Mesa Tribune: Northeast 06-07-2020

Mesa Police shooting videos aim for transparency

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

They may be graphic and may not even throw a complimentary spotlight on Mesa police of�icers.

But the Mesa Police Department’s new “Critical Incident Community Brie�ings” aim to add transparency on a longtime hot button issue that is getting a renewed surge of interest – of�icer-involved shootings in the city.

Mesa Police also have scheduled a community meeting June 25 to outline some of 66 recommendations it has adopted – with some minor modi�ications – for improving police use-of-force tactics.

Among the recommendations the department has adopted is the creation of a Critical Incident Review Board consisting of representation from a police union, a member of the department’s Advanced Training unit,

Mesa to share school reopening ideas this week

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor

Parents, students and staff will get the �irst cut of Mesa Public Schools’ plan for reopening campuses in virtual sessions that start next Thursday.

Although she had no details for the Governing Board last week because it was meeting the day before a June 10 deadline for initial recommendations from 11 teams working on different parts of the plan, Superintendent Dr. Andi Fourlis told the board:

“There is a ton of work being done to study the best practices, to study the best models and to bring creative thinkers together to think about how do we open up school in the fall. And we have some very, very �irm commitments to our communities that every decision that we make is designed to ensure and build their con�idence.

“And we know that in order to do that, we have to provide safe learning environments not only for our students but also for our staff and that we have to provide ample choices for our families as they come back to school in the fall.”

Virtual meetings for staff, parents and students will be held at various times June 18, 22 and 24 to hear the initial recommendations. People can sign up at bit.ly/MPSstakeholder to register or they can text “Mesa” to 41411 to get the link.

Holly Williams, who outlined the procedure for the reopening roll-out, said the district will take the input it collects and re�ine the plan for a rollout sometime next month in advance of the �irst day of school Aug. 4.

More than 200 people joined a prayer gathering organized last Wednesday by a Mesa pastor in response to protests nationwide. For a report on this gathering and a protest in Mesa, see page 4. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Sta Photographer)

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POLICE ���� ���� 1

the department’s legal advisor and two community members.

Adopting a policy from a California law, Mesa police will release a video summary of all of�icer-involved shootings whether they are fatal or not.

The policy was announced after the �irst protest in Mesa last week over the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police May 25.

Assistant Chief Ed Wessing said the new video policy was quietly initiated in November by then-Interim Chief Ken Cost, but disclosed last Wednesday. Cost was named chief earlier this year.

While the Mesa department’s video policy is not a reaction to nationwide protests over Floyd’s death and other cases of police brutality, Wessing said it is part of an initiative to boost trust through transparently.

The video brie�ings also are part of an ongoing effort to improve Mesa Police use-of-force procedures that have been recommended by a national think tank, the Police Executive Research Forum.

Cost has committed to releasing the videos within 45 days after each of�icerinvolved shooting.

The videos are a departure from a previous policy by former Mesa Chief George Gascon, who frequently held community meetings after some of�icer-involved shootings, slayings and sex-assaults to address public concerns.

The community outreach efforts eventually trailed off after Gascon left.

Now, police have scheduled a community meeting at 5 p.m. June 25 at the Sheraton Wrigleyville Hotel near Sloan Park in Mesa to outline the 66 recommendations from the Police Executive Research Forum. The recommendations cover a range of police issues, from training to policies.

“This is about Mesa only,’’ Wessing said, explaining the town hall will be “giving our residents as much information as we can provide. They are asking for more information. As we have evolved, we needed to be more transparent.’’

He said that at community meetings held regularly at district substations, police have noted that their relationships with the community improve as they become more open and accountable.

“When you give them the answers, there are better feelings and understand-

dressing concerns generated by several high-pro�ile instances of allegedly excessive use of force.

“I think it’s very impressive,’’ Giles said about the �irst video, which chronicled the 2019 death of a 27-year-old man who had been acting erratically and refused to drop a handgun before he was shot to death by of�icers.

“I think it will help us with the trust issue, between the police and community,’’ Giles said.

Giles has acknowledged the problem of systemic racism, calling Floyd’s death “a watershed moment.’’

ing,’’ Wessing said. “We are trying to be as transparent as possible. That is part of building trust. The idea of saying nothing for six to nine months (after a shooting) is not working anymore.’’

In the past, police often would not comment on of�icer-involved shootings beyond releasing the basic facts, saying the matter was the subject of an internal affairs investigation.

Wessing said such investigations are being expedited now. He said Mesa police average about six or seven of�icerinvolved shootings a year.

Mayor John Giles said he supports the video program.

He also believes the community meeting on the recommendations will help demonstrate to the public that the department for two years has been ad-

He said the nation needs to undertake signi�icant reforms to promote more fairness in the way of�icers and the criminal justice system treat people of color.

“I think the national emphasis on examining these procedures is a great thing,’’ he said. “This is a process that we have been working on for some time now.’’

While former chief Ramon Batista initiated the outside review of Mesa police shooting policies, Cost was in charge of putting the recommendations into practice when he headed training as an assistant chief.

Wessing said police recently completed their review of the Police Executive Research Forum’s recommendations. All were adopted with a few minor modi�ications.

“It makes the Mesa police even more progressive, in line with the best prac-

This Facebook posting shows part of a peaceful protest held in Mesa last Tuesday that is among many over police treatment of people of color. Mesa Police said their reforms have been underway long before protests. (Special to the Tribune)

Mesa protest, prayer gathering focus on police

BY JIM WALSH Tribune staff Writer

The tone of two events in Mesa aimed at addressing systemic racism was remarkably different, with one a prayerful rally for change and the other the �irst protest over the slaying of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

But in the end, the goal of the protest last Tuesday and the prayer gathering on Wednesday was the same: to work towards more equality in the way people of color are treated by police.

The prayer vigil sponsored by Rev. Andre Miller at New Beginnings Christian Church in Mesa was focused on unity, while the march sponsored by Rev. Reginald Trotter of Phoenix was aimed at reigning in excessive force and racial pro�iling.

“God has brought us here for such a time as this. Change is here. Change is knocking at the door,’’ said Rev. Tyronne Stowe, a former National Football League linebacker with the Arizona Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins.

“If we don’t get it right here, don’t expect to make the trip,’’ he said, alluding to heaven. “There ain’t going to be no segregated heaven.’’

Miller, who said he has served on a Mesa police use of force advisory committee, said his goal in sponsoring the prayer event was to bring people together.

It drew Mesa Mayor John Giles, Councilwoman Jen Duff, Tempe Mayor-elect Corey Woods and Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Mohr.

Giles and Duff knelt on the asphalt in the church parking lot in prayer, joined by at least 200 others, including some Scottsdale Police of�icers.

“The message is, 'it takes all of us to �ix all of this,’’’ Miller said. “We have to get to-

POLICE ���� ���� 3

tices,’’ Wessing said. “None of these are signi�icant changes.’’

In the �irst video released last week, body cam videos and a video obtained from a witness chronicle the police response to a series of 911 calls and eventually the fatal shooting of Garrett Ryberg last Nov. 16.

The �irst 911 calls described Ryberg

gether to do the hard work to make America better.’’

John Goodie of Gilbert, a retired Mesa park ranger and a longtime Mesa civil rights advocate who helped establish Mesa’s Martin Luther King Day celebration, said he has been victimized by structural racism his whole life as a large black man.

Recently, Goodie said, he was standing behind an elderly white couple at an ATM in Gilbert. The woman noticed him and quickly became so nervous that they bolted toward their car, leaving their debit card behind.

Goodie said he followed them to the car. At �irst, the woman refused to roll down her window, but when she noticed Goodie holding her ATM card, she gladly accepted it and apologized for her reaction.

“Together, we are all better,’’ Goodie said. “That’s what I have been about my whole life, to celebrate our differences and our likenesses.’’

Pastor Palmer Chinchen,

of The Grove

running along the Loop 202 near the Alma School Road exit. The scene shifts to a yard where callers report a young man with two dogs attempting to jump into semi-tractor trailer truck and drive away.

“He’s trying to break in. He’s got his hand on a gun,’’ one caller reports. “He looks like he’s on drugs or something.’’

When of�icers arrive on scene, their body worn camera shows them yelling at

Scottsdale, Trotter said. “What really motivated me is that Mesa has a lot of problems, a lot of issues.’’

“Mesa has a history, a tendency, to be very aggressive,’’ he said, with relatively small violations turned into major problems because of racial pro�iling.

“I would say they need more training on de-escalation rather than using excessive force,’’ he said. “The racial pro�iling has to stop.’’

He said he has invited Chief Ken Cost to address the protesters at a follow-up protest, after Cost declined to do so at the �irst protest, citing scheduling con�licts.

Trotter said Mesa also needs a civilian police review board similar to the one recently established in Phoenix. Phoenix City Council last week voted to provide more than $3 million to fund the panel’s operation.

Christian Church in Chandler, spoke at the event and encouraged church members to attend.

“We wanted to come as an act of solidarity with our African American brothers and sisters. We want to make changes to end racism,’’ he said.

Alluding to Floyd’s death, Mohr said, “the shield can be tarnished by the acts like we saw,’’ but tragedy can spawn “true transformative, systemic change.’’

She added, “There is no one who despises bad cops more than good cops.’’

By all accounts, the protest march a day earlier through downtown Mesa was peaceful, starting at Mesa City Hall and heading down Main Street before ending at Mesa Police headquarters.

Trotter said the focus was on improving Mesa police interaction with blacks, who he said have suffered excessive force and racial pro�iling.

“Nothing was happening in Mesa,’’ despite a series of protests in Phoenix and

Nyberg to drop the gun and to get out of the truck.

But Wessing, acting as narrator, said Nyberg refused to follow commands, pointed the gun at police and was shot. Two gunshots are heard on the video.

The video becomes graphic and disturbing when it shows Nyberg hanging limp off the driver’s side door of a truck’s cab. He subsequently was pronounced dead.

“We’re trying to present the facts as

Trotter’s son, also Reginald Trotter, alleges he was the victim of excessive force by Mesa Police in November 2018 when he fought with police while they were arresting him for cutting through a park after hours and cocaine possession. A notice of claim is pending against the city.

Rev. Trotter said there were similarities in police tactics used against his son and against Floyd by Minneapolis police, but Assistant Ed Wessing said he cannot comment because of pending litigation.

“As you know, Mr. Trotter has �iled a notice of claim with the City of Mesa related to this incident. It would be inappropriate for the Mesa Police Department to provide any further statements related to this incident due to pending litigation,’’ Wessing wrote in a response to an inquiry by a TV station.

“The Mesa Police Department continues to be progressive and is committed to process improvement,’’ he added. 

we know them,’’ Wessing said. “I think the public expects transparency with our body cameras. This is what we know and this is what the of�icer was faced with.’’ 

GOT NEWS?

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@ timespublications.com

Pastor Andre Miller of New Beginnings Christian Church in Mesa organized the prayer gathering last Wednesday that drew people from eight area churches and police from Scottsdale and Tempe. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Sta Photographer)

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Protests fuel calls for Confederate monuments’ removal

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Protests against racism have renewed the calls for the removal of Confederate monuments in Arizona – including one in Gold Canyon and another at the State Capitol.

On June 8, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs asked a top aide to Gov. Doug Ducey to remove a monument to the Confederacy from a state park across from the Capitol.

The following day, about 20 Gold Canyon residents held a silent protest over a monument near US 60 to Confederacy president Jefferson Davis that organizer David Coward called one of “the symbols of racism that exist within our community.”

The monument, near the Peralta Road turnoff was installed decades ago by a pro-confederate women’s group when a state board named the old U.S. 80 the Jefferson Davis Highway. The group disbanded in 2002.

“It was part of a commemorative highway that stretched from coast to coast through the south,” Coward said, noting the highway’s name was in opposition to the Lincoln Highway that stretched across the northern half of the country.

“Efforts have been underway for several years to remove this monument to racism to no avail,” he said in an email to neighbors.

Coward asked them not to post the message on social media, warning, “This is a peaceful memorial service but there are elements in our community that approve of this symbol of racism and may want to disrupt this event.”

He said he wanted to “bring attention to this stain on our community and to honor George Floyd and all the other people who are victims of our unequal justice system.”

Meanwhile, in a letter Monday to Andy Tobin, director of the Department of Administration, Hobbs said the Capitol monument was erected not right after the Civil War but not until the early 1960s, when the country was on the brink of several

major civil rights breakthroughs.

“It was a clear attempt to repudiate the progress of our country,’’ she wrote.

Now, Hobbs said, the nation “once again faces a moment of transformation.’’

“We won’t heal the divisions in our country by honoring those who would divide us,’’ she said.

The letter went to Tobin, named to the position by Ducey, because Arizona law gives him the power to relocate any of the monuments in Wes Bolin Park.

Ducey himself has been hostile to prior efforts to remove this and other Confederate monuments, saying in 2017 he does not favor their removal.

“I don’t think we should try to hide our history,’’ the governor said, including this one which is within view of his of�ice window at the Capitol.

But Hobbs’s letter took issue with that point of view.

“Removing this monument isn’t a choice to erase our history, it’s a choice to embrace our future,’’ she wrote.

Hobbs said it does not deserve to remain in the public park.

“This is a monument to soldiers on the losing side of a war who rose up against the country in treason to protect the practice of slavery,’’ she told Capitol Media Services.

Tobin said he’s been personally bothered for years that there was a road from Phoenix to Globe named the Jefferson Davis Highway.

The issue of monuments and the Confederacy has taken on new life in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police of�icer, an incident that was captured on video.

That has energized nationwide protests and resulted in Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam saying he intends to remove a statute honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Hobbs acknowledged that if the Capitol monument is removed it is likely to be little more than symbolic.

“This is not going to solve anything,’’ she told Capitol Media Services. “But I think it would make a really strong statement about the priorities of our state leadership to do something about this monument.’’

The monument at the Capitol was a gift to the state in 1962 by the now-defunct Arizona chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy – which also moved the Jefferson Davis monument from Duncan, near the New Mexico border, to Gold Canyon with state approval in 1961.

State of�icials at the time were making a stand against the Civil Rights Movement.

In justifying the governor’s position in 2017, a press aide cited a national Marist Poll done for NPR and PBS that said 62 percent of Americans think the monuments and statues to the Confederacy should stay.

A statewide survey at the time found that 51.5 percent of the 400 people said the memorial should be allowed to return.

Hobbs said she favored the 2017 effort to move the monument when she was in the legislature.

But she added, “Right now, we’re at a tipping point” and suggested the Capitol monument be moved into non-public storage at the Capitol Museum, which falls under her purview.

That, she said, ensures it preservation and protects it from vandals.

The Gold Canyon monument bears chisel scars from previous acts of vandalism.

ADOT Director John Halikowski acknowledges that the Arizona Highway Commission voted in 1961 to designate U.S. 80 through Arizona as the Jefferson Davis National Highway.

But there is no longer a U.S. 80 in Arizona, Halikowski pointed out in a letter three years ago and that various stretches of the roads it covered now carry different numbers, including U.S. 60 and Arizona 80.

As U.S. 80 disappeared, Halikowski said, so did the designation.

Still, the Davis monument remains in Gold Canyon with at least tacit state permission.

An ADOT spokesman in 2017 said department engineers have determined it’s “not an immediate safety hazard,” so there are no safety reasons to remove it. He said ADOT wants to talk to whoever owns the monument before making any decision — but conceded the state has no idea who that is.

The spokesman also noted the ADOT might have “to do some historical analysis pursuant to federal law to see if it quali�ies for federal protection.”

The Mesa Tribune contributed to this report. 

Secretary of State Katie Hobbs wants this Confederate monument at the Capitol stored away. (Special to the Tribune)

East Valley residents protested against this Je erson Davis monument in Gold Canyon last week. (Special to the Tribune)

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Guard deployed in East Valley amid protests

The Arizona Army National Guard’s presence in Chandler and other cities ended Tuesday after nearly a week of armored trucks patrolling around areas that of�icials feared would fall victim to vandals and rioters.

After Scottsdale Fashion Square was vandalized and ransacked by protestors May 30, the Guard began dispatching soldiers out to other communities to prevent similar incidents elsewhere.

Chandler was one of 11 municipalities in Arizona to request the assistance of the National Guard’s 1,000 soldiers after Gov. Doug Ducey issued a weeklong curfew on May 31 in reaction to the Scottsdale riot.

Over the next couple days, Chandler residents started posting pictures online of armored trucks stationed outside movie theaters and Chandler Fashion Center.

“At the Chandler Mall just getting some

SCHOOLS ���� ���� 1

The district is working on three plans –one for brick-and-mortar instruction, one for online instruction for students whose parents would prefer they continue learning at home while the pandemic continues and one in case all campuses must close as they did for almost the whole fourth quarter of the 2019-20 school year.

Mesa City Council is helping the district prepare for all-distance learning contingencies by allowing some of its federal pandemic relief funds to be used for purchasing laptops so that all students in �irst through sixth grade have them.

Although Council’s discussions of the program had focused around equipping poverty-level students with laptops, Council spokesman all students in those MPS grades would be getting the devices, though not necessarily through city funds.

Chandler Uni�ied administrators presented its board last week with 80 pages of recommendations for reopening but no formal plan was adopted.

Kyrene School District rolled out a comprehensive plan that includes a unique K-8 Digital Academy open to students across Arizona as long as they have an internet connection. District of�icials said could dramatically boost their total enrollment by pulling in students across the state.

food for my family,” one spectator wrote online. “Out of nowhere three police vans, 20 police cars, an armored truck, and four fully-armed National Guard HUMV’s just roll up... What a time to be alive.”

The Guard’s presence reportedly wasn’t con�ined to the ground, as military aircraft was used to monitor civil protests in Phoe-

If Mesa’s reopening plan is anything like Kyrene’s brick-and-mortar plan, MPS students and parents can expect some radical changes in a typical day at school.

Some of those changes are based on a survey that found about half of all Kyrene households prefer not to send their kids back to campus amid fears of a resurgence of the coronavirus and the absence of a vaccine.

The survey prompted Kyrene to determine that social distancing in classrooms and on buses will be easier to achieve since classes will be smaller and desks can be kept 6 feet apart.

In Mesa, over 15,000 parents, 6,000 students and 5,000 employees have responded to MPS’ own surveys, according to Helen Hollands, district executive director of technology and communication, although she did not present �indings to the board.

Kyrene, a K-8 district, has adopted a “containment” approach to on-campus instruction for both its elementary and middle schools – meaning students will stay in the same room all day with teachers for basic subjects rotating in and out. However, it’s unclear if such an approach is feasible for high schools, since there are more course options available.

Masks will be optional in Kyrene, although students will have to wear them if they ride district buses to school.

National Guard, said the military aircrafts were not being used to collect information on protestors.

Natiuonal Guard vehicles were posted at Chandler Fashion Center and other parts of the East Valley but have now been removed. (Special to the Tribune)

nix, Scottsdale, and Chandler. According to �light data obtained by Arizona Mirror, the guard used its aircraft to �ly over protestors who had assembled in downtown Chandler on June 3. The National Guard decided on June 5 to stop using planes to assist local law enforcement.

Maj. Aaron Thacker, a spokesman for the

Williams said teams are working hard to make sure Mesa’s plan �its the needs of all families – some of whom likely will have medically fragile children who could be at a higher risk of infection if they had to go to a school instead of learning at home.

“Everything’s going to be �ine on Aug. 4,” she said. “We don’t have it all �igured out yet. And we are actively working on making sure that our plan is solid.”

Williams’ description of the need for planning several options re�lected the uncertainty surrounding the virus’ course.

That uncertainty is powered partly by the fact that con�irmed virus cases – and hospitalizations and deaths – are all rising in Arizona since stay-at-home orders were lifted.

Moreover, experts fear an overall resurgence of the virus could hit the nation when �lu season begins this fall. In anticipation of that possibility, Kyrene already has canceled fall break and advanced the start of the new school year to the end of July to cram as much learning in as possible in case a statewide school shutdown is mandated.

The MPS brie�ing sessions that begin next Thursday will include Spanish-speaking groups and are designed on a platform that can accommodate as many people as interested in manageable group sizes.

“At any time slot there might be four meetings happening so that they are manageable groups of people so that all voices

Law enforcement was utilizing the Guard’s planes as a “viewing platform,” Thacker added, to see if anything dangerous was happening on the ground.

Chandler is one of several East Valley communities that have seen protests over the recent deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Dion Johnson in Phoenix –two African-American men who died at the hands of law enforcement.

Chandler’s protests have remained relatively peaceful with no reports of demonstrators getting arrested or stores being looted. Some Chandler police of�icers have even participated in some of the protests by marching and kneeling alongside demonstrators.

Chandler Police said the National Guard

can be heard,” Williams said, noting session times are spread across mornings, afternoons and evenings.

Williams said facilitators will �irst share survey results to show participants the basis for the major recommendations. Then, she said, “We want to then show them the major ideas of these draft plans –what are the buckets that we’re coming up with – and getting our arms around it in ways like ‘this is what our cleaning protocol will look like. These are the items that will make sure happening;’ ‘This is what you can expect to see in a classroom.’”

Fourlis said that she also hopes the school board will have a chance to weigh in at a possible study session on its next meeting date, June 23.

Board President Elaine Miner also noted that some people already have emailed suggestions and concerns to the district and Interim Superintendent Peter Lesar said those are being tracked and sent to the appropriate design teams.

Those teams are studying these areas in relation to the new school year: budget/ funding/resources, business and community partnerships, communication, educational innovation, family support, health and safety, instructional day logistics, personnel practices and policies, sports/specials/extracurricular activities, teaching and learning and technology. 

Despite more virus cases, Ducey looking forward

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Gov. Doug Ducey said Thursday he does not intend to impose new restrictions on Arizonans – or even require them to wear masks – despite more people contracting COVID-19.

In fact, look for him to move in the opposite direction even as he admitted during a brie�ing, “We’re seeing increasing cases.”

That was underscored by �igures from his own Department of Health Services showing a record 1,291 patients in Arizona hospitals. That doesn’t count another 429 in intensive-care beds �illed by COVID-19 patients – a �igure exceeded only by a peak of 438 just three days earlier.

The number of COVID-19 patients seen in the emergency room his 848, trying a record set just two days ago.

All totaled, Arizona has now logged 31,264 con�irmed virus cases with 1,127 deaths, including 34 just Thursday alone.

But the governor is undeterred, rebuff-

ing a question of whether he would consider re-imposing some of the restrictions he �irst put in place in March.

“It’s not under discussion,’’ he said.

“We’re going to continue our gradual and phased-in reopening,’’ the governor said. “We will balance public health with public safety.’’

State Health Director Cara Christ put a

�iner point on it, saying the measures that had previously been imposed were designed to ensure that Arizona had enough hospital capacity to deal with an outbreak.

And now?

“We know that it’s in the community,’’ she said.

“We are not going to be able to stop the spread,’’ Christ continued. “And so, we

can’t stop living as well.’’

Ducey acknowledged that his efforts have had a two-pronged approach.

“This has always been about saving lives,’’ he said. And it’s also about livelihoods in the state of Arizona. We’re going to do this in a balanced and responsible way for the people of Arizona.’’

Christ separately acknowledged that there have been some “hot spots,’’ or places in the state where the virus has spread quicker than elsewhere. But Ducey rejected the possibility of giving city and county of�icials the options of imposing their own restrictions.

“I believe that the government that is closest to the people is best – except in a global pandemic,’’ he said.

“We want to have clarity and consistency for our citizens,’’ Ducey said. “And we want to reduce the confusion that’s happened across the state and across the country.’’

Poll links virus fears to political af�iliation

BY HOWARD FISCHER

Capitol Media Services

How scared Arizonans are of COVID-19 could depend on their political af�iliation.

A new statewide poll �inds that just 32 percent of people who identify as Republicans say they are at least moderately concerned about the spread of the coronavirus in Arizona. That’s down a full 10 points from the same time last month and is 23 points less when concerns hit their peak in April.

By contrast, 85 percent of Democrats say they are extremely or moderately concerned about how the virus is spreading in the state.

And what’s more signi�icant is that �igure actually is three points higher than in April.

Pollster Mike Noble of OH Predictive Insights said the numbers highlight what has become an increasingly partisan view of the risk of a disease that he said does not discriminate based on race, religious and party lines.

Yet, he said, it shows the kind of political polarization that appears to be surfacing on many other issues.

The survey comes as state health of�icials said Wednesday there were 6,369 in-patient hospital beds in use, whether by COVID-19 patients or others. That amounts to a record 83 percent, the highest level since the pandemic began.

Ducey's press aide Patrick Ptak said hospitals remain under an executive order banning them from doing elective surgery.

He acknowledged that hospitals have been conducting non-essential surgeries since the governor modi�ied his directive in April.

But Ptak said that permission always has been under the condition of being able to show not only bed capacity but also suf�icient supplies of equipment like masks, gowns and gloves.

And he said it is up to each hospital to curb elective procedures when they cannot meet the conditions.

There were 1,274 of those beds in use by people with a positive or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis, the second highest �ig-

ure since records were released.

ICU bed use by coronavirus patients at 413, with a record 846 patients seen in emergency rooms.

Overall, the health department reported another 1,556 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 29,582. There also were 25 deaths, putting the tally at 1,095.

Noble said the key to the partisan divide may be the messaging that comes from leaders of both parties.

“For example, when you’re talking about the whole ‘fake news’ thing, when you’re looking among Republicans they’re the ones that probably believe that the most,’’ he said.

“Well, who’s talking about that?’’ Noble continued. “Trump. And he’s got a massive megaphone.’’

He said this partisan divide on COVID-19 is not just here in Arizona.

Overall, Noble said, it has largely been the states with Democratic leaders that have imposed the greatest restrictions in efforts to curb the spread of the virus. By contrast, he said, states led by Republicans also are “health conscious, but, hey, we

need to get the economy back on track.’’ Noble conducted the survey of 600 likely voters last week, about two weeks after Gov. Doug Ducey dissolved his stayat-home order and lifted closures for most businesses, albeit with recommendations on things like social distancing.

But even at that point, he found that 49 percent of those asked still believed the state is acting too quickly in removing restrictions, versus 34 percent who contend the state is moving too slowly and is risking hurting the economy.

Yet 19 percent of those questioned strongly approve of how Ducey is handling the COVID-19 situation, with another 40 percent saying they somewhat approve. Noble said that may change when he does his next survey the �irst week of July. He pointed out there has been extensive publicity in the past week about a spike in the number of cases as well as a sharp increase in people hospitalized.

The survey consists of about 40 percent live calls and 60 percent automated responses and is considered to have a margin of error of 4.0 percent. 

��� DUCEY ���� 11

This red line in this chart shows the trend in total positive COVID-19 tests in the last few weeks.(Arizona Department of Health Services)

Court: Disturbing the peace charge requires a victim

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled last week that people can’t be convicted in Arizona of disorderly conduct if they didn’t actually disturb the peace of those who police say were their victims.

The case stems from a 2018 incident involving Bob Prosise and Levi Guffey, a Forest Service supervisor, in a parking lot of the Chino Valley Ranger Station.

According to court records, Prosise was upset because the Forest Service had closed a road as a �ire prevention measure.

That led to a confrontation in the rear parking lot where Guffey later testi�ied that Prosise was “irate,’’ used profanity

Ducey and Christ have repeatedly argued that Arizona has more con�irmed cases of coronavirus than elsewhere because more people are getting tested.

But statistics from Johns Hopkins University, updated Thursday morning, show that Arizona, at 13 percent average, has a higher rate of the tests that come back positive than any other state.

And the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University found the positive test rate for Wednesday, the most recent �igures available, actually hit 24 percent.

“We have noticed an increase in the percent positivity,’’ Christ said.

“We do know there is community spread,’’ she continued. “We are going to be working at trying to bring that back down.’’

Part of that, Christ said, will be a “public health message.’’

What that message includes, she said, is encouraging people to wear a cloth face covering when they cannot “physically distance’’ from others and to make sure that they’re staying home when they’re feeling sick.

Ducey endorsed that advice.

“I’m all for face masks when you can’t physically distance,’’ he said. And the gov-

and spoke in an “elevated voice.’’

The whole incident lasted about 40 seconds. Guffey said his supervisor told him to contact the Chino Valley Police Department as a matter of “due diligence.’’

Prosise was convicted in municipal court on charges of both disorderly conduct and acting in a threatening or intimidating manner. The latter charge was thrown out by a judge, leaving the disorderly conduct count.

Appellate Judge David Gass, writing for the three-judge panel, said that charge, too, had to go.

He pointed out that the charge of disorderly conduct applies if a person intends to disturb the peace engages in “�ighting, violent or seriously disruptive behavior.’’

Gass said the Arizona Supreme Court

has made it clear that if someone is charged with disturbing the peace of an individual “the state must prove that the individual’s peace was indeed disturbed.’’

“Further, such conduct does not become criminal under our current statutes unless it disturbs the peace of someone by seriously disrupting something,’’ the judge noted.

None of that, Gass wrote, applied here.

“Guffey was not, in fact, disturbed by Prosie’s angry words,’’ the judge said.

He pointed out that Guffey is a Forest Service supervisor with 14 years’ experience who testi�ied he “deals with irate individuals quite often.’’ And Gass said Guffey testi�ied that Prosise did not threaten him and that his comments were “vague’’ rather than personal.

ernor said he does wear a mask in those circumstances.

“I was in Walgreens picking up some things on the way home and I’ve been to the grocery store,’’ Ducey said. “And in both places, I wore a face mask.’’

But masks remain voluntary.

“There are some people that can’t wear

masks for whatever reason, shortness of breath or they are asthmatic,’’ the governor said.

Ducey also disputed reports that Arizona hospitals are reaching capacity.

Christ conceded reports from some hospitals – they self-report and she did not name names – showed that more than 80

Beyond that, the judge said that what Prosise did was not “seriously disruptive,’’ as the station was closed at the time and its operations were not impaired.

Gass was quick to say that the court is not excusing what Prosise did.

“To the extent Prosise had a legitimate concern about road closures, his method of expressing it cannot be condoned and should not be disregarded,’’ he wrote.

And the judge said that the same conduct, if directed at someone else who might have interpreted it differently, might merit criminal charges.

But in this case, Gass said, there was no basis for the charge because Guffey was not assaulted, did not feel threatened, was not provoked to physically retaliate, and did not feel the need to protect himself. 

percent of their beds were occupied. That is a trigger point at which, under the governor’s executive orders, a facility can no longer do elective surgery.

But the health director said she has not clamped down on any of them, saying she wants to work with hospital administrators to see if they agree with the numbers.

Ducey, for his part, said he was unconcerned even if hospitals do hit that 80 percent level.

He pointed out that all facilities are required to have plans in place to expand the number of beds by at least 25 percent if needed.

The state also purchased the old and vacant St. Luke’s Hospital in Phoenix and is keeping it in what Christ calls a “warm ready’’ situation should the beds there be needed.

Members of the Health System Alliance of Arizona, which make up about 80 percent of hospital beds, put out a statement of its own that there is suf�icient bed capacity “and surge plans are in place to continue to serve the people of Arizona.’’

Christ also said that there are suf�icient doctors and nurses available should the number of COVID-19 patients increase sharply. 

Gov. Doug Ducey said he wears a mask when he goes shopping and encourages all residents to wear them in public. Maricopa County o cials separately have urged masking whenever people leave their homes. (Capitol Media Services)

DUCEY ���� ���� 10

Long-planned H Mart has finally opened in Mesa

cial Devices, Inc. and Entertainment Solutions, Inc.

For a list of places where you can drop o cases of bottled water, go to mesaaz.gov/H2OMesa.

H Mart, a 63,000 square-foot store at 1919 W. Main St., Mesa, has finally opened.

The new store features a food hall with various cuisines, as well as Paris Baguette, a popular Korean bakery chain.

New vaping ordinance has taken e ect in Mesa

An update to the City Code that curbs vaping went into e ect in Mesa last week.

Contact Kevin Christopher at (480) 644-4699 or kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov.

H Mart promises produce, meats, seafood, health and beauty products, frozen foods and services supplied by its California warehouse and local farms. Hours are 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. daily.

Councilman Francisco Heredia, who represents the area where H Mart is located, said, “Adding a company with the international stature of H Mart just solidifies the already outstanding array of options the City of Mesa has to o er.”

H Mart Mesa is hiring new employees. Details: email ca.hr@hmart.com. Information on tenant opportunities: 201-507-9900, extension 2314 or me@hmart.com.

Mesa announces subdued July 4 fireworks show

The pandemic is curtailing Mesa’s annual Independence Day celebration but not stopping it altogether.

The 2020 Titan Solar Power Arizona Celebration of Freedom will now be limited to a drive-in fireworks should at 9 p.m. July 4 in the parking lot of Fiesta Mall on Southern Avenue.

“The need for social distancing has led to a new version of the Titan Solar Power Arizona Celebration of Freedom this year. We are proud to maintain a 4th of July tradition in Mesa by presenting an amazing drive-in fireworks show you can safely watch from inside or just outside your car,” Mayor John Giles said.

In the past, Mesa has held a weekend-long celebration but COVID-19 has put a damper on that. The fireworks will be displayed while sponsor 94.5 KOOL-FM plays patriotic music spectators can tune into.

More details are expected at azcelebrationo reedom. org.

Other sponsors include the Downtown Mesa Association, Visit Mesa, the City of Mesa, Sertoma Club, Crescent Crown Distributing, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Spe-

The ordinance prohibits vaping in the same manner and places where smoking tobacco is prohibited, which includes City facilities and in certain public places and places of employment.

E. Mesa candidate to speak at Dems' virtual meeting

Dr. Rev. Helen Hunter, a write-in candidate for the Arizona House in Legislative District 16, which covers part of East Mesa, will be a featured speaker at the next virtual meeting of the San Tan Valley Democrats at 10 a.m. June 20.

Hunter is a pastor and community organizer and former president of the East Valley NAACP as well as a member of the Mesa Police Department’s Use of Force Committee. The meeting will take place on Zoom and be live-streamed on YouTube. Info: stvdems.com.

Mesa o ering technical assistance to businesses

Applications are being taken for the Mesa CARES Small Business Technical Assistance Program. It provides free training, one-on-one business coaching and technical assistance services to Mesa-based businesses that were impacted by the required pandemic-related closures. Applications are at MesaAZ.gov/CARESBizTechAssist.

Food collection/distribution, water drives continue

Mesa’s annual collection of bottled water is continuing – as are several food drives and food distribution activities – to help people during the pandemic.

Canned food and other nonperishable items can be dropped o between 8 a.m. and noon at the following: June 17, Sloan Park; June 24, Eastmark Great Park; July 1, Mesa Convention Center; July 8, Greenfield Park; and July 15, Dobson Ranch Golf Course.

Meanwhile, food boxes with needed groceries are available 2-6 p.m. Wednesday and 7-11 a.m. Friday at the Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St.

In an e ort to give families a break and help local restaurants, the Mesa Family Take Out Night is o ered every Wednesday at downtown restaurants with special dinners feeding four people for $44. For restaurants and menus: visitmesa.com.

Anderson Security o cer prevents wrong- way collision

An Anderson Security o cer managed to avert tragedy when he stopped a wrong-way driver in Mesa just after midnight June 2.

The wrong-way driver entered the US 60 from the east onto the Mesa Drive westbound exit ramp. When O cer Marquis Yslas observed the sedan driving onto the o -ramp as he was heading westbound to work, he immediately exited the freeway and turned on his flashing lights to intercept the vehicle and maneuver it safely to the shoulder.

He then called Arizona Department of Public Safety for assistance and a trooper responded to take over the investigation. The quick response by Yslas, 9-month employee with Anderson Security, likely prevented a serious crash, the company said.

Anderson Security Agency CEO Kimberly AndersonMatich said, “We are very proud of Security O cer Yslas and his commitment to preventing injuries and possibly death to another driver. He exemplifies our professional values of providing premier security services.”

Anderson-Matich founded the company in 1994 and employs 480 security o cers at corporate sites throughout the state. 

of�icially stopped providing assistance to the agency on June 9.

There was no speci�ic incident that prompted the city to request the Guard’s assistance in Chandler, the agency said.

But Chandler had reportedly been targeted by online agitators as a possible site for more looting and vandalism.

Shortly after the Scottsdale riots, social media threats had begun circulating online that called for the vandalism and destruction of the Valley’s other shopping centers – including the Chandler mall.

Center in the following days and the Guard dispatched a number of armored vehicles to patrol the mall’s parking lots.

Thacker said the Guard’s soldiers weren’t instructed to conduct law enforcement activities and they had no authority to arrest citizens.

“We were not on the ‘front lines’ dealing with the community but, rather, were more commonly at locations that required a presence,” Thacker said, “which freed up law enforcement to provide support to the protests.”

The Guard’s activities varied depending on the needs of each community, Thacker added, and were based on what was requested from the individual city.

al Guard’s assistance include Flagstaff, Glendale, Goodyear, Kingman, Phoenix, Prescott, Scottsdale, Tempe, Show Low and Queen Creek.

Several leaders of these cities have said they sought the Guard’s assistance to ensure the public could safely hold civil protests.

Mayor Kevin Hartke has recently expressed support for the community’s ability to stage peaceful protests and thanked law enforcement for being able to safely manage the demonstrations.

Windows and doors were quickly boarded up around the Chandler Fashion

“I stand with the peaceful protesters and our diverse residents, leaders, educators, business community and those who have poured their hearts and souls into this City,” the mayor said on June 5. GUARD

Other cities that requested the Nation-

Mesa charity “assembly line” dresses orphans

BY SANDRA DRAPER Tribune Contributor

After starting with one simple out�it, a Mesa woman has built a charity – and an assembly line – that makes clothes for orphans worldwide.

When Darlene Carpenter semiretired in 2009, she wasn’t ready for the recliner.

“I wanted to volunteer, but nothing hit my hot button,” she recalled.

She loved sewing, so she whipped up a simple child’s dress made from two T-shirts and adorned with appliqued hearts.

She showed the dress to a women’s fellowship group and invited members to help her make the dresses for orphanages worldwide.

“Five of us started around my kitchen table,” she said.

As others joined them, they quickly outgrew her home. Her husband, Dan, was friends with the then-pastor of Apache Wells Community Church in Mesa, and that pastor offered the �ledgling group use of the church’s Fellowship Hall one morning a week.

With �inancial help from family and friends, Carpenter started rounding up second-hand Pfaff sewing machines that she found for sale on Craigslist and eBay.

“The Pfaff brand is just perfect for the type of sewing we do,” she said.

The group was incorporated as a 501c3 charity and Dresses for Orphans was born.

Shortly thereafter, Carpenter was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer and underwent radiation and chemotherapy.

Now cancer free for 10 years, she is thankful that running Dresses for Orphans took her mind off her own worries.

She thinks Dresses for Orphans volunteers get as much as they give, �inding inspiration from the Bible’s James 1:27 verse “to look after widows and orphans” as especially appropriate.

“At the time I started, I was 100 percent

focused on the kids. ‘They have a need. We can do something to ful�ill that need,’” Carpenter explained.

“But a fringe bene�it is the friendship and camaraderie that developed among our volunteers, many of them widows. My ladies overall are extremely faithful. They schedule their lives around our vol-

unteer sessions and wouldn’t think of not coming unless they were sick.”

In February, the group celebrated the creation of its 50,000th out�it.

True to their giving nature, volunteers used the occasion to raise funds to buy gifts and necessities for Changing Lives Center, a part of the Phoenix Rescue Mission focused on women and children.

Not ones to sit back and relax, they turned their talents to sewing thousands of COVID-19 masks from their homes. The masks have gone to hospitals, other health care workers, the Navajo Nation and a U.S. Naval base in East Africa.

is turned into pillowcases and donated to local shelters. The �inal scraps are made into dog beds that are donated to animal shelters.

As orphanages began receiving the dresses, they reached out and asked if anything could be made for boys.

So, the group added T-shirts with appliqued stars to its repertoire.

Dresses for Orphans raises the money it needs to buy the T-shirts and supplies. Volunteers use donated fabric for the appliques. Because the cost of overseas shipping would be prohibitive, the group sends the clothes to stateside missionaries who deliver them as they travel to their worldwide mission locations.

The volunteers let nothing go to waste. Material that is unsuitable for appliques

These dresses and shirts have been sent to more than 200 orphanages in 42 countries.

“I never dreamed of doing anything this big,” Carpenter said.

By spring of 2020, the sewing group numbered about 80 volunteers and met each Wednesday morning, working in assembly line fashion.

The Dresses for Orphans has adopted an assembly-line process rivalling that of Henry Ford’s Model T. Among the specialties:

• Applique makers who create the hearts and stars that adorn the clothes.

• Color coordinators who pick out what color T-shirts the volunteers will work on that week.

• Trimmers who cut the bottoms off second T-shirts to make the “skirt” portion of the dress.

• Workers who iron the heart and star appliques in place.

• Sewers who take the dresses and Tshirts home to do the zigzag stitching around the hearts and stars.

• Sewers who do decorative stitching around the sleeves and hems.

• Sewers who add “Hearts ‘N Hugs” tags and add bows to the dresses.

• Pressers who do the �inal ironing of the �inished dresses and shirts.

• Shipping preppers who fold and shrink

Darlene Carpenter didn’t want to just retire, but wanted something to keep her engaged. She found it, sewing clothes for orphans worldwide. (Special to the Tribune)

Dresses for Orphans sewing circles like this help clothe needy kids around the world. (Special to the Tribune)

Late Leisure World resident’s estate expands scholarships

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

The estate of a departed Leisure World resident is enabling the American Association of University Women (AAUW) East Mesa Branch to help more young women get a college education.

AAUW several years ago was the bene�iciary of the estate of Violet Larney, who “was a generous contributor to many improvement projects” and founded the branch in 1989 and became its �irst president,” said current president Sandra Lackore.

This year the East Mesa Branch, with the assistance of Larney’s be-

ORPHANS ���� ���� 14

wrap the clothes for mailing.

During Arizona’s snowbird season, meetings expanded to two shifts to accommodate all the volunteers. And women who volunteered with the Mesa group in the winter brought the concept to their home states the rest of the year.

There are now chapters in North Dakota, South Dakota and Ohio.

After 10 years, use of the church’s Fellowship Hall is no longer an option.

“The current pastor has reached out to the community and increased the church’s use of the room,” she said. “They need the space we were using, so we were having to set up and tear down our sewing machines after each session.

“The church was extremely good for us, but the church is growing and, frankly, we are also.”

Carpenter and her board of directors took a leap of faith, taking on the added burden of paying rent. Dresses for Orphans moved into a storefront location at 4448 E. Main St., Suite 14, in Mesa in February.

Darlene was excited about the options that having their own space would provide them. They would have room for

quest, awarded 12 scholarships for a total value of $186,500.

Most of Violet’s gift is managed by the Arizona Community Foundation, which the AAUW’s scholarship committee also is using to assist “in vetting scholars and moving beyond the community college level to a STEM scholarship recipient at Arizona state University,” Lackore said. The committee is chaired by Judy Taucher-Lewis.

In additional to the local scholarships, the East Mesa Branch established a national fellowship in honor of Violet and Norbert Larney.

The �irst recipient of that fellowship for the 2019-2020 academic year was

more volunteers and �lexible work schedules.

Sadly, the coronavirus outbreak has kept the volunteers from gathering.

Not ones to sit back and relax, they turned their talents to sewing thousands of COVID-19 masks from their homes. The masks have gone to hospitals, other health care workers, the Navajo Nation and a U.S. Naval base in East Africa.

After a 12-week hiatus, the group resumed last week with social distancing in place, masks recommended and reducing the number of sewing machines from two per table to one.

Dresses for Orphans has taken on a three-year lease on their new location without a guarantee of funds to pay the rent.

“I’m concerned,” Carpenter said. “I wish I had enough money to cover the lease. But we are funded by people who believe in what we’re doing, and we do fundraisers. God knows all about what we’re doing,

Varina Clark, who has earned a medical degree and is doing research at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Currently her research explores potential biomarkers that will aid in laying the foundation for therapeutic target for pulmonary hypertension

Starting in 1993, the local AAUW branch held annual fundraisers to support scholarships through Mesa Community College and has helped support 40 scholars.

“However, it hasn’t been about just giving money. Each scholar was assigned a mentor who was trained to give support to her recipient,” Lackore said. “Annual gatherings of scholars, as

well as participation at the branches annual scholarship luncheon, have continued to reinforce the ties between the scholars and their mentors.”

Violet Larney earned her PhD. from the University of Wisconsin in 1950 and was a professor of mathematics at the State University of New York at Albany before moving to Arizona.

Her husband Norbert designed the three generators at Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant.

High school senior and college students may apply for the AAUW scholarships between Jan. 1 and March 14 at azfoundation.academicworks.com 

Scores of women have answered Darlene Carpenter’s call for help sewing clothes for orphans. (Special to the Tribune)

and he has a plan in mind.” Information: dressesfororphans. org or contact Darlene Carpenter by phone or text at 480-807-2672. She can also be reached via email at darlene@ dressesfororphans.org 

Casinos ignored curfew for good reason

BY LISA DIETHELM Cronkite News

Public spaces around the state may have been closed overnight by a statewide curfew earlier this month but the casinos stayed open.

After being closed for months by COVID-19, casinos around Arizona had just started to reopen when Gov. Doug Ducey on May 31 imposed a statewide dusk-todawn curfew in response to protests over George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police of�icers.

But casinos around the state kept their hours unchanged, curfew or no curfew.

“The decision was made in accordance with Gila Gaming Enterprises and Community Council for our community’s casinos to remain open as well, knowing that our community has the resources to maintain security and protection,” Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said in a video on social media.

Lewis said in the video that the order is targeted at those acting lawlessly during protests, not casino patrons.

The tribe’s three casinos – Lone Butte, Wild Horse Pass and Vee Quiva – were among the �irst to reopen, along with Fort McDowell Casino and Harrah’s Ak-Chin Hotel and Casino, on May 15 after the COVID-19 stay-at-home order ended.

Talking Stick Resort, Casino Arizona, Cliff Castle Casino and Cocopah Casino opened the day after the curfew took effect, while the Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s Casino Del Sol and the Tohono O’odham Nation’s Desert Diamond casinos opened later last week.

The reopenings were a bit of good news after pandemic-related shutdown hit casinos, and tribes, hard.

“There is no other way to say it except

it’s a massive impact – negative impact,” said Alan Meister, CEO of Meister Economic Consulting, which studies the gaming industry.

Meister said that while most casinos’ revenues went to zero when everything closed, tribal governments still had costs for maintaining buildings during the closure. Opening back up, he said, is how tribal governments can start to earn back that revenue.

And it’s not just tribal governments that were hurting, but also casino employees and vendors, Meister said.

“Those secondary impacts are huge as well because that total loss of revenue at the direct level, where it’s at the casino, �lows straight through to everything else. Those end up becoming huge losses,” he said.

Of�icials at the Arizona Department of Gaming said they did not release guid-

ance on how tribes should operate during the curfew, which Ducey allowed to expire June 8.

“It is within the authority of each sovereign Tribal partner to determine opening and closing times,” Max Hartgraves, a department legislative assistant, said in an emailed statement.

While it did not provide curfew guidance, the department did give casinos guidance from the Arizona Department of Health Services on how to operate safely in the face of COVID-19.

Those included separating slot machines and gaming tables to allow for social distancing, wiping down games between players, providing hand sanitizer, encouraging facial coverings and more. They also included recommendations for hotel and conference center opera-

tions where needed.

Talking Stick Resort of�icials said one reason they waited until the �irst week of June to reopen was to allow time to make changes for COVID-19.

“It was important that we took extra time to do everything possible to ensure the health and increase safety for you and our employees,” Dennis Leong, CEO and president of Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort, said in a video statement.

Talking Stick’s website said guests will have their temperatures taken before entering and will be given masks if they do not have one.

Plexiglas partitions have been installed at slot machines and poker tables, and “designated staff will regularly clean and sanitize slot machines, chairs” and poker chips after use.

There will be no sit-down service at Talking Stick restaurants, just grab-andgo options.

Smoking is no longer allowed in the building and social distancing will be enforced in all common areas throughout the casino.

Although the health measures make the gaming experience not quite what it used to be, Meister said most tribes cannot afford to remain closed and that opening up is “part of that double-edged sword.”

“They desperately need the revenue in order for their government to operate and survive and take care of the tribal members,” Meister said. “However, they want to do it in a safe manner.

“It’s not worth it to do it and to harm your customers and employees – that’s the lifeblood of your business,” Meister said. “You don’t have a business if you don’t have any customers nor if you don’t have any employees.” 

Casinos have installed plexiglass shields between slot machines and many players wear masks - as do all employees. (Special to the Tribune)

Jobless picture remains murky in Arizona

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Arizona employers are continuing to lay off workers even with the end of restrictions Gov. Doug Ducey had placed on individuals and businesses.

Figures last week from the Department of Economic Security show that 23,037 individuals �iled for �irst-time jobless bene�its in the �irst week of June.

That is a sharp decline from what happened to the Arizona economy after Ducey ordered the closure of nonessential businesses – leading to claims for basic state unemployment bene�its, which previously had been running in the 3,500-a-week range, ballooning past 132,000.

But economist George Hammond said the state is far from being out of the �iscal woods.

He told Capitol Media Services that some sectors of the economy, like bars and restaurants, are �inding they really can’t return to pre-pandemic business levels because of “social distancing” restrictions. At the same time, many Arizonans are not con�ident about the safety of going back out, at least not yet.

Hammond said that will lead to new

layoffs as well as some people who had only been furloughed realizing that they’re not going to be called back and deciding they need unemployment bene�its.

The new report on �irst-time jobless claims, directly linked to the pandemic and the governor’s subsequent orders, shows the trends are less clear.

DES reported the number actually increased from the prior week. But the �igures are complicated by questions about how the agency tracks the applications.

Since the governor put his orders in place, the agency lists nearly 650,000 Arizonans who have sought basic state bene�its to those who lose work through no fault of their own. They’re entitled to half of what they were making, subject to a cap of $240 a week, the second lowest in the country.

But DES of�icials say there could be

some duplication in those numbers.

For example, some companies are furloughing workers one week out of every month. Agency spokesman Brett Bezio said the question of how they are counted depends on whether they simply reopen existing claims every four weeks or �ile new ones.

Then there’s the separate Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which provides up to $600 a week for those who are not eligible for regular state unemployment bene�its, including self-em-

ployed and workers in the “gig” economy like drivers for Lyft and Uber who those companies classify as contractors.

DES reports there were 96,416 initial claims this past week for this coverage, bringing the total number of claims to nearly 295,000.

But here, too, Bezio said the agency cannot say how many of these people applied initially for regular jobless bene�its – and are included in those numbers – before seeking PUA when they were determined ineligible, versus those who applied solely for PUA bene�its.

But the bottom line remains that, whatever the counting methodology, Arizonans are continuing to apply for aid.

Hammond, the director of the Economic and Business Research Center at the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, said the numbers re�lect the diversity of the state economy and the fact that not all sectors are recovering at the same rate.

He cited restaurants and bars, now allowed to open – but with limits on the number of patrons.

“It’s hard to see them being able to recall

Bondurant School revving up reopening Sunday

Now that closures are lifting, the Bondurant High Performance Driving School is reopening Sunday, June 14, to start its summer course schedule.

The school, located on the Gila River Indian Community off the I-10, has �inished the �irst phase of an extensive track and facility expansion and upgrading that is expected to be completed the July 4 weekend.

The school will resume operations by offering its Advanced Formula Road Racing course featuring its newest �leet of Ligier JS F4 open-wheel racecars – a course offered for the �irst time in America.

Bondurant also is offering 50 percent off its high-performance driving and teen defensive driving courses and 33 percent off all other courses, including F4 Open Wheel Race Car, Grand Prix and Advanced Road Racing.

Specials are for purchases made before June 30 with the courses taken by Sept. 7.

The school is also featuring gift cards for graduation and Father’s Day.

“COVID may have closed the gates for a short time, but behind the scenes we were working hard to get ready for a grand reopening to welcome enthusiasts back,” said Mike McGovern, chief instructor of Bondu-

A world-renown veteran instructor who has taught celebrities, professional athletes, pro racers and thousands of others wanting to hone their driving skills on the historic Bob Bondurant-design track, McGovern added:

“We’re ready to release that pent-up energy of our fans and the community with an experience that’s better than ever.”

Additional health and safety precautions for guests include social distancing measures during all indoor and track instruction, hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility and complete sanitation of the interior and exterior of all cars prior to each use by students.

Phase one of the renovation includes upgrades to the classrooms, welcome center, student lounge and gift shop. Bondurant also is expanding its event center for

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

rant High Performance Driving School.

Gov. Doug Ducey said last week he won’t reimpose a shutdown, citing the impact the first one had on businesses and, consequently, Arizona’s economy. (Capitol Media Services)

Tribune

the workers who were laid off,” he said. “So there are some people who maybe thought they were going to get recalled maybe giving up and �iling.”

And Hammond said some restaurants that had brought back workers may be �inding that business is not what they expected, leading to new layoffs – and new claims for unemployment bene�its. Conversely, he expects strong recovery in the health care industry.

There had been some lags there when the governor declared a ban on non-essential surgery and medical procedures in a bid to ensure there were not just enough hospital beds but also protective equipment like gowns, masks and gloves. Ducey has since told medical providers they are free to resume elective surgeries.

And everyone else?

“In other sectors, where the fear isn’t so great, they’re going to rehire,” Hammond said. “We’re going to see the layoffs gradually drift down.”

That, in turn, goes to the part of the problem unrelated to gubernatorial directives: Consumer con�idence.

“Once the stay-at-home orders and restrictions are eased, it’s really going to depend on how safe people feel,” Hammond said.

“That’s really the million-dollar -- or billion-dollar question,” he continued. “How safe will people feel going back into restaurants, bars, hotels, motels, sporting events once those start back up?”

And there’s another side to that.

“How safe do employees feel going back to work and dealing with people?” Hammond asked.

There are some indications that Arizonans are beginning to feel more comfortable with going out.

OpenTable, which helps people book reservations online, reports that dine-in seating at Arizona restaurants on Monday was down just 37.4 percent from the same period a year earlier. Just a week earlier the �igure was a 60 percent year-overyear drop.

By contrast, OpenTable reports seated dinners from online, phone and walkin reservations in California are still almost 79 percent less than last year. And in New Mexico the decline is nearly 70 percent.

corporate events, group outings and celebrations.

Its renovated shop displays the school’s latest collection of vehicles, including those used on the courses like the powerful Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and SRT Demon, Charger SRT Hellcat and Durango SRT 392.

Dodge is the of�icial sponsor of the Bondurant School. Customers who buy a new SRT model receive one full-day session as part of the Dodge//SRT Package and have

the opportunity to learn how to get the optimum performance from their new vehicles in a controlled environment.

Enhancements are also being made to the school’s extensive basic training area, which doubles as one of the region’s most modern open-air sites for car shows and other outdoor events.

Phase two of the project includes pulverizing and resurfacing the 1.6-mile one-of-a-kind road course for the �irst time in 30 years.

“Information: bondurant.com or call 800-842-7223. 

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES AND SUDOKU from Page 21

I miss the days of roundball with friends

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

There was a beauty to the games, something artistic that maybe I cannot convey in words: The thud of the ball against the gym �loor; the riotous squeaks and squeals of hightops on lacquered hardwood; the dim light, the frayed nets hanging from the rims.

This was the downtown Phoenix YMCA through the 1990s and the beginning of this decade, a lunchtime basketball game that I rarely missed for a dozen years running.

It was the best hour of my day for years, a time of sweat and trash talk, of hardheaded competition, and of men (and the occasional woman) of all backgrounds, all cultures and colors, all degrees of education, all walks of life, content to play �ive on �ive to 11 by ones.

I miss those days and the people that populated them the way I miss my youth. Down to the marrow of my bones.

The old downtown Y basketball game bears mention now because I wonder if such a gathering could still exist today, in 2020, amid our time of in�inite points of division. Is it possible for a gym in this Valley to draw together human beings so utterly different to play pickup basketball without an argument, a �ist�ight or a riot breaking out?

If there is such a game, I’d love to hear about it.

Back then, it wasn’t just possible – basketball at lunch was an absolute.

I’d plan my day around it, as would 20 or 30 other guys, men between the ages of 18 and 60-plus, guys who’d played in high school and college, guys who could drain jumpshots from 27 feet and guys who could barely make a layup.

Friday was the big day, when everyone showed up. Frank, built solid as a hunk of

stone, a deadly outside shot who’d played quarterback in college. Ricky D., the TV cameraman who’d played at Grand Canyon and had unlimited range.

Austin, whose drives to the basket ended one of two ways – with him scoring or him calling a foul because someone had breathed in his direction.

Can you tell maybe I held a grudge?

There was Adrian, slender as a tree branch, his hair often in tight cornrows, his speed and handle with the ball something few could match.

And Ralph, a 20-something, loud, profane, a baller. The last I’d heard, he’d become a boxing ring announcer, which seems like a perfect match of braggadocio and professional skill.

Reporters from the Republic would play, like John the martial artist and Craig in his Oregon Ducks t-shirts.

So would Paul the prosecutor and Bob and Pete, the defense lawyers, and Manny and Michael, a father and son team, and Danny, the Samoan NFL nose guard, and Jaime, my buddy from Hell’s Kitchen, and a guy everyone – himself included – called Fat Mike.

If it sounds like a random crowd, it was. Which is my point exactly and the beauty of disorganized sports back in the day.

These games weren’t about making a cultural point, which is itself a cultural point: It is possible to connect with other human beings, to get to know them, to play with them and against them, and to learn respect for one another, in settings besides a classroom or work.

So much of what I know about people who look nothing like me came in these unguarded moments, when they quite literally guarded me.

We played. We won and lost. We argued. We sat on the sidelines and waited to have the next. We spoke, we learned.

I lived it myself once, for real, in a gym downtown. I wrote it down so maybe you’d believe I’m not making it up. 

Rangers’ Woodward focuses on outreach in Arizona

BY COLE BAILEY Cronkite News

The 2019 season was Chris Woodward’s �irst as manager of the Texas Rangers, but his leadership style was years in the making.

He was looking forward to employing more of those lessons in his second season – before Major League Baseball shut down due to COVID-19. He and his wife, Erin, a nurse practitioner who has worked at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, are staying home in Chandler.

“With my wife being a health care worker, it’s obviously important,” Woodward told reporters during a conference call recently. “Regardless of that, we’re just trying to help as much as we can. We have a lot of family, friends, and people that are really struggling right now in the world, in our communities – in Arizona where we live, and also in Texas – we know people are really struggling through this whole situation. We’re just doing anything we can to help in any way possible.”

And although he misses baseball, he understands why the season was put on hold.

“It is tough, but the good thing is we have a lot of time,” Woodward said. “My mind is always going back and forth, trying to stay informed with the latest is with the virus, how it’s spreading, and trying to keep our family safe. But I try to communicate with our guys everyday – at least half the team or a third of the team and staff everyday. I reach out to let them know I’m thinking about them, see how they’re doing, see what they’re doing to stay safe. Then obviously on the baseball side, to make sure they’re trying to stay as ready as possible.”

He feels ready.

Before his coaching career began in 2013, Woodward played in parts of 12 major league seasons with six franchises. He saw managers and coaches come and

go, including Hall of Famer Bobby Cox and former Red Sox and current Indians skipper Terry Francona.

Playing under managers like this provided Woodward with a lot of inspiration for his managerial career, and it gave him an idea of what style clicked from a player’s perspective.

“I played for 19 years, so when you play that long, you’ve had every different type of coach and every different type of manager,” Woodward said during spring training. “There’s been some tremendous people in my life that have steered me in the right direction. The more you see, the more you learn, whether that’s from some one person or 15 different people.

“I de�initely had examples of what not to do; obviously not pointing �ingers to one particular person, but those are learning things. Those are things that you learn, like, ‘OK, what feels right, what doesn’t, what’s the best way to motivate a guy better.’”

Although his rookie season in Arlington wasn’t without its ups and downs, it

was overall successful considering some of the factors at play. Star out�ielder Joey Gallo missed more than 90 games, and the Rangers had only two pitchers who started more than 18 games, but they still managed to improve from 67 wins in 2018 to 78 last year. According to Woodward, his players’ willingness to embrace change was a big reason they made strides.

“I think they adjusted last year and realized fairly quickly the expectations and standards that we set out,” Woodward said. “They rose up to that fairly quickly. This isn’t a cult where it’s, ‘Hey, you got to buy in or else.’ This is for their bene�it. I think they understand that. They’ve fully embraced that everybody here has a purpose to make them better players, which in turn will make us a better team and in turn make their lives better �inancially.”

In Woodward’s eyes, communication may be the most important part of his job. He doesn’t lecture players in his clubhouse, he tries to make them feel comfortable while giving them the tools to maximize their production.

“I’m not here to tell them what to do, I’m here to help them understand how to improve,” Woodward said. “Coming from a �inger-pointing place, typically you get (a negative) reaction, but when there’s care and love and, ‘Hey man, we want to make you the best player possible,’ people tend to be a little bit more open to that.

“If we had one game to play and the world ended tomorrow, I’d probably motivate a little differently, clearly. Backagainst-the wall typically gets a lot out of a guy, but there’s no long term in that. I’m trying to get these guys to be good for as long as we have them.”

This focus on longevity is a big reason why Woodward has chosen to take a more hands-off approach to managing. Building relationships is a vital step in reaching this goal in his view, and his way of achieving this means walking the line between promoting positivity and pushing players to take the extra leap.

“Obviously, a positive state of mind is a healthier state of mind,” Woodward said. “That doesn’t mean we’re all happy and joyful in the clubhouse. We’re working hard and we’re getting after it. We’re challenging these guys every day, but with a positive, optimistic outlook on things to keep our bodies and minds healthy.”

With the MLB season postponed due to the pandemic, Woodward must wait to improve upon his solid debut. When baseball does resume, though, he has high expectations for these Rangers.

“I think we’re always making adjustments in what we do, but I think we’ve really taken everything a step further,” he said. “I think our players are ready for more. They’re ready to take things to a deeper level as far as how we do things and why we do things. It’s cool to see that. Our staff is the same. They’re also pushing a bit harder. It raises the stakes a little bit, and I want our guys to embrace that.” 

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward is staying at his Chandler home while baseball remains shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Reno Del Toro/Cronkite News)

CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA

MESA GATEWAY SHARED USE PATH

PROJECT NO. CP0529 FEDERAL AID

PROJECT NO. MES-0(236)D ADOT TRACS No. 0000 MA MES T0209 01C

DAVIS BACON WAGES APPLY ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. All sealed bids will be received electronically at EngineeringBids@mesaaz.gov. Bids must be submitted as an unencrypted.pdf at- tachment with a maximum size limit of 20MB. Any bid received after the time specified will be returned without any consideration.

This contract shall be for furnishing all labor, materials, transportation and services for the construction and/or installation of the following work:

The project includes a 1.8 mile long, 10-foot wide asphalt pavement pathway along Loop 202 from Elliot Road to Hawes Road and path lighting improvements. A pedestrian crossing signal will also be built at Warner Road crossing. Project also includes some hardscape, irrigation and landscape improvements and various fencing along the pathway.

The Engineer’s Estimate range is $1,600,000 to $2,200,000.

For all technical, contract, bid-related, or other questions, please contact Donna Horn at donna. horn@mesaaz.gov.

Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified above.

Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from ARC Document Solutions, LLC, at https://order.e-arc. com/arcEOC/PWell_Main.asp?mem=29. Click on “Go” for the Public Planroom to access plans. NOTE: In order to be placed on the Plan Holders List and to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, an order must be placed. The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $46, which is non-refundable regardless of whether the Contractor Documents are returned. Partial bid packages are not sold. You can view documents on-line (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the website at the address listed above. Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up. For a list of locations nearest you, go to www.e-arc.com.

One set of the Contract Documents is also available for viewing at the City of Mesa’s Engineering Department at 20 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ. Please call 480-644-2251 prior to arriving to ensure that the documents are available for viewing.

In order for the City to consider alternate products in the bidding process, please follow Arizona Revised Statutes §34.104c.

If a pre-bid review of the site has been scheduled, details can be referenced in Project Specific Provision Section #3, titled “Pre-Bid Review of Site.”

Work shall be completed within 210 consecutive calendar days, beginning with the day following the starting date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

Bids must be submitted on the Proposal Form provided and be accompanied by the Bid Bond for not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid, payable to the City of Mesa, Arizona, or a certified or cashier’s check. PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. The following forms are to be submitted with the Bid Proposal for Federal-Aid Projects.

1. Surety (Bid) Bond

2. Non-Collusion Bidding Certification (Exhibit C.32)

3. Certificate with Regard to the Performance of Previous Contracts (Exhibit C.33)

4. Affidavit of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Goal Assurances with a DBE goal of 11.98% (Exhibit C.34A)

The successful bidder will be required to execute the standard form of contract for construction within ten (10) days after formal award of contract. In addition, the successful bidder must be registered in the City of Mesa Vendor Self-Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/ business/purchasing/vendor-self-service).

The successful bidder, simultaneously with the execution of the Contract, will be required to furnish a Payment Bond in the amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, a Performance Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Contract Price, and the most recent ACORD® Certificate of Liability Insurance form with additional in- sured endorsements.

The right is hereby reserved to accept or reject any or all bids or parts thereto, to waive any informalities in any proposal and reject the bids of any persons who have been delinquent or unfaithful to any contract with the City of Mesa.

The City of Mesa, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (Public Law 100.259). Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively insure that in any contact entered into pursuant to this advertisement, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in con- sideration for an award.

BETH HUNING City Engineer

ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City

Clerk

Published: East Valley Tribune, June 14, 21, 28, 2020 / 31232

CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants for the following:

CONSULTANT ON-CALL LIST FOR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES

The City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants to provide design services and/or construction administration services on an on-call basis in the following area/category: Mechanical Engineering. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

From this solicitation, the Engineering Department will establish a list of oncall consultants for Mechanical Engineering. This category is further defined be low:

Mechanical Engineering projects might involve studies, new construction, upgrades, rehabilitation, or other modifications. Typical projects include, but are not limited to, HVAC systems, gas piping installations, elevators, plumbing, fire suppression, and fire alarm systems.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will not be held.

Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified below.

RFQ Lists. This RFQ is available on the City’s website at http://mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/architectural-engineering-design-opportunities.

The Statement of Qualifications shall incl ude a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10 point. Please submit one (1) electronic copy in an unencrypted PDF format with a maximum file size limit of 20MB to EngineeringRFQ@mesaaz.gov by 2:00PM, Thursday, June 25, 2020. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. In the subject line and on the submittal package, please display: Firm name and 2020-2023 On-Call Mechanical Engineering Services.

The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/purchasing/vendor-self-service).

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Michele Davila of the Engineering Department at Michele.Davila@mesaaz.gov.

BETH HUNING City Engineer

NOTICE TO READERS:

Most service advertisers have an ROC# or "Not a licensed contractor" in their ad, this is in accordance to the AZ state law

) : The advertising requirements of the statute does not prevent anyone from placing an ad in the yellow pages, on business cards, or on flyers.

What it does require under A.R.S. §32-1121A14(c) www.azleg.gov/ars/ 32/01165.htm is that the advertising party, if not properly licensed as a contractor, disclose that fact on any form of advertising to the public by including the words "not a licensed contractor" in the advertisement.

Again, this requirement is intended to make sure that the consumer is made aware of the unlicensed status of the individual or company.

Contractors who advertise and do not disclose their unlicensed status are not eligible for the handyman's exception.

Reference: http://www.azroc.g ov/invest/licensed_ by_law.html

ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk

Published: East Valley Tribune, June 7, 14, 2020 / 31xxx

As a consumer, being aware of the law is for your protection. You can check a businesses ROC status at: http://www.azroc .gov/

Obituaries

Marion Campbell

Marion Campbell was born i n Pine Island, Minnesota in 1926

She was raised by Gilbert Burd and Marie House Burd, in Eyota, Minnesota with 7 brothers and sisters Marion graduated from Eyota High School in 1943. She was very active volunteering in WWII in the postal service an d ship repair. She was married to Jack Campbell an d they raised four children, Rick, Debbie, Karen and Sandy. She has nine grand children, 14 great-grandchildren and a great, great grandchild.

In the early 1950's they moved to California, where t hey planted their roots, and raised their children M arion is preceded in death by her husband Jack Campbell and Karen Diane. She was an amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed by all.

Need help writing an obituary? We have articles that will help guide you through the process.

Deadline for obituaries is Wednesday at 5pm for Sunday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays.

Call 480-898-6465 Mon-Fri 8:30-5 if you have questions. Visit: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

Principal Engineers

s ought by Carvana , L LC in Tempe, AZ

A ctively participates in a rchitecture definition , p roduction selections , a nd application design Apply at jobpostingtoday.com Ref# 82202.

Semiconductor Equipment Maintenance Tech III, Chandler, AZ. 7+ years of experience required on TEL Lithius Pro and Pro Z. Apply at https://msrfsr.word press.com/

Employment General

SLK Holdings has openings for Software Engineers in Phoenix, AZ area

Reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv, or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in SDLC/STLC/QA/Agile to analyze/dsgn/dev/implement/test systems & applics. Email your resume w/ ref no 2020-19 to slkcareers@gmail.com & ref EVT ad

Virtuouspros has openings for Software Engineers in Phoenix, AZ. Reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach + 5 yrs exp w/ skills in MS SQL/Oracle/J2EE/JSP/HTML/ Java to analyze/design/develop/ implement/test systems & apps. Email resume to Tanya at tanya@virtuouspros.com with ref no. 2020-19 & ref ad in EVT

Clairvoyant has openings for the following positions in Chandler, AZ area.

Software Engineers reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in J2EE, Java, XML, SQL, and Unix to analyze/dsgn/dev/implement/test systems & applics. Sr. Programmer Analyst reqs US Bachelors/equiv (3 or 4 yr degree) in Commerce/BusAdm/ST EM field to analyze/resolve/test/report on IT related projects using skills in EMC/MS/SQL/Excel/ Java/C.

Email your resume to jobs@clairvoyantsoft.c om with ref # 2020-19 for Software Eng; 2020-20 for Sr. Prog Analyst & ref EVT ad

Employment General Employment General

TechMileage has openings for the following positions in Scottsdale, AZ area.

Software Engineers reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in Java/Jscript/SOAP/CSS/ Clear Case to dsgn/dev/implement/test apps/systems. Sr. Programmer Analyst reqs US Bachelors/equiv (3 or 4 yr degree) in Commerce/BusAdm/STEM field to analyze/resolve/test/report on IT related projects using skills in EMC/MS/SQL/Excel/ Java/C. Email resume to careers@techmileage.co m with ref # 2020-19 for Software Eng; 2020-20 for Sr. Prog Analyst & ref EVT ad.

Sr Design Eng’r. Ana-

l og Devices, Chandler , A Z. Multiple position s a vail. Prdct dvlpmt; I D t ech risks, fixes, miles tones; tech guidance ; d esign/prdct flows; lab eval/debug; dsgn/verify c ircuits. MS+2 yrs exp. M ore info/apply : https://careers.analog.co m , click Search Jobs at t op, enter 17926. EO E M/F/D/V

Quadriplegic Seeks

p ersonal care attendant for weekday 11a-3p and s ome weekend shift s 1 1a-3p and other shift s t hroughout the week 1 2-18 hours per week

Job involves running err ands, care, transfers , f un errands, and feedi ng the client. Must b e r esponsible and honest Call Craig 480-966-2059

( leave a message, it's a l and line) or email ernest99@ centurylink.net

for office cleaning in various valley locations. Please apply in person at ACE Building Maintenance 7020 N 55th Ave Glendale, AZ 85301. Se solita personal para limpieza de Oficina en varias localidades del valle. Favor de aplicar en persona a ACE Building Maintenance 7020 N 55th Ave Glendale, AZ 85301.

Employment General

Prayer Announcements

O Holy St Jude! Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor for all who invoke you, special patron in time of need; to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart, and humbly beg you, to whom God has given such great power, to come to my assistance; help me now in my urgent need and grant my earnest petition. I will never forget thy grac es and favors you obtain for me and I will do my utmost to spread devotion to you. Amen. St. Jude, pray for us and all who honor thee and invoke thy aid. (Say 3 Our Father's, 3 Hail Maryʼs, and 3 Glory Be’s after this.)

Employment General

Now hiring temp sanitizing day porters for various valley locations. The available positions are full time and part time, starting at $15.00/hr. If interested please apply in person at ACE Building Maintenance 7020 N 55th Ave Glendale, AZ 85301 (623) 937-3727

Region Technologies has openings for the following positions in Phoenix, AZ and/or client sites throughout the US Must be willing to travel/relocate. IT Engineer reqs US Masters/foreign equiv or bachelors + 5 yrs exp to design/dev/test systems/apps using Java/J2EE/CSS/Net/Database/Data Analysis/Mainframe/Testing technologies on Linux/Unix/Windows/HTML. IT Analyst reqs US Bachelors/equiv (3 or 4 yr degree) to test/maintain/monitor systems/programs using Hadoop/Bigdata/Tableau/SQL/Selenium/QA on Linux/Unix/Windows. Send resume to careers@regiontechnologies.com with ref # 2020-19 for IT Eng; 2020-21 for IT Analyst & ref EVT ad

Services

Garage/Doors

POOL

Public Notices

IN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT STATE OF HAWAII FC-A NO.

In the Matter of the Adoption of A FEMALE CHILD, Born on October 29, 2008, by Steven Patrick Sabat, Petitioner.

THE STATE OF HAWAII TO: DAVID ANDREW PROVOST, whose last known address is: 7726 Baseline Road #207, Mesa, Arizona 85209.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a petition for adoption of the above-identified child born to PRANA JETAMIA SABAT, formerly known as PRANA JETAMIA PROVOST, the child’s mother, has been filed in the Family Court, First Circuit, State of Hawaii.

THE PETITION ALLEGES that your consent to the adoption of the above-named child by the Petitioner above-named is not required and may be dispensed with pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 578-2(c) as amended.

A hearing on the Petition will be held on July 14, 2020 at 1:30p.m. at the Family Court located at the Kapolei Court Complex, 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Third Floor, Kapolei, HI 96707-3272.

IF YOU FAIL to appear at the hearing on date and time and at the place noted above or if you fail to file a written response to the allegations reflected in the Petition for

Adoption, further action may be taken including the granting of the adoption without further notice to you. Your written response should be addressed to the Presiding Judge, Family Court, First Circuit, Kapolei Court Complex, 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, Hawaii 96707-3272.

FAILURE TO OBEY this notice may result in an entry of a default and default judgment against you.

YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the child, the adoptive parents and the natural parents have rights under H.R.S. Section 578-15 regarding confi dentiality of adoption records after the child reaches age 18.

DATED: Honolulu, Hawaii, May 26, 2020. Clerk of the above-entitled Court

STEVEN PATRICK SABAT 4202 Lanakila Ave. Pearl City, HI 96782