the NO. 1 Show in the world.”
—Kenn Wells, former lead dancer of English National Ballet
Phoenix • Tucson • Mesa
“Absolutely
FEB 19–MAR 3
THE VOICE OF THE EAST VALLEY SINCE 1891 AND WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR LOCAL REPORTING
“
“There is massive power in this that can embrace the world. It brings great hope. It is truly a touch of heaven.”
This epic production immerses you in stories reaching back to the most distant past. You’ll explore realms even beyond our visible world. Featuring one of the world’s oldest art forms— classical Chinese dance—along with patented
FEB 19–24
FEB 26–27
scenographical effects and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom. Prepare for an experience that will take your breath away.
MAR 1–3
Phoenix Orpheum Theatre Tucson Music Hall Mesa Arts Center
Tickets
ShenYun.com/AZ 800-880-0188
800.880.0188
S
hen Yun’s unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multidimensional, inspiring journey through one of humanity’s greatest treasures—the five millennia of traditional Chinese culture.
ShenYun.com/AZ
—Daniel Herman, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic
—Donna Karan, creator of DKNY
Chandler/Tempe Edition
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE THE EAST VALLEY) | EastValleyTribune.com
PAGE 6
Tribune EAST VALLEY
Police take new approach to addicts PAGE 8
Sunday, January 6, 2019
Random drug tests on table for Mesa students BY JASON STONE Tribune Staff Writer
M
—Richard Connema, renowned Broadway critic
see and all of us to learn from.”
THE SUNDAY
esa sports athletes, cheerleaders and other students who participate in extracurricular activities could one day have more reason to think twice about going to a party where drugs and alcohol may be served. The Mesa Public Schools board is openly discussing the pros and cons of random drug testing of all students who participate in Arizona Interscholastic Association-sanctioned events. Nearly one in five school districts in the country, including the Chandler Unified School District, have some sort of random testing for student-athletes. Now, Mesa officials are won-
I have reviewed about 4,000 shows, none can compare to what I saw tonight.”
“Mesmerizing! I encourage everyone to
1st woman in 8 years joining Mesa Council
dering if that’s a game it should be playing. “Every once in a while, it behooves us to keep the board abreast of practices that are happening across the country,” district lawyer Tom Pickrell told the board last month. “This is one of those times where it’s, ‘Hey, let’s take a look at studentathletes and those in extracurricular activities.’” Mesa’s current drug policy requires all AIA participants to be drug and alcohol free at all times. Even hanging out at a friend’s house where drugs and alcohol are being consumed can be subject to disciplinary action. “They look bad to the team,” Pickrell said of the offenders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports about 18 percent of public high
schools across the U.S. have mandatory drug testing policies. That includes the Chandler Unified and the Paradise Valley school districts, which have had drug testing policies in place for more than a decade. Chandler spokesperson Terry Locke said its district tests about 240 students each season and a little more than 700 for the year. The testing kits run CUSD about $36,000 a year. Paradise Valley was Arizona’s first district to randomly test student-athletes. District athletic director Corey Newland said it tests athletes for seven weeks in the fall and spring and six weeks in the winter. See
DRUG TESTS on page 8
Tibshraeny leaving Chandler in good hands BY JASON STONE Tribune Staff Writer
C
handler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny is going back to school, but it’s not a plot to a 1980s Rodney Dangerfield movie. The mayor is learning how to be a judge as he counts down his final few days as Chandler’s mayor. “I’ll be doing training (this) week for my new gig, so we’ll roll right into it,” Tibshraeny said. The “new gig” is justice of the peace for the San Marcos Justice Court – a job he describes “like a judge.” In his new role, Tibshraeny will deal with matters such as orders of protection, small claims court matters, civil suits of $10,000 or less, landlord/tenant issues and neighborhood disputes. But first, he has to learn with a handful of other new justices among the 26 districts in Maricopa County. Over the next three months, Tibshraeny will be learning the ins and outs of how to run his court. “Everything has a routine,” Tibshraeny said. “They’re training us new ones all of the specifics and nuances of running your court and hearing the different kinds of cases and how to do that. There’s a way to do things, so I’m going
(Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Mayor-elect Kevin Hartke, left, will lose the “elect” in his title on Thursday as Mayor Jay Tibshraeny ends his second eight-year stint as Chandler’s mayor and hands his gavel over to Hartke, a pastor and community activist.
to learn that. “I haven’t been doing that, but I’ll pick it up pretty quick.” If his judicial career is as successful as his lawmaking career, it’s a good bet he will.
Tibshraeny is leaving Chandler after the most productive three decades in the city’s short history. Since Tibshraeny first joined the City See
TIBSHRAENY on page 4