023. 

GOT NEWS?

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak @timespublications.com

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

Legislature panels ponder short-term rental curbs

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

S

tate lawmakers – including an East Mesa senator – are moving to undo some of the restrictions they placed on cities four years ago to regulate shortterm rentals.

The House Government Committee approved a measure to let communities limit the number of people who can be allowed into these facilities to no more than two per bedroom.

HB 2875 also permits cities to require installation of noise monitoring equipment, restrict where people can smoke and even require owners or their agent to actually meet the people to whom they are renting.

At the same time, the Senate Commerce Committee gave its own blessing to SB 1554, which adds some additional restrictions – like telling the owners of apartment complexes they cannot convert more than 25 percent of their units to short-term rentals.

The restrictions drew opposition from a parade of vacation rental owners.

Chante Fox said she and her husband bought and renovated multiple properties.

“We are managing our properties, we are there all the time, we followed the rules,’’ she told lawmakers. And with her husband now in the hospital, paralyzed from the waist down, Fox said this is their only source of revenue.

“I’m desperate,’’ she said.

Sandy Worth, a member of the Jerome town council, said the 2016 law is driving out long-term residents who cannot find available housing.

The situation has gotten so bad, Worth said, that the tiny community is having problems finding people to work for the city or staff the volunteer fire department.

Paradise Valley resident Chris Thompson said the 2016 law eliminated the ability of his community to adequately regulate short-term regulations.

“So, we now have a proliferation of

neighborhood motels in our area that were not there before,’’ he said. “You broke our neighborhoods and you’re going to need to fix it.’’

The crux of the debate is whose rights are at issue.

“I see this as bigger infringement on property rights,’’ said House Majority Leader Warren Petersen of Gilbert in opposing HB 2875.

That’s also the attitude of Gov. Doug Ducey who signed the 2016 legislation, pushed by rental sharing company AirBNB, to restrict local regulations.

Ducey said this is all part of promoting the state’s business environment. “We’ve allowed a lot of Arizonans to have an entrepreneurial energy and make money.’’

He declined to say, however, what he would do if either bill reaches his desk.

But Sen. Tyler Pace, R-Mesa, who was not in the Legislature when the original bill was passed, suggested that perhaps the lawmakers at that time and the governor did not realize how large an effect the measure would have.

He said if there had been a more “delicate’’ approach to easing regulations at that time “we wouldn’t be sitting here today’’ trying to fix the problems created.

Rep. Isela Blanc, D-Tempe, said the 2016 law is an invitation for corporations to come in and buy up housing to convert to short-term rentals.

And she brushed aside complaints from those who own and operate these rentals that restricting what they can do improperly infringes on their rights: “How is it that all of a sudden my property rights of owning my residence in the community where I have lived for 20-odd years suddenly has less value than that if a business owner?’’ Blanc asked.

Rep. Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake, said the state should not be in the business of telling local governments how to handle purely local issues like housing.

“I have a real problem when (state) government is not letting local government do its job,’’ he said.

Both measures face uncertain futures. 

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

Legislature takes steps to double state’s gas tax

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

S

tate lawmakers took the first steps Wednesday to what could be a doubling of the state’s gasoline tax.

HB 2899, approved by the House Transportation Committee on a 6-0 vote, would add six cents to the current 18-cent-a-gallon effective on July 1. That would go up an additional six cents every year until it hits 36 cents on July 1 2023.

Potentially more significant, the measure being pushed by Rep. Noel Campbell, R-Prescott, is crafted so that the levy would increase annually starting July 1, 2024 to match inflation. That would preclude the need for future legislators to have to deal with the politically sensitive issue of voting for a tax hike.

Rep. Bob Thorpe, R-Flagstaff, said that’s how Arizona got to the point where it is now, with road construction needs outstripping the available revenues because the current tax has not been increased since 1991.

“We haven’t had members with the backbone to adjust this,’’ he said.

But it’s that inflation adjustment that

is giving heartburn to the Arizona Petroleum Marketing Association which represents gasoline dealers. Lobbyist Mike Williams told lawmakers that if the 1991 legislation had an inflation index Arizona now would have the highest gasoline tax in the Western states.

Campbell is not limiting his plans to raise revenues to hitting up only drivers of gas-driven vehicles.

It also addresses diesel fuel.

Potentially more significant, HB 2899 imposes new taxes on hybrids and allelectric vehicles on the basis that they, too, use the roads but, from Campbell’s perspective, are not paying their fair share of construction and maintenance costs.

The move comes even as Gov. Doug Ducey has consistently said he does not believe the state needs additional gasoline taxes.

Campbell is counting on a rising public sentiment for better roads to not just get him the two-thirds margin he constitutionally needs in the Republicancontrolled House and Senate for a tax hike but to convince the governor that there is broad support for the plan. He even got House Speaker Rusty Bowers,

R-Mesa, to testify in favor.

And Tony Bradley, president of the Arizona Truckers Association, whose members will pick up a big share of that additional cost, added his voice.

He figured the delays for truckers due to traffic congestion currently are costing more than $800 million a year. By contrast, Bradley estimated, the legislation would raise an additional $640 million a year with the higher fuel taxes on everyone.

“This bill would save us by paying more,’’ he said. “And we’re willing to pay more.’’

But gubernatorial press aide Patrick Ptak said after the hearing that Ducey’s views have not changed.

One sweetener Campbell built in to encourage support is kind of a reverse voter veto.

It would require the state transportation board to come up with a plan to use the new revenues and have it updated every five years to show the progress that actually has been made.

That report would go to legislative leaders and committees to review. And Campbell said if they were dissatisfied with how the money is being spent they

could put a measure on the ballot recommending that voters rescind the additional taxes.

Campbell said he’s not worried.

“We know we’re going to meet them because we’ve had testimony upon testimony of the areas that need improvement, the projects that need to be done,’’ he said.

“We know what needs to be done in this state,’’ Campbell said. “What we lack is the political will to do it.’’

The proposed new taxes on electric vehicles drew opposition from Tesla.

Lobbyist Meghaen Dell’Artino said her client is not opposed to Tesla owners paying their fair share in taxes. But she believes that the formula for the levy, based on the electricity used, means they would be paying more than the owners of gasoline-powered vehicles.

Caryn Potter of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project registered her own objections, saying that higher taxes on all-electric vehicles could discourage people from buying them. And that, she said, would harm the environment, particularly with some Arizona cities facing problems complying with ground-level ozone standards. 

Dems targeting East Mesa Republican leaders TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

T

he Maricopa County Democratic Party last week announced it was targeting several prominent Republican leaders in the state and Congress who represent in East Mesa.

With a rare release titled “Mesa Democrats prepping for fight of their lives,” the county organization announced it will be opening an East Mesa office at 4501 E. Main Street, at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, with “a huge canvass event with an unprecedented goal of knocking on over 1,000 Mesa doors in one day.”

This will be followed by a visit to the new office by several Democrats, including Congressman Greg Stanton.

It also announced Asian-American small businesswoman Suzanne Hug would be taking on House Speaker Rusty Bowers, whom it called “an entrenched 25-year legislator.”

Stating LD25 “has a broad and diverse constituency reflecting a demographically changing community in Mesa,” the party said, “While common wisdom considers this a Republican stronghold, the shifting political landscape could spell trouble for comfortable Republican incumbents.”

It also called LD25 legislators Bowers and Rep. Michelle “a pair of the state’s most conservative state representatives.”

“We’re organized, data-driven and talking to our neighbors,” said Scott Moore, chair of the LD25 Democrats.

Added the party communique: “LD25 members see this as the ‘fight of their lives.’

It said, “Democrats in Maricopa County are excited and ready to get the jump on Republicans in 2020. Not only do they have Mark Kelly running to be their second Democratic Senator in as many years, but they also have a

19

full slate of county candidates to vote for too.”

Hug, a first-time candidate, is a fourth generation Asian American.

The release quoted her as stating, “Arizona resources are under attack.

We need to protect our families and fund our schools. Education is critical to a strong Arizona economy.”

A Clean Election candidate, Paul Weigel, also is running for the LD25 Senate seat now occupied by Republican Sen. Tyler Pace, according to the party.

Candidates can’t begin circulating petitions to get on the ballot until March 9. 

GOT NEWS? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

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No mystery why Mesa Library hosts this writer Ranch libraries until March 19.

Cozy mysteries are more characterdriven than plot-driven.

Think Agatha Christy’s work. Compared to plot-driven thrillers that describe murders graphically, cozy mystery murders happen off screen and someone discovers them by accident.

Although she’s essentially self-taught, McCaslin says the formula of writing may be taught.

“Then, you encourage writers to write outside the formula,” she said.

What does that entail?

“I would encourage writers to learn the formulas, learn the points of plot, learn the story arc and tweak it. Make it your own. Put some surprises in there. Put those red herrings in there,” she said.

McCaslin compares it to playing the piano by ear. She’s a classically-trained

pianist who started lessons at age 4.

“I can look at a piece of music and play.

But the best thing I like to do is just to sit down and play without any music and just whatever I want to hear on that keyboard,” she said. “It’s called playing by ear…I think it sounds best when I just make it up myself.”

That’s how McCaslin writes, too.

She’s not a planner but more of a “pantser.” That’s another way of saying, “writing by the seat of your pants.”

“I might come up with a story idea, but the characters take over. And they just go with it. Sometimes, I have an idea of where I’m going with the story and it goes totally another way,” she said.

For example, the intended killer doesn’t play that role and her editors tell her to

them so they wouldn’t fall behind. There’s no school bus transportation for where she lives so she was driving her kids to school, Crawford said.

Things seemed dire for Crawford until Randy Maestre stepped in.

Maestre, the owner of a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise at 1618 N. Higley Road, Gilbert, recently gifted Crawford a 2004 Toyota Corolla.

Maestre learned of Crawford’s story after Dr. Jeannine Hinds reached Chanel Crawford found a life-saver in Randy Maestre, who fixes up broken out to him. cars and donates them to people in need from his Gilbert auto shop.

Hinds, a family-medicine (Special to the Tribune) physician whose side passion is a mobile healthcare clinic she crehaving trouble getting back and forth.”

And to top it off, she said she had to ated to serve the homeless, veterans and pull her 12-year-old son and 6-year-old at-risk youths, goes to the same church in daughter out of school and home-school Tempe as Crawford.

“Dr. Hinds told me she has job opportunities but the only thing holding her up was no vehicle,” Maestre said.

Maestre said he purchased the used Toyota, paid his technician and got special pricing from his vendors to repair the vehicle.

Hinds was out with Crawford celebrating her daughter’s birthday when she made the pretense of having to stop by Christian Brothers for an oil change.

While Crawford and her children sat inside the shop, Maestre approached her and began asking her questions such as how she liked Arizona and if she ever toured an auto shop before.

When she said no, Maestre proceeded to take her and the children around the shop and into the back room, where a birthday cake for her daughter was waiting.

“My daughter, she was so happy,” Crawford said.

She recalled Maestre telling her, “we

BY SRIANTHI PERERA Tribune Contributor

I

n Dane McCaslin’s cozy mysteries, characters regularly stumble across dead bodies.

No stumbling for her, though. The retired English teacher – who taught in the Mesa Public Schools district – is a lifelong writer.

“I started writing long before I wanted to be a teacher. I started writing my own little books when I was about 5 or 6 years old,” she said. “I’d play library.”

A USA Today-ranked best-selling author who has taught writing at high school and college levels, McCaslin is ready to impart a lifetime of writing experience on anyone that’s interested.

She is the Writer-in-Residence at the Mesa Public Library through a program

Award-winning mystery author Dane McCaslin is the Writer-in-Residence at Mesa Public Library. (Special to the Tribune)

in partnership with Arizona State Library.

She is offering free writing workshops at the Main, Red Mountain and Dobson

see LIBRARY page 23

East Valley man fixes cars to fix broken lives

BY CECILIA CHAN Tribune Staff Writer

C

hanel Crawford arrived in Arizona six months ago from Michigan to care for her parents who were dealing with medical issues.

She had two jobs lined up but during the first week that she settled in at her parents’ Phoenix home, the offers fell through.

“They said I was no longer needed,” the mother of two recalled. “I was having trouble finding work and having trouble with transportation. I drove here from Michigan and my car broke down and I couldn’t fix it because I couldn’t afford to fix it because I had no job.”

Having no car meant she couldn’t take her parents to their medical appointments.

Although her parents’ health insurance provided for transportation to see their doctors, that proved unreliable.

“They offered you rides but they would never pick us up on time or forget to come and pick us up,” Crawford said. “We were

see CAR page 24

COMMUNITY

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

Area woman sees big market for ‘disabled dolls’

BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

R

achel Leland’s handmade stuffed animals don’t look like regular toys.

Some are missing limbs. Some have insulin pumps. Some are hooked up to oxygen tanks.

Over the years, Leland’s made a plush monkey with cochlear implants and a stuffed moose with a tracheotomy tube in its throat.

The dolls are meant to normalize all the disabilities and ailments millions of people live with every day, Leland said – and help eliminate the stigma often associated with them.

As soon as the 28-year-old Chandler resident started crocheting her handicapped dolls a few years ago, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive.

Parents sent her heartfelt notes, thanking Leland for producing a toy matching their child’s appearance.

“It made me feel so good to see the child holding the animal looking like them,” Leland said.

She quickly realized there was probably

LIBRARY from page 22

change the pre-written synopsis to match the story.

“It surprises me as much as it surprises anybody else. I know that sounds weird, but it’s true,” she said.

In the immensely competitive publishing industry, McCaslin had her share of luck.

Like most writers, she first amassed a collection of rejection letters. Then, she secured a Canadian writing mentor who encouraged her to try a British publisher.

Independent publisher Accent Press of London picked up her work right away.

Her Proverbial Crime Mystery Series featured British expatriate and accomplished mystery writer Caro LaytonBrowning’s adventure when transplanted to Upstate New York.

The third book in the series, “The Pen is Mightier,” became a bestseller.

“I was pretty proud,” she said. “In July 2016, I was number 16 on the list and Steven King was number 17. It didn’t last that long, but still.”

McCaslin published her second series

Rachel Leland of Chandler makes dolls with disabilities and sees the market for her unique product expanding as a result of people with such special needs seeing the dolls as one way to reduce ther underrpresentation in popular culture. (Chris Mortenson/Tribune Staff Photographer)

a market out there for people who often feel underrepresented in the media and popular culture.

“You want to see someone who looks like you,” Leland said, “you want to have representation.”

She started getting requests from around the world for dolls with specific

Mesa Library’s Writer-in-Residence, Dane McCaslin, is a best-selling author. (Special to the Tribune)

in the US, when her publisher introduced her to Gemma Halliday, the owner of an independent publishing house in New

disabilities and did her best to stitch elephants with intravenous tubes or penguins in wheelchairs.

The demand for Leland’s dolls eventually started to outpace supply and she put a hold on the operation after getting a speech pathologist job at a San Tan Valley school.

York.

She co-authored Aloha Lagoon Mysteries with Kimberly Griggs, featuring Autumn Season and her best friend Jimmy Toki, who solve mysteries in Hawaii.

In the third series, the protagonist is much older, in the late 50s, because McCaslin wanted to appeal to readers of her own age group.

This time, she was introduced to her current agent, Dawn Dowdle of the Blue Ridge Literary Agency, who sold her work to Kensington Publishing.

McCaslin was in an enviable position because she could also choose to publish with Penguin Crime, but she chose the former.

Here, the main character is Gwen Franklin, a retired English teacher who never married. She has a many-timesmarried-and-divorced millionaire best friend named Nora Goldstein (think invested alimony) who suggests they form a pet valet business.

The 2 Sisters Pet Valet Mysteries is due to publish the first title, Doggone Dead, in August. She’s working on the third book.

With all this writing under deadline

23

Each doll took between 10 and 20 hours to knit, she said, and Leland simply didn’t have time to devote to the hobby anymore.

But she’s recently partnered with someone hoping to help Leland bring the dolls back into production.

Shanna Israel, a professional artist from Scottsdale, has years of marketing experience working with big corporations like Target and Nike.

She knows how to creatively sell a product and thinks Leland’s dolls are capable of finding a bigger audience.

After coming across Leland’s life story, Israel said she was instantly motivated to help the Chandler woman promote her unique idea.

“It was really meaningful for me to figure out a way to viably take this that she’s created and help shed light and share light to so many other people around the world and try to make a real, viable business out of this,” Israel said.

Both women have struggled with health problems for several years and can empathize with the people who have bought

see DOLLS page 24

that’s required of her, how does she find time to workshop?

McCaslin said that the writer-in-residence program is a “Godsend.”

“I miss teaching so much. I love giving workshops,” she said.

After she secured an agent, McCaslin left her last teaching appointment at Poston Butte High School in San Tan Valley.

Crime pays in the publishing industry.

What’s its appeal?

“I think humans are puzzle solvers,” McCaslin said. “We are curious by nature and we want to know. We don’t want the book laid out for us. Even a romance book keeps you hanging until the very end.”

Romance writing allows the reader to follow with the character and keep solving the situation, and mysteries are no different, McCaslin said.

“It’s that old Pandora’s Box. If I was in front of it, I’ll probably open it, too.”

For more details about Dane McCaslin’s program at the Mesa Library, visit Mesalibrary.org/events/writer-in-residence/ writer-in-residence-one-on-one. 

24

COMMUNITY

CAR from page 22

are not done yet” as he took her out the back door.

There, Maestre presented Crawford the car.

“He said, ‘We heard about your struggles and what you are trying to do for your parents and not being able to find work and how difficult it was for you guys to get around and I would love to bless you,’” Crawford said. “I cried and asked if it was really mine.”

Crawford said she was beyond surprised and was having difficulty breathing at first.

“It was a shock,” she said. “I couldn’t believe they were giving me a car for free.

“I have never in my life encountered someone whether they knew me or not, especially a stranger doing something out of the kindness of their heart without any strings attached just because they heard I had a hard time.

“I’ve always worked for everything I had so I felt weird a few days after. I expected a call, saying ‘you have to bring it back.’ I felt like I was on a TV show. This is something that happens in movies, not real life, not my life.”

The car, equipped with new tires, has

DOLLS from page 23

Leland’s dolls.

Leland was diagnosed with Lyme disease as a teenager and spent most of her adolescence confined to a wheelchair.

Exposure to black mold during college further hindered Leland’s health, requiring her to detoxify for several months at home.

During these bouts with illness, Leland

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

been working out great, Crawford said.

She was able to get her kids back in school and her parents to their appointments. Her mother is due for surgery soon.

“I’m not use to hand-outs,” said Crawford, who added she can actually get to a job interview without having to wait for the bus. “I didn’t know those types of people existed.”

Crawford was the fourth and latest recipient of a vehicle from Maestre since he opened his shop in 2018.

Other recipients, who all happened to be single moms, included a teacher who commuted to school on a bus and a woman who lost everything after she went through a divorce.

“Every six months I am able to bless a family,” the Gilbert resident said. “This is my personal goal for the shop way before I opened. I’ve realized all these blessings are not given to us so we can keep it but are given to us so we can pass it on to someone else.”

Maestre’s walk down this path began five years ago when he lived in Texas. He moved to Gilbert in December 2017.

“In 2015 something really bad happened to me,” he said. “I lost my livelihood of 11 years, it almost took my life. I lost almost everything. But my wife stood beside pursued creative endeavors and taught herself how to crochet stuffed animals.

She started with a bunny rabbit and secretly wondered what it might look like without one of its limbs.

“I had no idea why I was doing it,” she recalled, “but I was bored and I just wanted to see if I could do it.”

Israel said she’s seen at least 100 doctors during a 15-year period for thyroid disease, West Nile Virus, and trauma sus-

me and prayed for me.”

Maestre, who was a physical therapist by trade, said he decided to put his life in God’s hands.

“I surrender to the Lord,” he said. “And almost all the worry, anger and frustration in my life were cured.”

He said one night, Christian Brothers Automotive popped up on his laptop without him having to search for it, which he believed was a sign from God. He went to interview with the company officials and they asked if he was willing to wait two to six years before opening a franchise. The wait was less than six.

“Looking back I understand why I had to wait 2.5 years because that was God’s way of molding me to who I am today,” Maestre said. “That is why my faith is so strong that whatever life brings, I will always be OK. “That is what we tell families we blessed, ‘Don’t give up. I’ve been through what you’ve been going through. Stay faithful, stay obedient and He will answer your prayers.’

“I stood with Him, I followed His light and it led me to my shop today.”

Maestre said all he wanted with the franchise was a simple oil and lube shop but instead God blessed him with a ninebay, full-service repair shop. tained from a near-fatal car accident.

Dealing with chronic health problems is a daily struggle, Israel said, and so much of the struggle can be invisible to others.

These stuffed animals make health struggles more visible to the public, the women said, and can serve as teaching tools for young children who may not understand why their classmates or siblings look differently.

Leland and Israel said their health is

“The business literally saved my life,” he said. “He didn’t give me the business just to have a business. He gave me a business so I can bless people like He blessed me.”

Maestre also partners with Midwest Food Bank in Gilbert during National Service Day in October by offering free oil changes and minor repairs to single parents and low-income families referred by churches sand nonprofits.

The food bank hands out boxes of meals for a week to the recipients during the event, according to Maestre.

Currently, the shop has two vehicles donated by customers who heard about what Maestre was doing.

He said he was having them checked mechanically if they can be repaired for gifting.

He said he doesn’t have anyone to give the cars to yet but that he trusted God to lead the person who needed one to his shop.

“There’ll always be somebody that God leads here and there’s always going to be a car we are able to repair and give back to that family,” he said.

“I see that giving them a car that we’ve repaired is a symbol to them, an encouragement for them. Look at the broken car that is repaired like their lives are.”  much better now and they wish to spend their time promoting artwork and stories uplifting others.

The duo is hoping to find a corporate partner willing to merchandise Leland’s dolls and make them available to buy in retail stores.

“I always wanted to be able to have them in children’s hospitals,” Leland added.

More information on Leland’s dolls can be found at artxshanna.com. 

Dolls attached to intravenous tubes (left), wearing a cast (center) or carrying a portable oxygen tanks, (right) are among Chandler dollmaker Rachel Leland's creations. (Chris Mortenson/Staff Photographer)

COMMUNITY

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

25

Red Mountain senior wins $10K for college

The Barro’s Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway has awarded $75,000 to students in Arizona since 2012.

Kaylee was chosen randomly from some 25,000 entries and can use her winnings for tuition or other college expenses.

Information: drpeppertuition.com.

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

R

ed Mountain High School senior Kaylee Kallas got a big start on paying for her post-graduate studies after winning $10,000 in the 2019 Arizona Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway that also involves Barro’s Pizza.

Kaylee, 18, of Mesa, expects to attend Arizona State University after she graduates from Red Mountain in May. She wants to pursue a career in communications and public relations. When she’s not in class, she works part time as a sales associate for Celebrity Tanning.

“Being the daughter of a single mother, winning felt like a bunch of weight had been lifted off my shoulders,” said Kaylee.

“I actually cried happy tears when I heard the news. It was amazing to know at least my first year of college was paid for thanks to Barro’s and Dr Pepper.”

Mike Barro, co-owner of the pizza chain, said, “Having a college degree will open a lot of doors for students like Kaylee, but it

GOT NEWS? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@ timespublications.com

Kaylee Kallas proudly displays a blow-up of the check she received from Barro’s. With her are, from left: Sean Key and Alex Guiterrez, the store manager and an employee, respectively; owner Bruce Barro and Dr. Pepper regional sales manager Aaron Zambrano. (Special to the Tribune)

is also a huge financial burden for families.

We are proud to support Arizona students

pursue their dreams through our continued partnership with Dr Pepper.”

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BUSINESS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

TheMesaTribune.com

|

@EVTNow

27

/EVTNow

Olive Mill squeezing the most from agritourism

BY GLENN SWAIN

Tribune Contributor

P

eter Rea, wearing a flannel shirt, vest, jeans, and boots, enjoys greeting visitors at his Queen Creek Olive Mill.

“Really, we’re farmers,” he said as he welcomed customers near an aisle full of bottles of extra-virgin olive oil and vinegar.

Rea’s Queen Creek Olive Mill is Arizona’s only working olive farm and mill.

Family-owned and operated; the 100acre farm has more than 7,000 olive trees on 40 acres. Rea also harvests olives from 100 acres of trees near Yuma and 368 acres in Sacaton.

Rea said 650,000 people visit Olive Mill annually to purchase the company’s extra-virgin olive oil, Rea’s own unique bottled vinegar recipes.

The Olive Mill restaurant prepares

The Queen Creek Olive Mill draws customers from East Mesa and throughout the Valley with its award-winning olive oil and a restaurant serving novel dishes. (Glenn Swain/Tribune Contributor)

daily tours and learn the craft of olive oil making from several classes.

Since buying the 100-acre property in 2003, Rea and other family members have now turned the Olive Mill into what he calls an “agritourism destination.”

“Getting into the agritourism business is interesting since it’s so comprehensive,” he explained. “We have a hundred people working for us. We have a farm operation where we harvest and process olives, we bottle and sell it, and we have a restaurant.

“It’s comprehensive, and it’s a challenge, but it’s what makes us unique from everyone else. Between us and Schnepf Farms, we are agritainment, a fancy word for a farm delivering a variety of experiences to people.”

The idea to enter into the olive oil business started with a flippant comment

fresh from scratch sandwiches, salads pizzas for visitors to eat indoors and outside on picnic tables under the shade of trees.

Also for sale are bath and body products created on-site, and other Arizonamade products like honey made from bees on the premises. Visitors also take

computer navigation, keyboarding and the principles of science, technology, engineering and math in a fun atmosphere at preschools throughout the Valley.

The Hong Kong natives, who immigrated to the U.S. with their family in 1996, also run another company in Chandler, called Mighty PC, that they started in 2011 to provide low-cost, slightly used computers and related equipment that has evolved into an international business.

Starting Future Kiddies was a rocky road at first, Ken recalled.

“It was often difficult to work with schools and families who were focused on cutting costs,” he explained. “Budget is still a big consideration for many of the schools that we work with.

“By bringing in the equipment and in-

Ken Chan, who co-owns Future Kiddie in Chandler with his sister Linda, makes learning computer basics fun for young children, as he is doing here with St. Maria Goretti School in Scottsdale. (Special to the Tribune)

see OLIVES page 28

This company gets kids on the hi-tech road early TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

E

leven years ago, Ken Chan was working in real estate, not too happy about that gig in the aftermath of the housing industry collapse, when he heard a remark that changed his life around.

“One of my best friends noticed how good I was with children,” recalled Chan, 41. “She kept telling me that I needed to start a business involving kids.”

So he checked out a computer software program called Puterbugs, liked what he saw and started approaching schools and parents about teaching their kids computer skills.

The result was a technology curriculum provider called Future Kiddie in Chandler that Chan and his sister Linda have been running ever since.

Future Kiddie introduces kids 3 to 7

see CHAN page 28

28

BUSINESS

OLIVES from page 27

from his Italian father when visiting Arizona in the late 1990s.

At the time, Rea was in the automotive industry in Detroit but yearned to do something different.

He and his wife, Brenda, at the time had four children and one on the way.

“My father mentioned the number of olive trees growing in Arizona,” Rea said.

“After returning from Arizona, Brenda and I were in an Irish pub in Bloomfield, Michigan one night when she looked at me and said, ‘Why don’t we do olive oil in Arizona?’

“I had a business background. I started researching the olive business and who grew olives. I traveled to Italy to learn how to make olive oil.”

It was slow going at first. Olive Mill produced only small amounts of olive oil.

“When we started fifteen years ago, we were doing about 150 pounds of olives an hour,” he said.

Olive Mill’s processing facility, where 160,000 liters of olive oil is stored, is located near the restaurant, herb gardens and eating areas.

Its extra-virgin olive oil is now known worldwide. Three years ago, Olive Mills

CHAN from page 27

structors needed for the classes, however, preschools are able to provide important early tech instruction to kids without having to buy and store computers and hire staff. It’s a win-win for educators wanting to provide tech training.”

The classes are taught once day per week or bi-weekly at 20 participating preschools in Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale and other area communities.

Each class averages 30-40 minutes and begin with group circle time to discuss the lesson for the day, followed by ageappropriate games to teach typing and basic to advanced computer skills.

Each child has access to their own computer to learn technology concepts, letter and number recognition and also

t o Gews?

N

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

won a gold award at the International Olive Oil Competition in New York.

Last year Olive Mill took home a silver award out of more than 1,000 entries.

The annual competition is the largest and most prestigious olive oil quality contest.

Its annual list of award winners is the authoritative guide to the world’s best olive oils and the producers who craft them.

Rea grabs a cup of coffee and strolls by shelving holding bottles of extra-virgin olive oil.

“We do all the blending recipes ourselves,” he said.

Like any other business owner, Rea is always looking to the future.

“We’re getting ready to go through another expansion, but mainly in our processing,” he said while front-facing bottles on a shelf.

“Now that those two other farms went into production last year, we’re going to need to increase our capacity from three tons of olives an hour to probably eight tons an hour.”

Information: 5062 S. Meridian Road, Queen Creek. 480-888-9290. Queencreekolivemill.com. 

leadership and teamwork development.

“Future Kiddie teaches children in a way that they can easily comprehend,” Ken said. “Computers are integrated as a tool – not taught in isolation. This results in a genuine understanding and appreciation of technology.”

Students also learn keyboarding, which he said “is important because it prepares the child for online testing which starts in 3rd grade in many schools.”

Not surprisingly, mastering keyboarding is often the biggest challenge for children.

“Some of our students take six to eight months to learn how to position their little fingers on the home row. Kids have the hardest time with proper finger placement on the top and bottom row,” Ken explained, adding: “That is understandable because even

Queen Creek Olive Mill owner Peter Rea has turned the site into an “agritourism destination” through a lot of hard work over the 17 years he has owned the site. (Glenn Swain/Tribune Contributor)

adults can take a long time to get used to a keyboard – imagine little children learning it.”

Kate Strohmeyer, director of the Saint Maria Goretti School in Scottsdale, said the Chans fill a void when it comes to teaching children so young the basics of a tool they probably will use most of their lives.

“The designated space and expense of a computer lab is not conducive to a school for young children,” she said. “But this is a convenient and fun way to incorporate important technology skills. In a S.T.E.M. curriculum, it is easier on the budget to leave out the technology part and focus on the science and engineering, but Future Kiddie makes the ‘tech’ possible in our S.T.E.M. goals, and the students love it.”

Linda Chan added, “Students learn

how to use a computer properly and to respect technology as a meaningful tool they will use all their lives. In addition, the highest paying jobs of the future will require these skills. We like to think that our programs help kids get on the right track.”

And that’s exactly why she and her brother believe their company can provide critical training to kids at just the right age.

“Future Kiddie prepares kids for their future by teaching young children how to respect computers as a meaningful tool, not just a toy, that they will use all their lives,” Ken said, who gives free demonstrations to schools.

Information: futurekiddie.com, 480331-3068 or FutureKiddie@FutureKiddie. com. 

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

29

Need a reason to get back to nature? We’ll give you two.

Waterston’s 7-acre Central Park & Lake

Canopy Park pavilion

Introducing Waterston and Canopy. world of natural wonder with the breathtaking Canopy Park.

Take advantage of raised garden beds, outdoor kitchens, mini orchards, and so much more just steps from your door.

Entertainment is right at your fingertips in both communities and Veterans Oasis Park is just around the corner.

E . OCOTILLO R D

a bout h ow you c a n f i n d you r pl ac e

GILBERT, AZ 2,631 - 5,125 Sq. Ft. From the low $500s to mid $700s

i n n at u r e ,

visit MaracayHomes.com or call 480.571.3968

S . L I N D S AY R D

to Learn more

WATERSTON

E. CHANDLER HEIGHTS RD

S . VA L V I S TA D R

Two new home communities coming to the East Valley in spring 2020. Waterston is a wellspring of opportunity located in Gilbert. Here you’ll enjoy big back yards and even bigger possibilities with full access to your very own Central Park and 7-acre lake. Canopy is located in Chandler and offers a

CHANDLER, AZ 2,351 - 3,727 Sq. Ft. From the mid $400s to mid $500s

The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Stated dimensions, square footage and acreage are approximate and should not be used as a representation of any home’s or homesite’s precise or actual size, location or orientation. There is no guarantee that any particular homesite or home will be available. No information or material herein is to be construed to be an offer or solicitation for sale. A Broker/Agent must register their client in person on client’s first visit at each community for a Broker/Agent to receive a commission or referral fee, if available. Not all features and options are available in all homes. Unless otherwise expressly stated, homes do not come with hardscape, landscape, or other decorator items. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Community maps, illustrations, plans and/or amenities reflect our current vision and are subject to change without notice. Maps not to scale.

Photographs or renderings of people do not depict or indicate any preference regarding race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, or national origin. Some amenities may not yet be constructed. Builder reserves the right to change the size, design, configuration and location of amenities not yet constructed and does not warrant the suitability thereof for any use or for any person. There is no guarantee that any particular homesite, home or common area will offer a view or that any particular view will be preserved. Views may also be altered by subsequent development, construction, and landscaping growth. No warranty or guarantee is made regarding any particular area public school/school district or that any particular public school/school district will service any given community. Schools/school districts may change over time. Builder does not warrant the suitability of any trail for any use or for any person. Final Subdivision Disclosure Report (Public Report) is available at the AZ Real Estate Department’s website. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of TRI Pointe Group, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. ROC No. 172120. AZ Broker, Maracay Realty, LLC (AZ DRE# LC538443000) © 2020 Maracay Homes, LLC, a member of the TRI Pointe Group. All rights reserved.

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

30

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008257

OPINION

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

31

Share Your Thoughts:

TheMesaTribune.com

|

@EVTNow

Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com

/EVTNow

NASCAR crash stirs thoughts about God

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

H

e was leading the biggest NASCAR race in the world, the Daytona 500, rubbing and racing at 200 mph, when a nudge from behind sent Ryan Newman’s Number 6 stock car into the wall.

The Ford flipped multiple times before being struck on the driver’s side by another racer. Newman went airborne again, the car landing on its roof, ablaze, fluids pouring everywhere.

It took first responders 20 minutes to cut the 42-year-old out of the car. He was rushed to Halifax Medical Center, reportedly with serious injuries.

Two days after that fierce crash, Ryan Newman ambled out of the hospital under his own power, shoeless in blue jeans, holding hands with his two young daughters.

Which brings me to the point of this column – which has nothing to do with NASCAR at all, and is more a question than a

point, really.

Accompanying that iconic image of Newman leaving the hospital, displayed everywhere on social media and the news, were thousands of variations of the same reaction to Newman’s miraculous survival.

“God is good.” And: “God is Great! Praise Jesus!” And: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.”

My question: Why are we so quick to credit God for moments like this? Why not extend credit to the engineers who worked for years to create race cars, safety features and advanced helmets designed to withstand crashes at speeds of more than 200 mph?

Why not fall to our knees and praise the paramedics and fire fighters who put out the blazing wreck and pried Newman out through the Ford’s roof?

And what about the doctors and nurses, men and women who have devoted their lives to developing sufficient medical expertise to care for Ryan Newman?

I can hear some of you now, explain-

ing how God blessed not only Newman and his family, but all concerned, how He watched over them, guided their hands and feet, hearts and brains. All the good that flowed from this terrifying moment – He did that.

This is where my questioning grows dark, and for that I apologize. I mean no disrespect to those who believe.

Think of my inquiries as genuine curiosity from someone struggling to grasp the nuances of deep faith.

So tell me, what about all the people God didn’t bless?

What about Dale Earnhardt, who 19 years ago also crashed into a wall at Daytone, also on the last lap, also on live television. Earnhardt was rushed to the very same hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

He was the biggest name in NASCAR at the time, a father of four children, just 49, still in his prime, too young to die.

Why didn’t The Intimidator get a miracle?

What about so many others at Halifax

Medical Center, which has 678 beds, an around-the-clock ER and two floors devoted to critical care?

In the late 1940s, that same hospital in Daytona was where World War II soldiers, wounded in battle, went to recover – or sometimes not.

Every day, mixed in with the miracles, are sad tales of death, babies born premature who don’t survive, victims of heart attacks and strokes, drug overdoses, slips and falls.

They receive no miracles. And in the wake of their deaths, rarely have I ever witnessed a reaction accusing God of a failure, a shortcoming, oversight or just plain cruelty.

In the end, I have to ask this. I ask it without malice, only with rabid curiosity.

Ryan Newman lived and we all praised God above.

But on that same day all across this nation, innocent victims perished at the hands of accidents and killers, disease and infirmity, and none of us asked aloud, “Where was God then?” 

ceeds raised going to suicide awareness and prevention programs at Mesa High School.

Class of ’80 alumnus John Kucera said this whole thing came about as a direct result of outpouring of emotion at the loss of a classmate last year.

“I was grateful to see how many people had tried to reach out and help, and disturbed at how many have been impacted,” he said. “I lay in bed having a conversation with God, if you will, and thought, ‘You’ve got to do something about this.’”

Classmates were receptive to his idea of creating a class service project in honor of those who are gone while helping Mesa

High students.

Soon after, Kucera and Class of ’80 senior class president JuDene Platt Brown met with MHS Vice-Principal Jay Schnittger to discuss the possibilities.

“We were shocked to learn that the East Valley (Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Apache Junction) is No. 1 in the state of Arizona for teen suicides!” Kucera said.

Even with these statistics, there is little funding for prevention programs in high schools.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, one person dies by suicide in Arizona every seven hours.

Suicide is also the second leading cause of

death for ages 15 to 34.

“And we’ve seen it with people our age, and it’s alarming,” Kucera said.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a law last year requiring all school personnel to receive suicide prevention training starting in the 2020-21 school year.

“We need to try to get to these kids early on so if they get to that point in their lives they know there are resources available,” Kucera said.

“Hopefully we can start with prevention and maybe as it grows, it can help with treatment. “I would love to see collabo-

Funding suicide prevention at Mesa High

BY JILL ADAIR Tribune Guest Writer

A

fter losing two of their classmates within the last year to suicide, the Mesa High School Class of ’80 decided to do something different as they planned their 40th year class reunion.

Soon, the service project titled “Giving Back to Carry On” was created with the idea that the class reunion would be a simple, low-cost affair.

Instead of costly registration, classmates are encouraged to donate “$40 for 40” (one dollar for each year since graduation) with 100 percent of the pro-

see MESA HIGH page 32

Share Your Thoughts: Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

32

MESA HIGH from page 31

ration among the high schools; perhaps Mesa High could be a lightning rod for the others. This is something that could help from generation to generation.”

The class project partnered with Mesa High School Alumni Jackrabbits Foundation, which is a registered IRS nonprofit organization and all donations to the foundation are tax deductible.

Brown said donations made through this foundation will go directly to Mesa High for suicide awareness and prevention programs. When donating, please specify “Class of ’80 suicide prevention,” otherwise donations go into a general fund.

The Class of 1980 invites – and challenges – all Mesa High alumni to participate and donate any amount, and that extends to all community members who would also like to contribute.

“If we can help one person – if one person gets it – then it’s worth the time and money spent,” Kucera said.

He pointed out that Mesa High School’s biggest tradition was born out of another tragedy with the accidental death of Zedo Ishikawa and his charge to classmates to

“Carry On.” “The memories of all of our fellow classmates who have passed call us to action, to Carry On!” Kucera said.

“We are the most tradition-laden school in our city and each of us has a lot of pride in that, but with that comes responsibility to lead the way. Our motto of ‘Carry On’ takes on a new meaning as the spirit of Mesa High motivates us to give back.”

“It’s motivated by our recent losses but done in memory of many we have lost,” he said.

Classmate Capri Barney posted on the Mesa High School Class of ‘80 Facebook page: “This is a wonderful idea. Such a small individual commitment but together we can make a huge impact.”

Classmate Ralph Diefenderfer also posted, saying this idea “can be the start of a great project and lasting legacy when we put our differences aside and work for the common good of all people in need.

“It’s amazing how manageable our own problems become when we offer to share the burden for someone else’s.”

To donate to the Jackrabbits Foundation, go to: mhsjackrabbitsfoundation. com/donate

Or donors can make a check or money order payable to MHS Alumni Jackrabbits Foundation and mail to: MHS Alumni Jackrabbits Foundation, 4445 E. Holmes Ave. Suite 107, Mesa, AZ 85204.

Donations can also be made through the foundation’s Venmo account: MHS Jackrabbits Foundation Mesa. Please specify “Class of ’80 suicide prevention.”

Join the “Giving Back to Carry On” Facebook page: facebook.com/GivingBackToCarryOn. More information on Mesa Public Schools suicide prevention can be found at mpsaz.org/opportunity/suicide-prevention/ In the event you suspect the safety of someone is at risk of suicide, it is important that you get the help of experts immediately.

County crisis services are available through the 24-hour Maricopa Crisis Line at 602-222-9444 (for mobile crisis team assistance, in-home intervention and urgent care).

EMPACT is also available at 480-7841500 for telephone counseling. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800273-8255. 

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Colombe Feutrier

Aileen Zavala Ramirez Arizona Western College

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Eastern Arizona College

David Rodriguez

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Selma Richter

Eastern Arizona College

Kyle Kane

Mesa Community College

Taschia Salas

Central Arizona College

Cochise College

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Luke Kilduff

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Mesa Community College

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Pamela Valtierra

Glendale Community College

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Abigail Emmons

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Arizona’s Community Colleges present

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2020 All-arizona Academic team

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

Yavapai College

Yavapai College

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Yavapai College

Yavapai College

Yavapai College

Yavapai College

Yavapai College

These Community College Students are selected for their academic achievement, leadership and service to the community. All receive scholarships from Arizona’s community colleges, as well as Arizona Board of Regents tuition waivers for any Arizona public university. Students are eliglible for selection to the All-USA Academic Team.

For information, contact the local chapter of Phi Theta Kappa national honorary society at any Arizona community college.

Presented as a public service by the

Yavapai College

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

34

2020 APACHE JUNCTION JEWELRY, GEM & MINERAL SHOW & SALE Vendors from around the region will be selling items from their sizeable inventories. Raffles and silent auctions will be held throughout the show for an opportunity to win some amazing prizes. Food will be available for purchase. This is a unique event the whole family will enjoy!

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

35

TheMesaTribune.com @EVTNow /EVTNow

Mesa wrestlers dominate at state meet

BY BRITTANY BOWYER Tribune Contributing Writer

H

undreds of wrestlers from all over Arizona flocked to the Findlay Toyota Event Center in Prescott Valley for the 2020 AIA State Wrestling Championships.

In one of the most difficult sports testing both physical and mental strength, they left everything on the mat for both themselves and their respective teams.

Schools in the East Valley had a strong presence in the arena during the boys’ final medal rounds on Friday evening with 63 wrestlers medaling at the event.

The girls also had a strong showing on Saturday, with 15 wrestlers from the East Valley medaling.

While everyone’s path to the state championships are different, the goal is still the same: To go out and win.

For some, it may have been the first

time they’ve ever competed for gold, while for others, it was an opportunity to defend their title and show why they were the reigning champion of the weight class.

For wrestlers like freshman Joey Jarman of Mesa High School, it was a great ending to his first high school wrestling season.

Jarman finished second at state in the 106-pound weight class, putting himself on the map as one to look out for in years to come. Jarman comes from a family with several former wrestlers from the Mesa High wrestling program, including his older brother John Jarman, who took fourth this year in the 113-pound weight class.

“I’m the first freshman in my family to have placed at state and it’s great being able to be with all my uncles and my

see WRESTLING page 36

Westwood’s Taliyah Armstrong was the only girl wrestler from Mesa to be crowned champion at the state wrestling meet, as she won gold in the 145-pound weight class. (Brittany Bowyer/Tribune Contributor)

Red Mtn.’s Elliott, Boren find homes on Signing Day

BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

I

t was a long road for Red Mountain Senior running back Deonce Elliott to get to National Signing Day on Feb. 5.

Elliott, who transferred from Desert Ridge to Red Mountain after his sophomore year, was part of a two-headed monster in the backfield along with fellow senior Ty McCelroy who helped lead the Mountain Lions to their first championship game in 18 years. However, Elliott’s missed both the semifinals and championship after his high school career was cut short by a devastating knee injury.

It never hampered his drive and motivation to continue his career at the next level. Finally, just before Signing Day, he got the opportunity he was looking for.

Elliott signed his National Letter of Intent to Arizona State University.

DEONCE ELLIOTT, FOOTBALL Arizona State

“I honestly didn’t think I would have a chance because of my injury,” Elliott said.

“But for (Shaun Aguano) to reach out to

HYRUM BOREN, FOOTBALL, Air Force

my coach and tell him they want me to sign, it honestly broke me down a little inside. It’s a blessing, God works in good

ways. It’s all thanks to him.”

Elliott, who averaged over 10 yards per carry this past season, was one of the most electrifying running backs in the state. His combination of patience and awareness out of the backfield, matches with his speed and strength, made him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

But for some reason, the offers never came.

Looking back now, Elliott considers it a blessing. He plans to use it as further motivation when he arrives on Arizona State’s campus in the fall. He will be cleared to begin light running activities in August.

“Don’t listen to the outside noise and always stay faithful,” Elliott said. “Never give up on yourself even during the hardest times when you think you can’t do it.”

see SIGNING page 36

36

SPORTS

WRESTLING from page 35

cousins and know what they felt like on the podium and having their arm raised after matches at state,” Jarman said. “Being able to be with the best and compete with the best is awesome.”

Mesa finished tied for tenth overall as a team in Division I with Chandler at 70 points. Other Mesa schools also had strong showings at state, including Mountain View, Desert Ridge and Red Mountain.

The Toro wrestling program finished third overall in state after finishing with 128.5 points. Mountain View had eight wrestlers medal in the championship rounds on Friday night, with Kimball Begay having placed the highest overall as the runner-up in the 195-pound weight class.

Desert Ridge had four wrestlers medal at state, led by Dante Smith’s secondplace finish in the 285-pound weight class. Red Mountain, meanwhile, also had four wrestlers medal at state. Tanner Castillo placed the highest for the Mountain Lions, as he finished second overall in the 132-pound class.

It was only the second year there was a state wrestling championship for girls, but the number of participants was up a significant amount from the year before.

Some wrestlers had the opportunity to step out on the mats and represent their school at state for the first time, while others returned to the championships this year looking to finish in a better position than they did last year.

Mountain View had one state placer in the girls division, as Karstin Hollen fin-

SIGNING from page 35

Elliott signed alongside 19 other Red Mountain student-athletes, including seven football players from the state runner-up team.

Among those was senior quarterback Hyrum Boren, who threw for 2,283 yards and 30 touchdowns in his only season under center during his Red Mountain career. In 2018, he racked up 29 total tackles, including one sack, and an interception on defense.

“My path was a little different than most, I played a lot of different positions,” Boren said. “I found my niche at quarterback my senior year and let it fly from

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

ished fourth at 145. Darwin Dewitt of Red Mountain finished sixth in 125-pound girls weight class. Westwood’s Taliyah Armstrong was the only girl from Mesa who won a title at the state meet, as she was crowned champion of the 145-pound class.  Mesa High freshman Joey Jarman placed first overall in the Division I 106-pound weight class at the state wrestling meet on Friday, Feb. 14 in Prescott Valley. (Brittany Bowyer/Tri-

bune Contributor)

Complete list of Mesa placers DI Schools: 106-pound weight class Joey Jarman, Mesa High School, 113-pound weight class John Jarman, Mesa High School, 120-pound weight class Gabriel Corrales, Desert Ridge High School, Gabe Ortiz, Mountain View High School, 132-pound weight class Tanner Castillo, Red Mountain High School, Gunnar Luke, Mountain View High School, 138-pound weight class Girls Division 125-pound weight class Darwin Dewitt, Red Mountain High School, 135-pound weight class

2nd place 4th place 5th place 6th place 2nd place 6th place

Braxton Luke, Mountain View High School, 145-pound weight class Joe Kisting, Desert Ridge High School, Adam Booth, Mountain View High School, 152-pound weight class Connor Blakeman, Red Mountain High School, 160-pound weight class Brandon Ramsey, Skyline High School, Monet Walker, Dobson High School, 170-pound weight class Dallin Larson, Mountain View High School, Keaton Steck, Desert Ridge High School,

Brooke Stratman, Dobson High School, 145-pound weight class 6th place Taliyah Armstrong, Westwood High School, Karstin Hollen, Mountain View High School,

there. It was so much fun, I’m going to miss these last four years.”

Boren’s recruitment started heating up after he had led Red Mountain to the state title game. He received his first offer from Northern Arizona University in late January. Shortly after, he received offers from both Air Force and Navy.

On Feb. 4, just one day before signing his National Letter of Intent, Boren committed to Air Force. He will join offensive lineman Costen Cooley in Colorado Springs in the fall.

“I fell in love with the idea of going to a service academy from the jump,” Boren

see SIGNING page 37

KOBY MELENDEZ BASEBALL, Scottsdale Community College

5th place 182-pound weight class Wayne Dunn, Mountain View High School, 4th place 195-pound weight class 5th place Kimball Begay, Mountain View High School, Preston Arriola, Mesa High School, 3rd place Bobby Brookins, Red Mountain High School, 220-pound weight class 5th place William Durbin, Dobson High School, 6th place James Huber, Mountain View High School, Julius Thomas, Red Mountain High School, 5th place 285-pound weight class 6th place Dante Smith, Desert Ridge High School, 6th place 160-pound weight class Seanna Roland, Dobson High School, 1st place 185-pound weight class 4th place Stefany Valencia, Westwood High School,

DAKOTA DUFFALO BASEBALL, Utah

4th place 2nd place 4th place 6th place 3rd place 5th place 6th place 2nd place

5th place 5th place

SPORTS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

SIGNING from page 36

said. “Being able to be set for life through graduating from these universities can’t be beaten. Then to play with Costen again is going to be awesome.”

Red Mountain’s soccer, golf, swim and dive, softball and baseball teams were all represented by athletes signing their

Red Mountain

National Letters of Intent in the school’s auditorium.

Among those athletes was Mountain Lions’ outfielder Dakota Duffalo, who signed with the University of Utah before the start of his senior campaign.

“I went for a visit in September and I just fell in love,” Duffalo said of Utah. “It’s a good program in a great conference.”

Duffalo batted .274 with 25 RBI last season as a junior for a Red Mountain team and made it to the 6A semifinals as the No. 8 seed in the tournament. Duffalo became the latest Red Mountain baseball player to commit to a Pac-12 school.

Last year, Kai Murphy signed with Oregon State. This year, Duffalo signed alongside Koby Melendez, who will continue

Mesa athletes who signed Feb. 5

Hyrum Boren, Football, Air Force Ben Bray, Football, Arizona State Kimberly Carboun, Softball, Chandler-Gilbert Community College Costen Cooley, Football, Air Force Cameron Daniell, Swim, Utah Makayla Donahoo, Softball, Weber State Dakota Duffalo, Baseball, Utah Deonce Elliott, Football, Arizona State Ryan Galloway, Soccer, Presbyterian College Jacob Griffin, Football, BYU Major Kelley, Football, University of Mary Michael Lindberg, Soccer, Concordia Koby Melendez, Baseball, Scottsdale Community College Jaxen Pastores, Golf, Mesa Community College Angelina Sanchez, Softball, Phoenix College

Morgan Shattuck, Swim, Westmont College Tre Smith, Football, San Jose State Marissa Stahl, Dive, Colorado Mesa

Joquarri Price, Football, UCLA Daniel Ramirez, Football, Ottawa University Brendan Thome, Baseball, Mesa Community College

Desert Ridge

Mesa

Hunter Bagshaw, Baseball, Cerro Coso Community College John Butler, Football, Rocky Mountain College Andrew Chino, Football, University of Sioux Falls Josiah Crockett, Football, Gila River Community College Mark Gomez, Soccer, Mesa Community College Xavier Gonzales, Baseball, Minot State University LaVon Harris, Football, Gila River Community College Koby Hathcock, Football, Iowa State Zach Landa, Track and Field (Throws), University of Arizona Aidan Lee, Football, Cal Berkeley

Osi Tayeli, Football, University of Texas at El Paso

Skyline

Skyline did not have any athletes sign on Feb. 5. According to athletic director Greg Shultz, several athletes are still weighing their options before making a decision.

“We have student athletes that are taking more time before finalizing their decision,” Schultz said in an email.

Mountain View

An email requesting the names of athletes who signed Feb. 5 received no response.

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his baseball career at Scottsdale Community College.

“Me and Koby have known each other for a couple years and we have really gotten pretty close, we are pretty good friends,” Duffalo said. “It’s exciting we are going into our senior year together. It’s going to be a good year.” 

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

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Mesa director mounts her own ‘Frankenstein’ musical GETOUT STAFF

O

ne of literature’s most celebrated monsters is getting a new musical treatment, courtesy of a Mesa director and a number of young Mesa thespians.

“Frankenstein, An Original Musical” will be presented by State 48 Theatre Company Feb. 26-28 at 7 p.m.; Feb. 29 at 3 and 7 p.m.; March 4-6 at 7 p.m.; and March 7 at 3 p.m. The Fuse Box at State 48 Theatre, 943 S. Gilbert Road, Suite 202, Mesa.

Tickets are $14 and can be purchased at state48theatre.com/tickets.

State 48 Director Andrea K. McFeely, who authored the new musical and wrote some of the lyrics, chose the story of the lumbering, stitched-together creature and its maker because “healthy, happy, transparent heroes and heroines rarely make for interesting character studies.”

“I have long been interested in the character of Victor Frankenstein with his hu-

enjoyed the old Hollywood version of Frankenstein and this cemented it for me.”

She has “always had sympathy for the” nameless creature, rejected by his father/ creator over his appearance.

But McFeely Mesa actresses Paul Connors, 13, left, and Sydney Glenn, 11, rehearse a scene from is not about “Frankenstein, An Original Musical” at State 48 Theatre. (Pablo Robles/GetOut Photographer to dismiss the bris and sad charm,” McFeely explained, fact the monster, well, is a monster – alrecalling how “as a child, I learned Fran- beit a complicated one.

“He learns to read and write and to diskenstein was the creator of the creature, not the creature himself” and “I never cuss philosophy - but he is still willing to

kill a child,” she explained. “He craves love and companionship but hates with an unfortunate focus.”

But the play’s namesake is no angel, either, she said, noting: “Victor is a moral coward in so many ways.”

Although there was a musical version of the legendary monster novel produced in New York in 2007, the State 48 version is an original written by McFeely, who said she hews closely to Mary Shelley’s novel.

Music is by Karli Kemper and Bryson Giles, orchestration by Giles and lyrics are by Karli Kemper, Bryson Giles, Sammi Merkeley and Andrea McFeely.

McFeely uses two framing devices for her story – Captain Walton’s letters to his sister Margaret and Shelley writing the story and sharing it with people in Lake Geneva.

But the musical still drives home

mainstay for Arizonans and baseball nuts.

“We have a really good round of artists coming in, led by Dave Matthews and Weezer, to go with having even more player involvement than we’ve had before,” Sweetwood said. “So, it kind of brings together the Thousands flocked to Tempe Town Lake last year to hear some top bands and full vision of the fes- celebrate the beginning of Spring Training season. (Special to GetOut) tival.”

An avid baseball fan, Sweetwood said The result is a convergence of the two, his team was surprised by the enthusi- with batting cages and a virtual home asm for Spring Training in Arizona. run derby interwoven into the stages and That love inspired Sweetwood and his incredible voltage that such festivals reteam to create a unique festival that in- quire. corporates the best elements of both pas“I realized how many hundreds of thoutimes. sands of people come to town to watch

this, and I thought one of the things missing was entertainment,” Sweetwood said.

“So, that’s kind of where the vision for the event came from, was, let’s give those fans that are coming to town some entertainment to go along with (Spring Training) and then local residents can come as well.”

Inning Fest is unlike other large music events in that the sets do not overlap.

Bands take the stage at different times.

Such a feat allows festivalgoers to take in all the musicians, without having to worry about splitting time between stages.

Sweetwood also gives fans the chance to meet athletes such as former San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox pitcher Jake Peavy and Hall of Famers like Trevor Hoffman and Jim Thome. Former D-backs Luis Gonzalez and Miguel Montero will also take part.

see FRANKENSTEIN page 42

Innings Festival offers baseball-centric fun

BY CHRISTOPHER BOAN GetOut Staff

A

lineup of baseball and rock music descends upon Tempe Town Lake for the third iteration of Innings Festival next weekend.

Slated for Saturday, Feb. 29, and Sunday, March 1, the Innings Festival features acts like Dave Matthews Band, Weezer, Portugal, The Man, Death Cab for Cutie, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit and more.

Atlanta-based festival director Tim Sweetwood long envisioned an event that combined the hoopla of the Cactus League with the glitz and glamor of a music festival.

Sweetwood and C3 Presents set out to create the festival several years ago, assembling a roster of players and bands to take the stage at the first event in 2018.

Fast-forward three years and Sweetwood believes the festival has become a

see INNINGS page 42

GET OUT

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

‘Extra! Extra!’ Chandler teens stage ‘Newsies’

BY KEVIN REAGAN GetOut Staff Writer

T

he Chandler Youth Theater’s first teen-focused production revisits a little-known event from turn-ofthe-century history.

“Newsies” dramatizes the story of New York City’s bitter newsboy strike of 1899. After publishers raised the prices of newspapers, a group of boys refused to sell them until prices were brought back down.

Disney used the conflict as inspiration for a 1992 film, which was later adapted into a theatrical musical in 2011.

With ballads like “Seize the Day” and “King of New York,” the musical is quickly earned the reputation as an uplifting crowd-pleaser about underdogs taking on powerful business magnates.

Audrey Ryan, Chandler Youth Theater’s director of productions, said the company’s adolescent performers wanted to

If You Go...

What: Chandler Youth Theater’s “Newsies”.

Where: Seton Catholic High School Auditorium, 1150 North Dobson Road.

When: Feb. 28 at 6 p.m., Feb. 29 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., March 1 at 2 p.m.

Cost: $15.

stage the musical due to its high-adrenaline pace and complex themes.

“A lot of the older kids wanted to do something a little bit more challenging,” she said.

The youth theater has primarily focused on productions featuring kids of all ages since it started putting on shows out of ImprovMANIA a couple years ago.

But “Newsies” marks the company’s first production exclusive to teenage performers.

The cast includes 43 actors between the ages of 11 and 18 from across the East Valley.

James Ryan, 18, takes on the role of Jack Kelly, the show’s protagonist and leader of the orphaned newsboys. Sofia Lindsey, 13, portrays Katherine Plumber, an aspiring young journalist who writes about the strikes and becomes Kelly’s love interest.

Other cast members include Ryan Creech, Mikayla Deely, Noelle Parent, and Daniel Campbell as Joseph Pulitzer, the famous newspaper mogul whose cost-cutting measures end up fueling the strike.

The actual strike lasted about two weeks and involved hundreds of newsboys marching across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Publishers eventually reached a com-

41

the kids find their energy and their passion when they’re singing these songs,” she said.

Ryan said black-and-white photographs documenting the 1899 strike will be projected onto a screen A spirited cast will appear in the Chandler Youth Theater’s presentation of “Newsies” throughout the production. next weekend. (Special to GetOut) Two dance promise with the strikers by agreeing to students from Arizona State University buy back newspapers the boys couldn’t helped Ryan choreograph the show and sell – allowing them keep more of their some of the dance numbers will include acrobatic, height-defying stunts. profits.

This show has so much spirit to it, the Seventeen years after the strike, Congress passed the country’s first law to director added, the energy starts to become contagious for whoever is watchregulate child labor.

Ryan said this production allowed her ing the show.

“It makes me want to jump out of my cast to learn about a time and place so far seat and join them on stage,” Ryan said. removed from the modern world.

Most of the actors are the same age as “It’s what makes this production so the actual newsboys, Ryan said’ But the good.”

The Chandler Youth Theater plans to conflicts and circumstances of the story’s stage teen-focused productions of “The characters are so different.

“We’ve been really focusing on the Addams Family” this fall and “Grease” ‘why’ in this show and it’s really helped next spring. 

Bondurant school now teaching F4 racing GETOUT STAFF

C

alling it an “unprecedented opportunity for today’s up-and-coming race car drivers and driving enthusiasts,” the Bondurant High Performance Driving School is offering people a chance to train in a state-of-the-art, open-wheel formula race car.

The Chandler racing school has launched an F4 open-wheel race car training program with hands-on experience in a single-seat, open-wheel car.

The only school in the nation to offer this type of equipment package powered

by Honda, the Bondurant F4 School offers multiple course options to climb behind the wheel of a Ligier JS F4 race car.

The first class is currently scheduled for early March. Classes are open to anyone, including drivers who want to further

nership with Bondurant High Performance Driving School,” said Ligier Automotive North America CEO Max Crawford. “Since we initiated the U.S. F4 Motorheads who have always wanted to zoom around the track in this Ligier JS F4 Championships in racecar now have their chance at the Bondurant High Performance Driving School 2016, it has always in Chandler. (Special to GetOut) been a goal of ours to their skills as a competitive driver or get a have a program with a driving school.”

SCCA Pro License.

Crawford also noted Bondurant’s longThe official driving school of Dodge SRT standing emphasis on safety and superior also sports Dodge Challenger and Charger instructional performance helped encourSRT Hellcat models. The 840-horsepower age the partnership.

“It’s extremely important drivers who Challenger SRT Demon – the industry’s first and only street-legal production drag do have the desire to compete in the chamcar and most powerful muscle car ever pionships show up well-prepared, he said.

“A school teaching the same championship made – also is part of Bondurant’s fleet.

“We are very excited to begin our part- curriculum in the same Ligier JS F4 race

car can only be a huge benefit for drivers.

Bondurant’s strong reputation and quality instruction made perfect sense for us and we welcome them on board.”

Bondurant also has a longstanding partnership with Sports Car Club of America now offering SCCA PRO licenses to graduates of the class who have met all the required performance standards.

“Never before have we had the opportunity to bring brand new state-of-the-art open-wheel race cars and equipment into our advanced programs,” said Bondurant chief instructor Mike McGovern.

SCCA F4 U.S. and F3 Americas Race Director Scott Goodyear added, “The best way to launch your racing career is to start with proper training and learn the art of driving a race car along with the rules and

see BONDURANT page 42

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

42

FRANKENSTEIN from page 40

McFeely’s interpretation of Shelley’s work: “Victor, who wants to leave his mark on the world by ending the pain of loss, the creature who simply wants to be recognized, accepted – they both desire what we all desire but they both fail spectacularly in their pursuit of happiness.”

“The body count is a bit higher in our production than in the novel – actors love to die onstage – and some subplots and destinations were modified,” she added.

Asked about the challenges in mounting production, McFeely replied, “We need a bigger space.”

“This production requires a ton of costume changes, furniture/set pieces being brought on and off stage and cast members standing ready to do our sweeping set rotations.

“That all takes up room – a commodity we are in short supply of. Our stage area is perfect for this large and mobile set, but our actors have to respect each other’s property and space, master doing quick changes in the dark with no elbow room, and remember to remain silent backstage only three feet away from the audience.”

She credits stage Manager Chantel Powers and assistant stage manager Judith Connors of Mesa with ensuring all those characters – at least while they are alive – keep moving safely.

INNINGS from page 40

“If you’re a baseball fan, there’s a possibility to touch these legends of baseball.

And from a musical standpoint, we’re not forcing someone to buy a ticket to the whole weekend,” Sweetwood said.

Sweetwood said organizers try to choose artists who love baseball.

One such example is Isbell, who is a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan, adding an extra element to the band’s set.

“We try to see if they’re really into baseball, because if they are, then we can get them involved in different contests or competitions that are going on,” Sweetwood said. “So, that’s just an added feature of what’s going on.”

Sweetwood said this year’s fest, as in years’ past, will only feature retired MLB players, given the time constraints and restrictions that current players face.

He hopes the who’s-who cast of retired players will motivate interested patrons,

our black box” and music director/State 48 co-artistic director Karli Kemper for a choir “this further enhances the spookiness of the tale.”

Gilbert resident and choreographer Halle Glazebrook “has been quite inventive with movement and dance choreography.”

Mesa residents Brooklyn Harris and Kailei Beltran also helped out on lights and sound and Mike Smyth of Gilbert and Justin Kemper helped on set design.

The cast has been up to the challenge from day one of reFrankenstein gets a new do and a radical makeover as played by Brett hearsals, McFeely said, calling Small of Gilbert. (Pablo Robles/GetOut Photographer) the collective “a bright, passionate, experienced cast.”

“The structure of the story mandates 10 “They are inquisitive and excited to significant locations so we designed a set bring a classic piece of literature to life,” primarily comprised of three large rotat- she said, noting even in an age of super ing platforms always remaining onstage monsters with souped-up CGI effects, the and several light pieces that can move young thespians were fascinated with the quickly on and off the stage,” McFeely two-century-old monster. said, noting she’s added “plenty of thun“I have had so many interesting philoder and lightning, candlelit laboratories, sophical discussions with my cast memall-too-brief moments of gaiety out in the bers in and out of rehearsal about the sunshine.” relative culpability of the Creature versus She credits set and lighting designer Victor Frankenstein,” McFeely said.

Michael Smyth with “creating an el“We’ve also had the opportunity …to egantly spooky feel with wireframe sets ask questions about moral failures, quesand sheer fabrics over the emptiness of tion how far good intentions mitigate

given the month-long ode to baseball that is the 15-team Cactus League.

Above all, the greatest highlight for Sweetwood is watching festivalgoers flock to the lakeside stages, savoring the work that his team has put forth.

Sweetwood is excited to see how the third installment of Innings Fest compares to previous iterations.

The reaction to previous years has been incredible, according to Sweetwood, giving him a sense of hope that this year’s event will live up to billing.

“You never know what the outcome’s going to be, or if people will really like it when, but this is one where people have taken to it and they’ve really liked it,” Sweetwood said. “And all of our offerings and different ticket types and experiences have definitely helped.

“I think that’s been our nicest pleasurepoint and enjoyment, is that people are very receptive to the programming and to what we’re putting together.” 

If You Go...

What: Innings Festival.

Where: Tempe Beach Park & Arts Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe.

When: all day Feb. 29 and March 1 Tickets: start at $99.

Lineup: Feb. 28: Dave Matthews Band, Portugal. The Man, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Dr. Dog, Whiskey Myers, ZZ Ward, Strand of Oaks, Boy Named Banjo; March 1: Death Cab for Cutie, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, O.A.R., The Struts, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Nikki Lane, Pedro the Lion, Wilderado MLB players: Ryan Dempster, Jake Peavy, Bret Saberhagen, Rick Sutcliffe, Luis Gonzalez, Trevor Hoffman, Jim Thome, Miguel Montero and Aaron Rowand.

bad choices, discuss the implications of certain relationships… These kids are fascinated by both Victor and his brilliant, nameless, abandoned monster.”

The costumes are relatively elaborate.

“Frank won’t be green,” she joked, “but he will look like someone dug him up a few days after he went into the ground.”

“Victor rejects his creature because he is physically repulsed by his appearance so the monster needs to be repulsive. He also needs to look strong but awkward, lumbering, in poor control of his body - so we have invested in some costume pieces to help create this effect.”

The rest of the cast will be wearing midGeorgian era fashions or late Regency era clothes since “we deal with two time periods and eagle-eyed audiences will notice the Regency-dressed writers and poets of the Lake Geneva summer intruding upon the characters of Frankenstein as Mary Shelley peoples her tale with those close to her,” McFeely said.

Among the cast, Gilbert resident and Mesa Community College freshman Parker Nuthall will be playing dual roles as Victor Frankenstein and Mary Shelley’s husband Percy while Gilbert resident Brett Small will be playing the creature.

Mesa thespians in the cast include Paula Connors, Erin Garner, Sydney Glenn, Caitlin Laidig, Danica Rauch, Matix Williams and Lee Olsen. 

BONDURANT from page 41

regulations of motor racing.

“The information a driver receives from sitting in the cockpit of a school race car sets the tone for their success in the first season of car racing. All the top drivers around the world started their career behind the wheel of a school race car to accelerate their learning curve before entering competition.”

Goodyear also expressed excitement about the fact young drivers now have an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of F4 racing right here on American soil.

Goodyear also said he is “ecstatic” there’s an F4 school on American soil.

“The Bob Bondurant School has long been the top school for up and coming drivers, and their commitment and focus on the F4 Series is going to produce raceready drivers to enter our Championship,” he said.

Information: Bondurant.com. 

GET THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 16,2020 2020 THE TRIBUNE FEBRUARY GET OUT 23.FOOTHILLS 44 FEBRUARY 19.

2020 | |OUT AHWATUKEE NEWS 40 40MESA

GET OUT GET OUT 9,5,12,2020 43 GET OUT 43 AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS FEBRUARY 2020 43 MESA TRIBUNE | ||FEBRUARY 2020 AHWATUKEETHE FOOTHILLS NEWS FEBRUARY

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Public Notices

Public Notices

City of Mesa Housing Authority Public Notice

CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Notice of Availability of the Proposed Public Housing Authority FY 2020/2021 and 2020/2025 Five-Year Plan

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

Notice of 45-Day Public Comment Period February 23, 2020 – April 8, 2020

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking a qualified firm or team to act as the Construction Manager at Risk for the following:

Notice of Public Hearing Proposed Public Housing Authority FY 2020/2021 and 2020/2025 Five-Year Plan April 9, 2020, 7:30 a.m.

Lower-Level Council Chambers (57 E. First Street, Mesa, AZ 85201)

BROADWAY ROAD PHASE 1 – MESA DRIVE TO STAPLEY DRIVE

The City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Construction Manager at Risk (CM@Risk) to provide Pre-Construction Services assistance and complete Construction Services as the CM@Risk for the Broadway Road Phase 1 Project. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

Date of Publication: February 23, 2020 Mary Brandon, Housing and Community Development City of Mesa, P.O. Box 1466, Mesa, AZ 85211-1466 480-644-4546

The following is a summary of the project. The required tasks will be reviewed with the selected CM@Risk and defined to meet the needs of the project as part of the contract scoping.

Notice of Availability of the Proposed Public Housing Authority FY 2020/2021 and 2020/2025 Five-Year Plan The 1998 Federal Housing Act requires all Public Housing Authorities to complete and submit an Annual Plan to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and that the public be given the opportunity to provide comments. The purpose of the Plan is to outline the goals, objectives, and methodology the agency will use to provide assisted and affordable housing through the use of federal funds in Mesa.

Beginning on February 24, 2020, the Mesa Housing Authority’s proposed FY 2020/2021 and 2020/2025 Five-Year Plan will be available for review by the general public and can be found at: The City of Mesa Housing Authority, 200 S. Center St, Bldg. 1, Mesa, AZ 85210.The Plan may be viewed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. To request an alternate format of the Plan, or for general information, you may call 480-644-3536.

Also beginning on February 23, 2020, an electronic copy of the Plan will be available for review by the general public and can be found on the City’s Housing and Community Development website at: https://www.mesaaz.gov/housing Notice of 45-Day Public Comment Period February 23, 2020 – April 8, 2020 A 45-day public comment period regarding the Housing Authority’s proposed FY 2020/2021 and 2020/2025 Five-Year Plan will begin on Sunday, February 23, 2020, and conclude at the end of business on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Public comments will be accepted anytime during the 45day public comment period. Concerned residents should submit their comments to the: City of Mesa Housing Authority, 200 S. Center St, Bldg. 1, Mesa, AZ 85210; faxed comments may be sent to the City of Mesa Housing Authority at 480-644-2923; and e-mailed comments may be sent to housing.info@mesaaz.gov. Written comments regarding the Plan will be accepted on or before April 8, 2019, and oral comments will be accepted in person at the Public Hearing mentioned below.

Notice of Public Hearing (Proposed Public Housing Authority FY 2020/2021 and 2020/2025 Five-Year Plan April 9, 2020, 7:30 a.m.

Lower-Level Council Chambers (57 E. First Street, Mesa, AZ 85201) A public hearing will be held to review and solicit comments from the general public regarding the Mesa Housing Authority’s proposed Public Housing Authority FY 2020/2021 and 2020/2025 FiveYear Plan. The hearing will occur at a meeting of the Housing Governing Board on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 7:30 a.m., in the Lower-Level Council Chambers (located at 57 E. First Street, Mesa, AZ, 85201).

The City of Mesa endeavors to make all public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities. If you are a person with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in programs and services offered by the City of Mesa Housing Authority, please contact Mary Brandon at 480-644-5852 or at mary.brandon@mesaaz.gov. Hearing impaired individuals should call 711 (Arizona TDD Relay). To the extent possible, accommodations will be made within the time constraint of the request, and you may be required to provide information to support your reasonable request.

Mary Brandon Housing and Community Development February 23, 2020 / East Valley Tribune / 28659

PROJECT NO. CP0666

Reconstruct Broadway Road from Lesueur to Spur Street. Reconstruct the Stapley Drive intersection with Broadway Road with added right turn lanes on all four approaches. Reconstruction includes full depth pavement reconstruction, new concrete curb and gutter, new concrete sidewalk, new ADA ramps and driveways up to the R/W throughout the corridor. Also install landscape to complete the corridor improvements.

New traffic signal equipment on Broadway Road at the intersections of Horne, Solomon, and Stapley Drive. Install streetlights and Intelligent Transportation System equipment throughout the corridor.

Install new underground utilities (water, wastewater, storm drain, gas and electrical power) as designed to upgrade existing mainline and distribution lines within the new roadway construction area.

Underground City of Mesa 12Kv overhead electrical lines from Lesueur to Horne.

The estimated construction cost is $25,000,000 to $30,000,000. The total estimated project cost is $42,000,000.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at 9 am, at the Mesa City Plaza Building, 20 E. Main Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201, in Conference Room 501. At this meeting, City staff will discuss the scope of work and general contract issues and respond to questions from the attendees. Attendance at the presubmittal conference is not mandatory and all interested firms may submit a Statement of Qualifications whether or not they attend the conference. All interested firms are encouraged to attend the Pre-Submittal Conference since City staff will not be available for meetings or to respond to individual inquiries regarding the project scope outside of this conference. In addition, there will not be meeting minutes or any other information published from the Pre-Submittal Conference.

Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified below.

RFQ Lists. The RFQ is available on the City’s website at http://mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/construction-manager-at-risk-and-job-order-contracting-opportunities.

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt. Please provide eight (8) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy (CD or USB drive) of the Statement of Qualifications by March 19, 2020, at 2 pm. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Delivered or hand-carried submittals must be delivered to the Engineering Department reception area on the fifth floor of Mesa City Plaza Building in a sealed package. On the submittal package, please display: Firm name, project number, and/or project title.

Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/purchasing/vendor-self-service).

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Construction Manager at Risk selection process or contract issues should be directed to Donna Horn of the Engineering Department at donna.horn@mesaaz.gov.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen

City Clerk Equal Housing Opportunity

Published: East Valley Tribune, Feb. 23, Mar 1, 2020 / 28601

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

46

Public Notices

Public Notices

CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Consultant for the following:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants for the following: CONSULTANT ON-CALL LIST FOR Landscape Architecture

NORTHEAST PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY

PROJECT NO. CP0913 The City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Consultant to provide design services for the Northeast Public Safety Facility Project. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

The following is a summary of the project. The required tasks will be reviewed with the selected Design Consultant and defined to meet the needs of the project as part of the contract scoping.

The project consists of providing programming documents, schematic drawings (including presentation boards and renderings), construction documents, and potential construction services for a new public safety facility in the vicinity of the intersection of North Power Road and East Brown Road in Mesa, Arizona. This public safety facility will house both Mesa Fire and Medical Department and Police Department operations. The goal of this proje ct is to provide an efficient use of the facility for shared use of common spaces as well as separate police and fire department functions. A consultant with successful experience in creating shared use spaces and coordinating between multiple users is desirable.

The scope of the project includes: 1. Accommodations for two fire crews and an ambulance crew including up to five (5) pull-through bays for fire vehicles.

2. Accommodations for police personnel and operations.

3. A common space lobby, community/training room, workout room and conference rooms.

4. Parking lot, fueling station, and site improvements.

• Secured parking for staff and police vehicles.

• Public parking for community engagement.

Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on February 26, 2020 at 8 :00 am, at the City of Mesa Plaza Building, 20 E. Main Street, Mesa, Arizona, in Conference Room 170. At this meeting, City staff will discuss the scope of work and general contract issues and respond to questions from the attendees. Attendance at the pre-submittal conference is not mandatory and all interested firms may submit a Statement of Qualifications whether or not they attend the conference. All interested firms are encouraged to attend the Pre-Submittal Conference since City staff will not be available for meetings or to respond to individual inquiries regarding the project scope outside of this conference. In addition, there will not be meeting minutes or any other information published from the Pre-Submittal Conference.

Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified below.

RFQ Lists. This RFQ is available on the City’s website at http://mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/architecturalengineering-design-opportunities.

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt. Please provide six (6) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy (CD or USB drive) of the Statement of Qualifications by March 4, 2020 at 2:00PM. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

The City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants to provide design services and/or construction administration services on an on-call basis in the following area/category: Landscape Architecture Services. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

From this solicitation, the Engineering Department will establish a list of on-call consultants for Landscape Architecture Services. This category is further defined below: Design and/or construction administration of projects located within City right-of-way, City-owned buildings and properties, shared-use paths, parks, retention basins, and sporting facilities. Tasks may include design services, cost estimating, value engineering, design concept, site master plan preparation, construction documentation, utility coordination, renderings and graphics to assist in project visualization and public outreach.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will not be held.

Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified below.

RFQ Lists. This RFQ is available on the City’s website at http://mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/architectural-engineering-design-opportunities.

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10 point. Please provide six (6) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy (CD or USB drive) of the Statement of Qualifications by 2:00 pm on Thursday, March 12, 2020. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Delivered or hand-carried submittals must be delivered to the Engineering Department reception area on the fifth floor of Mesa City Plaza Building in a sealed package. On the submittal package, please display: Firm name and On-Call Landscape Architecture Services.

Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/purchasing/vendor-selfservice).

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Michele Davila of the Engineering Department at Michele.Davila@mesaaz.gov.

Delivered or hand-carried submittals must be delivered to the Engineering Department reception area on the fifth floor of Mesa City Plaza Building in a sealed package. On the submittal package, please display: Firm name, project number, and/or project title.

ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk

Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/purchasing/vendor-self-service).

Published: East Valley Tribune, Feb. 23, Mar 1, 2020 / 28602

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Stephanie Gishey of the Engineering Department at stephanie.gishey@mesaaz.gov.

Meetings/Events?

ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Feb. 20, 2020 / 28508

BETH HUNING City Engineer

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

BETH HUNING City Engineer

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

47

The Mesa Tribune

1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway #219 • Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465 class@timespublications.com

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

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Not a licensed contractor.

Disposals

Any Service

Juan Hernandez

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

480-720-3840

Water Heaters

www.eastvalleypainters.com

480.721.4146

S E R V I C E

East Valley PAINTERS

Free Estimates!

Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

Call Lance White

T R E E

Plumbing

Painting

Se Habla Espanõl

LEGAL NOTICES

Lic’d, Bonded • ROC #235771 • ROC #235770

Deadline for Sunday's Edition is the Wednesday prior at 5pm.

Roofing

Please call Elaine at 480-898-7926 to inquire or email your notice to: legals@evtrib.com and request a quote.

Plumbing

LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

Tree Trimming • Tree Removal Stump Grinding Storm Damage • Bushes/Shrubs Yard Clean-up Commercial and Residential

Your leaks stop here!

PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

New Roofs, Repairs, Coatings, Flat Roof, Hot Mopping & Patching & Total Rubber Roof Systems

480-354-5802

What we do…

Painting

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

ROC#309706

• Employees Background Checked • Up-Front Pricing • Tankless Water Heaters • Tank Water Heaters • Fixture Replacements

• Plumbing & Drain Repairs • Water Treatment • Best Warranties • Fully Stocked Vans • Fix It Or It’s Free Guarantee

Drain Specialists…

• FREE Camera Inspection With Every Drain Cleared • Hydrojetting

$45 off Any service call With service performed

Financing Available

• Pipe Relining • Clean Out Installation • Sewer Repair/Replacement • Pipe Bursting

*$69 drain good Monday thru Friday during normal business hours and not combined with any other offers.

480-281-7564

FREE ESTIMATES & MONSOON SPECIALS

SAME DAY SERVICE 30 Years Experience References Available Licensed Bonded Insured ROC 286561

Senior & Military Discounts

480-280-0390

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

50

Roofing

Window Cleaning DIRTY WINDOWS? Call Fish Window Cleaning 480-962-4688 And you will have the cleanest windows and screens on the block.

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

Below is the list of services we offer: Windows – Interior & Exterior Screens – Sunscreens and Regular Tracks, Ceiling Fans, Light Fixtures Power Washing Your driveway, sidewalks and patios.

Tax Services

Roofing

REFLECTIONS WINDOW CLEANING

The Most Detailed Roofer in the State

Make your home sparkle with the cleanest windows you've ever seen! Instant 10% discount.

FREE Estimates.

BONDED/INSURED. Member IWCA 480-892-1999

Classifieds 480-898-6465

InstaGram @FISH_WCEAST VALLEYAZ

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

Window Cleaning

TK

®

Tim KLINE Roofing, LLC Roofs Done Right...The FIRST Time!

15-Year Workmanship Warranty on All Complete Roof Systems

www.timklineroofing.com

480-357-2463

FREE Estim a and written te proposal

R.O.C. #156979 K-42 • Licensed, Bonded and Insured

Window Cleaning

Full-Service Accounting & Tax Services for Businesses, Individuals, Trusts, and Estates • Put 35 years of experience to work for you!

• Appointments at your home, office, or our office • Evening and weekend appointments available • Tax prep, advising, planning/strategy • Tax services for Federal, all US States, and other countries • We are available 12 months a year

APPEARANCE Professional service since 1995

Window Cleaning $100 - One Story $140 - Two Story

Includes in & out up to 30 Panes Sun Screens Cleaned $3 each Attention to detail and tidy in your home.

Licensed, Bonded, and Insured

(480) 584-1643

Bonded & Insured

Plumbing

LLC

480-646-3419 • SOLVEDtax.com

COUNTS

It’s your money.

Let us help you keep it!

Plumbing

PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating & Air

4995

$

DRAIN CLEANING

189

$

GARBAGE DISPOSAL

Call 480-868-6722 ROC 316690

($85 Value)

S EW A/C UNIT

N

Water Heaters $

799

FREE SERVICE CALLS

$

3,995!

Public Notices

starting at

480-405-7099

(advertised offers cannot be combined)

We are A+ Rated by the BBB and stand behind our work with a Lifetime Warranty. Call us for the BEST SERVICE and PRICES in the East Valley!

Thank you Mesa for Voting us #1

Experience, Service and Price

Find out why our customers become customers for life! Over 700 five-star Google reviews!

FREE ESTIMATES

ItsJustPlumbSmart.com SHARE WITH THE WORLD! Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today! Call us for details. class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465

CITY OF MESA - MESA, ARIZONA NOTICE OF PRE-CONSTRUCTION PUBLIC MEETING NORTH CENTER STREET SPORTS COMPLEX Project No. CP0915 With voter approval of the 2018 General Obligation Bond in November 2018, the City of Mesa has started the design process for the North Center Street Sports Complex. Improvements include the construction of six 240’x 360’ multi-sports fields with LED sport lighting, a new restroom/storage/office building, parking lot, additional landscape improvements, and associated utilities and offsite improvements. This sports complex will be located on the North Center Parcel, which is on the west side of Center Street, just south of the 202 Red Mountain Freeway.

You are invited to attend a Pre-Construction Public Meeting where City of Mesa staff will be available to answer your questions. NO FORMAL PRESENTATION WILL BE GIVEN. Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm Location: Whitman Elementary School, (Multi-Purpose Room) 1829 N Grand, Mesa, AZ 85201 If you have any questions or concerns regarding this project, please contact Michele Arrollado, or Juanita Gonzales with the City of Mesa Engineering Public Relations Department at (480) 6443800 Published: East Valley Tribune, Feb. 16, 23, 2020 / 28190

THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020

FILED 2nd JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT Bernalillo County 1/28/2020 4:10 PM James A. Noel CLERK OF THE COURT Leanne LeCompte STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF BERNALILLO Case No. D-202CV-2019-06993 SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT HARRY L. TIPTON, JR., DIANE TIPTON, LARRY BARRERAS, DIANE GUTIERREZ, Plaintiffs, v.

PHILLIP C. WARD, GEORGE A. OCHS and MARGARET I. OCHS, deceased, ALBERT A. OCHS, deceased, DELBERT P. OCHS, deceased, ALVIN G. OCHS, deceased, CAROLYN R. KETTELL, daughter of George and Margaret Ochs, MARILYN WEBB, daughter of George and Margaret Ochs, MELVIN L. OCHS, son of George and Margaret Ochs, DELMER J. OCHS, son of George and Margaret Ochs, and other unknown heirs or persons claiming by and through and under GEORGE OCHS AND MARGARET OCHS, the Unknown Claimants of Interest in the Premises Adverse to Plaintiffs, Defendants. NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF QUIET TITLE SUIT STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF BERNALILLO TO: the following named Defendants listed below who have not otherwise disclaimed interest, against whom service is hereby sought to be obtained: The unknown heirs of the following named deceased persons: Estate of Albert A. Ochs Estate of Delbert P. Ochs Estate of Alvin G. Ochs The following named defendants by name, if living; if deceased, their unknown heirs: Carolyn R. Kettell Marilyn Webb Melvin L. Ochs FILED 2nd JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT Bernalillo County 1/28/2020 4:10 PM James A. Noel CLERK OF THE COURT Leanne LeCompte Delmer J. Ochs Other unknown heirs or persons claiming by and through and under George Ochs and Margaret Ochs who may claim a lien, interest or title adverse to the Plaintiffs Pursuant to New Mexico Rules Annotated Rule 1-004(K), you are hereby notified that the above-referenced Plaintiffs have commenced suit against you in the above-captioned case, the general object of which is to quiet the title to a parcel of real property located in Bernalillo County, New Mexico and which are more particularly described as follows: The East Half of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of that certain parcel of land lying within the exterior boundaries of the Alameda Grant in Township 11 North, Range 2 East, New Mexico Principal Meridian, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, described as follows: BEGINNING at a point which is common to the South line of Alameda Grant and to the corners of Sections 16 and 17 in Township 11 North, Range 2 East, New Mexico Principal Meridian; running THENCE N0º02′E, a distance of 8545.10 feet to a point; THENCE S89º55′30″W, a distance of 5275.80 feet to the Southeast corner and the True Point of Beginning; THENCE S89º55′30″W, a distance of 5425.28 feet to the Southwest corner; THENCE N0º02′E, a distance of 5280.0 feet to the Northwest corner; THENCE N89º55′30″E, a distance of 5425.28 feet to the Southwest corner; THENCE S0º02′W, a distance of 5280.0 feet to the True Point of Beginning, containing 5.0 acres, more or less, RESERVING, HOWEVER, an appurtenant easement over the North, East, South and West 20.0 feet of said property unto GRANTOR and all persons claiming under it, and unto the general public for road purposes, and reserving said easement unto GRANTOR and all persons claiming under it, for the placement, maintenance and operation of public utilities; Subject to taxes for the current and subsequent years, assessments, easements, restrictions, reservations, Water and Sewer Agreements recorded in Miscellaneous Volume 35 at pages 527 and 559, Building Restrictions, Zoning Regulations and patent reservations of record in the Office of the Clerk of Bernalillo County, New Mexico. You are further notified that unless you enter your appearance in said action on or before March 20, 2020, judgment and decree will be rendered against you by default and the relief requested by Plaintiffs will be granted and decreed. The name and address of Plaintiffs’ attorney is Ian Bezpalko, The Bezpalko Law Firm, P.O. Box 7635, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87109, telephone number 505-341-9353.

1/29/2020 James A. Noel Clerk of the District Court /s/James A. Noel Deputy Clerk. Published: East Valley Tribune, Feb. 16, 23, Mar 1m 2020 / 28560

Public Notices

Public Notices

Notice of Public Hearing Town of Gilbert FY 2020-2025 CDBG & HOME Consolidated Plan Public Hearings

Person Filing: Rubi Villescas 14466 W Indianola Ave GooAZ 85395 dyear rubiheredia01@yahoo.com SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA IN MARICOPA COUNTY In the Matter of: Adrian Heredia-Solis. Case No. CV2020-000231 NOTICE OF HEARING REGARDING APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF NAME. READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. An important court proceeding that affects your rights has been scheduled. If you do not understand this Notice or the other court papers, contact an attorney for legal advice. 1. NOTICE: An application for Change of Name has been filed with the Court by the person(s) named above. A hearing has been scheduled where the Court will consider whether to grant or deny the requested change. If you wish to be heard on this issue, you must appear at the hearing at the date and time indicated below. 2. COURT HEARING. A court hearing has been scheduled to consider the Application as follows: Hearing date: March 3rd, 2020, 10a at 101 W Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. Court room 813: Hearing Officer: Garbarino DATED: 1/23/20 /s/ Rubi Villescas Applicants signature. Published: West Valley View, Jan. 29, Feb. 5, 12, East Valley Tribune Feb. 23, 2020 / 27846

The Town of Gilbert will host a public hearing and a public comment period for Gilbert's 2020-2025 Five Year CDBG/HOME Consolidated Plan. The public hearings and comment period are available to allow public input and feedback of the proposed CDBG/HOME goals, projects, and activities outlined in the plan.

The FY 2020-2025 Consolidated and Annual Action Plan is required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order to receive federal funds under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and HOME Investment Partnership Funds.

The Plan provides an assessment of the community needs, goals, and priorities in the areas of affordable housing, human services, community development and other programs designed to improve the quality of life for low- and moderate income Gilbert residents.

The Consolidated Plan and the Annual Action Plan lists specific programs and dollar amounts and serves as the Town’s application to HUD for the allocation of CDBG funding estimated to be $924,318 annually and HOME Investment Partnership funding estimated to be $250,358 annually.

The public is encouraged to review a draft of the plan available on the Town’s website and to attend public meetings/hearings to provide feedback and comments.

This is a full time job with benefits. Our small team wants to grow with you! Do you get excited when you sell? Do you talk louder when you are selling something you believe in? We know these qualities work in our environment! We will consider previous sales experience, with the right qualities.

Do you learn quickly, like stay organized, multi-task, type, familiar with Gmail, Google docs/sheets, Word, Excel, internet browsing and other software programs? You might fit perfectly!

Wait, did I mention we are a FUN team?

Send your resume with cover letter to Elaine ecota@timespublications.com EOE

Unscramble the letters to fInd the detectives’ names. _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

HINT: 6 & 7 LIVE TOGETHER!

2. MSA DSEPA _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _

3. CLUEEHR TOORIP _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Persons with disabilities or requesting information in other languages are encouraged to contact Melanie Dykstra at 480-503-6956, AZ Relay 711 or melanie.dykstra@gilbertaz.gov to request information in an alternate format or language. To the extent possible, additional reasonable accommodations will be made within the time constraints of the request.

Published: Gilbert Sun News Feb 23, Mar 8, 2020 / 27766

Garage Sale Fri & Sat 7a-11am Household, clothes, kitchen items, furniture, electronics, mason jars, kid items, DVDs, MORE 555 W. Lane Dr Mesa

_ _ _ _ _ _

4. SMSI LARPEM _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _

5. SLORHCEK OEHLMS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _

6. MJI WLIELRQNA _ _ _

480-898-6465

Great team environment

1. IPHLPI AOLWERM

Public Comment Period March 2 – March 26, 2020 On line Gilbertaz.gov/housing

Watch for the YELLOW Garage Sales in Classifieds!

Only $27.50

Do you have print media/digital advertising selling experience? We may be look-ing for you! The position is in Tempe (Broadway/Priest area) includes lots of out-bound calls selling advertising all over Phoenix Metro and even Tucson! Our 20 local publications, newspapers, magazines and digital solutions fit pretty much every need!

Scrambler: Literary detectives

Plan documents: http://www.gilbertaz.gov/housing/ Public Hearing Wednesday, March 18, 2020 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Gilbert Town Hall 50 E Civic Center Dr Gilbert, Arizona 85296 Room 300

Join our experienced inside sales team!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

7. OOKK NDA UYM UMY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ CB

1. Philip Marlowe, 2. Sam Spade, 3. Miss Marple, 4. Sherlock Holmes, 5. Hercule Poirot, 6. Jim Qwilleran, 7. Koko and Yum Yum (Jim’s cats from ‘The Cat Who... ‘ series)

Public Notices

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | FEBRUARY 23. 2020