Gilbert Days Parade
Genevieve Kelley, Lexi Guy, Gianna Jensen, Desarae Guy and Jennifer Jensen are dressed in their spirit uniforms.
Montgomery fighting war against crime
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Seventeen-year Gilbert resident Bill Montgomery has promised to fight crime, honor victims’ rights and protect and strengthen the community as Maricopa County attorney.
As part of his position, he’s seen some of the county’s most notorious cases, including the Jodi Arias trials. That may be noteworthy, but to Montgomery, his primary accomplishment has been what he achieved during the Gulf War.
“It was a great time of uncertainty,” Montgomery said during a recent interview. “When I graduated from West Point in 1989, the Berlin Wall was coming down. The U.S. was expected to be able to capitalize on a peace dividend at the
see MONTGOMERY page 14
Bill Montgomery. Submitted photo
New buses, pay hikes planned with approved override
BY KEN ABRAMCZYK
Gilbert Public Schools officials will plan facility improvements, bus purchases and an increase of teachers’ and staff pay now that voters approved a 10 percent maintenance and operations budget override and $98 million in bonds.
Just less than 59 percent of the voters supported the bonds, 19,061 to 13,456, and 54.6 percent backed the override, 17,205 to 14,291.
An override approved in 2007 expired at the end of the 2014-15 school year, so GPS officials asked voters for a new override and the bonds. The owner of a home valued at $170,000—the average assessed value in the district—now will
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Riparian Preserve: Bringing nature to Gilbert
BY MEGAN MARPLES
The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch has been attracting children and adults alike for more than 15 years to teach them about the wildlife around us.
The 110-acre park includes eight ponds and more than 4.5 miles of trails to explore. Program Coordinator for the Riparian Preserve Jennifer Lauria traces the park’s origins to Gilbert’s commitment to be environmentally friendly.
“In 1986, the Town of Gilbert made a commitment to reuse 100 percent of its effluent water,” Lauria said. “The Town’s desire to create innovative and unique ways to combine water resource development with wildlife habitat, educational and recreational opportunities led to the development of the Riparian Preserve in 1999.”
There are a variety of public programs to participate in at the preserve as winter approaches.
The north end of the park houses the Gilbert Rotary Centennial Observatory. From September through June, the observatory is open to visitors who wish to enjoy the night sky. The East Valley Astronomy Club manages all operations and programs, such as the Skywatch program, held at the observatory. It is held the second Friday of each month and offers
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For those interested in learning more about the Riparian Preserve, Gilbert Naturalist Jennie Rambo leads tours from October through April. Pedestrians are able to observe wildlife as well as spot some of the more than 298 species of birds catalogued there. Visitors also will learn
ducks and water storage. “Viewing blinds have been established at various locations near the edge of several ponds to further enhance the visitor’s experience,” Lauria said. “A floating boardwalk crossing the northern end of the lake allows visitors a close-up view of the fish and ducks on the water.”
about water conservation and riparian environments. Tours are held almost every second and fourth Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. The cost is $10.
Visitors who wish to enjoy the preserve at their own pace can do so with the Outdoor Learning Project. There are QR codes at various stops to learn more about the Riparian Preserve, including the ponds,
research opportunities and volunteering at the Riparian area.
Fishing is a popular activity at Water Ranch Lake. It is run as a Community Fishing Lake by Gilbert with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Various fish occupy the lake such as rainbow trout, largemouth bass, sunfish, and farm-raised channel catfish. New fishing policies are being implemented in January 2015.
“Water Ranch Lake will be converted to catch-and-release for bass and sunfish only,” Lauria said. “Anglers will still be able to catch-and-keep trout, catfish and all other species.”
The Riparian Preserve offers a range of activities for those wanting to delve even deeper. With reservations two months in advance, visitors can camp overnight at the preserve. For Boys and Girls scouts, badge programs and scout tours are available from October through April. They are held from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. Other activities include independent
From 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, and Saturdays Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, the Riparian Preserve is hosting Riparian After Dark. It features holiday light displays, carolers and choir groups. The event is free to the public but donations are encouraged. As the weather cools off, the Gilbert Riparian Preserve is the ideal place to enjoy the outdoors. With the plethora of activities to participate in, people of every age will be able to enjoy this environmentally friendly park.
The Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch 2757 E. Guadalupe Rd. Gilbert 85234 (480) 503- 6200 www.riparianinstitute.org
Blandford Homes is creating hometown charm, for real! Mulberry will feel like an enchanted land magically reminiscent of the early 1900s when homes sprung up to create quaint neighborhoods Blandford Homes presents an inspired line of home designs with significant character differences Imagine corner lots featuring homes with wraparound porches! This “New Old-Home Neighborhood” will be one-of-a-kind in Arizona
Mulberry will feature two beautiful main entrances with lush date palm and tree-lined boulevards leading to centrally located Mulberry Park, no more than a 5-minute walk from anyplace in the neighborhood You will enjoy the park’s impressive Georgian Colonial-style building complete with white trim and green shutters, along with the pool, sport courts, fitness, and playgrounds. Just imagine the events, concerts, and celebrations you’ll attend within the huge pavillions and green playing fields of Mulberry Park In fact, these community amenities will be in place before the first homeowner moves in
Mulberry is part of the top-rated Gilbert School District, and within a mile you’ll find major shopping, dining, a carwash and an even an IMAX theater. A shopping area, “Mulberry Marketplace,” will include a Fry’s Marketplace designed in a Craftsman Bungalow style to tie into Mulberry’s architectural theme Mulberry residents won’t even have to leave the community to shop!
Town
trash pickup schedule in
Child Crisis
Arizona assists families with shelters, programs
BY JENNIFER HAALAND
A towering mosaic-like tribute greets guests and clients who enter the Mesa offices of Child Crisis Arizona. Within each colorful glassy shard glows the names of contributors who believe and support the organization’s central goal— removing the crisis from all families and children in Arizona, ideally before they become broken.
Like the mosaic artist’s vision of singular, shining potential rather than individual components, Executive Director Torrie Taj describes endless, vibrant possibility in the agency’s nine programs resulting from the recent merger of Arizona Nursery and Child Crisis Center.
“The reality is, we need to be here to respond to the crises faced by our most vulnerable, our children and families in need,” said the Gilbert resident whose holistic approach begins with praise of both boards of directors. Taj is thankful for the unified front, and the boards’ insight and courage to combine as one, their recognition of the potential to replicate programs, to innovate and improve the lines of service.
Nine programs are vital
The organization works to fulfill the three promises highlighted on the Child Crisis Arizona logo: to prevent, support and advocate through its nine programs and its 250-member staff on two campuses located in Central Phoenix and in Mesa.
Emergency shelters house, protect and feed more than 500 children, ages birth to 11 years. Along with the waiting closets full of soft stripes and bold patterns in the Child Crisis Arizona shelter bedrooms, children with emergency needs are offered warm welcoming sleeves of safety at a moment’s notice—for as many days, weeks or months as are necessary. Family resources and education programs assist with campus pre-school, in-home visits, tutoring and onsite adult classes to more than 3,000 participants annually, all at little to no cost. Wayward fathers, new or expectant mothers and little ones without day care find helping hands at the agency. From anger management to nutrition to parenting skills, Child Crisis Arizona is aware that
Memorial held for 13-year-old
Gilbert teen
A memorial honoring 13-year-old Alexis Reanne Schultz was held Nov. 19 at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler. Schultz died at Phoenix Children’s Hospital on Nov. 12 after contracting a mysterious illness that paralyzed her from the waist down and slowly shut down her body. Authorities are still puzzled by Schultz’s sudden passing and will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of her death. Friends and family came together in celebration for what would have been the Gilbert teen’s 14th birthday and released lanterns in an act of solidarity and respect. Social media users also shared the hashtag #LiveLikeLexi to show their support.
Police shoot man for evading arrest, threating police
disrupting and preventing unhealthy cycles can help reconfigure splintered families into safe, whole units.
Child Crisis Arizona also finds, trains and continues education for foster and adoptive families, and assistance for the underdeveloped or drug-addicted baby. Anticipating and providing the specialized medical or emotional tools required by these families helps ensure and maintain the most delicate but essential of family bonds.
Taj brands Child Crisis Arizona as a unified whole with a $15 million operating budget to communicate great promise, and providing better services than a single program can.
Executive director has vision
Taj’s job is full of complexities. She works toward combining unlikely worlds while her staff replicates some services and smooths other duplicated services into one consistent product. A selfdescribed “cheerleader for change,” she’s creating a new environment that (melds) crisis with best practices, bonds poverty to provider of choice and infuses welfare with the culture of philanthropy.
“Traditional CEOs carry out the work,” Taj said.
“As a new nonprofit CEO, I am not here to carry out the work. I am here to organize structure and infrastructure so that the professional staff—the social workers, the counselors, the nurses and all those trained, big hearts—can best carry out the work. I am here to lead, to have the vision, to make sure the resources are in place, to hire the best talent.”
She elaborated by way of the analogy
she used to first address the joint boards.
“Two agencies dated, married and now we’re a blended family,” she said. “Now that we have a common dinner table, we need to stop eating in different shifts. We all need to sit down together, blend our work into a new model with best practices.”
Taj said nonprofit “is just a tax status; it’s not a way to operate.”
“As we think long term, we need to set our standards higher; raise the bar and our own expectations a bit,” Taj said. “Our kids are worthy of new underwear and new socks. The community will always think of us as a discount, bargain nonprofit if that’s the way we act. Not the cheapest, but the best. I will question and research. It may take more resources, but I look at that as my challenge and my goal.”
Taj, who is on the ASU faculty and teaches nonprofit leadership management, addresses fundraising like it’s a present under the Christmas tree.
“I am absolutely passionate about fundraising,” Taj said. “I love it. I will get to build a culture of philanthropy here. It’s about providing opportunities, about education, about resources from consultants or developers for training. My staff is passionate. They’re dedicated. They’re smart. As we’re aligning visions, we’ll become the provider of choice and the employer of choice.
“I personally don’t need to rock the children and do the direct service in order to be the CEO of Child Crisis Arizona. I have the passion and the knowledge, but for me it’s about leadership with heart. From a solid business perspective, I keep the ultimate mission always in the background.”
A 24-year-old man swore not to return to jail before he was shot to death by Gilbert police in August. Richard Tyler Young was killed after threatening a Gilbert police officer during a routine traffic stop on Aug. 10. According police reports, Young tried to evade criminal charges and had been arrested two months prior for aggravated assault, attempted theft, hit-and-run and disorderly conduct. Officer Matt Pittman claimed to have stopped Young for speeding near Patterson Elementary School, located in front of Wonderful Mercy Church. The shooting took place in the church parking lot after Young threatened to hit Pittman with his Jeep. Madison Arriaga, Young’s girlfriend, told authorities that Young didn’t want to go to jail and had planned to sell plasma that day. Pittman, who is on injury leave, shot Young six to eight times in the head, neck and torso. Investigators have yet to determine if Young was intoxicated during the altercation.
Kennel owners may face criminal charges for animal abuse
A new review of evidence in a June 2014 case involving the owners of Green Acre Dog Boarding may validate 29 counts of animal cruelty and fraud. Maleisa Hughes and Jesse Todd Hughes pleaded not guilty when tried for the death of 21 dogs at its Gilbert kennel. According to authorities, the dogs died of heat exhaustion but were not malnourished and showed no signs of maltreatment.
Child Crisis Arizona Executive Director Torrie Taj, a Gilbert resident, helps her organization fulfill the three promises highlighted on its logo—to prevent, support and advocate through its nine programs. Submitted photo
Donate blood, receive a free cheese pizza
Donate at any United Blood Services blood drive or donor center in December and be rewarded with a voucher for a free 14-inch cheese pizza, courtesy of the Streets of New York.
The Streets of York has partnered with United Blood Services to make sure patients across Arizona have the lifesaving blood transfusions they need this holiday season. Because blood has a shelf life of 42 days, donors will help patients throughout most challenging time of the year to maintain the state’s blood supply.
ZIP Code (locations detailed below).
Holiday blood donors help kids like Mia, an Arizona 13-year-old who depends on blood donors to provide lifesaving transfusions month—a need that is expected to continue the of her life. She was born with Diamond Blackfan Anemia, a rare disorder that prevents her body from producing red blood cells.
To make an appointment to “Find the Hero in You,” call 1-877-UBSHERO (1-877-827-4376) or visit www. BloodHero.com and enter your city or
“Mia is alive today because of people who donate blood,” said mom, Kristi. “Our is beyond thankful everyone who takes the simply donate blood.”
Mia has already relied on the generosity of nearly 150 blood donors.
“Arizona has been home to our headquarters and restaurants for
see BLOOD page 15
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What makes Stonebridge Family Care so different?
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pay from $364 to $399 in property taxes in fiscal year 2017.
Superintendent Dr. Christina Kishimoto thanked voters for their support and the commitment made to “a long-term vision for continued excellence and success for all students.”
After the election, Kishimoto discussed with the GPS board the need for a multiyear budget and a priority plan for the approved money.
Kishimoto expects to discuss a five-year plan for teacher and staff salaries, funded by a portion of the maintenance and operations money, and a list of facility priorities for $40 million of the bond money.
Along with that $40 million in facility maintenance, the bonds will fund $35 million in technology, $15 million in student transportation and $8 million in school construction and land purchase.
Kishimoto believes the salary hikes will stem the tide of teachers and staffers who leave the district for better pay.
“Morale was impacted [with the election results],” Kishimoto said. “We’ve lost one-third of our staff capacity in the last three years.”
She pointed out that staff take positions with Chandler and Higley unified school districts to better support their families.
“[The override] goes a long way, and you can see that in the smiles of teachers in the classrooms.”
Buses will be a top priority, but they will not be in place until September or October 2016 as bids need to be sent out and the next budget year needs to begin.
Board
President Lily Tram said the district operated at reduced funding for the past three years and that she and the board were relieved and pleased with the election results.
barebones budget,” Tram said. “It is the best feeling in the world for the board.”
Tram said the money helps the district combine the budget and strategic plan. She agreed that the district needed to make teachers salaries competitive.
“This year we operated without the override [which expired] on a
The bus fleet also needs new buses. “On the first day of school this year, we had a bus break down, and we’ve had several since then. We want to be sure to get the kids to school on time and get them there
safely,” Tram said.
Tram credited parents and district supporters for the election results.
“A lot of students and families really have felt the impact of the budget,”
Tram said.
Often they paid for supplies and athletic equipment out of their own pocket and wanted to make education a priority for their district, she added.
Kishimoto also extended her gratitude to Town and nearby City leaders, including Mayor John Lewis, Mesa Mayor John Giles, council members, the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and business and community leaders. “[Their] collaborative leadership over the decades has served as a testament to what makes Gilbert and East Mesa such a strong and vibrant community,” Kishimoto said.
“Our students’ education is our highest priority and we will ensure that all of our graduates are college and career ready and able to compete with students on a national level,” Kishimoto said.
Tram also credited Town and business leaders who supported the ballot questions. “It is really something we have needed for the past few years. It feels good that we can move forward.”
Chandler event benefits Gilbert boy with cerebral palsy
BY TRACY HOUSE
Andrew Burkhart was a medical mystery. He and his parents, Kellie and Andrew, went to specialist after specialist trying to find out why he was ill.
“We didn’t know what it was,” said Kellie, whose family lives in Gilbert.
“It” turned out to be cerebral palsy, with which Andrew was diagnosed by a leading homeopathic doctor at age 4.
“Since that day, we’ve been on this alternative path that’s changed his world,” Kellie said.
The treatment may help the 9-year-old student at Settler’s Point Elementary School, but it comes with a price: The insurance company considers it “alternative,” so it is not covered.
The family—including the elder Andrew, who teaches math at Hamilton High and Bogle Junior High schools in Chandler—pays an average of $900 out-of-pocket a month for local treatments and an additional $15,000 to $20,000 each summer for intensive specialized treatments out of state.
To help alleviate the financial burden, community members are hosting Comithon: Andrew’s Fun Run, Walk and Roll from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Hamilton High School’s track. Comithon is a blend of the words
ComicCon and marathon.
The family-friendly event will include princesses and superheroes to interact with the kids. There will also be face painting, food trucks and vendors.
To make a tax-deductible donation for Andrew’s care via the Cerebral Palsy Hope Foundation, visit https:// prayforandrew.wordpress.com/how-tohelp/.
Helpful treatment
For the last five summers, Andrew has traveled to southern California for stem cell therapy. “It’s changed his world,” Kellie said. “The first time they fixed his GI (gastrointestinal) system. He was 4 1/2, still in diapers and 60 pounds. We couldn’t potty train him. His GI system was just not working properly. Within a week of therapy he was having normal functioning and was potty-trained within a month.”
The second year Andrew was able to gain motion in his left arm. “It’s been a miracle,” she said, tearfully.
The hardest part, Kellie said, is even though they are receiving emotional support, the financial burden exists.
“The Hamilton community has been extremely supportive year after year,” Kellie said. “They’ve done many things to help Andrew. This is probably been
the biggest event to put on.” Due to Andrew’s extensive treatments, Kellie is home taking care of him. “Andrew’s got doctors, therapy or physical improvement appointments at least four days a week, every week after school. I can’t go back to work and have him continue to progress.” Andrew is involved in gymnastics and wrestling to help with physical improvement. He attends general classes at Aspire Kids Sports Center, where he has received a scholarship for the last five years, Kellie explained. Andrew wrestles at Power MMA, where his father volunteers as an assistant coach. “He keeps Andrew safe,” she said.
Kellie said Hamilton teacher and Civic Club sponsor Nikki Vaerewyck has been the one pushing and working so hard to make this event happen. “She has been the rock of all of this at Hamilton,” Kellie said. “She has put in a tremendous amount of time in pushing this through.”
Paul A. Flores, with Farmers Insurance, is the community co-host. “He has been our insurance agent for decades and is a great guy who does a lot for the community,” Kellie said.
The community is invited to participate in Comithon: Andrew’s Fun Run, Walk and Roll, to benefit 9-year-old Andrew Burkhart, seen here with his dad, Andrew, a math teacher at Hamilton High and Bogle Junior High schools. Submitted photo.
Three new restaurants coming to Gilbert
Gilbert will be getting at least three new restaurants in the second phase of Heritage Marketplace, located near Gilbert Road and Vaughn Avenue. Sushi Brokers, Clever Koi and Farm+Craft will share the 30,000-square-feet complex with other retailers and offices. Construction will continue for approximately three months before a grand opening is announced. The first phase includes Barrio Queen, Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles, Pomo Pizzeria and Zinburger. Farm+Craft, from the Riot Hospitality Group, is a vegan-friendly restaurant that provides a variety of healthy foods. Clever Koi is an Asianthemed gastropub, and Sushi Brokers is a popular sushi restaurant in Arcadia. Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. also will be adding an outpost at 313 N. Gilbert Rd.
Woman
arrested for
two counts of child abuse
Two children were taken into state custody after they tested positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine and marijuana. Holly Brooke, 36, was arrested Nov. 7 for two counts of child abuse after avoiding police for two months. According to authorities, Brooke, 36, also tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine but claimed she did not know how her children were exposed to the illegal drugs. On Aug. 27, Brooke called police to report her ex-husband for trespassing. Due to family history and the state of the apartment, both children were taken by the Department of Child Safety. Brooke missed a police interview on Oct. 14 and did not report a recent address change. Authorities found her at Rawhide Western Town and Event Center in Chandler, where she was immediately arrested.
First Mercedes-Benz dealership in Gilbert to open next summer
The first Mercedes-Benz dealership in Gilbert will open next summer near Loop 202 Santan Freeway and Gilbert Road. The $15 million complex is expected to be stocked with luxury sedans, coupes and SUVs and create 150 new jobs within the Rivulon project, a 250-acre mixed-use development planned by Nationwide Realty Investors. The 67,000-squarefoot building will include a showroom, café, boutique and public lounge. Nationwide plans to construct a mix of shops, offices and hotels in Gilbert’s central business district and add approximately 15,000 jobs through the expansion of the Rivulon project.
Cupcake Wars, Greenfield Junior High School
Let the baking begin... Eighth graders from Greenfield Junior High School put their creativity and culinary skills together for the fourth annual Cupcake Wars. The event was created by GRJRHS teacher Laurie DoranFrederick. “This semester students put in a lot of hard work and time in order for this to come to fruition. I am proud of their accomplishments.” About 137 students competed and created elaborate displays. First place was given to the carnival-themed display, with second place awarded to the movie theater theme, and there was a tie for third between “Candyland” and “Hollywood.”
GSN photos by Tim Sealy
FACS 8th grade students and their teacher put on another successful Cupcake Wars competition.
The only cupcake in the competition to use green velvet cakes, this pool table theme is brought to us by Anna Lant.
Natalie Osborn’s team dropped their vanilla cupcakes into sugar cones for their ice cream parlor theme.
Kali Clementi takes us to the carnival with her display.
Camdyn Williams shows off her team’s Ice Cream Parlor theme, despite her not being a cupcake fan.
Laurie Doran-Frederick teaches the FACS (Family and Consumer Science) class at Greenfield Junior High and puts on the Cupcake Wars competition to promote the life skills that go into undertaking a team project.
The Cupcake Wars of the Greenfield Junior High FACS class was a carnival of color and taste.
Brandon Chastain represents his team with the Candy Land themed cakes.
The Arizona theme is proudly displayed by Matt Schern.
Molly Bellais takes us to the beach with Red Velvet cupcakes and cream cheese frosting.
Gilbert Dawgs heading to national championships
The Junior Pee Wee (JPW) Gilbert Dawgs football team, a group of 10- to 11-year-old boys from the Gilbert area, have earned a spot in the American Youth Football (AYF) National Championships in Florida Dec. 4 through Dec. 11. The JPW Dawgs finished the regular football season with a 7-0 record.
since July and playing every game with dedication, commitment and heart.
As the No. 1 seed in the AYF Conference Playoffs, the Dawgs won two very tough playoff games, and then advanced to the State Championship Game at Sun Devil Stadium on Nov. 7, when they were again victorious, and crowned the 2015 State Champions.
The JPW Gilbert Dawgs is a newly formed team formed in June of this year. This tremendous group of young men have been practicing three days a week
The JPW Dawgs are asking the community for help in raising money to make their Florida trip a reality. All money raised will go toward the boys’ registration fees, airplane tickets, hotel accommodations, food and transportation. Any donation amount will make a difference in helping to get these local boys to Florida. All donations are tax deductible, as Phoenix American Youth Football is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
A Crowdrise account has been set up for donations at: https://www.crowdrise. com/jpwgilbertdawgsfootb2/fundraiser/ jpwgilbertdawgs2015.
end of the Cold War.”
As part of the first unit assigned to the Fort Hood 2nd Armored Division, Montgomery spent six months preparing equipment to be stored. He wasn’t getting field training because troops were withdrawing.
Three months later, he was alerted for Desert Shield.
“I went from the possibility of never seeing conflict in my 20-year career and drawing down equipment to being out in the middle of Saudi Arabia being a part of U.S. forces driving Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. It was more than just surreal.”
Montgomery was fortunate to have great soldiers in his tank platoon, which was chosen to lead the company
through every phase of the combat operations.
“Out of everything I’ve been able to do—aside from my marriage and birth of my own kids—bringing all those guys home to their families is my single biggest accomplishment.”
West Point grad
Montgomery was born in Lynwood, California, and moved around for most of his life before settling in Paramount, California, where he graduated high school. His options were slim upon graduation.
“West Point was really the only way I was going to get an education,” he said. “My family didn’t have any money. The two options I had been pursuing were a naval ROTC scholarship with a Marine option to UCLA or West Point.
“I was the first kid in my high school to be appointed to West Point. It was prestigious, and it was a good thing. I didn’t know what I was getting into. It’s very difficult and very demanding.”
One afternoon while sitting in his living quarters at West Point, he questioned whether attending the prestigious school was a good move.
“Conveniently enough that afternoon I couldn’t find any of my supervisors about potentially resigning,”
Montgomery recalled.
“I was looking out over the parade grounds and watching the cadets go back and forth between classes. Every single one of them had to deal with the same difficulties as I did. I thought if they could make it, I could, too.”
That first semester was a trying one. He took 20 units—none of which were electives.
“This particular afternoon I fell asleep during a calculus quiz and earned a big, fat zero,” he said. “I was trying to balance all the demands of what was required of being a plebe—studying between class and dinner, delivering mail, delivering laundry and, on top of it, doing homework for 20 units, all to a high level of performance.
“It took some serious transition in figuring out how to make all of that out.”
Seeking re-election
He earned his juris doctor from ASU’s College of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude and receiving the Order of the Coif. As a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, he quickly gained a reputation as an aggressive prosecutor, later serving as chief of the auto theft bureau, which recorded a 35 percent drop in auto theft under his
Montgomery was elected Maricopa County attorney in a special election in 2010 and re-elected in 2012. The former deputy county attorney and professional prosecutor is seeking reelection in 2016.
“I hope to be able to continue to serve for at least another four years,” he said. “I have to see where things are at beyond that period of time. I know better than to have a progression plan in place. I learned early on as a lieutenant in the army that you do the job you’re in well enough and other opportunities will come up. I love my job. There are great people who work in this office. There’s a great leadership team within County government. Every day I come to work, there’s a difference in the lives of fellow residents of Maricopa County and that’s incredibly satisfying.”
His goal is to make sure his department does justice in each and every case, protecting the due process rights of defendants and the rights of victims of crime.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a home burglary or if it was an aggravated assault, it was a crime committed against them and each of those incidents has a very different impact,” Montgomery said.
“It’s always the most important case for that person and their life. Being able to achieve a just result and have folks satisfied with their experience in the criminal justice system is rewarding.”
His experience has allowed him to appreciate where victims are coming from, and who and what it takes to make his office great.
Throughout his Maricopa County career, Montgomery has lived in Gilbert.
“We enjoy it so much that the last three moves we’ve moved within Gilbert,” he said.
“We rented a house in Cooper Ranch and lived there for a year. Then we bought a house in Gilbert Ranch and lived there for seven years, and moved to Chaparral Estates West and sold that and bought a house in Weston Ranch. We looked around at surrounding communities and liked Gilbert and wanted to stay in the community.”
The people are friendly and there are great restaurants within a stone’s throw, he said.
“We don’t have to leave Gilbert to go to a good restaurant, go to a movie or find other things to do to recreate,” he said. “Everywhere you go—it sounds cliché—people are friendly. It’s a familyoriented town and a perfect place to raise my kids.”
38 years, so we feel that it’s our responsibility to help those who are in need,” said Lorrie Glaeser, owner of Streets of New York. “Part of our commitment to quality is giving back to the communities in which our team members and customers live and work. We are pleased to reward donors who save lives with a delicious pizza from Streets of New York to enjoy with their friends and family during the holidays.”
Upcoming blood drives include
• 7:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Mesquite High School, 500 S. McQueen, Mini Gym
• 7 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, LDS Greenfield Stake, 2740 S. Lindsay, Cultural Hall
• 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, Gilbert Presbyterian Church, 235 E. Guadalupe Rd., Education Building
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, St. Xavier University, 92 W. Vaughn, General Assembly Room
• 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13,
Redemption Church, 1820 W Elliot Rd, Bloodmobile
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, SanTan Village, 2218 E Williams Field Rd., Bloodmobile
• 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, Banner Gateway Campus Blood Drive, 1900 N. Higley Rd., Grand Canyon 1-2
• 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, 3555 S. Val Vista Rd., Conference Rooms two and three
• 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, Gilbert Hospital, 5656 S Power Rd, Bloodmobile
• 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, Town of Gilbert, 75 E. Civic Center., Bloodmobile
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, Realty ONE Group, 3530 S. Val Vista, Bloodmobile
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, Ready Auto Transport, 1030 N. Colorado St., Bloodmobile
• 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, Town of Gilbert, 50 E. Civic Center Dr., Bloodmobile.
