Op-Ed: SMART Health Card gives gov’t control PAGE
peoriatimes.com
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INSIDE
This Week
NEWS..............4 Family moves to WV for special programming
FEATURES..... 14 Comedic and classic musicals fill ABT season
OPINION...................... 7 BUSINESS.................. 10 SPORTS...................... 12 FEATURES.................. 14 CALENDAR................ 18 RELIGION................... 20 YOUTH....................... 22 CLASSIFIEDS.............. 23
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March 10, 2022
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
Peoria Chamber of Commerce CEO steps down BY JORDAN HOUSTON Peoria Times Staff Writer
Peoria Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Scot Andrews is stepping down to explore other business pursuits within the West Valley. Andrews, who replaced former chamber of commerce president and CEO Guy Erickson in 2019, announced at the beginning of March his retirement. During his time with the chamber, Andrews spearheaded membership and revenue growth, the launching of a fresh new logo and branding, new private sector alliances and the completion of one of “our most successful annual charity events in years,” according to the chamber. The Any Lab Test Now Phoenix franchisee owner told Peoria Times his decision to leave was largely based on the desire to expand his business into the West Valley. The testing lab, located at 4501 E. Thomas Road,
Suite 105, provides direct access to clinical, DNA and drug and alcohol lab testing services, as well as phlebotomy and other specimen collections, its website states. Andrews emphasized his departure from the chamber will not hinder his drive to continue to support the Valley’s economic development and business community. “We are expanding, and we have the market rights to the West Valley,” the former CEO shared. “We love the West Valley business. It’s really important to get that store up and running. We have plans and a vision for building more stores in the West Valley. The business interest was a primary driver of that fulltime role in and of itself.” The Any Lab Test Now is a national brand designed “around customer experience,” its website continues. It allows customers SEE ANDREWS PAGE 5
Peoria Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Scot Andrews is stepping down to expand his franchise, Any Lab Test Now, into the West Valley. (Submitted photo)
Phoenix Rescue Mission transforms life of local woman BY JORDAN HOUSTON Peoria Times Staff Writer
After becoming homeless at age 11, a Glendale woman is sharing how the Phoenix Rescue Mission helped her land on her feet. Sylvia Stocking reached out to the faithbased nonprofit group, which offers essential aid to “vulnerable Valley residents,” roughly four years ago, she recalled. The mother of three contacted PRM’s Glen-
dale Works program, a partnership with the city of Glendale that “paves a path to employment” for homeless citizens through five-hour paid work shifts performing landscaping and beautification projects. Stocking said the opportunity has not only transformed her life by offering a source of income but also a Glendale apartment and a means to build her future. “If people put the time and legwork in and utilized these resources — there is no
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reason people should be homeless anymore,” Stocking expressed. Stocking has since landed employment at an airport. She also submitted an articles of organization form, a document required by the state to establish the creation of an LLC within the state of Arizona, and paid a fee to obtain her business license for landscaping, she shared. And she attributes all of her newfound SEE MISSION PAGE 3
