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NEWS
THE MESA TRIBUNE | MAY 9, 2021
Landmark Mexican restaurant returns to Mesa
BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor
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or those who think Mesa is changing too fast and will never match its past, welcome to El Charro – the return of a local legend. “There is a landmark in Mesa, El Charro And you can bet it will still be there tomorrow. The Munoz family has nurtured it all these years. Through good times and bad, laughter and tears….” Doc Calhoun wrote that poem, “Munoz,” in 1991. The restaurant launched in 1958 by Freddie Munoz survived its founder’s death in 2012, with Freddie’s daughter Eva Munoz Orta taking over. Then, in 2017, a “closed for vacation” sign went up. Patrons of the modest restaurant and bar at West First Street and Country Club Drive patiently waited for El Charro to reopen. And waited, and waited ... Last Wednesday, this week, nearly four years after it closed for extensive renovations, the Mexican restaurant �inally reopened — on Cinco de Mayo, no less. For now, the cafe is only offering takeout, with no word on when in-person dining and bar service will resume, but the restaurant’s loyal followers will take it. On the �irst 100 degree day of the year, many waited in line to get their El Charro �ix.
After nearly four years of being closed for renovations, Mesa landmark El Charro reopened (for takeout only, at first) on Cinco de Mayo. Loyal patrons lined up for the beloved restaurant. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)
For nearly a year, many have anxiously followed the El Charro progress via its Facebook page, which tells a local, updated version of a maddening, Ka�kaesque trip through bureaucracy. Nov. 24 post: “It has been a year since we have been working daily �ixing a lot of needed repairs on the restaurant.” Jan. 29 post: “With a little help from family members, 144 boxes of tile were laid down in the dining room.” Feb. 18 post: “So sorry we don’t have a reopening date just yet. We are waiting on the city permits.”
March 11 post: “After �ive phone calls to the Arizona Tax Revenue and speaking to �ive different people telling us �ive different things we have to do before being able to get our tax privilege license back the application was mailed today.” March 27 Facebook post: “We are so glad to know that so many of you have not given up on us yet.” March 31 Facebook post: “The question that is asked the most is ‘when are you opening?’ In the last three years and nine months we have encountered many setbacks but we are still hanging in there. Our
the Arizona Board of Regents, urging him to reject the legislation. “There is little evidence to support the need for a substantial change in Arizona higher education structure,’’ Penley said. Penley also argued that the move is unnecessary, as the regents have four-year programs they operate in collaboration with community college. Tuesday’s decision drew praise from Steven Gonzales, chancellor of the Maricopa Community Colleges, who said the aim is not to compete with the university system but to supplement it. Gonzales said there are speci�ic needs for things like more teachers and nurses than the university system is turning out and that these programs can be conducted
at far less cost than the universities charge in tuition, all without raising local property taxes. None of this will happen immediately. The new law requires governing boards to determine whether to offer four-year degrees based on both the need, as determined by student demand and workforce gaps, as well as the �inancial requirements necessary to sustain the program. Programs also have to be accredited by the same agencies that have purview over university programs. And colleges are required to let state universities know of the programs they are developing. But the statute also is clear: Universities have no veto power. And that was one of the things the Board of Regents wanted.
last milestone is getting the last state permit. Since you can only converse through email or phone we have spent many hours on the phone. “So in the last month we have spoken to nine different people and have never been given the same answers.” Finally, on April 20, El Charro posted: “Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! The last two permits �inally came and have been hung. We will be opening just for takeout the �irst month. “See you on Wednesday May 5th 11-8.” The day before the opening, when El Charro posted its “limited” menu, dozens responded they could hardly wait. “I’m so glad to hear they are reopening,” Chris Smigel commented. “For me, it’s a way to touch my family and my past. No other restaurant can do that.” That echoed what Calhoun wrote, 30 years ago: “Mexican restaurants in the Valley abound But another El Charro is not to be found You can look far and wide, but you will not �ind Anything like it, it is one of a kind” El Charro is open for takeout only at 105 North Country Club Drive, 480-9641851. For more information or to order online, visit elcharromesa.com.
Community college bill signed into law BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
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rizona’s community colleges are now on the path to awarding fouryear degrees if they want. Gov. Doug Ducey last week signed legislation to permit these local institutions to offer baccalaureate degrees without having to �irst enter into a joint program with one of the state’s three universities. “Today’s action is school choice for higher education,’’ Ducey said. “It will allow students even more opportunities as they strengthen their education and expand their employment opportunities.’’ The governor’s action comes despite a last-ditch bid by Larry Penley, chairman of
Lawmakers added some additional restrictions in Pima and Maricopa counties. For the �irst four years, no more than 5 percent of total degree and certi�ication can be for four-year programs, a �igure that rises to no more than 10 percent after that. The tuition for juniors and seniors can be no more than 150 percent what they charge for all other courses. Ducey said 23 other states have similar systems which allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees in certain circumstances. Penley wrote, “What Arizona needs from community colleges, in addition to their technical certi�icates and degrees, are associate degrees that have a higher graduation rate.’’