Mayor avoids ethics probe
GPS teacher helps Ukraine
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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
INSIDE
This Week
COMMUNITY......... 13 Gilbert designer helps create Mesa pageant homage.
BUSINESS................. 16 Gilbert firm sweetens NASCAR star.
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF GILBERT) | GilbertSunNews.com
Sunday, March 20, 2022
Task force to examine Gilbert’s social ills BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
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teacher, a pastor and a former cop are among the members of an 11-member task force handpicked to address social welfare issues in Gilbert. The Community Engagement Task Force met for the first time March 7 for introductions and to learn about each other’s strengths to help them accomplish their
mission: identifying gaps and resources in Gilbert to help those suffering from violence, mental and financial struggles and acceptance in the community. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Councilwoman Kathy Tilque, Council’s liaison to the group. “There are times people don’t think these things happen in Gilbert but they do.” Tilque said 84 people applied to serve on the ad-hoc group. Council appointed
Home prices hit $1M average in 2 Gilbert ZIPs
Iya Affo, Chris Curley, Katie Hackett, Amy Holstein, Alexandra Rodriguez, Javier Rodriguez, Christine Sabel, Sean Warren and Heather Watts as members while Suzanne Lunt and Bus Obayomi are serving as alternates. Tilque said the group’s purpose was not just to talk but “moving the needle in our community.”
see ENGAGEMENT page 6
Better late than never
Staying sane in Gilbert’s crazy housing market. See Real Estate page 1. BY PAUL MARYNIAK GSN Executive Editor
SPORTS........................21 Highland star succeeds despite injury.
COMMUNITY........................................13 BUSINESS............................................. 16 SPORTS...................................................21 PUZZLE..................................................26 CLASSIFIEDS....................................... 27
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n yet another sign of the relentless increase in housing prices, the Valley’s top market analyst said the average price of a home listed in Gilbert ZIP codes 85297 and 85298 exceeds $1 million, putting it among 28 Valley postal zones with seven-figure list price averages. “If rising house prices scare you, then the best place not to look is the average price for active listings,” the Cromford Report wrote. “Unless you are made of stern stuff, you should look away now.” Cromford Report then proceeded to note that the average home list price in 85297 is $1,180, 505 – nearly double the $598,296 average list price in that ZIP code three years ago this month and ranked 20th among its list of high-dol-
see MARKET page 10
Rich Labbate of Gilbert and his son Rocco, 7, stood in front of the Wrigley Field replica marquee sign at Sloan Park March 14 during an early celebration of the beginning of a shortened Cactus League season. Labbate, whose Gilbert bakery is named after his son, was among hundreds of fans at the event. For the story, see page 4 (Josh Ortega/GSN Staff)