Gilbert Sun News - 03.14.2021

Schools revel in spring sports

Gilbert juice firm expands

PAGE 22

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An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS. ............................... 5 HUSD maps learning loss attack.

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Sunday, March 14, 2021

Year-old pandemic cost Gilbert schools in many ways

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

I

f a year-long pandemic taught Gilbert school officials one thing, it is resiliency.

“This was something none of us had experienced before,” said Teresa Joseph, spokeswoman for Higley Unified. “As a community, we adapted. We implemented new teaching styles, health policies and proto-

cols. We were forced to re-imagine education and it took a community to do this.”

One year ago tomorrow, the alarming increase in COVID-19 in Arizona prompted Gov. Doug Ducey to close all schools in the state for two weeks. By the end of the month, he ordered all campuses closed for the remainder of the school year in order to slow the virus’ spread.

School districts in Gilbert scrambled to

set up remote learning and find ways to get the free breakfasts and lunches out to low-income students. School activities such as band, sports and the prom fell by the wayside while graduation for the Class of 2020 became a virtual ceremony.

Within weeks, the pandemic also forced administrators and governing boards in both Gilbert Public Schools and Higley Uni-

Gilbert Regional Park plans called ‘exciting’

COMMUNITY......... 14 He trains their owners too.

GETOUT..................... 24 Gilbert artists’ works go on display.

COMMUNITY....................................... 14 BUSINESS............................................. 19 SPORTS....................................... 22 GETOUT......................................24 PUZZLE....................................... 27 CLASSIFIED.......................................... 27

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

P

roposed amenities for the remaining 200 acres of Gilbert Regional Park include a ball-field complex, a dog park, skate plaza, trails and plenty of open space.

The Parks and Recreation Board gave input last week to the preferred masterplan update, which now heads to an April 6 Council study session for feedback.

“This is definitely a destination facility we are looking at,” Chairman Bob Ferron said. “It’s exciting.”

Chad Atterbury, senior associate with architect Dig Studio, summarized the feedback received from two rounds of community meetings that were incorporated into the planning process.

“We got tons and tons of responses, which is great,” Atterbury said. “There was good energy out there in terms of what people wanted to see in the park.”

see PARK page 4

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see COVID page 8

Game over After serving gamers from her Gilbert store for 25 years, owner Jo Ann Mazak is calling it quits. See why and how people reacted on page 19.

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NEWS

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GPS focuses on district-wide camera system

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

G

ilbert Public Schools officials want to stop bad things before they happen on campus with a standardized district-wide camera system.

Staff’s goal is to bring the proposal to purchase the cameras to the Governing Board at the end of March.

“I believe it will allow us to be proactive, to stop potential incidents before they actually occur because these cameras placed out of reach where people can see them and when coupled with signage it has been statistically proven to stop these types of criminal activities and violation of school rules before they even occur,” said Allen Cain, Safety and Security director at the March 2 work study.

“These cameras will also allow us to recover evidence, which can be used for when criminal incidents occur on our campuses such as burglaries or thefts and they can also review the archive footage when school rules are violated,” he continued.

“In regard to safety and security, at the end of the day what we’re all looking for is peace of mind. Our parents want to feel confident that their children are safe while they’re at school and our staff wants to feel confident they can work in a safe environment and I believe the addition of these standardized cameras across the district will do just that.”

Sixteen vendors responded to the district’s bid request with the final two being invited to a final round of on-site demonstrations.

District spokeswoman Dawn Antestenis later said the cameras’ cost would be covered by the $100-million bond voters approved in 2019. The bond designated $10 million for security upgrades like cameras, electronic access and front entry-way security remodel, she said.

Currently, GPS’s night-security personnel patrols the district’s older schools.

“They get an alarm call, they jump into the truck and drive there and walk into a building unknowing what they’re walking into,” Cain said. “Imagine one

GPS administrators showed this picture from another school district to give governing board members an idea what a monitoring room would look like when a comprehensive district-wide security system is installed. Some districts, such as Kyrene, already have this.

(GPS)

person walking into Gilbert High School in the dark unknowing at 3 o’clock in the morning what they’re walking into. It could be quite dangerous.

“Now with this system they’ll be able to respond via a camera and if they see that isn’t truly a burglary or such, they can respond by calling the police department to respond. That way it makes them far safer.”

Security cameras aren’t new for GPS. Cain said there’s a hodgepodge of cameras from various manufactures sparsely placed around the district, which makes it challenging because security teams have to re-learn a new system when they switch campuses and some of the cameras are so outdated, they can’t be fixed.

The proposed system is so much more superior with built-in features to monitor specific actions coupled with technology such as motion sensor, according to Cain.

“It has a capability to send alarms to selected individuals be it administrators or security or again the school resource officers and that can be sent via text messages, emails or it can be directly linked to our security-operations center,” he said.

Cain said the proposed GPS system could be integrated with first responders and help them assess situations more accurately, leading to faster evacuations and more efficient security of campuses.

Board President Charles Santa Cruz asked what the district was doing to mitigate the very short lifespan of the security cameras.

Jon Castelhano, Technology executive director, said there was no magic number for replacement but that the cameras would last “far past five years.”

“I think as times go if some do start breaking, we don’t have to overhaul all at one time,” Castelhano said. “It’s a concern. We have to plan for it no different than we would plan for a computer refresh.”

Board member Jill Humpherys asked if the district would need to hire more people to staff a room solely built for monitoring.

“We really wouldn’t know how many people are needed until we get into this and figure out just exactly what we can do this with this because we’ve only scratched the surface of what we’ve seen with these systems.” Castelhano responded.

Humpherys commented that a standardized security camera system has been something that needed to be addressed for a long time.

“I appreciate that we’re moving forward and actually doing something,” she said. “Gilbert is not a small town anymore and it’s time for us to make sure we have the things in place that make sure our kids are safe and this is one of those components.”

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NEWS

PARK from page 1

From the over 130 responses to a survey and an additional 195 comments from the first virtual meeting in December, people asked for amenities such as natural park open space, a bike park, dog park and trails, according to Atterbury.

The plan’s amenities include baseball/softball fields, soccer/multi-use fields, 5 acres reserved for possible vendor use, a pump track for bike riders, disc golf, a challenge course and an area for backyards games and barbecue.

Atterbury said designers also adhered to the board’s direction to keep the park near Higley and Queen Creek roads a destination spot.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

He said designing the park for flexible uses was key in the plan to accommodate many different types of events such as archery, fairs, training opportunities and yoga classes.

“We want flexible spaces that can be used year-round,” Atterbury said.

The ballfield complex featured 10 playing fields and a shaded event plaza, which would serve as concessions area, a place to hand out trophies and where teams can do their warm-up, he said.

Ferron asked if the 10 baseball and softball fields and the two flex-fields met the town’s Sports Fields Needs As-

see PARK page 9

Above is a photo of the new ampitherater in Gilbert Regional Park while below are renderings the town presented to the Parks and Recreation Board to show members the thinking on how new amenities at the park might look. (Town of Gilbert)

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

NEWS

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HUSD maps aggressive learning loss summer plan

BY CASEY FLANAGAN GSN Staff Writer

H

igley Unified School District will expand summer school opportunities to help students who experienced learning loss during the pandemic.

Executive Director of Elementary Education Sherry Richards told the governing board last week that summer school will be entirely in person.

“Some of these kids have been online and it’s been tough,” Richards said, stating the most effective way to help them is in the classroom.

“Smaller groups of kids, feedback from teachers and intentional, targeted focus on areas of struggle make that difference,” she said.

Richards explained the district will fund summer school using the third installment of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund, part of the $1.9 trillion COVID 19 relief bill signed by President Joe Biden

Thursday.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said the day after the board meeting that Arizona is getting $600 million for schools, but she did not indicate how that money will be divvied up or when.

Summer classes for elementary and high school students, as well as “boost classes” will be free for students because of the ESSER III funds, Richards said.

Associate Superintendent Dr. Dawn Foley added, “K-12, if you’ve got a need for remediation, recovery, enrichment, support, you will have a free opportunity with transportation to take something this summer to support you and we will use our ESSER funds to do that.”

The district will offer summer classes for both Title 1 and non-Title 1 elementary schools, with a content focus on English language arts and math, Richards said.

According to Richards, “traditionally, we’ve offered summer school for our

Title 1 campuses,” which she said are Gateway Pointe, Chaparral and Power Ranch elementary schools.

“We’re going to continue to do that, but this year, we get to expand it,” to non-Title 1 campuses as well, she said.

Title 1 schools have large concentrations of low-income households and receive addition federal funding to help students achieve.

Richards said the district is determining how many non-Title 1 elementary school students may attend summer school this year and “we’re going to use Chaparral, Power, and probably Gateway, but we’re going have to see the number of kiddos we have.”

Both types of elementary schools’ summer classes will be held June 7-18, from 7:45 a.m. to noon, Richards said.

The district will provide transportation as well as breakfast and lunch for students, she said.

The district will advertise summer positions to qualified teachers and staff beginning in April, Richards said.

Positions include a “health aide/secretary, somebody that’s trained, so we don’t lose the ground we’ve covered this year with all of these safe practices, and then a lead teacher, to assist with administrative duties.”

According to Richards, “one of the biggest challenges is to make sure we have teachers,” and in order to attract them and other employees to take summer positions, “not only will they get an hourly rate, they’re going to get a stipend on top of that.”

Richards said the stipends “hopefully make our teachers know how valued they are.”

Richards said the district will advertise elementary summer school opportunities to parents beginning in April.

HUSD high school students can take summer classes at Higley High School and the district will host one session to cover the first semester of classes and another to cover the second semester,

see HIGLEY page 12

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

Hotel part of new Gilbert rezone request

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

A

developer is proposing a mixeduse project of offices, a hotel, restaurants and retail on 21.19 farm acres near the southeast corner of Santan Village Parkway and Ray Road, across from Topgolf.

Nelsen Partners is requesting a rezone in order to update some existing development standards and to allow for more uses on the site.

The land is part of the Crossroads Center Planned Area Development and is directly north of the SanTan Village Marketplace regional mall. The project owner and operator is Santan Development Group in Mesa.

“Some of the requests tonight are kind of modifying what was under the old PAD to kind of be more in-line with what’s accepted under regional commercial for permitted uses,” senior planner Stephanie Bubenheim told the Planning Commission at its study session March 3.

The developer wants to increase the building height for office and hotel uses from 60 feet to 90 feet or six stories and allow temporary outdoor events such as live music as a permitted right, according to Bubenheim.

The developer also proposes the town remove the requirement that a conditional-use permit is needed for an indoor or outdoor bar, lounge, tavern and have those uses be permitted by right.

According to Bubenheim, the developer was proposing to provide multiple restaurants with outdoor seating and the ability to serve alcohol.

The Square at SanTan Village project includes the 77,000-square-foot hotel with about 120 room and six buildings for offices, retail and restaurants.

A large outdoor plaza area is planned at the center of the six buildings for outdoor events and seating areas. And all the restaurants are expected to have outdoor dining patio areas that front

The area shaded in green is the location of a 21-acre multiuse project now under town review.

(Special to GSN)

the outdoor plaza area.

A virtual neighborhood meeting on the project was held Sept. 17 and attended by one resident who did not provide any comments, according to staff.

Planning Commissioner Colby Ashton, an alternate, said he was concerned with loud noises that might come from the outdoor events Bubenheim responded the applicant has provided a noise study of the site.

“The noise study concluded that there wouldn’t be a huge impact on the noise levels that currently exist adjacent to the freeway and that they wouldn’t exceed the noise ordinance that the town currently has,” she said.

“But I can have a follow-up conversation with the development team on that noise study as well.”

Vice Chairman Jan Simon voiced concerns that there weren’t enough areas for refuse for where the restaurants are proposed.

Bubenheim said staff shared that same concern but the updated site plan, which hasn’t been submitted for review yet, “does look like they have proposed

a couple more bins along the hotel and along the offices as well.”

“We will still have to check with environmental services that there are adequate trash pickups for the restaurants, retail, hotel and the office, so that’s an ongoing conversation,” she said.

Simon also questioned if there would be enough parking should the hotel and two office buildings increase to six stories.

“We’re going off of the square footage that they’re noting at the moment,” Bubenheim said. “When future design reviews come forward or if the offices end up changing that square footage, we would re-assess the parking.

“There have been discussions in the past about having parking structures in place of some of the surface parking.”

Simon added that he didn’t have any concerns with the noise level and that he “really like the project.”

Chairman Carl Bloomfield also had concerns.

“An overall kind of sense that I get is that we have this somewhat outdated development plan that was created back about 20 years ago,” he said, add-

ing: “This parcel has been through several stages and trying to achieve development and it seems like now they’ve kind of thrown a big, old, wide blanket over it, picked the best parts of the old PAD and the current (land development code) that would be allowed under these same conditions and now blending them together and giving them a wide berth of a whole bunch of different materials and concepts that can be applied.”

Bloomfield said staff should make sure there is a good theme for the project and “that the developer is really trying to be in the driver’s seat on it and create the vision instead of saying, ‘Hey, I have this great piece of property. If you have an idea come and join it.’”

“I would much prefer having the developer be in the driver’s seat and create a good, strong theme and plan for what’s going on there and attract the users rather than have them come to him,” he added. “We’ve seen it being successful in other areas of town. This is a prime piece of property and we’d like to see it continue to be that.”

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

COVID from page 1

fied – like their counterparts throughout the state – into making plans no one ever imagined at the beginning of 2020.

For the 2020-21 academic year, HUSD, with 13 campuses, and Gilbert Public Schools, with 40 campuses, initially reopened with distance instruction before transitioning to classroom learning.

The governing boards and staff worked through the summer devising plans and instituting protocols such as wearing masks and cleaning more often to ensure a safe return.

They spent a bunch of money, too.

To date, GPS has spent approximately $760,000 on personal protection equipment, cleaning supplies and custodial overtime, according to spokeswoman Dawn Antestenis.

“As a school district we were already one-to-one for student laptop devices at the secondary level so there was limited need to purchase additional laptops,” she added.

Joseph did not provide how much HUSD has spent addressing COVID-19, only saying the district continues to spend its pandemic-relief funds on everyday preventative and protective needs such as laptops, instructional software, cleaning supplies and more.

Gilbert Public Schools came up with a unique way to get as close as it could to a true commencement experience for seniors last May when it developed a hologram of each high school’s principal. (GSN file photo) Unlike HUSD, which remained steadfast in its decision to keep teachers and students in the classrooms, GPS vacillated between hybrid and in-person learning and paid a price for it.

“Year over year from 2019-20 to 2020-21 school year we have a loss of around 1,200 actual students in enroll-

ment,” said GPS spokeswoman Dawn Antestenis in an email.

The district’s average daily membership count, however, dropped by 3,883, according to the March 2 presentation of revisions to the Fiscal Year 2021 budget to the board. The state uses ADM in calculating how much funding a school

district receives.

According to Antestenis, the district lost $14.3 million between 2019-20 and the current school year.

HUSD lost 117 students – a less than 1 percent decrease, according to Joseph.

“The total dollar amount for that loss is estimated $510,067,” she said.

The state Department of Education gave GPS $26.3 million and HUSD $5.9 million. HUSD administrators told the governing board last week that they expect to received about $6.7 million out of the $600 million Arizona is getting expressly for schools under President Biden’s $1.9 trillion relief plan that Congress signed off on last week.

Also, as a result of the pandemic, HUSD sped up its plans for an on-line academy.

GPS’ Global Academy has been operating for years and with the pandemic, it saw its enrollment rise to over 9,000 students in August from its typical 125 head count.

HUSD was one of the few East Valley districts without this program.

“Higley Unified School District started the initial planning for the virtual academy before the start of the pandemic,” Jo-

see COVID page 11

COVID-19 was no bar to town services Businesses suffered in Gilbert because of the statewide shutdown, so the town used some of its pandemic relief money to help them out.

GSN NEWS STAFF

G

ilbert didn’t skip a beat when COVID-19 came to town last March.

Although the town closed park amenities, canceled recreation programs and events and sent a majority of its employees home to work, service to the public continued unabated through a digital or virtual format.

In the early months of the pandemic, the mayor declared a state of emergency, Town Council enacted a 30-day mask mandate and utility cut-offs were temporarily suspended.

Even the town’s planned 100th-birthday celebration in July ended up as a bunch of online activities such as printing out three pages of “Gilbert Birth-

(GSN file photo)

day” coloring pages.

But despite the statewide business lockdowns and job loss, Gilbert didn’t fare too badly.

It was ranked No. 2 in October among municipalities nationwide for being

quickest to recover from the pandemic’s fallout.

And, with the $29.2 million Gilbert received in federal relief dollars, the town ended up dedicating 98 percent of it for local businesses and nonprofits. The Town was able to do so by using General Fund dollars freed up by Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act money, which was

restricted to spending on public safety costs.

The town is currently under a phased reopening of its facilities. In May, it launched Phase 1 with the reopening of recreational facilities, programs and events with restrictions.

Town Council and Planning Commission meetings are opened back up for the public but with a limited capacity while other minor board meetings are still virtual.

Phase 2 kicked off in June, where up to 25 percent of the remote workforce returned on site. The dates for Phase 3 and 4, have not been announced yet.

According to the town’s plan, the future work environment will include a hybrid of on-site and remote work in appropriate situations.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

PARK from page 4

sessment and perhaps it was too much for the south side of town.

Parks and Recreation Director Robert Carmon said the assessment indicated the need for eight more ball fields, two adult and three youth, for when the town reaches build-out.

Carmona said staff saw it as an opportunity to have more adult-playing fields as that was one of the highest requests the department receives.

Ferron also asked if the proposed fields would compete with Cactus Yards, which includes eight scaled-down replicas of famous ball fields.

Carmona said he didn’t see that happening and that the park’s fields would complement the sports facility.

He also responded to Ferron’s question on park accessibility.

“Accessibility is always one of our main goals,” Carmona said. “Every area of the park is accessible.”

Atterbury said an action sports zone is proposed to align with the planned Ocotillo Bridge, connecting Ocotillo Road over the regional park.

The zone would be a dedicated space for skaters and bikers so they can feel safe, he added.

The plan also includes open spaces for backyard games – spaces to bring people together for fun programs, Atterbury said.

Board member Paul Gonzales asked if the backyard games would be built in or something that families would need to bring to the park.

Games such as ping pong and cornhole have concrete versions and he expected the games to be permanent fixtures but people would need to bring things like paddles.

There are also opportunities for locating art such as murals in the park, according to Atterbury.

As for signs to direct people to all the amenities the 272-acre park will have to offer, Carmona said electrical conduits will be placed in so LED screens can be installed in the future phases.

The Town’s Capital Improvement Budget showed the estimated cost for Phase 2 at $52 million and for Phase 3, $97 million, which would be paid for with a future bond.

NEWS

“The masterplan process also includes a new cost model, which will be developed after all comments are received in our outreach,” Carmona later said.

“The timing of the bond and any future phase construction timelines have not been finalized,” he added. “The Town will have further discussions on the construction timelines and funding after the cost models have been completed.”

To date, the first phase of the town’s largest park was completed last year on 30 acres.

It gradually opened in fall 2019 with Phase 1A, which included a 17-foot iconic playground, a splash pad with 57 different water features and a tot playground.

Phase 1B, opened last October with features such as a fishing lake, an amphitheater, pickleball courts and an event lawn.

The town also set aside 40 acres for private-public partnerships.

The town in 2019 inked a deal with a developer to build The Strand, a 25-acre water park.

Carmona told the board he anticipated bringing an update on that project in May or June.

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

GOP lawmakers setting up early voting roadblocks

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

R

epublican state lawmakers, including all five whose districts include parts of Gilbert, are moving on multiple fronts to erect new hurdles for early voters.

On a party-line vote, GOP senators decided to scrap existing laws that determine the validity of early ballots based solely on county election workers matching their signatures on the envelopes with what’s on file.

Instead, they would need to provide an affidavit with their date of birth and the number of a state driver’s license, identification card or tribal enrollment card.

State lawmakers also are one step away from removing the concept of “permanent’’ from the state’s permanent early voting list.

The House Committee on Government and Elections approved a measure that would require counties to stop sending out an early ballot to anyone who has not used it in either of the last two statewide or federal elections.

Even at that, the proposal by Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, would require county recorders to send a notice to people informing them of the pending removal from the list. Then, if the voter responded, he or she would remain on the list and continue to get ballots in the mail.

Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, said the measure, which already has been approved by the Senate and now awaits a House vote, is just another attempt to make voting more difficult. She said the evidence shows that it would more likely affect minorities.

What makes all that important is that Rep. Raquel Teran, D-Phoenix, said data from the 2020 election shows there were about 126,000 people who cast a ballot in that record-breaking year but had not, for whatever reason, used their early ballots in 2016 or 2018. Had this measure been in effect, she said, is none of those people would have gotten early ballots last year.

And Salman said that, given the propensity of minority votes to skew Demo-

Athena Salmon

J.D. Mesnard

Jake Hoffman

crat, eliminating those votes would have allowed Donald Trump to win in Arizona.

She wasn’t the only one to link the 2020 victory of Joe Biden to SB 1485. Sandy Bahr, chapter director of the Sierra Club, also suggested a direct link between the measure and the 2020 election.

“Is it because more and more Arizonans are using early ballots to vote?’’ she asked of the motives behind the bill.

About 80 percent of Arizonans voted early in November.

“Or is it because the election results were different than certain people would have liked?’’ Bahr asked.

LD 12 Rep. Jake Hoffman, a Queen Creek Republican whose district includes Gilbert, rejected the idea of some “grand conspiracy’’ to make it harder for minorities to vote and said “this is an administrative cleanup.”

Backers have another argument.

“This will reduce the opportunity for ballots to be sent out to people who are no longer voting,’’ Ugenti-Rita said, ballots that may then be picked up by someone else and voted.

Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said that would be easy to do.

He said the only check now on validity of early ballots is a comparison of signatures on the envelope by election workers with those on file. But Kavanagh said it would be easy for someone to get another person’s signature, perhaps off of publicly filed documents, and simply trace it.

Anyway, he said, it’s not like county election workers are trained to be forensic signature experts.

Salman said there are good reasons for suspicions of sinister motives by Republicans and why, in her words, SB 1485 should be seen as a “voter suppression bill.’’

She pointed to arguments made a week ago at the U.S. Supreme Court by Michael Carvin, an attorney for the Arizona Republican Party.

He is defending a 2016 law which makes it a crime for anyone to take someone else’s early ballot to the polls in situations where the voter forgets to get it in the mail on time to arrive before 7 p.m.

Election Day. Asked why the GOP is a party in the case, Carvin was clear. “It puts us at a competitive disadvantage relative to Democrats,’’ he said.

“Politics is a zero-sum game,’’ Carvin continued. “And every extra vote they get through unlawful interpretations of Section 2 hurts us. It’s the difference between winning an election 50 to 49 and losing an election.’’

The Senate bill would require voters without a driver’s license to send a copy of any other federal state or locally issued ID card.

The proposal by Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, gets more complicated.

First, there’s the need for someone’s voter registration number.

“Raise your hand if you know your vot-

er registration number,’’ said Sen. Sean Bowie, D-Tempe.

Then they have to enclose an actual physical copy of something with their actual address like a utility bill dated within the past 90 days.

Right now, any ballot delivered by the post office by 7 p.m. on Election Day gets counted.

SB 1593 says any ballot not actually postmarked by the prior Thursday is discarded even if it shows up before close of business on Election Day. Nothing the bill precludes a voter from taking that early ballot to a polling place on Election Day, turning it in and instead getting a regular ballot.

Ugenti-Rita said criticism of the GOP measures amounts to saying that Republicans are racists.

She said the new forms of ID don’t disenfranchise anyone and that nothing in legislation applies solely to one group.

But Sen. Kirsten Engel, D-Tucson, pointed out that courts have voided otherwise “facially neutral’’ law if they have a disproportionate impact on minorities.

Mesnard said he sees nothing wrong with providing some extra security to ensure that the votes received come from the people who were supposed to get those ballots.

Still, Mesnard said he will make some further changes when the bill now goes to the House to ease some of those requirements.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

Town land-grab suit continued to July GSN NEWS STAFF

T

he case of a downtown businessman’s nearly 3-year-old fight with the Town over a land grab was continued to July 1 as Gilbert officials still refuse to disclose what was spent so far for outside counsel.

A hearing was set for March 8 after the Town asked for a reconsideration of the court’s October ruling in favor of a higher appraised value of the land officials took for a parking garage.

Marc Barlow in 2018 rejected the Town’s $145,000 offer for his land and countered with a $670,000-appraised value after the building next to him sold for $1.6 million.

Barlow has said his fight with the town has cost him about $100,000 on legal fees and related litigation costs.

Town officials have declined to reveal they have spent so far for hiring two outside legal firms, saying it would jeopardize the case.

COVID from page 8

seph said. “However, the pandemic escalated the need for a virtual academy and created a different sense of urgency.”

Recently, the district hired a principal for the academy, which officially launches next school year.

Interestingly, as COVID cases spiked in the state and in Gilbert after the winter break, GPS and HUSD continued to see low spread on their campuses, an indication that the districts’ mitigation strategies were working.

Now, with many of their employees having received their vaccines, both districts are planning for in-person graduation ceremonies and are talking about holding proms and other end-of-theyear events again.

“This has undoubtedly been a challenging year, for our students, our educators, and our community as a whole,” Antestenis said.

“As a school district during this unprecedented time, there has been a frequent need to pivot and evolve, in order to meet the diverse needs of our stu-

Last week a town spokeswoman provided further explanation after being pressed by Gilbert Sun News.

“Such information can be used by the opposing party to try to influence the judge and/or public sentiment regarding the relative resources of the parties and/or the propriety of the legal arguments that have been asserted in the case,” said spokeswoman Jennifer Harrison in an email.

“Further, standing alone, that information can be misleading in that it is not and cannot be correlated with the various legal issues that were the impetus for the legal fees incurred,” she wrote.

Harrison said there has been substantial pre-trial litigation concerning the Town’s right to condemn and various other matters regarding the applicable legal standards used to determine just compensation.

“Although the right to condemn has been established, many of the latter dents and families,” she continued.

“We have dealt with many new challenges, from an unanticipated need for online learning options K-12, to the extensive planning required to implement and maintain mitigation measures on our 40 campuses. Collaboration has been key.”

She added the district was confident of finishing the school year strong.

Like virtually all other districts, GPS and Higley also will be turning their attention to the learning loss students sustained during the tumultuous year.

State education chief Kathy Hoffman said most of the $600 million in new federal relief money would be directed at that.

GOT NEWS

Contact Cecilia Chan at 480-898-5613 or cchan@timespublications.com

items remain in dispute,” she said. “In the opinion of the Town’s attorneys, it would be prejudicial to the town’s interests to publicly disseminate information concerning aggregate attorneys’ fees at this juncture.”

Harrison added the information could be obtained at a later date “The Town will respond as required by statute in light of the considerations applicable at the time,” Harrison said.

Gilbert commenced eminent domain proceedings against Barlow in 2018 for a five-story garage project in the Heritage District. The 600-space structure opened in March 2019 near Gilbert Road and Vaughn Avenue.

The land in question was a 755-square-foot triangular piece from the northeast corner of Barlow’s 12,000-square-foot vacant parcel in back of his existing building facing Gilbert Road. The town took it to build a roundabout at the garage entrance to accommodate emergency vehicles.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

Gilbert cop, dog ruled immune form lawsuit GSN NEWS STAFF

T

he 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling that a Gilbert Police officer is shielded from lawsuits when he deployed his K-9 during a DUI arrest.

Scott Harvey Hernandez claimed he was a victim of excessive force in his suit against the Town and canine officer Steve Gilbert over his 2016 arrest.

The U.S. District Court in April 2019 ruled in favor of the town and Officer Gilbert. Five other officers also were named in the suit.

The case was argued before the threejudge panel in November and their ruling affirming qualified immunity for Officer Gilbert was filed earlier this month.

Hernandez’s brush with the law occurred on the evening of May 5, 2016, while he was driving home after he had been drinking with friends at a local Mad Dog Saloon, according to court documents.

Officer Chris Robinson, named in the suit, saw Hernandez’s car swerving and activated his emergency lights but Hernandez continued driving for about a

HIGLEY from page 5

Richards said.

Richards said some students may pass one semester and not the other, so this system allows them to only retake the semester they didn’t pass and “get them in shape to move forward.”

High school summer classes will be available for math, English, science, and social studies, Richards said. She said classes are not limited to students who failed a semester, and students can attend if they want to improve an already passing grade.

The district will also offer boost classes during the summer, Richards said, that will not count for credit, but are for students who need “a little remediation going into seventh grade or going into their freshman year of algebra.”

Boost classes will only be offered for students preparing seventh grade math

A federal appeals earlier this month ruled that Gilbert Police Officer Steve Gilbert is shielded by immunity from a lawsuit filed by a drunk driver who was bitten by the officer’s K-9 while resisting arrest, (GSN file photo) minute and half until he pulled into his driveway.

Hernandez opened his garage door remotely, pulled into the garage and proceeded to close the door, which Robinson stopped.

Gilbert and Officer Justin Leach, also

included in the suit, arrived as back-up.

Over the next two and a half minutes, Robinson gave at least 13 verbal orders for Hernandez to step out of his vehicle and warned he would be arrested for failure to comply.

Hernandez refused, repeatedly saying,

and ninth-grade algebra in the fall. She said the district chose to focus on math “because sometimes those foundational concepts are where our kids struggle. If we have gaps in math, we’re in trouble.”

Boost classes will be held between Monday through Thursday June 7-24 between 7:30-11:30 a.m.

The district is also offering a summer session physical education class, for students who are “planning ahead, they want to get this credit out of the way so they have more opportunities during the school year,” Richards said.

The summer PE class counts for one PE credit, costs $250, and will be held in person at Higley High, 7:30-11:30 a.m.

June 7-24.

HUSD Acting Chief Financial Officer Jeff Gadd said the district expected to receive about $6.7 million in ESSER III

funds sometime in the summer or fall of 2021, and “25 percent of that amount needs to be used for regression,” or learning loss.

Foley said for last year’s government funding, “in the budget, there was an incentive for summer school, and that isn’t there this year, but the expectation is that you use ESSER for this.”

Gadd said after the district uses 25 percent of ESSER III to combat learning loss and some more towards indirect costs, about $3 million-$4 million may remain for “a district decision at the time,” on where to allocate funds.

Also in Wednesday’s board meeting, the board tentatively approved a management and operating budget for the fall 2021 school year proposed by Finance Director Tyler Moore.

According to Moore, the district has

“No, I’m right here.”

For over a minute, Robinson tried to force Hernandez out of the car by using control holds such as grabbing Hernandez’s left forearm, left leg, his head and his right ear.

Hernandez resisted tucking his arms close to his body and repeating, “No, I’m not under arrest.”

According to Robinson, Hernandez’s eyes were bloodshot, his speech was slurred and his breath smelled of alcohol.

Robinson then used pepper spray without any effect and proceeded to warn Hernandez eight more times he was under arrest and needed to exit the car.

He also warned Hernandez at least five times that a police dog would bite him if he didn’t get out of the car.

When Hernandez told officers that they were on his property, Officer Gilbert gave another warning before commanding his dog Murphy to bite him.

The dog bit Hernandez’s arm for 50 seconds, documents say. Hernandez still refused to comply, clinging to the front passenger seat’s headrest but was finally

see LAWSUIT page 13

about $8.6 million in “excess budget that we have to use for next year.” Using this surplus, he proposed a 5-percent increase in base salaries for all employees.

“This 5-percent increase to employees would go a long way in showing our support as a district, especially this year,” Moore said. “It also maintains competitive salaries with our neighboring districts, in order to retain and attract teachers,” he added.

Human Resources Executive Director Mum Martens proposed a new salary schedule in Wednesday’s board meeting as well, to be considered for approval at a later date. Martens proposed a 2.5-percent increase in base salary for new certified teachers, school counsel-

see HIGLEY page 13

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

LAWSUIT from page 12

The judges found that Hernandez failed to identify a violation of any “clearly established” right and therefore Officer Gilbert was entitled to qualified immunity.

Officer Gilbert may be out of hot water on this case but last fall he was charged with tempering with a public record, false testimony and making a false public record.

The felony charges stemmed from a May 8, 2020, incident where Officer Gilbert was accused of changing the arrest location on documents for a suspect wanted for two outstanding felony warrants, according to news reports.

The County Attorney filed the criminal complaint against Gilbert in July after he was arrested.

The case was eventually dismissed without prejudice but county prosecutors placed Gilbert on the Brady List, a list of officers with credibility issues.

Gilbert Police also instigated its own internal investigation of the officer, which was still ongoing last week.

“Officer Gilbert’s status is that he remains in a reassigned, non-enforcement position as his internal investigation is still pending,” said department spokeswoman Brenda Carrasco.

ors and district instructional coaches.

Martens said a 2.5-percent increase in salary for new staff, compared with the 5-percent increase approved for existing staff, could be considered “internal equity, because of the fact that we want to view individuals that have been with us and value the time that they have spent their tenure and chosen us.”

Martens also proposed pay increases for substitute teachers.

She said the increase would keep positions competitive with other districts and “let our sites know, not only in terms of our employees, and our teachers, but also our administration, that we’re here to support you,” by having substitute teachers available when needed.

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pulled from the car by the officers.

Hernandez’s blood alcohol content exceeded the legal limit of 0.08 percent at 0.146.

Hernandez was booked on one felony charge for resisting arrest and two misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence and failure to comply with a police office. He ultimately pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge, according to the court record.

The district court in its ruling found it was not clearly established that Officer Gilbert acted unreasonably and violated Hernandez’s rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Hernandez appealed, arguing the use of the dog and the duration of the bite violated the law because he had surrender.

The panel, however, noted video from police body cameras contradicted Hernandez’s claim.

The judges held that the use of the dog was not a violation of the law because Hernandez was a noncompliant suspect who resisted other types of force.

The ruling also stated Hernandez did not surrender and that the officers had to physically drag him from his car after the dog bite

HIGLEY from page 12

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Chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and the most debilitating balance problems.

This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet which causes the nerves to begin to degenerate due to lack of nutrient flow.

determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation. As long as you have not sustained at least 95% nerve damage there is hope!

Fig. 2

NOTE: Once you have sustained 95% nerve loss, there is likely nothing that we can do for you.

3) How much treatment will your condition require?

Aspen Medical will do a chronic pain and neuropathy severity examination to determine the extent of the nerve damage as a public service to you and/or your family and friends. This neuropathy/ pain severity examination will consist of a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and a detailed analysis of the findings of your neuropathy.

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1) Increase blood flow 2) Stimulate and increase small fiber nerves 3) Decrease brain-based pain The treatment to increase blood flow, stimulate small nerve fibers and get you back to health is our new $50,000.00 SANEXAS UNIT!

As you can see in Figure 2, as the blood vessels that surround the nerves become diseased they shrivel up which causes the nerves to not get the nutrients to continue to survive. When these nerves begin to “die” they cause you to have balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and many additional symptoms.

The main problem is that your doctor has told you to just live with the problem or try the drugs which you don’t like taking because they make you feel uncomfortable. There is now a facility right here in Mesa that offers you hope without taking those endless drugs with serious side effects.

(See the special neuropathy severity examination at the end of this article) In order to effectively treat your neuropathy three factors must be determined.

1) What is the underlying cause?

2) How much nerve damage has been sustained.

In addition, we use a state-of-the-art diagnostics like the TM Flow diagnostic unit to accurately determine the increase in blood flow and a small skin biopsy to accurately determine the increase in small nerve fibers!

The Sanexas electric cell signaling system delivers energy to the affected area of your body at varying wavelengths, including both low-frequency and middle-frequency signals. It also uses amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) signaling.

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The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be

Aspen Medical will be offering this chronic pain and neuropathy severity examination from now until March 31, 2021. Call 480274-3157 to make an appointment to determine if your chronic pain and peripheral neuropathy can be successfully treated.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

For more community news visit gilbertsunnews.com

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Dog trainer finds owners need schooling too

BY STACI HAUK GSN Contributor

P

eople may want a dog trainer to address canine behavioral to emotional issues but Ricardo Paredes said owners themselves often need some training too.

The Gilbert man started CharlieBar Boarding & Training six years ago, realizing a passion that he has had since childhood.

“I was the kid that would save baby birds and raise them until they could fly,” Paredes said. “I grew up having many dogs so I thought I would become a veterinarian.

“However, as I matured and went onto college, I pursued a degree in animal behavior, only changing courses to sociology when the math requirements

Longtime Gilbert dog trainer Ricardo Paredes said that in his experience, a canine’s owner often needs as much training as the anmal. (Special

to GSN)

became too intense.”

While working at a job that paid the bills, he nurtured his childhood obsession by rescuing stray dogs and bringing them home to help and heal.

“One day I found two German Shepherds who were in horrible shape – dirty, emaciated, no collars and covered in ticks,” Paredes recalled. “I brought them home and I got them back to health.

I soon noticed that these dogs were incredibly aggressive towards other dogs and had absolutely no in-home manners.

“I worked with them until I was able to rehabilitate them enough to be with my dogs Charlie and Lily, as well as able to go to the dog park.”

At the time, Paredes did not know

see TRAINER page 16

3 Gilbert Girl Scouts earn Gold Award GSN NEWS STAFF

T

hree Gilbert Girl Scouts will be honored later this month with the Gold Award.

The Gilbert teens – Rhiannon Ridley, Ainsley Snyder and Chloe Stoops – are among 19 who will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony March 27 for earning Girl Scouts’ highest award.

Considered the hardest to earn, the Gold Award challenges high school-age Girl Scouts to take action in their communities by tackling an issue they are passionate about and developing sustainable solutions.

“Recipients of Girl Scouts’ highest honor are part of an elite group of Girl Scouts who have distinguished themselves as prominent leaders in their communities and as true changemakers,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO for Girl Scouts of America Cactus-Pine

Ainsley Snyder

Chloe Stoops

Rhiannon Ridley

Council.

Woodbury called the winners “visionary leaders” and noted that this year’s winners have addressed a number of major issues – such as teaching others about climate change and sustainability, helping eliminate the stigma around

mental health and creating libraries and activity stations for seniors in assisted living centers.

In addition, their projects help them develop their collaboration and problem-solving skills, while gaining confidence and lifelong leadership capabili-

ties as well as leaving a positive impact.

“Gold Award Girl Scouts are proven to show significantly higher success in life reaching their goals in education, career, and volunteer work, compared to non-

see SCOUTS page 15

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

SCOUTS from page 14

alums,” said Woodbury.

With the Gold Award, girls can take advantage of unique scholarship opportunities, be entitled to enlist at a higher pay grade when they join the military, and distinguish themselves among the competition in the college admissions process and when entering the workforce.

Here’s a closer look at the three Gilbert Gold Award winners.

Rhiannon Ridley While visiting her grandmother at a memory care facility, Rhiannon learned that center had been missing some hands-on activity stations.

This impacted the residents’ daily routines, and Rhiannon wanted to ensure the residents and her grandmother stayed engaged.

Using some of her cookie sale proceeds and donations, she installed several activity stations and painted a few pictures to hang up around the facility.

The stations included a baby station where residents can take care of baby dolls, a pet care station, and a dress up

station complete with dresses and ties and hats.

“The residents have expressed how much joy this brought them and its positive impact on their mental health,” a Girl Scouts spokeswoman said. “A lesson Rhiannon learned during this process was being patient and that anything can achieved with hard work and time.”

A 12-year member of Girl Scouts, she also said her goal is “to be kind and respectful to everyone no matter who they are, how they are, or how they act.”

After graduating from Mesquite High School, she plans to attend an in-state college or the Air Force Academy.

Ainsley Snyder The rainwater recycling garden that Ainsley built for Gilbert Classical Academy’s Special Education Department includes sustainable garden boxes and curriculum for students to develop fine motor skills through gardening.

She created a gutter system to collect rainwater, designed and built the boxes

got skin?

and developed the program guide to make the project sustainable.

The program focuses on helping students exercise their hand-eye coordination and small muscle movements by caring for the garden.

The installation of the garden has provided the opportunity for many students to develop their skills for years to come. She called it “very rewarding” to know she provided skill-building opportunities for others for years to come.

She said being a Girl Scout for 12 years gave her many opportunities she wouldn’t have had otherwise, and helped her become a well-rounded adult. Ainsley is now attending Idaho State University on a golf scholarship, studying chemistry and mathematics for secondary education.

Chloe Stoops Fascinated by science since a young age and getting ready for college, Chloe was concerned about the lack of female representation and role models in

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STEM fields.

As she learned of all the challenges women face and the shocking low numbers of women in STEM, she wanted to make sure future generations of women didn’t face these. For several months, Chloe researched and interviewed several female STEM professionals and shared their stories on a website she built called womeninstemgoldaward. com.

In addition, she shared resources for girls to help stimulate interest in these fields or to get started in one!

To spread awareness, Chloe distributed business cards with her website at schools and secured a place in the Arizona State University Chapter of Society of Women Engineers newsletter and website.

“I hope this will encourage other girls, like myself. Over the course of my project, I have learned that I have the ability to make a lasting impact on others,” said Chloe, a 13-year Scout who plans major in aerospace engineering and minor in astrophysics.

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TRAINER from page 14

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

much about dog training and was going largely off of instinct.

His work with the two German Shepherds inspired him to start rehabilitating dogs for re-homing.

His beloved dog Charlie (CharBar) was tragically killed around this time by a high speeding car and he named his company after him – CharlieBar. “I found a mentor named Sean Thompson, an amazing competitive dog trainer, who I knew would be able to teach me everything I needed to know to find success,” Paredes explained.

“I offered to work for him for free in order to learn his craft. I worked for him for about a year, and in that time, he taught me how to train dogs at the level that I am at now. I posted social media videos of animals as they’d progress and that helped me gain momentum. Today, we are very successful.”

When it comes to owners, some of his common training challenges include people who are not ready for animal ownership, especially if the animals

were gifted as a surprise.

He also has encountered owners who do not understand a breed and its uniqueness or don’t know how properly socialize a new animal, which leads to reactivity, separation anxiety and possessive behavior.

“The key for a dog to be successful in a home as well as happy is to have an owner that understands how important clear, concise, and consistent communication is for pets,” Paredes said.

“I am a dog trainer that is known as a balanced trainer. This means I understand the role that both positive reinforcement and negative enforcement play in successful ownership.”

He said most trainers are either “all force or all positive.”

“When I train a dog, I focus on tools of communication which allow the dog to understand exactly when it is right and exactly when it is wrong,” he said.

“The goal is for the dog to make its own decisions. This could only happen properly if the dog is trained using a fair

and clear format of communication.”

While he offers private sessions and also boards trainees, “in both formats, the owner needs to know how to continue training the dog,” he said.

“If the leader does not know what they are doing, it does not matter what the followers are taught. We ensure that the owner knows how to continue training the dog or how to start from scratch.”

CharlieBar works with countless shelters, rehabilitating dogs that were set to be euthanized. Achieving goals with these special animals is perhaps the most rewarding.

“We worked with a dog named Sophie who we trained to be a service dog for a woman with mobility issues,” he said.

“This dog was taught to do so many things, it’s actually quite impressive.

“There are also other dogs, such as a dog named Knox, who was rescued and sent to us for training. His situation looked bleak, but we turned him around and were able to get him a home in which he literally saved the lives of his

owners in a home invasion.”

He recalled having a service dog that was not properly prepped for the job.

Yet, “within three months we were able to train her to do many tasks for a young girl inhibited from lifting things and performing standard tasks. My many success stories can be found on my Facebook Page.”

Paredes said he continues to follows dogs that are in his care even those that are sadly dumped at his facility. He ensures they end up with a better life then when he first met them.

Sara Lipich, a Gilbert mom with a rescue dog named Gemma, said her pet needed extensive training.

“I think the bond that is formed through positive reinforcement training is so important,” Lipich said. “You get to know each other and understand what to predict from one another. That bond helps you navigate all the situations you can’t prepare for.”

Information: facebook.com/CharlieBarTraining

ALISON STANTON GSN Guest EWriter

ated her first circuit-based electroporation device in 2019.

Her first device used an Arduino that sent 300 volts of electricity into a vial for 3/10 of a second.

It successfully increased the antibiotic acceptance within the cells and the petri dishes that received the electroporation showed a significant decrease in bacterial growth, Bailey Tischer of Gilbert, a junior at San Tan Charter School, developed a unique device for her school’s science fair that could Bailey said.

Although Bailey have real-world benefits. (Courtesy San Tan Charter) was ready to dis“In theory, this research can help cure play her first electroporation device in diseases and illnesses at a much faster March 2020, San Tan Charter School had rate,” Bailey said, adding that she cre- to cancel the annual science fair.

Bailey was also unable to access the laboratory at school because students were learning from home during the fourth quarter.

To help keep her interest in science up and running, Bailey last summer applied and earned a position in Arizona State University’s Science and Engineering Experience (SCENE), a mentoring program for molecular and bio-engineering sciences.

“During the program, I was able to work one-on-one with Professor Nathan Newman to continue to enhance my electroporation research,” Bailey said.

Newman and the other professors involved with the SCENE program were definitely impressed with Bailey and her hard work and perseverance.

“To our delight, Bailey chose an interesting and important question: what factors determine the permeability of cell membranes to biological species? If successful, the results of this experiment

Gilbert teen’s science fair exhibit impresses experts

S

chool science fairs often feature dioramas about Thomas Edison and electricity, poster boards that explain how crystals grow and the always popular vinegar and baking soda volcano.

Bailey Tischer, a 16-year-old junior from San Tan Charter School in Gilbert, took her school’s science fair project to a whole new level with an experiment that may have a real impact on the way diseases can be treated.

Bailey, a Gilbert resident in the school’s gifted program, developed her own electroporation device for the event.

In the real world, this type of device is worth about $2,000 but Bailey figured out how to make a working model for $2.

As Bailey explained, an electroporation device sends a split second of high voltage electricity into a vial containing cells in an attempt to open a cellular membrane to allow vital antibiotics to enter.

see SCIENCE page 17

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

SCIENCE from page 16

will play an important role in the development of new antibiotics, an essential tool in every doctor’s toolkit,” Newman said.

Bailey learned quickly and her persistence consistently paid off, Newman said, adding that the experiment went remarkably well and he is confident that it will provide important and useful answers.

“What Bailey achieved is very impressive for any student, let alone one still in high school. It has been so great having such a talented and enthusiastic student working in our program at Arizona State University.”

When students were able to return to San Tan Charter School last September, Bailey was once again able to access San Tan Charter School’s science lab and continue her research even further and make a new electroporator with $2 worth of supplies.

“My hand-built device successfully electroporated the cells by opening the cellular membrane, allowing antibiotic and DNA to enter the cell. Also, the petri

dishes that received electroporation showed a substantial success, proving the device worked,” Bailey said.

Brandon Tauscher, principal at San Tan Charter School, said he will always remember the day when Bailey learned that her experiment was successful.

“She was literally bouncing around the room, beaming with excitement as she proudly told everyone in the office.

I couldn’t be prouder of her,” Tauscher said.

“Bailey is just one example of our brilliant student population here at San Tan Charter School,” he added, noting a third of its enrollment comprises gifted students.

The 7th-12th grade Scholar’s Prep Program and K-6 self-contained gifted classrooms “help assist in accomplishing amazing things like Bailey has done this year,” Tauscher added.

“I can’t wait to see where her career takes her into the future.”

San Tan Charter is a K-12 public nonprofit tuition- free charter school. Information: santancharterschool.com.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 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

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Business

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

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Gilbert game store owner bids fond farewell

BY CASEY FLANAGAN GSN Staff Writer

I

t’s “game over” for Jo Ann Mazak after serving the town’s gaming community for 25 years from her popular store, Game Zone. Mazak said she is closing the family business in part because “I’ve been working by myself for quite a while, and with Amazon and the virus, I couldn’t hire employees right now.”

She also said it is simply “time for me to retire.”

Mazak opened the game store with her husband and son back in 1996, “when the Nintendo 64’s came out.”

“My husband and son were there every day and I just helped out at that time,” said Mazak, who has been running the shop herself since her husband and son both passed away about 10 years ago.

Game Zone mostly sold older video games and accessories.

Joe Romero, seen with Game Zone owner Jo Ann Mazak, painted the Crash Bandicoot 25 years ago when he was 15. (Courtesy of Cheryl Smerekar)

Some customers at Pure Esports arrived at 10 a.m. and don’t leave till midnight, mesmerized by the adrenalin rush of competing with gamers around the world. (Special to GSN)

“The old ones really sell, like the first Nintendo 64’s, Game Cubes. People like the old stuff,” said Mazak, who also sold plushies and figurines.

Mazak said she sold the Gilbert Road storefront to Amazing Discoveries, a store just a few doors down that sells games, comics and toys.

see

FAREWELL page 21

Gilbert woman’s juice stores expanding

BY DAVID M. BROWN GSN Contributor

K

aleidoscope Juice co-owner Brooke Graves of Gilbert and her partner have picked downtown Chandler as their sixth Valley location, opening several weeks ago with its line of juices, smoothies, coffees, acai bowls, gluten-free baked goods, grab-and-go salads and other health-conscious items.

The store is in the atrium of the renovated Alexander building, 25 South Alexander Place, in the San Marcos neighborhood.

Designed and built by Scottsdale-based George Oliver, the contemporary-style Kaleidoscope includes a

green wall and its generous seating allows social distancing.

“George does incredible work and is focused on renovating spaces in the Valley to maintain history while providing modern workplace amenities,” said Graves, who is chief operating officer.

“We are delighted to continue our expansion in the East Valley and share our nourishing, Brooke Graves of Gilbert is the COO and co-owner of Kaleidohigh-vibe menu items scope Juice. (Special to Gilbert Sun News) with more members of

our Arizona community,” she said.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to continue to share our passion for healthy foods as we continue to grow the concept.”

Recognizing the trend for healthy fast casual food, and a need for organic meals and cold-press juice in particular, Alexandra Maw of Scottsdale won a business grant and started the company from her home in 2008 while she was attending Arizona State University.

Maw started by placing her fresh multi-colored juice in glass mason jars.

At first, a few loyal customers purchased

see KALEIDOSCOPE page 20

BUSINESS

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KALEIDOSCOPE from page 19

every week.

As the orders grew, the jars accumulated, and she noticed that the different colors resembled the lens of a kaleidoscope. Hence Kaleidoscope Juice.

She opened the first shop off 1st Avenue in Old Town Scottsdale in 2013.

Following were a Phoenix CASA store, also designed and built by Oliver; and two more Scottsdale locations, in Gainey Village and Optima Sonoran Village.

The Gilbert location, in its booming downtown, opened in February 2020.

Still a co-owner, Maw works at home while raising her daughter, Sarah, with husband Chris.

“Our mission is to nourish everyone who comes in contact with Kaleidoscope Juice with our cold-pressed juices, highvibe food, light bites and uplifting shopping experience to encourage happy and purpose-filled lives,” explained Graves, who is working on a Ph.D. in natural health and holistic nutrition at ASU. She graduated from ASU in 2014 with a degree in nutrition dietetics, minoring in sustainability to focus on agricultural development.

“My undergraduate and graduate degrees allowed a great base of medical nutrition therapy,” she said. “I wanted to move into a more holistic realm of nutrition focusing on food and product development.”

As a customer in 2014, she discovered Kaleidoscope Juice and started working part time while finishing her graduate school coursework.

“It was exciting from the start, and I resonated with Alexandra’s mission of serving high-quality, transparent food to the public,” she recalled.

They expanded the working relation-

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ship to a friendship and then a business partnership in 2018.

“She has given me encouragement and freedom to help grow and expand Kaleidoscope Juice with her, which has been the most rewarding job imaginable,” Maw added.

The company’s mission is to help improve the health and wellness of the community.

“It is proud to source the best organic ingredients, locally when we are able, to offer healthy food fast,” Graves said.

Kaleidoscope emphasizes freshness and quality, she added, noting that “our brand is representative of the care and intense ingredient control we hold near to our hearts.”

Among the many favorites are the Walk-In juice, Avo-Smash toast, Red Eye Smoothie and gluten-free protein cookies.

She explained that, moving forward, the company will shift into more therapeutic blends and innovative ingredients.

“We do not believe food is a trend; we believe food is medicine and with that you can truly change people’s lives. We plan to continue devoting our brand to the constant evolution of medical nutrition research while still holding to our roots of making health food delicious.”

Juice is not a means for weight loss, cleansing or detoxing. “We view juice as a more bioavailable means to enhance the consumption of quality organic fruits and vegetables,” Graves said.

Food should not restrict or punish, she added, but “it should be a way of introducing healing ingredients to your everyday life.

“Our juice, smoothie and tonic blends all serve a higher purpose to not only fulfill hunger but enhance cognitive function and promote healthy digestion,” she added. “With Kaleidoscope Juice, you’re eating to serve your soul, creating not only a healthy relationship with food but maintaining a true form of self-care.”

The Chandler Kaleidoscope is open every day, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information and menus, visit Kaleidoscope.love or follow on Facebook and Instagram @KaleidoscopeJuice.

BUSINESS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

FAREWELL from page 19

Game Zone owner Jo Ann Mazak holds little Chandler Roof, a second-generation fan of the closing store.

Amazing Discoveries is “moving everything to their store,” Mazak said, adding that they plan to “get a sign out front, and that way people will know that they have Game Zone games and stuff.”

Mazak said people sometimes come to Game Zone and tell her how much they enjoyed the store years ago when they were kids.

“They liked me I guess, I don’t know why,” Mazak said humbly.

One of those customers was Joe Romero, who is now 39 and lives in San Gabriel, California.

Romero painted a mural of Crash Bandicoot, a popular video game character, on the store’s wall when he was a teenager in 1997, he said.

Romero came back to the store recently with his father and his own children, he said.

When Mazak broke the news that the store is closing, “it was a moment for me,” Romero said, because Mazak had allowed him to “do a little piece of

(Courtesy of Cheryl Smerekar)

artwork and she kept it for that long.”

“My daughters are into artwork too, so it was kind of nice for them to see, ‘look, this is something that I did way back when.’”

“Nowadays, there’s other options to go,” Romero added, but to people he knows in Gilbert, “she’s like a legend, you know, it’s a really big part of the community.”

Chandler resident Chaz Schober, who grew up with the Mazaks

and used to test game systems after Mazak’s husband repaired them, had a similar sentiment about the store.

“If you wanted nostalgia, and you wanted a retro throwback to the 80s and 90s, that was the store,” Schober said.

Schober said big chains became hard to compete with for newer games and systems, but the nostalgic factor was “the pillar, the little niche that she filled in the community.”

Some loyal fans were upset to hear Mazak sold the store, she said, “but I just couldn’t do it anymore, it was a lot of work.”

Despite this, she added “I miss it, I miss all the people. I might go back and just sit there.”

Mazak left a sign on the door announcing that Game Zone would close, Schober said, and when they came back to the store there were “a bunch of handwritten notes and phone numbers,” from customers sad to see it go.

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Spring sports make their return after a year hiatus

BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

I

t’s an announcement that still holds some shock value even a year after it was made by the Arizona Interscholastic Association.

COVID-19, at the time a virus still relatively unknown to Arizonans, officially became a global pandemic in March 2020. What followed were shutdowns to businesses, schools and, on March 30, the spring sports season.

The AIA initially suspended the season on March 16, after Gov. Doug Ducey announced the closure of schools for two weeks. But as the closure extended, so did the suspension of spring sports until it was ultimately canceled.

“It was quick,” Highland head baseball coach Eric Kehoe said. “We played a double-header Saturday, off Sunday, practiced Monday and were rained out Tuesday. We found out Tuesday night we couldn’t practice. Just like that, we were done.

“It was just an empty feeling, especially for our seniors. Everything after that was just in limbo.”

Now in the new season, Highland is preparing to open its season March 16 against cross-town rival Gilbert. It’ll be the first time in over a year the Hawks put on their teal and black uniforms to compete against another team.

Senior catcher Chris Coyer couldn’t help but grin at the thought of the umpire yelling “play ball!” for the first time in over 12 months. It’s a thought that brings joy, excitement and some nerves at the same time.

But more than anything, being able to once again play for his school – especially now as a senior – he and the rest of his team have a new appreciation for the sport in general.

“There’s so much more of a love for

Highland’s varsity baseball team opens the 2021 season on March 16 against cross-town rival Gilbert.

(Zach Alvira/GSN Staff)

the leaderboards again, was busy going through various drills to prepare for its first game in over a year.

Head coach Mike Woods said, “I thought it was possible we might lose our season, but we held out for a good month,” Woods said. “As far as it affecting this season, I never saw that hapHighland senior catcher Chris Coyer said he and his teammates have a pening. We’re just happy new appreciation for baseball after last season was canceled due to the to be out here again and pandemic. (Zach Alvira/GSN Staff) we will do whatever we have to do to get the seabaseball and an appreciation,” Coyer son in.” said. “It was never an obligation, but it In Mesa, Skyline’s baseball program feels like it really isn’t anymore. We get was preparing for its season-opener on to live, love and breathe this sport every March 12 at Cibola in Yuma. day. We are more than thankful now to Echoing the sentiment of his peers, be able to come out here.”

Skyline head baseball coach Pat HerreThat same feeling has been expressed ra said he was shocked when the season by teams all across the East Valley. was canceled last season. So much so the Hamilton, which ended as the top- Coyotes’ 2020 schedule, where they only ranked team in the country according to got through eight games, still hangs in MaxPreps in 2020 and is near the top of his office adjacent to the team’s dugout.

Every year since he took over the program in 2014-15, he has framed and hung an enlarged schedule with the results of his team’s games on the concrete walls of his office. The 2020 schedule is still unframed.

Admittedly, he wasn’t sure yet what to do with it.

“I kind of want to throw it away because it’s bad luck,” Herrera said.

In Ahwatukee, both Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista are preparing for spring sports to commence once again.

Pride head baseball coach JJ Sferra recalls the day he told his team the season was canceled last year. Mountain Pointe was due for a strong season with the likes of Carson Tucker, who was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft, and Ethan Long, now at Arizona State, in the lineup.

“It was tough,” Mountain Pointe baseball coach JJ Sferra said. “Obviously we were super talented last year but they’re still kids. You get close to them.

I felt bad for the seniors, I felt bad for the juniors and sophomores. They just wanted to play, and I felt bad for them.

“I couldn’t imagine being in their position and have the season taken away.”

Desert Vista head baseball coach Cody Brassfield echoed Sferra, adding that while players were able to find an outlet in club baseball, there’s a new level of excitement for the high school season to return.

“Kids are kids and they’re just excited for the season,” Brassfield said. “I know they feel like they lost out on some games, but I’ve got a young team and they’re trying to make the best of it right now. They’re just happy to be playing.

“They enjoy their club teams but when you hear them talk, you can tell they’re excited for this season, the high school season.”

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Gilbert artists’ work on display in annual show

BY SRIANTHI PERERA GSN Contributor

C

reating visual art is mostly a solitary occupation within a home space.

From time to time, however, the art must be shown to others for critical appreciation, progression and even financial gain.

With that in mind, the Gilbert Visual Art League presents regular shows that allow members to showcase and sell their work and compete for commendations.

The 18th annual juried Fine Art Show and Sale is now going on through April 2 in Gallery 4 at HD SOUTH, home of the Gilbert Historical Museum.

More than 30 artists, some professional, some semi-professional and others amateur, entered 117 pieces created within the last three years in two- or three-dimensions in painting, drawing, photography or sculpture.

Juror Alan Fitzgerald of Art Intersection gallery chose 79 works to display.

Due to the pandemic, however, only a selection is available for viewing in the gallery.

All juried items are on display at gval.org.

No opening or closing receptions are planned either, due to COVID-19.

“Gallery 4 is usually packed during our receptions and that wouldn’t be safe at this time,” said Donna Finter, board member.

“A live gallery show is best for full appreciation of the colors and textures of the art pieces,” she added. “However, more people see the show when we include an online version as well as live. The hybrid version works best for sales.”

The show, open to any artist over 18, awards winners in each category.

First place winners included: Sandra Wilderman’s “Migration, in Search of a New Home” in the acrylic category; Christina Rosepapa’s “Resilience” in drawings; Mary Opat’s “Mystical Mirage” in mixed media; Donna Branson’s “Overlooking Oak Creek” in pastels; Richard Finter’s “Petroglyphs in the Round” in photography.

Other first-place winners were Linda McGuiness’s “Explosion of Color” in watercolor

Among the selected entries on exhibt at HD SOUTH and online are, clockwise from above, a watercolor called “Love Hug” by Sharon Hess; another watercolor appropriately titled “An Explosion of Color” by Linda McGuiness; an acrylix

by Dixie Geist titled “Autumn Wagon;” and Shannon Alexandra’s watercolor titled “Desert Dragonfly.” All the selected entries can be seen at gval.org.

(Courtesy of the Gilbert Visual Art League)

and Anita Moser’s “Peaceful Pond” in oils.

The Best of Show award went to Jane Bradley for her colorful oil painting, “Code Talker.”

The league is also a nominee for the 2021 Arizona Governor’s Arts Award.

“We are thrilled to be recognized with other excellent art groups.” Finter said.

Despite the quarantining, members have been able to keep up with online meetings and artist presentations.

In January, Linda Glover Gooch demonstrated how she paints clouds with a different use of

see

GVAL page 26

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GVAL from page 24

color and layering technique.

In Feburary, plein air artist Linda Pullinsi shared her palette colors and brush application techniques while painting a desert and mountain scene.

In March, Justine Mantor-Waldie, a nationally recognized artist whose artwork is created in various mediums and has its own style, will present.

For many league members, art has been a passion from early days.

Rosepapa, the owner of a graphic and website design business, remembers drawing horses and flowers in her backyard, and then during her college years as a Fine Arts major. She combines her art and design skills in her current work.

Rosepapa’s current artistic subjects include portraits, sunflowers, desert scenes and still life paintings.

The subjects are portrayed in such a way that they cause the viewer to reflect, see the beauty and the story that is often overlooked or understated, she said.

Her winning entry, “Resilience,”

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

expresses the sunflower in the autumnal phase. In it, “a mixture of warm oranges, golden yellows and browns contrast with the sunflower petals wilting and turning inward.”

“Strong and heavy, even in the slow process of withering, the sunflower becomes magnificent and poignant,” Rosepapa said.

Hobby photographer Richard Finter’s “Petroglyphs in the Round” winning entry features the Desert View Watchtower at the Grand Canyon.

“I’ve taken many pictures over the sixty years or so since I got my first camera. Most have been taken of family and friends at special occasions and while on vacations and business trips,” he said. “I especially enjoy taking pictures of natural beauty and of beautiful and historic human creations.”

The artists are grateful to be members of the league.

“It’s great to have an organization such as the Gilbert Visual Art League as a place to not only view the amazing

work of extremely talented artists and watch as they share and refine their skills but also as a place to submit some of my work,” Finter said.

Adeed Rosepapa: “Art creates a deeper connection for bringing people together. Having this outlet for artists brings more visibility to community and to the ideas, stories and experiences that people express.”

HD South is located at 10 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. The show is open from March 6 to April 2 and is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Admission is $6 adult; $5 senior (ages 60 plus); $3 youth, (ages 5-12). Details: This first-place pastel, titled “Overlooking Oak Creek,” 480-926-1577 or hdsouth. was painted by Donna Branson. (Courtesy GVAL) org.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021 38 AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS | MARCH 3, 202127

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Marjorie Ann Stratman Snodgrass, 77, of Mesa, AZ, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 5, 2021 surrounded by loved ones.

Marjorie was born on February 10, 1944 to Walter and Sophie Stratman in Hildreth, NE. After graduating from Hildreth High School in 1962, she went on to study nursing at Kearney Practical Nursing, and graduated in 1964. After graduation, she moved to Des Moines, IA to work as a nurse at Methodist Hospital. She continued her work in nursing off and on throughout her life.

In 1966, she met Jerry Snodgrass, and they wed 6 weeks later! One year later they had her only child, Patty.

In 2001, Marjorie moved to Mesa, AZ where she worked for nearly 15 years as a customer service representative at Venture Out Resort. In her free time, and after retiring, she spent her time sewing, making gourds, and crafting, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Marjorie was predeceased by her husband Jerry Snodgrass, her parents Walter and Sophie Stratman, and her sister-in-law Joan Stratman. She is survived by her daughter Patricia Evans, step-daughter Kathy (Lee) Stewart, her brothers Roger Stratman, Gale (Eileen) Stratman, her grandchildren Megan (Brandon) Peterson, David(DJ) Evans, her great grandchildren Kylie, Blake and Aubrey Peterson, and many nieces and nephews.

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Employment General Microsoft Corporation currently has the following openings in Tempe, AZ (job opportunities available at all levels, e.g., Principal, Senior and Lead levels).

Commercial Executive: Design & implement licensing solutions to monetize MSFT's commercially available prod(s) & solutions. Req dom & intl travel up to 25%. Telecommuting permitted. https://jobs-microsoft.icims.com/jobs/22772/go/job Multiple positions available. To view detailed job descriptions and minimum requirements, and to apply, visit the website address listed. EOE. SVB Financial Group has openings for the following positions (various types/levels) in Tempe, AZ: Senior Systems Analyst (781.432) Analyze and translate complex business requirements into a functional system design document and analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan computer specifications and layouts, and peripheral equipment modifications. May telecommute. Some travel is required. Sr. Systems Analyst (781.445) Analyze and translate complex business requirements into a functional system design document and analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan computer specifications and layouts, and peripheral equipment modifications. Travel is required. May telecommute.

Senior Software Engineer (781.463) Design and develop technical solutions that meet user needs with respect to functionality, performance, scalability and reliability. May telecommute. Send resume to S.M. at Staffing Operations Team, Silicon Valley Bank, 80 E Rio Salado Pkwy Ste 600, Tempe, AZ 85281.

Must reference job #.

Real Estate

For Sale

Manufactured Homes

Manufactured Homes BRAND NEW NEVER LIVED IN 2 BED / 2 BATH HOMES $58,900 Financing Available 55+ Mobile Home Park in Great Chandler Loc. Call Kim 480-233-2035

2021 Champion Park Model 11x36, 1B/1B, Awning, Steps, Skirting, 2 Door Refer, Elec Range, Laminate Wood Like Flooring, Walk in Shower, 2" Blinds, Patio Door. All set on 5 Star, 55+ RV Resort in Apache Junction. $39,999.

Call Sandy at 480-2287786

Real Estate

BRAND NEW 2019 Clayton, 2B/2B, in AJ. 16x66, Central A/C, Front Porch, Covered Concrete Drive, W/D Hkups, 2 Door Refer, Gas Range, MW, DW, Spacious Floor Plan, Steps, Skirting, all set in a 55+ Active Resort Community, near Banks, Shopping and More. $68,800 Call Sandy 480-228-7786

Classifieds 480-898-6465

For Rent Apartments ALMA SCH & MAIN 1b 1 bath duplex Income verified UTILITIES INCLUDED Bad Credit OK. No Deposit Close to Lightrail $700 (602) 339-1555

Manufactured Homes

THE LINKS ESTATES Why Rent The Lot When

YOU CAN OWN THE LAND And Own Your New Home

FROM THE UPPER 100’S

ASK US HOW YOUR $105,000 CASH INVESTMENT AND OUR SENIOR LOAN PROGRAM ENABLES QUALIFIED 62+ SENIORS MAKING THE LINKS THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE HAVE NO MORTGAGE PAYMENT & NO LOT RENT AS LONG AS YOU LIVE IN HOME.

Gawthorp & Associates Realty 40667 N Wedge Dr • San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

602-402-2213

www.linksestates.net

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

Repairs • Installations •Tune-Ups

49

$

Cleaning Services

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY STEAM CLEANING

SPARKLE & SHINE CLEANING SERVICE Immaculate, Dependable Service. Affordable Rates.

Commercial & Residential services All supplies included.

Sanitized & masks worn You've tried the rest, now try the BEST!" Ask for Martha or Annie 480-495-5516 or 480-797-6023

furniture moving pre-spotting deodOrizer

FREE

Air Conditioning/Heating

Carpet Cleaning

39 free hall

AC/Heat Tune-Up Special

$

0% Easy Financing • Free Estimates New Units as low as $39/mo.

$

ROC# 197366

480-977-6916 aircareaz.com

Trusted Service for 18 Years • A+ Rated BBB • Complaint-Free Record

QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE!

Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship Furnace / AC Tune Up - $69 New 3-Ton AC Units - now $3,995 New Trane Air Conditioners NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 MONTHS!

‘A’ RATED AC REPAIR FREE ESTIMATE SAME DAY SERVICE

Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252

480-405-7588

ItsJustPlumbSmart.com

$

2 rooms

79 FREE HALL 5 rooms

DO YOU OFFER Lessons & Tutoring?

Children need your help!

Place your ad today Contact us: class@times publications.com or Call 480-898-6465

sofa & loveseAT

89 Free chair

No hidden charges.

Senior and veteran discounts.

FREE ESTIMATES

480.773.4700

Appliance Repairs

Appliance Repair Now

If It’s Broken, We Can Fix It! • Same Day Service • On-Site Repairs • Servicing All Major Brands • Quality Guaranteed

Concrete & Masonry

Garage/Doors

DESERT ROCK

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

CO NC R E T E & MA S ON RY CONCRETE BLOCKWALL RETAINING WALL BLOCK FENCE PLANTER BBQ

FOUNDATION DRIVEWAY SIDEWALK PATIO

PAVER • CONCRETE REMOVAL • HARDSCAPE BONDED & INSURED • ROC#321648 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! FREE ESTIMATES • 16 YEARS EXPERIENCE RESIDENTIAL CALL JOHN: 480.797.2985 COMMERCIAL

East Valley/ Ahwatukee

Broken Springs Replaced Nights/Weekends Bonded/Insured 480-251-8610

Not a licensed contractor

Glass/Mirror

GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS

Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you. QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices.

FREE Estimates

Block Fence * Gates

602-789-6929 Roc #057163 Lowest Prices * 30 Yrs Exp Serving Entire Valley

YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST!

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Call 480-306-5113

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

Classifieds 480-898-6465

Home Improvement HOME REMODELING REPAIRS & CUSTOM INTERIOR PAINTING Move a wall; turn a door into a window.

From small jobs and repairs to room additions, I do it all.

Precision interior painting, carpentry, drywall, tile, windows, doors, skylights, electrical, fans, plumbing and more.

All trades done by hands-on General Contractor.

Friendly, artistic, intelligent, honest and affordable.

40 years' experience.

Call Ron Wolfgang Pleas text or leave message Cell 602-628-9653 Wolfgang Construction Inc. Licensed & Bonded ROC 124934

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Place your ad online!

Call 480-898-6465

Hauling Handyman

We Also Buy, Sell & Trade Used Appliances Working or Not

LLC

480-659-1400 Licensed & Insured

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES

• Furniture • Appliances • Mattresses • Televisions • Garage Clean-Out • Construction Debris

• Old Paint & Chems.

• Yard Waste • Concrete Slab • Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

520.508.1420

All Estimates arethe Free Call: Marks Spot• for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

Painting • Flooring • Electrical www.husbands2go.com

Plumbing Drywall • Carpentry Licensed, Bonded &•Insured • ROC#317949 Decks • Tile • More!

Ask me about FREE Needs! water testing!

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Marks the Spot for ALL•Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting Flooring • Electrical “No Job Too ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Man!” Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More!

Quality Work Since 1999 Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 ✔ Drywall Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job ✔ Carpentry Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry

Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens ✔ Bathrooms 2010, 2011 2012, “No 2013, Job Too Afford And More!

2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 2012, 2013, 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ NotResident a Licensed Contractor 1999 Since Ahwatukee / References Work ty Quali , Affordable 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor Insured / Not aCall Licensed Contractor 2014 Bruce at 602.670.7038 rk Since 1999 Affordable, Quality Wo 1999 ceBSMALLMAN@Q.COM able, Quality Work Sin

Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

Home Improvement

ACTION CONTRACTING INC. WE DO IT ALL!

Bath & Kitchen Remodels • Car-Port to Garage Conversion Drywall & Stucco Repairs • Plumbing • Electrical • Can Lights Windows • Doors • Cabinets • Painting • Block Fences Wrought Iron Gates • Remodeling • Additions • Patios Tenant Improvements

East Valley

480-833-7353 - Office 480-430-7737 - Cell A+

LIC/BONDED/INSURED Res/Comm’l ROC#218802

aaaActionContractingInc.com

-S

I

E NC

19

78

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

Home Improvement

General Contacting, Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198

One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766

Juan Hernandez

SPRINKLER

25 Years exp (480) 720-3840

Not a licensed contractor

All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers, Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, Stucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs.

Drip/Install/Repair & Tune ups!

25 years exp. Call Now (480) 720-3840

Irrigation

NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR

No Job Too Small!

Senior Discounts!

NTY 5-YEAR WARRA

480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

Landscape/Maintenance

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

Call Lance White

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

Insured/Bonded Free Estimates

ALL Pro

T R E E

S E R V I C E

L L C

Prepare for Spring Season!

ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM

LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

Tree Trimming • Tree Removal Stump Grinding Storm Damage • Bushes/Shrubs Yard Clean-up Commercial and Residential PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

480-354-5802

ROC#309706

20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED ROC 3297740

Pool Service / Repair

Juan Hernandez

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

10% OFF

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

Call Juan at

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

480-720-3840

Free Estimates!

Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

Roofing

Not a licensed contractor.

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com Family Owned & Operated Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Now Accepting all major credit cards

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

Plumbing

ROC# 256752

480.345.1800

SEWER CABLE COMPREHENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE PLUMBING COMPANY

Voted #1

Licensed • Bonded • Insured Technician

• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

480-477-8842

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

Irrigation Repair Services Inc.

Repairs • Modifications • Installs

HYDROJETTING

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

East Valley PAINTERS

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service

Irrigation

Sprinkler & Drip Systems

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

480-338-4011

David Hernandez (602) 802 3600

daveshomerepair@yahoo.com • Se Habla Español

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service!

Home Remodeling

Plumbing

Juan Hernandez

TREE

TRIMMING

Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists

• BASE BOARDS • DRYWALL • ELECTRICAL • PAINTING • PLUMBING • BATHROOMS • WOOD FLOORING • FRAMING WALLS • FREE ESTIMATES • GRANITE FABRICATION & INSTALLATION • CARPET INSTALLATION • LANDSCAPING

Painting

Landscape/Maintenance

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH! 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

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099 ItsJustPlumbSmart.com

10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof

MonsoonRoofingInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

31

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

Window Cleaning

Professional service since 1995

Window Cleaning $120 - One Story $160 - Two Story

Includes in & out up to 30 Panes Sun Screens Cleaned $3 each Attention to detail and tidy in your home.

Bonded & Insured

LLC

(480) 584-1643

COUNTS

APPEARANCE

Public Notices

Keith Schram

keith@windowsrc.biz

Professional Window Cleaner

Hot water pressure washing, 3000 PSI

480-306-8543

azvalleywindowcleaning.com

Add a Background Color to Your Ad! Classifieds 480-898-6465

Advertisement of Sale NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to the Arizona Self-Service Storage Act, Arizona Statutes 33-1704, Section H, Enforcement of Lien. The Undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on or after March 19, 2021 at 9:00am using an online auction at www.storagetreasures.com, said property has been stored and located at US 60 Self Storage, 1661 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 102, Mesa, AZ 85210.

Property to be sold as follows: Misc. household goods, personal items, furniture, clothing, toys and/or business fixtures and items belonging to the following: Tenant Name Unit # Jennifer Eisenbise 203 Vanessa Jordan 309 Mike Bulatoich 342 Christina Carnes 408 Eric Cortez 610 Fernando Macias 628 Mark Czarniecki 743 Bril Powell 806 Tina Ferrari 835 Daniel White 2011 Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party. Items sold “as is”, CASH ONLY, and Buyer must pay a security deposit and broom sweep/clean the unit.

Go to www.storagetreasures.com to bid on unit(s).

Published: East Valley Tribune Mar. 7, 14, 2020 / 36622

Roofing

aOver 30 Years of Experience

aFamily Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!

Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING

Public Notices NOTICE TO CREDITORS: In the Matter of the ESTATE OF LOUISE MILLER, Deceased ... NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed as the Personal Representative of this Estate. All persons having claims against the Estate are required to present their claims within four (4) months, after the date of the first publication of this Notice or the claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented by delivering or mailing a written statement of the claim to undersigned Personal Representative at 1510 South 171 st Street, New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151.

Ronald Gadberry, /s/ Ronald Gadberry. DATED this 4th day of March, 2021. Published: East Valley Tribune, Mar. 14, 21, 28, 2021. / 36967 TO: Stephens Triplett, DO 1034 S. 105th Place, Apt. 1091 Mesa, AZ 85209 The State Medical Board of Ohio 30 E. Broad Street, 3rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 In the Matter of: Stephens Triplett, DO 20-CRF-092 On January 14, 2021 the State Medical Board of Ohio mailed an Order of Revocation to Stephens Triplett, DO. The order was sent to Dr. Triplett via certified mail, return receipt requested, at his last known address of record, 1034 S. 105th Place, Apt. 1091, Mesa, AZ 85209. The Order was returned to the Board from the postal service marked “Return to Sender, Not Deliverable as Address, Unable to Forward”.

Dr. Triplett may be entitled to an appeal. Such an appeal must be commenced by the filing of a Notice of Appeal with the State Medical Board and the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The Notice of Appeal must set forth the Order appealed from and state that the State Medical Board’s Order is not supported by reliable, probative, and substantive evidence and is not in accordance with law. The Notice of Appeal may, but is not required to, set forth the specific grounds of the appeal. Any such appeal must be filed within fifteen (15) days after the last date of publication in accordance with the requirements of Section 119.12, Ohio Revised Code. Please contact the undersigned to ascertain the last date of publication.

Any questions or correspondence should be addressed to: Jackie Moore Case Control Office 30 E. Broad Street, 3rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 Jackie.moore@med.ohio.gov Published: East Valley Tribune, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 2021 / 36894

Public Notices TO: Brian James Stebbings 15801 S 48th St., Apt 1127 Phoenix, AZ 85048-0843 The State Medical Board of Ohio 30 E. Broad Street, 3 rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 In the Matter of: Brian James Stebbings Case No. 21-CRF-0018 On February 21, 2021, the Ohio Medical Board mailed a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing to Brian James Stebbings via certified mail, return receipt requested, at his last known address of record, 15801 S 48th St., Apt 1127, Phoenix, AZ 85048-0843. The Notice was returned to the Board from the postal service marked “return to sender, not deliverable as addressed, unable to forward.”

The notice states that the Ohio Medical Board intends to consider denying his application to practice respiratory care in the state of Ohio.

Mr. Stebbings is entitled to a hearing in this matter if such hearing is requested within thirty (30) days of the last date of publication of this notice. Mr. Stebbings may appear at such hearing in person, by his attorney, or by such other representative permitted to practice before this agency, or he may present his position, arguments or contentions in writing. At the hearing, Mr. Stebbings may present evidence and examine witnesses appearing for or against him.

Please contact the undersigned to ascertain the last date of publication.

Any questions or correspondence should be addressed to: Jackie Moore Case Control Office 30 E. Broad Street, 3 rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 Jackie.Moore@med.ohio.gov Published: East Valley Tribune, Mar. 7, 14, 21, 2021 / 36904

“Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising” - Mark Twain

Valley Wide Service

480-446-7663 FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

480.898.6465

class@timespublications.com

32

GILBERT SUN NEWS | MARCH 14, 2021

LUCKY YOU! SPRING SAVINGS!

Call to schedule your showroom tour and lunch to go!

LivGenerations Ahwatukee

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