Mesa Tribune: Northeast 07-12-2020

Fingerprint outrage / P. 8

Peru comes to Mesa / P. 17

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

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Sunday, July 12, 2020

Mesa businesses, others got over $480M in job help

INSIDE

This Week

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor

NEWS ......................... 3 Mesa woman campaigns for reopening schools.

T

he federal government pumped a staggering amount of money into 5,804 Mesa businesses, nonpro�its and other entities to hold on to 78,492 jobs as the economy began reeling during the �irst few months

of the pandemic.

Records released by the U.S. Small Business Administration last week show that the agency gave Mesa entities at least $482.2 million and as much as $894.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans – most of which likely won’t have to be repaid.

The loans to Mesa entities – including some

churches and private schools – ranged from as little as $34,000 to as much as $10 million.

The number of jobs the borrowers said they were saving didn’t necessarily re�lect the size of the loan they received, with some entities obtaining seven-�igure loans despite listing no

��� LOANS ���� 7

NEWS ......................... 11 Ducey limits indoor dining.

COMMUNITY ....... 13 Children's Cancer Network hosts a summer camp onine.

SPORTS ................ 20 Skyline basketball coach sees bright future.

COMMUNITY ............................... 13 BUSINESS ..................................... 17 OPINION ....................................... 19 SPORTS......................................... 20 PUZZLES ...................................... 23 CLASSIFIED ................................. 24 Zone

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The Mesa Arizona Temple, which is getting its own multimillion-dollar overhaul, will be but one jewel in a crown of new development downtown, much of which is already underway.

Spurred by the new Arizona State University building, a considerable amount of that development will bring more than 1,500 apartment units. Mesa resident Jeremy is documenting the temple's revival in pictures and mini-essays on his Facebook page, facebook.com/pg/unofficialmesatemple. (Jeremy Kerrigan/Facebook)

Slowly but surely, Mesa getting a new downtown

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

A

fter decades of big plans followed by bigger disappointments, the foundations of new downtown Mesa are

emerging as city leaders and developers look past the COVID-19 pandemic towards a brighter day.

Piece by piece, a new downtown is starting to come into focus, with the ASU@mesacitycenter as the epicenter and a constellation of large and

small developments swirling around it.

Eventually, the new, high-tech, trendy downtown may make the present sleepy one virtually unrecognizable.

��� DOWNTOWN ���� 6

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

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NEWS

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Mesa mom’s open-campuses drive gains support

BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Staff Writer

A

Mesa mother’s petition voicing concern over delaying the opening of Arizona campuses is gaining traction.

Laura Crandell launched the petition drive after Gov. Doug Ducey delayed inclassroom learning until at least Aug. 17 due to the surge in coronavirus cases in the state.

Crandell, whose 5-year-old daughter is set to attend Sousa Elementary School in the fall, believes parents should be able to decide whether or not to send their kids to schools without any further delays.

“I understand COVID is a concern for all of us,” Crandell said. “But I feel like the decisions that are being made are out of an abundance of fear. Anyone who has been around kids knows they are going to bene�it from being in person.”

Nearly 1,500 people have signed Crandell’s petition to Ducey as of Wednesday at change.org/p/governor-doug-duceyno-more-postponement-of-az-in-personlearning-school-start-date.

Crandell said delaying the opening of schools could negatively affect work schedules for both parents and teachers.

Luckily, she already works from home on a consistent basis and is able to keep an eye on her daughter in a limited fashion.

However, she said she has many friends who work outside the home and who

in her petition many of the concerns she heard from her group about online learning in the �inal quarter of last school year.

From mental health concerns – including depression, anxiety and feelings of isolation– to the quality of online lessons, Crandell said it was enough for her to advocate for reopening campuses.

“My petition Laura Crandell, a Mesa mom to a 5-year-old daughter, created a petition that now has is not to open nearly 1,500 signatures to allow parents and students to make the decision to attend schools and let us school in the fall and not delay in-person learning any further. (Courtesy Laura Crandell) all in,” Crandell struggled in the spring to make online said. “It’s asking whether or not there are enough teachers and students that feel schooling work.

“I don’t understand how people are sup- comfortable being in schools and if there posed to make this happen and it creates are, is the expectation that we could go to a disparity between low and high-income schools even if it isn’t at max capacity.” families,” Crandell said. “If you are in a Crandell isn’t alone in her �ight to recomfortable situation �inancially, you likely open schools. have resources available to make this work.

President Donald Trump and his adBut if you aren’t, it could create a disparity ministration ramped up their campaign to in the education they kids are receiving.” “pressure” governors to reopen schools in Crandell, who is a local youth leader for ��� PETITION ���� 4 teenage girls through church, highlighted

Survey: teachers hesitant about classroom return

BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Staff Writer

A

survey by the Arizona Education Association released last week found an overwhelming number of educators believe schools should only reopen when it is deemed safe to do so.

Of 7,651 educators surveyed by the association, 68 percent opposed returning to classrooms at this point.

The survey also showed 60 percent of the respondents believed their districts were not prepared to reopen schools.

More than 90 percent of the respondents also expressed concerns about themselves, colleagues and even students

contracting COVID-19.

“While most respondents supported an online or distance learning model rather than traditional brick and mortar school learning environment, just under half of respondents felt schools had enough teachers and resources to implement an online learning model,” the AEA survey said.

“Many respondents left comments with concerns about how to engage students, meet the needs of students with special needs and how to ensure students with little or no access to technology will have the opportunity to learn,” it added.

The vast majority, 93 percent, of respondents also believe standardized testing should be suspended until campuses

are opened.

As far as what social distancing measures districts should enact, smaller class sizes were the most popular, with 96 percent in favor.

Also ranked high were spreading out students at lunch and recess and staggering arrival and departure times.

But most respondents believed there aren’t enough teachers to achieve social distancing in classrooms or even employees to provide food service and adequate cleaning of facilities.

In a related move, Expect More Arizona released the second part of a May survey of 11,000 teachers on their observations

��� SURVEY ���� 6

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

More apartments coming to downtown Mesa

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

A

n expensive obstacle won’t halt the construction of Eco Mesa, a high-end sustainable apartment complex that will rise over a downtown Mesa parking lot, attracting a higher-income clientele.

City of�icials anxious to see the trendy six- or seven-story apartment complex have agreed to move an antiquated electric duct bank that otherwise would block the development at a cost of nearly $600,000 to move the $30 million project into high gear.

They also agreed to a tax incentive program, realizing the city derives no property tax or other income from the project site – a free parking lot at Pepper Place and Robson Street across the IDEA Museum.

City Manager Chris Brady said the antiquated electrical line would eventually

PETITION ���� ���� 3

the fall.

“We’re very much going to put pressure on governors and everybody else to open the schools, to get them open,” Trump said, adding that once schools are open, they would not be closed again.

While it is not yet clear how Ducey will respond to the Trump effort, he said that while in-person learning is delayed until Aug. 17, there’s no reason online learning can begin sooner.

According to a letter to parents on Thursday, July 2, Mesa Public Schools will do just that.

The district announced all students would begin remote learning on Aug. 4, the original start date for the new school year.

Mesa Superintendent Dr. Andi Fourlis said during a Governing Board study session July 1 that the district would allow students to transition to in-person learning when schools are given the go-ahead to open their doors.

“Knowing what we know today, we are recommending we begin remote instruction on Aug. 4, the regular �irst day of school,” Fourlis said. “We also know making a decision like that requires a lot of planning and a lot of details. We are anxious to share with all of you how we col-

Eco Mesa will be added to what is now a free city-owned parking place downtown near the i.d.e.a. Museum.

(City of Mesa)

need to be upgraded anyway because it lacks the capacity to support more intensive uses than retail shops require.

“I can’t remember the last time, if ever, I

laborate on these conversations to guide our path forward.”

Fourlis acknowledged the outcry from parents expressing their discontent with remote learning last spring.

That feedback, along with more from online sessions in June where students, parents and staff were surveyed about different options for students to resume school, helped the district come up with three options for the 2020-21 school year: full-time remote learning, full-time in-person learning and a combination of the two.

Now, however, those plans may undergo modi�ications.

Fourlis said it’s possible the district will bring a limited number of students back to schools when Ducey’s executive order expires, followed by more until a full inperson setting can be achieved.

“We anticipate when we move to an in-person model we would be very strategic and only bring back students based on very speci�ic needs,” Fourlis said, adding the �irst group would likely be special-needs students. those who require modi�ied-learning environments and preschoolers.

“All the while, we would always have an option for remote learning environment,” she said.

Online learning to start the new school

was excited about an apartment complex,’’ Mayor John Giles said.

“This is a public parking lot. It’s generating no income to the city,’’ he said, calling

year, she added, will have several improvements over last spring’s.

Daily attendance will be taken. Additionally, teachers will be made available for students to interact with in a variety of different ways. The district also implemented a new online curriculum for elementary students as well as more training for teachers. Special-needs students will receive instruction specially designed to �it their needs.

But obstacles remain even for all-online learning in Mesa.

At least 7,000 students are currently without devices. David Sanders, the district’s chief technology of�icer, said he and his team are currently conducting an inventory on devices.

Initially, the district had planned to refresh devices in two high schools and seven junior high schools.

Now, Sanders believes the project at the high schools will be paused in order to potentially have enough for all students.

Part of that decision stems from most high school students already having devices.

Even then, however, the challenge of loading adequate software and distributing them by Aug. 4 remains.

“We might have enough for every student K-6, key word ‘might,’” Sanders said.

“The dilemma is prepping and distribut-

the tax incentive “a non-issue.’’

“Our electrical system downtown is antiquated and out of date. That infrastructure needs to be dug up and replaced. It’s something we would have been doing anyway,’’ Giles said.

Downtown Councilwoman Jen Duff also strongly supported the project, but asked that downtown businesses receive consideration from the city and the developer during construction.

She said parking spaces need to be available for customers during Eco Mesa’s construction.

“I think it’s a remarkable project that will put downtown Mesa on the map. It stands above the others in high density living,’’ Duff said. “We need to take care of our merchants through the development agreement.’’

Eco Mesa will have 102 units, catering to renters who are likely will to spend more

��� ECO ���� 11

ing the 45,000 devices we might have to distribute. To say that I’m con�ident we will be able to prep and distribute 45,000 devices by Aug. 4 would be a �ib. I’m not saying we can’t distribute that many but I’m not 100 percent con�ident that we can.

I think we can get really close.”

Thanks to a $7 million city grant, the district will be obtaining new devices for students. However, those are not expected to arrive until September and not be prepped and ready for distribution until October.

Helen Hollands, Mesa’s executive director of technology and communication, said the district may resort to distributing devices for K-6 students in a limited manner, noting if families have more than one elementary student only one device will be provided until more become available.

“We would also probably prioritize from grades down, making sure our high schoolers and junior high kiddos get those and then to the elementary schools,” Hollands said. “We would love to do it all at the same time but if we need to do that type of prioritization, we may do a grade band prioritization as well.”

The district expects to solidify its plans for the upcoming fall semester during its July 14 governing board meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting can be viewed at mpsaz.org/live. 

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

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NEWS

DOWNTOWN ���� ���� 1

“The development is happening despite COVID-19,’’ Mesa Mayor John Giles said.

When the pandemic subsides, he added, “I think you will see Mesa at the front of the line and regain momentum.”

Despite the continuing controversy revolving around asu@mesacity center, even during the upcoming election, “I think the wisdom of that project will be evident to everyone’’ once the new campus opens, Giles said.

“It’s not a hole, it’s a ladder out of a hole,’’ he said.

But Councilman Jeremy Whittaker continues to criticize city subsidies for ASU through a favorable lease and Giles’ efforts to repackage the campus into a smaller project with a different funding source than the plan previously rejected by voters.

With the COVID-19 pandemic overshadowing the city’s economic forecasts, Whittaker contends, “I think it’s foolish to continue spending money on this downtown ASU campus.”

But the council approved funding for

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

The Studios@mesacitycenter project, to convert a vacant former Information Technology building into meeting space and conference rooms.

While the ASU project progresses, plans for Site 17, Mesa’s eternal albatross to the northeast part of downtown, are expected to start taking shape as early as August, when the city signs a memorandum of understanding with a developer for the 27acre site.

Giles said the city believes it needs more people downtown and that’s why Site 17’s master plan is oriented toward residential.

City of�icials say there are already approvals in place for 1,500 units of housing downtown.

They include The Groves, a project by the development arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and The Grid, a unique development nearby that wraps around the underused Pomeroy Parking Garage.

But Site 17 also will include retail – even a possible grocery store – as well as of�ices that might contribute to job growth.

“Site 17 is absolutely a big factor’’ in the newly revamped downtown’s future, Giles

The Groves, located near the eastern end of downtown, will include 243 apartment units in four buildings of varying height. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)

SURVEY ���� ���� 3

and experiences related to online learning that districts began when schools were shut down for the fourth quarter of the last school year.

According to the survey, 41 percent of teachers felt they were “somewhat” prepared for the transition to an online setting last spring while 35 percent of teachers felt they were not prepared at all.

Only 14 percent of teachers felt threequarters or more of their students were fully engaged in online work.

“Teachers shared that parent and family involvement, internet and device accessibility, work not counting toward �inal grades per a statewide policy, student motivation, and constant contact from teachers all played a role in whether or not students were engaged,” Expect More Arizona said in a release.

Within the next 12 months, the area around the Mesa Arizona Temple will be transformed into a tranquil garden.

(Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)

said. “The easy thing for us to do was to sell off that piece. We want to have some in�luence over how it’s going to develop.’’

Jeff McVay, Mesa’s manager of downtown transformation, said one key is to connect Site 17 to downtown through walkways and bicycle paths.

“We need a mixture of daytime and nighttime’ attractions to establish downtown as a center of activity built around ASU, he said.

“Even during this time of COVID, we have a lot of things happening. There are a lot of positive things happening,’’ McVay said. “We do expect it to transform, not just evolve.’’

The next step is negotiating a memorandum of understanding with Mira Vista Holdings and Sunbelt Investments, allowing the developer to market Site 17, McVay said. The agreement may come before the council as early as August.

Of the survey respondents, it said 69 percent reported that students had an adult or sibling at home to help them with online schoolwork.

The survey also showed 39 percent of teachers felt that few special education students had their educational needs met during online learning.

Mesa Public Schools of�icials said during a July 1 governing board study session that the online curriculum has undergone

Of�icials are hoping a zoning change approved by the council will assist in the redevelopment of another large, glaring vacation site downtown, the 10acre former home of Brown and Brown Chevrolet.

Opus, a major developer based in Minneapolis, would build 340 units in the �irst phase of the Mesa Arts District Lofts, with room for two additional phases.

Mesa development of�icials are awaiting a third version of the project after the zoning change reduced commercial space on the ground �loor to 50 percent from a 100 percent requirement as an incentive to obtain �inancing.

The cutting edge, but also highly controversial, ASU building has been under construction for months and should start sprouting from the ground soon behind

��� DOWNTOWN ���� 10

rigorous changes that will bene�it and teachers alike.

They expect it to be a much smoother transition to online learning than what took place in the spring, when schools were forced to implement emergency plans on a moment’s notice.

The district also hopes to have most of its 45,000 devices ready for students by Aug. 4, putting off refresh projects in two high schools in order to do so. 

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

LOANS ���� ���� 1

jobs to save, according to the SBA data.

The SBA did not identify the 4,936 Mesa entities that each borrowed less than $150,000.

And while it did provide names and addresses for another 867 Mesa entities that obtained loans of at least $150,000, the agency did not disclose the speci�ic amount they got.

The incomplete data was released by the SBA after weeks of pressure from Congressional Democrats and government watchdogs about the lack of transparency in 4.9 million loans totaling $520.6 billion that it has approved so far nationwide.

Congress last week also extended the deadline for applying for some of the estimated $130 billion that remains unspent.

The PPP loan funds – described by the SBA as “a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll” – are part of the $2 trillion pandemic relief package approved by Congress in March that also included other assistance to individuals, businesses and local and state governments.

The loans comprised the largest portion of the multi-aid effort, accounting for $670 billion, or 26 percent, of the total package.

Arizona’s share of the PPP money totaled between 6.5 billion and $12.5 billion.

If you’re wondering why the loan amounts aren’t more precise for large borrowers and why the identities of thousands of smaller ones remain a secret, it’s because the SBA wanted it that way.

For weeks, the SBA and the Treasury Department squabbled with Congress and others over the paucity of data it had been releasing about the way it was doling out public money as the economy buckled beneath the weight of business shutdowns.

Treasury and the SBA said they were protecting the borrowers’ privacy.

Lobbyists for organizations like the National Federation of Independent Business were reported to be concerned that businesses would be hurt competitively or subjected to “public shaming” if identities were disclosed.

While refusing to list much information beyond an itemization of the amount of each loan below $150,000 and the number of jobs being saved, the SBA included the names and addresses of those that borrowed $150,000 or more but only listed them within one of �ive categories of loan ranges: $150,000-350,000, $350,000-1

When signs like this started popping up in March because of business closures and stay-at-home orders in Mesa and throughout the country, Congress responded with a massive aid program, over a quarter of which was aimed at companies. (Tribune file photo)

million, $1-2 million, $2-5 million and $510 million.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the way the loan data was released “strikes the appropriate balance of providing the American people with transparency, while protecting sensitive payroll and personal income information of small businesses, sole proprietors, and independent contractors.”

But in a June 25 report, other problems with the program were cited by the federal U.S. Government Accountability Of�ice, the federal government’s primary auditing agency.

“SBA moved quickly to establish a new nationwide program, but the pace contributed to confusion and questions about the program and raised program integrity concerns,” the GAO said.

It said borrowers and lenders “raised a number of questions about the program and eligibility criteria” and noted that the agency issued multiple rules to address confusion among prospective borrowers.

Moreover, the GAO warned, “to help quickly disburse funds, SBA allowed lenders to rely on borrower certi�ications to determine borrowers’ eligibility, raising the potential for fraud.”

The data related to Mesa PPP recipients lists three recipients of loans in the $1-million-$2-million range with no jobs listed.

At least one borrower in that same category was identi�ied only with four initials that is not listed in Arizona Corporation Commission records.

According to the data released last week by the SBA, �ive Mesa companies each re-

ceived loans between $5 million and $10 million. One listed two jobs.

The PPP loans were available not to just businesses but to nonpro�its, schools and even churches on the premise since the money not only could save jobs but also help them cover rent or mortgages, utilities and other costs so they could provide services.

“The SBA Paycheck Protection Program has helped stabilize many nonpro�it organizations with critical funding that enables them to retain and compensate their workers, many of whom are providing essential services during this public health crisis,” said Alliance for Strong Families and Communities president and CEO Susan N. Dreyfus in an interview with Philanthropy News Digest.

“Organizations of all sizes need clarity on funding, forgivable loans,” she said in the April 30 interview, “and a dedicated funding stream so they aren’t competing with for-pro�it entities for the funding that enables them to run homeless shelters, residential centers for foster youth, emergency child care centers, homes for seniors and individuals with disabilities, food banks, and more in this time of crisis.”

Of the 22 recipients of Mesa loans between $2 million and $5 million, four were nonpro�its: Child Crisis Arizona, A New Leaf and two interconnected agencies, Marc Community Resources and Partners in Recovery. The latter two are now under the umbrella name of Copa Health.

The remaining 18 recipients in the $2-5-million bracket included Mesa companies such as Gol�land, the water park,

7

which reported 222 jobs.

Two restaurant groups representing a combined reported total of 1,000 jobs also were listed in the same bracket: Kind Hospitality, the umbrella for eight airport restaurant brands Panera Bread and Macayo’s, and Rucker Restaurant Holdings, which runs Jack in the Box eateries.

Among the 51 Mesa recipients in the $1 million-$2 million bracket were two of the city’s most prominent law �irms, Udall Shumway and Jackson White, as well as Central Christian Church.

Another recipient in that bracket was an apparent rap music production company that listed its principal address as an apartment and claimed 29 jobs.

Still another recipient was identi�ied by only four initials and appeared related to a wedding venue in Mesa. It claimed 450 jobs – the second highest number of employees behind the 500 associated with Pulmonary Associates, which runs six clinics across the Valley.

According to the SBA’s data, the �ive Mesa recipients that received a total amount of money between $25 million and $50,000 represented 1,671 employees. The 42 recipients of loans ranging between $2 million and $5 million represented a total 6,165 jobs while the 51 Mesa companies that each received $1 million to $2 million accounted for 6,451 jobs.

The 262 Mesa recipients of loans ranging between $350,000 and $1 million accounted for the most jobs at 15,350 while the 548 entities that received loans between $150,000 and $350,000 had the second highest number of jobs at 13,714.

The 4,936 Mesa recipients of loans under 150,000 for a total $194 million reported 35,394 jobs.

It's unclear how SBA will verify that the jobs were actually saved, although the agency has said they will be forgiven if 60 percent of the amount goes to payroll.

"Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels," it said in a recent memorandum. "Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines or if salaries and wages decrease.

The loans carry a 1 percent interest rate and required no collaterol.

There also has been con�licting statements as to whether the loans will be audited, as the Treasury Department initially stated that all loans under $2 million would be assumed forgiven and later said all were "subject" to audit. 

8

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

DPS sues to ground Chandler tutor with shaky past

BY KEVIN REAGAN Tribune Staff Writer

S

tate law enforcement of�icials are attempting to stop a Chandler teacher who has been arrested 10 times on suspicion of inappropriately touching children from being able to work in local schools.

Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Heston Silbert �iled a civil complaint in court on June 24 aimed at thwarting other state agencies from granting a �ingerprint clearance card to 37-year-old Brett James Smith, who has been criminally convicted in other states for touching the backs of children.

Smith, who changed his name from Brett Zagorac, had been tutoring children in the Chandler area and was waiting to receive a �ingerprint card in Arizona – which would grant him the ability to be hired in most school districts.

But then DPS stepped in and exposed his lengthy criminal history.

In his 27-page complaint, Silbert outlines the sordid details of Smith’s 10 prior arrests and his recent interactions around Chandler that have raised the suspicions of some local residents.

His suit alleges that it would be a mistake for Smith to be given a �ingerprint card.

DPS had denied Smith’s applications for a card in the past but he appealed to the courts to obtain a “good cause exception” – a legal remedy offenders can be given if they’re found to be rehabilitated from their prior misbehavior.

The DPS director condemned an unidenti�ied judge and the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting for thinking Smith had reformed himself and ultimately recommending he be given the “good cause exception” to obtain a �ingerprint card.

The board was “arbitrary” and “capricious” in voting to give Smith a �ingerprint clearance in January, Silbert’s suit states, and should hold another hearing to review evidence demonstrating Smith’s pattern of behavior.

“Smith has engaged in a prolonged series of inappropriate acts against children -- even twice violating his probation conditions,” Silbert’s complaint states.

Smith’s repeated contacts with Chandler Police and “pushy” tactics to tutor local school children should further disqualify

BRETT JAMES SMITH

him from obtaining a �ingerprint card and prove his inability to change his behavior, Silbert’s complaint argues.

Lawyers representing Smith have accused DPS of creating a “false narrative” in order to smear Smith’s reputation.

In a statement, his attorneys claimed DPS’ portrayal of Smith’s arrest record is “false and misleading” and characterized his prior interactions with children as not being “sex crimes.” He’s never been convicted or accused of touching a child’s genitals, the lawyers stated.

Smith was �irst arrested in 2002 after a fourth-grader in Indiana accused the thenteacher of sliding his hand under the student’s shirt and rubbing their back. More students then came forward with similar allegations but the charges were later dropped due to uncooperative witnesses.

Over the next 13 years, Smith was arrested several more times for similar incidents involving rubbing the backs of girls and boys. He was convicted at least three times for misdemeanor offenses and spent some time in jail, court records show.

During one arrest in 2010, police in northern Indiana uncovered numerous school badges and teaching certi�icates that had been altered to display a fake name. Local authorities warned Smith to stop trying to tutor children in the area by advertising his services online.

In 2015, an Indiana court granted Smith’s request to have one of his arrest records expunged after prosecutors dropped the charges after a former student declined to testify against him out of fear of being in the defendant’s presence.

Smith eventually relocated to Arizona, changed his last name and started looking for new tutoring clients.

None of his prior arrests were known by

Kim Kriesel when she hired Smith earlier this year to tutor her 11-year-old son at their Chandler home.

The mother was looking for someone who could help supplement her son’s education while the local schools were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kriesel saw Smith’s advertisements on Facebook a few times and decided to contact him.

Smith seemed to have an impressive resume, the mother recalled, and claimed to have earned several college degrees.

She hired Smith to come to their house a few times per week and the arrangement seemed to work out well in the beginning.

Smith and Kriesel’s son got along well, she said, adding they could often be heard laughing and joking from the family’s dining room table.

But then Kriesel saw a post on social media that suddenly changed her opinion of Smith.

Another local parent had published Smith’s mugshot and warned other parents not to hire him. Kriesel then did some internet sleuthing and con�irmed Smith’s extensive criminal history.

“I was in total shock,” Kriesel recalled, “I was disgusted.”

She asked her son if anything strange had ever happened between him and Smith. There had been some touching on his back, the son told his mother.

Kriesel said she immediately called the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Of�ice and claimed an of�icer told her the touching was not enough to count as a crime in Arizona.

A Sheriff’s Of�ice representative said it currently has an open investigation involving Smith and did not elaborate on the details of the case.

Not feeling satis�ied with the actions of law enforcement, Kriesel did some more digging and came across Director Silbert’s recent complaint against the Board of Fingerprinting.

In the document, she found out there were other people in Chandler who have known about Smith’s behavior since 2018.

According to Silbert’s complaint, a woman contacted Chandler Police in 2018 after �inding Smith’s tutoring advertisements online. They seemed suspicious to the mother who then unearthed Smith’s criminal history online.

The ads also mischaracterized Smith as

a special needs teacher in the Phoenix Uni�ied School District, which was not true.

The Chandler Chamber of Commerce reportedly interacted with Smith around this same time and staff felt there was something “not right” with him. The Chamber told Chandler Police that Smith was “pushy” about staff introducing him to local businesses and school administrators.

The Chandler Uni�ied School District also told local authorities Smith had asked for permission to place �lyers advertising his tutoring service in the backpacks of the district’s students.

“The school district reported that Smith was persistent about being allowed to put �lyers in the backpacks and became upset that he was unable to do so,” Silbert’s complaint states.

Kriesel said she was disappointed to learn so many institutions around Chandler had encountered Smith and did nothing to warn parents about his behavior or criminal history.

“I don’t even know who to trust now,” she said. “I’m guessing I will rely more on moms in the area.”

Smith is not listed on Arizona’s registery of sex offenders and has never been arrested nor convicted of a sex crime in the state, court records show.

Kriesel said she’s hopeful the Board of Fingerprinting will reconsider its previous decision and not recommend a clearance card to Smith.

In a recent letter written to the board, Kriesel accused its members of failing to protect Chandler’s children by not carefully reviewing Smith’s history.

“It is my opinion that the AZ Board of Fingerprinting has been extremely neglectful in their role and share complete responsibility along with (Smith) for the assault on my son in what should have been the safety of his own home,” Kriesel wrote.

The Board has not yet �iled a response to the DPS complaint in court.

Regardless of what happens between DPS and the Board, Krisel thinks there’s a good chance the Chandler community won’t be encountering Smith again. His tutoring website is down, his online advertisements removed, and he was quick to cancel his upcoming sessions with Kriesel’s son.

“I have a feeling this guy is long gone,” the mother said. 

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

DOWNTOWN ���� ���� 6

the Mesa City Council Chambers.

“I feel everything is coming together,’’ said council member Jen Duff, who represents downtown. “I see an avalanche of successful development along the light rail.’’

“When it’s �inished in 2022,’’ Duff said about the ASU building, “we’re going to be on an upswing by then.’’

“The foundation of our economy is �ine.

We just need to work through this virus.

We are all trying to �igure out how to become more resilient,’’ Duff said.

Caliber, a Scottsdale-based investment �irm that specializes in the use of federal Opportunity Zones, anticipates announcing this week the addition of a national entrepreneurship company that might contribute substantially to Mesa realizing its dream of creating a downtown innovation district.

Chris Loef�ler, CEO and co-founder of Caliber, and Rodney Riley, vice president of acquisition and development, believe enough in downtown Mesa to have spent $15 million to acquire 160,000 square feet of property.

Loef�ler said the company’s specialty is Opportunity Zones, a long-term deferred tax investment in which capital gains taxes are forgiven if the investor holds the investment for at least 10 years.

This approach allows Caliber to take a big-picture approach, hoping to maximize a building’s beauty and �ind its best use, he said.

Loef�ler and Riley view downtown Mesa as the next downtown Phoenix or Gilbert.

“I think it’s inevitable. I think anyone who doesn’t see it is missing something,’’ Loef�ler said. “I think downtown Mesa will surprise people in a meaningful way.’’

Riley said the elements of downtown Mesa that make it perfect for Opportunity Zone investments include the Mesa Arizona Temple, a pro-business government, the light rail and a low census tract that backs up the slum and blighted designation that has been in effect for years.

“We like the authentic past’’ of downtown Mesa, with a 1950s and 1960s vibe, Riley said. “But we want to see tenants that not only take a step forward, but a leap forward.’’

“Pre-COVID, things were incredibly active. COVID changed the world,’’ Riley said.

One of Loef�ler’s ideas is for a community market, almost an indoor version of

The bungalos being built as part of The Groves are replacing World War II houses that city officials decided had no historical value and weren't worth preserving. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Photographer)

a farmer’s market, featuring locally grown produce and other healthy food, similar to another market in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego.

“We have to make sure that when you come to downtown Mesa, you experience something unique,’’ Loef�ler said.

Surrounding streets also are being renovated as 1st Avenue is being turned into a “grand avenue” to the temple. A new memorial sign already has been installed at the First Avenue entrance.

At least four major construction companies and scores of subcontractors have

Also underway downtown is the renovation of the Mormon Temple, its grounds and construction of a new Family Resource Center for genealogy research.

The temple passed the second anniversary of its closing on May 19.

Mesa resident Jeremy Kerrigan has been documenting the project on a Facebook page and has said the “very extensive project” has included replacement of all mechanical systems such as lighting and heating and air-conditioning as well as the roof, windows and doors.

Parts of the temple have been gutted and revamped and the entire exterior is undergoing signi�icant renovation as well as the grounds, Kerrigan noted.

been involved in the overall project – its second major renovation since it opened in 1927.

The Groves is on target for completion late this year or early next year, while the church has not yet set a reopening date despite obvious progress to the newly refurbished grounds and a new memorial sign at the entrance on First Avenue.

“There won’t be any Christmas lights in 2020. We don’t have a �inal date,’’ said Jennifer Wheeler, a church spokeswoman.

The pandemic presents a major unresolved issue for the church as it formulates a rededication, which will be preceded by grand-opening tours, a practice followed at the much newer Gilbert and Phoenix

“ The foundation of our economy is fine.

We just need to work through this virus.

We are all trying to figure out how to become more resilient ”

temples.

“The church proceeds very carefully.

Our congregations have not resumed having services,’’ Wheeler said, noting that other temples in the region remain closed, creating a backlog of of�icial church wedding ceremonies.

Whenever the grand reopening happens, perhaps sometime in 2021, it represents a natural hook for Mesa’s new downtown coming out party, with the church project the �irst of several to open.

Wheeler expects large crowds, with people visiting from out of state, because of the Mesa temple’s historical signi�icance to the church.

“I am thrilled with the amount of progress our contractors and subcontractors have made,’’ said Carl Duke, vice president of City Creek Reserve, the real estate and investment arm of the church.

Duke estimated the large apartment building at the southwest corner of Main Street and Mesa Drive will be �inished by the end of October.

“For the average person who walks through the development, it will look complete by Jan. 1. The whole thing should be operational,’’ Duke said.

He said City Creek is happy to serve as one of the bookends to the redevelopment of downtown Mesa.

“ASU’s Mesa campus will be very helpful in driving renters to our property,’’ Duke said.

It’s clear that Duke takes special pride in the Family Discovery Center near Main Street, a steel and concrete building with a stone �inish, that will work in tandem with the newly renovated temple.

“The quality of that facility is something that is going to stand out,’’ he said. 

GOT NEWS?

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

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

11

Ducey adds new dining-in rules as virus cases rise

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

G

ov. Doug Ducey refused Thursday to reimpose his stay-at-home order even after conceding that his own data shows how effective that was in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

Instead, he is putting new rules in place on how many people can sit in restaurants.

The governor acknowledged that the number of new cases each day pretty much stayed the same from the time he issued the directive in late March through the middle of May, when he allowed it to expire.

In fact, he said, the rate remained steady for about two weeks afterwards, the period of incubation and the time to get test results.

Only then was there an explosion.

Ducey’s decision to stay the course – at least as far as individual activity – comes as the state added 75 new deaths on Thursday due to the virus, bringing the total now to 2,038.

There were also 4,057 new cases of COVID-19; the statewide tally since the out-

ECO ���� ���� 4

for the location and to live in a sustainable building, said Jeff McVay, downtown transformation manager.

He said the new building will be 85 percent sustainable, thanks to a solar panel array on the roof. A rainwater catchment system will recycle water that otherwise would have been wasted to water the landscaping.

“We will not lose the bene�it of that site as it is used today,’’ he said, because Eco Mesa will deed over the 76 new, covered parking spaces to the city.

McVay said the city will sell the acre of land to the developer, Eco Habitat, for the market price of $325,000 and receive another $320,000 in construction sales taxes off the project, compensating for the cost of moving the electrical line.

A development agreement being negotiated with Eco Habitat, a developer with a lofty reputation, would include a Government Property Lease Excise Tax, which saves Eco Habitat about $205,000 in property taxes.

break of those affected is now 112,671.

Hospitalizations of those with positive or suspected cases also continues to set records, with the �igure on Thursday at 3,471. ICU bed usage was at 861, just 10 off the record set a day earlier.

Overall, the Department of Health Services reported 89 percent of ICU beds in use by patients of all types with 87 percent of in-patient beds in use.

And more than 28 percent of the tests for the virus reported on Thursday came back positive.

“I always look at the different options of where we are and what the possibilities are,’’ Ducey said when asked about re-imposing that stay-at-home order. “We want to do what would allow us to navigate out of the situation we are in right now.’’

The governor said Arizona is seeing “some results’’ in the last 10 days since he ordered gyms, �itness centers and bars to once again close. At the same time, he gave local of�icials the power to mandate the use of masks but declined to make that a statewide requirement.

But Ducey said there’s also a reality that Arizonans are going to have to recognize.

“No matter what happens, we’re going

to be dealing with this for some time,’’ he said. That, the governor said, makes education a better alternative than mandates, which is why his but push has been his message that “you’re safer at home.’’

“So, the better way to do this, if possible, to have public buy-in to what is the more responsible decision, not from Mount Olympus or some government entity, but by people in a positive peer-pressure type of situation.’’

Still, Ducey is willing to impose some new rules on dine-in services for which he said he got the blessing from the Arizona Restaurant Association.

The governor said dine-in facilities are now limited to half the number of people that �ire inspectors have listed as capacity.

Ducey said that both building of�icials and law enforcement can enforce a hard and fast number based on maximum occupancy as determined by �ire departments.

That limit does not affect outdoor dining, where the risk of spreading the virus is less.

The latest order stresses that any area beneath a roof counts as indoor dining, even if the entire side of the restaurant is open to the outdoors.

The order also has a speci�ic requirement on patrons, requiring them to be wearing a mask any time they are not seated at their table. It also prohibits people from standing around in groups, whether to wait for a table or simply go to the bathroom, and encourages the use of reservations.

One thing that remains to be decided is when schools will resume – and in what form.

The governor last month said schools can begin instruction next month according to their regular schedule, but at this point only online. He set an “aspirational’’ start-up date of kids actually being back in seats of Aug. 17.

Earlier this week the president threatened to cut federal funding for schools that refused to accede to his demand to resume in-person instruction.

At the same time, President Trump criticized the guidelines put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for safely reopening schools, saying they were too tough and expensive.

Ducey said he shares the president’s goal, but added, “It’s going to happen when it’s safe.” 

investor, but that all approvals must be in place by Sept. 15.

He said he will bring the development agreement before the council when it returns from a summer break in late August.

“I love this project.

I love the sustainable part,’’ said council member Kevin Thompson, adding Eco Mesa will be a sustainable apartment complex with solar panels and a special water recycling feature. (City of Mesa) that he would welThe GPLET replaces a property tax with Landing at Fiesta Village, an apartment come such a development in his southeast an excise tax, which would be waived for complex planned to replace the crumbling Mesa district. “We are taking an undereight years. The property is technically Fiesta Village shopping center, a longtime performing piece of property and selling owned by the city during this period and eyesore across from Fiesta Mall. it for $325,000.’’ deeded back to the developer when it exHe said the developer, Eco Habitat of He said the renters at Eco Mesa would pires.

Phoenix, has a top reputation based upon have disposable income to support area McVay said Mesa anticipated about two projects near Margaret T. Hance Park businesses. $32,000 a year in revenue after the GPLET in central Phoenix, Portland on the Park “That’s more people downtown, more expires. and Portland Place. business, a more viable downtown,’’ CounMesa granted a similar deal to the WM McVay said the developer has �inancing cilman Dave Luna said. “I’m happy to have Grace Construction Company for The arranged through an Opportunity Zone this developer come to Mesa.’’ 

12

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

City Council OKs major southeast Mesa project

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

C

ity Council has paved the way for Mountain Vista, a large mixed-use development with a four-story hotel, is expected to serve as a new gateway to East Mesa.

A zoning change allowing for development of an 81-acre parcel at Signal Butte Road and Southern Avenue just north of U.S 60 won unanimous approval last week.

Mountain Vista includes 132,000 square feet of commercial space, a key consideration for Mesa as it hopes to attract jobs and produce more sales tax revenue.

“This is going to be a quality product. It’s kind of a gateway entry into Mesa from the east,’’ said Councilman Kevin Thompson.

Thompson praised a group of developers, property owners and zoning attorneys for working together on an attractive master plan for the community.

Although Mountain Vista also will in-

along Signal Butte closest to U.S 60.

That will be the location for the hotel, of�ice space, �itness center and d r ive - t h r u restaurants.

“We want to very much preserve commercial areas from being converted into residential,’’ Southeast Mesa is seeing an explosion of planned development that will include a couple car Planning Director Nana dealerships, a hotel and commercial and retail space. (Special to the Tribune) Appiah said. clude some signi�icant multi-family hous- “When it �irst came in, the staff had a maing, the developers agreed that there jor issue. We were able to come to a resowould be no housing inside a key parcel lution.’’

A development agreement bars the developers from converting commercial and retail space to residential for 20 years, according to a presentation to the council.

Instead, the high and medium density multi-family housing will be located in central areas of Mountain Vista along Hampton Avenue and Southern Avenue will be reserved for retail and commercial.

The residential component is far from minimal, even if Appiah described it as ancillary to the development’s overall focus.

It includes three and four-story apartment buildings, including one with 345 units.

A series of walking and bicycling paths will allow people to circulate the area without driving.

“The end result will be to establish Mountain Vista as a bright example of the bene�its a master planned project can provide to any site and especially this important gateway into the City of Mesa,’’ according to documents submitted by zoning attorney Reese Anderson. 

power of the license plate program: Their daughter, Victoria and son, Alexander each received Foundation scholarships while attending University of Arizona undergraduate programs, from which they both graduated with honors.

Currently, Victoria is studying for the bar exam with her sights set on becoming a prosecutor while Alexander works in corporate banking.

They are two of roughly 40,000 students nationwide who have received Foundation scholarships since 1962.

This includes hundreds of Arizona students who bene�it from U.S. Marine Corps

license plate sales. Since the program’s inception in 2015, almost 23,000 plates have been sold, generating hundreds of scholarships for our very own Arizona students to universities, colleges and technical schools.

Elisabeth was so impressed with the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and its impact on her family that she joined the Arizona committee that hosts an annual fundraising gala in Phoenix.

“I really appreciate the Foundation because it’s simply about patriotism … its motto, ‘Honoring Marines by Educating Their Children’ is one that everyone can support without reservation,” she said.

The Arizona U.S. Marine Corps license plate does the same – it pays tribute to the Marine Corps parent and supports the next generation raised on the Corps’ values of Honor, Courage and Commitment, she noted.

To learn more about the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation or to apply for a scholarship, visit mcsf.org.

To order an Arizona U.S. Marine Corps license plate, visit servicearizona.com and click on the personalized/specialized plates link. 

Specialty license plates honor, help Marines

BY MIKE PHILLIPS Tribune Contributor

E

very time Elisabeth Wisthoff looks at the license plate of her husband’s Toyota Tacoma, it reminds her of where they met, the life they’ve shared and the children they’ve raised.

Dana Wisthoff’s truck sports a personalized Arizona U.S. Marine Corps license plate that reads, “E5 MSG.” A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, “E5” re�lects Dana’s rank of Sergeant when he �irst met Elisabeth. “MSG” refers to his role as part of the Marine Security Guard detachment assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal, where Elisabeth’s father served as a senior foreign-service of�icer.

“I was in college when I �irst met Dana … and the rest is history,” said Elisabeth with a laugh. “That license plate re�lects our story.”

All veterans build strong ties with their service branches; the Arizona U.S. Marine Corps license plate uniquely celebrates that bond and invests in the future.

For every U.S. Marine Corps plate sold in

Arizona, $17 of the $25 fee goes directly to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, a nonpro�it organization that provides college/university/trade-school scholarships to the children of Marines, Navy corpsmen, Navy chaplains or Religious Programs specialists attached to a Marine unit.

Getting a plate is easy. There are no restrictions and you do not have to have served in the military. Anyone in Arizona registering a car or motorcycle can get the charity plate. Visit www.servicearizona. com and click on the personalized/specialized plates link.

Dana and Elisabeth know well the

COMMUNITY

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

TheMesaTribune.com |

@EVTNow

13

/EVTNow

Felony Diversion program is offered by SAGE Counseling plained Stephen Grams, executive director of SAGE Counseling.

“It’s a very individualized program, based on the initial assessment,” Grams said.

He said the program’s main goal is to reduce recidivism by rehabilitating each individual offender through treating their unique underlying problems with cognitive behavioral intervention and skill development.

Although this program is not mandatory for individuals facing prosecution, over 1,300 have been processed through the new Felony Diversion Program from May to June of this year.

The program was initially planned to start in April but was delayed until May because of the stay at home orders.

Depending on the individual’s risk to reoffend, they are placed into one of six “tracks.” These “tracks” include provisions like drug screenings and relapse preven-

tion programs.

According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Of�ice, “each track provides a unique evidence-based curriculum, with consideration for the appropriate intensity and duration based upon risk level and speci�ic requirements for successful completion.”

The program length is 10-12 sessions, once a week for low-risk offenders; 20-34 sessions, twice a week for moderate-risk; 25 sessions, twice a week for moderate to very high risk and 50 sessions for high to very high risk offenders.

The charges are then dropped for offenders who successfully complete the program. Though prosecution will be reinstated for unsuccessful offenders.

The COVID-19 pandemic considerably affected the program, Grams explained.

piece of their childhood.”

CCN’s day camp, which launched in 2018, is offered at no cost to kids with cancer and their siblings. It focuses primarily on immersive, hands-on STEM projects and experiences to �ill the gaps for kids who missed out on such learning at school.

“The camp has been a huge hit among our families,” said Luttrell. “In addition to doing really cool projects and learning new and interesting things, it’s a chance for them to spend time with other kids Aaron and Makenna Carroll were thrilled with the Chandler-based and forget about cancer for Children's Cancer Network virtual summer camp. (Children's Cancer Network) just a little while.”

Wozny began planning this year’s summer camp in early 2020, but storming virtual options that would she shifted gears when it became clear provide the same level of enjoyment, enthat COVID-19 wasn’t going anywhere. gagement and learning – without comproSince children with cancer are at high mising kids’ safety. risk for serious illness, she began brain“Kids are pretty Zoomed out right now,

so we worked hard to come up with lessons and projects that were truly fun and engaging,” said Wozny.

The Arizona Coyotes sponsored this year’s virtual camp the week of June 15.

CCN delivered boxes of materials to campers’ families in advance, providing all needed items – like nuts, bolts, transistors and aluminum foil – for the week’s learning activities.

Gilbert mom Laura Groth sent her young daughters to CCN’s in-person camp last summer. Her 12-year-old daughter Lizzie is in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

She and her younger sisters – 10-year old Lily, 9-year-old Leilani and 7-year-old Lexi – participated in the camp again this year, this time via Zoom.

“Last year’s camp was such an amazing experience,” said Groth. “I cried with gratitude for the opportunity it provided my girls. I wasn’t sure how a virtual camp

BY ALLEN AWFE Tribune Staff Writer

E

ven though its launch was delayed by the pandemic, more than 1,000 people have utilized the Maricopa County Attorney’s Of�ice new Felony Diversion Program based in Mesa.

The program provides an alternative to prosecution and potential incarceration for individuals charged with possession of controlled substances and other non-violent offenses that meet eligibility criteria.

Administered through SAGE Counseling, the new program combines the former Drug Diversion Program and Felony PreTrial Intervention Program (FPIP). Its aim is to present a more vigorous treatment option that addresses speci�ic underlying behaviors.

Placement and treatment in the pro-

Steven Grams is the founder of SAGE, which administers the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office new Felony Diversion Program. (Courtesy of SAGE)

gram is distinctive for each individual; curriculum, dosage (hours per week) and program intensity vary per individual, ex-

��� DIVERSION ���� 16

Children’s Cancer Network day camp goes virtual

BY KATY SPRING AFN Guest Writer

W

hen Sharon Wozny realized that kids with cancer were missing out on important learning opportunities – a result of cancer-related school absences – she went to work on a solution.

The Mesa resident and program manager for Children’s Cancer Network has a special eye for education – she spent 30 years teaching elementary school for Mesa Public Schools.

It wasn’t long before Wozny, in partnership with CCN’s executive director, Patti Luttrell, created and launched a summer STEM camp for kids �ighting cancer.

“Kids with cancer miss out on so much,” said Wozny, who started volunteering for CCN in 2013 and joined the staff in 2016.

“They’re stuck in the hospital or stuck at home, too sick from the cancer and chemo to go to school, and often are isolated from friends. We wanted to give them back a

��� CANCER ���� 16

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

14 SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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That’s because Silver Vault Bags loaded with pure .999 State Silver Bars are now being handed over to everyone who beats the 2-day order deadline.

“That’s why Arizona residents will be hoarding all the silver bars they can get their hands on for the next 2 days.

This comes as no surprise after the standard State Minimum set by the Federated Mint dropped to the lowest ever for everyone who gets the Silver Vault Bags making them a real steal,” said Mary Ellen Withrow, the emeritus 40th Treasurer of the United States of America.

“As executive advisor to the private Federated Mint, I get paid to deliver breaking news.

And here’s the best part. This is great news for Arizona residents because it’s the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint,” said Withrow.

The only thing residents need to do is find the first 3 digits of their zip code on the Distribution List printed in today’s publication. If their zip code is on the list, they just need to call the National Silver Hotline before the 2-day order deadline ends.

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Phone lines open at precisely 8:30 A.M. this morning and are expected to be f looded (Continued on next page)

(Continued fr

by Ariz to cash State M erated why ar the firs code on day are Since ing ann anyone the new State Si their ha Mint ha many J Bags re are the that con ver Vau one who they did “Resid in on th Minimu Federat That’s b line end for thes Arizona by the F up to $ how ma Withrow “We’r calls an we can, before t dents w its of the day’s pu the Nat Withrow

■ ARIZONA RESIDENTS CASH IN: Calls are pouring in from state residents who are trying to get their hands on the Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags pictured above before the deadline ends. That’s because residents who find the first 3 digits of their zip code printed in today’s publication are cashing in on the lowest ever State Minimum price set for the next 2 days by the Federated Mint.

Who gets the Silver Vault Bags: Listed below are the U.S. zip codes that get the Silver Vault Bags.

If you find the first 3 digits of your zip code call: 1-800-280-2754 EXT. FMM3800 850 852 853

855 856 857

859 860 863

864 865

■ SILVE It’s good who get loaded w Silver Sta residents ever Sta private F they call b

nts

d their e silver

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

15

(Continued from previous page)

by Arizona residents looking to cash in on the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint to date. That’s why area residents who find the first 3 digits of their zip code on the distribution list today are being urged to call.

Since this special advertising announcement can’t stop anyone from buying up all the new 2020 Edition Arizona State Silver Bars they can get their hands on, the Federated Mint has not set a limit of how many Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags residents can get – these are the bags pictured above that contain 10 individual Silver Vault Bags each. Everyone who gets these will be glad they did.

“Residents who want to cash in on the lowest ever State Minimum set by the private Federated Mint better hurry.

That’s because after the deadline ends, the State Minimum for these pristine half ounce Arizona State Silver Bars set by the Federated Mint will go up to $50 per bar no matter how many bars people get,” Withrow said.

“We’re bracing for all the calls and we’re doing the best we can, but with just hours left before the deadline ends, residents who find the first 3 digits of their zip code listed in today’s publication need to call the National Silver Hotline,” Withrow said. ■

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publication read below then call: 1-800-280-2754 EXT. FMM3800

I keep calling and can’t get through: Keep trying. Right now everyone’s looking to cash in on the lowest State Minimum ever set by the Federated Mint. In fact, we won’t be surprised if thousands of residents order up as many Silver Vault Bags as they can get their hands on before the deadline ends. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint has been slashed to the lowest ever at just $29 for each silver half ounce bar for the next 2 days for everyone who gets the vault bags. And since each Silver Vault Bag contains 10 pristine State Silver Bars for just $290 we’re guessing state residents will be claiming two or more bags while they’re up for grabs. But all those who really want to cash in are taking the Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bags containing 100 State Silver Bars before the deadline ends and the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint goes up to $500 per Vault Bag. In fact the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint is reduced even further for those getting the Jumbo Bags so just be sure to ask the National Silver Hotline operator for your discount. So if lines are busy keep trying.

How much are the Silver Vault Bags worth: It’s hard to tell how much these Silver Vault Bags could be worth since they are in pristine condition, but those who get in on this now will be glad they did. That’s because the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint goes up to $500 per bag after the deadline ends. So you better believe that at just $290 the Silver Vault bags are a real steal for everyone who beats the deadline.

Can I buy one State Silver Bar: Yes. But, the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of just $29 per bar applies only to residents who purchase a Silver Vault Bag(s). That means only those residents who order a Silver Vault Bag(s) or a Jumbo Silver Ballistic Bag get the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint. All single bar purchases, orders placed after the 2-day deadline and all non-state residents must pay the $50 per silver half ounce bar.

Why is the State Minimum set by the Federated Mint so low now: Thousands of U.S. residents stand to miss the deadline to get the silver at the lowest ever State Minimum set by the private Federated Mint. Now all residents who find the first 3 digits of their zip code on the Distribution List above are getting the Silver Vault Bags for themselves and all the solid .999 pure State Silver Bars found inside. The price for each Silver Vault Bag after the deadline ends is set at $500 which is $50 per bar, but residents who beat the 2-day deadline only cover the lowest ever State Minimum set by the Federated Mint of just $290 for each State Silver Vault Bag which is just $29 per bar as long as they call the National Silver Hotline before the deadline ends at: 1-800-280-2754 EXT. FMM3800. Hotlines open at 8:30 A.M. FRONT VIEW

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■ SILVER HITS ROCK BOTTOM: It’s good news for state residents who get the Silver Vault Bags each loaded with 10 solid .999 pure Silver State Bars. That’s because residents are getting the lowest ever State Minimum set by the private Federated Mint as long as they call before the deadline ends.

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COMMUNITY

DIVERSION ���� ���� 13

“First, it delayed the whole start and that was primarily because the courts did not want to have face-to-face, in-person court hearings,” Grams said.

“And in the traditional setup, the diversion was offered or accepted partly through that court process, so when they weren’t doing face-to-face, they just put all referrals for all the diversion programs we have on hold.”

The Attorney’s Of�ice currently offers eight different diversion programs with SAGE administering four of them.

Grams, who has been working with the criminal justice populations in 1985 and

CANCER ���� ���� 13

would turn out, but Sharon kept them engaged from the moment they logged on to the moment camp ended. She also provided cool ideas to extend the learning throughout the afternoon.”

The camp’s theme – “Imagine That” – was threaded throughout the week’s projects and activities. Tuesday was all about “Imagine with STEM” and included a tiedye experiment using Sharpie markers,

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

was a psychotherapist in a maximum security prison in Pittsburgh, founded SAGE in 1998.

“Diversion is a really smart public policy,” said Grams. “It really helps the community to get people out of the criminal justice system much quicker, it gives them treatment that helps them avoid getting in trouble again. It’s very cost-effective and it increases public safety.”

Headquartered in Mesa, SAGE has of�ices around the Valley, including a Glendale branch. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Glendale of�ice is not currently open.

For more information, visit sagecounseling.net. 

self-portraits using nuts and bolts, and an afternoon robot-building project.

Friday’s “Imagine Just Me” gave campers a chance to study strawberry DNA and get creative by decorating large wood initials.

Kids across Arizona joined the camp, building pool noodle monsters, making aluminum foil art, and completing a project with local artist and guest instructor, Christy Puetz.

“The camp was so much cooler than any other virtual experience my girls have

Mesa sailor serves Master-at-Arms 1st Class George Paddleford of Mesa conducted weapons training recently aboard the USS Nimitz, an aircraft carrier and the flagship of a fleet of Navy ships in the South China Sea. (U.S. Navy)

taken part in,” added Groth. “We are just so thankful. CCN has touched our lives in so many ways.”

CCN continues to modify programs and create new options for delivering services and programs amid the pandemic.

The Chandler-based nonpro�it organization serves families across Arizona, providing gas and grocery gift cards, hospital admission kits to help new families navigate the road ahead and adopt-a-family programs for back-to-school and the holidays.

The organization also hosts activities to boost self-con�idence in young cancer �ighters, programs to help siblings cope with cancer, and provide a multitude of other services and resources.

“Our focus right now is adapting our programs for the world we’re living in today,” said Luttrell.

For more information, to make a donation, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, visit childrenscancernetwork.org.

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BUSINESS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

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Peruvian restaurant overcomes the pandemic shutdown TRIBUNE NEW STAFF

D

ouglas Sanguino and his wife Clara took the big step of starting their own restaurant last January.

They opened A Taste of Peru in the strip mall on the southwest corner of Guadalupe and Alma School roads in Mesa in January, less than a year after moving here from New York City where he had been involved in a Mexican restaurant for two years.

The timing seemed great, Sanguino said, especially since he didn’t see much competition when it came to genuine Peruvian cuisine.

“I wanted to show people how delicious and �lavorful it is,” he said, explaining different regions of the country are known for different cuisine and he didn’t see anything in the East Valley with the kind he wanted to serve.

Like most new businesses, start-up was challenging but moving along – until mid-

Douglas and Clara Sanguino opened a Taste of Peru at 1245 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa, in January. (Pablo Robles/

Tribune Staff Photographer).

March when the pandemic prompted the governor to close in-house dining.

“I decided to shut down the restaurant,”

he explained.

“I didn’t want to expose anybody in the restaurant so we decided to shut down,”

he recalled. “We kept reading the news and watching how people were reacting to the crisis and decided not to go back to work. We were a new restaurant so we didn’t have the demand for takeout anyway.”

Now that a Taste of Peru has reopened, the Sanguinos are hopeful that people will venture out to taste what he describes as a full Peruvian experience where food is concerned, though they also are now offering takeout and delivery.

Their menu re�lects both Asian, Mexican and Spanish in�luences, such as four Peruvian fried rice combos a number of dishes laced with noodles, a variety of stir-fried items and a special paella with a Peruvian twist.

There also are native dishes like the salchipapas appetizer, thinly sliced golden crisp sausage and French fries sprinkled with ketchup, mustard and mayo; the Pe-

��� PERU ���� 18

G.O.A.T. Grill in Mesa aims to be ‘greatest of all time’

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tribune Staff Writer

K

nown for its Mexican cantinas, the Matta family is exploring American food this time with The G.O.A.T. Sports Grill at Power and McDowell roads in Northeast Mesa.

The airy space at the west end of Red Mountain Promenade is peppered with a scoreboard, sports memorabilia and more than 10 televisions to make watching sporting events easy – when they return.

Owners Peter Matta and Scott McKay bring dishes like New Orleans shrimp scampi ($14); shrimp cucumber bites ($12); poor man’s steak (topped with gravy, mushrooms and caramelized onions and served with mashed potatoes and vegetables, $14); and a variety of sliders (four for $12).

The G.O.A.T., which stands for the

Dominic Matta and Ryelle Rogers are serving up some tasty menu items at the new G.O.A.T. Grill in northeast Mesa. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)

Greatest of All Time, thrives with its unique dishes like its spin on traditional

French fries – nacho, carne asada, poutine, loaded, “loco moco,” cheese, bar-

becue, chili cheese and buffalo chicken – or its grilled cheese varieties (French onion, cheese n’ mac, portabella, cheese BLT, burger, hot dog).

“Peter, speci�ically, really likes grilled cheese,” said Dominic Matta, his son and general manager. “Growing up, he would always make fun grilled cheese. He would sauté ham or onions and make them with different ingredients and a variety of cheeses. It was just something he’s always done and always wanted to play with as far as a concept in a restaurant.”

Peter pays tribute to his family’s roots with the G.O.A.T. Cantina’s quesadilla, loaded nachos, tacos, skinny bean burrito, shrimp and green chile burrito, lobster tacos and �ish tacos ($4 to $14).

“I can say with con�idence that food is something we do really well,” said Dominic, a 2013 Red Mountain High School

��� GOAT ���� 18

18

BUSINESS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

PERU ���� ���� 17

ruvian rotisserie chicken that marinates for at least 12 hours in a secret sauce; and lomo saltado, a popular Peruvian specialty combining beef sirloin marinated in soy sauce and other spices and sautéed with red onions, cilantro and tomatoes.

Seafood holds a special place in the kitchen – so much so that some reviews on Yelp call A Taste of Peru the best seafood restaurant in the region, citing a seafood tower, several variations of ceviche and even a whole �ish served head and all.

Both husband and wife work in the restaurant and Douglas at times said he helps out in the kitchen when things get busy, though he prefers to work the room with his wife to create a friendly and inviting atmosphere for guests.

And they are committed to keeping their guests safe as the pandemic wears on. All employees wear masks, social distancing among tables is maintained and frequent sanitizing is the order of the day.

Taste of Peru also offers a wide selection of beers and other alcoholic beverag-

GOAT ���� ���� 17

graduate. “We thought we might as well bring a little bit of a twist of something different, like with our specialty G.O.A.T. recipes.”

Dominic is quick to recommend his father’s meatball appetizer, served with a choice of marinara, moonshine barbecue or gravy ($8).

“Peter has always had a vision of presenting a family-friendly restaurant, with a sports restaurant bar feel,” Dominic said.

“He wanted to branch out of Mexican food. He and Scott had a really good idea and they brought it to life.”

Dominic is just as passionate as his family about the restaurant business, having worked with his father for more than 10 years.

“I just really enjoy what I do,” he said.

“I grew up doing this. I started at Matta’s when I was 15 years old.”

He added it was important to open the

t o Gews?

N

Causa limena is a soft spicy mashed potato tower sandwiching seasoned shredded chicken. (Taste of Peru).

es, including pisco, a traditional Peruvian brandy made from muscat grapes, and an oyster shooter, a shot of tequila with an oyster at the bottom.

Sanguino also brags about his restau-

Camaron Saltado is a Peruvian stir-fried shrimp dish. (Taste of Peru)

rant’s low prices, hoping that they will help lure customers as the post-shutdown period has been a little slow.

Taste of Peru is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, They are on Face-

Among the G.O.A.T. Grill’s specialties is Poutine Gravy’d Meatballs. (Special to the Tribune)

restaurant in Northeast Mesa, which is near Matta’s at Higley and Brown roads.

The G.O.A.T. made its debut in late June.

“I love all the businesses around here.

Everyone’s so friendly,” Dominic added.

“Like What’s Crackin’. I’ve been going

Taste of Peru

1245 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa, 480-935-0924 mytasteofperu.com

book and can aWlso be viewed at mytasteofperu.com. 

there since they opened, and Peter still goes there regularly. Same with the cigar shop, Echo 5 and Dvine.”

When sports resume, The G.O.A.T. will adjust its hours to �it the events.

“It’s going to be very sports forward,” he said. “If there’s going to be a football game that starts at 8 a.m., we’re going to be open that early.

“When football comes on, we’re going to have specials on Sundays. Sports surrounds everything we do here.”

But food makes this restaurant the tops.

“Peter has cooked his entire life,” Dominic said. “He was just so excited to play with new recipes and something that was beyond the norm. You can taste the passion behind our food.” 

The G.O.A.T. Sports Grill

6655 E. McDowell Road, Suite 101, Mesa 480-654-4628, thegoatsportsgrill.com

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

OPINION

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

19

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Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com TheMesaTribune.com

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Pride Fest request discriminates against police

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

I

n the stiff competition for The Dumbest Thing I’ve Heard Lately, we now have a clear winner.

Phoenix Pride – the LGBTQ+ group whose vision is to build “a uni�ied community where diverse individuals are celebrated and able to thrive as their authentic selves” – has banned uniformed police of�icers from participating in this year’s 40th annual Phoenix Pride Festival and Parade.

The ban, enacted “in solidarity with LGBTQ Black and Indigenous People of Color,” includes two requests made of the Phoenix Police Department.

One is that PPD “use only unarmed, nonuniformed of�icers to manage required

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church

street closures and traf�ic restrictions” around the event, which draws tens of thousands of people to the area around Steele Indian School Park in midtown.

Additionally, Phoenix Pride has committed to hiring “only the minimum mandated number of hand-selected off-duty of�icers” to provide security at the Festival Nov. 7-8.

Law enforcement members who still want to participate in or attend Pride have been asked to do so “without badges, �irearms, non-lethal weapons, or any other identifying gear or equipment present.”

Well, I guess that rules out the cop in the Village People showing up this year, huh?

The ironies here are multiple and absurd.

After 40 years of battling against discrimination and for diversity in the Valley, an organization whose P.R.O.U.D. values

statement literally includes the phrase, “We celebrate and respect the fundamental values and differences in all individuals” has itself discriminated against an entire profession – a profession which itself has gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer persons among its ranks.

We’ve all heard the phrase “in the closet.” It’s a phrase that has become politically incorrect over the years, in part due to the hard work of groups like Phoenix Pride, whose messages of inclusiveness and openness have resonated far beyond the communities they serve – even as far as straight old white guys like me.

That’s one more reason why this decision sticks in my craw: Doesn’t it effectively stuff police of�icers in the closet, telling them not only are their services not wanted, but that they can only be seen and

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heard if they agree to dress a certain way and, oh by the way, leave the police vehicles at home?

You have to wonder what sponsors like Budweiser, Bank of America, Circle K Target and Wal-Mart will think about this decision, given that they sell to police of�icers en masse.

And I also have to wonder how the taxpayers of Phoenix will feel, given that the City of Phoenix is a sponsor, too, and the event takes place on city streets and in a city park.

Most importantly, I wonder at the phrase that Phoenix Pride used to close their press release: That this decision has been made to “continue to proclaim that Black lives matter.”

Black lives absolutely do matter.

As a community, we must do everything we can to end systemic racism and to end violence against Black men and women, boys and girls committed by rogue police of�icers and anyone who intends to oppress.

But personally, I draw the line at discrimination intended to end discrimination.

For 40 years now, Phoenix Pride and their allies have rallied beneath the rainbow �lag for a reason: The rainbow embraces all colors and, thus, all people.

That’s the beauty of the metaphor.

No matter who you are, no matter your gender, religion, creed or race, your career or your uniform, no matter who you love and who loves you, everyone has a place beneath that gorgeous arch of every color.

Until this year, until this parade and festival.

My take? A rainbow without police blue is no rainbow at all.

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

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Armour aims to further build Skyline basketball

BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

M

itch Armour, who was hired in early May to be the next head boys basketball coach at Skyline High School, was only able to meet with players for a few weeks before he decided to shut down the camp.

The decision came after coronavirus cases began to surge in Arizona. But even with the limited time, he believes he was able to make progress with many of his new players.

“I have a great feeling about this team and this school,” Armour said. “I’m glad I made the decision to go here. It’s one of those things where you do your research and it turns out to be exactly what you expected it to be.”

Armour was approved by the Mesa Public Schools governing board to become the new head boys basketball coach and a teacher at Skyline on May 8.

He spent the last three seasons as head coach at Coronado High School in Scottsdale, where he helped turn around a struggling program.

Before his arrival, Coronado’s last playoff appearance came a decade prior in 2007. In his �irst season, he led the Don’s to an 11-13 record, followed by a 9-16 record in the 2018-19 season.

This past season, however, Armour led Coronado to a 17-9 record and an appearance in the 3A Conference tournament. He was also named the 3A Metro East Region Coach of the Year.

Before Coronado, he served in a variety of different roles coaching high school basketball in Nebraska.

“I asked him what he could bring to Skyline,” now retired Skyline Athletic Director Greg Schultz said in May, “and he said he would be the hardest worker in

Mitch Armour, who spent the last three seasons coaching at Coronado High School in Scottsdale, said he is excited for the opportunity to continue Skyline boys basketball’s winning tradition as head coach. (Photo courtesy Skyline High School)

the room and do the little things right. He built a program at Coronado. It reminded me a lot of what (James) Capriotti did here at Skyline. That’s what we were looking for.”

Capriotti stepped down as head coach following the 2019-20 season to pursue a role as a co-head coach for Phoenix Prep’s two national teams. Capriotti served as head coach for �ive seasons, turning around a basketball program that had never made it to the playoffs.

He led the Coyotes to the 6A semi�inals and a 27-3 overall record. His half-son Dayton Harris, Skyline point guard, became the �irst-ever Division I player to come out of the program. Harris signed to play for former Mesa High coach Shane Burcar at Northern Arizona University.

Capriotti’s other son, Dominic, transferred to play for Phoenix Prep alongside his father after his sophomore season.

Armour inherits a team that has several junior varsity players moving up to play alongside Patrick Herrera, who surpassed the 1,000-career point mark as a junior last season for Skyline.

“I still don’t think I’ve seen all the players who will be trying out in the winter,” Armour said, “but from those I have seen, there have been a lot of good things. I’m really looking forward to tailoring our system to their abilities.

“The kids here want to work, which makes me happy from a coaching standpoint.”

Schultz sees Armour as the coach who can continue to build the Skyline pro-

Have an interesting sports story?

Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.

gram and maintain its success.

“There is nobody like coach Capriotti and there won’t ever be anyone like him,” Schultz said, “but coach Armour is going to come in and I have the utmost con�idence in him to take the program and continue to raise it to even higher heights.”

There were a number of reasons Armour was drawn to Skyline when looking to further his coaching career. Part of that centered around the school’s reputation for having a solid administration backing its coaches. He also admired the ability to work with students in similar demographics as those he was accustomed to at Coronado.

Of course, there was also the lure of coaching at the 6A level.

“Doing my research, I heard nothing but great things about the administration at Skyline and the Mesa school district,” Armour said. “The kids are similar to those at Coronado I enjoy working with.

“Coaching at 6A was a challenge I wanted to face. It’s all about challenging yourself and I want to see if I am able to thrive in dif�icult situations being at this level.”

Armour said he admired what Capriotti was able to do in short order at Skyline, taking the program from being the doormat of the East Valley to a state title contender and one arguably the most exciting teams to watch.

He aims to carry on the legacy Capriotti left on the Skyline basketball program while also establishing a new culture that will challenge players to be at their best both on and off the court.

“What Capriotti did for this program is unprecedented. He established a winning culture,” Armour said. “I can only hope to carry on some of that he created while also helping to develop these young men.” 

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

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Experience several of the most popular national parks in the United States, traveling through deserts, forests, mountains, and to the very edge of the South Rim of the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world.

7 days, departs February - November 2021 Take a trip to paradise and unwind on 2 of Hawaii’s most popular islands. Pay your respects at Pearl Harbor and explore Honolulu on Oahu, then hop on the short flight to Maui to stay beachside. Visit the Iao Valley, Lahaina, and the Courthouse Square. Relax and experience the islands at your own pace, with tours and activities escorted throughout by our friendly local Tour Directors.

Price includes inter-island flight to Maui.

GUIDED TOUR EXPERTS – CALL FOR YOUR FREE BROCHURE TM

Promo code N7017

CALL 1-855-646-0861

*Prices are per person based on double occupancy plus up to $299 in taxes & fees. Single supplement and seasonal surcharges may apply. Add-on airfare available. Offers apply to new bookings only, made by 9/30/20. Other terms & conditions may apply. Ask your Travel Consultant for details.

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

24

Obituaries

Public Notices

CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Warren J. Merriman

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

Obituaries

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants for the following: ON-CALL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER PIPELINE DESIGN 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: Water and Wastewater Pipeline Design Services. 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 on-call consultants for Water and Wastewater Pipeline Design Services. This category is further defined below: Water and Wastewater Pipeline Design project category is defined to generally include horizontal construction projects whose primary purpose is to provide, convey or otherwise directly support the provision of water and/or wastewater service to the City of Mesa’s utility customers. Projects might involve studies, new construction, extension, rehabilitation, or other modifications. Typical projects include (but are not limited to) waterlines and wastewater lines and their associated infrastructure. These projects may include any or all of the other discipline design areas and services included under other categories.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will not be held.

Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this RFQ (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, 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.

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

H E A D STO N E S

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 include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding PPVF’s and 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 10point. Please provide one (1) electronic copy in an unencrypted PDF format of the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to Engineering-RFQ@mesaaz.gov by 2:00pm on Thursday, July 30, 2020. Maximum file size shall not exceed 20Mb. SOQ’s that are unable to be opened by City staff will not be considered for award. Submitters may request a single opportunity to verify that a test email and attachment are received and can be opened by City staff. Test emails must be sent to Engineering-RFQ@mesaaz.gov. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Delivered or hand-carried submittals must be delivered to the Engineering Department reception area on the fifth floor of Mesa City Plaza Building in a sealed package. On the submittal package, please display: Firm name and On-Call Mechanical Engineering.

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).

EVERLASTING MONUMENT Co.

“Memories cut in Stone” • MONUMENTS • GRANITE & BRONZE • CEMETERY LETTERING • CUSTOM DESIGNS

480-969-0788 75 W. Baseline Rd. Ste. A-8 Gilbert, AZ 85233

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Heather Sneddon of the Engineering Department at heather.sneddon@mesaaz.gov.

www.everlastingmonumentco.com

BETH HUNING City Engineer

Make your choice Everlasting

ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, July 12, 19, 2020 / 31864

info@everlastingmonument.phxcoxmail.com

Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!!

Classifieds 480-898-6465

Warren J. Merriman, 75, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on June 28, 2020.

Warren was born March 2, 1945 to parents Julia Louise (Edmonson) and Burl Merriman in Jacksonville, IL. He spent his childhood in nearby Bluffs, IL. After college, Warren joined the Air Force where he served as an airplane engineer. Upon his discharge, he moved to Southern California where he met his wife, Barbara (Strom) Merriman. They were married in 1975 and had two daughters. In 1989, the family moved to Arizona to be closer to Barbara's parents, but he always kept his affinity for California.

He enjoyed a 39+ year career as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry with Rockwell/Boeing, working on the NASA Space Shuttle program in California and later on Apache helicopters at Boeing in Mesa before retiring in 2013.

He was active in the Speaker's Bureau and gave over 125 presentations across the country on NASA's space program, the benefits of space technology, and at high school career days. He also taught engineering classes at Cal State Long Beach, where he earned his master's degree.

Warren was a devout Christian who regularly attended church service. He enjoyed photography, playing the piano, listening to music (the Beach Boys were his all-time favorite), 3-cushion billiards, playing basketball, watching the Boston Celtics, drinking Pepsi — preferably with lots of ice — and most of all, nostalgic drag car racing. He was a member of Standard 1320, a group focused on drag racing from 1955 to 1971, and attended many nostalgic drag car racing events over the years, taking thousands of photos.

Warren is survived by his wife Barbara, his brother Alan and wife Joy, his sister Jane Anne, his two daughters, Melissa Jensen (and her husband Nick) and Michelle Merriman, and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Burl and Julia.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or Redemption Gilbert.

Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

25

The Mesa Tribune

1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway #219 • Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465 class@timespublications.com

Deadlines

Classifieds: Thursday 11am for Sunday Life Events: Thursday 10am for Sunday

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | TheMesaTribune.com

Merch

Employ

andise

ment

Employment General

Auctions/Estate Sales

Blind Speech Pathologist in Gilbert needs assistant for about 10 hrs per week, reading, organizing, & preparing files, basic PC skills Call 480-396-9668

Announce

Mesa Online Auction Bidding Now! - Ends Mon, Jul 13, 2020 at 01:00:00 PM PT. Contractor Equipment, Materials, Tools & More HuismanAuction.com

ments

Wanted to Buy

Wanted to Buy

Apartments

COLLECTOR BUYING

Crismon/Apache Trl Cottage Cozy 2br 1ba Bad Credit ok. $800 No Deposit. Water/trash incl'd (602) 339-1555

European & American Classic Cars (All Models, Any Condition, Including Barn Finds)

Manufactured Homes

CALL ROY 602-810-2179

BRAND NEW NEVER LIVED IN 2 BED / 2 BATH HOMES $58,900 Financing Available

PORSCHE

55+ Mobile Home Park in Great Chandler Loc. Call Kim 480-233-2035

• 50’s-90’s • 365 Coupes, Roadsters, 911, 912 ALL MODELS

Real Estate

AUSTIN HEALEY’S

For Rent

• 50’s-60’s •

Announcements Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Kacey Evans, age 42, please have her contact her father @ 918-705-1289.

Cash 4 Diabetic Strips!

Best Prices in Town.

Sealed and Unexpired.

480-652-1317 Diabetic Test Strips by the box, unused. Any type or brand.

Will pay top dollar.

Call Pat 480-323-8846

Employment General Net Orbit Inc has openings for the position Data Analyst with Master’s degree Computer Science, Engineering (any), Technology or related and 1 yr of exp to design and development of required analytic projects in response to business needs. Perform data migration tasks using SQL and HIVE queries between legacy mainframe to DB2, to Big Data (Hive, Impala) and similar enterprise RDBMS. Analyze and assess the quality and integrity of the data.

Develop and implement data collection systems and other strategies that optimize statistical efficiency and data quality. Responsible for Application development using all phases of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) including Analysis, Design Development. Work location is Tempe, AZ with required travel to client locations throughout the USA. Please mail resumes to 1232 E Broadway Rd, Suite 110, Tempe, AZ 85282 (OR) e-mail: anil@netorbit.com.

Sell Your Stuff!

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480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Apartments MERCEDES

• 40’s-70’s • 190SL, 230SL,280SL Early Cabriolet

JAGUARS

• 30’s-70’s • XK,XKE, Coupes, Roadsters, Early Cabriolets

ALMA SCH & MAIN Income verified UTILITIES INCLUDED Bad Credit OK. No Deposit Close to Lightrail $700 (602) 339-1555

Commerical/ Industrial/Retail Outdoor commercial/personal Storage Yards for lease.

Secure, gated 24 hour access, and much more.

Call 480-926-5957 for details

HIRING?

If someone Needs a Job, They Look Every Day! For a Quote email: class@times publications.com

480-898-6465

Manufactured Homes ALFAS

• 20’s-70’s • ALL MODELS ALL INTERESTING

Do You Have or Know of a Classic Car? Finder’s Fee Paid! Cash Buyer

602-810-2179

Kellyutaz@msn.com

DO YOU OFFER Lessons & Tutoring?

Children need your help!

Place your ad today Contact us: class@times publications.com or Call 480-898-6465

THE LINKS ESTATES Why Rent The Lot When

YOU CAN OWN THE LAND And Own Your New Home

NOTICE TO READERS:

Air Conditioning/Heating Family Owned & Operated

Three Phase Mechanical

480-671-0833

www.3phasemech.com Sales, Service & Installation

NO TRIP CHARGE • NOT COMMISSION BASED ROC# 247803 Bonded • Insured

ACCREDITED BUSINESS

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

FREE Service Call ($50 Service Call* Waived with any repair)

Bob B AC, LLC

480-330-5117 (Over 40 Years Experience)

ROC 318210

Licensed-Bonded-Insured

QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE!

Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship 3-TonAC Units - only $3,995 16 SEER AC Units - now $5,995 We are a Trane dealer & NATE-Certified!

900 5-Star Reviews FROM THE UPPER 100’S

ASK US HOW YOUR $105,000 CASH INVESTMENT AND OUR SENIOR LOAN PROGRAM ENABLES QUALIFIED 62+ SENIORS MAKING THE LINKS THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE HAVE NO MORTGAGE PAYMENT & NO LOT RENT AS LONG AS YOU LIVE IN HOME.

FREE Diagnostic w/Repair NO TRIP CHARGE! A+ Rated A/C Service

Gawthorp & Associates Realty

Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252

602-402-2213

ItsJustPlumbSmart.com

40667 N Wedge Dr • San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

www.linksestates.net

480-405-7588

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

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC): 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 As a consumer, being aware of the law is for your protection. You can check a businesses ROC s t a t u s a t :

http://www.azroc .gov/

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

26

Garage/Doors GARAGE DOOR SERVICE East Valley/ Ahwatukee

Broken Springs Replaced Nights/Weekends Bonded/Insured 480-251-8610

Handyman HANDYMAN 37 years experience.

Drywall, framing, plumbing, painting, electrical, roofing and more. Stan, 602-434-6057

Not a licensed contractor

Appliance Repairs

Appliance Repair Now

If It’s Broken, We Can Fix It! • Same Day Service • On-Site Repairs • Servicing All Major Brands • Quality Guaranteed

We Also Buy, Sell & Trade Used Appliances Working or Not

480-659-1400 Licensed & Insured Cleaning Services

Concrete &the Masonry Marks Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

Irrigation

Handyman

Marks the Spot for ALL•Your Handyman Needs!

Painting Flooring • Electrical Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Marks the Spot for ALL Plumbing • Decks Drywall • Carpentry • Tile • More!

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

Your Handyman Needs!

Decks • Tile • More!

Painting • Flooring • Electrical

DESERT ROCK

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! • Drywall • Carpentry CONCRETE & MASONRY Plumbing Painting • Flooring • Electrical • Plumbing Painting • Flooring • ElectricalDecks • Tile • More!

Drywall Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry• Carpentry • Decks • Tile & More!

CONCRETE BLOCKWALL

Decks • Tile • More!

“No Job Too RETAINING WALL FOUNDATION Too Man!” BLOCK FENCE DRIVEWAY “No JobSmall “No Job Too Small Man!” PLANTER SIDEWALK Small Man!” 9 199 ce Sin rk “No Job Too BBQ Affordable, Quality Wo 1999 PATIO Work Since 1999 Quality le,Small 2010, 2011 Affordab Man!” 2010, 2011 Work Since 2012, 2013, able, QualityREMOVAL Afford 2012, 2013, “No Job PAVER • CONCRETE • HARDSCAPE 2010, 2011 2014 Call Bruce2014 at 602.670.7038 2012,92013, Too Small Man!” 199 e BONDED & INSURED • ROC#321648 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor Sinc k Wor QualityContractor 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Notle,a Licensed Affordab 2010, 2011 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! 2012, 2013, BSMALLMAN@Q.COM Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor 2014 2014

Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 FREE ESTIMATES • 16Ahwatukee YEARS EXPERIENCE Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 RESIDENTIAL CALL JOHN: 480.797.2985 COMMERCIAL

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service

NTY 5-YEAR WARRA

480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

Drywall

JOSE DOMINGUEZ DRYWALL & PAINTING House Painting, Drywall, Intall Doors, Baseboards, Crown Molding Reliable, Dependable, Honest!

QUICK RESPONSE TO YOUR CALL! 15 Years Experience • Free Estimates

480.266.4589

REASONABLE HANDYMAN

Sprinkler & Drip Systems

• Painting • Plumbing • Carpentry • Drywall • Roofing • Block

Repairs • Modifications • Installs

- Free Estimates -

480-276-6600 *Not a Licensed Contractor

josedominguez0224@gmail.com Not a licensed contractor.

RESIDENTIAL & SMALL BUSINESS CLEANING SPECIALISTS SINCE 2007 Weekly, biweekly, tri-weekly, or monthly; same talented crew each visit Flexible, customized services to meet individual needs of each client GREEN eco-friendly products used to clean and sanitize Move-in/move-out and seasonal deep cleans Small, family-owned company with GUARANTEED high quality services Always dependable, excellent references, bonded, and insured

FreeFree estimates estimatesat at 480-802-1992 480-802-1992 or or dennis@simplygrandcleaningaz.com reed@simplygrandcleaningaz.com

Concrete & Masonry

Electrical Services

Lowest Prices * 30 Yrs Exp Serving Entire Valley

YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST!

General Contacting, Inc.

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY

- Ahw Resident Since 1987 -

Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198

• Panel Changes and Repairs • Installation of Ceiling Fans • Switches/Outlets • Home Remodel

ALL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL Call Jim Endres 480.282.7932

One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766 Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers, Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, Stucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs.

Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service!

Over 28 Years Experience • ROC #246019 Bonded/Insured

ACTION CONTRACTING INC.

Handyman

• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

Landscape/Maintenance

WE DO IT ALL!

Block Fence * Gates

602-789-6929 Roc #057163

Home Improvement

LLC

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

All Estimates are Free • Call:

520.508.1420

www.husbands2go.com

Licensed, Bonded & Insured • ROC#317949 Ask me about FREE water testing!

Bath & Kitchen Remodels • Car-Port to Garage Conversion Drywall & Stucco Repairs • Plumbing • Electrical • Can Lights Windows • Doors • Cabinets • Painting • Block Fences Wrought Iron Gates • Remodeling • Additions • Patios Tenant Improvements

East Valley

480-833-7353 - Office 480-430-7737 - Cell A+

-S

I

E NC

19

78

LIC/BONDED/INSURED Res/Comm’l ROC#218802

aaaActionContractingInc.com

Add a Background Color to Your Ad! Classifieds 480-898-6465

Irrigation Repair Services Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured Technician

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

Call Lance White

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

ROC# 256752

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020

27

Painting

Pool Service / Repair

Jose Dominguez Painting & Drywall SEE OUR AD IN DRYWALL! Quick Response to your Call!

15 Years Exp 480-266-4589

Juan Hernandez Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

Landscape/Maintenance Insured/Bonded Free Estimates

ALL Pro

T R E E

S E R V I C E

L L C

Not a licensed contractor

showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

Plumbing

FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

Prepare for Monsoon Season!

LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

Tree Trimming • Tree Removal Stump Grinding Storm Damage • Bushes/Shrubs Yard Clean-up Commercial and Residential PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

480-354-5802

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR Call Juan at

HYDROJETTING

480-477-8842

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

Roofing SEWER CABLE

COMPREHENSIVE DRAIN CLEANING, SEWER SCOPING, AND MINOR PLUMBING REPAIR SERVICE

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM 20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED • BONDED & INSURED

Painting

NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING

Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

ROC#309706

East Valley PAINTERS

Your leaks stop here!

Voted #1 Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

10% OFF

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality Free Estimates!

Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com Family Owned & Operated Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Now Accepting all major credit cards

Affinity Plumbing LLC 480-487-5541 affinityplumber@gmail.com

New Roofs, Repairs, Coatings, Flat Roof, Hot Mopping & Patching & Total Rubber Roof Systems

Your Ahwatukee Plumber & East Valley Neighbor

FREE ESTIMATES & MONSOON SPECIALS

www.affinityplumbingaz.com

Anything Plumbing Same Day Service Water Heaters

24/7

Inside & Out Leaks

Bonded

Toilets

Insured

Faucets

Estimates Availabler

30 Years Experience References Available Licensed Bonded Insured ROC 286561

Disposals

$35 off

Any Service

SAME DAY SERVICE

ACCREDITED BUSINESS ®

Not a licensed contractor

Senior & Military Discounts

480-280-0390

Public Notices I, Gustave W. Lange, have sold my Glock 23 .40 Serial Number GVT155 on 7/3/2020 to a private buyer and no longer have possession of it.

HOME FOR RENT? Place it here!

81% of our readers, read the Classifieds!

Call Classifieds 480-898-6465

Public Notices FAMILY COURT FIRST CIRCUIT STATE OF HAWAl'I NOTICE OF TIME AND PLACE OF HEARING (By Publication) CASE NUMBER FC-A. 20-1-6009 In the Matter of the Adoption of female child born October 29, 2008 by Steven Patrick Sabat, legal spouse of Prana Jetamia (Lackey-Macfield) Sabat, the child(ren)'s legal parent, Petitioner(s). THE STATE OF HAWAI'I TO: DAVID ANDREW PROVOST, Name of Non-Consenting Parent/Legal Guardian/Legal Custodian, 7726 Baseline Road #207, Mesa, AZ 85209, Address of Non-Consenting Parent/Legal Guardian/Legal Custodian YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the attached Petition of the above-identified child(ren) born to Prana Jetamia Sabat, the child(ren)'s mother, has been filed in the Family Court, First Circuit, State of Hawai'i. THE PETITION ALLEGES that your consent to the adoption of the abovenamed child(ren) by the above -named Petitioner(s) is not required and may be dispensed with pursuant to Section 578-2(c) of the Hawai'i Revised Statutes (HRS), as amended. A hearing on the Petitioner will be held on August 11, 2020 at 1:30 pm at the Family Court of the First Circuit located at the Ronald T.Y. Moon Kapolei Courthouse , 4675 Kapolei Courthouse, 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Third Floor , Kapolei, Hawai'i, 96707. IF YOU FAIL to appear at the hearing noted above or if you fail to file a writt en response to the allegations stated in the Petition for Petition, further action be taken , including the granting of the adoptio n, without further notice to you. Your written response should be addressed to the : Presiding Judge, Family Court, First Circuit , 4675 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, Hawai'i, 96707, ATTN: SPECIAL DIVIS ION CALENDAR CLERK. FAILURE TO OBEY this Notice may result in an entry of default and default judgment against you. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the child(ren), the adoptive parent(s) , and the natural parents have rights under HRS Section 578-15 regarding confidentiality of adoption records after the child(ren) reach/reaches age 18.

DATE: June 23, 2020, CLERK'S SIGNATURE: /s/ R. Sabagala THIS NOTICE SHALL NOT BE PERSONALLY DELIVERED BETWEEN 10:00 P.M. AND 6:00 A.M. ON PREMISES NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC , UNLESS A JUDGE OF THIS COURT PERMITS, IN WRITING ON THIS NOTICE, PERSONAL DELIVERY DURING THOSE HOURS. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and other applicab le state and federal laws, if you require accommodation for a disability, please contact the ADA Coordinator at the First Circuit Family Court office by telephone at 9548200, fax 954-8308, or via email at adarequest@ courts.hawaii.gov at least ten (10) days prior to your hearing or appointment date. Please call the Family Court Service Center at 954-8290 if you have any questions about forms or procedures. Published: East Valley Tribune, June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 2020 / 31543

28

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JULY 12, 2020