Protests generating heated words in Gilbert
BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
Since June, members of the East Valley Blue Line
Supporters have stood at a corner at Gilbert and Warner roads for weekly rallies in support of police.
Last Thursday was no exception for the Gilbert-based group but it moved to a new corner at Williams Field Road and Val Vista Drive because its message was getting lost in the chaos taking place in the last few weeks at its former location, an organizer said.
“We came out to support law enforcement, our country and our flag,” said a woman who identified herself as an organizer
for the group. She said her group, which claimed 672 Facebook members, will continue to hold the rallies until the presiden-
tial election.
The Gilbert resident declined to give her name, saying Black Lives Matter supporters have been showing up at the homes of women members publicly identified and harassing them.
The group recently announced it would move to a new location each week, notifying its vetted members privately on where to meet. The group also is kicking out members for not following its guidelines that call for no profanity, obscene gestures or threatening and harassing behavior.
The woman said about three weeks after her group began staging its rallies, BLM supporters showed up in
Gilbert water park project delayed until 2022
BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
Amuch-ballyhooed 25-acre water park in Gilbert touting technology that can create ocean waves for surfing in the desert is delayed yet again – this time until 2022.
The Strand@Gilbert in February 2019 inked a deal with Gilbert to build the $60 million project on town-owned land near Queen Creek and Higley roads, adjacent to the Regional Park.
The developer proposed a summer 2020 opening but later postponed it to the summer 2021.
With Town Council’s recent approval, the
project is now looking to open in August 2022.
According to a town staff report, the developer cited “economic conditions arising as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic” for the requested delay. The developer, however, said funding wasn’t the issue.
“The project has been delayed due to Covid-19 as we await guidelines from the CDC that can be placed on water parks or similar venues,” said John McLaughlin, founder and CEO of Strand Resorts.
“Until we have more information from the CDC and state health department,” he said, “it is prudent for the project to have this information so if there needs to be additional safety measures that need to added to the design can be added before construction begins.”
McLaughlin, a Gilbert resident, came up with the concept of bringing a large-scale beach experience for the public.
His project also has competition with plans for two similar attractions in the East Valley.
In Mesa, a 60-acre project featuring water, a beach and a surfing lagoon is getting a head start. A developer is planning to start construction next spring near the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport on the project, which also includes a hotel and restaurants.
Jerry Lehman, a former nationally ranked surfer, announced he is planning to build two Surf Town attractions – one each in the East and West Valleys. He has declined to provide
An unidentified Gilbert police officer last Thursday was one of many mena nd women in blue keeping the peace as protestors gathered at Williams Field Road and Val Vista Drive. (Tim Sealy/Seaky Media)
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3. Consider using an extender if the only type of mask you can find has the elastic behind the ears. One of these can easily be made with two buttons sewn on a piece of fabric. The elastic would then attach to the buttons.
However, in our ever changing world, or as we call it, the “NEW ABNORMAL”, we understand that some clients may be reluctant to attend an in office visit, so we will be offering Limited Exposure Home Visits after a phone client screening evaluation. We also have online and telephone services for programming with our newest in technology hearing aids.
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“I really didn't know what to expect when going to the Shea Ear Clinic- I had already had my hearing tested once with horrible news and very few answers, so was afraid of de ja vu. However found the staff at Shea to be very understanding, compassionate, attentive, very knowledgeable in the field of hearing loss, and very
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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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Battle royale looms in LD17, county races
BY PAUL MARYNIAK GSN Executive Editor
Voters in western Gilbert may have almost too much election excitement in their future.
Beyond important races like President and U.S. Senate and other top-ballot contests – and, of course, the hot race for the town’s next mayor – the Legislative District 17 and County Supervisor District 1 campaigns also offer plenty of drama.
Democrats have targeted LD17 as a “flippable” district in their quest to take control of the state Senate and are pouring money into furniture store owner
Ajlan “A.J.” Kurdoglu’s campaign to deny Republican Sen. J.D. Mesnard a second term.
At the same time, Chandler Realtor Liz Harris is hoping to do the same to Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, the only Democrat vying for one of two state House seats in a district where Chandler restaurateur Jeff Weninger appears a near certain to hold on to that seat for Republicans.
Meanwhile, Tempe community activist and nonprofit leader Jevin Hodge is mounting a well-funded effort to give Chandler Republican County Supervisor Jack Sellers a run for his money as
he tries to win his first four-year term in a seat to which he was appointed two years ago.
The races in LD17 stand in sharp contrast to the races in LD12, which covers a larger part of Gilbert. There, the House race is already over, since Republican incumbent Rep. Travis Grantham and newcomer Jake Hoffman had no opposition in the primary.
In the LD12 Senate race. Warren Petersen has moved from his House seat to replace retired Eddie Farnsworth and is facing Democrat Lynsey Robinson.
Will LD17 become a nail-biter?
With control of the state Senate possibly in the balance, Democrats are again targeting Mesnard – this time with a newcomer to the political scene.
Kurdoglu, a native of Turkey and an engineer with an MBA from the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management, is the owner of the Homemart furniture and interior design store.
He notes on his website that Mesnard lost to Steve Weichert in 2018 by 1 percentage point – a margin of 1,744 votes.
At the time Mesnard was in his first Senate race after being termed out of the
House after eight years, the last two of which were spent as House speaker.
The County Recorder’s latest voter registration figures for the district show Republicans have an advantage over Democrats 55,706-46,055 with 49,077 registered without either party affiliation.
Despite those figures, Charles Fisher, executive director of the Arizona Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee posted recently on Twitter, “Those are the exact type of districts we see flipping all across the country.”
Added Kurdoglu on his campaign website: “We have an amazing opportunity to bring new leadership to the Arizona State Senate. My race has received national attention.”
In the race for cash, both Mesnard and Kurdoglu have attracted some national attention, according to their latest campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State.
Kurdoglu has amassed a total of $60,464 and spent $8,666 so far. Among his large contributors is Henry Van Amerigen, a New York City real estate developer and philanthropist who do-
see ELECT page 4
Residents have a week to submit forum questions
GSN NEWS STAFF
Gilbert residents still have some time to submit questions for the online forum involving mayoral candidates Matt Nielsen and Brigette Peterson.
Sponsored by the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce and Gilbert Sun News, the forum will run live online 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17.
The public has until Sunday, Sept. 13, to submit questions at gilbertaz.com/ questionsforcandidates.
The content of any advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Gilbert Sun News assumes no responsibility for the claims of any advertisement.
Publishing, Inc.
The town hall also will be archived online for Gilbert residents up through the Nov. 3 General Election. More details on that will be forthcoming.
The forum, coming about three weeks before early voting begins, will offer
voters a chance to learn more about the two people running to succeed Interim Mayor Scott Anderson in January.
Both the Chamber and GSN also have questionnaires answered by Peterson and Nielsen at gilbertaz.com/2020mayor and gilbertsunnews.com.
“Gilbert voters have an important decision to make in November as they elect our next town mayor,” said Gilbert Chamber President CEO/President Sarah Watts.
“As town leaders plan for continued growth and eventual build-out, we will need a mayor who shares a collaborative spirit and a willingness to work with stakeholders, including the various segments of our business community. This candidate forum will provide a format, which will allow each candi-
date to respond to the other, so viewers can gain clarity on topics of interest,” Watts continued, noting:
“The best decision a voter can make is an educated decision. As Gilbert’s Chamber of Commerce, we feel it is important to provide voters, and especially our business community, with access to candidates and knowledge of their positions so that Gilbert can navigate successfully through recovery and continue to be a desirable town for businesses and their employees.”
Paul Maryniak, GSN executive editor will moderate the forum.
The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 5 and early ballots will go out around Oct. 6. The last day to request an early ballot is Oct. 23.
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
nates heavily to candidates favoring legalized marijuana and LGBTQ rights, and Broadway theater producer Edward Snowdon, who also supports candidates championing gay rights.
Van Amerigen donated $5,200 and Snowdon kicked in $2,000 to Kurdoglu’s campaign.
Kurdoglu also garner a $5,400 donation from the Future Now Fund, which supports progressive candidates across the country, and $1,500 from the Arizona Education Association PAC.
Mesnard’s campaign has collected $79,405 since Jan. 1, 2019, and so far has spent only $2,444.
Among his larger contributions was $5,000 from Carleen Brophy of Wyoming, the wife of Dan Brophy, a Phoenix commodities trader who moved to Big Sky Country and is treasurer of the Goldwater Institute.
The Freedom Club in Minnesota, which supports candidates and causes favoring limited government and low taxes, also contributed $5,000.
Mesnard’s filings also list a $5,000 donation from Jason Mayor, president of MTI Tech Solutions in Chandler.
His larger political action committee support includes $2,000 from the Southwest Gas PAC, $1,500 from the Raytheon PAC, $1,200 from the Prudential Financial PAC.
PACs that kicked in $1,000 to Mesnard’s re-election effort include Pinnacle West, Greater Phoenix Chamber, Arizona Bankers Association, Farmers Employees & Agents and Wellcare Health.
In the Aug. 4 primary election, Kurdoglu received 22,858 votes to Mesnard’s 25,456 – the biggest primary tally among all five LD17 candidates, according to unofficial results.
3-way race for 2 House seats
The House race in LD17 includes a Republican political newcomer, Harris, who says on her website that “liberals are moving into Arizona and attacking everything that makes the state great.
“We need to make sure we don’t let this leftward push ruin everything that’s working in Arizona,” she states.
But Harris has her work cut out for
her, judging by not only campaign contributions but apparently even support within her own party.
In the primary election – where voters didn’t necessarily even have to cast a ballot because there was no race – incumbent Republican Jeff Weninger captured 23,082 votes – slightly less than the 23,491 that Democrat Jennifer Pawlik received in her bid for a second term. Harris garnered 19,418 votes.
Both the Gilbert and Chandler chambers of commerce also have endorsed
Mesnard, Weninger and Pawlik.
Pawlik’s financial support is close to Weninger’s, according to their latest campaign finance filings, while the amount Harris has collected so far doesn’t come close to either of them.
Weninger, a former two-term Chandler City Council member who will be termed out if he wins his fourth race this year, leads the race for campaign cash after collecting $129,647 and spending $14,106.
Pawlik has garnered $108,407 so far
and spent $16,511, campaign reports show.
Harris has reported $30,325 in contributions – including $11,127 of her own money – and has spent $8,188, reports show.
Weninger has received a number of four-figure donations from political action committees, with the biggest contribution from the Arizona Leadership Fund, which supports conservative candidates in Arizona. Its contributions to Weninger total $5,200.
Other large donations are PACs belonging to Raytheon, $3,000; General Motors, $2,000; and the Land Title Association and Arizona Restaurant Association, $1,500 each and Prudential Financial, $1,200.
PACs contributing $1,000 to Weninger include CVS Health, Arizona Bankers Association, Union Pacific, Cox, the Arizona Technology Council, Arizona Chamber, Cigna, Nationwide Mutual, Young Leadership Council and Farmers Employees & Agents.
Pawlik’s single largest financial backer has been a national organization called Flippable, which has targeted 10 states’ legislatures now controlled by Republicans and, as their name suggests, is supporting Democratic candidates. Flippable has donated $10,400 to Pawlik’s campaign war chest.
She also has received $5,400 from the Future Now Fund and $2,600 from Emily’s List, a national organization supporting female progressive candidates. She also has received $5,200 from William G. Roe, a retired Florida citrus industry executive.
Pawlik’s largest PAC support has come from Southwest Gas, $2,000; Arizona Pipe Trades 469, $2,600 and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99, $2,500.
LD12 Senate
As of the pre-primary filing deadline a week before the Aug. 4 election, Warren Petersen reported $49,950 in donations and $7,786 in expenditures. His Democratic opponent, Lynsey Robinson is a Clean Elections candidate and had not
Liz Harris Jevin Hodge Ajlan Kurdoglu
J.D. Mesnard
Jennifer Pawlik Warren Petersen
Lynsey Robinson Jack Sellers Jeff Weninger
STRAND from page 1 more details.
McLaughlin said his project is being privately funded that there is no concern by The Strand or the town that the project won’t get off the ground.
“We have invested millions of dollars to date on funding of the project,” he said. “There is still strong support for the project from the Town Council, staff and the community.
“Like most businesses, COVID has hit everyone in the country to some degree or another,” McLaughlin added. “The financial viability of the project is not of concern. It is important to us that the project be built with the safety of each visitor and staff member at the top of the list.”
According to town project planner Keith Newman, the last plans or designs submitted for staff review to the Planning Department were for a pre-application meeting that took place Sept. 30, 2019.
The purpose of the meeting was for staff to provide preliminary comments on all aspects of the proposed development such as general site design, grading and drainage, utilities, parking, traffic, emergency access, etc, according to Newman.
With Council’s approval, the developer has an Aug. 21, 2021 deadline to begin construction and must finish by Aug. 21, 2022.
The developer also has been given more time to obtain water credits and obtain a recovery-well permit as it will have to supply its own water for the project.
Town staff worked 18 months behind closed doors negotiating with The Strand to bring the water park to Gilbert at no cost to taxpayers.
Under the 50-year lease agreement, The Strand will pay an annual rent of
$284,841 to Gilbert for use of the land.
The town also is to receive a 3-percent cut of the water park’s revenue over $2 million, which was estimated between $450,000 and $750,000 annually, according to town staff.
These funds are expected to help offset the maintenance costs associated with the town’s amenities at the regional park. At the time the deal was approved, staff said the project will create 180 jobs and have a $317-million economic impact.
The project’s amenities include a sandy beach, a beginner to expert surf lagoon, cable wake board course, restaurants, outdoor cabanas, kids play area and kayak, canoeing and paddle boarding.
The water park is proposed on one of three parcels totaling 47 acres adjacent to the regional park. Gilbert set the parcels aside for the development of recreational amenities through public-private partnerships.
Charles M.T. Jost, MD. Interventional Cardiologist, Principal
Southwest
Southwest CardioVascular Interventional Center
Southwest EndoVascular Center
Southwest
To My Community and Community Physicians,
CardioVascular Interventional Center
Michael D. Barry, DO. Interventional Cardiologist
Nachiket Patel, MD. Interventional Cardiologist
Stuard C. Lipskind, MD.
Interventional Cardiologist
Kirk D. Minkus, MD.
Vascular & Interventional Radiologist
Michelle Gentsch, ACNP
Kelli DuCray, ACNP
Angie Aguilar Strategic Marketing/ Business Development
Southwest
Cardio EndoVascular Center
In reflecting on the 2 years since I announced re-joining Southwest Cardiovascular Associates in Mesa, Arizona, as the Director Strategic Marketing/Business Development, I have taken great pride in what we’ve accomplished over these years. For me, it validates the commitment I vowed to you in accepting this position. Joining an organization that allowed me to be patient centered, while cultivating strong patient and employee loyalty, is what I needed to bridge the gaps our healthcare industry faces even today. Commitment to increasing KPIs accelerates growth potentials, and improves referrals, patient retention, patient satisfaction, and overall distinguished partnerships, such as those we share with you.
I feel privileged for your support over the years. It’s a definitive endorsement of us and an affirmation that you trust and value our work. Therefore, it validates every effort put forward by the team I stand behind.
The entrepreneurial spirit of our founder, Dr. Charles Jost, Interventional Cardiologist and Principal of SWCVA, has enabled us to push on healthy boundaries and expand our medical service portfolio, which has led us to build our new Southwest CardioVascular Interventional/EndoVascular Center located at 7529 E. Broadway Rd, Mesa AZ 85208, opening November 2020.
Our strategy is simple: We believe the Surgical Center will allow us to safely address the necessary changes our healthcare industry demands, and will enable us to foster a culture of clinical innovation in a center of excellence uniquely designed to diversify Cardiology/ Cardiovascular, Electrophysiology, and Interventional Radiology procedures in one environment. Our state-of-the-art, 13,500 square foot, JCAHO accredited, Medicare Certified Interventional OR suites, Vascular OBL, and supported recovery rooms will adhere fully to all regulatory mandates. It will also provide the transparency of critically needed data metrics, and decreases healthcare cost & healthcare waste, while increasing overall patient satisfaction.
In October 2020, we will be inviting our community partners to join us in celebrating our milestone achievement via a soft opening of our new Interventional/EndoVascular Center. We look forward to you joining us.
Respectfully yours,
Angie Aguilar Cell PH: 480-636-6259 aaguilar@swcva.com
Strategic Marketing/Business Development SWCVA/Southwest CardioVascular Interventional Center/Southwest EndoVascular Center
Charles M.T. Jost, MD.
Kirk D. Minkus, MD. Stuart C. Lipskind, MD. Michael D. Barry, DO. Nachiket Patel, MD.
Michelle Gentsch, ACNP Kelli DuCray, ACNP
GPS’ precautions for Tuesday’s partial reopening
BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
Self-filling water stations, one-way traffic in the hallways and spray bottles of cleaning chemicals in each classroom are some of the safety protocols that will greet students when they return part time to Gilbert Public Schools campuses on Tuesday.
And, should COVID-19 benchmarks continue to be met, the district plans on a full return to classrooms on Sept. 21. Students began school remotely on Aug. 5.
Meanwhile, Tuesday will mark the return of five-day in-classroom learning in neighboring Higley Unified School District for the first time since mid-March.
Some GPS board members, however, said they were satisfied with a later return to full in-class learning.
“I think we are doing this safety and carefully as we can using the benchmarks, going back in a hybrid model so that we can monitor for a couple of
weeks and getting kids used to being back in school because it’s been a long time for them,” said Jill Humpherys at last week’s work study.
“I hope we learned our lesson from this summer and continue to have the kind of behavior we need in Arizona to keep the spread of the virus down and let our kids get back in school.”
Humpherys was referring to critics who say the state opened up too soon in
ery other night and teachers also will be wiping down desks, McCord said.
The district has two options for learning – in person and online through its Global Academy. Under the temporary hybrid model, students on each campus will be split into two groups alphabetically with one group attending classes Monday and Tuesday and the other Thursday and Friday. The other three days will be devoted to online learning.
May, propelling a surge in COVID-19 cases. But since the governor implemented safety guidelines the cases have been dropping.
GPS Superintendent Shane McCord said the district has hired five additional custodians to fill in for those who call in sick. They also will do the deep cleaning if there is a positive COVID-19 case on a campus.
Custodians will deep clean desks ev-
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To date, about 27,800 students have enrolled for brick-and-mortar learning while roughly 5,600 have enrolled for virtual learning, according to Business Services Assistant Superintendent Bonnie Betz. She noted the numbers change daily.
Last year’s enrollment showed 33,000 students in the classroom and 131 learning online, Betz added.
Elementary, junior high and high schools principals told the board what was in place at their respective campus-
GPS cafeteria tables with benches on only one side and signs limis on the number of bathroom users are among new safety measures. (GPS)
HYBRID from page 8
es to keep staff and students safe when they return.
All students and staff will be required to wear masks.
The principals said there will be fogging of playground equipment twice a day, regular clearing of classroom supplies and frequent cleaning of hightouch points and bathrooms.
Additionally, directional markings for social distancing are laid out and drinking fountains will be turned off. Families have been advised to have their children bring water bottles they can replenish at water stations. Students arriving at elementary school campuses will go directly to their classrooms instead of the playground like in the past, according to Suzanne Carlson, Ashland Ranch Elementary principal.
Classroom desks will face forward and be spaced apart, cafeteria tables will face forward with three students to a bench and one primary and one intermediate grade will be allowed on the playground at a time, Carlson said.
Lunch times also have been extended to allow for fewer students in the cafeteria.
At Greenfield Junior High, protocols include staggered releases for passing between classes, hallway doors propped opened as well as classroom doors before and after class to minimize people touching them, said Principal Brian Yee.
In the cafeteria, seating will be limited to three per bench and students will have the option to bring a blanket and eat on the grass, Yee said.
Also, classrooms will have a green/red card system in place so if a teacher returns after school to a classroom that’s been cleaned, the green card would be flipped to red after use so custodians would know to clean it again, according to Yee.
Students also are being asked to bring their own disinfecting wipes so they can clean their desks, Yee said. If students don’t have their own supply, they must inform the teacher, who will then spray the desk and the student will use paper towels to clean it, he added.
At Campo Verde High School, the hallways are one-way with all foot traffic facing in the same direction, which will
help reduce congestion at the doorways, said Principal Krista Cox, adding it may take students longer to get to their classes.
In the cafeteria, students will be limited to four to a table and security has been instructed to monitor for violations, she said. Lab tables will seat two students instead of the six, she added.
The number of students allowed in a bathroom will be limited to the number of stalls and security and staff will monitor for students congregating in restrooms, Cox said.
The band and choir rooms are much larger so there will be no problem with social distancing, according to Cox.
Assemblies will be virtual and all high school gyms and fields are capable of doing quality live streaming, Cox said.
She said under the hybrid model, there’s not much concern with the lack of space to distance the students but that won’t be the case when there is a full return and staff was currently working on plans for that.
Board President Charles Santa Cruz asked Cox if she was keeping track of the number of students in her largest classes for when school resumes in-person learning full time.
She responded she is updated 10 times a day with the student count and that teachers with anticipated larger class sizes will work in larger rooms beginning Tuesday so that when full-time return begins, the classroom is not disrupted by relocating to a bigger room. This also will occur at junior highs.
Students will be generally sitting at desks far apart from each other. (GPS)
Health Services Director Jennefer Frost went over the medical protocols and the notification process for when there is a positive case on campus.
Frost said there was a lot of anxiety because COVID-19 symptoms are similar to that of the flu and cold, so the district was going over with staff how to assess students.
Also, parents are being advised to update their children’s online health history so the district will know if a student suffers from migraines or allergies, which helps staff determine whether or not to send a child home if there’s a runny nose, according to Frost.
Teachers also have been provided guidelines to send only sick students to the nurses’ office. Students see the school nurse for various non-medical reasons such as for a safety pin or a change of socks, Frost said.
Sahwn McIntosh, assistant superintendent overseeing talent management, said the district’s most susceptible employees have been placed for work in Global Academy and that all employees have been trained to look for COVID-19
symptoms.
He said new teachers will need to be hired if class sizes go up in order to ensure there is social distancing.
McCord added that most elementary school classes have 13 students while some are in the upper 20s. He said the district is keeping an eye on classes with high numbers, which would trigger the need to hire additional teachers.
Betz said the school bus fleet “is in better shape than it’s ever been.”
Buses will run the same route each school day but with fewer students onboard, she said.
Assigned bus seating will begin at the end of September, which will help with contact tracing if an outbreak occurs.
Additionally, all buses are equipped with cameras and the videos are kept for up to a month and can be pulled for review to see who sat next to whom, she added.
When it comes to bus drivers, 12 have resigned since Aug. 1 but the district has a game plane so that all routes will be covered on Tuesday, Betz told the board. She said besides posting job ads, staff
also was exploring the possibility of renting bus drivers from districts where in-class learning has not yet started.
She noted Chandler Unified is renting out its drivers to Queen Creek Unified, which resumed in-person teaching on Aug. 17.
Betz also informed the board that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended to Dec. 31 its summer meal program that gives free meals to kids.
The packaged meals are offered hot or cold and the district anticipated the number of students lining up for them to increase from the normal 40 percent to 80 percent, according to Betz.
And because the federal program provides fully reimbursement the district won’t lose money in its self-funded food program, Betz said.
Because online enrollment is so much higher this year, the district is not receiving as much funding for those students, Betz said, adding year over year, the district has been losing 980 students from its enrollment.
As a result, the district expected to see a $2.5 million revenue loss this fiscal
year and is working to revise the budget downward, she said.
The district was applying for $30 million from the federal Enrollment Stabilization Grant, which will help make up for the shortfall in brick-and-mortar enrollment, according to Betz.
“It is a federal grant and it was identified that we need to find COVID-related costs associated with the Enrollment Stabilization Grant but that they were going to be open and flexible about how we did that,” Betz said.
To date, the district has identified $5.1 million in pandemic-related losses, which include $1.9 million in food services.
Betz also reviewed the district’s allotment of federal funds for pandemic-related expenses.
Out of the $2.3 million received, the district spent $477,700 last fiscal year and $1.7 million this fiscal year for things like cleaning equipment and services, health services, payroll for essential workers, the virtual graduations for the 2020 Class and online instruction.
Higley lays out rules for football, volleyball fans
BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
When fans attend football and volleyball games in Higley Unified School District they will see mandatory masks, touchless ticket purchase and prepackaged food only at the concession stands.
And if they don’t like those protocols or feel unsafe, they will be able to watch the games online.
Higley has become the first East Valley school district to address the issue of what fans will encounter if they want to root in person for their school’s football and volleyball teams.
In hosting sport events, there will be some non-negotiables during the pandemic such as wearing masks until the Maricopa County ordinance is lifted, David Loutzenheiser, executive director of secondary education, told the Governing Board.
“Look at it from this perspective: ‘If I’m a senior athlete and I’ve done so much work and I’m finally being allowed to play, why would I want to have people put us in a position that there could be an outbreak or something like that and now I lose my time again,’” Loutzenheiser said.
He added the district will stream all football and volleyball games so if people are uncomfortable showing up at the stadiums or gyms, they can watch it via NFHS network.
All game tickets will be sold online through the GoFan app and people can show the ticket on the phone to enter an event.
“All East Valley school districts will be using GoFan so even if you are traveling to another event, you will be purchasing your tickets through GoFan,” Loutzenheiser said. “We do not anticipate having a
ticket gate opened.”
He said for football games, the district plans on purchasing or renting more portable stands to allow for social distancing. There will be no limit on the number of fans who can attend games, but family passes will be sold with a limit of four per pass.
Loutzenheiser said the first volleyball game was scheduled for Sept. 22, the first freshman football game on Sept. 30 and the first varsity football game on Oct. 2. However, should the district be forced to change course after the board voted to reopen campuses full time to students and teachers on Tuesday, contingency plans are in place.
If health metrics were to go the wrong way and the campus has to return to remote learning, games will have no fans in attendance, teams will maintain social distance on the sidelines or benches and there will be no concession stand and no
spirit line and marching band at football games, according to Loutzenheiser.
If there’s a partial return to campuses, a limited number of game tickets will be sold depending on the size of the venue; mandatory masks if social distancing is not possible; extra seating and no family passes, he added.
Loutzenheiser said the district will provide bus transportation for athletes to and from games but parents can opt to drive their student instead.
The district also is looking into the cost of adding another bus to allow for increased distancing between students, Loutzenheiser said.
He raised a possible problem that could come with game transportation because it is paid for by gate receipts from spectators.
“We know we may have a little bit of a
HIGLEY from page 10
challenge this year should we have to reduce the number of people at games and at the same time we want to add additional buses if necessary,” he said. “That is something we as a district are looking at, the feasibility and what other different funding sources we can look at to continue to provide those options for parents.
“If there is a possibility for us to change, where we are not driving to the West Valley to compete and we are keeping it locally within the East Valley, that is a priority for us right now because do understand these transportation concerns.”
Loutzenheiser also provided a scheduling update for middle and high schools
ELECT from page 4
filed any campaign finance reports with the Secretary of State so far.
Petersen’s largest contributors were Daniel Brophy, who gave $4,000 and the Pinnacle West PAC, which kicked in $3,000.
Other large contributors to his campaign so far have included $1,000 each from American Leadership Academy
The proposed schedule for middle schools through the East Valley Conference is to fit four different sports seasons into three quarters, starting in October.
“What that means is we are going to shorten the length of the seasons and we, instead of playing 10 games, probably are looking at six and then doing a shorter tournament as well,” Loutzenheiser said.
“The goal is to provide the opportunity for all the students even in a shortened year.”
For high schools, golf and spirtline practices started Aug. 17 and cross-country, track and the swim/dive teams began Aug. 24.
founder Glenn Way, car dealer Jim Click and Cardon Group board chairman Wilford Cardon.
Political action committee conations to his campaign include $1,500 from the Freedom Club and $3,000 from Pinnacle West. PACs that contributed $1,000 included Walmart, Wellcare, Farmers Employees & Agents and the healthcare
For the week of Aug. 17, 1,450 students participated in sports at Williams Fields High School and 1,332 at Higley High, according to the district.
All participants passed their health screening and none were sent home because of illness.
Two Higley High students, however, missed six practice sessions between them, not participating out of caution and not due to illness, Loutzenheiser said. No health issues were reported for staff.
Loutzenheiser also explained to the board why the district was focusing on volleyball and football.
There was no discussion on how the
group Mednax.
County supervisor race battle
Sellers, a former two-term Chandler City Council member and chair of the State Transportation Board, is seeking his first four-year term on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors after he was appointed two years ago to replace
rules will be enforced in the bleachers.
Golf fans can physically distance while watching tournaments and the district doesn’t charge for those and cross country are held at parks, he said.
As for swim-and-dive competitions, right now Loutzenheiser said he doesn’t have a lot of answers because not many pools were opened yet.
“There’s a proposal out there that the teams swim by themselves at the pool while the opposing team swims by themselves at their home pool and they time them individually and compare the times,” he said, adding once he has specifics he will report back to the board.
Denny Barney, who quit to become president/CEO of the Phoenix East Valley Partnership.
He’ll be battling Jevin D. Hodge, who is vying to become the county’s first Black supervisor.
The son of Tempe Union High School
State officials urge people get flu shots now
BY JOSH ORTEGA Cronkite News
Arizona officials Monday laid out a plan for “aggressively” combating the upcoming influenza season as the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, with the first step being to urge people to get a flu shot as soon as possible.
The state plans to increase funding for Medicaid recipients to get flu shots, combine flu-shot sites with coronavirus testing facilities, and more, while also advocating many of the same measures meant to head off the spread of COVID-19.
Gov. Doug Ducey and Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said officials have always taken flu season seriously but that “the overlap with COVID-19 this year presents greater challenges than the typical flu season.”
Ducey warned that a bad flu season on top of the COVID-19 pandemic presents “a perfect storm” of potential
health problems.
Officials warned that flu seasons in years past have inundated hospitals, similar to the peak of the COVID-19 cases the state saw this summer, but that flu vaccines remain a surefire way to keep those hospitalizations low.
“With this upcoming flu season, and with COVID-19 still circulating in our communities, there’s a potential that our health care system could become overwhelmed,” Christ said.
Last year, she said, the state saw more than 36,000 flu cases. She said the same recommendations health officials make for COVID-19 – washing your hands, wearing a mask, physical distancing and staying home when you feel sick – apply for those looking to prevent the spread of the seasonal flu.
The difference is there is a vaccine for the flu that state residents can get right away.
The state will increase reimbursement under the Arizona Health Care
Cost Containment System – AHCCCS, the state’s Medicaid program – to providers who offer flu shots to Medicaid recipients.
It will also expand the availability of flu shots to various COVID testing sites around the state by late September, Ducey said.
While the state was laying out its plans to battle the flu, Christ also pointed to advances in the fight against COVID-19.
She said nine of the state’s 15 counties have met the threshold for some businesses to start reopening on a limited basis, and that more than 1,200 businesses have applied to do so.
Those businesses must certify that they have a plan in place to safely reopen and agree to abide by state-mandated standards, including reduced occupancy, wearing masks unless eating or drinking, and enforcing physical dis-
tancing of at least 6 feet.
Businesses that don’t live by the rules will be shut down, she said, pointing to two bars in Scottsdale and one in Tempe that were shut down over last weekend as a result of law enforcement investigations and a health department tip line for reporting violators.
Actions against bars that violate reopening standards could include the revocation of their liquor license, she said.
Christ also announced a partnership with Hanes, the clothing manufacturer, that will let students get up to five facemasks for themselves and their families through the health department.
Steve Purves, president and CEO of Valleywise Health, said the best way for people to protect frontline COVID-19 health workers is to get a flu shot to prevent another disease outbreak.
Doing so means abiding by the “tried and true procedures” people have grown accustomed in recent months, he said.
“We’re all in this together,” Purves said. “And I thank Gov. Ducey and Dr. Christ for their teams of experts, for being such great partners here, and in helping us to keep Arizona going in the right direction.”
Gov. Doug Ducey and health services director Dr. Cara Crist last week emphasized the importance of getting a flu shot. (Capitol Media Services)
Governing Board Berdetta Hodge – who is seeking re-election this year – Jevin is the national engagement director and Phoenix operations manager for Washington, D.C.-based LINK Strategic Partners, a strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and social impact consulting firm.
spent $28,289 and is entering the fall campaign with $44,955.
Wilson-Goodman Law
Among Sellers largest contributors is East Valley strip mall developer Michael Pollack, who has donated $6,450 and Mike Ingram of El Dorado Holdings, $3,300.
Group, PLLC
Legislative debates
The Clean Elections Commission is hold debates in the two legislative districts covering Gilbert this month, but not all the candidates have signed on to appear.
Hodge also chairs the Booker T. Washington Child Development Center, is the former president of the Tempe Union High Schools Education Foundation and sits on the boards of several nonprofit charitable institutions around Arizona.
In the primary election, unofficial results show Hodge and Sellers were neckand-neck in Supervisor District 1, which has 187,079 registered Republican voters to 166,349 Democrats and 169,234 voters not registered with either party.
The Aug. 4 election produced 73,801 votes for Sellers and 79,707 for Hodge.
Hodge also is leading the race for cash, amassing $117,184 in donations since Jan. 1, 2019. He has spent $60,559 and is starting his fall campaign with $56,624. Sellers has collected $73,245 and
Hodge’s larger supporters include Scottsdale philanthropist Nestor Guzman, who has donated $5,000, and Los Altos, California, physician Karla Juvelson, who kicked in $2,000.
Because of the pandemic, the commission is running the debates online at azcleanelections.cov/debates. People can ask questions and the commission is archiving the debates.
First at bat is LD12 Democratic candidate Lynsey Robinson at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. Her opponent, Republican Warren Peterson, is not listed as appearing on the commission’s website.
The LD17 debate is 6 p.m. Sept. 21 and there too, only Democrats Rep. Jennifer Pawlik and senate hopeul Ajlan “A.J.” Kurdoglu are listed as appearing.
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PROTEST from page 1
July and grew in number as time went by.
“It was an unspoken thing, we each had a corner and it was completely peaceful until other groups showed up and causes problems,” she said. “Our group has nothing to do with them.”
The other groups totaled over 50 people last Thursday and faced off against BLM supporters at Gilbert and Warner roads. They were separated by orange-colored road barricades and police officers.
The pro-police side waved American flags, Confederate flags, Trump banners and chanted “four more years” and “all lives matter.”
Across the street, BLM supporters carried signs that read, “My kids are black, please don’t kill them,” “Cops protect public property, not lives,” and “Abolish the police” as they chanted, “Black lives matter.”
Suzie DeWitt held up her sign that read, “Jesus loves you.”
The Gilbert resident, who was at the BLM side, said she came out because she didn’t like the “fighting back and forth at the corners.” She also wasn’t a fan of the profanity-laced music blaring from a nearby speaker.
“I’m 73. When I was younger, I wanted to go to D.C. to march with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” she said. “It’s 60 years later and they are still fighting for their rights. Why can’t we all get along?”
Her pastor, the Rev. Andre Miller of New Beginnings Christian Church in Mesa, brought his 18-year-old son to the rally.
Miller said he worked for the Town of Gilbert 14 years ago and experienced racism, which prompted him to quit. He’s been meeting with the Gilbert Police chief, asking him to hire more people of color on his force and to form a community diversity oversight board.
“This is purely political,” Miller said. “The police are being used as pawns. This is purely a Trump rally.”
He added if the pro-police groups are really supporting police, they would continue to hold rallies so even after the November election.
“Unfortunately, all this violence by the Back the Blue side is costing the town $25,000 a week” for barricades and over-
ing the rallies since July and is a lifelong Gilbert resident, said BLM supporters started forming at the corner because the pro-police groups were showing their support for law enforcement, which she objected to in light of the July 4 shooting of a homeless man by Phoenix Police.
Hansen claimed radical groups like Proud Boys and white supremacists have been coming to the protests, giving Nazi salutes and shouting “white power.”
“I’ve been standing here to get white supremacists not being comfortable being Nazis,” she said.
Her friend Sumayyah Dawud came out to the rally from Phoenix, armed with an AR-15, a 9mm handgun and a hunting knife.
“It sucks,” that she has to do that, Dawud said but it’s necessary in order to protect themselves. “We only arm ourselves to deter them from attacking us,” Hansen added.
Over at the other side, 19-year-old Ari Hernandez was decked out in a MAGA hat and a “Latinos for Trump” T-shirt while waving a “Trump 2020” flag.
“I love my president,” said the Campo Verde High School graduate, who has attended about four events so far. “I don’t think defunding the police is a good solution to police brutality. I like the police but I think we need reform. It’s kind of sad that it turned violent but I came out here to make sure everything is calmed down.”
The Rev. Justin Hamilton, who is black, was at the pro-police side talking with protestors with his two daughters, 2 and 8, by his side.
The Gilbert resident said he wanted his children to get both perspectives of the issue.
time, Miller said.
Chief Michael Soelberg said the cost was more than that to rotate 140 officers in and out at and near the two locations that Thursday.
Soleberg, who was out at Warner and Gilbert, said his department is getting help from Chandler and Mesa police and the Department of Public Safety. Also joining him to monitor the protest were Council members Bill Spence, Scott Sep-
tember and Yung Koprowski and Town Manger Patrick Banger.
Several of the BLM supporters were armed – like their counterparts across the street and at the Williams Field and Val Vista location. They had homemade wood shields and a few men dressed from head to toe in black and armed were there they said to protect the protestors.
Emma Hansen, who has been attend-
“I think there’s a lot of misconception on both sides,” the preacher said. “I think there is some hypocrisy on both sides but I think that at the end of the day it’s people just expressing what they believe is best for change.”
A big proponent of the pro-police events is Liz Harris, who is running for a state House seat in November and had attended the rallies since they began.
“They are doing this to have a peacesee PROTEST page 16
Supporters of Black Lives Matter gathered on one corner while pro-police and Trump demonstrators took to an area across the way during a protest in Gilbert last Thursday. (Tim Sealy/Sealy Media)
Rev. Justin Hamilton spoke with pro-police supporters as Ari Hernandez, wearing the white Trume T-shirt, listened. (Tim Sealy/Sealy Media)
Charity founder Geisler heads donation of 15 tons of water
Cultivate Goodness, a Gilbert nonprofit with a focus on making serving easy, and its founder Kelly Geisler recently announced the outcome of a July bottled-water drive they hosted challenging individuals and businesses to contribute for United Food Bank in Mesa.
The challenge raised enough funds to purchase 15 pallets of water. The 28,800 water bottles mark the single largest donation to the United Food Bank to date.
“Oftentimes we feel we are serving and lifting others and realize we are the ones that received more than we gave,” Geisler said. “It’s a powerful thing.”
Cultivate Goodness also is collecting vital supplies and donations to aid foster children, gathering homemade birthday and get wells cards for residents in nursing homes and organizing volunteers to provide dinner for homeless shelters.
Cultivate Goodness and “is already making a substantial difference in their community and elsewhere,” Geisler said.
Information: cultivate-goodness.org.
Gilbert shortens relief deadline for nonprofits
The town has moved up the timeline for nonprofits to apply for a share of $2 million in AZCares money from Sept. 20 to 6 p.m., Sept. 13.
And, instead of waiting until Oct. 13 for Council to approve requests over $100,000, staff is looking for approval the last week of September, said Melanie Dykstra, program supervisor.
Dykstra said the change was set so money could be distributed to the nonprofits as soon as possible. The application process is open to nonprofits helping Gilbert residents most affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Information: gilbertaz.gov/residents/community-and-neighborhood-services/community-resources/ non-profit-funding.
To apply: gilbertaz.gosmart.org.
Council picks interim vice mayor
Gilbert Town Council last week approved Councilwoman Yung Koprowski to serve as vice mayor until January.
Mayor Scott Anderson was the vice mayor until his peers put him in the mayor’s seat after Jenn Daniels abruptly resigned last month. Anderson will serve until a new mayor takes office in January.
Koprowski was appointed by Council in April to fill the remaining two years of Jordan Ray’s term after he opted to run – successfully – for justice of the peace.
Koprowski is an engineer and owns her own firm.
Another big land deal on
Val Vista Drive announced
A 1.91-acre plot at the southwest corner of Willis Road and Val Vista Drive sold for $1.1 million, it was announced.
The parcel was sold to a local investor who has imminent plans to develop the site for an undisclosed retail use, according to ViaWest Group.
The sale of the property was the final parcel owned by ViaWest Group from an original 20-acre mixed-use site purchased from Duke Realty Corp. in 2015 for $3.7 million.
“During our ownership, we re-imagined the original land plan, improved access to the site by adding a shared access drive with utilities, and targeted a complementary collection of users, including a car wash, two senior living facilities, and a couple of restaurants,” said ViaWest founding partner Steven Schwarz.
Apply to serve on a Town board/commission
Town of Gilbert has openings on three of its boards and commissions and is looking for volunteers to serve.
One position is open on the Fire and Police Public Safety Retirement System
ful demonstration,” said the Chandler resident last Monday. “We support our police departments and we support our American flag. We support our Constitution. They don’t want any riots.”
Harris said she’s recently stopped going to the Gilbert protests because she’s received death threats.
The Republican candidate also shared photos of her vandalized campaign signs – one had the word “racist” spray painted across her po\rtrait and another had a note taped to the sign that read, “Karen. Go Back to Europe. Black Lives Matter.”
“Basically, I have a target on my back right now,” Harris said. “I’m being targeted because I do not want to defund police. If a police officer has done something wrong, he needs to reprimanded or dismissed.
“I’m a mom running for office doing my civic duty and I have a bullseye on my back with death threats. I never in a million years imagined running for office would result in this.”
The rallies had been peaceful up until Aug. 20 when verbal and physical altercations broke out between the two opposing groups, prompting Gilbert officers to position themselves in between the two sides to prevent further clashes.
Other groups such Back the Blue AZ have also showing up at the rallies.
Police ended up arresting three people at that protest – one for disorderly conduct, one for assault charges and another for criminal damage but the victim later declined prosecution, according to police spokeswoman Brenda Carrasco.
The incident prompted Mayor Scott Anderson to issue a statement saying while the town supported peaceful protests, it will not tolerate violence. Anderson went on to say Gilbert takes “great pride in our police department and the ace that we are thee second safest city in the country.”
Chief Soelberg posted a video on Twitter urging the public to look for “ways to be constructive and have dialogue and look for purposeful direction to where we can make positive change within the community.”
“Standing on the side of the street yelling at each other is not constructive,” the
chief said, who provided an email address for the public to give suggestions to bring the community together.
The Police Department has received a few suggestions so far, such as asking the opposing groups to meet at a safe space where they can talk and listen to one another about their concerns, according to Carrasco.
“Chief Soelberg met with a few of the organizers where they were able to address a few of these topics and concerns,” she said.
For the following rallies on Aug. 27 and last Thursday, police instituted traffic restrictions near the protest site. Town Hall last Thursday also shut down at 3 p.m. in anticipation of the crowds.
Rallies in Phoenix at times turned violent with protestors throwing bottles and rocks and police responding with rubber bullets and tear gas while the high-end mall in Scottsdale was looted and vandalized.
Gilbert remained unscathed by the violence but that’s not to say there hasn’t been racial tension in the community.
Most notably in the early 2000s a white supremacist gang of high school students called the Devil Dogs took root in town. The gang put the then-small conservative town in the spotlight after its members viciously beat another teenager, leaving him disfigured.
Gilbert formed the Human Relations Commission in response to the Devil
Dogs, but later dissolved the group.
Over time, other racially-tinged incidents have grabbed headlines for the town – such as in 2016 when a group of white girls at Desert Vista High School posted a picture of themselves on social media wearing T-Shirts with the N-word on it and earlier this year when a Campo Verde High School student posted a racist TikTok video that went viral with a reported 4 million views.
As clashes between police and protestors erupted across the country, Gilbert in early June responded with its “Listening Space,” a three-day event where officials listened to the public for feedback on racism and police reform in town.
With tension again rearing its head in Gilbert, Aysiana Clark last week felt compelled to speak to Town Council.
The recent Highland High School graduate had participated in the protests down the street from the town’s Municipal Complex. She has also served on the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee, her high school’s diversity coalition and attended the town’s listening event.
“Whether or not the altercation was initiated by a Gilbert resident or an outside agitator, white nationalists and their affiliates felt comfortable enough to incite violence in Gilbert,” Clark said.
“Doesn’t it concern you that attendees felt empowered to say “white power,” do a Nazi salute and encourage violence toward their adversaries on Facebook?
Does it concern you that there is a thriving subculture of anti-blackness and xenophobia in Gilbert? Most importantly are these the values that reflect Kindness, USA as Gilbert markets itself?”
The Council in 2019 adopted the new moniker and when googling Kindness, USA, Gilbert pops up.
“Furthermore the suggestion to look for more constructive ways to engage in dialog is a slap in the face,” Clark continued. “Standing on that corner with a sign was not my first, second or third choice. It was my very, very, very last choice.
“I’m tired of being palatable to my white neighbors. I’m tired and exhausted of compensating on their behalf because I understand they do not know any better.”
“Neighbors are disregarding our own experiences,” Clark said. “So please tell me council members and mayor, what am I to do?”
Mayor Anderson thanked Clark for her input and said because she spoke during public comments the Council was unable to respond to her.
Some of the protestors who gathered for a counter demonstration vehemently opposed police officers. (Tom Sealy/ Sealy Media)
Sumyyah Dawud of Phoenix said she was armed to protect Black Lives Matter demonstrators. (Tim Sealy/Sealy Media)
Local Pension Board, two for the Redevelopment Commission and one for the Industrial Development Authority.
For the Fire and Police board, there is an incumbent who is asking to be considered for the position, which has a four-year term. The board decides all questions of eligibility and service, and makes determinations as to the right of any claimant of the Gilbert Fire and Police Departments to a benefit under the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System. Members must be Gilbert residents.
The ideal candidate may have experience in public safety, medical field, practice of law, and/or pension systems. The board typically meets monthly or less.
The Redevelopment Commission has one full-term and one partial-term position. The commission advises the Council on matters related to the redevelopment area in downtown Gilbert.
Members consider new proposals for development, monitor current projects and implement the Redevelopment Plan. Members must be residents and qualified voters. The commission typical meets monthly.
The Industrial Development Authority has an opening for a partial term that ends March 12, 2023. Duties include recommending to Council construction projects the Town should endorse for tax-exempt, low-interest bond financing. Must be a resident and a qualified voter. The Authority typically meets once per year.
The deadline to apply for the open positions is 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 13.
To apply, go to https://commissions. gilbertaz.gov/apply/ . Applications also are available at Municipal Center I, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, first floor, 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays through Wednesdays and 7 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
For more information, call the Clerk’s Office at 480-503-6791.
Gilbert woman picked for Park University board
The Board of Trustees for Park University, which has a campus downtown, has elected a Gilbert resident to serve, it was announced.
Adelaida Severson’s three-year term began Aug. 28.
Severson is the president and chief executive officer of Bushtex Inc., an international satellite communications firm she founded with her husband in 1994 that specializes in remote broadcast transmissions for the government and broadcast networks.
Among her many honors, Severson was inducted into Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Hall of Fame in 2017.
She also was selected by AzBusiness magazine to its 2015 “Most Influential Women in Arizona” class; in 2014, the Phoenix Business Journal named her on its “Top 25 Dynamic Women in Busi-
ness” list; and in 2013, she was selected as the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Business Woman of the Year. Severson also serves as a trustee for Arizona State University.
Severson earned both her doctorate degree in public administration and a master of mass communication degree from ASU, and a bachelor of arts degree in journalism and international relations from the University of Southern California.
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Community
Gilbert artists’ work honors medical workers
BY SRIANTHI PERERA GSN Contributor
People lucky enough to escape the debilitating illness caused by COVID-19 may not have met the healthcare workers on the frontlines.
But they are aware of the critical and dangerous role they are playing during these troubling times.
Four members of the Gilbert Visual Art League joined the international community to pay homage to healthcare workers via brushstrokes.
Jane Bradley, Rosalie Vaccaro, Shelley Marler and Glenda Nieman have painted their appreciation of medical heroes and sent their portraits to the subjects.
“Each health care worker has a story. The bravery and selflessness of those on the frontlines is amazing. The art that has been created for them around the world is a small offering for what they do,” said Jane Bradley, who took the initiative on the project on behalf of the Gilbert group.
Bradley created a portrait of an anesthesiology resident in Chicago and a
doctor at New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital, among others.
She plans to do more as soon as she recovers from eye surgery.
“The pandemic is frightening to everyone. It has changed the whole world. We
just have to do the best to stay sane as we can and to find a way to help others. For me that is painting,” she said.
The project started in England when artist Tom Croft presented an online exhibition of more than 700 works of staff at National Health Service during U.K.’s lockdown. His idea was to galvanize artists across the country and celebrate the frontline workers.
The idea spread around the world’s arts community almost as easily as the virus did. Bradley was contacted by French artist Aldo Balding who started a group called Soignantssurlefront on Facebook.
“We put offers on our pages both on Facebook and Instagram for people to request paintings. After completing two of my paintings, some of my students also followed. Once we painted these, we posted them with information about the people we have painted,” Bradley said. see PORTRAITS page 20
Gilbert teen’s site connects youth to issues
BY STACI HAUK GSN Contributor
After spending four years on her high school’s speech and debate team, 17-year-old Delaney Krieger is trying to fill a need she sees in Gilbert as the General Election approaches.
So the Gilbert teen, a senior at Arizona College Prep – Erie in Chandler Unified, has launched: time-to-vote.com to promote knowledgeable voting by young people – a subject she is passionate about.
Delaney said what she learned in speech and debate about the nation’s
political process enabled her to see deficiencies.
“I started to think, what is one of the largest issues relating to people my age? This was when I came across a statistic representing ages 18-28 having the lowest voter turnout,” Delaney explained.
“I was shocked since these are the exact individuals that are our future and possess the power to make a change,” she continued. “So, to put it simply, my first goal was to just increase voter turnout.”
Through research of organizations with a similar mission, Krieger learned about advocating for voter turnout – but
that didn’t seem sufficient.
While she believes that goal is important, she also feels too many elected officials don’t necessarily seem to accurately represent the views of people her age share.
That presented a larger problem that she set out to solve.
“I continued to do more research as to why my demographic isn’t going to the polls,” she said.
“I conducted informal surveys, spoke with some of my friends and others and found that one of the major inhibiting
Rosalie Vaccarro paid tribunte to Jacqueline Rios, a phlebotomist at New York City’s Montifiore Hospital.
Gilbert Artist Jane Bradley painted this portrait of a Chicago anesthesiologist. Gilbert resident Delaney Krieger’s website time-tovote.com aims to engage young people, politicians.
San Tan Charter speakers discuss ‘connection’
San Tan Charter School teachers and staff recently gathered wearing masks and maintaining social distance for a back-to-school pep talk on the importance of socio-economic connection and consideration for educators.
The Back to School Speakers event has been a key part of launching the new school year at the Gilbert school, but this year there was only one day of in-person training and professional development instead of the usual three.
The other meetings and trainings were conducted via Google Meet, pre-recorded trainings and/or other virtual meetings.
Kris Sippel, CEO and Superintendent of Schools, said relationship building was the theme of this year’s event.
“Since our inception as a school community, we have wanted to be known as a school that inspires, encourages and supports people in being and doing their best,” Sippel said.
He presented a COVID-19 timeline and what teachers and staff could expect this year and next.
“I also asked for continued grace and flexibility that is needed for these challenging times,” he said.
Alisa M. Johnson, a second-grade gifted teacher at San Tan Charter School also spoke during the event.
Johnson, who is starting her eighth year at the school, presented a speech titled “Social Justice, a More Perfect Union.”
“We talked about ideas and concepts that can prevent us from going after the students in our class that are not keeping
Teachers and staff at San Tan Charter School in Gilbert gathered for one day to hear inspirational speakers. (Special to GSN)
in step with the majority of the students, be it academically, behaviors, special needs, etcetera. Biases, particularly teacher bias is real and can be explicit as well as implicit,” Johnson said.
“We ended our discussion with the charge that in the middle of COVID and having to rethink how we deliver education, this could be the very catalyst for change to become culturally responsive teachers,” Johnson added.
Kami and Larry Kerby, a husband-wife team who specialize in helping parents and teachers thrive with children through their company, Kerby Seminar Group, spoke about “Nine Essential Skills for the Love and Logic Classroom.”
Kami said the philosophy of this curriculum is supported by the school’s values.
“The teachers and staff re-committed to lead and manage their classrooms with
love and empathy,” Kami said. “They left with a connection plan to implement because they know powerful relationships are critical in creating an environment where students want to learn.”
Adam Lee Brooks from Drive to Save Lives encour-
aged teachers and staff to remember that everyone has the need for connection and belonging.
Sippel said he and the other presenters finished the Back to School Speakers event feeling positive and inspired to start the
new school year.
“We also received a great deal of positive feedback from the teachers that focused on their appreciation for spending this time with them and providing such valuable, helpful, inspiring and encouraging information,” he said.
San Tan Charter School is a K-12 public nonprofit tuition-free charter school with two campuses.
The Power campus serves students in grades 7-12 and the Recker campus is an elementary school serving students K-6 including a private Montessori preschool infant, toddler, and PreK.
The school uses a Love and Logic approach to classroom management that is focused on building relationships and communicating with respect and focuses on “Education with a Purpose” – which means teachers encourage love of learning to help youngsters build skills to face challenges and develop critical thinking skills.
Information: santancharterschool.com.
ANSWERS TO PUZZLE AND SUDOKU on Page 31
Nieman completed two portraits of nurses on the COVID-19 frontlines: Corey, an RN in Ohio and Ginny, who answered a call to work with New York state patients.
A retired educator from the Chandler Unified School District, the artist said she is humbled to be a part of the movement and will continue to explore more avenues to share. She paints nature, animals and portraits of people.
“I want very much to be able to give to others, especially to those who are risking their own lives to help those in need. When Jane (Bradley) offered this opportunity, I jumped on it. I felt that this would be one way to honor our medical heroes,” she said.
“I may not have the skills necessary to help ease someone’s pain in these difficult situations, but I can share the skills I do have,” Nieman added.
Shelley Marler asked around for subjects and settled on Dayton Gardner, a frontline medical worker on the emergency respiratory floor in a Utah hospital.
“It was a great experience painting Dayton,” Marler said. “I kept in contact with him throughout the project and came to appreciate what he does to help his patients.
“The doctors and RNs don’t get enough credit for the time, expertise and extra hours they put in treating COVID-19 patients. Anything we can do to show our appreciation is worth it.”
VOTE from page 18
factors for people my age was that they are not current with the issues.”
She also found an overwhelming majority of young people don’t watch the news or even do their own research, trusting instead in social media posts.
“Very few people my age want to sit down and read an article written with the rhetoric and word choice for older generations,” Delaney said. “It takes too much effort to try to conceptualize and understand the history and political context behind the articles written by news sources.”
Time-to-Vote.com is dedicated to presenting information in relatable terms
Marler, who creates a type of circular dotted paintings called mandalas, is also creating a medical mandala for Gardner, and others for a chiropractor, holistic medical doctor and a urologist.
Of the two portraits Vaccaro created, one is of her granddaughter who is working in an assisted living facility in Connecticut, and who recently got licensed as a CNA. The young woman became sick with the virus but has since recovered.
so potential voters can understand the ballot issues and identify candidates who will best represent them.
Krieger feels it’s key to offer an unbiased source that spells out facts without editorials and name-calling and her website explores the history behind topics, simplifying major issues into digestible chunks.
Her hope is to entice young voters to gain wisdom which readies them to vote – and makes them excited to do so.
“It seems as though there are very few sources that properly present pure media and state only facts without having a slant in some direction. Additionally,
“I believe she deserves a portrait,” Vaccaro said.
Even if most people are not working in medical care, they are dealing with the depressing effects of long-term quarantining.
“As all of us, we are feeling tired and confined, but trying to keep our spirits optimistic,” Vaccaro said. “I miss the camaraderie of painting in groups with other artists. I am painting other portraits and paintings to keep my skills improving.”
Nieman said that the pandemic took her by surprise.
“I never imagined the scenario that we are now living with. It saddens me to hear of all the suffering that it has caused throughout the world,” she said. “At the same time, I am more aware of what is important in life and value the kindness and concern that others share.”
Bradley received an email from a colleague of the anesthesiologist she painted out of a photograph. She wrote:
“James is an Anesthesiology resident in Chicago who has been taking care of COVID patients. As an anesthesiologist, he is responsible for performing emergent procedures which place him at the highest risk of COVID exposure, as those procedures aerosolize the virus. However, he never complains and whenever there is downtime, he is always goofing
many sources that are unbiased ultimately are written as scholarly articles or use rhetoric that is difficult to grasp.
“With Time to Vote’s focus on educating young adults, I feel as though it fills both voids.”
Delaney is currently focused on writing articles with titles like “The Candidate That Wins the Most Votes from the People Wins the Election Right? Not Necessarily.”
And she plans to continue to explore topics that could figure heavily into campaigns over the next two months.
Delaney plans to continue her site and add new contributors when she goes to
around and cheering people up. He hates taking pictures of himself, but before the pandemic, he had a slow shift and took this silly photo. He is holding a laryngoscope, which is the tool used for intubations. They are the most common tool of an anesthesiologist and is used on most COVID patients who end up needing a ventilator.”
To read more about these artists, visit their websites at janebradleyart.com; glendaniemanfineart.com; rosalievaccaro.com; and shelleymarler.com. Gilbert Visual Art League: gval.org.
college, where she aspires to study business, law or even marine biology.
“I believe it is important to have an impartial way to discuss the election and political issues with no bias because of the polarized nature of today’s society,” Delaney said.
Shelley Marler painted Dayton Gardner, a frontline medical worker on the emergency respiratory floor in a Utah hospital.
Glenda Nieman painted Ohio Registered Nurse Corey.
Gilbert woman’s moxie evolves into business tool
BY PAUL MARYNIAK
GSN Executive Editor
Women in business have a new tool to help them through these perilous economic times, thanks to Gilbert entrepreneur Allie Stark.
She recently rolled out Moxie. Inspire. Empower. Grow., a comprehensive platform that businesswomen can use to connect.
A former businesswoman and a mother of two, Stark bills Moxie as an app that “combines the social aspect of Facebook with the business aspect of LinkedIn.”
Accessible both from its website, moxieinspire.com, and downloadable on mobile devices, moxieinspire.com enables users to create a business profile and bio for starters. Then they can create groups, post topics of discussion, teach classes, attend classes, private message other members and create inperson or virtual events.
Gilbert entrepreneur Allie Stark has developed the web platform Moxie. Inspire. Empower. Grow to help businesswomen. (Special to GSN)
The app also allows members to search by category or geographical location, and create longtime connections that could last a lifetime.
“It’s like carrying a whole directory of women-owned businesses right in the palm of your hand,” Stark said.
Stark’s creation is a natural progression from a non-business-oriented digital social media platform she and a partner devised three years ago called The Girlfriend Connection, an umbrella for 36 different Facebook groups across the U.S. and Canada that help women find friends.
“Women thrive with connection,” she said. “We need other women to
talk to, lean on, laugh with – everything. Often, job opportunities take us away from our roots and we are left to establish new relationships. The older we get, it seems the harder it gets. Our groups make finding friends who share common interests easier. Who doesn’t like easier? And fun?”
“No business is allowed in the girlfriend groups,” she added. “They are just for fun and making friends.”
That sense of sisterhood has now carried over to moxieinspire.com.
“With everything going on in today’s world, women supporting women both in business and in life is more important than ever,” Stark explained. “When women work together by inspiring, empowering, and supporting one another, the sky’s the limit on their individual growth potential.”
“Moxie. Inspire. Empower. Grow. is a social network in itself. It’s a separate app. It can be used just like existing
see MOXIE page 22
Statewide startup workshop slated this month
Budding entrepreneurs can participate in a statewide event later this month aimed at helping develop “a startup ecosystem” by learning how to create a company and get it off the ground.
Startup Weekend AZ is a project of the Next Foundation’s partnership with Google and two of the world’s largest startup accelerators – Techstars and the Founder Institute – that will roll out online Sept. 25-27.
The event is focused on giving aspiring entrepreneurs a fun and powerful experience in how to launch a product or
startup in 54 hours.
Attendees need little more than a desire to start a company but can leave with having built a team and launched a real company.
In 54 hours, participants “will experience the highs, lows, fun and pressure that make up life at a startup,” organizers said, as they learn how to create a real company with the help of mentors, investors and other experts.
Organizers say the conference will connect “people driven to build something new from the rich and diverse talent from any county in Arizona” and will provide resources to help.
Participants will learn what it takes to
start a company in a way that books and blogs can’t teach. “The only way to learn is the experience of trying,” said Chandler Innovation CEO Diana White
“Our team helped build a national event focused on COVID startups back in April,” she said. “We had over 1,000 attendees register to attend and formed more than 100 startup teams in just one weekend. We decided to bring that success back home and create a uniquely Arizona experience that can truly unify all corners of our large and diverse state around its entrepreneurial spirit. By moving the event online, we make the program equally accessible to so many geographically and demographically underserved communities.”
Experts will bring an Arizona focus to technology possibilities in agriculture, environment, solar, mining security and defense, healthcare, education and others. There also will be “cornerstone themes” like creative and entertainment, local small business, digital, web and mobile and social and community impact. Registration deadline is Sept. 20 and there will be pre-conference events Sept. 20-24.
Sponsorships also are available for companies.
Information: azstartupweekend.org.
GSN NEWS STAFF
social media networks. You can set up a business profile and search members by business category or by geographic location.”
A Nebraska native with degrees in elementary education and psychology, Stark moved to Arizona in 2000, settling in Scottsdale until she moved to Gilbert five years later after she and her husband Richard decided the town was a good place to raise their children, Savanna, 15, and Jaxon, 12.
For a while she ran a business called Moxie Estate Sales, working in the East Valley and Ahwatukee, after a friend needed an estate sale service “but didn’t know how it worked or where to start.”
“I found there was a great need for the service with our large elderly population who often move into care homes and need help liquidating their estates,” she recalled. “It was nice to be able to help so many families.”
Though she closed the business when she became the primary caregiver for her father-in-law, the “moxie” name stuck with her.
“I had a friend turn mentor who was helping me with all the legalities,” she explained. “When it came time to choose a name, she told me it didn’t matter what I called it because I would be a success regardless. I asked her why she felt that way, she said, because I had moxie. I wanted to honor her for her help by naming my company ‘Moxie.’”
Indeed, she thinks women could use some help finding their moxie.
Stark believes women in business need a comprehensive platform to connect, learn and grow.
“A recent study by global marketing services company, Experian, revealed that women-owned businesses tend to generate lower revenues with 14.5 percent of women-owned businesses generating sales in excess of $500,000, compared to 24 percent of male owned,” she noted.
“Historically, it seems that women have been taught that we need to compete against each other in order to succeed. I don’t believe that and I know that I’m not alone,” Stark said.
“When we work together, we can all succeed. Networking groups and BNIs can do great things, but they usually command a large time commitment and come with a long list of responsibilities. I knew there was an easier way.”
And she thinks Moxie. Inspire. Empower. Grow. Offers that ease in connecting and learning.
“You can carry a whole network of women and women-owned business with you everywhere you go,” she said. “Whether you need business advice, or you’re looking for a women-owned business to support. It’s all there.”
Stark’s target group comprises “any woman who is serious about building her business and supporting others to do the same.”
Less than two months into marketing the platform, she said her biggest challenge “has been trying to get people to understand what it is.”
“Locally, I’m known for leading a women’s Facebook social group (Gilbert Girlfriends), so just the idea that this is a whole social network in itself and not
part of an existing social media network like Facebook has been challenging. I am not the leader, just the developer and founder. I hate to continuously make comparisons to Facebook, but the apps do have a lot of similarities in their usage and capabilities.”
But she’s convinced that once businesswomen see the possibilities in Moxie. Inspire. Empower. Grow., they’ll flock to it.
“What sets it apart from other social networks is that it’s specifically designed for women in business to support each other – none of the other noise that can come with social networking,” she explained, adding:
“There are no hidden fees, no paid advertising, no selling your personal information for target marketing, no algorithms that control and power other existing social media networks. Similar to Facebook, the Moxie app has its own events tab and its own messaging system. Members can set up in person and/or virtual events whenever they want.”
Kara Gooding, PA-C Dermatology
Gary McCracken, MD Dermatology
Anthony Petelin, MD Mohs Surgery
James Young, DO Mohs Surgery
David Feist, PA-C Dermatology
David Kelly, MD Plastic Surgery
Jason Michaels, MD Dermatology
Karin Brimhall PA-C Dermatology
Karin Machnau, MD Dermatology
BUCKEYE
Allevare at Verrado
Opening October 2020
Luxury single-family homes in the Verrado master plan.
Priced from the mid-$300,000s
QUEEN CREEK
Bridle Ranch
Opening October 2020
Amenity-rich neighborhood with half-acre home sites.
Priced from the low $600,000s
Caleda by Toll Brothers
Opening January 2021
Charming single-family gated community.
Priced from the low $500,000s
GILBERT
Flora at Morrison Ranch
Opening October 2020
Luxury single-family homes with distinct architecture.
Priced from the low $700,000s
MESA
Toll Brothers at Cadence
Opening October 2020
Two collections with master plan amenities.
Priced from the upper $300,000s
SCOTTSDALE
Sereno Canyon
Opening November 2021
Resort-style living with two new collections.
Unemployment funds drying up in state
BY HOWARD FISCHER
Capitol Media Services
Hundreds of thousands of unemployed Arizonans are within weeks of losing more than half of their benefits.
That would leave them with just the $240 a week the state provides, the second lowest in the nation.
Michael Wisehart, director of the state Department of Economic Security, said last week he believes there are sufficient federal dollars to pay the $300 in extra benefits in the special federal Lost Wage Assistance program for this week, the sixth week it has been available.
But he said given that other states are drawing against the $44 billion federal allocation, the dollars will dry up before next week it likely come without warning.
Gov. Doug Ducey has no plans to have the state step in.
“We’ve known these funds were limited,’’ said press aide Patrick Ptak, explaining
that’s why Arizona moved quickly to accept the offer by President Trump to get a share of that federal cash.
“As we’ve said all along, Congress needs to work together to extend these benefits long-term,’’ Ptak said.
Complicating matters, Wisehart said that the economy remains soft and Arizonans continue to lose their jobs.
He said about 131,000 people made firsttime applications for benefits two weeks ago. That compares with 86,000 the prior week and just 50,000 the week before.
The situation is even more dire than that.
Wisehart said the unemployment trust fund – the dollars set aside by a tax on employers to pay regular state benefits –will become insolvent in about eight weeks.
The account had $1.1 billion in it before the COVID-19 outbreak and the restrictions imposed by Ducey on business operations is now down to about $400 million.
Wisehart said the state is burning through the cash at about $50 million a week with no end in sight.
“Obviously the pandemic isn’t going to end soon,’’ he said.
That won’t mean an end to regular state jobless benefits. Instead, it will mean Arizona will have to borrow money from the U.S. Department of Labor.
“But you have to pay that money back, through taxes on employers, going forward,’’ Wisehart said. And that, in turn, could provide a new financial impediment to companies still reeling from the pandemic.
Ptak said his boss has set aside more than $400 million Arizona got from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. That could be used to pay jobless benefits going forward rather than forcing the state to borrow and raising taxes on employers.
But with $50 million a week more going out in benefits than what is being collected from employers, that becomes only a temporary solution.
State law entitles those who lost their jobs through no fault of their own to col-
lect half of what they were earning, with the proceeds coming from a levy paid by all employers on the first $7,000 of each worker’s salary. But lawmakers capped that at $240 a week; only Mississippi pays less.
There has been little pressure on lawmakers to alter that given what has been the state’s relatively low unemployment plus strong job market. In a typical preCOVID week only about 18,000 Arizonans were collecting benefits.
As recently as July, Ducey refused to discuss altering the cap.
He sidestepped questions about the ability of Arizonans to survive on $240 a week – unchanged since 2004 – by pointing out the federal government was providing another $600 a week through Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program.
And when those dollars ran out, President Trump agreed to put up $44 billion from the federal Disaster Relief Fund for the $300-a-week Lost Wage Assistance program.
Sports & Recreation
AIA to move forward with fall sports
BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor
The Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Board voted Wednesday to approve the updated recommendations from the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and move forward with the fall sports season.
“I would like to say on behalf of the staff and the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, especially for the sport of football, we would not have been able to make this decision until this time right now based on the metrics,” Executive Director David Hines said.
“So the metrics have gotten to a place that we can start football practice.
“That we can start the heat acclimatization (guidelines). That we can get kids in a helmet and shoulder pads and begin doing work.”
The recommendations were widely based on benchmarks set forth by state health officials to allow the resumption of in-person learning on at least a partial basis.
Hines said it is not recommended for teams to begin contact until all benchmarks are met. However, most will likely meet those in as little as a week.
The approval to adopt the new recommendations means fall sports will continue without any further delays.
Golf is in its second week of competition while swimming, cross country, badminton, volleyball and fall soccer began official tryouts and practices.
The only sport that has yet to begin official practices this fall is football, though that will change Monday when teams take the field in helmets for the first time.
As it stands, several districts are still reportedly on the fence despite allowing teams to go through conditioning and light workouts.
The green light for teams to begin, however, was welcomed by coaches and players alike.
“Happiness,” Chandler head football coach Rick Garretson said. “My kids were in film when I told them and there was a bit of a roar. They’re ready to go.”
The SMAC updated the return-to-play guidelines for players who test positive for COVID-19, which includes an extensive check list before they are cleared for a full return to play.
Symptoms must not still be present in the athlete. Additionally, if the athlete had to go to the hospital at any point because of their illness, they will not be immediately cleared.
The athlete also has to be screened for myocarditis; a heart defect that has been shown to occur after infection.
If all criteria are met after the infection, the athlete will then begin a minimum seven-day return-to-activity protocol, which involves three days of light activity followed by three more days of
complex and normal training.
“We are excited it’s finally here,” Higley coach Eddy Zubey said in a text message after the AIA meeting. “We are ready to go on Monday!”
“I’m jacked,” said Dobson football coach Bill Godsil, who was in the middle of practice when he heard the AIA’s ruling. “I’m sure as soon as I tell the boys when I bring them together, I’m sure they’ll be excited.
“The kids are ready. It’s going to be great for them to have some sort of a normal life again.”
Dan Hinds, the head football coach at Desert Vista, said, “I really thought we were going to hear this news. I think the AIA saw what was going around them in all of these other states. I think they made the right decision.”
Mountain Pointe head football coach Eric Lauer said the summer of uncertainty has given him and his players a new appreciation for the opportunities they have.
“With every step or stage they give us, we will advance full speed with great appreciation,” Lauer said. “For a privilege up until this point the year 2020 we have taken for granted.”
Modifications to postseason eligibility are currently being updated and will be posted on the AIA.
Hines previously said the minimum number of games teams must play to be eligible for the playoffs will be reduced, that way teams in districts on the fence could potentially join later on in the season.
Additionally, Hines said teams that join late can play an independent schedule and qualify for playoffs.
Teams with a reduced schedule will also have the option to play an extra game at the end of the regular season if they do not appear in the postseason tournament.
“If teams want to jump in, we can create an independent schedule for them,” Hines said.
“An independent schedule can qualify you for the playoffs. Teams could also come in and say, ‘Listen, I’m not so concerned with playoffs, but I want to play four or five games then when we get to the playoffs, I want to play an extra game or two.’ That’s fine, too.”
Hines added that conferences are in the process of finalizing schedules for all sports this upcoming season. Those are expected to be released in the coming days or weeks.
“To say we are happy to be where we are now is an understatement,” Hines said. “The board members really took their time to make sure that this could be done safely. We think that it definitely can.
“With the help of everyone at our member schools doing their part, we can absolutely make this a memorable season.”
The Arizona Interscholastic Association ruled Wednesday the fall sports schedule would proceed with new recommendations from the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. (GSN File Photo)
HD SOUTH offering some in-person events
As it emerges from a pandemic-related shutdown as well as a remodeling project, HD SOUTH, home of the Gilbert Historical Museum, is offering some in-person activities. These programs are led by artists, historians, storytellers, health and wellness specialists, botanists, and scientists; experts in their field who share their knowledge and skills with our community.
To register: hdsouth.org/calendar/2020-09/.
Registration is limited for the free programs and participants are required to wear facial coverings upon entering and exiting the room and maintain physical distancing.
Here’s a look at this month’s free offerings. Live activities require registration.
“Antarctica and the Emperors”
Through Oct. 10 Photographer Dr. Amy Novotny captured the daily life of an Emperor penguin colony in Antarctica and her work is on display in Gallery 4. She presents both the artistic side of nature photography as well as the reality be-
fore us including climate change, and its impact on the world.
Besides bringing awareness to this region of the world, her hope with these images, is to tug at your heart so you make daily choices that can improve and restore this world. Her photos depict the arduous journey to the colony, the unique Emperor life cycle and the artistic beauty of this gentle bird. Gallery 4 admission is free with paid museum admission.
Centennial Saturday: “Copper; Its Fortunes And Follies”
10-11:30 a.m. Sept. 12 Les Presmyk, mining engineer and geologist, will discuss the fortunes to be had in the copper industry as well as the follies that befell prospectors.
Many original Gilbert settlers added prospector to their resume.
Art Workshop: Pencil a Penguin 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 19
Gilbert artist and muralist Dani Kahn will guide participants on how to draw a penguin. From short and fluffy, to tall and
grand, penguins come in all shapes and sizes and Dani will help budding artists create their very own masterpiece. All supplies are provided. Ages 10 and Up.
Art Workshop: Paint A Beautiful Butterfly 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 26 Under the guidance of instructor Jean Smith – an artist, art educator, retired art teacher and member of the Gilbert Visual Arts League – participants will paint a variety of butterflies. Supplies are provided. Ages 10 and up.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 29
Jeff Keffler, director of business development at Rising Phoenix Wellness Services, will discuss substance abuse, mental health, and recovery. He has been an active member of the recovery community since 2012 and has a passion for helping families affected by substance abuse, beginning with his own personal experience.
HD SOUTH is the home of the Gilbert Historical Museum, located in the heart of the heritage district.
Originally opened as Gilbert Elementary School in 1913, HD SOUTH is the oldest building still standing in Gilbert and is the only one on the National Register of Historical Places.
Gilbert Museum is a repository of artifacts chronicling the town’s rich history, featuring newly remodeled exhibits and interactive displays.
Information: hdsouth.org.
Audubon Society goes online for monthly meets
GETOUT STAFF
You might be able to see and enjoy birds, but if you want to learn more about them from the Desert Rivers Audubon Society for the time being, you’ll have to do a lot of it online.
Because of COVID-19-related restrictions on large gatherings, the Audubon chapter is heading to Zoom for its monthly meetings as its 2020-21 season begins, though it is still offering twice a month.
Desert Rivers Audubon Society normally meets the second Tuesday of the month at Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert
with a free program and so it will kick off its new season Tuesday, Sept. 8. To get an invite to the free session, go to bit.ly/3l6FhcG. People also can sign up for the entire fall season.
On Tuesday, Arizona State University professor Dave Pearson will discuss “What to Save and Who Decides?”
As the world’s human population grows, more habitats and species will be impacted.
How do conservationists plan to make biodiversity a high priority when there will be such a growing number of competing interests in the future?
If intact ecosystems can be evaluated for their dollar value to those living around them, then an argument can be made for saving them that non-conservationists can understand and appreciate.
This approach is called “ecosystems services” and is already being applied in several countries. Pearson will discuss if it works and if there are unintended consequences.
Pearson is a popular presenter because of his quick humor and the urgency of his topics. He researches the interaction of ecology, conservation, ecotourism and education with the aim of developing
methods that promote sustainable use of biodiversity.
On Oct. 13, the Audubon Society will present Pierre Deviche, who will discuss dragonflies.
Deviche will discuss various aspects of the biology of odonates– dragonflies and damselflies – including their main characteristics, classification, history, behavior and life cycles.
He will explain why scientists and the public at large are increasingly interested in these insects. The focus will be species
Dani Hahn, shown with one of her murals, will be leading an art workshop later this month. (Special to GSN)
AUDOBON from page 27
that are found in Arizona – where and when to look for them, how to identify them, and tips to photograph them.
Currently a professor of environmental physiology at ASU, Deviche has a B.S. in biology and a Ph.D. in behavioral euroendocrinology, both from the University of Liege, Belgium.
On Nov. 10, Colorado State University Assistant Professor Kyle Horton will discuss bird migration in North America,
“The notion of hundreds of millions, if not billions, of migratory birds passing in and out of broad geographic areas is of considerable public and ecological interest – and of conservation concern,” a spokeswoman for Desert Rivers Audubon said.
“Many species of migratory birds have evolved the capacity to migrate at night, and the recent and rapid expansion of artificial light at night has dramatically altered the nighttime sky through which they move.
Horton will discuss how he uses weather surveillance radar to quantify and forecast migratory movements and generate
lights-out alerts across the United States.
Kyle Horton, a professor in fish, wildlife, and conservation biology, was a Rose Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology from 2017-2019. His work on migratory birds employs a range of tools and approaches, including the use of radar, acoustics, and citizen science data.
Desert Rivers Audubon isn’t all online. It also leads free, socially-distanced
guided bird walks in area parks and preserves. Masks are required and social distancing is enforced.
Family groups will be kept together. No more than 10 people may go out together.
Family bird walks are held the third Saturday of the month October through March at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert, one of the top birding destinations in Arizona.
Walks also are held at Veterans Oasis
Park in Chandler on the first Saturday of the month, November – April.
The first walks step off at 8 a.m., with the last one going out at 11. The chapter provides kids’ activities but bring binoculars if you have them, though a limited number of loaners will be available.
The Burrowing Owls Walk and Talk sessions are held the fourth Saturday of the month year-round. Join guide Anne Koch at the ramada at Zanjero Park on Lindsay Road south of the 202, one hour before sunset.
Information: desertriversaudubon.org -
Pierre Deviche, will speak on dragonflies next month. (File photo)
Kyle Horton, a professor in wildlife, will be leading a discussion Nov. 10 on bird migration. (File photo)
Obituaries
Susanne (Elisa) Presler George 82, passed away August 27, 2020 in Tempe , Arizona after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Sh e was born in Fort Dodge , Iowa on January 16 , 1938, and grew up on a farm near Pioneer, Iowa
She is survived by he r son, Doug George an d daughter, Kathi (George) Arledge, three grandchildren and three sisters, nieces and nephews.
After raising her family in Spirit Lake, Iowa, in 1990, Sue became an Arizona transplant, to g et out of the cold Iowa winters. Here sh e worked at Motorola, JoAnn Fabrics and Home Depot until her retirement.
Susanne always loved animals. Whether i t w as her cow “Bessie,” and farm cats whil e g rowing up, or some of her cats includin g Licorice and Sneakers in Spirit Lake. In Arizona, she was always willing to take in the pets o f others that for whatever reason could n o longer keep them, and also a few rescues of her o wn. Her dog Lil’ Bro survives his belove d owner. He is now right at home with Susanne’s son Doug and his family.
Walter Murphy
Walter “Murph” Murphy, August 1930 t o August 2020. Born Wabash, Indiana - resided Peru, Indiana, Chandler, Marana and Tucson, Arizona. Retired from a long career at Chandl er Public Schools, serving as Custodian , Maintenance Coordinator, and New Construction Coordinator.
Loving father missed by daughter Karen F earing, daughter Terry and son-in-law Da n D ale, Granddaughters Daun Pruett, Christina S toner and Barbra Eichler; six Great Grandc hildren and an extended family of in-laws , o ut-laws and anyone who sat at his table. Joined his wife Opal, in Heaven August 11, 2020.
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The last five years of Susanne’s life wer e s pent in Tempe, AZ at Divine Grace Adul t Care Home, until the cancer overtook her. The f amily would like to give special thanks t o Eric, Ursa and George at Divine Grace Adult Care Home i n Mesa and Tempe, AZ who took great care of her over the years.
Susanne has donated her body to science. In t he future, her ashes will be scattered at th e g raves of her parents in Gilmore City and a t t he farm where she grew up, near Pioneer , I owa, as well as other of her favorite place s a cross the country.
A private Celebration of Susanne’s life will be he held for immediate family due to Covid I n me mory of Susanne, please make a donat ion to the American Cancer Society or you r l ocal Animal Shelter.
& MEMORIAL GARDENS | PHOENIX 602-437-0436 VALLEY OF THE
For full obituary and condolences please visi t www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Susa n nePreslerGeorge-108494423
W. Baseline Rd. Ste. A-8 Gilbert,
Obituaries
Preston Tyler Foster
July 28, 1987 - August 11, 2020
Preston was born in Phoenix, Arizona on July 28, 1987 and lived in the Phoenix area for most of his life. He died in a single-vehicle automobile accident on August 11, 2020 while vacationing at the family ranch near Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Preston attended various schools in Phoenix while growing up and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Grand Canyon University. After graduation, Preston helped found F & R Properties, a construction management company where he served as a partner and owner.
Preston loved outdoor activities. He loved going to the family ranch and exploring the trails, hiking to new areas, and just taking in the spectacular beauty of nature. He had a zest for life and was always looking for the next adventure.
He loved making people laugh, and to friends and family, he was a stand-up comedian. Most of all, Preston loved people, especially children. And kids always adored him – to them, he was a giant teddy bear who had the biggest heart anybody could imagine.
He loved his little sister, his mother, his dad, and his stepmom. Preston had a close connec-
tion and a great love for his entire extended family: he loved his girlfriend, and he fiercely loved his little girl, Isabelle Rose.
Preston always had a fierce determination to beat obstacles in his life. And in his life’s final chapter, he did beat them. To those who knew him, he was recently the happiest and most con-
Employment General
Sr. Mechanical Engine er (Chandler, AZ) : E valuate existin g products & identify opp ortunities for produc t improvements in design, cost, & manufacturabili ty. Reqs a Master's i n M echanical Engr. & 2 y rs. exp. Mail resume s to HR, Array Technologies Inc., 3901 Midway Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Supply Chain Specialist s ought by Manna Dobson Inc for Mesa, AZ to c ontrol & maintain th e r estaurants d/bases o f i tems related to suppl y & logistical info. Mus t h ave a Bach's Deg i n S upply Chain Mgmt & 6 months exp in supply chain. Resumes to: mannabbqdobson@ gmail.com No calls.
Director, fcCSP/fpfcCSP/PoP at Amkor Technology, Inc. (Tempe, AZ): Daily app. of detailed knwl o f semiconductor pkg. assy and substrate techn across many cncr dev / NPI prog. Req. BS in Elec Eng. or Fgn. Eqv, & 5 years exp. Add’l duties, reqmts, travel r eq avail upon request. Send resume and apply a t amkor.com/careers/, ref Job#HJ01.
ENGINEERS
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tent he had ever been, with a self-confidence that was evident to all who were around him.
Recently, Preston participated in a program in California where he grew as a person and developed incredibly strong bonds with several wonderful people. Several of those people were at the ranch with him when he had his tragic accident. Although his relationship with these amazing people was short, the impact they all had on one another was incredible. They are among many who will miss Preston.
Preston leaves behind a sister, Kassandra Reagan Foster, his mother, Barbara Lynn Foster, his father, Paul Lewis Foster, his step-mother Alejandra Foster, his maternal grandparents, Jim and Pauline Hixenbaugh, his paternal grandmother, Geraldine Foster, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and others, all of whom adored Preston.
Preston was a Christian. His family and friends take great comfort in knowing that he is now in heaven, safe in the arms of our Lord.
A small private family service was held in Phoenix on August 19, 2020. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations to honor Preston be made to the El Paso Children’s Museum and/or to La Rodadora Children’s Museum, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico at
www.prestonfoster.net.
Employment General
Public Notices
ADVERTISEMENT OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to the Arizona Self-Service Storage Act, Arizona Statutes 33-1704, Section H, Enforcement of Lien. The Undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on or after September 18, 2020 at 9:00am using an online auctio n at www.storagetreasures.com, said property has been stored and located at US 60 Self Storage, 1661 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 102, Mesa, AZ 85210. Property to be sold as follows: Misc. household goods, personal items, furniture, clothing, toys and/or business fixtures and items belonging to the following:
Tenant Name Unit #
Marissa Hogan 236
Robert Davis 309 Stacy Koury 417 Clyde Baker 433
Maria Martin 501
Nathaniel Crary 519 Ryan Bowden 616 David Fergueson 736
Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party. Items sold “as is”, CASH ONLY, and Buyer must pay a security deposit and broom sweep/clean the unit. Go to www.storagetreasures.com to bid on unit(s).
Published: East Valley Tribune, Sept. 6, 13, 2020 / 32840
Public Notices
AT&T Mobility, LLC is proposing to construct a 40f oot overall height small cell telecommunication s s upport structure at 3378 S Price Rd., Chandler , Maricopa County, Arizona (N33° 15’ 21.9”; W111° 53’ 5.8”). AT&T Mobility, LLC invites comments f rom any interested party on the impact the proposed undertaking may have on any districts, sites, buildings, structures, or objects significant in Ameri can history, archaeology, engineering, or cultur e that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under National H istoric Preservation Act Section 106. Comments may be sent to Environmental Corporation of America, ATTN: Megan Gomez, 1375 Union Hill Indust rial Court, Suite A, Alpharetta, GA 30004 or via email to publicnotice@eca-usa.com. Ms. Gomez can be reached at (770) 667-2040 x 405 during norma l business hours. Comments must be received within 30 days of the date of this notice. W2983/HMF
STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF BERNAL ILLO SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT C ase No.: D-202-DM-2020-1663 ANTHON Y PATINO, Petitioner, v. SUNDY PATINO, Respondent. NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF ACTION To Res pondent, Sundy Patino: GREETINGS: You ar e h ereby notified that Petitioner, Anthony Patino , through his attorney of record, William E. Hoskovec of Cortez & Hoskovec, LLC, has filed a Verified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage on July 9, 2020 i n t he County of Bernalillo, New Mexico, seeking a Dissolution of Marriage. Unless you enter your appearance and/or respond to the Petitioner of Dissolution of Marriage in said cause within thirty (30) days after the last date of publication, (as specified in Rule 1 -004(K) NMRA 2016), a default order will b e entered against you for all relief prayed for in the Pet ition. Name and address of Petitioner’s Attorney : William E. Hoskovec, 6121 Indian School Rd. NE, Suite 203, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110, (505 ) 2 47-1726. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED : C ORTEZ & HOSKOVEC, LLC /s/ William E Hoskovec WILLIAM E. HOSKOVEC Attorney for Petitioner 6121 Indian School Rd. NE, Suite 203 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110 (505) 247-1726 Published: East Valley Tribune/Mesa Tribune, Sept 6 , 13, 20, 2020 / 33034
Dedicated task force committed to following CDC and senior living guidelines safe precautionary measures to keep you and your loved ones safe social activities re-imagined through virtual vibrant living activities devoted to adjusting to every new safety measure the CDC suggests.
Virtual Classes & Events
Meal Delivery as Well as Social Distancing Fine Dining
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Wireless 24/7 Emergency Call System
24-Hour Onsite Staff
Designated tele-communication room for residents physicians appointments
“I will applaud the effort everyone has put in for us to get through this and the creativity used for virtual activities offered. This has been a once in a lifetime event for all of us and the friendly, upbeat and reassuring attitude from all personnel has made a positive difference.”
-LivGenerations Resident
