Gilbert Sun News - 02.14.2021

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Council eyes big bond election this fall

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

NEWS................................ 6 Local officials in historic confrontation.

Sunday, February 14, 2021

G

ilbert Council plans to ask voters in November to take on over $500 million in long-term debt to pay for amenities that would enhance the town’s quality of life.

Council is expected in June to formally call for an election on a $515 million bond issue for transportation and infrastructure projects and possibly a second $16.8 million

bond for a victim advocacy center.

At a retreat last week, Council members remained undecided if the two bond measures will be separate questions or combined on the Nov. 2 ballot.

A citizens panel recommended the $515 million in transportation project spending.

“We came up with a balanced capital program to support the quality of life that residents continue to expect from the community,” said James Wright, chair of the Citizens Transportation Task Force

The town originally planned to put the transportation and infrastructure bond out for a vote in 2018 but decided to wait in order to increase the chances of voter approval of a $65.35 million bond to help pay for a public safety training facility, which was recently completed.

Council then had planned to put the transportation bond on last year’s ballot but held back because of the uncertain economic out-

see COUNCIL page 8

Town’s sewer project blindsides homeowners

COMMUNITY..........12 Gilbert photographer gives trains some love.

SPORTS....................... 16

Campo Verde soccer player proves his mettle.

COMMUNITY........................................12 BUSINESS............................................. 14

SPORTS....................................... 16

PUZZLE....................................... 18

CLASSIFIED..........................................20

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

V

ictoria Schaeffer had big dreams for her “forever” home on Hemlock Avenue in Gilbert that she purchased last April.

She was going to add an extension for her elderly parents, put in a pool and add plenty of lush grass for her two dogs to romp on but that all fell apart in December when she got a letter from the town.

“They’re taking a third of my land that I’ve had for not even a year,” said Schaeffer. “I never had a home or a backyard.”

Schaeffer and 23 of her neighbors living in houses on Hemlock and Commerce avenues facing the Western Canal were notified that Gilbert intends to take part of their backyards in order to repair a section of an existing sewer line that runs from Lindsay Road, west to Neely Street.

In November, Town Council voted 7-0 to go ahead with acquiring the rights-of-way for the sewer rehab project. Staff did not give a presentation nor did residents speak.

At that meeting, Council also

see SEWER page 3

Victoria Schaeffer remodeled her backyard in the first home she’s ever owned and now faces the prospect of losing most of it to a town project.

(Pablo Robles/GSN Staff Photographer)

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NEWS

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approved paying $224,873 to Jacobs Engineering Group to handle the property acquisitions.

According to the town, an assessment in 2017 identified severe deterioration in the sewer infrastructure and said it is “in need of immediate rehabilitation with pipeline segments and manholes reaching the end of their useful life.”

Rehabilitation of 2.5-miles of the Western Canal sewer and 22 manholes is part of Phase 2 of a bigger project that includes the immediate repair of a damaged section of pipe along the Ocotillo Road alignment between Higley and Greenfield roads.

The town budgeted approximately $10 million to complete the remaining scope of Phase 2. The preliminary cost for the 10,000 feet of rehabilitation along Honeysuckle Road and the Western Canal was put at approximately $4.2 million, according to Jason Montgomery, town senior project manager.

He added the cost estimates for land acquisition are not included in that figure and would be part of the appraisal process, which kicked off last week and is expected to take two months to complete.

Phase 2 started in March 2018, when the town contracted with Entellus to perform engineering design services for the portion of sewer along the Western Canal.

The current schedule proposes to have design completed by the end of 2021 with construction starting in spring 2022 and completion by summer 2023, Montgomery said.

“Land acquisition will take place in conjunction with design and prior to commencement of construction,” he added.

The sewer line along the Western Canal from Lindsay Road to Neely Street was installed in 1986 within a public utility easement, with approximately 3,200 feet of this easement in the backyards of the homes, according to the town. The pipeline carries about 30 percent of the town’s wastewater from 15,000 houses.

According to staff, much of the utility easement is inside the perimeter block walls of the homes and many of the sew-

Nolan Baldwin will have to move his shed and see a good piece of his back yard taken by the town.

(Pablo Robles/ GSN Staff Photographer

er manholes have been covered up over time, making it hard to locate, assess and rehabilitate the pipeline.

Staff also stated that access to the pipeline for routine inspections and maintenance has become difficult as some homeowners have built structures like storage units on the easement areas.

Neighbors have been attending council meetings in hopes of averting the loss of their property.

Mayor Brigette Peterson at the Feb. 2 meeting said Council heard their concerns and would hold a public meeting on them, though none has yet been scheduled.

“We want them to work with us,” said Nolan Baldwin, who wondered how willing the town is to work with them given it didn’t halt the appraisals.

Baldwin has lived at his home since 1992. He said his lot on Commerce Avenue is over a half acre and under the town’s plan, he would lose 21 feet of his backyard, taking out five citrus trees and a blackberry bush.

He questioned how well the town would maintain the land it takes, pointing to town property outside his backyard fence that was covered with debris.

Baldwin, like many of his neighbors, doesn’t understand why the town can’t repair the pipes by accessing them through the manholes.

Residents said they’ve never denied the town access onto their properties in order to perform maintenance and inspections of the sewer line.

Montgomery explained that while the

design engineer is proposing to install a liner within 10,000 feet of the existing pipeline by using the manholes, there will be required digging, removal and disturbance around the manholes.

“Although it is currently anticipated that rehabilitation of the sewer via in-place lining can likely be achieved, that rehabilitation process will require removal of existing masonry walls and obstructions that were built within the easement area to provide adequate space for construction around manholes and spot repair areas,” Montgomery said.

“It is important to understand that there is a likelihood that excavation to the existing pipeline may be necessary to complete focused spot repairs in areas where the existing condition of the pipe will not allow for lining as the sole repair method,” he added.

Not buying the land would limit the town’s ability to perform routine maintenance of the sewer and rehabilitation or replace an adjacent reclaimed-water pipeline, according to Montgomery.

Gilbert has a reclaimed water pipeline running through the easement that will need repairs, he said “The 18-inch reclaimed water line is an asbestos cement pipe that was installed in 1986, 5 feet south of the 36inch sewer,” Montgomery said. “This line is over 35 years old and there are concerns with the pipe material and the town is currently developing a plan to

see SEWER page 4

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NEWS

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

replace all asbestos cement pipe within the water system due to leak and failure history.”

Additionally, a 24-inch potable water pipeline, south of the easement and on the north bank of the Western Canal is undergoing assessment to determine its remaining life with plans for rehabilitation or replacement, according to Montgomery.

“It is anticipated that any replacement of this pipeline will be required north of the existing alignment, potentially encroaching into proposed acquisition area,” he said. “Therefore, the need for acquisition is driven by all three utilities anticipating rehabilitation or replacement in the next three to five years.”

According to Montgomery, the project team developed three solutions to address challenges associated with this corridor.

“All three solutions require land acquisition as part of their scope to increase access along the alignment,” Montgomery.

One option called for relocating all three pipelines to the south within a narrower window within the residential parcels at an estimated cost of $8.2 million but was deemed not feasible “due to existing SRP facilities to the south and a heavily congested utility corridor,” he said.

As it stands, the town has had to mod-

ify its maintenance procedures due to lack of access, according to Montgomery.

“As a result, integrity of the existing pipeline cannot be ensured,” he said.

“These pipelines provide sewer service to substantial areas within the town.

“Further, although installation of gates in the block walls may partially increase access, that approach is not a solution.

Gate access will not create the needed visibility or eliminate obstructions for appropriate maintenance procedures on the sewer pipeline or future rehabilitation or replacement of the reclaimed water pipeline. In order to guarantee unrestricted visibility and access, land acquisition is necessary.”

But some residents questioned why they were not notified of this until two months ago.

Cole Ratcliff told Council that when he and his wife purchased their home in July 2019 and asked the town for restrictions in putting in accessory buildings, they were never told about the “faulty” sewer line or possible land acquisition.

“Less then a year ago, we submitted plans to apply for a building permit,” Ratcliff said. “The city failed again to mention anything about potential sewer issues.”

He said he later learned the town knew about the issue with the sewer pipe since 2017 and yet none of the

property owners were notified about it until that December correspondence.

“It baffles me that nothing was ever mentioned to us before we purchased our property or when we applied for the permit,” Ratcliff added. “If the town carries on with its land acquisition, they would take 21 feet away from my lot and leave us with only 4 feet between our building and our wall.”

How much is taken from each of the 24 backyards differs. And, for homes on Hemlock Avenue, the impact would be greater because the lots are much smaller than those on Commerce Avenue.

Most of the Hemlock lots are a tad under 10,000 square feet compared with those on Commerce, which average about 30,000 square feet.

Donna Lucchesi has lived at her home on a roughly half-acre lot on Commerce Avenue for 23 years.

Her backyard is outfitted with a corral, a horse stall and stable for her two miniature horses and a chicken coop.

With the town proposing to take 20 feet of her yard, she said she would lose portions of the stall and coop.

She thinks the town can do the work by accessing the manholes like it has previously.

“They’ve come through several times,” she said. “Two years ago, they uncovered (the manhole), dug it up and got in fine.”

Rick Lucchesi said the last time the town accessed his property without any problems was two months ago.

Meanwhile, Schaeffer is left with an unfinished backyard.

When she moved in at the end of June, the backyard was just a mud pile with concrete and it sloped so that when the monsoon rains hit in August, her house flooded.

She refinanced her home for the backyard makeover. She had the yard re-graded, extended the patio with a travertine tile floor and put in irrigation lines for trees that will no longer be planted against the block wall. And, a portion of the sod would have to go.

Schaeffer said when permits were being pulled for the renovation, the town said nothing.

“I obviously would not have done it if I knew thy were taking my land,” she said.

“It just makes me sick. I’m out $400,000 easily if not more.”

If the homeowners reject the town’s offer for their land, the issue would end up in the courts.

“We are committed to a fair and transparent process and are hopeful to reach a mutual agreement,” Montgomery said.

“If negotiations are not successful and parties cannot come to terms on consensual sales, the town condemnation attorney is engaged to assist with the remainder of the process.”

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

struction and land acquisition to stay on schedule with this important regional project,” Mayor Brigette Peterson testified Feb. 9 before the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“This project will complete an important regional connection to our neighboring communities in Chandler, Queen Creek and beyond. It will address regional long-term transportation needs, alleviating traffic congestion and allowing for further growth and community development through the Southeast Valley.”

The bill was approved 9-1 with Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, voting against it, saying the project was the town’s responsibility.

The bill now goes to a caucus hearing, not yet scheduled.

Ocotillo Road, a regional east-west arterial, is currently divided by a number of natural barriers such as the Queen Creek Canal, East Maricopa Floodway and a Roosevelt Water Conservation District canal.

A portion of the 272-acre regional park also sits in the middle.

The 545-foot bridge will have four travel lanes along with bicycle lanes and pedestrian pathways on both sides, according to Peterson.

“Most importantly this project will have a significant positive impact on public safety and the ability to respond to emer-

gencies in the area,” Peterson told the senators. “In Gilbert we have a long-established goal of reaching all emergencies within a four-minute response time.”

Peterson said the town built Fire Station No. 9 three years ago to help address the longer response times in south Gilbert. The fire house is situated on Ocotillo Road less than a quarter mile from where it ends.

“However, Fire Station 9’s response area remains Gilbert’s longest at five minutes and 31 seconds,” Peterson said.

“Construction of the bridge would reduce Fire Station 9’s average response

Much-needed Gilbert bridge may get state help

B

uilding a bridge over Gilbert Regional Park to connect Ocotillo Road will mean faster response times for police and fire in the southern portion of town.

The town has budgeted the $53.8-million project in its capital improvement plan and may get some help from the state Legislature.

Senate Bill 1681 would provide $7.9 million toward the project and is being sponsored by Sen. Tyler Pace, R-Mesa.

“The $7.9 million requested will allow us to complete the design, precon-

see BRIDGE page 7

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

Gilbert, Chandler politicos in historic confrontation

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

T

hree Republican officials representing Chandler and Gilbert are at the epicenter of a historic confrontation between the State Senate and Maricopa County Board of Supervisors over the Nov. 3 presidential election results.

Sen. J.D. Mesnard and Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers, a former Chandler City Council member, are on opposing sides of the Senate’s demand for access to voting machines and ballots from the last election.

The Senate Republicans’ effort to hold Maricopa County supervisors in contempt – possibly exposing them to arrest – faltered last week and Glendale Sen. Paul Boyer refused to go along.

Boyer said that while he believes the Senate has the power to use its subpoena power to demand access to the voting machines and ballots, he believes that power should be used “sparingly and reluctantly.’’

Boyer said he believes the county is willing to conduct an additional audit of the results of the Nov. 3 election to answer questions about whether the reported results giving the edge to President Biden were accurate.

What’s needed, he said, is a judge to issue an order clearing the way for the access that senators seek rather than a contempt citation.

“I believe the board genuinely seeks the confidence and clarity of a court order to legally proceed,’’ Boyer said. And once that happens, he said, there will be no legal reason for the supervisors to claim that giving the Senate what it wants would violate the law.

That drew derision from Gilbert Sen. Warren Petersen, who walked colleagues through a timeline of what he said has been an ever-changing stance by the supervisors over whether there would or would not be an audit, who has access to the ballots and even some apparently conflicting arguments about whether courts have authority over the enforcement of legislative subpoenas.

JD Mesnard

Paul Boyer Petersen late last week took a new tack, sponsoring a measure that would change the law retroactively in a bid to eventually get their hands on voting equipment and ballots, even if it takes months.

SB 1408 would spell out in statute that county election equipment, systems, records and other information “may not be deemed privileged information, confidential information or other information protected from disclosure.’’

The measure, approved on a party-line 5-3 vote by the Senate Judiciary Committee, declares that this information is “subject to subpoena and must be produced.’’ And it empowers judge to compel production of the materials and records.

Jack Sellers

Warren Peterson

Petersen, who chairs the panel, made it clear the legislation has one purpose: to force the hand of Maricopa County officials who have so far refused to comply with a subpoena the Senate has issued.

They have produced various records.

But the supervisors contend the county is precluded from surrendering access to voting machines and the actual ballots to senators or the auditors they hope to hire. And so far, the Senate’s efforts to get a court ruling compelling disclosure have faltered.

“They continue to hold the position that we don’t have the authority to investigate,’’ Petersen said. He said the authority already is there but this makes it “crystal clear.’’

Mesnard was more pronounced in his belief that the only way to get the issue resolved is to bring contempt charges.

He said claims by the supervisors they want this resolved ring hollow, citing a filing which sought a court order to block the Senate from even voting on the contempt resolution.

In that filing, board attorney John Doran told Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Joseph Mikitish the move was part of “politically charged paranoia’’ and a bid by the Senate to “press ahead with a false narrative belied by the actual facts and evidence.’’

“That is beyond outrageous,’’ Mesnard said. “Their actions show they are dripping with contempt.’’

Senate President Karen Fann, R-Prescott, detailed for colleagues her own attempts to resolve the issue with the supervisors. In fact, Fann said she originally had planned a contempt vote for 2-1/2 weeks ago but held off in hopes it wouldn’t come to that.

Yet every effort to get a resolution, she said, was met with objections from the board.

“So, I’m sorry to say, this is why we’re at where we’re at right now,’’ Fann said.

Sellers has the full support of the board’s other three Republican members and the lone Democrat.

In a Facebook post Feb. 5, Sellers castigated Fann, stating she “continues to run from the fact that she has hired debunked conspiracy theorist utilized

by Rudy Giuliani to conduct a Senate ‘audit’ suspiciously as an impeachment trial is set to begin in the United States Senate.”

He noted it is illegal for the board to give custody of ballots to anyone without a court order and that the county already has given the Senate “reams of data” and “everything in their subpoena that we are legally allowed to provide.”

Speaking last Friday at a Chandler Chamber of Commerce online event, Selelrs said he has tried to resolve the dispute with lawmakers, but added, “You cancan’t change the rules just because you don’t like the outcome of an

see POLITICOS page 7

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

POLITICOS from page 6

election.”

“I’m anxious to get back to the real work of the county,” he added.

Supervisor Steve Gallardo, the lone Democrat on the board, was more blunt, stating in a release, “Arizona GOP senators have been complicit in a big lie about the election for three months now. This sham subpoena to get access to people’s private ballots is all in service of the big lie. …The November election was safe, secure, and accurate.”

He also said a vote in favor of the contempt action is “expressing their contempt for the will of the majority of Maricopa County residents.”

With the 30-member Senate having just 16 Republicans and the Democrats opposed, Boyer’s decision left the majority one vote short of what was needed to approve the contempt resolution.

What happens next is unclear.

Contempt citation or not, there is still a subpoena demanding access to the machines and the ballots.

The county has a pending lawsuit asking a judge to void the subpoena as invalid, saying state law prohibits the county from surrendering access to

BRIDGE from page 4

time and substantially reduce the response times to neighbors immediately west of the floodway,” she said.

A four-minute response provides the best opportunity for fire crews to improve the health outcome of patients and effectively and safely provide suppression and lifesaving activities during fire incidents, according to town spokeswoman Jennifer Harrison.

She said response times also will improve for police.

“If an officer was at Ocotillo and Higley and received a call for service at 2700 E. Ocotillo, roughly a half mile if the bridge existed, it would take Gilbert Police 7-8 minutes to go around the basin to get to the location,” Harrison said.

The construction cost for the bridge is included in a proposed transportation and infrastructure bond that Council plans to put on the November ballot.

A portion of the construction cost also would come from system development

NEWS

them. But that lawsuit could be used to adjudicate the dispute about whether that also applies to the Legislature.

Much of the dispute is over a section of state law which says that after the post-election canvass, an envelope with the ballots is placed in a secure facility managed by the county treasurer “who shall keep it unopened and unaltered for 24 months for elections for a federal office.’’

Tully contends the only exception is when there is a legal challenge by a candidate or a recount, neither of which is at play here.

Petersen said he doesn’t read the law as precluding the supervisors from allowing legislators -- or their designated agents -- from looking at the ballots.

But even if that were true, he said, another section of Arizona law says that any evidence produced to comply with a legislative subpoena cannot be used against anyone to prosecute them.

“And just think about it practically,’’ Petersen told colleagues.

“Who’s going to prosecute them?’’ he continued. “The county attorney? I doubt it.’’

But the bottom line is about who ultimately is in charge.

“We issued a subpoena and they have given us the finger,’’ Petersen said. He said that undermines the authority of lawmakers to issue subpoenas, presumably backed by the power to enforce them.

“When we were given the authority under the state constitution to be lawmakers, we need to be able to collect facts, we need to be able to investigate,’’ he said.

“Otherwise, how are we going to know how to change the laws,’’ Petersen continued. “How are we going to know how to make a law to fix something if we can never know what to fix?’’

That presumes something went wrong with the election.

Fann said she’s not starting from that premise. But she said there are enough questions by constituents to require an inquiry.

The Senate president also said supervisors promised to do two independent audits of their own. But what they ended up doing instead, she said, is hiring firms that certify machines, not compa-

The absence of a bride over the wash on Ocotillo Road has been a probllem for motorists as well as first responders. The town is hoping the Legislature will help it build one.

(Pablo Robles/GSN Staff Photographer)

fees, Harrison said.

If the senate bill fails, she said the entire project design and construction would be paid for with a combination of

development fees and the transportation and infrastructure bond, which is how it is currently proposed in the capital improvement plan.

7

nies capable of doing the kind of “forensic audit’’ senators want.

And Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, questioned why the supervisors are expending so much energy trying to deny that the Senate has absolute power to demand an audit and access to the equipment and ballots.

The issue of the subpoena aside, the next bit of fallout could be political.

Townsend said she presumes that voters will try to recall the supervisors.

Closer to home, there could be repercussions for Boyer. Fann made it clear she would not have brought the resolution up for a vote had he told her ahead of time he would not balk.

“I think all my bills are now dead,’’ Boyer told Capitol Media Services, as his GOP colleagues who control both the Senate and House won’t provide the votes. Townsend all but confirmed that.

“If you say you’re going to vote along with your caucus and then you do not, your word is never going to be trusted again,’’ she said.

Then there’s the 2022 election.

“I’m sure there will be political ramifications as well,’’ Boyer said.

The entire project is expected to take four years with contract awards for design anticipated for the end of April beginning of May, Harrison said.

This would be followed by an 18-month design timeline, six months of rights-ofway acquisition and 24 months of construction, she added.

Peterson at the hearing also noted that the bridge would increase access to the regional park, which is a destination recreation spot with an amphitheater, a lake, trails and numerous sport courts and fields.

She said the town through a partnership with the Maricopa County Flood Control District is maximizing the public use and benefit of critical flood-control infrastructure with the regional park.

“The Town of Gilbert has invested over $35 million to date to transform these single-use flood control facilities into something that beautifies and enriches the community and region,” she said.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

look created by the pandemic.

At the time, the bond was proposed for $465 million.

The $50 million increase is due to escalating construction costs and the addition of two more road projects, according to Jessica Marlow, Public Works director.

Other proposed bond projects included improving safety at seven trail crossings, expanding the fiber optic network, alleviating bottlenecks such as putting in dual left-turn and right-turn lanes at several intersections, building the Ocotillo Bridge and erecting a 1,000-car parking garage in the Heritage District.

The town has the flexibility to change out the projects if a more pressing need arises.

Residents have raised concerns with traffic congestion in town, which is getting worst as the population continues to grow.

Since the last transportation bond in 2007, the town’s population has grown 44 percent, Marlow said, adding that when Gilbert reaches build-out in 2030, the number of residents is expected to grow by 63 percent.

Unlike other municipalities in the Valley like Peoria and Scottsdale, the town

doesn’t have a dedicated transportation tax and all have passed transportation bonds in the past decade, Marlow added.

Mesa and Tempe in November successfully passed transportation bonds.

If the General Obligation bond passes, the secondary property tax rate – which is used to repay the debt – would stay the same at 99 cents per $100 of assessed home value, according to town officials.

The rate stays the same because older bond debts are being paid off.

Councilwoman Aimee Yentes said delaying the bond a year would probably put a strain on some of the projects but her preference was to put it on the General Election in 2022 so there would be more voter participation.

Because there are no other elections for this November, the bond would be mail-in voting only and Yentes had concerns with that, citing the unproven claims of mail ballot irregularities in the November 2020 presidential election.

But officials said Gilbert can’t wait.

Town Manager Patrick Banger said Gilbert has just enough money to get through this year.

“We’re literally spending our last dollars for capital projects,” he said. “To push it one more year will have pretty

consequential impacts.”

He said the town in the large part would have to stop its capital improvement program.

“We would literally have no money to design any new projects,” said Marlow, adding the town’s needs are only going to grow larger as time goes on and that it was already behind in trying to stay ahead of growth.

Another project that has been delayed is a proposed advocacy center at a cost of $16.8 million.

Police Chief Michael Soelberg wants the center to house police, medical personnel and after-care support providers under one roof for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crimes.

This would also save the victims from having to retell their stories multiple times and traumatizing them again, he said, adding that it also would save detectives travel time from having to go to the advocacy centers in Mesa or Chandler.

That way, he said, detectives could work more cases.

Having the center in town would be a comfort for victims because they will be in a familiar place, Soelberg said.

From 2015-20, domestic violence cases in Gilbert shot up 49 percent to 5,271, according to Soelberg.

And though sex crimes are far lower, offenses against children are much higher than against adults, he added.

Studies show when victim have the support of an advocacy center, there is a greater chance of a conviction.

Soelberg recommended building the center that would be warm and functional on town-owned land near the police headquarters.

Jack Gierak, CIP Project supervisor, said five options, including leasing for 20 years and buying an existing building and renovating it at a cost of $18.2 million were studied and doing a new build on town land was the most optimal.

“I think this is a great first step,” Councilwoman Kathy Tilque said. “We’ve been sticking our heads in the ground when it comes to addressing some of theses issues, domestic violence and human-sex trafficking.”

Soelberg said staff will be fine-tuning the estimated $16.8 million price tag over the next few months.

The bond for this project would still keep the secondary property tax rate the same.

BY KEVIN REAGAN GSN Staff Writer And HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Hoffman.

Some Valley cities have come out in opposition to Chandler Sen. J.D. Mesnard’s which allows local governments to set occupancy limits and insurance requirements on the owners who lease out their homes through websites like Airbnb and VRBO. But Scottsdale Rep. John Kavanagh’s bill would go much further, restoring much of the authority that previous legislatures and Gov. Doug Ducey stripped away in recent years.

Houses rented through the digital applications have been the source of scores of complaints across the Valley and beyond by neighbors who don’t appreciate seeing residential properties turned into de facto hotels and havens for large, sometimes violent parties.

Mesnard said he intentionally wrote his bill to specifically target rentals that become a revolving door for boisterous revelers by letting cities decide whether to restrict the number many tenants who can occupy them.

The bill allows the revocation of homeowners’ tax license if they violate local regulations at least three times within a one-year period.

But the Arizona League of Cities and Towns, which represents the interests of most East Valley communities, said Mesnard’s bill does not go far enough to resolve the issues brought up by local governments.

Nick Ponder, the League’s legislative director, said SB 1379 doesn’t make enough substantive changes to the state’s current laws that are favorable

to municipalities.

The League is not advocating for outlawing short-term rentals, he added, but cities and towns want more autonomy over how to control these properties.

“The prominent issue here is that the law that was passed in 2016 requires cities and towns to treat short-term rentals exactly the same as we treat long-term residential rentals,” Ponder said.

Mesnard’s bill caps civil penalties at the amount of daily rent advertised by the short-term rental where a violation occurred.

SB 1379 additionally requires a municipality to wait 30 days before im-

Local lawmakers in fight over rental bills

L

egislators representing Gilbert are embroiled in a fight with fellow Republicans over how much control municipalities should have in regulating short-term rental properties and keeping them from becoming disruptive neighbors.

Two bills advanced last week in the Legislature as Chandler Sen. J.D. Mesnard, whose district includes part of Gilbert, won a panel approval for his bill, SB 1379.

Meanwhile, legislation that would give more local control than Mesnard’s passed a House panel over the objection of Legislative District 12 Rep. Jake

see RENTAL page 9

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

RENTAL from page 8

posing a civil penalty to a rental owner who fails to provide their contact information to the city.

On Feb. 3, the Senate Commerce Committee voted unanimously to pass Mesnard’s bill to the Rules Committee for further review.

Paradise Valley Mayor Jerry Bien-Willner said his town opposes SB 1379 because it doesn’t go far enough to restore the rights of ordinary citizens who feel their neighborhoods have been impacted by short-term rentals.

Mesnard said he is not interested in overregulating the rental industry, stating, “I know there are other proposals out there that would like to go broader.

I will not be on board with those.”

Meanwhile, a House panel last week voted 8-5 that would allow city and town councils to impose limits on how many people can be in a short-term rental based on the number of bedrooms.

Potentially more significant, Kavanagh said his legislation would permit cities to enact zoning restrictions that could limit the number of these shortterm rentals in any one neighborhood – or entirely within the community’s borders.

The 2016 law “was sold as the elderly couple, empty nesters with the extra bedroom, who could make a few extra bucks renting out their room to tourists or whatever,’’ Kavanagh said.

“That seemed benign,’’ he said, what with the owners on the premises to control any problems.

“But in reality, short-term rentals are such that an investor can make far more money buying a house and rent-

NEWS

ing it out as a hotel -- as a horizontal, decentralized hotel -- than renting the house out for long-term rental,’’ he said.

Kavanagh said it has created problems in places like Sedona, where he said 40 percent of the available rental units are now vacation properties, “driving up the prices of all rentals and making it impossible for city employees or even business employees, store employees, to live in the town.’’

Rep. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, said the whole concept is offensive.

“Property and the ability to use one’s property to its fullest extent, and to the fullest enjoyment, is your right,’’ he said, contending there are enough ordinances already in place to deal with “bad apples.’’

Kavanagh said that Hoffman is wrong.

“There is not an absolute right to do whatever you want with your property,’’ he said.

“If there’s a vacant lot in a residential neighborhood, maybe next to your house, and somebody buys it, they shouldn’t be allowed to open up a McDonald’s,’’ Kavanagh continued. “When you invest your life savings in home in a residential neighborhood, you have a right to make sure that it stays residential.’’

Kavanagh said his legislation would have no effect on individuals who are owner-occupants and rent out rooms in their own homes. He said they are not the problem. And he promised to amend his legislation when it goes to the House floor to “grandfather’’ in any existing short-term rentals so they could continue to operate if and when his measure becomes law.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

Higley officials plan tech upgrades, other improvements

BY CASEY FLANAGAN GSN Staff Writer

A

nticipating nearly $25 million in unspent capital funds going into the next school year, Higley Unified administrators are recommending that the Governing Board spend about a third of it on various repairs and upgrades.

“We have plenty of money to continue our capital plan over several years, said HUSD Finance Director Tyler Moore as he recommended that $2.4 million of the $24.9 million capital budget be devoted to technology upgrades in classrooms and to finally achieve the district’s goal of equipping every student with a digital device.

Addressing the board Feb. 10, Moore said the laptop expenditures – totaling $1.7 million – would ensure that every student at Centennial, Cortina, Chap-

arral, and San Tan elementary schools would now have a device.

Moore said the district’s IT department would present the plan to implement the 1:1 device-student ratio in a future board meeting, but “there’s funding in here to complete that plan next school year.”

The remaining $729,000 of technology spending would go towards annual software license renewals, like Microsoft Office and their financial software, Moore said.

Moore said another $310,000 would allow the school to continue using the Canvas and Synergy learning management systems, as well as testing and student information software.

Schools within the district may enjoy an “overarching $2.9 million fund,” to adopt new curriculum and textbooks in the classroom, according to Moore, adding that his department is recommend-

ing the district “spend down” the capital budget to about $16 million for the start of the new school year.

Other beneficiaries of capital spending in his recommendations would be school libraries.

“There is no library budget currently,” Moore said, proposing a $120,000 library fund allocated based on the number of students at each school.

“This is not an exhaustive amount, but this will help those librarians and schools replace some of those books, expand some of their library collection,” he said.

Moore also proposed $100,000 in funding for fine arts to replace old and outdated equipment.

“We have heard loud and clear,” that the district’s musical instruments are “extremely outdated,” he said.

Conceding “we don’t anticipate this being enough to catch us up,” Moore

said, “we anticipate this being an annual amount” to help replenish and replace the instruments.

Moore proposed another $100,000 to replace athletic equipment “to maintain equity across the board, in terms of all of our programs.”

The district may set aside about $490,000 for in-classroom equipment, instructional material, furniture and other classroom needs, Moore explained.

He said this is allocated based on the number of students in the district and equates to about $40 per student.

Moore said next year’s capital spending budget allows for the district to decentralize furniture and equipment budgets “down to the school level.”

“This gives these schools more flexibility in determining what needs are greater for them,” he said.

plan and a minimum-wage increase for non-classified employees.

A 2-percent pay hike recommendation costing $4.7 million is also on the table.

For every 1 percent salary increase in salary district-wide, the cost is $2.35 million, which includes benefits, Betz said.

The district is considering the raise in order to attract and retain employees, primarily teachers.

Betz presented several proposals totaling $20.8 million to help reduce the funding gap, including receiving money from the federal pandemic relief bill now being considered by Congress.

District officials believe GPS could receive anywhere from $7.5 million to $9 million but at this time there is no commitment that the money is coming, Betz said.

And, there is a possibility the district can increase its enrollment by 1,000 students, which would yield $4 million in additional state reimbursement.

Closing Houston Elementary School would save the district $1 million, she

said.

Houston is one of the district’s smallest elementary campuses in terms of students – 360 – but is physically larger than other schools in the area.

The district proposes moving the popular Neely Traditional Academy and its 658 students to the Houston campus. No plans have been made for the Neely site, which is expected to close next school year.

The district is holding three community meetings later this month for public feedback and the board is expected to vote on the proposal March 30. Information: gilbertschools.net/campuschanges.

Betz said a more controversial move would involve transferring $5 million from the unrestricted capital budget to the operating budget.

With the latest court challenge against Proposition 208 failing, the district can expect additional money in 2023, which can be used to replenish the capital budget, Betz said.

The November initiative put a sur-

charge on higher income earners to fund education and a challenge to it was tossed by a Superior Court judge last week.

Board member Lori Wood said she is hesitant to transfer capital funds to cover operating costs.

She cited committed capital expenses include $1.2 million for software licenses, $3 million for curriculum and $800,000 for copier leases.

Betz said there are risks with the district’s budget proposal, including the possibility that the Legislature may fund public schools at a lower amount than what is proposed by Gov. Doug Ducey.

Also, the district could see a greater loss of students than projected, the federal pandemic relief funding could come in less and the classroom site fund revenue could drop from the current year, she said.

The board did not make a decision on extending sick leave for employees out because of COVID-19. The Families

see HIGLEY page 11

GPS board wrestling with $23.2M deficit

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

G

ilbert Public Schools is looking at a possible $23.2 million deficit for fiscal year beginning July 1.

Some of staff’s budget-balancing proposals include transferring unrestricted capital budget funds and closing Houston Elementary School, which has a low-student count.

“The preliminary budget is a worstcase scenario,” said Bonnie Betz, assistant superintendent of business services.

“It’s based on my experience. We will know more in two weeks.”

Betz presented budget numbers to the Governing Board at its 2.5-hour retreat Feb. 9. The board also discussed possibly extending pandemic-related sick leave and updates to the district’s strategic operating plan.

Helping to drive the deficit are less state funding due to a projected enrollment decline, increased costs for employee health benefits and retirement

see SCHOOLS page 11

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

NEWS

11

INSPIREd to say thank you Lyndey Cooley, 9, and about 100 other members of INSPIRE Entertainment, an East Vally performing arts center, turned out Feb. 10 at Banner Gareway Medical Center in Gilbert as part of a “Love Tour” to greet employees like Dawn Akins.

The tour also visited senior living centers.

(Pablo Robles/GSN Staff Photographer)

HIGLEY from page 10

Another $250,000 may go towards other school repair requests, Moore said. This includes new paint on steel fencing and poles, landscaping, carpet replacement, and other miscellaneous repairs.

Assistant superintendent Dr. Michael Fowler said the process to make repairs like these takes time “and I think a lot of districts just give up, and we’re not giving up. We’ll continue to work hard and identify those areas.”

The district proposed to set aside $65,000 for safety and security, Moore said. This includes replacing and add-

ing cameras at Cortina, Coronado, and San Tan elementary schools, according to Fowler.

These schools have “traditionally had some issues with” security, “in fact, in the past few weeks,” Fowler said.

According to Fowler, the budget set aside for security “allows for additional cameras at all of our campuses,” not just the three schools they prioritized.

The district also plans to purchase two new 84-passenger buses, a $350,000 expense, Moore said.

The district’s capital budget has been steadily increasing in the last five fiscal

years to reach the $24 million now available to them, Moore explained. He said some past years’ funding were “recession based,” and therefore reduced, but “the budget balance continued to grow.”

Moore said the district is still being fiscally responsible by not entirely depleting this year’s funds and “$16 million is almost three times our annual capital budget.”

The capital budget outlay proposed in Wednesday’s board meeting will be considered for approval on an April 7 board meeting.

Moore said the district’s operating

budget has a surplus of around $8.6 million.

According to Moore, the state has announced it would adjust base support level funding for around 1.2 percent inflation rather than the 1 percent the school initially accounted for. Additionally, Moore said the state has proposed increasing the per-pupil reimbursement rate by $38.

“That’s an increase of about $860,000, and a lot of that is due to that inflation number coming from 1 to 1.2, and the additional base support level increase,” Moore said.

First Coronavirus Response Act that gave two weeks of paid sick leave expired Dec. 31. Employees who got sick or were in quarantine after this date had to use their own sick time.

Shawn McIntosh, assistant superintendent of talent management, said right now there was no relief from the federal government so the district would have to pay the $911,000 cost.

Betz said the district received $2.3 million in federal COVID-relief funds that it used for mitigation strategies like cleaning supplies and $1.2 million of it for the

sick leave.

He said most surrounding school districts have extended the sick time off for their employees.

“To me, the No. 1 issue is can we afford it,” Wood said. “It’s a moot point if we can’t afford it.”

Wood said maybe if employees are concerned about using up their sick days, the district could encourage them to get the vaccine and change how they behave off campus because people are not necessarily catching the virus at school.

“I struggle with this,” she said. “We

don’t have money to do everything.”

Under the provisions, employees could take sick days for child care when schools were closed, he said, adding for many districts now it’s “use your own time until a positive test and then we’ll backfill it.”

Uggetti also asked how many employees had to quarantine but the number was not readily available at the meeting.

“In essence we recognize to be successful, we have to care for employees,” board member Reed Carr said.

He said he would love to provide this benefit but without extra funding that

would mean taking money away from some place else and tying the district’s hands.

Board President Charles Santa Cruz said not supporting the workforce could mean kids would lose out.

Board member Jill Humpherys said her concern is that 5 percent of the budget comprises benefits.

“If you take care of people that way, it may mean fewer positions next year,” she said. “We need to look at the overall budget. I want to give people this benefit.”

SCHOOLS from page 10

COMMUNITY

Community

12

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

For more community news visit gilbertsunnews.com

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Gilbert photographer captures timeless trains

BY CASEY FLANAGAN GSN Staff Writer

T

rains have captured Gilbert photographer Mark Lipczynski’s fascination since he was young and his latest project shows just how fast time, and his subjects, can fly by.

The project, titled “Timeless Machines,” features images of trains as they barrel past.

They’re no ordinary photos, though: Lipczynski prolonged the camera’s exposure to transform the trains into endless walls across the landscape.

His “Timeless Machines” was named “Jurors’ Choice” in Filter Photo’s annual members’ exhibition last year. They can still be viewed at filterphoto.org/previous-exhibition/Mark-Lipczynski.

As a professional photographer based in Phoenix, Lipczynski has explored the trains and photography since childhood, when he watched and shot them with an inexpensive 35mm camera.

As an adult, he created the alter ego “Mark Traain” as a bit of a nod to one of his favorite authors, Mark Twain, and documents his adventures on Instagram and You Tube under the @marktraain name, mixing behind-the-scenes journals with footage and images of trains he’s chased from around the country.

Lipczynski said his interest in trains came from his father, who was an engineer in rural Ohio.

He said that through the pandemic, watching trains helped him feel a “sense of comfort and connection to my family.”

“I felt like that was important to share with other people in the

Gilbert Photographer Mark Lipczynski, left, captures fascinating images of trains in motion, like the images above and below. Train photography is a hobby but photography is his life’s work.

(Mark Lipczynski)

world who might be going through similar things of feeling isolated, lonely, and disconnected,” he said.

For “Timeless Machines,” Lipczynski said he wanted to “work in these ideas of time, time travel and memory,” and combine them with camera tricks that “capture time in a way that’s sort of ethereal and surreal.”

Lipczynski said being chosen for the exhibition “felt really, really rewarding.

“And it just justified all the work and the expense that I put into it building up to this.”

Lipczynski’s grew

up in Warren, Ohio, where he would photograph trains with an inexpensive film camera.

He studied journalism at the University of Maine and after graduating, worked at various newspapers around his hometown, including the Tribune Chronicle, a then satellite paper for the New York Times.

In 2005, Lipczynski moved to Tucson, where he snapped photos for a local newspaper until the Arizona Republic hired him as a photographer.

Lipczynski said in 2008, at the height of the recession, he left that paper to work as a freelance photographer.

“It was rough, but you know, things in life sometimes get rough before they get better,” he said. “And that’s just the path you have to take if you want to grow as a person.”

Besides various newspapers and news websites, he also has photographed for PING Golf, Phoenix Children’s Hospital,

see TRAINS page 13

13

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

TRAINS from page 12

the National Bank of Arizona and Banner Health.

Lipczynski’s personal work includes collections set in places as far-reaching as Japan, as seen on his Lensculture profile.

Another personal project of his, titled “American West,” chronicles his exploration of the American Southwest. According to Lipczynski, it’s important to “ingest some of that history and culture and understand a lot of the pain that’s happened here.”

Through American West, Lipczynski said he is “looking for where I belong or, you know, how we all fit and can exist in

this place together peacefully and happily.”

Lipczynski said he builds model train sets in his spare time and is currently making a set that looks like an area he frequented as a kid in Newton Falls, Ohio.

He said once the set is complete, he may photograph it in connection with the theme of “looking back in time” found in “Timeless Machines.”

Lipczynski said he can be found at a Gilbert rail line at least once a week, watching trains pass with a friend whom he met on the tracks.

View his portfolio at MarkLipczynski. com.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLE AND SUDOKU on Page 19

Catch up on Local Gilbert News! gilbertsunnews.com

got skin?

PUBLIC NOTICE INITIATION OF FIVE-YEAR REVIEW AT THE FORMER WILLIAMS AIR FORCE BASE The United States Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) has initiated preparation of the fifth Five-Year Review to evaluate the ongoing environmental remedies at the former Williams Air Force Base in Mesa, Arizona.

The Five-Year Review report is being prepared pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Section 121, and the National Contingency Plan. Past disposal of hazardous materials, such as solvents, fuels and other chemicals resulted in soil and groundwater contamination. The purpose of the Five-Year Review process is to determine if the groundwater remedies, soil vapor extraction remedies, long-term landfill cap maintenance/monitoring remedy, and prescribed institutional controls continue to be protective of human health and the environment. The report also provides recommendations if deficiencies are found. The Air Force is the lead agency responsible for the Five-Year Review while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Arizona (Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Water Resources) review the report.

Public input is being solicited during the preparation of this Five-Year Review report. Any questions, comment, or input should be directed to the contact address located below. When the Five-Year Review is finalized, another public notice will be issued informing the community the review is complete. The completion date for the final document is September 2021 and it will become a part of the AFCEC Administrative Record for the former Williams Air Force Base on the web at: https://ar.afcec-cloud.af.mil/.

Ms. Catherine Jerrard, P.E. BRAC Environmental Coordinator Air Force Civil Engineer Center 706 Hangar RoadN Rome, New York 13441 315-356-0810 or email: afrpa.west.pa@us.af.mil

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BUSINESS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

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Epicenter, new steakhouse add to Gilbert’s dining scene GSN NEWS STAFF

G

ilbert’s dining scene continues to explode with the opening last week of a high-end steakhouse and an announcement that five more restaurants and bars are coming to Epicenter, the under-construction retail-dining capstone of Agritopia.

Bourbon & Bones opened at 2150 E, Williams Field Road in San Tan Village, complementing its original Scottsdale location.

Part of restaurant group Square One Concepts, Bourbon & Bones is a contemporary steakhouse that boasts “elegant-yet-unpretentious fine dining.”

Besides prime dry and wet aged steaks

and chops, it also offers a vast array of seafood, appetizers and sides as well as 600 varieties of bourbon and 1,500 bottles of sommelier-curated wine. Rare varieties are available in by-the-glass options.

Information: bourbonandbonesaz.com.

Meanwhile Epicenter, said that five of the seven establishments that have just signed up as tenants include Belly Kitchen & Bar, Raw Organic Juice, Source, Spinato’s Pizzeria & Family Kitchen and UnderTow. Epicenter also is home to Beer Barn, Gadzooks, Matt’s Big Breakfast and Peixoto Coffee.

Two new retailers also have signed on as tenants, adding to Epicenter’s growing lineup of health and wellness establishments.

“We are excited to have chosen Epicenter for our second UnderTow location,” said Rich Furnari, co-owner & director of operations at Barter & Shake Creative Hospitality, which owns the popular tiki-inspired cocktail lounge.

“The combination of attractive demographics and Epicenter’s unique ‘main street’ format in a mixed-use development made it the ideal choice for Barter & Shake to bring our award-winning UnderTow concept to Gilbert,” Funari added.

Belly Kitchen & Bar is a Southeast Asian restaurant while Source is fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant and Raw Organic Juice will be offering juices, smoothies, health shots and fruit bowls.

“Gilbert is ready for a development like Epicenter,” said Dan Henderson, the town’s director of economic development.

Epicenter also will feature 320 apartment homes over the shops that will have luxury amenities such as a demonstration kitchen, maker’s space, resort-style pool and high-end fitness facilities, for starters.

Joe Johnston, president and founder of Johnston & Co., and CEO William Johnston said Epicenter will pay tribute to the property’s agrarian past and present, noting Agritopia includes an 11.3-acre organic farm and that each building will be uniquely designed to further a sense of community.

Information: epicenteratagritopia.com.

New Gilbert Leadership class picks project

GSN NEWS STAFF

T

he 2021 class in Gilbert Chamber of Foundation’s venerable Gilbert Leadership program has identified its community project – and it’s hoping residents and local businesses will help bring it to fruition.

“Students” in Gilbert Leadership Class XXIX are working together to benefit Friends of the Needy at St. Anne’s Annex, a program which distributes healthy foods to community members in need.

Class members will donate time and resources to improvement projects intended to enhance safety and increase functionality, including exterior signage, creating an after-hours donation bin and adding fresh paint, landscaping, and lighting to the building’s exterior.

While Friends of the Needy operates on the grounds of Gilbert’s St. Anne’s Catholic Parish Annex, the program serves the greater community at-large, and not just parish members.

This year’s Gilbert Leadership class hopes you can help it with a project that will benefit the Friends of the Needy program at St. Anne’s Annex. (Special to GSN) “Friends of the Needy has a history of helping the underserved, including low-income families and those who lack access to healthy, filling foods,” said Faith Roberts, owner of Gilbert-based M&M Lighting and member of Class XXIX. To complete the project, Gilbert Leadership Class XXIX is spearheading “Cam-

paign 29” to raise donations of $29, $290, and $2,900. Additionally, the group is accepting in-kind donations of supplies and services. to gilbertaz.com/become-adonor for more information.

The class also has teamed up with Joe’s Real BBQ, 301 N. Gilbert Road, for a special fundraiser Feb. 24. Joe’s will donate

20 percent of an order for patrons who mention Gilbert Leadership.

Members of this year’s class are: Jason Bressler of CertaPro Painters of Gilbert, Josh Bring of Edward Jones, Maria Bushard of the Gilbert Police Department, Mark Day of Thomson Reuters, Dana Frasca and Karin Gadberry of Park University, Jason Geroux of 4:10 Real Estate, town employees Jennifer Lauria, Marshall MacFarlane and Genesis Hart; Also, Chris Henry of Joe’s Real BBQ, Mindi Johnson of Leading Edge Academy, Shawnta King of Christ Culture Church, Donielle Lopez of Joshua Development, Alison Martin of Topgolf Gilbert, Danielle McGinn of G4S Compliance and Investigation, Faith Roberts of M&M Lighting; Also, Tiffany Shultz of Levitate Agency, Susan Stephensen of Arizona State University, Roy Sublasky of Life Community Church, Crystal Theaker of Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Kim Watson of Corporate Alliance Production and Cody Ziemer of Banner Gateway.

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Sports & Recreation 16

SPORTS

GilbertSunNews.com

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

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Jorge Chavez’s fast start a tribute to offseason training

BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

J

orge Chavez was dead set on improving his shot heading into his senior season for the Campo Verde boys soccer team.

On too many occasions as a junior he saw his shots on goals miss the box, sailing wide left, right or over the goal altogether.

Campo Verde coach Andrew Guarneri made it a point of emphasis for one of his captains during club season, where he is also Chavez’s coach.

Now past midway point of the pandemicdelayed 2021 season, the offseason work has paid off.

“Jorge is his own breed, he’s a true finisher, a true forward,” Guarneri said.

“He puts 95% of his shots on frame, which forces keepers to make saves. I think he still has a lot to learn, which is something him and I have talked about.

“But he’s willing to work to improve his deficiencies. He wants to get better.”

Chavez has helped lead the Coyotes to a 6-1 start to the season, with their only loss coming against region foe Casteel — one of the favorites along without Campo Verde to win the 5A title. The Coyotes have average just over three goals a game, with their highest total for one game so far this season set at six against Red Mountain on Jan. 22.

Of Campo Verde’s 22 total goals, Chavez has scored 10 of them on 39 shots. The forward has proven himself as a threat to opposing defenders.

Against Higley on Feb. 2, Chavez scored two goals in the first 18 minutes of play.

He and several other starters were pulled from the game until the midway point of the second half, where he came in and immediately connected with the back of the net.

“Honestly, I wanted to perfect my shooting,” Chavez said. “I was tired of shooting and shooting and shooting and missing. I want to score goals. Since junior

Campo Verde senior forward Jorge Chavez’s improvement in his shot from last year to this year has allowed him to score 10 goals in the Coyotes’ first seven games this season.

(Zach Alvira/GSN Staff)

continuing to improve his craft in practice and matches for Campo Verde. Winning a state title before he graduates has and will continue to be his main goal, no matter how many others he scores.

“We want to end this season with a bang,” Chavez said. “I want to leave an impact on this Campo Verde coach Andrew Guarneri noticed the improvement team. I want people to in Chavez and at times, has pointed out other deficiencies in see me as a great leader his game. However, Chavez continuously works to improve on on and off the field.” those mistakes. (Zach Alvira/GSN Staff) Campo Verde’s year ended, I did anything I could in club, dominance through the first half of the the summer and in free time to try to season isn’t uncommon for Guarneri and perfect everything I could.” his team.

Chavez has so far gained interest from Only once in their 11 years of existence some schools in regard to continuing his have the Coyotes finished the season with soccer career at the next level. He figures a losing record. In the 2012-13 season, more offers will present themselves as the Campo Verde finished with 20 wins for the season goes on. first time in program history. Four years For now, he remains focused on later in 2016-17, the Coyotes went 25-1,

with their only loss coming against North Canyon in the playoffs.

The next year, however, Campo Verde finished 19-4-1 and won its first state title.

Guarneri credits the buy-in from players, parents, coaches and school administrators for the team’s success. He said he’s been lucky to have a group of captains that wear the arm band with pride every year. This season is no different.

“They all have a willingness to work for each other,” Guarneri said. “The biggest reason for our program’s success is the kids believe in each other.”

Along with Chavez, senior middle forward Nikolas Pallozzi also wears the captain’s band. Junior defender Cody Helmhout earned his arm band after establishing himself as the unsung leader of Campo Verde’s defense.

Despite being younger than the other two captains, Chavez said Helmhout is mature beyond his years and has proven his ability to lead both by example and vocally.

“We just aim to be what Campo soccer is all about,” Chavez said. “We want to show all the other players how we are expected to play. Cody is one of the more mature juniors and shows those qualities as a captain.

“I want someone on the defense that we can all be confident in knowing what to do.

That’s what we have with him back there.”

Campo Verde has used momentum each week so far this season, but it knows it will face teams like Casteel again down the line.

Continuing to build momentum will pay dividends as the playoffs near, but Chavez said it’ll also take continuous improvement from everyone involved in order to finish the season at the top of the 5A Conference.

“This team could do wonders,” Chavez said. “We have the skill. We just have to put it to work. We can’t be pushed around.

We have to be the team that shows up expecting to win and do it.”

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

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1100 South Dobson Road, #223 • Chandler, AZ 85286 (The PRESIDIO, North Building, 2nd Floor)

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

These are difficult times for everyone.

We find ourselves in uncharted waters while the demand for our services continues to grow.

In the midst of this pandemic, Chandler/Gilbert ARC continues to work diligently to maintain safe programs for the vulnerable people we support resulting in service modifications to our group homes and program sights in order to keep fulfilling our mission. We need your help.

The recent CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act allows taxpayers to take a charitable deduction of $300, even if they do not itemize. And the more recently Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 extends and modifies the $300 charitable deduction for nonitemizers for 2021 and increases the maximum amount that may be deducted to $600 for married couples filing jointly. *Contributions also qualify for a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your AZ Tax Return. The maximum credit is $400 for a single head of the household or $800 for married taxpayers.

Chandler/Gilbert Arc has been serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the East Valley since 1975, providing community living, employment, and day treatment & training opportunities daily.

We are so grateful for your generosity, which touches-and changes-so many lives.

Please donate today: www.cgarc.org Chandler/Gilbert Arc 3250 N San Marcos Place Chandler, AZ 85225-7789

(480) 892-9422

Chandler/Gilbert Arc is an IRS Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, and is a Qualifying Charitable Tax Organization registered with the Arizona Department of Revenue. Our QCO code is 20245. Contact the Arizona DOR at (602) 255-3381, or visit www.revenue.state.az.us

19

20

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

H E A DSTO N E S

Obituaries Allan E. Sissla Allan Einar Sissala, 87, passed away on January 30th, 2021 at Melody Care Center in Apache Junction, AZ after a brief fight with COVID-19. He was born on November 1, 1933 in Gilbert, MN to Einar and Sadie Sissala.

Allan is survived by his significant other since 2004 Rosemary Morrison of North Branch, MN; his grandchildren Amy Sissala of Hopkins, MN, Emily Sissala of Omaha, NE, Heather Sissala of New Hope, MN, and Mitchell Sissala of Otsego, MN; his sister Eileen Goetzke of Stillwater, MN and his nieces Pam and Paula and nephews Brad, Brian and Eric; and Rosemary's kids Roseann, Christine and Lynn. He will be missed by the Holland family and many others. Allan was preceded in death by his wife Merle (2001), daughters Gail and Geri Lynn (1975), sons Gary (2016) and Greg (2017), and grandson Oscar (1984). He will be buried in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in North Branch, MN and a ceremony will be held at a later date.

Grandstrand Funeral Home www.grandstrandfh.com

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Obituaries Fred J Dees Fred Dees, 87, of Mesa Arizona, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, of congestive heart failure.

Fred was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma and spent much of his childhood moving around the country with his parents, Archie Fred Dees and Hattie Darlene (Mitchell) Dees. After high school, he served in the Navy from 1951 to 1955 on the destroyer USS Hazelwood

during the Korean conflict.

After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he came to Arizona and began working as a draftsman at AiResearch in Phoenix. In 1960, he became a deputy with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, where he rose through the ranks from juvenile officer to patrolman to detective.

In 1969, Fred went to Vietnam with the Agency for International Development (USAID), part of the State Department, as an advisor to the Vietnamese police force.

In that capacity, he helped set up training centers, taught classes, mentored police chiefs, and coordinated logistics and supplies.

Shortly before leaving for Vietnam, he had met Dee, while they both were working at the Round-Up Drive-in theater in Scottsdale. He worked as an off-duty deputy, while Dee sold tickets in the box office. The attraction for both was immediate, and when Fred went to Vietnam, Dee followed a few months later and was hired as a civilian secretary for the U.S. Army.

During the nearly four years in Vietnam, they were able

to travel throughout Southeast Asia, as well as to Australia, Bali, Greece, Israel and much of Europe. But the best trip was when, in 1972, they went to Hawaii to be married.

They returned to Arizona in 1973 and a year later Fred was hired as the Town Marshall in Gilbert, Arizona. He then became the town’s first Chief of Police and served in that capacity for 24 years, as the town grew from a population of 3,000 to over 110,000. He had the challenging task of continually expanding the police department to keep up with the booming growth of the town. The PD went through five different locations as they kept outgrowing each one.

Fred and Dee have two children, Joel and Jennifer, who both followed their dad’s footsteps in law enforcement.

Fred retired in 1998, and in 2015, he and Dee moved to Mesa, Arizona where he spent his remaining years.

Fred is pre-deceased by his parents Archie Fred Dees and Hattie Darlene Dees, and is survived by his wife, Dee, his son, Joel Dees, (fiancée, Veronica) daughter, Jennifer Crane (Mike), grandchildren, Connor, Kellen and Vivienne Crane, son Joseph McLeod, step- daughter Tracy Shinn, and step-son George Dees.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Feb 20, 2021 at Grace Community Church, 1200 East Southern Avenue, Tempe, AZ, USA. A burial will be held from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM on Feb 19, 2021 at National Memorial Cemetery, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ, USA. In lieu of flowers, donations to the 100 Club of Phoenix would be appreciated.

Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

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__________________________

Steve Carell

2011

__________________________

Gwyneth Paltrow

1998

__________________________

Peter Sellers

1964

__________________________

(It’s a long title)

__________________________

Jake Gyllenhaal

2010

__________________________

Julia Roberts

2010

__________________________

Patrick Demsey

1987

__________________________

Adam Sandler

2002

__________________________

Ryan O’Neal

1970

__________________________

Sean Connery

1963

__________________________

For the One You Love

480-688-4770

Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

YEAR

Hugh Grant

www.eastvalleypainters.com Family Owned & Operated

Bonded & Insured

Roofing

ROC 296559 • Licensed, Bonded & insured

Beat Any Price By 10% • Lifetime Warranty Water Heaters Installed - $799 Unclog Drains - $49 FREE RO UNIT w/Any WATER SOFTENER INSTALL NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 Months!!

‘A’ RATED PLUMBING REPAIR Free Estimates • Same Day Service

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

(480) 584-1643

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!

10% OFF

Sun Screens Cleaned $3 each Attention to detail and tidy in your home.

480-532-2525 • Residential / Commercial

Painting

Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

$110 - One Story $150 - Two Story

SPECIALIZING IN: Wood & Stucco Repairs • Deck Restoration Roofing, Shingles & Metal • Exterior/Interior Painting Elastometric & Clear Coats • Power Washing Leaf Guards (20yr No Clog) New 6" Seamless Gutters (Gutter Art Available)

Plumbing

Voted #1

Not a licensed contractor.

PAINTING OF ALL TYPES

Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!!

Classifieds 480-898-6465

East Valley PAINTERS

480-720-3840

ROC#309706

PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

480-354-5802

showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

Professional service since 1995

LLC

ALL Pro

T R E E

Juan Hernandez

Juan Hernandez

SPRINKLER

Window Cleaning

Pool Service / Repair

COUNTS

Juan Hernandez

Painting

CB

Answers Top to Bottom: Love Actually; Crazy, Stupid, Love; Shakespeare in Love; Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb; Love & Other Drugs; Eat Pray Love; Can’t Buy Me Love; Punch-Drunk Love; Love Story; From Russia with Love

Landscape/Maintenance

24

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 14, 2021

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VOW RENEWAL!

What’s more romantic this Valentine’s Day than to retell the person you love that you “still do” after all these years?

Have some fun this year and have Elvis renew your vows in a drive thru vow renewal! You will also enjoy a lasagna dinner for two to take home.

February 14th

LivGenerations Ahwatukee 15815 S. 50th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85048 Please call to RSVP to (480) 485-3000 to secure a spot

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day - LivGenerations Agritopia will be hosting a contest for the couple with the most unique, touching, or entertaining “Love Story”.

Winning recipient will be awarded a Romantic Gourmet Gift Basket!

Contact LivGenerations Agritopia at 480-485-2000 or visit our website at www.livgenerations.com for details of how to submit your entry. *Entries must be submitted by the end of the day on Febaury 21st

We still do.

LivGenerations Ahwatukee

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LivGenerations Agritopia

15815 S. 50th Street | Phoenix, AZ 85048

2811 E. Agritopia Loop S. | Gilbert, AZ 85296

480-485-3000

480-485-2000

livgenerationsahwatukee.com

livgenerationsagritopia.com

I N D E P E N D E N T L I V I N G | A S S I S T E D L I V I N G | M E M O R Y C A R E | S I G N AT U R E S E R V I C E S