Gilbert Sun News 061222 by Times Media Group

Suicide victim’s dad speaks

Council candidates make stand

PAGE 10

PAGE 22

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS................................ 4 Gilbert woman’s killing rattles community.

FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF GILBERT) | GilbertSunNews.com

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Left in lurch by state, districts forge new budgets BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

espite a budget stalemate at the state Legislature, two of Gilbert’s school districts are pushing ahead with their spending plans for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Gilbert Public Schools is looking at a proposed $280-million spending plan while Higley Unified School District is considering a $117-million budget. For GPS, the larger of the two districts, the Fiscal Year 2023 budget is 4.4% higher, or $11.8 million more, than the current budget.

“We are proposing a budget that hasn’t been really been approved by the Legislature,” said Bonnie Betz, assistant superintendent of Business Services at the June 7 Governing Board work study. “We are obligated though to adopt a budget by July 15. We expect the governor’s budget to be the most conservative that we would see for Fiscal Year ’23.” The district’s proposed budget assumes the governor’s budget will be adopted and assumes a student loss of 400. The board is expected to adopt the preliminary budget June 21. Betz said nondiscretionary spending in-

creased for the district by a total of $3.42 million in the proposed budget. The increases include $2 million more for special education, $1 million for general inflationary costs for supplies, fuel and utilities, $300,000 for medical insurance premiums and $120,000 for other insurance premiums. “These are things that we are obligated to adopt or to spend or increase,” Betz said. “We have limited control over any of these items.” She pointed out that this was the first time to include nondiscretionary inflation increases in the district’s budget. The district saw an

see SCHOOL page 6

Gilbert blast survivor takes on a mountain BUSINESS................. 18 Dental practice helping lowincome kids.

SPORTS...................... 28 Higley QB embraces leadership pressure.

COMMUNITY........................................15 BUSINESS............................................. 18 OPINION................................................ 22 SPORTS..................................................28 GETOUT..................................................31 CLASSIFIEDS....................................... 35

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

t’s been a painful two-year journey of 47 surgeries, setbacks and rehab for burn survivor Jason Nelson. Today, June 12, the former Gilbert resident begins another journey – hiking 19,341 feet up to the top of Africa’s tallest mountain. “For me personally it’s just a challenge to come from almost dying to standing on top of Mount Kilimanjaro with a group of survivors,” said Nelson, 45, who now lives in Mesa. “It’s hard to resist that.” Joining Nelson are six other burn survivors all treated at Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health. The trip is mean to raise awareness of what burn survivors can accomplish and also to raise money for the burn facility. The other survivors doing the climb are Isia Cook, 11, a Peoria gymnast who suf-

fered burns over 46 percent of her body from a propane tank accident. She will be hiking with her mother, Aly; Isabella McCune, 12, of Phoenix who suffered severe burns when a fire pit exploded in the family’s front yard; Phoenix Fire Capt. Susie Fawcett, burned in 1998 while fighting a structure fire; Stephanie and Christian Nielson of Mesa, who both survived a 2008 plane crash; and Hailey Boyce, who at 17 suffered severe burns in a vaping accident. Nelson’s near-death mishap happened on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, while he was doing remodeling work on his house in Gilbert. “I went out to the garage to light a cigarette and there was a natural gas leak in the street that I didn’t know about,” he After 47 surgeries for injuries he sustained in an ex- recalled. “I lit the cigarette and it ignited a plosion at his then-home in Gilbert, Jason Nelson, now fireball in the garage. “I just knew there was an explosion. It living in Mesa, will start today to climb Africa’s highest peak with seven other burn victims form Maricopa County. (Courtesy of Jason Nelson) see JASON page 8

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

Rezoning request sparks truck-traffic concerns BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

developer’s latest pitch to rezone 94 acres at the northeast corner of Lindsay and Germann roads to light industrial from business park stirred up traffic concerns last week from nearby homeowners. The Lindsay 202 project would include glass-front warehouses with trucking bays, an office building and a restaurant/ retail pad totaling 1.4 million square feet on the site “We’re across the street from this,” said Michael Hill, who lives in the Copperleaf subdivision on Germann Road. “I don’t want 149 truck bays across the street no matter how pretty you put the buildings on Germann.” Others point to safety concerns for a nearby high school and a park with more traffic not only from the trucks but from employees working at the site. Hill and about 34 others attended the June 7 neighborhood meeting at Campo Verde High School, which sits adjacent to the site. It was the developer’s third neighborhood meeting. Land-use attorney Adam Baugh, representing developer LGE Design Build and Creations RE, acknowledged that the amount of truck traffic was the biggest concern voiced and said he would do more research to provide concrete facts for neighbors. According to LGE’s traffic engineer, the estimated daily trips generated from the site if it remained business park would be 12,000 but under the proposed light industrial zoning, those trips would be 5,400, of which 10-15% would be from semi-trucks. “When you have vacant land, it’s not meant to be vacant forever,” said David E. Sellers of LGE. “What could go there could be a lot more intense. This is the least intensive use we can have on this site.” Baugh said that under the current zoning buildings as tall as 90 feet are allowed.

He said it makes sense to have the proposed project on the site as it’s near a transportation corridor, the 202. He added that when the land was zoned for business park use in 2006, the economy has since changed. Employment users in the Town of Gilbert are consistently asking for the kind of project being proposed, according to Baugh. And, he said there will be spillover from a Taiwan chipmaker building a $12-billion plant in north Phoneix as companies look to establish in the East Valley, including Gilbert for its highly educated workforce. Sellers added that based on first quarter stats of this year, there was less than 6% vacancy for this type of product in the Town of Gilbert, which means more light industrial buildings are being leased than built. He pointed to a nearby 250acre, mixed-used development that he said was having trouble attracting office users. Potential tenants for the proposed project could include DHL, Intel, NEHP, an engineering construction integrator and Anovo, a pharmaceutical company. Some of the project’s benefits touted at the meeting included: • Would generate a total of 3,783 direct, indirect and induced person years of employment based on the estimated total of $280.3 million in direct construction cost. • Overall, the state, county, and Town of Gilbert would receive an estimated $27.4 million during the construction of the site given the proposed land uses. • In total, this project would generate an estimated 3,335 total jobs, $165.4 million in annual wages and $696.1 million in annual economic output would be created • Total operating revenue for the site is estimated at $14.2 million annually. This includes direct sales taxes, real

see LINDSEY page 14

ADVERTISEMENT One man’s opinion Edition #23

GILBERT BEHIND the Scenes First a big thank you to Mayor Brigette Peterson for all of the time and effort she has put into her job. In spite of the great job she is doing she has a blind spot when it comes to the huge apartment housing problem we have! She appears to be in the pocket of developers! Remember, she took $ 6,000 from a local developer! With this in mind it is very important that we fill the council vacancies with people who do not owe the developers and will do right for our great town. THEY ARE: Bill Spence Chuck Bongiovanni Yung Koprowski

Scott September

Michael Clark all are well qualified to be council members Others running are Jim Torgeson who sued the town over and over about the bond issue which cost the town tens of thousands in attorney fees & some say millions in interest on the bonds which equates to quality of life in Gilbert. Bobby Buchli who also was against the bond issue. Mario Chicas and Bus Obayomi who will be also rans.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

Gilbert woman’s slaying rattles community GSN NEWS STAFF

An edition of the East Valley Tribune Gilbert Sun News is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Gilbert.

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Main number: 480-898-6500 | Advertising: 480-898-5624 Circulation service: 480-898-5641 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT

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Gilbert Sun News is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegratedmedia.com

he fatal shooting of a 19-yearold woman by a stranger in her apartment jolted Gilbert, ranked consistently as one of the safest communities in America. Gilbert Police identified the victim as Rachel Hansen, who died from a single gunshot wound at Chandler Regional Medical Center. “We know that an unknown person entered Hansen’s apartment but identifying a potential motive is part of the ongoing investigation,” police spokeswoman Brenda Carrasco said in an email two days after the homicide. “I do not have any additional or new information to provide at this time.” Officers responded to a 911 call at 2 a.m., Saturday, June 4, at the Redstone at SanTan Village apartments near San Tan Village Parkway and Ray Road. Rachel said in the 911 call that she was shot by an “unknown person” insider her apartment, police said. Friends paid tribute to Rachel on social media, calling her an “angel” and “extremely sweet.” A memorial service was scheduled for June 12 – her 20th birthday. She entered the foster care system at age 5 and was adopted by a family with 13 children and graduated from high school at 16. Rachel started her own business that involved training, hauling and finding horses for customers and was studying to add real estate agent to her resume. And she was remembered as a free and generous spirit who enjoyed outdoor activities. “It was hard to have a bad day around Rachel,” wrote one person. “The sweetest person and no doubt a lot of peoples best friend.” She had been planning to celebrated her birthday today with her family at Canyon Lake, one of her favorite places, A GoFundMe account was set up to raise $15,000 for Rachel’s family. By Friday, 141 people gave more than $9,200. With few details released, speculation about her death was rampant on social media, many tying her death to

Rachel Hansen of Gilbert was shot to death by a stranger in her Gilbert apartment June 4. (Gofundme)

a horse she owned that was stolen and later found.. “She had received threats from the persons who stole her horse, they had been harassing her over posts she made,” a man wrote. “She was selling her things because someone had stole her horse and was demanding ransom to have it returned.” A woman said, “I feel it was the people that stole her horse and made many threats. They wanted ransom money and was threatening her from fake Facebooks. It’s a ugly situation.” And another women said, “There is NO WAY the people who stole her horse aren’t related to this. This is not a coincidence.” Police remained tight-lipped if the speculations had merit. “Identifying a potential motive in this shooting is part of our ongoing investigation,” Sgt. Paul Alaniz said. Other social media reports showed residents were unnerved by the the circumstances fo the killing. “There is no video or security anywhere? So the killer is just out there?” wrote a person. And a women commented, “I’ve been here for 2.5 years and all of a sudden I don’t feel so safe here anymore.” But the majority of comments blamed

apartments for leading to Hansen’s death. “Apartments bring crime!” a man wrote. “Watch and see! Gilbert once bragged about their low crime rate. Keeping building these apartment complexes and watch what happens!” Rent at the Redstone ranged from $1,650 for a one-bedroom unit up to $2,543 for a three-bedroom apartment. Hansen’s death was the second homicide so far this year in Gilbert. In January, Raeanna Ferguson, 22, was fatally shot in her rental home at the Carol Rae Ranch neighborhood. Police arrested her roommate, Dwayne M. Toone, 46, on suspicion of killing the young mother.

HOW TO HELP

Anyone with information regarding the victim or incident is urged to call the Gilbert Police Department non-emergency line at 480-503-6500 or submit information through Submit A Tip portal: gilbertaz. gov/.../submit-a-tip-request-special-patrol To donate on GoFundMe, go to gofundme. com/f/stm3f9-assist-Rachels-family

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

SCHOOL from page 1

inflationary increase of over 8% in the current school year. “Because of that inflationary increase we felt it was important to send more money out to our schools for their discretionary budgets because they are going to see increase in costs,” Betz said. Out of the $1 million in inflationary increases, each elementary campus would get $5 more for $65 per student; junior highs would receive $5 more for $70 per student while high schools would see $8 more to $85 per student, according to Betz. The district also is seeing a $15.6 million increase in discretionary spending for next fiscal year. About $4.5 million would go for instructional and behavioral coaches and full-time hires for the new acceleration campus at $3 million; $250,000 for starting salaries for positions such as speech-language pathologists and nurses; $500,000 for hourly increases and $800,000 for expanding pay for performance for professional staff. Another $11 million in proposed discretionary spending would fund the ongoing 3% pay hike for teachers, administrators and hourly employees and for sick-leave buyback. Betz said the district would see $2.6 million in savings in the new fiscal year, which includes $1.5 million if there is a reduction of 20 full-time employees due to an anticipated enrollment loss of 400 students. And using the available $5.8 million of the $29.9 million left at the remaining of the current budget year, that leaves the district with a $10.9 million deficit, Betz said. She said strategies such as using monies from the budget balance carry-forward and shifting maintenance-and-operations expenses to other accounts would cover $10 million of the shortfall, leaving $900,000, which would be covered by drawing down the fund balance. “Is it possible as we spend through the year and we are careful in our spending we could realize the $900,000 at the end of the year?” board member Jill Humpherys asked. “Say we allocated X amount of dollars for something and then that money came in less. We would have a

Gilbert Public Schools said its 2022-23 capital budget would set aside nearly $9 million for needs it has not determined yet. (GPS)

The capital budget pays for such things as new furniture in some elementary schools. (GPS) little bit of savings over the balance of the entire year. We could possibly come up with that $900,000.” Betz said that was correct and reminded the board that the loss of 400 students was an assumption. School districts receive funding from the state based on prior year student headcount. “If we lose only 200, we already won,” Betz said. “There are still many things moving with possibilities in the future.” She added that the student count for the current school year was being recalculated with the final tally available July 15. Board member Bill Parker ques-

tioned how the reduction in teachers would be determined if there was a loss of 400 students. Betz assured him there would be no layoffs of any personnel. “We have ongoing, regular attrition that easily accounts for that 20 FTEs,” she said. Finance Director Jackie Mattinen said the estimated average teacher salary in the new fiscal year would be $63,799 compared with the average pay of $57,228 in the prior fiscal year. Betz added that the pay increase added to the $57,228 does not take into account teachers who have left the dis-

trict. “We’ve already had attrition of our highest-paid teachers that would have our average salary go up, not down,” she said. “So we would present another estimate to you probably at the adopted budget but also expect that in our revision that’s in December or January that is when the average salary will be computed more accurately to reflect the population of teachers in Gilbert Public Schools next year.” And, the district’s unrestricted capital budget capacity is proposed to increase by 3.9% to $44.2 million, Mattinen said. Some of the $24.16 million in proposed capital spending include $1.97 million for teaching and learning, which includes the gifted-curriculum adoption; $4.4 million for technology such as laptop refresh; $5.5 million for schools and $420,000 for athletics. Betz said $8.98 million of that amount is being held as contingency, which is meant to be spent but there’s no request or knowledge of what the needs are out there at this time. An additional $20 million is being held in reserves, she said. Mattinen highlighted some of the capital spending in the 2022 fiscal year, which included $4.4 million for district-wide technology and operations, $3.2 million for a new curriculum, $1.5 million for school furniture and equipment, $1.3 million for library furniture, $977,524 for vehicles and $532,593 for athletic equipment and uniforms. Betz concluded the presentation, noting that there were lots of risks and opportunities in the budget, least in fact that the Legislature hasn’t approved a state budget yet. HUSD CFO Tyler Moore said staff used a lot of assumptions in crafting the proposed $117-million budget because they don’t know what the state budget will look like. Adoption of the budget, which is $10.2 million higher than the current revised budget, is scheduled for June 22. The preliminary proposal would see an estimated budget carry forward of $22 million or 19.5 percent of the total budget. “We have to submit this regardless

see SCHOOLS page 12

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NEWS

JASON from page 1

pretty much put me in shock. I remember standing outside screaming in pain.” A neighbor heard the explosion and called 911. Nelson suffered second- and third-degree burns to 80 percent of his body – from his face to his waist and from his knees to his ankles. “Pretty much, the upper body caught the brunt of the explosion,” he said. He was put in a medically induced coma, awakening at the end of May in the ICU. Nelson was discharged during the first week of July for inpatient rehab but ended up with MRSA, a deadly superbug bacteria. “So, I had to get readmitted to Valleywise,” he said. “It (MRSA) killed my graphs, it ate my graphs.” Surgeons had gotten the skin graphs from Nelson’s back, butt, any place that was not damaged by the flames. “I had to lean to walk again and feed myself,” Nelson said. “I was almost 40 at the time and my parents moved from Minnesota to Arizona to take care of me. “So, it’s been a journey.” By late 2016, Nelson completed his last surgery, which totaled 47 in all, and married his girlfriend, whom he was dating before his accident. For the most part, he has full function of his limbs aside from some scar contractures and some fused fingers that don’t bend anymore, Nelson said. “I tell people it probably took me five years to get back to the person I was before the accident mentally and physically,” he said, adding that he has learned compassion for other people because of his experience. Also going on the trip are medical professionals from the burn center and supporters. They will fly to Africa on June 13 and once there they will spend seven days covering 38 miles. Although the trek can be strenuous at times, climbing Kilimanjaro requires no technical skills or equipment, such as rope, harness, crampons or ice axe. The team is expected to reach the final summit Uhuru Peak on day six or June 22. Valleywise Health Foundation, the nonprofit charity for the hospital, is spon-

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

soring the trip. Each burn survivor has a fundraising page to raise money for the burn center. Among the other survivors making the trip is Stephanie Neilson, who in 2004 as a young mother became one of the first “mommy bloggers” when she started an online journal about motherhood, traveling with children and creating a family home. Over the next four years, thousands of followers shared in the couple’s joy as their family grew. On Aug. 16, 2008, the couple’s small plane crashed and exploded on impact in the Arizona desert. Over the next four months, their lives and future were in the hands of medical experts at the Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health. Stephanie’s New York Times best-selling memoir, “Heaven Is Here: An Incredible Story of Hope, Triumph, and Everyday Joy” honors many of her heroes in the Arizona Burn Center. The couple has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, ABC News, The Oprah Winfrey Network and many more – and followed by supporters around the country and world. A video about their ordeal can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=apd_ wTSVmpU. Nelson said he’d like to see more mental health programs at the hospital with the money raised. “There’s nothing about a burn that’s not traumatic,” he said. “Everything about a burn, from how it occurs to how to care for a burn is very traumatic.” Nelson said when he was asked two years ago if he was interested in the trek, he jumped at the opportunity. “I didn’t have to think about it,” said Nelson, who when asked shares his journey with other burn survivors at the hospital. “The goal for me is to give back to someone who gave me so much. “I don’t think I would be the person today if I’ve not gone through Valleywise. My outcome would have been a lot different.” Nelson and the other survivors began training almost every other week by hiking around the state at places such as South Mountain, Piestewa Peak and

see JASON page 12

Jason Nelson, right, gets some mountain-trekking experience with friend Nate Lowrie at South Mountain. (Courtesy Jason Nelson)

Jason Nelson, in the black ski cap, joins the rest of the burn survivors comprising Team Courage Rising in a trek in the woods. (Courtesy of Jason Nelson)

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

EL D E R A B U S E I SN ’ T A LWAYS EASY TO S E E .

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

Parents, students plead for help from CUSD

BY KEN SAIN GSN Staff Writer

community shocked by three recent suicides of Chandler Unified School District students spoke out June 8 and told the Governing Board to do more to address the mental health of young people. “No parent should ever, ever have to cut their child down,” said Chad Day, whose son Pierson, a Perry High freshman, hung himself on May 24. “You reached out to me and asked me if we need anything,” Day told Superintendent Frank Narducci. “We don’t need anything financially, but what we do need is you to help us with this community, Mr. Narducci.” Day said some students asked him to address the board and support them in their call for help. “It is a shame that they have to come in here and ask for this,” Day said. “It’s up to you to do something about this. If you don’t, we will find someone who will, I promise.” Members of Arizona Students for Mental Health also spoke and called for more action. They asked for the formation of a student action board in all CUSD junior high and high schools. The students on those boards would meet monthly with school officials to discuss issues they are experiencing. They also want students, teachers and staff at all those schools to get mental health first aid training from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing so that they can recognize the signs someone might be in trouble. In 2019, the state Legislature passed Senate Bill 1468, mandating all public school staff be trained in an evidence-based, best practice suicide prevention training at least once every three years. “I saw firsthand how a lack of mental health resources in school affected my friends and family,” said Maya Lehti, who is 13 and a rising eighth grader at Santan Junior High. “I have found that it is very hard to watch my loved ones struggle …

Chad Day, who’s son Pierson Chad Day took his own life on May 24, joined other parents and students at the Chandler Unified Governing Board meeting June 8 to plead for more mental health assistance for students. ( Photos David Minton/GSN Staff Photographer) there isn’t much out there to help them.” Jayden Riecken, a 15-year-old rising sophomore at Basha High School, said, “I’ve had my own fair share of struggles with mental health and I feel that a lot of the time there’s no one I can go to for help. “Personally, I believe that there is a negative stigma that is formed around mental health. And then many people think that the side effects of it are not fixable. In reality, they very much are,” Jayden continued, adding: “The outdated style of the current mental health system in CUSD is void of any actual potency in relation to issues surrounding mental health. It’s up to me and my fellow students to help change that.” Jayden said a student action board “would allow for students to feel more connected in the schooling environment, helping to further academic goals. In turn, this would not just encourage students to attend school more but encourage them to go excitedly in it.” Board President Barb Mozdzen started the meeting by addressing the recent suicides and the mass shooting at a Texas elementary school. “Our Chandler community is not immune to the increase in student suicides that are rocking our nation,” she said. “We

Jayden Riecken proposed the formation of a student action board that would incorporate junior high and high school students together to help make decisions about what the community needs.

Elle Mramor was among the students who told the Chandler Unified board that the district must do more to address kids’ mental health.

Maya Lehti, a 13-year-old junior high student, told the board, “I saw firsthand how a lack of mental health resources in school affected my friends and family.”

grieve the loss of these young lives and the lifelong impact their deaths have on their families, friends, teachers and the rest of the community. “We are committing to more than $5 million of expenditures through our

schools this year, as we continue our commitment to addressing mental health and our mental health issues in our schools,” Mozdzen said. “This also includes ongo-

see CUSD page 12

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

Santan Freeway widening to begin in 2024 BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

lans are in the works to begin widening an 8-mile stretch of Santan Freeway through Gilbert and Chandler beginning in early 2024 that will increase traffic capacity and help reduce congestion through 2040. The pubic has until June 22 to give their input on the Arizona Department of Transportation project, which includes new sound walls and wider exit ramps. “Loop 202 is a vital transportation corridor for the southeast communities of the City of Chandler and the Town of Gilbert,” said Kirstin Huston, ADOT senior project manager at a virtual meeting June 8. “It also provides connection to and from Loop 101.” The meeting included a question-and answer-session with viewers about the project. Huston said the widening of the Santan Freeway from the 101 to Val Vista Drive is needed due to the fact that Maricopa County is one of the fastest growing regions in the country. “Growing traffic demand has caused Loop 202 to become increasingly congested during the morning and evening peak,” she said. If the situation is not addressed, “traffic is expected to have a failing level of ser-

This map shows the segment of the Santan Freeway that ADOT plans to begin widening in 2034. (ADOT) vice by 2030,” according to Huston. The project calls for adding two general purpose lanes in each direction on the 202 from Loop 101 to Gilbert Road and one general purpose land in each direction from Gilbert Road to Val Vista Drive. Currently, there are three general purpose lanes and a HOV or High-Occupancy Vehicle lane in each direction. Additionally, exit ramps in the project area will increase to two lanes from one, overhead bridges will be widen and eastbound Arizona Avenue on-ramp and bridge will be reconstructed, according to Huston. New sound walls will be built at three locations to mitigate against the traffic noise.

Along the north side of Loop 202 east of McQueen Road there will be a 12-foottall wall, approximately 2,347 feet long; along the south side of Loop 202 east of McQueen Road, there will be a 14-foottall wall, approximately 1,985 feet long and along the south side of Loop 202, west of Val Vista Drive, the wall will be 12 feet high and about 2,000 feet long. Huston said the locations are based on a noise analysis conducted in 2019 and updated earlier this year and on ADOT and federal regulations. Existing sound walls will remain in place, she added. And, there are no plans to extend the current sound walls, according to Diana Dunn, an environmental planner and project manager at AZTEC Engineer-

de, Texas. “Yes, I’m very uncomfortable with your statement about not wanting police officers on the campus,” Wirth said. “Considering all that is going on in the world, that seems like the worst decision we can make. Love began speaking as Wirth kept pleading, “Let me finish.” Love said that while he may be comfortable, there are likely parents and students in the audience who are not. Board President Barb Mozdzen tried to regain control, asking Love to allow Wirth to finish his remarks. “I will not be silenced about this,” Love

said. Love made extended remarks saying that the District is not doing enough on equity or on mental health and needs to do better. “I just think that it is interesting that there is more done, you know, to silence me,” Love said. “But that same energy was not given when you have people who came in and made homophobic and transphobic comments, when we had people who made racist comments, some of them sitting on this dais.” Wirth responded: “I guess I don’t mind the comments, I don’t appreciate the bullying that seems to come from your

ing Group. She noted that the 2019 study looked at what the noise level would be on that portion of the freeway, 20 years out. To minimize impacts to drivers during construction, restrictions and closures on the 202 will primary occur during overnight hours and on weekends and not on major holidays or during large community events, according to Huston. Ramps will need to be closed for reconstruction, althoug no two consecutive ramps will be closed, she said. A number of meeting participants asked questions about things such as what material will be used on the roadway to help dampen the noise. “I know that everybody would probably like to know tonight what the surface treatment will be,” said Randy Everett, ADOT Senior Division administrator. “And ADOT and Maricopa Association of Governments are looking at all options for surface treatment and that’s not only on this project, but that’s throughout the entire Valley. “So we don’t have an answer for what surface treatment will be on this project. We will, before it goes to construction but we do not have that answer at this time.” Some viewers asked why other ramps that have traffic backup during commute

see WIDENING page 12

2 CUSD board members argue over SROs GSN NEWS STAFF

long-simmering dispute between two Chandler Unified School District Governing Board members reached the boiling point at the June 8 meeting with the two trying to shout each other down and making unflattering statements about each other. The dispute became open after Lindsay Love, who is Black, said she is not comfortable seeing school resource officers on campus. That prompted Joel Wirth, who is an older white man, to say he did not understand that, especially following the elementary school shooting in Uval-

mouth all the time,” he said. “And that’s a perfect example right there,” Love said. “Yeah, just a bully,” Wirth said. It is not the first time the two board members have had a heated exchange. Earlier this year Wirth said he did not understand why race had to play a role in who sits on the board of the Arizona School Boards Association. Love, who sits on that board to represent African Americans, took exception. The proposal they were discussing was to give Native Americans and Latinos a permanent seat on the board. They had shared a seat, alternating each year.

NEWS

WIDENING from page 11

times aren’t being widened as well. “The traffic analysis has shown that this area from 101 to Val Vista has the biggest need,” Huston explained. Currently the project is in the final design phase, which is anticipated to be completed late this year, according to Huston. “Construction is expected to start in early 2024, and take two to two and a half years to complete, which places completion of the project in late 2026 to mid-

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

2027,” she said. Andrew Moreno, AZTEC project manager, said portions of the improved roadway will open when feasible instead of waiting until full completion of the project.

REACHING ADOT

For information about the widening project, go to azdot.gov/L202-L101-toValVista. To comment: • Email Cludington@AZDOT.GOV

CUSD from page 10

The project is part of MAG’s Regional Transportation Plan and will be funded in part by Proposition 400, a dedicated sales tax approved by Maricopa County voters in 2004.

• Call Carolynn Ludington, Community Relations Project manager at 480-594-6206 • Send mail to ADOT Communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., MD 126F, Phoenix, AZ 85007

JASON from page 8

Humphreys Peak, the highest pinnacle in Arizona at 12,633 feet. Nelson also has hiked the Grand Canyon three times since his accident. He has always been physically fit, a self-described cross-fit junkie who had just competed in a Spartan race with obstacles the day before the exposion. “We wanted to make sure we were all healthy enough to do this,” Nelson said.

“Burn survivors have different issues, some have skin tightness, scar contractures and some have inhalation damage to the lungs.” But COVID came and threw a wrench into their plans, delaying the hike for two years, until now and Nelson said he’s raring to go. “It’s about overcoming the odds,” he said. “A burn injury isn’t the end of someone’s life.”

ing training of staff to identify indicators that a child might be having some troubles together with the community so we will do what we can to keep our families.” Even though district officials are forbidden by law to respond to citizen comments on matters not on the agenda, Narducci explained what CUSD has planned. He said they have been working on improving their mental health resources for six months. “So it takes some time to do that,” he said. He added that the district has many resources already available, that many students may not know about. He said they

need to do a better job making sure the students know about those resources. Narducci added that the district is working with the City of Chandler and is planning a number of forums this fall to address teen suicides. He said they will bring in national experts to speak at those forums. “There’s a ton of things that we’re already doing that we’ve communicated out to all parents in the summer and gave them resources,” Narducci said. He said the suggestion for student action boards came up for the first time at last week’s meeting, so there are no plans for that as of now. But he said district ad-

ministrators are working on a plan going forward and that an action board would be something they can look at. “This is not going to be one shot and done,” Narducci said. “This is going to be sustainable, so that we can get evidence-based research practices that help us move forward.” The Arizona Peer and Family Coalition also wrote a letter to district officials urging them to hold a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the increase in suicides. Board member Lindsay Love said the District is not doing enough on mental health issues.

“I get a little weepy when we talk about suicide,” Love said. “Last year, we ended … the year with a suicide and this year, we’ve ended with three. I had spoken about never wanting to be in this position again, and we’re in a worse position than we were.” Chandler educator and mental heath advocate Katey McPherson praised the students who spoke. I was so proud to watch these students advocate for additional mental health and suicide prevention resources,” she said. “They came from all over the District and have organized themselves formally.”

of what’s happening at the state level,” Board President Amy Kaylor said at the June 8 meeting. “So, I can understand this flux and being on the conservative side not knowing what they’re going to do. Frustrating but nonetheless it is what it is.” Moore noted that the district will have an opportunity in December to revise its budget if needed. “We are very conservative in our budget numbers,” he said. And this year we did not have to revise down. We could have revised up but we chose not to.” He said some of the highlights of the proposed budget include no anticipated additional federal pandemic-relief money, a transfer of $4.4 million from the maintenance and operation fund to capital to pay the two middle-school leas-

es and an estimated budget savings of over $500,000 by moving the district’s medical insurance to a self-insured plan, where the district will be responsible for the claims. Currently the district gives 21% of its budget to United Health Care, according to Moore. The budget also proposes to transfer an additional $3.6 million from the M&O fund to the unallocated capital contingency should the $95-million bond fail in November, according to Moore. “We may need capital at a moment’s notice,” he said. “Rather than bringing a revised budget we will have that budget contingency available and will be able to make sort of capital purchases at a moment’s notice.” He added that the budget would be revised if the bond passes, putting the $3.6

million back in its original account. He said that although there are bills addressing the Aggregate Expenditure Limit, as it stands now, school districts in the state will again face potential cuts in the new fiscal year because the state Legislature in March approved lifting the cap but just for Fiscal Year 2022. “We are planning on holding a large contingency for this just in case those bills do not go through,” Moore said. We will be prepared.” Moore said the increase to the proposed budget can be attributed to a number of factors, including keeping the ADM or student enrollment flat and a projected 2%, inflation, which is the minimal the state has to fund the district. Moore also said that due to the pop-

ulation increase in the state, there are bills being proposed to increase funding for K-12 anywhere between $400 million to $600 million. The district budget took a conservative approach at the potential increase in funding and he didn’t expect to have to revise the budget down but rather up, he said. “Across the board good news for Higley in what we can do for the future,” Moore said. “I feel very confident we can make a lot of our initiatives funded and it’s nice to see this state start to invest some budget into K-12 in addition to their regular obligated statutory inflation percentage. So that is encouraging news.” Also in the proposed budget the average teacher salary is $65,717, up from $62,173 from Fiscal Year 2022.

SCHOOLS from page 6

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

LINDSEY from page 3

property taxes (for all jurisdictions) and utility taxes as well as secondary revenue impacts generated by employees. The property would have seven entrances, five off Germann and two off Lindsay. During construction, which would be done in one phase, there would only be one entrance for work trucks and the project site would be fenced, Sellers said. Baugh said Sellers won’t buy the property unless the rezone is approved. Sellers said the intent is to develop and hold onto the property. Baugh expected the project to go to Planning Commission in late summer/ early fall and then to Town Council for consideration in December. The public will get the chance to publicly comment on the project at those meetings, he added. If approved, the project is expected to take 18 months to build with completion estimated in 2024, according to Baugh. Tarah Gramza, who also lives in Copperleaf, initially opposed the project but has since relented a bit after she and neighbor Krista VanderMolen met with

A restaurant also is part of LGE Design Creations’ plan. (Town of Gilbert)

Sellers to discuss residents’ concerns a month ago. “Many of these concerns led to changes in design,” Gramza said in an email. “The meeting that occurred last night (June7) came out of one of the recommendations we provided. Krista and I spent large amounts of our off time, prior to sitting down with LGE, researching city code, studying the city plans, interviewing experts not involved in this project, getting community feedback, and researching

The LGE project at Lindsay and Germann roads would have as many as 149 truck bays. (Town of Gilbert)

other public studies in order to truly understand the big picture.” She said not everyone will be happy with the project but “there are many things behind the scenes that have logically made LGE and investors chose this type of project rather than a business park.” “I am in support of building value to our community with the least possible negative impact on the homes, students, schools, and fire station,” she said. “Thinking logically, the zoning change to

LI from BP makes more sense based on the Gilbert city plans rather than switching it to other uses.” But in order to have her support, Gramza said the developer must address the trucking traffic in its design and include a solution that would push truckers to exit onto Lindsay rather than Germann. “Obviously, we can’t stop all truckers from using Germann but we do believe there are ways to mitigate its use in the design,” she said.

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COMMUNITY

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

For more community news visit gilbertsunnews.com GilbertSunNews.com |

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BBB, SRP honor 4 Gilbert JROTC cadets GSN NEWS STAFF

hree Gilbert teens and a Queen Creek resident who attends Higley High have received scholarships as part of a program by the Better Business Bureau and Salt River Project to honor students in the Junior Officers Training Corps in their schools. The awardees include: Evelyn Frost of Campo Verde High, Alexander McDermott from Gilbert High, Cole Pierce of Higley High and Higley student Abigail McKena Cramer of Queen Creek. The cadets were cited for their “leadership, character, commitment to service and actions that go beyond the call of duty.” The winners also were cited for essays they were asked to write that focused on those values. The following are excerpts from the Gilbert winners’

Abigail Mckena Cramer entries.

ABIGAIL MCKENA CRAMER Words like “weak” were what I commonly associated with being dependent on others. This was until I was given the opportunity to be a part of the Varsity Joint Leadership and Academic Bowl Team

Evelyn Frost

Alexander Mcdermott

Cole Pierce

within AFJROTC. I was nervous, because it was very new to me, but once I was there I was welcomed. They worked with my communication skills and also taught me how to be efficient when working with others. The word team means so much more to me now than ever before. This team gave me the opportunity to learn to

rely on others when I need help. The motto we go by in the Corps is “One Team, One Fight, One Win.” I proceeded to be on JLAB for two years afterwards serving as the varsity captain, and we still fight as one team and consis-

Richard said. “I mean, it took everything. It took my wife’s life, she’s in a bed ... and it’s taking my business. I can’t run this business on my own and I can’t find anybody who has, Connie’s been doing it for like 35 years, ...the business worked because Connie developed trustworthy relationships with her clients.” There’s another reason they are closing their business, which has been at the corner of Dobson and Germann since 2013. If he tried to run the business even without his wife’s expertise and relationships, someone has to be a caregiver. “Who’s going to take care of my wife?” Richard said. “Whenever she throws up, who’s going to tell her it’s OK and clean it up? When she loses her hair, who’s going tell her ‘I love you anyway?’” The crash left Connie with a broken neck and herniated discs. Those could be, and were, dealt with in surgery. The

bigger problem is what it did to her nervous system. She has complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Basically, the pain receptors in her body never turn off. Connie is in constant pain. That is not all. The nerves in her stomach are unable to tell when there is food present. Normally, once the nerves recognize food is there, they begin to process it. Richard says in Connie’s case, the food just sits inside her stomach and rots. That has led to her losing a lot of weight, now down to 95 pounds. She also developed allodynia, which is a sensitivity to touch, light and sounds. There’s a medical center in Arkansas that specializes in CRPS, basically trying to rebuild the nervous system to lessen the constant pain. They were there for about three months and were starting to

see CADETS page 16

Wife’s pain, cancer force area store to close BY KEN SAIN GSN Staff Writer

t’s easy to forget that life can change in a moment. One moment is forcing Richard and Connie Finkbeiner to sell their Chandler business of more than 20 years. They plan to close Connie’s Jewelry Gallery and Clock Shop at 1900 W. Germann Road forever around the end of June. Connie had just dropped her grandchild off and was returning home in February of 2017. She stopped at a stop sign. There was a utility box blocking her view. She leaned forward, and turned her neck to try and see around it. It was that moment that her car was hit from behind by a maintenance truck. Richard says he’s been told the other driver was distracted. “You know, a kid being irresponsible and we think he was on his phone,”

Connie Finkbeiner, owner of a south Chandler jewelry store with her husband, has suffered horrendous injuries. (Special to GSN)

see JEWELRY page 16

COMMUNITY

JEWELRY from page 15

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

see some positive results. But that ended when they diagnosed Connie with breast cancer. Before she can return to Arkansas, they must first address that. They measure pain on a scale up to 50. Connie’s usually falls between 42 and 45. “So CRPS ... is known as the suicide disease,” Richard said. “People just can’t take it over a period, and the doctors don’t … understand how to go ahead and deal with people’s ... pain like that.” Richard said it’s not been easy for them. How have they got through this? “It’s just through faith,” he said. “I’m on my knees 10 times a day. The Lord will guide us through this.” So far the medical bills have cost them $500,000. The insurance company for the business that owned the maintenance truck

CADETS from page 15

tently win. From the time I first joined the Corps to now, I no longer am the nervous kid on the first day of school that was too afraid to approach her instructors. I am the first person to volunteer for an event, and now I can perform in front of hundreds or do color guards at major events without being nervous. I am excited to go to events where I have a role, because I am confident in myself that I can do it correctly and well.

EVELYN FROST By building integrity in an individual, the whole community is invigorated. I use integrity to know that I am the thing that determines whether or not I achieve my goals. This year, my corps has introduced me to a level of physical fitness which I had not expected, and was not sufficiently prepared. So, I have taken it upon myself to run around my neighborhood roUghly once a week in addition to my in-class workouts. I wanted to improve my fitness scores, especially in running, and I knew I was responsible for how and when that improvement occurred. My community has given me the courage and integrity to realize that my improvement is incumbent on me. .. My corps participated in the Desert Talon Drill Meet, and I wanted to support them, so I asked to come along. It was an illuminating involvement, where I learned about a part of my corps which I had not

that hit Connie has admitted to the crash, but not to any injuries sustained. Richard said they are suing them with a court date scheduled for this summer. A GoFundMe page has been set up by Richard’s sister to help them. Search for “Please Help Save Connie” if you would like to contribute. Richard said it was a hard decision to close their business, but he had little choice. “Everything you have and don’t have go into your business,” Richard said. “I mean, this business is my 401k. This business is my IRA. I don’t have anything else. Everything has been put into the business to … make the business go. That’s just the way you have to do it.” Information: 480-883-3320.

previously understood. Excellence helps solidify my space in the community, by giving me the means and motivation to discover new things about myself and others. On the whole, my experiences as a cadet in AZ-951 have taught me a new, fuller definition of community which is founded on three values I use every day. ALEXANDER MCDERMOTT Having integrity didn’t just help me in JROTC. During my junior year, I became captain of the cross country team and the distance portion of the track team and led the entire team during meets, helped schedule workouts, and even ran a practice in the coach’s absence. At work, I performed all my duties as I was asked, and within 2 months received a promotion and a leadership job. … As an AFJROTC Cadet, I make sure I put the Corps, my family, and school before my personal needs. Sometimes sacrifices can be difficult, I made an important decision earlier this month to cut short a trip I had been planning for 6 months because of an ill-timed drill competition. As much as I wanted to spend a week in Florida seeing the sights and my future college, I refuse to leave my peers behind and unable to perform in my absence… My instructors quickly realized the effort I was putting in and promoted me up to flight commander where I could lead other cadets by example and teach others to be like me. Helping my local

Co-owner Richard Finkbeiner. said he has to close his Chandler jewelry store so he can care for his wife Connie. (David Minton/GSN Staff Photographer)

community is one of my highest priorities. I began volunteering in 8th grade at a local church by making and serving food to the homeless. My favorite part was meeting the men and women I was serving and talking to them about their experiences. I was inspired by their diligence towards improving themselves and humbled by the misfortunes that placed them where they were that day. Their ambition and hope instilled a sense of perseverance in me, and I saw how much my efforts and time affected them. .. Now, in JROTC and in National Honor Society, I am tasked with finding community service events to take others to and I continue to serve in local food banks and by volunteering at local sporting events with my peers. I continue to serve in local food banks and by volunteering at local sporting events with my peers. These experiences and over 250 hours of community service helped me realize that my community isn’t just my classmates or my neighborhood, but every single person in my city whether rich or poor, shy or extroverted. COLE PIERCE With my senior year approaching, I began accepting more responsibilities. I have limited experience of the ‘real world’ outside of school and my first job. JROTC taught me how to navigate life’s complexities when I leave high school and

how I can best prepare for college. We conducted mock interviews and prepared ourselves for what prospective employers will expect. JROTC helped me understand how to deliver an effective elevator pitch, as well as how to write an effective cover letter and resume. Everything in JROTC helped expand my horizons, thoughts, and emotions about the world I am walking into. One of the most critical challenges I faced as a young adult was my lack of confidence. JROTC taught me to be more confident in order to show my worth in ways that are meaningful. I participated in many service events through JROTC that helped me with my confidence. The most impactful event that helped me was the Veterans’ Day Celebration. It is an honor to those who served and supported our country. … During my two years in JROTC, I collaborated with and influenced my peers as well as maintained personal and professional standards. JROTC introduced me to the real world, showing me how to conquer challenges and solve problems that will undoubtedly occur. My development through this program allows for growth, growth leading to wisdom, and wisdom forming knowledge. With this knowledge, I am better prepared for future challenges. With my newfound voice and confidence gained from JROTC, I am more prepared for my future and excited to continue advancing in my chess game that is my life.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

Obituaries 480-898-6465 • obits@TimesLocalMedia.com Deadline: Wednesday by 5pm for Sunday

Roy Everett Harris

Harris 89, a Mesa "SnowBird" since 1996 and a permanent resident since 2003, died in Mesa, Arizona, on May 18, 2022. Mr Harris was born in a remote ranch house near Ewan, Washington, in 1932. He graduated from Whitman College, Walla Walla, and the University of Washington Law School. He practiced Law in Anchorage, Alaska, from 1958 until 1995. He was preceded in death by three wives: Sally Maxon Harris (married 3 years) who passed away in 2021; Marie Schembre Harris (married 35 years) who passed away in 1998; and Susan Shaw Harris (married 12 years) who passed away in 2015. Here in the Valley, he sang with the Phoenix Symphony Chorus and with the ASU Choral Union. He served as narrator for Christmas concerts with the Phoenix Symphony. He appeared on stage with Theater Works in Peoria as Vandergelder in "Hello, Dolly!" and as the Stage Manager in "Our Town" at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Mesa, where he was a choir member, lay reader and vestry member, and where he met Susan Shaw. He is survived by his sister, Mary (Harris Crane) Cowan of Coupeville, Washington; and his three children, Daniel Harris (wife Trudy) of Spokane, Washington; John Harris (wife Robyn) of Cedar City, Utah; and Margo Schembre (husband Mike Dederian) of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and Susan's children and grandchildren. Deadline for obituaries is Wednesday at 5pm for Sunday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays. Call 480-898-6465 Mon-Fri 8:30-5 if you have questions. Visit: obituaries.TimesLocalMedia.com

Jack Richard Alexander

Jack Richard Alexander, Ph.D. of Chandler, Arizona passed peacefully on Saturday May 7, 2022. He fell victim to Pulmonary Fibrosis and his own stubbornness. He just waited too long to seek medical help. He was born in Santa Ana, California on February 5, 1944. He was the only son of Gerald and June Alexander. He had an active youth, became an Eagle Scout, and got his pilot’s license at 17 years of age. He loved working in machinery and after a few years as a machinist, he became a hot rod driver. A great part of his life was dedicated to pursuing his passion. In his late 20s he became a successful real estate broker in Orange County. In the early 80s he earned his PhD in business administration. His true genius was being a pilot for several companies. He was a Chief Pilot for Skywest Airlines and worked until retirement as a jet captain. After retirement, he worked for a few years in Kona, Hawaii as a broker/office manager for a real estate firm. He enjoyed watching drag racing as well as being crew on Randy Bradford’s racing team out of Washington State. He also, in younger days, was an avid scuba diver, mostly off the big island of Hawaii, exotic dive sites traveler, a Mason and a member of QBs. He was a baritone in the Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Kona, Hawaii. Members of his family include his wife of 31 years, Francine Alexander, his three adult children: Steven Alexander of Chandler AZ, Karen Alexander of Highland CA and Kimberly (Ryan) Dempsey of Middleburg VA. He has two grandchildren in Southern California: Jake McManus and Kristina Alexander. Jack’s cremation has taken place and his service will be held at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Chandler on June 18, 2022.

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GilbertSunNews.com |

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

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Clinic provides free dental, mental health care

pay for mental health services for up to 10 children. So far, about 30 children have been referred to mental health counselors for additional screening since the program began in February. Grudowski said that many of those did not need professional counseling, and they still have funds available. When a child from a low-income family shows up at one of the two clinics for dental care, they are screened. The parents of children younger than 12 are asked the questions to determine if addi-

tional screening is required. Children who are 12 and older fill out their own screening form. “And then we take a look at that, based on what we see, we might ask a follow up question or two to clarify,” said Sharon Gilloon, one of the dental hygienists for Dignity Health. “And then we’ll pass that off, we’ll explain to them what would happen next, if they did indicate here that they wanted counseling or if they indicated some areas that they have trained us to look at as being critical areas.” Each hygienist received about four

hours of training to help them screen the children they treat. Grudowski said there have always been some children who had mental health issues. “It’s something that’s always been prevalent, but yes, I would say the pandemic has 100% increased the problems of mental health issues among adolescents and youth, specifically things like anxiety, depression and self-harm behaviors,” Grudowski said. “We’ve seen an increase in those issues.” Both sides say the partnership has worked out well so far. “We started seeing some signs that created an awareness in our team, like, we have to do something to help these families,” Westphal said. “So that’s how the whole idea came about, where we started searching for resources and navigating the system. And we learned that it was challenging to navigate the system to begin with.” Gilloon said she believes they are helping children who might not otherwise get the help they need. “I honestly feel just privileged to be able to offer some services to the kids,” she said. “I feel like it’s definitely needed, and the earlier the better in an individual’s life. They can learn some skills to cope with some of the things we’re seeing.”

of only 100 family law lawyers selected for Fellowship in the U.S. is the pinnacle in my career. These are the best family law trial lawyers in America, and I am honored and proud to be among them. I will strive to live up to the high standards they have set for our practice.” The American College of Family Trial Lawyers is a select group of 100 of the top family law trial lawyers from across

the United States. It was formed in 1993 to bring together some of lawyers “practicing sophisticated and complex family law and matrimonial matters..” Davvis has been practicing law for 25 years and focuses on complex divorce and custody litigation, along with preparing and negotiating marital agreements. She is an adjunct professor at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor

College of Law. Davis is certified as a family law specialist by the Arizona Bar; is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. She also has been honored by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers as one of the top 50 Lawyers in Arizona and top 25 women lawyers in the state.

BY KEN SAIN GSN Staff Writer

t’s no secret the pandemic caused a lot of stress for and children were not immune. Hygienists with the East Valley Community Dental Clinics noticed the problem last year and so they partnered with Southwest Behavioral and Health Services to address it. The children’s dental clinics in Chandler and Gilbert are screening patients from low-income families to see if they might benefit from some counseling with mental health professionals. “Why this collaboration is starting was because we started seeing children with some health concerns, mental health concerns, that we were like, ‘we have to do something about this,’” said Diana Westphal, the community oral health dental clinic supervisor for Dignity Health, which runs the two East Valley clinics. She said that one of the reasons this partnership makes sense is that the financial burden is one hurdle that keeps low-income families from reaching out for help. Becky Grudowski, program director with Southwest Behavioral and Health Services, said they received a grant to

The Chandler CARE Center provides provides free preventive dental care and mental health screenings to children in the Chandler Unified School District.The program includes, from left, Becky Grudowski, program director for Southwest Behavioral and Health Service and schoolbased program for the East Valley; Sharon Gillon AP, registered dental hygienist; and Diana Westphal, Dignity Health Children’s Dental Clinic supervisor. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Area lawyer gets big national honor GSN NEWS STAFF

Chandler lawyer is one of only 100 attorneys in the country named to the American College of Family Trial Lawyers. Helen Davis is a member of the Cavanagh Law Firm and was its board chair. “This is one of the most significant honors in my career,” Davis said. “To be one

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

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OPINION

Opinion GilbertSunNews.com |

@Gilber tSunNews

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

For more opinions visit gilbertsunnews.com /Gilber tSunNews

Meet the 2022 Gilbert Town Council candidates To Our readers

The Gilbert Sun News offered the nine Town Council candidates the opportunity to write two 500-word pieces on a topic of their choice related to their candidacy and the issues. This is the first round of columns. Some candidates did not meet the deadline for their submission but they will be added, along with these columns, to our special election page at gilbertsunnews.com, where you can also find their answers to our questionnaires. Some of these candidate’s pieces were edited for space in the paper but their original column appears in full online.

Bongiovanni: Council needs Clark: Integrity in leadership a businessman on board and other principles BY CHUCK BONGIOVANNI Guest Writer

ne of the main functions of a Town Council is to approve budgets and projects. Therefore, the outcome of each Town Council vote affects every citizen in the Town of Gilbert one way or another. Each project approval involves spending tax dollars. Before voters decide who to cast their votes for in the Aug. 2 primary for Town Council, they need to know the mindset of each candidate. Does this candi-

date have a mindset of an employee or an experienced business operator? The answer will directly affect how they see spending the voters’ money. A quality candidate should have a strong “business mindset” as opposed to an “employee mindset.” There are many differences between the two mindsets. Before a business owner writes a check for a business improvement, they understand that every dollar spent comes out of their pocket. However, when an employee is directed to pay a bill or approve a proposal to spend money for the business, that employee is writing

BY MICHAEL CLARK Guest Writer

see BONGIOVANNI page 24

s Bryce Courtenay said, “First with the head, then the heart, you’ll be ahead from the start.” I would like to add to this quote by saying we need to respect. Gilbert Town Council leadership does not need to agree but needs to respect the office of council. A little friction is healthy as long as we know when to rein it in. So, what is it you expect? Your voice is asking for full transparency of leader-

mation moves so quickly that whoever’s truth comes out first and loudest is the one who wins. Louder makes you more right. You don’t even have to be factual anymore – you just must be first. While collecting petition signatures one question I asked Gilbert residents was, “what concerns do you have about Gilbert?” The reply over and again was the lack of transparency and distrust of elected officials in our town. Which leads me to believe that residents in the town have very little confidence they are being told the truth.

Residents feel like they are getting only partial truths. From this, I can only conclude that truth does matter to Gilbert residents as much as it does to me. Since July 3, 2006 (the day I became a naturalized citizen) it has been on my heart to serve this country in some capacity. The truth told to me as a child that if I work hard and kept grinding, I too can be successful and live the American dream. I believe that I am living that dream in Gilbert. I take exception with the way our elected officials have denied the

ship. Over the past 25 years I have lived in Gilbert, we predominately had open public meetings, committee meetings and study groups. It is time to restore confidence and trust to the public with full transparency. If we expect Gilbert to remain one of the safest places to live, we need a crime lab. The lab is instrumental in gathering evidence to enable the department to charge and convict in a timely manner. Residents and businesses want council to support the building and development of a family advocacy center. The FAC will help people with resources

see CLARK page 27

Chicas: I believe truth must prevail on Town Council BY MARIO CHICAS Guest Writer

oes telling the truth matter? Do people care about telling the truth anymore? Truth has been an American value since its founding. Somehow we went from telling each other the truth to everyone telling you their truth. It’s become a race to be first not to be truthful and/or accurate. Infor-

public the truth. Residents of Gilbert deserve the truth, all the time. If I have the privilege to serve on the council, my priority will be to bring the truth to light. I will ask the difficult questions of elected officials and staff. Residents deserve the truth and transparency no matter how painful it may be to gather it. George Washington said, “truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light.” I plan to do just that, help truth prevail.”

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

Koprowski: I have helped improve the community BY YUNG KOPROWSKI Guest Writer

ello Gilbert! My name is Yung Koprowski and I’m a candidate for Town Council. I am an engineer, successful business owner, daughter, wife, mother, and community servant. I am currently a Gilbert Council member and served as vice mayor from September 2020 to January 2022. It’s been an honor serving the community. I am a professional civil engineer and started my own company five years ago providing transportation engineering services. I launched Y2K Engineering to be a role model for women, young professionals, and to inspire future generations of engineers.

I specialize in transportation safety, traffic technology, and designing roads and trails for walking and bicycling. The company has seen tremendous growth, from me working off of the dining room table to leading a team of 20 employees in Arizona, Colorado, and Idaho. I have been devoted to the community my entire adult life. From volunteering at Habitat for Humanity as a team and house leader for over 600 hours to volunteering on the boards of numerous professional organizations, generosity is at my core. I love my career as an engineer because of the positive impact I can make on our communities. I had the privilege to volunteer and serve as vice chair of Gilbert’s Citizens Transportation Task Force, which led to my appointment to the Town Council in May 2020. My lead-

see KOPROWSKI page 24

OPINION

Spence: These are some of my guiding principles BY BILL SPENCE Guest Writer

hroughout the course of my life I have had the opportunity to work alongside and be influenced by some absolutely incredible leaders. These interactions have forged many of philosophies by which I chose to live my life and that I believe makes an effective servant leader. I’d like to share some of these principles with you. I have common-sense conservative views regarding the role of government and believe that decisions should be data-driven and derived logically versus ideologically. When faced with making a policy decision, I first consider the desires of the people whom I serve, and the legality of the policy. What do the

residents want and is it legal? Next comes the data-driven element. Does the data support the decision? It’s easy to find data to support any decision. However, I believe that it is imperative to collect and evaluate an abundance of information from a variety of sources, and then we should communicate to the public the data that was evaluated. This helps to ensure that public feels that they have been heard, that their concerns have been considered, and that meaningful information has not been overlooked. Lastly, a logical NOT ideological decision must be made. We should never cast a vote “out of principle” that differs from the will of the people, the law, and that is unquestionably supported

see SPENCE page 27

Obayomi: Why I am the best Torgeson: I won’t compromise choice for Town Council the town’s basic values BY BUS OBAYOMI Guest Writer

am running for Gilbert Town Council because I am passionate about protecting our property rights, maintaining our high home values, and providing support for our schools and public safety personnel. Bus Obayomi is a bridge builder. As a bridge builder and someone connected to various communities in Gilbert, I would love to see more involvement from all communities and diverse groups in Gilbert. As a person of color, my involvement would encourage minorities in the town to be more engaged and become critical contributors to Gilbert.

As a management consultant, my expertise in technology provides a large pool of technology experts to play more crucial roles in the town’s growth. As a Christian leader, my relationship and engagement with various churches and religious organizations provide an avenue to address urgent issues that adversely impact the city. We live in an excellent Town, but such a reputation can also undermine addressing significant issues that impact our residents. That is why I am involved in Gilbert Community Engagement Task Force. Bus Obayomi is a business strategist and a problem solver. As a town councilman, my priority is to listen to the issues that are priorities in our town. As a business strategist, i am a well-ac-

see OBAYOMI page 24

BY JIM TORGESON Guest Writer

moved to Gilbert because it felt like the town I grew up in; an affluent, educated community. Sadly, Gilbert is eroding in much the same way my hometown, Glendale CA decayed years ago. I grew up the son of an engineer/scientist and a homemaker, graduated from UCLA while having a decade long career in music followed by opening my own concert venue. An interesting career seeing that I don’t drink. In 1995, I married Lauri (despite the fact she graduated USC) and have two children: Rex (26), a tech company executive (about to go public) and Jenna (20) a contemporary ballet dancer who has

danced everywhere from the Bolshoi to American Ballet Theater. Today, I own a successful sign business and have started a guitar manufacturing business as well as assisting my wife in opening a wedding venue. Why run for Council? Town Council has lost its way. They have voted for mask mandates, mandatory vaccinations for staff (including police and fire), to close businesses, unnecessarily raised water and waste rates while simultaneously handing out 5% blanket raises and $2,000 bonuses regardless of individual employee merit and regardless of the fact it was taxpayer money, not theirs to give away. Council has changed zoning for favored developers, increased apartment density, started commuter /light rail

see TORGESON page 24

OPINION

BONGIOVANNI from page 22

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

TORGESON from page 23

a check with other people’s money, the business owner, not their own. Somehow, a history of spending other people’s money does not seem like a suitable candidate for the Citizens of Gilbert. It is easy to spend other people’s money, taxpayers in this case, then it is to spend your own. It is easier to approve a project when you have never felt the pressure of earning that money yourself. I started a small business in Gilbert in 1995, helping families find senior housing options. I boot-strapped that company from its first day of inception. It was not always lucrative, and I remember paying my employees many times without receiving a paycheck myself because revenue was low. I remember the feeling of spending money on consultants, hoping I would get my money’s worth but never really feeling like I did. Slowly over the years, that company

grew to 155 offices in 37 states and was eventually acquired by a large private equity firm. I took the risk and started another company in the middle of COVID, which is now international. A quality candidate understands and questions every dollar spent on a project and looks for ways to save without affecting the overall quality of it. I have the business experience and the education to earn a position on the Town Council. I will spend taxpayer’s money as if it were my own. While others may have more direct political experience, I do not believe having experience spending taxpayers’ dollars with the mindset of an employee is advantageous for the citizens of the Town of Gilbert. When casting your vote for Town Council, business ownership, rather than political experience, should be the most crucial factor to consider. It is time we take the politics out of politics.

plans, increased the property tax levy and even paid one of their political consultants an extraordinary fee for a phone poll among other questionable contracts. The disconnect between Council and the public they are supposed to represent has grown to gargantuan proportions. Several Councilmembers voted to use taxpayer money to fund sex change surgery for staff and their families. The LGBTQ community was not supportive of that woke move. I campaigned against the $515M bond because it was not a clearly defined list of expenditures. It is an open checkbook in the hands of a Council that spends without regard to the taxpayer. Council fancy themselves leaders, but they are not nor were they supposed to be. They are supposed to represent the residents of Gilbert and, as the oath of office states, the Constitution of the

United States. I am running not because I want to, but rather that I am compelled to. One must do what they are capable of doing rather than complain. In respecting that standard, I can and will effect change and am willing to subject myself to the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have volunteered for over 15 years to Gilbert; as the chairman of Redevelopment (Heritage District) during its most successful period, chairing the Community Services Committee (an eye opening experience in shameless cronyism it has changed) and serving on Planning and Zoning, which was an education in just how much influence could be mishandled in our community. I am here to say we can do better. We can be the Town we have come to expect without compromising basic values and still not be left behind in a forward moving era.

complished management executive and transformational coach who is highly regarded for directing the flawless delivery of large-scale enterprise solutions in government, financial services, and healthcare. I have provided stellar guidance in facilitating industry best practices to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and drive significant cost reduction. With my expertise, I bring in a fresh perspective on how we can improve efficiencies in the council and look for ave-

nues to eliminate any wasteful spending. My diplomatic personality, calm demeanor, and insightful initiatives have made me a well-sought and highly reputable business leader. My experience in various sectors, from finance to technology to healthcare, makes me best qualified to be the next Gilbert Town councilman. What makes me stand out is that I understand the business market and provide initiatives to continue to help businesses thrive.

Bus Obayomi is a global business leader and a servant leader: one quote that has dramatically impacted me over the years was, “Think globally, and act locally.” The world has become a global village. With a thriving labor force, the Town of Gilbert is attractive to many people from all works of life. Many professionals like myself are calling Gilbert home. I moved here because it is family-oriented and has a growing tech base. It is no longer a secret that significant busi-

nesses find Gilbert as a strategic location for their workforce. We need to leverage the growth of these businesses. As a leader who understands these businesses, I am the best leader to leverage their presence in Gilbert and continue utilizing them to empower our workforce. We need a leader who will put our community first, ahead of our plan. Being a servant leader leads from behind and encourages others to take ownership of their responsibilities in the community.

ership and volunteerism have made it possible for me to use my professional skill set to improve the town. As a council member for the past two years, I love being a part of a great community that provides such a high quality of life for families and residents while remaining lean and fiscally responsible. I served on the Council subcommittee which allocates AZCares Funds amongst nonprofits, local businesses, direct resident assistance, and public safety; and advocated for the successful transporta-

tion and infrastructure bond to enhance safety, mitigate traffic impacts due to growth, and address aging infrastructure. I believe that I am the best candidate for Gilbert Town Council because of my education, experience, and leadership. My knowledge and background lend a unique and valuable perspective on the Town Council, where approximately 45% of budget expenditures go towards capital improvement infrastructure projects.

Gilbert residents expect an excellent quality of life. From fixing our aging infrastructure and planning new growth - to our exceptional community amenities, we’ve worked hard to set this bar high. I will ensure Gilbert continues to provide the best quality of life for our families. I will support business prosperity, diverse employment, and higher education so our children and grandchildren have bountiful opportunities to live and work in Gilbert. I will make data-driven

decisions to keep efficient use of your tax dollars while providing comprehensive and innovative services for residents and businesses. Gilbert has outstanding public safety rankings, but with growth comes challenges. I will continue to back our Police and Fire Departments so they have the tools, training, and resources needed to protect and serve our community. I’m a responsible leader that you can count on!

OBAYOMI from page 23

KOPROWSKI from page 23

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

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OPINION

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

CLARK from page 22

who have experienced a traumatic event resulting in a variety of physical and emotional responses. The day a crime is made against an individual, the residents and businesses will expect this service available. You also want integrity in leadership There are people who say they support police, fire, and all other first responders…but do they? I pledge 100% of my

SPENCE from page 23

support and will never defund or mandate our first responders! We need a growth and retention program for our first responders and for all of Gilbert’s employees. We need other towns and cities to stop poaching our talent. Now the big one. Your voice has been raised and now we need to listen by keeping apartments to 3% or less of the

total land mass of Gilbert. Voting records do not and will not lie. We need to restrain eminent domain. I was at a council meeting when a lady said the Town came out and said they made a mistake and wanted about 60 feet more of her front yard. This would have left her with 12 feet of front yard. There needs to be a better way to handle this situation.

We started the Op Ed saying, “First with the head, then the heart, you’ll be ahead from the start.” Together we can start new leadership by living the power of one and placing your trust in Michael Clark as town council member Aug. 2. Feel free to contact me at michael@ voteclark22.com or call 602-510-6562. Thank you and God Bless.

by data. We should never fail to cast a These words of wisdom have been a word. With every day that I serve, I proper vote simply to satisfy a group part of my life for a very long time and always pray for wisdom, courage and affiliation or to avoid political backlash have a direct application as public lead- strength. Wisdom to make the best posfrom a small, vocal minority. ership. sible decision. Courage to communiMany years ago, my pastor said that We must listen intently to all parties cate my decisions, and even change my when you set your pride and ego aside, and we must keep an open mind while mind when appropriate. And strength you tend to make good choices. Gen. they plead their case. We must always to stand by and defend the decisions. James Mattis said. “Listen with the pros- be transparent and inform the public of I humbly ask for your vote on Aug. 2. Send your letters to the editor, pect of being persuaded.” When I fin- pending policy decisions with enough Please visit my website at VoteSpence. ished my qualification to drive a nuclear time so that the public can participate com for more information and feel free Paul Maryniak at COLOR: Right click swatch, and find and replace with correct color submarine, my commanding officer told in and contribute to process. to contact me with any other question pmaryniak@timeslocalmedia.com me, “Inform me with enough time to Lastly, I work to always ensure that I that you may have. make a difference in the outcome.” act with integrity and stay true to my

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Higley’s Jamar Malone embracing pressure as QB BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

here’s hardly ever been a moment that was too big for Higley High School sophomore quarterback Jamar Malone. Even last year as a freshman being thrown into the mix against some of the top teams in the 6A Conference, he remains calm. That’s the demeanor of Malone, one that relies on the trust he has built with his teammates and his own natural ability to get him out of adversity-riddled situations. That’s what allowed him to be handed the reigns of the Higley offense at a young age, and what will help him likely become one of the top quarterbacks in the state when his high school career is over. “I had a great team around me last year that really pushed me,” Malone said. “When it was a tough time, they made it seem like it wasn’t too big. We all stayed calm, cool and collected and I think that helped us pull through in some of those tough moments. I knew I just had to prove myself.” There was excitement around Malone from the moment he stepped foot on Higley’s campus. Before taking a snap of high school football he earned scholarship offers to Arizona State and Louisville. Higley coach Eddy Zubey knew he had a special talent on his hands, one he would argue as generational. And it didn’t take long for Malone to open the eyes of others around the state and country in his first varsity season. Malone split time in his freshman year early on with junior Cash Merrill. But eventually, Zubey and his staff made the full-time change to Malone. “He just came in with a lot of poise, a lot of leadership,” Zubey said. “He gave us the best ability to move the chains and score. When things break down, his legs

Higley sophomore quarterback Jamar Malone embraces some of the pressure that comes with his young age and the position he is in. He doesn’t let it phase him, especially with the talent he has around him that could quickly make Higley a contender in 5A this fall. (Dave Minton/GSN Staff)

are smart enough to make us look good as coaches.” He went on to pass for 1,562 yards and 12 touchdowns in his freshman season at the varsity level. The Knights went 2-8

overall but faced the likes of Open Division qualifiers Queen Creek and Hamilton, as well as 6A runner-up Chaparral and semifinalist Red Mountain. It was a brutal schedule for a team that

was relying heavily on a freshman and a core group of underclassmen to lead the way. But they became better as players due to the competition. Overall, it prepared them for the 2022 season in which Higley will move down a conference to where it hopes to compete for a title. “When the kids understood why we were going down or what we were going down for, it was ultimately just a huge jump in excitement and buy-in not only from the kids but from the parents,” Zubey said. “When you run a program like we do, it’s a village. Just to get the parens’ support is just as important as the kids’ support.” Higley showed early on this summer the firepower it has on offense. Along with Malone, the Knights return wideouts Carter Hancock and Dominic Esposito. Junior Nijrell Eason, a star defensive back who has started since his freshman year, will also make his way to the offensive side of the ball to show off his explosiveness. Junior Donovan Aidoo, a standout safety whose recruitment has blown up this off-season, will also spend time on offense. The Higley backfield will be bolstered by Daxen Hall, the younger brother of 2018 graduate Draycen Hall who helped Higley to some of its most successful seasons. As a quarterback, Malone is excited for the weapons he has around him and new offense that is being installed with the departure of former offensive coordinator Brandon Large taking over at Westwood. He hasn’t shown any problems with learning the new offense, as he was airing it out during the Gotta Believe Athletic Club’s annual high school 7 on 7 and big man tournament over Memorial Day weekend. He did the same at Arizona State’s 7s and big man competition a week later. “It’s exciting,” Malone said. “I’m out there jumping, running around. I have

see MALONE page 30

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MALONE from page 28

a great group of guys around me. What we have, it’s a scary sight.” Malone’s rise as one of the top quarterbacks in the state despite his young age started when he was 5 years old. His love for the game pushed him to always be the best version of himself on the field. That, in turn, has also allowed him to become a leader of the Higley coach Eddy Zubey had confidence in Jamar Malone since he stepped foot on campus. His athleticism helps extend plays team off of it. The players trust and according to Zubey, “makes the coaches look good.” (Dave Minton/GSN Staff) him. The coaches trust him. And for the 6-footAnd with talent around him, he plans to 2, 205-pound sophomore, that’s all he can do just that. ask for in his position. “I just want to make sure I lead my team He knows he will have even more eyes on him as he progresses through the sum- and every time we step out onto the field mer and into the fall season. But to him, we are playing to the best of our ability,” that doesn’t bring along pressure. If any- Malone said. “As long as you are putting thing, it allows him to showcase what he in the work, everything else will come in. can do.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

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QC drummer shares beloved singer’s final tunes BY ALEX GALLAGHER GetOut Staff Writer

hen the alt-rock band Grey Daze wanted to honor its late lead singer, Chester Bennington, one way stood out. Drummer Sean Dowdell approached Bennington’s widow, Talinda Bennington, and her children about breathing new life into 20 unreleased tracks with the Linkin Park singer’s vocals. “I told Talinda and the that we’re going to curate this project and keep his original intention to not exploit anything,” Dowdell said. Bennington died by suicide at age 41 in 2017. Grey Daze formed in 1993 and released two albums – “Wake Me” (1994) and “…No Sun Today” (1997) – and recorded demos for several other works at Anthem Studios in Glendale and the Valley’s Conservatory of Recording Arts and Science. When Linkin Park reached commercial success at the turn of the millennium, Grey Daze disbanded. With Talinda Bennington’s blessing, Dowdell – who graduated from Shadow Mountain High School and resides in Queen Creek – bass player Mace Beyers and guitar player Cristin Davis moved forward d to shed one more light on another dimension of the singer. The first chapter was the 2020 release of “Amends,” featuring 10 Bennington-led tracks. Following the success of the album, Dowdell returned to the studio later that year to wrap up the remaining 10 tracks. “The Phoenix” will be released on June 17. A listening party is being planned. “We chose the songs the first one because we felt like they all fit together,” said Dowdell, Bennington’s partner in Club Tattoo —which opened its first of six locations in Tempe 27 years ago,

ebration of Bennington’s work with Grey Daze, “The Phoenix” offers a sharp contrast in sound and attitude. “The entire record feels like a rock anthem and it feels like a very powerful Former Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington died in 2017. (Special rock band that is in your face and to GetOut) punching you right in the chest, but in a good way,” Dowdell said with a laugh. “It’s not the ‘Amends’ record, which was much sadder. It was more of an emotional roller coaster and a lot of tears were shared. I have a feeling that, when people listen to this record, it’s not going to be as emotional. They’re going to want to raise their fist and scream along with Chester.” That’s because “The Phoenix” was recorded with the same attitude, which can be seen in the YouTube docuseries titled “Creation of The Phoenix” which followed the Alt-rock band Grey Daze is set to release the second half of 20 tracks worth of vocals recorded by vocalist Chester band through the creation of Bennington on an album titled “The Phoenix” which is set the album. “So, with the last album, to hit the airwaves on June 17. (Special to GetOut) there was a lot of crying and a lot of hugging,” Dowdell said. “This time, the studio was a lot among other things. “The songs that were left fit really well more celebratory. We really had a lot together, too. It feels like we did it on of fun and shared a lot of good stories purpose and, maybe subconsciously on about Chester.” The team featured Dowdell, Beyers some level, we did. But it wasn’t as conscious of a decision as one might think,” and Davis along with Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro and Filter vocalThe sticks man said. While “Amends” offers a somber cel- ist Richard Patrick. Bennington’s daugh-

ters, Lily and Lila, perform on “Hole.” Dowdell admits it was hard to create the perfect sound. “Mace, Cristin and I took our best guess at what we thought Chester would have appreciated,” Dowdell said. “I can’t say for certain he definitely would have done this, or he definitely would have done that because he was such a creative human. We took our best-educated guess as to what we think you would have liked.” Although “The Phoenix’s” lyrics further immortalize Bennington, Dowdell feels the album’s title and artwork notably exemplify his best friend. “We thought the flames (on his arms) were the most visually iconic part about Chester,” Dowdell said. “That photo is just such an iconic capture of, not only who he was in life, and what he meant to me, but who he was, visually, to the rest of us.” Dowdell admits he desperately misses Bennington – who grew up in the Valley and owned a home in Gilbert – with whom he played on stage. They also played basketball, test drove cars and sat and talked during their decades of friendship. “I think it’ll always be a sad thing, but it doesn’t tear me up inside every day as it did for the first two years,” he said. Nevertheless, he feels “The Phoenix” allows fans to relish Bennington’s notable voice one last time and appreciate who he was as a person. “We finished this music to not only fulfill his thoughts and our thoughts, but I think it’s nice to be able to appreciate Chester, for all of the things that he did,” Dowdell said.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | JUNE 12, 2022

With JAN D’ATRI GetOut Contributor

TikTok craze produces unique and tasty cup of Joe

s TiKtok goes, so does the youth of the world. The short, often dazzling video clips have hooked us on everything from dare-devil stunts to over the top recipes. As a recipe creator, I’ll admit I’ve been hooked and reeled in a number of times, and I’ve learned the hard way that many TikTok food videos are fabulous eye-candy, but lacking in accurate ingredients or technique. Not so with Dalgona, the newest TikTok trend. It’s whipped coffee that, with only three ingredients, makes the most delightfully luxurious, frothy caffeinated foam. The word “Dalgona” comes from the Korean candy made with melted sugar and baking soda. Whipped coffee has the same caramel color with a powerful hit of coffee flavor. It’s so fun and easy to blend up, and my advice is to start with a delicious instant coffee or espresso. The better the coffee, the better the Dalgona. Also, this method works beautifully with sugar substitutes like monkfruit and allulose. It’s delicious over iced coffee, milk or a hot cup of Joe. I was thinking that you’ve gotta have a great coffee cake recipe to go with your Dalgona. Enjoy both.

Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons instant coffee 2 Tablespoons sugar (including sugar substitutes) Directions: In a bowl with an electric mixer, whisk together the instant coffee, sugar and boiling water until coffee is dissolved and the mixture forms fluffy stiff peaks, about 3 minutes. (You can also whisk by hand with a wired whisk which may take longer to achieve peaks.) Serve over iced coffee or milk, or on top of hot coffee. Serves 1.

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Directions Step #1 Cream together butter and sugar, then add eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Step #2 Add sour cream, vanilla, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and blend well. Step #3 Pour one half of the batter into a small greased and floured angel food cake pan (or 8-inch square/round cake pan.) Then pour in half of the nut mixture. Pour in the rest of the batter and top with the rest of the nut mixture. Step #4 Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until toothpick comes up clean. For Cupcakes: Same process with cupcakes only no need to butter and flour each cup. Pour 1 heaping tablespoon of batter, sprinkle nut mixture, then another tablespoon of batter. Finish with a sprinkle of nut mixture. Bake for approximately 26 minutes.

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CLASSIFIEDS.PHOENIX.ORG To Advertise Call: 480-898-6465 or email Class@TimesLocalMedia.com Employment Employment General MetaSoftTech Solutions has openings for Software Engineers in Chandler, AZ area. Reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in Java/Salesforce/HTML/Oracle/SQL to analyze/design/develop/implement/test systems & applications. Email resume to applymst@gmail.com with ref # 2022-19 & ref EVT ad AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC, an Amazon.com company - Tempe, AZ: Business Analyst II: Support senior management by managing metrics reporting & performing data mining & big data analysis to provide strategic advice on business forecast models. (AMZ6626). Multiple job openings. Apply online: www.amazon.jobs – search by AMZ6626. EOE. SLK Holdings has openings for Software Engineers in Phoenix, AZ area. Reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv, or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in SDLC/STLC/QA/Agile to analyze/dsgn/dev/implement/test systems & applics. Email your resume w/ ref no 2022-19 to slkcareers@gmail.com & ref EVT ad Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Senior Solution Specialist in Gilbert, AZ and various unanticipated Deloitte office locations and client sites nationally to drive the development of Cloudbased technologies, including data cleansing and conversions, interface design/development, and systems development life cycle. 15% Travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0522GIL8329 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/ veterans. Structural Engineer (Chandler, AZ): Design & engrg of concrete & steel structural systems for ongoing design projects. Create construction docs for industrial / factory projects utilizing drafting software (AutoCAD2D/3D/Revit) & final sealing of structural drawings. Coord w/ jr. engrs / designers for final approval of engrg content. Provide Structural Engrg services rel to various phases of design projects incl development of preliminary designs, RISA model creation, calculations, creation of plans/details/sections /elevations, QAQC, & field inspections/observations. Reqs: Mstr’s Deg in Civil Engrg & 2 yrs relev engrg exp. Mail resumes to HR; Industrial Design LLC, 4656 West Folley St., Chandler AZ 85226.

Employment General

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Employment General Clairvoyant has openings for the following positions in Chandler, AZ area. Software Engineers reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in J2EE, Java, XML, SQL, and Unix to analyze/dsgn/dev/implement/test systems & applics. Sr. Programmer Analyst reqs US Bachelors/equiv (3 or 4 yr degree) in Commerce/BusAdm/STEM field to analyze/resolve/test/report on IT related projects using skills in EMC/MS/SQL/Excel/Java/C. Email your resume to jobs@clairvoyantsoft.com with ref # 2022-19 for Software Eng; 2022-20 for Sr. Prog Analyst & ref EVT ad

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Employment General Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Senior Solution Specialist in Gilbert, AZ & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to drive software development and implementation services to help companies unlock the value of big technology investments, ranging from requirements to architecture, design to development, testing to deployment, and beyond as discrete services or comprehensive solutions. 15% travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0522GIL7928 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/veterans.

PayPal, Inc. has the following positions available in Scottsdale AZ.: • MTS 1, Technical Account Manager (Req#:2113185): Manage. portfolios of lge. merch/part. accts. in North America & will be their point person, providing guidance for issues directly affecting valued customers. Req’s: MS (or equiv.) +2yrs. exp. • Network Security Engineer 3 (Req#: 21-9329): Manage data networks focusing on intrusion detection, & prevention syst.; analyze sec. breaches to determine their root cause. Req’s: MS (or equiv.) +2yrs. exp. Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. To apply, please send your resume with references, specifying Req.# by email to: paypaljobs@paypal.com; or by mail: ATTN: HR, Cube 10.3.561, PayPal, Inc. HQ, 2211 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95131. EOE, including disability/vets.

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Public Notices SAN TAN IRRIGATION DISTRICT CALL OF ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2022 PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the qualified electorate of San Tan Irrigation District of Maricopa County that the Board of Directors of San Tan Irrigation District, pursuant to the Arizona Revised Statutes Title 48, Ch. 19, Article 5 (A.R.S. § 48-3041 and following —Acreage System of Voting), calls for a general election to be held on the 15th day of November, 2022, for the purpose of electing one (1) member of the Board of Directors. Nomination petitions for Director shall be signed by qualified electors of the District representing no less than one-half of one percent of the acreage vote in the District, but not more than two hundred and fifty and not fewer than five individual signatures. A.R.S. § 16-322(A)(12). Nomination petitions shall be filed no earlier than 150 days before the election (June 20, 2022), and no later than 120 days before the election (July 18,2022) with the Board of Directors of San Tan Irrigation District by delivering the petition to the offices of the District at 3978 E Chandler Heights, Suite 104, Gilbert, Arizona 85298. A.R.S. § 16-311(B). Write in candidates must comply with A.R.S. § 16-312(B) (October 6, 2022) or A.R.S. § 48-3011(A) (November 4, 2022). All voters eligible to vote in the election may register or check the status of their registration in the offices of the District at 3978 E Chandler Heights, Suite 104, Gilbert, Arizona 85298 until November 9, 2022. No person shall be allowed to vote unless that person is registered and can show that they are the holder of lands within the District as shown by the public records as of the 90th day before the date of the election (August 17, 2022) and otherwise meets the qualifications of electors within the District under A.R.S. § 48-3043, nor shall any person cast more votes than the number of votes to which he or she is entitled as shown by the District register, to be established by the District Secretary no later than 5 days before the election (A.R.S. § 48-3044). The polls shall be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the day of the election (November 15, 2022) and shall be held at the District Office, 3978 E Chandler Heights, Suite 104, Gilbert, Arizona 85298. President DATED this 6th day of June, 2022. SAN TAN IRRIGATION DISTRICT OF MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA BY: Ed Roberts, Board President. Published: East Valley Tribune, June 12, 19, 2022 / 47234

Public Notices

Summons

Public Notice: Boingo Wireless, Inc. proposes the construction of a 80-ft AGL monopole communications tower to be located at 6321 S. Ellsworth Rd., in the southern portion of the City of Mesa, within Maricopa County, Arizona ( Maricopa County Parcel #313-25-859S ). Boingo Wireless, Inc. seeks comments from all interested persons on any potential significant impact the proposed action could have on the quality of the human environment pursuant to 47 C.F.R. Section 1.1307, including potential impacts to historic or cultural resources that are listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Please submit any written comments by July 6, 2022 regarding the potential effects that the proposed tower may have on Historic Properties that are listed or eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places to: Tower Engineering Professionals, Inc. (Attn: George Swearingen ) 326 Tryon Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 Telephone: ( 919 ) 661-6351 Fax: ( 919 ) 661-6350 Published: East Valley Tribune, Jun 12, 2022 / 47225

Superior Court of California, County of Corte Superior de California, Condado de 4175 Main Street Riverside CA 92501 Summons (Domestic Violence Restraining Order) Citacion (Orden de restriccion de violencia en el hogar) Case No. DVRI2200386. If ordered by a judge to use this form, complete items (1) only. (2) Si un juez le ha ordenado llenar este formulario, Ilene solo los puntos (1) y (2). (1) Person asking for protection: La persona que solicita proteccion: RUBY VILLALPANDO (2) Notice to (name of person to be restrained): Aviso a (nombre de la persona a ser restringida): IAN STEPHON SOLOMON The person in (1) is asking for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order against you. La persona en (1) esta pidiendo una orden de restriccion de violencia en el hogar contra usted. Lea la pagina 2 para mas informaci6n. (3) You have a court date Tiene una audiencia en la corte Date/Fecha 7/7/2022. Time/Hora 8:30AM Dept/Depto.: F301. What if I don't go to my court date? If you do not go to your court date, the judge can grant a restraining order that limits your contact with the person in (1). If you have a child with the person in (1), the court could make orders that limit your time with your child. Having a restraining order against you may impact your life in other ways, including preventing you from having guns and ammunition. If you do not go to your court date, the judge could grant everything that the person in (1) asked the judge to order. Que pasa si no voy a la audiencia? Si no va a la audiencia, el juez puede dictar una orden de restriccion que limita su contacto con la persona en (1). Si tiene un hijo con la persona en (1), la corte puede dictar ordenes que limitan su tiempo con su hijo. Una orden de restriccion en su contra puede tener otras consecuencias, como prohibirle tener armas de fuego y municiones. Si no va a la audiencia, el juez puede ordenar todo lo que pide la persona en (1). How do I find out what the person in (1) is asking for? To find out what the person in (1) is asking the judge to order, go to the courthouse listed at the top of page 1. Ask the court clerk to let you see your case file. You will need to give the court clerk your case number, which is listed above and on page 1. The request for restraining order will be on form DV-100, Request for Domestic Violence Restraining Order. Como puedo entender lo que pide la persona en (1) Para entender lo que pide la persona en (1), vaya al tribunal en la direccion indicada en la parte superior de la pagina 1. Pida al secretario de la corte permiso para ver el expediente de su caso. Tendra que darle al secretario el numero de su caso, que aparece arriba y en la pagina 1. La solicitud de una orden de restriccion se hace en el formulario DV-100, Solicitud de orden de restriccion de violencia en el hogar. Where can I get help? Free legal information is available at your local court's self-help center. Go to www.courts.ca.gov/ selfhelp to find your local center. Donde puedo obtener ayuda? Puede obtener informacion legal gratis en el centro de ayuda de su corte. Vea https://www.courts.ca.gov/ selfhelp-selfhelpcenters.htm?rdeLocaleAttr=es para encontrar el centro de ayuda en su condado. Do I need a lawyer? You are not required to have a lawyer, but you may want legal advice before your court hearing. For help finding a lawyer, you can visit www.lawhelpca.org or contact your local bar association. Necesito un abogado? No es obligatorio tener un abogado, pero es posible que quiera consejos legales antes de la audiencia en la corte. Para ayuda a encontrar un abogado, visite https://www.lawhelpca.org/es/homepage o contacte al Colegio de Abogados local. Date/Fecha 19 May 2022. Clerk, by (Secretario, por): /s/ D. Cortez Deputy (Asistente). Published: East Valley Tribune, May 29, Jun 5, 12, 19, 2022 / 46826 / 46875

CITY OF MESA PUBLIC NOTICE The Mesa City Council will hold a public hearing concerning the following ordinances at the June 20, 2022, City Council meeting beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the Mesa City Council Chambers, 57 East First Street. 1. ZON21-01285 (District 6) Within the 4900 to 5200 blocks of South Power Road (east side) and within 6800 to 7000 blocks of East Ray Road (north side). Located north of Ray Road on the east side of Power Road (41± acres). Site Plan Modification. This request will allow for the development of a hotel. Jose Pombo, Vivo Development Partners, applicant; Power 202 Mixed Use, LLC., owner. 2. ZON22-00093 (District 6) Within the 7900 block of East Warner Road (south side). Located east of Sossaman Road and west of Hawes Road (50± acres). Rezone from Agricultural (AG) to Light Industrial with a Planned Area Development overlay (LI-PAD) and Site Plan Review. This request will allow for an industrial development. Shane Cassidy, Comunale Properties, applicant; Victor Riches, owner. 3. ZON22-00160 (District 3) Within the 800 block of North Country Club Drive (west side), within the 400 block of West Rio Salado Parkway (north side), and within the 400 block of West 9th Street (south side). Located south of Brown Road on the west side of Country Club Drive (2.3± acres). Rezone from Multiple Residence (RM-4) and Limited Commercial (LC) to Limited Commercial with a Bonus Intensity Zone overlay (LC-BIZ), Site Plan Review. This request will allow the development of a new Child Crisis Arizona headquarters. Chris Woosley, Architectural Resource Team, applicant; SAFE KIDS STRONG FAMILIES LLC, owner. Dated at Mesa, Arizona, this 12th day of June 2022. Holly Moseley, City Clerk Published in the East Valley Tribune June 12, 2022 / 47249

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