The Mesa Tribune - Zone 1 - 10.17.2021

Vandalism tip of kids' social media perils

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor

Two weeks ago, a data scientist-turnedwhistleblower blasted Facebook and the kid-friendly Instagram for ignoring its own studies that show teen girls can have more eating disorders, depression and suicidal thoughts after spending time on those sites.

Katey McPherson, who works for a company that has a parental app that can monitor social media and speaks at schools around the country, has a message:

City-state battle flares over Mesa

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor

In one corner, the city of Mesa: Burgers and tacos do not make a park.

In the other corner, the state of Arizona: Free the food trucks!

The “ring” of battle was the Mesa Board of Adjustments meeting last Wednesday morning, which bled into the afternoon.

At issue was Planning Director/Zoning Administrator Nana Appiah’s interpretation regarding Power Food Park: “The current activities on the property do not conform to the Zoning Ordinance definition of Parks and Recreation Facilities.”

“All of the scrutiny has been on Facebook, which also owns Instagram, but it’s bigger than that,” the Chandler educator said.

Indeed, in Mesa over the last month, the platform most cursed by parents and teachers was TikTok.

One “challenge” by a popular TikTok user spurred some students to vandalize bathrooms and other school property.

Another challenge to “smack a staff member on the backside” prompted a stern warning from Mesa Police: “No matter how innocent you may think a smack on the backside

of a school staff member is…it is not! It is the crime of aggravated assault, a felony.”

While agreeing TikTok can be harmful, as well as Facebook and Instagram, McPherson has particular disdain for Snapchat, an app that automatically deletes messages shortly after they are sent. “Snapchat is the devil,” McPherson said.

While the great majority of Snap communications are innocuous, the app has been used for “sexting,” bullying and drug trade. And,

Landmark restored

For once in a lifetime, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has opened the newly restored Mesa Arizona Temple to the general public for tours through mid-November. For a look at what visitors will see, turn to page 31. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)

The Mesa Tribune is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the East Valley.

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EV schools could face huge budget hit in months

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

East Valley and other school districts in Arizona are facing the prospect of not being able to legally spend some of the money they are receiving.

And without legislative action, they will have to reduce their spending this school year by a cumulative total of more than $1.2 billion. That translates out to more than $1,300 per student than what they’ve already budgeted – a 17 percent drop.

Put another way, they will be able to collect the state and local taxes as planned. They just won’t be able to spend it all.

And that has implications for districts who may find themselves unable to pay for the teachers they hired and the contracts they’ve already signed.

The only thing that could avert this fiscal train wreck would be action by the Legislature, which could approve an exemption from the voter-approved aggregate expenditure limit of about $6.6 billion.

But that would take a two-thirds vote. And that vote would have to happen soon after lawmakers reconvene in January to help schools avoid having to make up that 17 percent loss in spending authority with last-minute cuts.

“It’s catastrophic and it would be devastating to our budget, especially since we’ve already committed contracts for the year,’’ said Chris Hermann, chief financial officer for the Kyrene Elementary School District.

And he said if the district has to start altering spending plans in the spring “it doesn’t give you hardly any time to make adjustments.’’

Scottsdale Unified Chief Financial Officer Shannon Crosier said, “We find this possible funding reduction to be very alarming. A reduction of this magnitude, especially after the school year has started, would significantly impact our budget and require cuts that would directly impact students, staff and our community.

“We will work with our state leaders to find a positive solution to this issue, one that allows us to continue providing world-class, future-focused education to all students,” Crosier said. “Additionally, we continuously strive to find ways to ensure we utilize tax dollars efficiently and effectively.”

District chief financial officer, said, “It’s definitely something we need to work on. It’s extremely important, and I think all of our legislators understand that.

“This would impact our district drastically,” Berry said. “We’d have to dip into our reserves to cover that. But some districts don’t have reserves. We’re very fortunate.”

Scott Thompson, assistant superintendent of Mesa Public Schools, said, “Since we have not yet addressed this issue with our governing board, I can’t comment at this time.”

According to a presentation Chief Financial Officer Ken Alexander gave to the board last week, MPS spent $418 million for maintenance and operations in the 202021 school year, down slightly from the $419 million MPS spent the previous year.

Salaries and benefits made up $368 million or 88 percent, of the $418 million in M&O expenditures.

Boosted by federal funding related to the pandemic, MPS carried over $42 million in its M&O fund this year. MPS spent $46 million in CARES Act funding in the 2020-21 school year.

Without the federal funding and if spending stayed the same, the state’s largest school district would have had a budget deficit.

Property taxes contributed $160 million to the MPS revenue stream. Revenue from state funding sources totaled $244 million.

There was no reaction from the state’s fifth largest school district as Gilbert Public Schools spokeswoman Dawn Antestenis said, “We have no comment at this time, many thanks.”

But Lana Berry, Chandler Unified School

State Rep. Jennifer Pawlik, DChandler, who was at the Chandler Unified Governing Board meeting last week, declined comment, saying she was unaware of the looming fiscal disaster for schools and wanted to learn more.

But she pointed out that there was little she or her fellow Democrats could do since Republicans control the Legislature’s agenda.

Pima County School Superintendent Dustin Williams said he and his staff have looked for a way around the expenditure limit short of legislative intervention. But they haven’t found one. And absent action at the Capitol, he said there will be a “devastating impact’’ on education.

“Schools have the money currently in their bank account,’’ Williams said. “But they wouldn’t be able to spend it, which is ironic because that’s what we’re all trying to do right now ... make sure that the kids and the schools are all safe and then, also, really start to tackle the learning loss.’’

That, he said, leaves it up to lawmakers to come up with a plan.

“And, hopefully, the governor can come through and help us all as well,’’ Williams said.

But gubernatorial press aide C.J. Karamargin would not commit to Ducey supporting an exemption.

State Senate President Karen Fann said schools should not face such "DRaconian cuts," but it's unclear how quickly the Legislature will help school districts avoid a fiscal disaster. (Special to the Tribune)

The fightin’-est of the responses to that ruling came from Rep. Jacqueline Parker, who represents LD16. She warned the Board of Adjustment if it upheld the interpretation, “This body will be in violation of state law –and there are consequences for that.”

Parker, a Mesa resident, and two other state representatives – Peoria’s Kevin Payne, who also operates a food truck and wrote a bill regulating them, and Mesa’s Rusty Bowers, the House speaker – stressed legislation they passed in 2018 protect food truck operations such as this.

House Bill 2371 set up uniform guidelines for regulating “food mobile food vendors and mobile food units,” aka food trucks.

“What (Mesa) is trying to do is illegal,” Payne warned.

Power Food Park, on North Power Road just south of East McKellips Road, is a 2-acre lot that hosts around a dozen food trucks, with picnic and play areas and fire pits. After weekends-only hours during the summer, the food truck center recently expanded to six nights per week.

Appiah said owners submitted a site plan for a community park in 2019. But, he told the board, he was surprised when neighbors started complaining in late 2020 about noise, traffic and trash from a food truck operation –as food trucks were not part of the plan submitted.

At Power Food Park, the planning director stressed, “You don’t see recreation, volleyball – the things primary to a public park.”

But Ray Johnson sharply parried that the food trucks operate at what he and his partner David Darling turned into a park more than a decade after purchasing an empty lot.

“We met with neighbors, they opposed everything,” Johnson said. “They said, ‘Build us a park. Dave and I sat down and said, ‘How do you build a park?’

“We determined we would build a private park open to the public that was a picnic facility.”

He said Appiah told him after a visit “I can accept this as a park.”

(“When we went to the site, there was no food truck there,” Appiah rebutted.)

Tim LaSota, an attorney representing neighbors opposed to the project, scoffed at the veiled threats of the state reps.

“If the law said what they said it said –

Rep. Jacqueline Parker of LD16 warned the Board of Adjustment if it upheld an interpretation on Power Food Park, “this body will be in violation of state law – and there are consequences for that.” (Special to the Tribune)

they wouldn’t be here,” LaSota said.

He stressed the city is simply ruling on a city law that is in place: “This state law does not prohibit you from enforcing this ordinance.”

And, he added, “This is just not a public park.”

Neighbors along East Halifax Drive and East Hobart Street also ridiculed the operation’s claims of being a park.

“It’s a vacant lot with a bunch of tables. It is not a park,” Ted Sparks said. “If the food trucks were not there, (people) wouldn’t be there.”

Sparks quoted from the city’s definition of a park being open from sunrise to sunset. “They don’t come close to that.”

Other neighbors complained of noise and traffic generated by Power Food Park, though that was not what the board was considering.

“We’re not regulating food trucks,” said Alexis Wagner, the board chair, kicking off discussion among the board members after nearly three hours of voices for and against the operation.

The question, she stressed, was whether Appiah’s ruling that Power Food Park was not operating as a park was accurate.

“The food trucks are the primary use, not the park,” board member Heath Reed said.

Board member Ethel Hoffman said she believed the original intent of the owners was to create a park. “I think it’s deviated from its original purpose from a public use to a commercial enterprise,” she said.

After driving past Power Food Park a few times, Hoffman decided, “It seemed to me more like a business operation than a park.”

“It’s not an open public park. It’s only open when the food trucks are there,” Nicole Lynam noted.

“I have an extremely hard time calling this a park,” board member Troy Glover added.

The board voted unanimously to deny the Power Food Park appeal.

Even so, Power Food co-owner Darling was upbeat when he spoke to the Tribune shortly after the board’s ruling.

“We absolutely will appeal it,” Darling said.

He said the city has not said the opera-

The Mesa Board of Adjustments, despite passionate pleas and even threats from state representatives, upheld Planning Director Nana K. Appiah’s interpretation that Power Food Park operations “do not conform to the Zoning Ordinance definition of Parks and Recreation Facilities.” (Tribune file photo)

tion needs to close.

“We fully intend to stay open while we appeal and we have an active zoning case,” Darling said. “We’ll work through the process that allows us to stay open.”

For Parker, this was another example of the city’s treatment of small operations. “I’ve been very disappointed by how unfriendly the city of Mesa has become towards small businesses,” she said.

“I live down the street from Power Food Park,” the state representative added. “I’ve been to Power Food Park many times. It’s one of most entertaining, wholesome, family-friendly facilities in the state of Arizona.”

She said Appiah “Either never has been to the property which I don’t believe is the case or he is deliberately misrepresenting the operation.”

Parker gushed over Power Food Park: “It’s brilliant. It’s fun. It’s innovative. And it will likely represent the future of the restaurant industry.”

Responding to an email from the Tribune, Parker said the fight is hardly over.

“This is one more example we can use down the road for future legislation aimed at reigning in government at all levels— which constantly needs to be done in order to preserve a free society,” Parker said.

Darling insisted neighbors who complained are in the minority and most of the community agrees with Parker’s assessment.

“The citizens of Mesa have voted with their forks,” Darling proclaimed, “and they love Power Food Park.” ■

Power Food Park, on North Power Road just south of East McKellips Road, is a 2-acre lot that hosts around a dozen food trucks, with picnic and play areas and fire pits. (Special to the Tribune)

due to the disappearing messages feature, “It’s an administrators’ nightmare,” McPherson said.

A recent Pew Research study found that 69 percent of those 13 to 17 years old use Snapchat. “They don’t text anymore, they Snap,” McPherson said.

Snapchat’s quick-gone feature allows for shady uses, McPherson warned.

“We’ve had local kids who purchased drugs from Snapchat who died,” McPherson said. “We are on a total rampage to get Snapchat to take responsibility.”

At 6 p.m. Thursday, McPherson will be part of a Mesa Prevention Alliance panel on “Snapchat misuse in teens” and risky online behaviors at Skyline High School. The event will livestream on Mesa Prevention Alliance’s Facebook page.

Natalia Chimbo-Andrade is director of Community Education and Outreach at Community Bridges-Mesa, which provides a variety of mental health services; her program targets youth.

She is concerned about “the trends, dangers and influence social media has on youth behaviors and how they’re correlating to risky behaviors.

Community Bridges and Mesa Public Schools are two of the partners of the Mesa Prevention Alliance, which is sending up warning flares over Snapchat at this week’s meeting.

Do parents typically know much about Snapchat?

“They don’t,” Chimbo-Andrade said. “We actually do a tutorial where we walk (parents) through Snapchat settings. They’ll say, ‘Oh, it’s OK, I have monitoring. They’ll give me an alert of any risky behavior.’ But that doesn’t work with Snapchat, because of how it’s designed.”

Indeed, the Bark app and others are not able to monitor “Snaps.”

McPherson, who is the director of Professional Development for Bark, explained the technical way Snap hides from monitoring:

“Snapchat will not allow access to open their API (application programming interface) to allow third parties/vendors to access student data…which means parents cannot protect their students or surveil their activity within the app.”

She noted other platforms do allow API sharing, such as Pinterest, Discord, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter, Facebook and Google Drive.

Though it is not technically impossible for a parent to monitor a child’s Snapchat messages, it is much more difficult to track than other apps; and clever kids can often figure out how to manipulate settings to make them “ghost,” or invisible.

And, Chimbo-Andrade noted, “You can make transactions on Snapchat. Teens are savvy.”

The nefarious possibilities of the app were spotlighted in February, when a friend of 17-year-old Joe Seibold set up a

marijuana buy on Snapchat and got Joe to drive him to the location.

As he waited for his friend to make the deal, Seibold was shot dead near South Gilbert and Broadway in central Mesa.

Amy Neville, one of the speakers at the Mesa Prevention Alliance event, will share another online tragedy: Her 14-year-old son died after buying pills laced with fentanyl in a deal arranged on social media.

“It’s very easy to get drugs on various

social media platforms, not just Snap,” Chimbo-Andrade said. “I know the story on a personal level.”

She encourages parents to keep a watchful eye on what their kids are saying and doing on their phones: “Any type of security when it comes to apps is good. Whether it’s Bark or Net Nanny, which is another good one,” Chimbo-Andrade said.

Community Bridges-Mesa is seeing a rise in people experiencing depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health issues – reflecting a national trend.

According to a study published in September on Pediatrics, the official publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics, “depression and suicide concerns have increased during the pandemic, especially among female adolescents. Results underscore the importance of consistent depression and suicidality screening.”

Indeed, the study reported a 34 percent increase “in reporting recent suicidal thoughts among female adolescents.”

Chimbo-Andrade said she believes social media is a factor in the rise of mental health crises – but hardly the lone culprit.

“Social media is an influence. It can be a bad influence or a positive one,” she noted. “With everything that happened in the last 20 plus months, a lot of young people tend to go to social media as an escape, a way to connect – whatever you want to call it. I’ve seen a lot of young people using it for good,” Chimbo-Andrade said.

“I am very careful to say there are many, many factors that can lead a kid to crisis. Yes, social media can, especially if it is used in a negative way. But it’s not the whole story.”

She noted one positive trend on social media: “Influencers and public figures are saying if you’re struggling, get help.”

McPherson said Snapchat is a “gotta have it” for many teens.

“Kids are really good at convincing their parents, ‘Everyone has Snapchat. I have to...Without it, I’m excluded,’” McPherson said. “Parents cave because they want their kids to be included.”

As for the pressure to have it, McPherson gets it.

“I have four daughters; they all have Snapchat,” she said.

Rather than constantly looking over their shoulders, she has “ongoing conversations” with her daughters about Snap. “There’s no way of supervising it,” she said.

A Common Sense Media 2019 study showed phone use accelerating in all categories of youth. (Common Sense Media)

A Mesa Alliance meeting this week will highlight the potential dangers of Snapchat, a popular app with teenagers. (Special to the Tribune)

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One of the most popular of the monitoring apps, Bark offers plans for parents at $99 per year as well as school districtwide coverage

While Bark is working with the Deer Valley School District and several other Valley districts, it has yet to land contracts with East Valley districts. Basic district coverage is free, though 24/7 monitoring costs $1,000 per student which would be around $60,000 for Mesa Public Schools.

“We block and filter websites on the family side as well as the school side. So parents and schools can block websites like pornhub.com, YouTube, etc. and others that kids often like to go to that are not age-appropriate,” McPherson said.

“So there is no excuse for kids ‘stumbling’ on things,” she added.

“We get alerts weekly on suicide attempts,” McPherson said. “Our No. 1 alert is bullying.”

McPherson was an assistant principal with the Scottsdale Unified School District before changing careers. She knows firsthand how limited schools are in fighting illicit social media use.

“If parents are leaning on schools to educate and make children aware of the dangers of social media, that’s not where the responsibility lies. It’s completely out of control,” she said.

“There’s nowhere to say to a parent, ‘Get online and have your child take this course and have your kid learn how to be a good digital citizen.’ What’s lacking is awareness and education on parents’ part before they hand a 10-year-old a device.”

She rattled off some disturbing stats: “The average age of porn exposure is 8. Average age of sexting is 11.

“This has fallen on schools to manage our nightmares,” McPherson said. “In my opinion, it’s parents outsourcing their greatest responsibility to schools.”

McPherson is hardly alone in recommending families communicate frequently about and set limits regarding socialmedia use.

Shiloh Lundahl, a Mesa counselor, recommends “helping set and enforce limits with kids,” regarding cell phone usage. “I encourage parents to not buy kids cell phones for birthdays or any kind of gift,” he said.

Giving a phone as a gift can send a message that the child is the owner of the phone; then, if it’s misused, “They’ll think,

you can’t take it, this is mine.”

Like McPherson, Lundahl encourages family meetings and clear guidelines: “It’s important for a child to understand the phone isn’t completely theirs.

“I’ve met with several families where kids tend to isolate themselves and spend all day in their room with a phone,” he said. “A lot of these kids over time develop symptoms of depression. It can get so bad ...to the point of saying, ‘I’m going to kill myself if I can’t have my phone.’”

He urges parents to wait out emotional rollercoasters rather than angrily taking phones away.

“I know one parent who said (to a child), ‘Give me your phone!’ She grabbed it and threw it out the window on the freeway,” Lundahl said.

He empathized with parents struggling to keep up with technology – So are kids, he noted.

“This is something new for us and for them. It is important to have patience and you learn along the way,” he said.

As Chimbo-Andrade of Community Bridges put it, “One thing we talk about is having proactive family communication by creating contracts, whether it’s social media contracts or technology contracts,” she said.

“Kids are like, ‘I want my freedom.’ But if you start these contracts when they’re young, it’s just going to be their norm.” ■

How parents can monitor their kids' social media

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor

It takes an app to know an app.

With that philosophy in mind, there are many phone and computer applications marketed to parents for monitoring their kids’ social media activity.

According to Consumers Advocate, “We chose Bark as the best app for social media monitoring because out of all the apps we tested, it monitored by far the largest number of them--more than 30. In fact, Bark’s specialty is social media monitoring, which addresses one of the chief concerns of parents today.”

The app offers annual plans from $49-99. Visit bark. us for more information.

For best app that combines antivirus software, “We

chose Norton’s Family Premier because of its comprehensive child monitoring features, but also because it can be combined with one of the best antivirus products on the market today.”

According to Norton, with the service, “Parents can see their child’s search terms and viewed videos, monitor age-appropriate content, set screen time limits and more.”

Plans start at $49. For more information, visit family. norton.com.

Other apps receiving praise from Consumers Advocate:

• Qustodio (“provides a large variety of control tools that work across a number of browsers and operating systems”).

• Life360 (“geotracking is its bread and butter…

it can provide geolocation information in 140 countries and all seven continents”).

• OurPact (“offers app, website, and text blocking, location tracking, geo-fencing, time limits on specific apps and allows you to set rules for device use”).

• Mobicip (“offers full parental control features such as app and website blocking, location tracking, time scheduling/blocking, etc.”).

• NetNanny (“Its unique feature is the use of artificial intelligence to analyze a website’s content and block inappropriate material before your child gets to see it, even if you haven’t blocked that particular site”).

• ScreenTime (“all the features you expect from a full parental control app”).

Chandler educator and teen suicide prevention expert Katey McPherson says parents are making a big mistake if they think school can control their kids’ social media use. (Special to the Tribune)

Arizona getting millions for parks, environmental repairs

BY ULYSSE BEX Cronkite News

Arizona projects got $110 million last year and will get another $159 million in the fiscal year that started this month, or more than 9 percent of all funding nationally under the Great American Outdoors Act for those two years.

The money, dedicated largely to national parks but also to federal lands and tribal schools, has been welcomed by tourism and environmental groups, who said it is long overdue.

“The National Park Service has been underfunded over the years,” said Kevin Dahl, senior program manager for Arizona in the National Parks Conservation Association’s Southwest region.

“These are our jewels, and with visitation and with normal wear and tear, there’s a lot of buildings, a lot of roads, trails, etc. and those all need regular maintenance,” he said. “When you don’t maintain them over time, the backlog of maintenance becomes pretty high.”

For national parks, the backlog of de-

ferred maintenance totaled $11.9 billion in 2018, according to data from the National Park Service.

More than $507.4 million of that was for projects in Arizona, with $313.8 million needed in the Grand Canyon National

Park alone.

Joe Galli, senior adviser in public policy at the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, said the funding is critical to not just the park, but the region.

“It’s very good for improving facilities and maintenance, and enhancing the visitors’ experience, those things are critical to the lifeblood of visitation in Arizona which is a critical component of our economy,” he said.

National parks funding is just one element of the Great American Outdoors Act, which took effect last year. The act, which is permanently funded with revenues from offshore oil and gas leases, is expected to eventually provide up to $1.9 billion a year.

The act is designed to fund projects that “provide needed maintenance for critical facilities and infrastructure.”

It calls for 70 percent of that funding to go to the National Park Service, 15 percent to the U.S. Forest Service, and 5 percent each to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

see NATURE page 12

A water utilities crew works to repair a broken section of the Transcanyon Pipeline in Grand Canyon National Park in early 2020. Grand Canyon projects will get more than $60 million for repairs in the first two years of the Great American Outdoors Act. (E.Foss/National Park Service)

Sky Harbor air traffic frustrates Mesa woman

BY JULIO ELIAS Tribune Contributor

More than 180,000 Mesa residents have complained about air traffic noise from planes leaving and heading to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport so far this year.

One of them gave City Council an earful during a recent meeting.

Mesa homeowner Cheryl Ross said she submitted her complaint – along with others recorded in the Sky Harbor Monthly Noise Reports – to remind people that the City of Mesa has been excluded from the agreements Phoenix has with other cities to protect their residents from air traffic noise.

“My point to the City of Mesa is: the City of Scottsdale sued, the City of Phoenix sued, the City of Tempe sued, but is Mesa going to be the Sky Harbor skid mark?” Ross asked Council.

“We do nothing? We say nothing? We just have to take all of this? Air traffic goes over Main Street as well, and Mesa is trying to revitalize Main Street – and when I’m walking around down there all I hear is planes.”

In 1986, Phoenix Sky Harbor, the Federal Aviation Administration and other stakeholders worked together to change planes’ departure path from Sky Harbor in order to fly farther east and west before initiating their north or south turns.

This is now known as the 4DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) procedure that gives an aircraft the permission to turn north or south four miles away from the airport.

“That pushed the end of the runway right where my house is, and all of the planes turn there. They don’t turn over the industrial complex; they don’t turn over Tempe Marketplace; they turn directly over my house,” said Ross.

While the city has yet responded to Ross, Sky Harbor’s deputy aviation director for planning and environment, Jordan Feld, recommends city residents implement noise-abatement procedures.

“The City implements our Community Noise Compatibility Program, which includes noise abatement procedures and noise mitigations such as land-use protections,” said Feld.

The program is essentially a study and breakdown of what Phoenix has been

doing and has proposed through a noise compatibility study that was completed in October 2000.

Ross says that study is outdated.

“There are different planes now. And they’re louder. The 738 Max or whatever it is, is like at 70 decibels,” Ross said. “It’s a nightmare and they have done nothing to address the residents of Mesa.

“All of the noise studies have focused on the areas in Tempe and Phoenix and completely did not study the areas in Mesa.”

To date, 20 noise monitors surround Phoenix and neighboring communities: Phoenix and Tempe each have eight and Mesa has four.

The noise readings are computed as “A-weighted” day and night sound levels. A-weighting is a study of sound that accounts for the relative loudness perceived by the human ear.

This type of measuring helps ensure noise readings reflect community annoyance factors and issues specific to human hearing and noise energy frequencies.

Ross has been looking in other areas of the Valley to find peace and quiet.

“I think it’s really unfair that my house, which is directly across the street from

Sloan Park, is in the ghetto because it’s in a flight path,” said Ross, who purchased her home in 2019.

Sloan Park is one of Mesa’s premiere developments that opened in 2014 and is the home to the Chicago Cubs’ spring training fields.

Local Realtor Rae Bradshaw of Elite Results Realty said sellers are required to disclose if the property is subject to any present or proposed effects of noise from vehicular or air traffic, among other nuisances.

“Something like noise might be a gray area – depending on a seller’s sensitivity to it or if they are away from home when most of the noise occurs,” Bradshaw said. “I haven’t experienced any issues with this, but I have had many buyers that have passed on a home because of traffic or a railway noise.”

Because Ross could not rely on the seller’s sensitivity to noise when she bought her home, she believes Sky Harbor’s outdated reporting misled her about the property.

“You could absolutely live in Roosevelt Row and not hear the noise that you hear in Mesa,” Ross said. ■

BY MIA MELENDEZ Tribune Contributor

Among the projects that Falcon Field in Mesa expects to run over the next few years is the reconstruction of the so-called Higley Ramp West.

The work continues an eight-year cycle of projects and budgeting with the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to improve the quality and safety of Falcon Field for its tenants and users, according to Brent Shiner, airport projects and operations supervisor.

Falcon Field aircraft ramp work set to begin GOT

The ramp work is slated to begin in early December and last into next year, according to Falcon Field spokeswoman Dee Anne Thomas.

The Higley Ramp West – a parking ramp for aircraft at Falcon Field Airport – is split into two sections, east and west, and is entirely leased to a flight school.

ADOT recommended a full removal and replacement of the ramp pavement and tie-downs – chains that anchor aircraft to the pavement – in 2017. Routine maintenance was no longer sufficient due to the pavement’s extensive cracking and thinness, according to the Falcon Field City Council Report.

The location and reconstruction of Higley Ramp West will not affect operations of the whole airport because it is used by CAE Phoenix-Aviation Academy, which rents it for around $43,000 annually and is the only school or business renting spots on this ramp, according to Thomas.

During the reconstruction, the ramp will be divided into three sections, allowing the school to temporarily shift its aircraft according to the available space, Shiner explained.

“One of our challenges is to make sure we have tie-downs for all of these aircraft that we have to relocate,” he said.

The project’s completion will improve

aircraft safety and storage, according to the council report.

“The original layout of that ramp did not optimize the space. Therefore, there was more room to tie down aircraft than tie down spots available,” Shiner said, adding:

“We’re reconfiguring those tie-down spots so it’s still safe and meets all the requirements of distances between wing tips, but it optimizes the use of the ramp tie down space.”

Projects like this one, where the ramp is not a runway or taxiway, take longer because they have a lower funding priority, Shiner said.

“When we apply for our grants, either through the state or the federal or both, we are in competition with other airports that have prioritized projects,” Shiner said.

The amount of funding for the Higley Ramp West reconstruction also contributed to the long process, as the airport had to wait for a $3.3 million grant from

the FAA.

Falcon Field pulls its funding for other projects from agencies like ADOT and the FAA, and its own enterprise fund, as it does not receive tax money from Mesa, according to Thomas.

City Council approved the bid for the ramp reconstruction from Combs Construction Company for just over $3 million during a meeting on Sept. 20.

Falcon Field is a financially self-sustaining airport with over 100 businesses and 800 aircraft. It operated as a military airport during World War II to train British and American pilots and currently serves civilian and military aviation uses. ■

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@

First Things First offers parents help

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Whether they’re expecting their first child or their third, parents in Mesa can find help from Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First (FTF) is there to help.

FTF funds a variety of free programs across Arizona for families with a child birth to age 5, and many of those services are targeted to families of newborns.

They include the Arizona Parent Kit, given free of charge to parents of all newborns in the state before they leave the hospital or birthing center.

The kit contains an infant board book for families to read to their newborn and resources to help parents support their child in each phase of their early development.

In addition to the physical parent kit, FTF also offers the FTF digital Parent Kit, which is designed to support parents from the day they bring baby home,

SPENDING from page 3

“The governor is not going to comment on pending future legislation, if it is pending at all,’’ he said.

Instead, Karamargin listed things he said his boss has done to improve overall education funding.

But no matter how much more cash the governor says is given to schools, the expenditure limit means they cannot spend it absent an exemption from the limit.

State schools chief Kathy Hoffman wants legislative action.

“Needless cuts will severely hamper school districts’ ability to serve students and help them recover from the effects of the pandemic,’’ said press aide Morgan Dick.

“We need serious leadership and meaningful action from lawmakers so our schools can get on to their critical work of providing safe in-person learning for students in their community.’’

Senate President Karen Fann, RPrescott, said she is personally interested in helping schools avoid a crisis.

“The intention is never to do these kind of draconian cuts,’’ she said.

“As we know right now, many of the schools are struggling already with the COVID issues,’’ Fann said. “We don’t need

to the ages and stages of a young child to caring for your family’s physical and emotional well-being.

The kit, available at FirstThingsFirst. org/resources/parent-kit/, covers a widerange of topics from pregnancy, child development, safety, physical and emotional health, to finding quality child care.

The information is presented through useful tips and dependable online information and resources to help parents do their best in supporting the healthy development of their baby, toddler or preschooler.

Another resource is the FTF-funded Birth to 5 Helpline (877-705-KIDS). This program is free to all Arizona families with young children birth to age 5 to talk directly with child development experts.

A special component of the Birth to Five Helpline is the Fussy Baby program, which provides support for parents during their baby’s first year. The early childhood specialists answering the helpline

phone are experts on babies and also know a lot about parents.

They take as much time on the phone as needed so parents feel supported and can get the help they need.

Specialists ask questions about the baby and family home life to get as clear a picture of the factors that could be affecting the baby.

It allows for the specialist and the parent to come up with a thoughtful plan, along with continuing conversations and adjustments to help hard-to-soothe babies and handle excessive crying, sleeping problems and feeding difficulties.

Southwest Human Development, which staffs and manages the helpline for Arizona family with children under age 5, a free service.

Have a question about your baby’s sleep schedule? Give them a call. The experts field questions on everything from health and nutrition, safety to potty training and more.

to pile more on to them right now.’’

House Majority Leader Ben Toma, RPeoria, agreed for the need to act.

“We expect to address the matter in the upcoming session,’’ he said. And Toma said part of the reason an exemption is needed is “because Republicans have funded K-12 education at record levels.’’

But the current problem is more com-

The Birth to Five Helpline is available at 877-705-KIDS (5437) from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also leave a voicemail or text the Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

From birth to age 5, a child’s brain grows more than at any other time in life. And early brain development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school and life.

The loving care you provide during your baby’s first year helps lay the foundation for their future.

For more information: FirstThingsFirst.org/find-programs.

As Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First funds early learning, family support and children’s preventive health services to help kids be successful once they enter kindergarten. Decisions about how those funds are spent are made by local councils staffed by community volunteers. ■

year’s student numbers. Chuck Essigs, lobbyist for the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, estimates that the drop in students in public K-12 education last year, much of that due to COVID, will reduce the spending limit by about $300 million.

But the bigger problem is one that the Legislature created in seeking to provide financial help.

In 2000 voters approved Proposition 301 to levy a 0.6-cent sales tax to fund education, including teacher salaries, for 20 years. And voters made those revenues exempt from the aggregate expenditure limit.

With that tax expiring this year, lawmakers in 2018 agreed to a new, identical levy to pick up in July and run until 2041 to keep the money flowing without interruption.

plex than that.

It goes back to the aggregate expenditure limit that voters approved in 1980 for all K-12 spending statewide. Based on figures at that time, it is adjusted annually for inflation and student growth.

What’s happening this year is largely the convergence of two unusual factors.

First, the limit is always based on last

But they never exempted what the new levy will raise from the expenditure limit. And that alone accounts for more than $632 million of money now coming in to schools --– money they formerly got to spend but, legally speaking, cannot spend this year absent a legislatively approved exemption.

If lawmakers do not act, that starts the

The Legislature will have to act fast when it convenes in January to help school districts avoid massive spending cuts. (Special to the Tribune)

Mesa police shoot and kill alleged bank robber

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor

On Sept. 20, 2020, Mesa Police officers woke a man sleeping in his car in a parking lot. The man ignored commands and drove away.

He was followed to Tempe, where he parked and at first refused commands, then “made a quick reach toward his waistband area as if to grab a weapon,” according to an investigation.

Officers shot and killed 21-year-old Angel Martin Benitez.

A similar scenario unfolded a year and nine days later.

On Sept. 29, Mesa police officers tailed 37-year-old Stephen Phillip Franco from Mesa to Tempe, where he parked his car.

Officers including a SWAT team swarmed Franco, blocking him from driving away. Again, Franco refused commands.

As they did with Benitez, officers shot Franco dead.

This time, police were chasing an al-

leged bank robber: Franco was suspected of the Sept. 27 robbery of the Desert Financial Credit Union at 1262 N Stapley.

Shortly after the shooting, Richard Encinas of the Mesa Police Department told reporters that Franco was “verbally and physically non compliant. When he

was asked if he was armed he shook his head yes.

“A gun was found nearby where (Franco) was,” Encinas said.

He said he could not confirm if the gun belonged to Franco and that the Tempe Police Department was handling the officer-involved shooting investigation.

This was not the first time Franco and Mesa Police officers had a showdown.

In October 2017, a Mesa officer arrested Franco for possession of cocaine.

In October 2018, police were called after Franco’s mother said he was threatening her with a knife.

Franco “was yelling obscenities and would not drop the knife while displaying threatening behavior,” according to the arrest report—which added Franco assaulted a guard at Mesa City Jail.

After being convicted on drug and assault charges, Franco served 13 months before being released from prison Dec. 11, 2020.

In addition to the Tempe Police investi-

gation, Franco’s death will go before the Mesa Police Department’s Critical Incident Review Board.

On Sept. 29, the CIRB reviewed the July 14 shooting of Patricia Hatcher in front of her home near Red Mountain Park.

According to the CIRB report, a co-worker called police to say Hatcher was armed and planned to kill herself.

Police who responded to the call saw Hatcher outside the home, waving two guns and pointing one at a neighbor who was trying to disarm her.

After she fired in the air and again pointed a gun at her neighbor, two police officers shot her.

The neighbor later told police “Hatcher told him she was going to either kill herself or make officers kill her.”

The CIRB report said after Hatcher was released from the hospital a week later, she was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful discharge of a firearm and disorderly conduct with a weapon. ■

Climate Action Plan virtual series scheduled

Mesa’s recently adopted Climate Action Plan and its six focus areas will be discussed during a series of virtual lunchtime meetings that started Wednesday.

NATURE from page 9

the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Education.

The program generated $1.42 billion in fiscal 2021, which ended Sept. 30. It is expected to fund $1.52 billion in projects in fiscal 2022. Arizona has done relatively well in both years.

Of the $89.6 million allocated to Bureau of Indian Education projects in fiscal 2021, $85.4 million went to schools in Arizona or on the Navajo Nation. In

SPENDING from page 11

process of determining how much each district will lose in spending authority.

Essigs said the way the law is written, anything over the expenditure limit is

Each session will include a brief overview of the plan and its goals, a short presentation on one of the focus areas and an opportunity to share ideas and identify community needs.

The virtual sessions take place at noon Wednesdays.

fiscal 2022, the state is scheduled to get $56 million of the $89.5 million total for schools.

Funding for national park projects in the state will climb steeply, from $20.2 million for the Grand Canyon’s historic powerhouse last year to almost $82 million in fiscal 2022.

That funding will go to projects at the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest National Park and the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

“The wastewater treatment center is

divided up among all schools, with each forced to reduce spending by the percentage set regardless of how much they were spending.

There’s something else complicating the problem.

The topic this week is heat mitigation.

Next week’s discussion will focus on air quality, followed by water stewardship, materials management and food systems.

The Climate Action Plan calls for re-

really important because up to 6 million people visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and it’s a really small town that lives there to serve that,” Dahl said of one project for the coming year.

“At the Petrified Forest, the visitor center that was built in the ’60s needs maintenance to bring it back up to speed with current requirements for public buildings,” he added.

Those projects, along with others coming in the next three years, will help the parks get back to pre-pandemic visitor

ducing greenhouse gas emissions and establishing strategies to increase sustainability in all City operations.

To view the meetings and for more information, visit.mesaaz.gov/climateaction. ■

numbers, he said. Not only will it let the National Park Service catch up on muchneeded repair, it will also show the parks in their best light, for U.S. and foreign visitors, an important source of revenue.

“Before the pandemic, in the West, up to half the visitors were from foreign countries, and outdated dysfunctional toilets does not show America in the best of lights,” Dahl said. “If you put things off, they get worse, so it’s great that the GAOA is helping us catch up with this really needed repair.” ■

To balance the budget in the last decade, lawmakers cut dollars from the “district additional assistance’’ fund, money earmarked for schools to pay for items like books, computers and buses. That account was zeroed out by Ducey during his first year in office.

That account is now fully funded. But those additional dollars that were restored to schools also helped to push total statewide expenditures above the constitutional limit. ■

STEPHEN PHILLIP FRANCO

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Mountain Funeral Home and Cemetery is hosting WREATHS

ACROSS AMERICA

National Remembrance Day

December 18, 2021 - 9:30am

There are 3,000 Veteran graves and we would like to place a wreath on every grave. We need your help! Please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/AZ0184P to purchase a living wreath for only $15.00 each. If you are interested in attending the ceremony or would like to volunteer, please call 480-832-2850 by November 15, 2021.

Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery 7900 E. Main St., Mesa • 480-832-2850

Napoli Island Range Hood

Mesa bursting with varied activities this week

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

It’s a big week for events around Mesa.

Mesa Grande Cultural Park, 1100 N.

Date, is celebrating a re-opening from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 16, after a two-year hiatus.

The re-opening coincides with International Archaeology Day.

Exhibits feature Native American baskets, artifact show and tell, archaeology tours of the Mound, crafts and activities.

Admission is $6 per person and $2 for Arizona Museum of Natural History members.

The park preserves a group of Hohokam structures constructed hundreds of years ago by the Hohokam people. The park’s central feature is a massive ruin of adobe walls and platforms

As Halloween approaches, it’s time for the Mesa Cemetery Tour.

The Mesa Historical Museum’s annual walking tour of the historic cemetery at 1212 N. Center St. happens from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23.

Museum Executive Director Susan Ricci reminds residents and alerts newcomers to the city that the cemetery is the final home to a variety of interesting figures.

For example, John Powder River “Jack” Lee was counted among the eldest of the more authentic tradition of cowboy singers to cut records in the days before Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.

“After joining Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show around 1893, Jack met his future wife Kitty Miller,” Ricci said. “Because of Jack’s tendency to plagiarize, the duo’s merit as cowboy performers has been challenged.

Another permanent resident is Helen Dana, who officiated at or assisted in the delivery of more than 12,500 babies and never lost a mother.

“In those early years she recalls going all over the countryside by horse and buggy to help deliver the babies,” Ricci related. “She ran the Dana Maternity Home at 1312 S. Country Club Drive in Mesa for 35

years to help maintain the family.

“At the same time, she helped pregnant unmarried girls and arranged adoptions for their babies.”

Also interred is Dr. Ralph Palmer, often called “The Doctor on Horseback,” who opened the first hospital in Mesa.

Mesa Mayor John Giles and other members of the City Council will be special speakers at the featured gravesites, along with local historians and members of the community. Free admission to the Mesa Historical Museum is included.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at mesahistoricalmuseum.com.

Another Mesa annual October event, the Día de los Muertos Festival, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct 23-24, at Mesa Arts Center.

The opening and closing ceremony will be live-streamed via Mesa Arts Center’s Facebook page and website.

On Saturday, Telemundo Arizona News Anchor Paola Morales will kick off the free festival at 10 a.m. while the closing ceremony will include Jorge Mendoza

Yescas, Consul General of Mexico and Mayor Giles.

In addition, the festival will offer a nonstop schedule of live entertainment, participatory hands-on artmaking activities, traditional face painting, a wide variety of food options, studio demonstrations, and a Mercado Marketplace, featuring traditional and contemporary merchandise, jewelry, and Mexican arts and crafts from local artisans and vendors.

In the spirit of traditional Día de los Muertos festivities, a community altar designed by artist Monica Gisel Crespo will be the centerpiece for the festival.

Attendees can leave mementos in honor of their loved ones who have passed. Photographs will be collected and replaced on the altar each year.

Beautifully created altars by local artists and organizations will be displayed in shop windows on Main Street. Participants include Marco Albarrán, Luis Estrada, Jose Benavides, Sharon Ann Hagen, Oliviero Balcells, Project Lit with Dr. Matthew Sandoval, Winona Fox, Edgar Fernandes, An-

drea Myton and Mesa Sister Cities.

Participating businesses include Nunthaporn’s Thai, Le Salon, Main Street Harvest, Sonoran Moon Vintage, Jarrod’s Coffee, Atomic Age, Soul Center, Margarita’s Grille, 101 Gallery and Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum.

Festival participants of all ages are invited to participate in the free hands-on activities, including making paper flowers, wood skull decorating and Marigold planting with MABEL.

To honor and remember over 19,000 people lost to the COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona, an immersive installation of paper marigolds, created by the community, will be installed on the Mesa Arts Center campus.

Festivalgoers can also enjoy face painting inspired by the Day of the Dead and live art studio demonstrations.

The festival will culminate in a performance and an open procession to the Community Altar led by Mariachi Pasion at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Mesa Arts Center’s studios will offer free demonstrations throughout the festival and The Store, an artists’ cooperative and gallery, will also be open and offering Day of the Dead themed items.

For details: mesaartscenter.com/diadelosmuertos. There is no charge to attend the Día de los Muertos Festival, and parking is free.

Also on tap 5-9 p.m. Saturday is the 10th annual Battle of the Badges sponsored by the Arizona Law Enforcement Outreach and Support and held at Mesa Community College’s Southern Avenue and Dobson Road Campus, 1833 W Southern Ave.

This event features a flag football game, a “trunk or treat” sponsored by local first responders and the awarding of scholarships to students from Mesa Community College and Central Arizona College.

The game pits first responders from Maricopa County against first responders from Pinal County for the benefit of injured

see ROUND-UP page 16

Among the activities in a jam-packed weekend coming up is , the Día de los Muertos Festival, will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct 23-24, at Mesa Arts Center (Tribune file photo)

officers, who serve as team co-captains.

During the event, scholarships for future first responders will be awarded to the winning applicants from Mesa Community College and Central Arizona College. Each $250 scholarship is made available through donations from businesses and community groups.

All kids are invited to participate in the free “trunk or treat” activity provided by local law enforcement and other first responder agencies. Costumes are encouraged.

Additional activities and entertainment will be featured, including dance routines and cheers throughout the game by the children’s Royal Impact Cheer and Dance Company. Food trucks will make snacks and drinks available for purchase. A raffle and a silent auction will also be held.

The suggested donation is $5 per adult; kids are free and no one will be turned away because of an inability to donate.

AZLEOS is a non-profit that serves as a collaboration hub for Arizona first responders, community members, civic groups, businesses and educational institutions to create and implement

The Mesa Historical Museum is hosting a tour of the City of Mesa Cemetery to dozens of interesting people that will be discussed by various city officials and history experts. (Tribune file photo)

true proactive community policing programs.

The City of Mesa is holding a volunteer recruitment fair from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, at the Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St.

Booths will provide information on volunteer opportunities with Mesa Police, Mesa Fire and Medical, Arizona Museum of Natural History, i.d.e.a. Museum, Parks, Mesa Public Library and the Mesa Arts Center.

And from 7 a.m.-noon Saturday, Mesa celebrates the Love Your City Citywide Service Day.

Hundreds of volunteers will work on dozens of projects all across Mesa that morning, from painting curb numbers to installing Little Libraries to neighborhood clean-up projects. Mesa’s Volunteer Recruitment Fair will be at the outdoor Alliance Pavilion.

Booths from City departments, such as Mesa Police, Mesa Fire and Medical, Arizona Museum of Natural History, i.d.e.a. Museum, Parks, Mesa Public Library, Mesa Arts Center and Community Engagement, as well as representatives from Just Serve and Sleep in Heavenly Peace will provide information to residents about new ways to become active volunteers in the community.

The event will feature a volunteer craft from our Mobile Art-Based Engagement Lab (MABEL), the opportunity to signup as a City volunteer at our Community Engagement Van, a raffle and many other activities.

While there are no additional projects available that day, there are opportunities for residents to sign up for future projects at mesaaz.gov/volunteer. ■

2000 S. San Tan Village Parkway Gilbert AZ 85295

In the very near future, Copenhagen will be announcing the opening of our brand new showroom, to be located in the heart of Gilbert’s thriving shopping district, and directly across from San Tan Village Mall. This newly constructed, 32,000 square foot showroom will offer inspiring furniture vignettes, with a specific focus on the contemporary and modern designs you’ve come to know at Copenhagen. Of course, our classic Scandinavian, our fine collection of teak furniture, as well as our fabulous collection of contemporary accessories, including art, rugs and lighting, will also be represented. This will undoubtedly be the area’s most unique furniture shopping experience. We can’t wait to show it off. On behalf of the entire Copenhagen team, we looking forward to seeing you very soon!

Architectural rendering of the future Copenhagen, Gilbert. Construction is well under way!

Mesa couple’s DIY studio a crafty delight

If you’ve been hanging around the house a lot longer these days, you might want to check out the Mesa business that Mary June and Dennis Collins opened.

Ohio natives who have lived in Mesa for 37 years, they own the Board & Brush Creative Studio at 2837 N. Power Road in The Village at Las Sendas and are part of a fast-growing DIY wood sign and home décor art workshop chain that issues new designs on the first of each month, with the latest releases themed to fall, football, and family.

Master craftspersons and novices alike can feel at home in the studio, thanks to instructor-led workshops that guide patrons through the ins and outs of power tools, paint, stencil art and assembly, with all materials supplied.

Each Pick Your Project Workshop lasts about three hours and costs $68, with pre-registration required. The Mesa studio also offers family-friendly workshops,

time crunch mini workshops, specialty projects such as door mats, backyard games and totes, and even private parties and corporate events any day of the week by reservation.

The studio is keeping class size to 20, with four people to a table, to allow room to spread out, with instructors at every table. It’s also a BYOB establishment after 4 p.m., so customers can bring their own beer, wine and snacks.

While the studio opened last summer, it’s only recently the owners celebrated a grand opening.

“We got through the last year and decided we would not let the pandemic steal the joy of an official grand opening and ribbon cutting,” said Mary June. “We always had faith that our community would support us, we did our part to keep people safe and, here we are, more than a year later, celebrating what Board & Brush means to Mesa.”

see BRUSH page 19

Valley keeps nation’s lead in home price increases

BY PAUL MARYNIAK TrIbune Executive Editor

Phoenix continues to lead the nation in year-over-year home price increases, according to a national tracker of housing and other economic data.

Meanwhile, the Valley’s leading analyst of the Phoenix Metro housing market last week provided data indicating the larger role investors are playing in the regional housing market.

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index looked at data for July and said Phoenix led the pack with a 32.4 percent year-over-year increase in home prices in July, with San Diego (27.8 percent) and Seattle (25.5 percent) coming in second and third, respectively.

Overall, the National

percent, the report said.

That’s had an impact on mortgage rates, which the Mortgage Bankers Association of America said “rose across all loan types” in response.

“With home-price appreciation continuing to run hot, increasing more than 19 percent annually in July, applications for larger loan amounts continue to outpace lower-balance loans,” said Joel Kan, an association economist.

Meanwhile, Cromford Report, which follows housing trends in Maricopa and Pinal counties, said that Phoenix led the nation with the largest percentage the increase in home prices from August to September. The 3.32 percent August-September increase in Phoenix easily beat those in the next two cities – Tampa (2.94 per-

see MARKET page 19

Mary June and David Collins own Board & Brush Creative Studio in Mesa, where experienced craftspersons and novices alike will find plenty to get their hands on. (David Minton/ Tribune Staff Photographer)

Mary June is a longtime craftsperson and bought the franchise after visiting a couple studios and deciding “it would be a fit for my personality and it would be fun to bring this to Mesa since the area didn’t have anything like this. The studio is a party place and a place to relax.”

She and her husband also are entrepreneurs at heart, having started several successful businesses over the years and being the parents to five children who all own their own businesses.

“I’ve enjoyed helping my family with their businesses, but this is just for me,” she said. “I love being around people and enjoy seeing how happy workshop attendees are with the works of art and home decor items they’ve created.”

Mary June made Board & Brush her fulltime pursuit, enlisting Dennis to

cent) and Las Vegas (2.77 percent).

Cromford also reported that the Phoenix market last month tipped in favor of sellers, though it ranked well behind the top three sellers markets –Fountain Hills, Avondale and Cave Creek, respectively.

Cromford also shed additional light on the role investors are playing in the regional housing market.

Looking exclusively at iBuyer sales, Cromford reported that purchases by institutions or large companies in the region comprised 26 percent of sales so far this

help with prepping all the wood while he keeps his day job running his own company.

Nearly 250 projects fill the walls of the business.

Mary June said particularly popular are those involving porch signs, coat racks and trays. She said patriotic boards were big in the summer and now Halloween signs are taking over in popularity. She expects people will be making signs to give as holiday gifts very soon too.

The studio also is open to charities interested in hosting a fundraising workshop.

“We like to say ‘yes’ to requests for donations from non-profits making a difference in the community,” added Mary June.

Information: boardandbrush.com/ mesa, 602-663-1515 and mesa@ boardandbrush.com. ■

year as opposed to only 10-11 percent in each of the past three years.

And this year, iBuyer sales by companies and institutions have steadily risen the first three quarters, going from 19 percent of all iBuyer sales in the first quarter to 27 percent in the second and trending upward again to 31 percent in the third quarter.

Noting that “iBuyers selling homes to investors is not a new thing” and that “it has been happening for many years,” Cromford said: “However, just as investors are buying more homes in general, they are also buying more homes from iBuyers. iBuyers have been recruiting

specialized staff to focus on serving their investor customers.”

But it also said, “Demand is improving but a lot of this is coming from investors and iBuyers so could die away quickly.

“Demand from ordinary home-buyers is subdued, no matter what the media might be telling you,” it added. “If the iBuyers stop their spending spree then demand could fall quickly.” ■

Examples of work are on display inside Board & Brush Creative Studio in Mesa. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)

AZ residents scramble to get last Walking Liberty Rolls

ARIZONA - Once Arizona residents got wind that Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls filled with Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s were being handed over, there was a mad dash to get them. That’s because some of these U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins are already worth hundreds in collector value.

“It’s like a run on the banks. The phones are ringing off the hook. That’s because everyone is trying to get them before they’re all gone,” according to officials at the National Mint and Treasury who say they can barely keep up with all the orders. In fact, they had to impose a strict limit of 4 Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls. So, if you get the chance to get your hands on these State Restricted Bank Rolls you better hurry because hundreds of Arizona residents already have and you don’t want to miss out.

You see, the U.S. Gov’t stopped minting

these Silver Walking Liberties in 1947 and there can never be any more which makes them extremely collectible.

And here’s the best part. The rolls are unsearched so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value.

That’s why at just the $39 state minimum set by National Mint and Treasury it’s a deal too good to pass up.

But you better hurry because these Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls are the only ones known to exist and Arizona residents are grabbing them up as fast as they can.

That’s because they make amazing gifts for children, grandchildren and loved ones. Just imagine the look on their face when you hand them one of the State Restricted Rolls — they’ll tell everyone they know what you did for them.

Last State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls go to Arizona residents

Arizona residents get first dibs on last remaining Bank Rolls loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for the next 2 days

STATE DISTRIBUTION: A strict limit of 4 State Restricted Bank Rolls per AZ resident has been imposed

ARIZONA - “It’s a miracle these State Restricted Bank Rolls even exist. That’s why Hotline Operators are bracing for the flood of calls,” said Laura Lynne, U.S. Coin and Currency Director for the National Mint and Treasury.

For the next 2 days the last remaining State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties are actually being handed over to Arizona residents who call the State Toll-Free Hotlines listed in today’s newspaper publication.

“I recently spoke with a numismatic expert in United States of America coins and currency who said ‘In all my years as a numismatist I’ve only ever seen a handful of these rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties issued by the U.S. Gov’t back in the early 1900’s. But to actually find them sealed away in State Restricted Bank Rolls is like finding buried treasure. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Bank Rolls had better hold on to them,’” Lynne said.

“Now that the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls are being offered up we won’t be surprised if thousands of Arizona residents claim the maximum limit allowed of 4 Bank Rolls per resident before they’re all gone,” said Lynne.

one of the last silver coins minted for circulation

■ GOT ‘EM: Residents all across Arizona who get their hands on these State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls are definitely showing them off. That’s because they are the only ones known to exist. And here’s the best part, these Bank Rolls are loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty coins some dating back to the early 1900’s and worth up to 100 times their face value so everyone wants them.

“That’s because after the Bank Rolls were loaded with 15 rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties, each verified to meet a minimum collector grade of very good or above, the dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars sealed away inside the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls have never been searched. But, we do know that some of these coins date clear back to the early 1900’s and are worth up to 100 times their face value, so there is no telling what Arizona residents will find until they sort through all the coins,” Lynne went on to say.

And here’s the best part. If you are a resident of the state of Arizona you cover only the $39 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, that’s fifteen rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties worth up to 100 times their face value for just $585 which is a real steal because non state residents must pay $118 per coin which totals $1,770 if any coins remain after the 2-day deadline.

The only thing Arizona residents need to do is call the State Toll-Free Hotlines printed in today’s newspaper publication before the 2-day order deadline ends.

“Rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins like these are highly sought after, but we’ve never seen anything like this before. According to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins many Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars are now worth $40 - $825 each in collector value,” Lynne said.

“We’re guessing thousands of Arizona residents will be taking the maximum limit of 4 Bank Rolls because they make such amazing gifts for any occasion for children, parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones,” Lynne continued.

“We know the phones will be ringing off the hook. That’s why hundreds of Hotline Operators are standing by to answer the phones beginning at 8:30 am this morning. We’re going to do our best, but with just 2 days to answer all the calls it won’t be easy. So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best to answer them all.” Lynne said.

The only thing readers of today’s newspaper publication need to do is make sure they are a resident of the state of Arizona and call the National Toll-Free Hotlines before the 2-day deadline ends midnight tomorrow. ■

HOW TO CLAIM THE LAST STATE RESTRICTED BANK ROLLS

FACTS: If you are a Arizona State Resident read the important information below about claiming the State Silver Bank Rolls, then call the State Toll-Free Hotline at 8:30 am: 1-800 -979 -3771 EXT: RWB 2681

Are these Silver Walking Liberties worth more than other half dollars:

How much are State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls worth:

Yes. These U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties were minted in the early 1900’s and will never be minted again That makes them extremely collectible. The vast majority of half dollars minted after 1970 have no silver content at all and these Walking Liberties were one of the last silver coins minted for circulation. That’s why many of them now command hundreds in collector value so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

Why are so many Arizona residents claiming them:

It’s impossible to say, but some of these U.S Gov’t issued Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s are worth up to 100 times the face value and there are 15 in each Bank Roll so you better hurry if you want to get your hands on them. Collector values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees. But we do know they are the only Arizona State Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and Walking Liberties are highly collectible so anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Silver Bank Rolls should hold onto them because there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday

How do I get the State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls:

Because they are the only State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and everyone wants their share. Each Bank Roll contains a whopping 15 Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value. Best of all Arizona residents are guaranteed to get them for the state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury of just $39 per Silver Walking Liberty for the next two days.

Arizona residents are authorized to claim up to the limit of 4 State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls by calling the State Toll Free Hotline at 1-800- 979 - 3771 Ext. RWB2681 starting at precisely 8:30 am this morning. Everyone who does is getting the only State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls known to exist. That’s a full Bank Roll containing 15 Silver Walking Liberties from the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for just the state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury of just $39 per Silver Walking Liberty, which is just $585 for the full Bank Rolls and that’s a real steal because non state residents are not permitted to call before 5 pm tomorrow and must pay $1,770 for each Arizona State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Roll if any remain.

HEALTH WELLNESS

Your Local Guide to Better Living

Here are simple tips for healthy aging

BY DR. RICHARD FOWLER Tribune Guest Writer

As an internal medicine physician, I focus solely on the health and wellbeing of adult patients and each patient is different. However, one thing remains the same: our health is dependent on physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Here are some tips to support each of these areas for healthy aging. In addition to your annual wellness exam, screenings are also recommended.

Screenings. Diabetes testing begins at age 45 and should be completed every three years. Colon cancer screening: Start no later than age 50 and be done every five years. Osteoporosis screenings begin no later than age 65. Blood pressure readings are monitored annually, beginning at age 45.

Vision and balance should be checked annually and important in preventing falls resulting in hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries or even death. If you have a personal or family history, your physician may recommend tests or screenings begin earlier or be done more frequently.

Physical activity: Exercises your body

Mesa gym geared up to help people shed pandemic pounds

TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

ANortheast Mesa fitness studio is ready to help people who want to lose the weight they might have gained during the pandemic’s stay-athome season.

And Don Chenevert of Better You Personal Training Better, 755 E. McKellips Road, knows from personal experience how to do it.

He details on his website how he decided a few years ago it was time for a change and how he became more active and through “healthy eating and daily exercise, my weight was dropping quickly.”

“In nine months, I went from 245 pounds down to 175 pounds,” he explains. “Since losing weight I felt the need to help others, so I went to the National Academy of Sports Medicine to become a personal trainer.”

His studio offers private one-on-one personal training that will help patrons

“lose weight, reduce stress, better yourself one workout at a time.”

“If you’ve become sedentary, gained weight and no longer recognize the person in the mirror, call us,” he said. “Too many people put their families and career before health and don’t take action until the time is ‘right,’ which never comes. It doesn’t have to be that way.”

His program is customized to help clients lose weight, get stronger, reduce stress, improve balance, be more active

“and plain and simply be your best self.”

“Being active and doing things you did in your 20’s doesn’t need to be a thing of the past,” he said, adding that with the right program, strength training, cardiovascular training and the oft-neglected recovery people will get control of their health and life and live with a lot less stress.

Information: 480-206-2898 or betteryoupersonaltraining.com. ■

and brain and helps reduce stress. Choose an activity you like and do it daily. Identify an activity that helps you maintain balance and flexibility, like yoga, to decrease your risk of falls.

Socialize: Socializing is great for the brain and supports emotional well-being. Volunteer and find a cause that speaks to you. Play cards or board games, which keeps our minds sharp and includes others.

Sleep: Ensuring we get enough sleepbut not excessive- is important to refresh our bodies and minds.

Richard Fowler, MD, is an internist at DMG- East Mesa Internal Medicine. He

has been caring for adult, senior and geriatric patients for more than 35 years. ■

New Beginnings Med Spa ready

to address your needs

BY ROXANNA DONAN Tribune Guest Writer

Stop putting your health on hold and start your “new beginning” with us.

New Beginnings Med Spa in Mesa is open and ready to help get you back to looking and feeling your best.

During the pandemic we’ve observed patients have placed their medical needs on hold. Additionally, patients are eager to take control over their physical and mental health, while taking a more proactive approach to their health and wellness.

We would be honored to participate with you to ensure you are at your best.

We at New Beginnings Med Spa” remain passionate about providing complete patient care. We have a strong foundation of naturopathic medicine and offer extensive primary care and integrative health ser-

vices in addition to outstanding medical aesthetics, bringing the latest treatments and procedures to our community. Our services include: IV therapy, smoking cessation laser treatments, hormone pellet therapy, medical-grade facials, waxing, microneedling, Botox, dermal fillers and more.

New Beginnings Med Spa shares a commitment to partnering with patients to enhance health and wellness. We take pride in knowing that our patients feel like they are being treated like family and it is an honor to have earned a reputation for excellence in the region and we will continue to serve as a model practice in preventive health and aesthetics.

Call to schedule your appointment today and let’s get a jump start to feeling and looking your best with New Beginnings Med Spa.

Information: newbeginningsmedspas. com. ■

PAD Impacts Everyday Living Heel Pain Is on The Rise

PHOENIX –The need to stop and rest after walking a short distance because of a leg cramps, numbness in the feet or leg pain could be more than normal aging or adjusting to increased activity. While the inclination may be to think it’s just part of getting older, these symptoms may be caused by vascular insufficiency.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is one of those conditions that is sometimes easy to dismiss. “If you find yourself needing to rest because your leg cramps when you walk even a short distance, or at night you need to stand up to relieve a cramp in your foot, that’s your legs and feet telling you they need help,” says Dr. Joel Rainwater, chief medical officer of Comprehensive Integrated Care (CiC).

“PAD is often called the silent killer because you may have it and not even know,” says Rainwater. Its diagnosis is often delayed and not identified until it has progressed.

“It’s not normal to have difficulty walking to your mailbox, it’s not normal to have constant leg pain or cramping,” says Rainwater.

It’s also interesting to note, that the symptoms of PAD and neuropathy are very similar. They include difficulty walking without taking a break, burning, tingling, numbness and/or pain. “When I see a patient who has been told they have neuropathy and they’ve been maximized on medication that’s not working, I know there may be something else causing it and one of the big, notorious offenders in that scenario is PAD,” says Rainwater.

PAD is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries. This

build-up occurs gradually and hardens into plaque inside the artery restricting blood flow. Without an adequate blood supply, the body can’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to maintain healthy legs and feet.

“This is something we can fix,” explains Rainwater. “The good news about PAD, is that there’s hope. There is treatment and it’s excellent, it’s been one of the biggest success stories in all of medicine.” Patients are able to get back on their feet and everyday living with almost no downtime, no stitches and no overnight hospital stay. Medicare as well as most insurance plans will cover treatment.

“I’m here to tell patients that there are options, all they have to do is ask. They might have to ask a different doctor, but they don’t have to live with the idea that they’re going to suffer for the rest of their life,” says Rainwater. His best advice, “Go look for answers.”

Restaurants are busy, baseball stadiums are welcoming fans, and this summer is slated to be one of the busiest travel seasons ever. “Getting back to a normal lifestyle can be a shock to your feet,” says Dr. Kerry Zang, podiatric medical director of CiC Foot & Ankle.

More than two million Americans suffer from plantar fasciitis, a sharp, stabbing, sometimes burning pain in the heel or arch of the foot. It’s anticipated this number will rise as activity levels increase.

It typically hurts when first getting up, may lessen after a few steps but always returns. In the past, a cortisone injection was given. “Cortisone manages the pain, but it doesn’t address what’s causing the pain,” says Zang. Now, new treatment options focus on resolving the condition, not just the treating the symptoms.

“Regenerative medicine is one of the most promising ways to deal with pain, because it triggers the body to heal,” he explains. “One form is prolotherapy, which tricks the body into thinking it was injured and starts the healing process.”

The FDA recently approved cold laser therapy for plantar fasciitis. “Laser treatment helps reduce pain, increase circulation and attracts the patient’s own growth factors to the area, all of which promote healing,” says Zang.

If left untreated pain can become chronic, but the good news is there are still options. “Growth factor therapy jump starts and maintains regeneration of new tissues,” says Zang. “It’s all about healing.”

• Board Certified Gastroenterologists

• Specializing in all gastrointestinal, liver biliary tract, pancreas diseases and related malignancies • Offering colon cancer screening and open access colonoscopy

In-Office and telemedicine appointments available as well as online scheduling and online referrals. • Same day urgent appointments available

Esperanza - Hope Primary Care Welcomes

MALKI, M.D.

The Newest Addition to Esperanza - Hope Primary Care

As the principal of our practice, I am eager to welcome Dr. Malki to our practice. With his diverse background, clinical education, and compassion for delivering community-based care over the years, I feel con dent he will soon integrate to an active member of our shared community.

Dr. Malki received his medical degree from Aleppo University School of Medicine in 1977. Thereafter, successfully completed his family practice residency at Swedish Covenant hospital from 1989-1992, and most recently holding a position as Cardiac Rehab Director at CGHMC. As an accomplished general practitioner, we feel con dent his approach to medicine is not only emphatic, but as an educator to guide and empower our patients and their families in becoming active decision makers to their overall health.

We take pride on our practice, focused on preventative medicine, including diet, exercise, supporting lifestyle changes, treating an array of conditions not limited to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and hormone imbalances, including our complete MedSpa service line:

• Complete Health Evaluations

• Weight loss

• Chronic Disease Management restoring health and con dence

Accepting New Patient Appointments now, please contact our o ce at 480-497-5933 to book your appointment today. Walk-ins are welcomed.

• Hormone Therapy

• Laser Therapy to quit smoking • IV Therapy

• Hair Growth (PRP)

• Lipo Dissolve

• Botox

Accepting MedSpa appointments now for New Beginnings MedSpa at 480-633-0294 to book your “new beginning” appointment today.

Esperanza - Hope Primary Care DA LA BIENVENIDA

A AFREM MALKI,

M.D.

La mas reciente incorporación a Esperanza - Hope Primary Care

Como directora de nuestra práctica, estoy ansiosa por darle la bienvenida al Dr. Malki a nuestra práctica. Con su experiencia diversa, educación clínica, y compasión por brindar atención medica basada en la comunidad, a lo largo de los años, estoy segura de que pronto se integrara como un miembro activo de nuestra comunidad compartida.

El Dr. Malki recibió su título médico de la universidad Aleppo University School of Medicine en 1977. Posteriormente, completo exitosamente su residencia en medicina familiar en el hospital Swedish Covenant de 1989-1992 y, mas recientemente, ocupó un puesto como Director de Rehabilitación Cardiaca en CGHMC. Como médico general consumado, estamos seguros de que su enfoque en la medicina no solo es enfático, sino también educador para guiar y capacitar a nuestros pacientes y sus familias para que aprendan a tomar decisiones para su salud general. Nos enorgullecemos de nuestra practica, centrada en la medicina preventiva, incluyendo la dieta, el ejercicio, el apoyo a los cambios de estilo de vida, el tratamiento de una variedad de condiciones medicas que no se limitan a la presión arterial alta, el colesterol alto, obesidad, diabetes, y desequilibrios hormonales, incluida nuestra línea completa de servicios de MedSpa:

• Evaluaciones de Salud Completas

• Perdida de Peso

• Manejo de enfermedades crónicas, restauración de la salud y con anza

Estamos aceptando citas para pacientes nuevos, por favor comuniquese con nuestra o cina al: 480-497-5933 para reservar su cita hoy. Aceptamos pacientes sin cita previa.

• Terapia Hormonal

• Terapia con Laser para dejar de fumar

• Terapia Intravenosa

• Crecimiento del Cabello (PRP)

• Disolución Lipo

• Botox

Estamos Aceptando citas para MedSpa ahora. Para New Beginnings MedSpa, por favor comuníquese al: 480-633-0294 para reservar su cita con “new beginning” hoy mismo.

TheMesaTribune.com | @EVTNow /EVTNow Share Your Thoughts: Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak@timespublications.com

Freedom of speech needs some leeway

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

Today’s revelation should surprise exactly no one: There is a difference between what each of us says in public and what we say in private to friends.

In public, in the workplace helping a customer or via Zoom with a client, we clean things up. We avoid controversy, mind our language, sand the edges off opinions.

This is not a fictional self; it is an aspect of who we are. I view it as part of the social contract. In public, most of us agree to put forward our best selves.

Then there’s what happens in private.

I’ve had beers with conservative politicians who drop f-bombs. Played golf with “woker than thou” progressives who comment on the cart girl’s chest. I’ve been emailed a thousand obscene memes and a thousand jokes about Jews and every other ethnicity on the planet.

I’ve said countless things in private that, should I express them in this column, would surely get me fired.

Which brings us to suddenly former Las Vegas Raiders football coach Jon Gruden, embattled comedian Dave Chappelle, and the confusing state of life in 2021.

Gruden resigned last week after a trove of years-old personal emails between him and some guy friends, including Bruce Allen, then-President of the Washington Football Team, became public as part of an NFL investigation into Washington’s toxic workplace culture.

Gruden played no part in that culture, having never worked for the team, but he did “casually and frequently (unleash) misogynistic and homophobic language over several years to denigrate people,” according to the New York Times.

Among those people? NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, labeled by Gruden as a “clueless anti football pussy” and DeMaurice Smith, head of the NFL players union, a black man Gruden said “has

lips the size of michellin [sic] tires.”

The NFL immediately condemned that email – which Gruden wrote in 2010 – as “appalling, abhorrent and wholly contrary to the NFL’s values.”

Then the league went right back to gridiron games involving highly compensated domestic abusers, sexual violators and assorted other miscreants.

Little shocks me about Gruden, a macho jackass in private who kept his offensive ideas to himself for his 8-year run on “Monday Night Football.” Had Gruden voiced unleashed a tirade on air, I would have supported firing him.

What I don’t support is the Opinion Police coming for him based on decade-old private emails.

There’s a difference between repugnant opinions kept to ourselves or shared with friends, and what we do and say around everyone else. If the new American social contract demands pristine behavior 24/7, who among us can meet that standard?

Then there’s Chappelle. The very defi-

American journalism needs reforms

BY JD HAYWORTH Tribune Columnist

With Joe Biden’s $3.5 trillion spending “sharknado” apparently watered down by members of his own party, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi knew just who to blame: the reporters who cover the proceedings under the Capitol Dome.

“I think you all could do a better job of selling it, to be frank with you,” Pelosi said. Got that?

Speaker Pelosi believes that the press corps is just an unelected part of her House Democrat Caucus, on hand to advocate for the left - not to report stories objectively.

And based on recent history, she’s absolutely right.

Corporate media made a collective de-

cision in 2016: our nation needed its first female president, and with their unremittingly sympathetic reporting, Hillary Clinton would make history “her story.”

Those filling the newsrooms and executive suites regarded Donald Trump as an egomaniacal outsider.

From the day in 2015 when he took a Trump Tower escalator to speak to a waiting crowd and announce his candidacy, the press escalated its attacks on the intriguing political novice, growing increasingly flummoxed as Trump soon became the GOP frontrunner.

Then, on Election Night, the unthinkable happened: Donald John Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States.

Not only did the alphabet networks have trouble minding their p’s and q’s, but the taxpayer-financed Voice of America (VOA) dissolved into the tears of a clown.

Amanda Bennett, then the VOA Director, had ordered the production of a celebratory documentary, “America’s First Woman President,” to be aired once the votes were counted and the inevitable had occurred.

When the inevitable yielded to the improbable, Bennett began to cry, and other VOA staffers began to scramble, scurrying to fill the gap with somber live coverage that supplanted the joyous pre-produced programming originally planned.

Though the press partisans came emotionally undone over the 2016 election results, they were far from done with Donald Trump. He may have been sworn in, but he became a figure to be sworn at, with journalistic coverage full of sound, fury, and falsehoods. Russiagate. Kids in cages. Two weeks

nition of a comedian is someone who has no filter, who says in public that which none of us dares speak.

Comedians’ jokes offend, but they also serve as human WD-40, a lubricant between people and ideas. If Chappelle’s joking about the gay and trans community offends, well, that’s literally in his job description.

The unwritten rule seems to be that it’s fine for Chappelle to joke about black people, because he’s black. In the same vein, I can joke about Jews because my name is Leibowitz.

But stray out of your lane, be offensive about a group to which you don’t belong, and you’ll be cancelled, pronto.

I’d advocate for a different standard, a culture where freedom of speech includes leeway for time and place, private versus public. I’d also prefer a culture that can still take a joke.

Under the new rules, it’s only a matter of time before the Opinion Police come for all of us, no matter how polite we think, act or speak. ■

to flatten the curve. Voter ID is racist. Vote fraud is rare. The 2020 Election was secure.

To those journalistic themes and scores more, Trump offered a two word response: “Fake news.”

Ben Rhodes, a one-time aspiring novelist who was Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications and whose brother David was president of CBS News, confessed to the “New York Times Magazine” that the successful messaging of the US-Iran nuke deal and the diplomatic recognition of Communist Cuba depended upon the creation of compelling narratives. Not necessarily factual, nor true, but “compelling.”

And those narratives were served up to a group of sympathetic reporters gull-

Redistricting chair: We want to hear from you

BY ERIKA SCHUPAK NEUBERG Tribune Guest Writer

Iam the Independent, politically unaffiliated chair of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. My colleagues and I are tasked with redrawing Arizona’s congressional and state legislative district lines, a process that occurs every 10 years and serves as the boundaries from which our state and federal representatives seek elected office to represent us, individually and collectively.

Your AIRC has been hard at work preparing for the consequential next step of drawing draft maps. We have built a talented and diverse staff whose members share deep state knowledge and speak the same languages as the communities they are reaching out to.

We have gathered academics, demographers, legal consultants, mapping consultants, and others who, in a relatively short time, have seamlessly collaborated to advise us on meeting our obligations under the United States and Arizona Constitutions. We have studied our state’s racial and ethnic diversity, migration trends, economic drivers, natural resources, and com-

HAYWORTH from page 26

ible enough to swallow them hook, line, and sinker.

Ben Rhodes didn’t call those journalists “gullible,”— he called them know nothings. He described the average reporter in the White House Press Corps as someone “27 years old” whose “only reporting experience consists of being around political campaigns.”

Americans have learned a little something about the politicization of the

ments from the citizens as to what links us together as communities of interest.

We hope the general public continues to take advantage of the trove of civic-minded information provided on the AIRC’s website under the newsroom link.

Since summer, we have engaged in an extensive listening tour to identify our state’s various “communities of interest” and hear from citizens as to what they believe is important in drawing district lines. I was honored to attend each of the 19 public hearings to date across 47 locations and thank the over 1,000 dedicated citizens who participated.

To be honest, I did not know what to expect at these meetings; we so often see rancor, negativity, and political extremism on traditional and social media. I am proud to say, however, that civic engagement in Arizona is strong.

Time and again, individuals, diverse in so many ways, took turns respectfully and passionately expressing their views. We heard about the responsiveness (or lack thereof) of our local, state, and federal elected leaders. We learned of historical, geographical, and economic connections, such as the Copper Corridor, that unite us.

We were reminded that political compromise is still possible, such as in Yuma,

press: it is real, it is rabid, and it is radical. What’s more, it has prompted a reaction of revulsion.

July brought these results from a Gallup Poll: Americans with “quite a lot” or a “great deal” of confidence in newspapers totaled just 21 percent. For television it was even lower: only 16 percent.

The prevailing political view of the press – Orange man bad, senile man superb – jeopardizes American journalism, which badly needs reform, except in the eyes of journalists. ■

where Republican leaders spoke so positively of their Democratic colleagues, and vice versa. They demonstrated how to turn division into an asset by capitalizing on additional representation. We heard from rural communities fearful that urban growth will impinge on their way of life. And we were reminded that too many minority communities still feel marginalized in their political representation. Much work remains. The AIRC will continue to hold public meetings throughout the process. The maps will be drawn in a transparent manner in accordance with our constitutions. You can follow each and every step of the map-drawing process live; up-to-date information with instructions for how to participate can be found on our website or social media platforms. Citizens can submit maps, leaving no room for interpretation as to what is important to you as to the constitutional criteria. You do not need to attend a meeting to submit your comments; simply visit irc. az.gov and you will be directed to the appropriate links. The AIRC is open 24/7 for feedback in the language that is most com-

fortable for you to express your thoughts. Please consider attending an upcoming hearing, or at minimum taking the time to share your feedback. Our sincere goal is for all citizens of Arizona to be heard and counted. We are committed to conducting a transparent, ethical process that fosters as much confidence-building and trust as possible.

I appreciate that there is still much to learn, and take seriously our obligation to protect every citizen’s right to representation. We have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to draw legislative and congressional maps that reflect the rich and diverse interests of our citizenry and of our shared home, Arizona. On behalf of all the IRC Commissioners, I look forward to hearing from you.

Erika Schupak Neuberg is an Independent and was unanimously elected by her peers to be the volunteer chair of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. She is a graduate of Colorado College, and earned a master’s degree and doctorate in psychology from Arizona State University. ■

Mountain View volleyball continues climb towards state title

BY DREW SCHOTT Tribune Contributing Writer

There is one topic that Clark Fleming and his team discuss constantly.

The drive for a state title is the goal for every program and Fleming — the head coach of the girls volleyball team at Mountain View High School — sees his players determined to reach this point. During the offseason, team members kept their skills intact by attending college volleyball camps and competing in travel tournaments.

Coming off a loss in the state semifinals to Perry High School, Mountain View is on the rise in its fourth year under Fleming, a former volleyball player at Mesa High School. Off to an 8-2 start, the Toros, who currently rank first in their region, have an end goal in mind. And they know the tactics that can help them raise a championship trophy.

“When we just all click, then it works the best,” senior outside hitter Aaliyah Austin said. “We have a lot of talent on our team, but we haven’t all played together because we lost a lot of our starters from last year. So we’ve just been working on trying to gel and connect, but the times that we have, it’s just been a lot of fun to play and from what I’ve heard, a lot of fun to watch.”

Fleming says watching a new roster find ways to win is “a fun puzzle to put together every single season.” This season, various Mountain View players are stepping into increased roles or performing at new positions. Ahead of its match against Westwood, the squad will be missing five starters. Briley Decker, the reigning Region Player of the Year and a four-year setter on Varsity, has been out since the start of the season with an ankle injury

Yet Mountain View has a crucial asset on its roster, according to Fleming: players who have spent a long time around volleyball.

“It’s nice to be able to have people, even though they’re not on the court right now, they help the kids who are newer to our systems and to this experience and to our mentality,” Fleming said. “They help them

(Dave

a lot from the sidelines. It’ll be pretty interesting once we can get healthy and get all of our players back.”

As the Toros continue their charge towards the state tournament, Fleming does not want his team to be focused on how it is better than other opponents. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of the present and that every night Mountain View takes the court, it plays the best volleyball it can.

Junior setter Olivia Tukuafu is familiar with Fleming’s coaching style. Not only has she spent three years with the Toros, but she worked with her current head coach when she played club. Tukuafu credited Fleming with teaching his team the fundamentals of volleyball, as well as the importance of close bonds on the court.

Austin echoed Tukuafu’s sentiments and added that Fleming encourages the team “when we need to be lifted up,” while also “giving us the honest truth when we need to hear that.” She remembers that when he took the helm of the Mountain View program, Fleming spoke about establishing team culture and the type of team the Toros wanted to be and how their play would reinforce that.

The impact of this message is starting to show.

“It’s the culture and the girls that are on the team,” Tukuafu said in regards to how Mountain View’s 2021 squad is different from past years. “A lot of us have known each other since we were super young or have played for each other.”

The Toros’ victories have come against opponents such as Mesa, Pinnacle High School and Red Mountain High School. Yet what stands out to Fleming is one of his team’s losses. In the eight seasons that he has been at Mountain View as a coach on both the Boys and Girls teams, Fleming has never beaten Corona del Sol High School.

On Sept. 9, the squads matched up in Tempe and Corona del Sol walked out with a 3-1 victory. Despite the loss, Fleming was impressed with his squad’s mental resilience and competitiveness in every set. While the Toros are not set to face Corona del Sol for the rest of the regular season — as

well as Queen Creek, who defeated them in the season opener — Mountain View is readying for its opportunity to prove itself in the postseason.

Austin is excited to see what the end of the season brings, especially if the team continues to grow and play consistent volleyball. Tukuafu said “our head’s always on state.”

Meanwhile, if the Toros play the “best volleyball we’re capable of playing,” Fleming believes his squad will be hard to beat.

“(You) never know what happens in the playoffs,” Fleming said. “Those are always fun, emotional matches, so I’m hoping we play good volleyball at the right time and we find ourselves in a good spot there at the end of the playoffs.” ■

Junior setter Olivia Tukuafu said the culture of this year’s team sets it apart from year’s past. Many players are familiar with one another and have played together since a young age. (Dave Minton/Tribune Staff)

Mountain View senior outside hitter Aaliyah Austin said when she and her team clicks, everything comes together for a team that made the 6A semifinals last season.

Minton/Tribune Staff)

SECTION COMING

OCTOBER 31ST! OCTOBER 31ST!

Our reader poll is designed to let YOU tell us about your favorite people, places, shops, restaurants and things to do in Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler.

PEOPLE | PLACES | SHOPS | RESTAURANTS | THINGS TO DO

Chance of lifetime to see Mesa Arizona Temple

GETOUT STAFF

Members of the general public will not likely have another chance to see the interior of the

Mesa Arizona Temple in their lifetime – or possibly even their grandchildren may never once it is rededicated on Dec. 12. So between now and Nov. 20 – except on Sundays – people can tour Mesa’s signature

landmark, which has been closed since May 2018 for a major renovation. It’s the second since the temple was dedicated in 1927 and was extensive. The Mesa Arizona Temple is one of seven Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-Day Saints temples in the state and Arizona’s first.

Tour reservations: mesatemple.org/ open-house. Some of the tour stops are shown here. ■

1) This is one of several Instruction Rooms, where worshippers learn about God’s creation and the purpose of life. Unique to the Mesa Arizona Temple, patrons advance room to room. Each instruction room is slightly elevated above the previous, symbolizing progression to heaven.

2) The baptistery is used to perform proxy baptisms for deceased ancestors who passed on without the ordinance of baptism. The font in the Mesa Arizona Temple is clad with rare terracotta tiles and rests on 12 terracotta oxen representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

3) The sealing room is where families are joined together for time and eternity. A replica crystalline chandelier, fluted pilasters and inlaid wood-backed chairs are in the Colonial Revival style popular in the 1920s. The Mesa Arizona Temple has six sealing rooms of different sizes that can accommodate 17 to 90 guests.

4) The Grand Staircase was part of the original temple and has been restored.

5) Every feature in the temple has been restored.

6) At the Recommend Desk, patrons present upon entering the temple a card showing they are a member in good standing of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Outside the temple, the grounds have been renovated and 300 trees have been planted. A new stage and technology will significantly enhance the presentation of the annual Easter Pageant as well as choral groups that sing during the equally elaborate Christmas lights show.

(Courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints )

It’s the time of year when we start thinking about the comfort foods of the harvest season; squash, pumpkins and, of course, sweet potatoes. Time to pull out my recipe for Rustic Southern Sweet Potato Pie.

In the Southern kitchens of America, homebakers just called it potato pie because, according to my 1965 Farm Journal’s Complete Pie Cookbook, folks south of the Mason Dixon Line refer to sweet potatoes as simply “potatoes” and the white variety they call “Irish” potatoes. In any case sweet potato pie is an American favorite and the soul food sister of our beloved pumpkin pie. Not necessarily associated with a holiday like Thanksgiving though, you can gobble up sweet potato pie anytime of the year, especially now when the yams and sweet potatoes are in peak season.

A good old-fashioned rustic southern sweet potato pie is rich and luscious enough to be a gut-busting dessert, but it can also be a full-bodied side to a main entrée. So dive in! It’s a sweet and soulful

For the filling:

2 large yams

2 large sweet potatoes

2 cups sugar

1 stick of butter, melted

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

Directions:

In a large pot, boil yams and potatoes for about one hour or until tender. Drain water and let potatoes cool. When cool enough to handle, peel skins off and place yams and potatoes in a ricer or potato masher.

In a bowl, combine yams and potatoes, sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and vanilla. Mix well.

For the dough:

3 tablespoons butter

3 cups flour

½ teaspoon salt

¼ cup sugar

1/3 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

1 cup whole milk

1 egg

1 tablespoon milk

dish and as easy as pie to whip together,

Directions for dough:

Preheat oven to 375. In a small saucepan, heat the butter until it turns golden brown. When done, it should have a nutty-like aroma. Remove from heat and let cool.

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and sugar, mixing well.

In another bowl, whisk together olive oil, vanilla, milk and melted butter.

Pour into the flour mixture and mix with a fork. Dough should hold together. If too crumbly, add ice water, a tablespoon at a time. Cover and let sit for about a half an hour.

To Assemble:

On a floured surface, roll out dough to fit a 14” round or rectangular baking pan.

Place dough on pan. Spoon filling into the center of the dough, leaving about a 1 ½ inch border. Gently fold the sides of the dough up and over some of the filling.

Make an egg wash by mixing the egg and tablespoon of milk together with a fork. Coat the bread with egg wash using a pastry brush. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake for about 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Life Events

James Ellsworth Shaner

Passed away on Augus t 26, 2021 peacefully in hi s home. He was born June 1, 1925 in Quincy Township , Michigan. On May 10 , 1947, he married Beatric e Elaine Seely and in 1980 , moved to Arizona.

He is survived by his sister Betty From (Raym ond), three sons, Dennis, James (Jean) an d P atrick (Mary Lu) and daughter, Lori; fou r grandchildren (Ashley, Alyson, Nathaniel, and Danielle), five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He served in the United States Navy in th e Pacific Theater during World War II. His ship, t he USS LSM70 carried Marines and fou r tanks to the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was a lifetime, knighted member with the Free Masons and was a member of the Lions Club for over 2 decades. He held a private pilots license with Instrument Rating to fly his Piper Cub. James w as an industrial electrician for 60 years . W hen he retired he enjoyed his Ham radio , w oodworking and watching the Diamondbacks with Beatrice who preceded him in death December, 13 2019 after 72 years of marriage.

HEADSTONES

480-969-0788

Ramona Verna Syverson entered her heavenly home and eternal life on October 5, 2021 (105), with family by her side. Ramona was born in Raven, Nebraska on August 19, 1916, to George and Alice Birdsall. Graduate from Centerville, South Dakota High School in 1935. Married Elwyn (Doc) Syverson on January 28, 1938. Ramona and Doc owned drug stores in South Dakota and Minnesota, where they worked side-by-side for 37 years. They also lived in California where Doc was employed by a pharmaceutical company for several years.

Ramona was very active in Girl Scouts resulting in 39 years as a leader and active board member of Girls Scouts of Minnesota. She received the highest honor in Girl Scouts recognizing her 52 total years of service. Member of Eastern Star since 1953.

Ramona traveled the world, loving every mile of every road trip and every wave of every cruise – totally more than 15 cruises. She loved to snowmobile and fly with Doc in their plane. She always

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Ramona Verna Syverson

said, “we worked hard and played hard.”

Ramona was loved by all. When she touched your heart that warmth remained forever. She was a caring and compassionate lady being helpful to others and putting others first before herself. She possessed that positive attitude and smile at all times; never a complaint could be heard, but always there to provide mentoring and guidance to young and old alike. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, aunt, cousin, and a true “forever” friend to many.

Ramona was preceded in death by her husband Elwyn (Doc) Syverson in 1977, brother Harold Birdsall in 1977, sister Clara (Nelson) Puck in 1992, sister-in-law Nada Birdsall in 2004, and nephew Elwyn Birdsall in 2021, and close friend Carl Dahlberg. She is survived by her niece Pamela (Birdsall) Monroe and Doc’s niece Mary (Jorgensen) Anderson, many great/great-great nieces, nephew, along with her god-daughter Jill (Frank) Gentry, dear friends Tom & Karen Thomas, and many more friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Ramona’s memory to the American Heart Association www.heart.org or Shriners www.donate.lovetotherescue.org Please visit her memorial page at www. williamsthomasfuneralhome.com. For further information WILLIAMS-THOMAS WESTAREA 352-376-7556.

Now hiring for fulltime Day Porter positions in Chandler, Scottsdale and Tempe. For further information apply in person at 7020 N 55th Ave Glendale AZ 85301 or Call 623-937-3727

Virtuouspros has openings for Software Engineers in Phoenix, AZ. Reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach + 5 yrs exp w/ skills in MS SQL/Oracle/J2EE/JSP/HTML/ Java to analyze/design/develop/ implement/test systems & apps. Email resume to Tanya at tanya@ virtuouspros.com with ref no 2021-19 & ref ad in EVT

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Employment

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Ifyouarereliable,havegoodattendanceandthe abilitytoworkinafastpacedmanufacturingenvironmentthenApplyTodayinpersonat105S.41st AvenueSuite#200,PhoenixAZ85009oryoumay alsoapplybycalling 480-524-0975.

Employment General

Peter Piper Pizza

Location: McDowell and Miller Road

We are now hiring Full Time / Part Time, Team Members for Day, Evenings and Night positions.

Apply at: 7607 E. McDowell Road Scottsdale, Az. 85257 (480) 947-9901

Located between Hayden Road and Scottsdale Road on the southwest corner of Miller Road.

Peralta Canyon –10893 E. Peralta Canyon Dr – Gold Canyon AZ

Friday October 22nd, Saturday October 23rd & Sunday October 24th 7am-3pm

2 Adjacent Plots. Includes Complete Package. East Resthaven Cemetery Park. 4310 E Southern, Phoenix. Appraised at $10K. Will Sell For $5K Cash. 520-371-1588

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Homes For Rent

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Housing Waitlist Opening Close Date Extended

Apply from Thursday, 12 p.m. (MST) Oct. 7, 2021. Through Thursday, 12 p.m. (MST) Oct. 21, 2021

The City of Chandler has extended the deadline to submit pre-applications for the Public Housing Waitlist. The new close date is Thursday, 12 p.m. (MST). Oct. 21, 2021.

From the pool of all pre-applications submitted, 2,000 pre-applications will be placed on the waitlist by random selection (“lottery”). Pre-applications not selected will be notified by mail and will have to reapply for assistance when applications are open again.

What is a pre-application?

A “pre-application” is a short application that gets you on the waitlist for Public Housing. You will only be asked to fill out a (full) “application” for Public Housing when you get near the top of the waitlist in the future.

Who can pre-apply?

All families and individuals can pre-apply.

Income Requirements:

Total Household Income must not exceed the following:

What information will you need to pre-apply?

• The first, middle, and last names of all household members.

• The birth dates of all household members.

• The combined total gross annual income (from all sources) of all household members.

How can you pre-apply?

Pre-applications will be available and accepted online, by email, by fax, by telephone, and pre-applications are available on the door near the Drop

Box located at 226 S. Washington St., Chandler, AZ 85225.

How can you submit a completed pre-application on line?

Go to chandleraz.gov/applyforhousing. If you pre-apply online, you must complete both steps of the online process:

• Create an account. Submit a completed pre-application.

How can you obtain a paper pre-application?

Request a paper pre-application (include your mailing address in your request):

• By email at: chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov

• By telephone at: 480-782-3200 or 7-1-1 TTY options: English 800-367-8939 / Español 800-842-2088

• By fax at: 480-782-3220

• Pre-applications are available on the door in the parking garage located at 226 S. Washington St., Chandler, AZ 85225

• PDF Form: chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing

How can you submit a paper pre-application?

• By email to: chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov

If you email your pre-application to us, it must be received no later than 12 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2021.

• By fax to: 480-782-3220

If you fax your pre-application to us, it must be received no later than 12 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2021.

• By mail to: City of Chandler Housing and Redevelopment Division Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85344

If you mail your pre-application to us, it must be postmarked on or before Oct. 21, 2021.

• Pre-applications can be put in the Drop Box located at 226 S. Washington St., Chandler, AZ 85225.

If you bring your pre-application to our office, it must be in the Drop Box no later than 12 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2021

IMPORTANT: Your pre-application must be completed in full, or it will not be accepted, and you will not be placed on the waitlist.

How will pre-applications be placed on the waitlist?

From the pool of all pre-applications submitted, 2,000 Pre-applications will be placed on the waitlist by random lottery by preference. Pre-applicants not selected will have to reapply for assistance when applications are open again. For more information on the City’s preferences and general eligibility requirements, please visit our website at chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing or call us at 480-782-3200.

Requests for Reasonable Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact the office by phone at 480-782-3200, 7-1-1 TTY options:English 800-367-8939 / Español 800-842-2088; or in person at 235 S. Arizona Ave Chandler AZ 85225; or by fax 480-782-3220; or by email chandler.housing@chandleraz. gov. The City is accepting requests for reasonable accommodation, modification and auxiliary aids and services at any time. Requests may include (but are not limited to) applications in large print or Braille, readers, sign language interpreters, assistance explaining or forms due to disability.

Requests for Language Services

The online pre-application and paper pre-applications are available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Korean. If you would like to pre-application in a language other than English, you can call 480-782-3200 or come to our office or 7-1-1 TTY options: English 800-367-8939 / Español 800-842-2088

The City of Chandler Housing and Redevelopment Division is committed to fully complying with all state, federal, and local laws involving non-discrimination and equal housing opportunity. Additional information, such as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), will soon be located on the website at chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing. If you should have questions, please contact our office 480-782-3200.

AISO PÚBLICO

Se Extiende la Fecha de Cierre de la Apertura e la Lista de Espera para la Vivienda Pública

Haga su solicitud del jueves 7 de octubre de 2021 a las 12 p.m. (tiempo estándar de la montaña)

Al jueves 21 de octubre de 2021 a las 12 p.m. (tiempo estándar de la montaña)

La Ciudad de Chandler ha extendido la fecha límite para presentar las pre-solicitudes para la Lista de Espera para la Vivienda Pública. La nueva fecha de cierre para las solicitudes es el jueves 21 de octubre de 2021 a las 12 p.m. (tiempo estándar de la montaña).

Del grupo de todas las pre-solicitudes que se presenten, 2,000 pre-solicitudes se colocarán en la lista de espera por medio de una selección aleatoria (“lotería”). Las pre-solicitudes que no sean seleccionadas serán notificadas por correo postal y tendrán que volver a solicitar la asistencia cuando las solicitudes se vuelvan a abrir.

¿Qué es una pre-solicitud?

Una “pre-solicitud” es una solicitud corta que le incluye en la lista de espera para la Vivienda Pública. A usted sólo se le pedirá que llene una “solicitud” (completa) para Vivienda Pública cuando se acerque a la parte superior de la lista de espera en el futuro.

¿Quién puede hacer una pre-solicitud?

Todas las familias y los individuos pueden presentar una pre-solicitud.

Requerimientos de ingresos:

El Total de Ingresos del Hogar no debe exceder a lo siguiente

¿Qué información necesitará para presentar una pre-solicitud?

• El nombre, el segundo nombre y los apellidos de todos los miembros del hogar.

• Las fechas de nacimiento de todos los miembros del hogar.

• El ingreso bruto anual total combinado (de toda fuente) de todos los miembros del hogar.

¿Cómo puede usted hacer su pre-solicitud?

Las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles y serán aceptadas en línea, por correo electrónico, por fax, o por teléfono, y las pre-solicitudes estarán disponibles en la puerta cercana al buzón especial “Drop Box” ubicado en 226 S. Washington St., Chandler, AZ 85225.

¿Cómo se puede presentar una pre-solicitud completa en línea?

Visite chandleraz.gov/applyforhousing. Si usted está haciendo su pre-solicitud en línea, debe completar ambos pasos del proceso en línea:

• Crear una cuenta. • Enviar una pre-solicitud completa.

¿Cómo se puede obtener una pre-solicitud física en papel?

Solicite una pre-solicitud en papel (incluya su domicilio postal en su solicitud):

• Por correo electrónico a: chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov

• Por teléfono llamando al: 480-782-3200 ó al 7-1-1 usando las opciones de TTY: Inglés 1-800-367-8939 / Español 1-800-842-2088

• Por fax al: 480-782-3220

• Las pre-solicitudes están disponibles en la puerta del estacionamiento ubicado en 226 S. Washington St., Chandler, AZ 85225

• Forma en formato PDF: chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing

¿Cómo puede usted presentar una pre-solicitud en papel?

• Por correo electrónico a: chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov Si usted nos envía su pre-solicitud por correo electrónico, ésta se debe recibir a más tardar a las 12 p.m. del 21 de octubre de 2021.

• Por fax al: 480-782-3220. Si usted nos envía su pre-solicitud por fax, ésta se debe recibir a más tardar a las 12 p.m. del 21 de octubre de 2021.

• Por correo postal a: City of Chandler Housing and Redevelopment Division, Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85344. Si usted nos envía su pre-solicitud por correo postal, ésta debe contar con el matasellos postal fechado el 21 de octubre de 2021 ó antes.

• Las pre-solicitudes se pueden depositar en el buzón especial “Drop Box” ubicado en 226 S. Washington St. Chandler, AZ 85225. Si usted trae su pre-solicitud a nuestra oficina, debe depositarla en el buzón especial “Drop Box” a más tardar a las 12 p.m. del 21 de octubre de 2021.

IMPORTANTE: Su pre-solicitud debe llenarse totalmente o no será aceptada, y no se le colocará a usted en la lista de espera.

¿Cómo se colocarán las pre-solicitudes en la lista de espera?

Del grupo de todas las pre-solicitudes que se presenten, 2,000 pre-solicitudes se colocarán en la lista de espera por medio de una selección aleatoria (“lotería”) por preferencia. Las pre-solicitudes que no sean seleccionadas tendrán que volver a solicitar la asistencia cuando las solicitudes se vuelvan a abrir. Para más información sobre las preferencias de la Ciudad y los requerimientos generales de elegibilidad, por favor visite nuestro sitio web chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing ó llámenos al 480-782-3200.

Solicitudes de Adaptaciones Razonables

Si usted requiere una adaptación razonable, por favor comuníquese con la oficina llamando al 480-782-3200, ó al 7- -1 usando las opciones de TTY: Inglés 1-800-367-8939 / Español 1-800-842-2088; ó en persona en 235 S. Arizona Ave. Chandler AZ 85225; ó por fax al 480-782-3220; ó por correo electrónico en chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov.

La Ciudad está aceptando solicitudes de adaptaciones razonables, modificaciones y dispositivos y servicios auxiliares en cualquier momento. Las solicitudes pueden incluir (pero no están limitadas a) solicitudes en letra grande o en Braille, lectores, intérpretes de lenguaje de señas, asistencia explicando o formas debido a una discapacidad.

Solicitudes de Servicios de Idiomas

La pre-solicitud en línea y las pre-solicitudes en papel están disponibles en inglés, español, francés, árabe, mandarín, vietnamita, y coreano. Si usted desea una pre-solicitud en un idioma que no sea inglés puede llamar al 480-782-3200 ó acudir a nuestra oficina, ó llamar al 7-1-1 usando las opciones de TTY: Inglés 1-800-367-8939 / Español 1-800-842-2088

La División de Vivienda y Redesarrollo de la Ciudad de Chandler se compromete a cumplir plenamente con todas las leyes estatales, federales y locales que envuelvan la antidiscriminación y la igualdad de oportunidades en la vivienda.

En el sitio web pronto habrá información adicional, como Preguntas Frecuentes (FAQ por sus siglas en inglés), wwchandleraz.gov/affordablehousing. Si tiene usted preguntas, por favor llame a nuestra oficina al 480-782-3200.

Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008 Chandler, AZ 85244-4008

235 S. Arizona Ave. Chandler, AZ 85225

www.chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing 480-782-3200 | Fax 480-782-3220

The Arizona Relay Service provides free 24-hour telephone access for the deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and hearing or speech impaired. 7-1-1 (TTY) * 7-1-1 (Voice) TTY English 800-367-8939 / Español 800-842-2088

Published: East Valley Tribune, Oct. 17, 2021 / 42111

CITY OF MESA MESA, ARIZONA

MESA FIRE RESOURCES BUILDINGS 2 AND 3 RE-ROOF

708 W. BASELINE ROAD

PROJECT NO. LF0383

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until Thursday, October 28, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. All sealed bids will be received electronically at EngineeringBids@mesaaz.gov . Bids must be submitted as an unencrypted PDF attachment with a maximum size limit of 20MB. Any bid received after the time specified will be returned without any consideration.

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

Remove existing metal roof and replace with mechanically attached KEE thermoplastic roofing system to Buildings 2 and 3 as shown on approved plans. The project will also raise existing mechanical units.

The Engineer’s Estimate range is $700,000 to 900,000.

For all technical, contract, bid-related, or other questions, please contact Stephanie Gishey at stephanie.gishey@mesaaz.gov.

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

Contractors desiring to submit proposals may purchase sets of the Bid Documents from ARC Document Solutions, LLC, at https://order.e-arc.com/arcEOC/PWELL_Main.asp?mem=29. Click on “Go” for the Public Planroom to access plans. NOTE: In order to be placed on the Plan Holders List and to receive notifications and updates regarding this bid (such as addenda) during the bidding period, an order must be placed. The cost of each Bid Set will be no more than $13.00, which is non-refundable. Partial bid packages are not sold. You can view documents on-line (at no cost), order Bid Sets, and access the Plan Holders List on the website at the address listed above. Please verify print lead time prior to arriving for pick-up. For a list of locations nearest you, go to www.e-arc.com.

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

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

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

Work shall be completed within 90 consecutive calendar days, beginning with the day following the starting date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

Bids must be submitted on the Proposal F orm provided and be accompanied by the Bid Bond for not less than ten percent (10%) of the total bid, payable to the City of Mesa, Arizona, or a certified or cashier's check. PERSONAL OR INDIVIDUAL SURETY BONDS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.

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

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

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

BETH HUNING City Engineer

CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

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

ON-CALL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION AND INSPECTION SERVICES FOR VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION WORK

The City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants to provide design services and/or construction administration s ervices on an on-call basis in the following area/category: On-Call Consulting Services for Construction Administration and Inspection Services for Vertical Construction Work. 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 Construction Administration and Vertical Inspection Services. This category is further defined below:

Inspections of a variety of trades, such as carpentry, roofing, building remodels, excavation, interior/exterior electrical, heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, sheet metal, painting, fencing, asbestos and lead abatement, demolition, environmental clean-up (incidental to the work), concrete, masonry, welding, playground equipment installation, park improvements, treatment plants, and other work as deemed necessary.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will not be held.

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

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

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10 point. Please submit one (1) electronic copy in an unencrypted PDF format with a maximum file size limit of 20MB to Engineering-RFQ@mesaaz.gov by 2 pm on October 28, 2021. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. In the subject line and on the submittal package, please display: Firm name and On-Call Category.

The City is an equal opportunity employer.

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

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Donna Horn of the Engineering Department at donna.horn@mesaaz.gov.

BETH HUNING City Engineer

ATTEST:

DeeAnn Mickelsen

Clerk

ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk

Published: East Valley Tribune Oct. 10, 27, 2021 / 41989