Peoria Times 05-21-2020

‘There will never be another Zach Hoffpauir’

BY TOM SCANLON Peoria Times Managing Editor

Talented young athletes often dominate several sports in elementary school and even high school. But even the most gifted focus on just one sport in high school.

Not Zach Hoffpauir.

Like a modern-day Jim Thorpe or local Bo Jackson, Hoffpauir refused to stick to one sport: After graduating from Centennial High School, he excelled in baseball and football at Stanford University. He was good enough to be drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks and played parts of two minor-league seasons.

He left baseball and returned to foot-

ball, in February landing an assistant coach job at the up-and-coming University of Northern Colorado, coached by Ed McCaffrey—a former pro and father of Christian McCaffrey, Hoffpauir’s close friend and former Stanford teammate.

The next promising chapter in his life ended suddenly May 15, when Zachary Thomas Hoffpauir, a Glendale native who became a Peoria sports legend, died in his sleep.

He was 26.

The passing of this extraordinary talent was devastating to his wide circle.

Wife helps veteran climb out of depths

BY TOM SCANLON Peoria Times Managing Editor

Memorial Day was called Decoration Day when it was first celebrated, May 30, 1866. It first honored soldiers who died during the Civil War, then American soldiers who died in any war.

Sean Shields is an American soldier who served in Afghanistan. Though he was involved in multiple firefights and a Humvee accident, he didn’t die there.

He came home and settled in Peoria, where he decided he was going to end his life.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ most recent report, “The number of veteran suicides exceeded 6,000 each year from 2008 to 2017.”

Depressed and haunted by memories of

battle, feeling life was nothing more than a losing battle between physical pain and mental anguish, Shields got drunk and decided to end it.

Fortunately, he told his wife about his plan.

And, fortunately, Breeana Shields was prepared for the moment.

She had seen her once-joyful husband spiral into the depths of despair after returning from deployment.

When he was in Afghanistan, they would talk, but only in general terms. “He would share, ‘Yes, I was in a firefight,’ or, ‘Yes, I was in a Humvee accident.’ But deployment wasn’t the time to hash things out,” Breanna said.

Glendale native Zach Hoffpauir, who played baseball and football at Stanford University after a brilliant athletic career at Peoria’s Centennial High School, died in his sleep May 15. He was 26. (Photos courtesy Stanford University)

HOFFPAUIR PAGE 3

In recognition of her passionate care before, during and after her husband Sean Shields’ crisis, Breanna Shields was recently named one of 30 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellows selected across the country. (Photo courtesy Breanna Shields)

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Peter Jelovic, Centennial High’s athletic director, said the school was not yet planning a memori al.

“The family has asked for time to grieve,” he said. “They will let us know when they plan to have a service.”

The son of Doug and Shannon Hoff pauir and older brother of Hillary Hoffpauir, Zachary Hoffpauir grad uated from Centennial in 2012. In high school, in addition to starring in two sports—and, of course, playing both offense (wide receiver, quarterback, running back) and defense—he became known as a charismatic leader.

David Fernandez, Centennial High School’s school resource officer from the Peoria Police Department, tweeted a fond memory:

“A few years ago, Zach Hoffpauir was back at Centennial mentoring—I was standing nearby watching when a young student walked up and said, ‘Hey, who’s that?’

“I replied, ‘That’s who you want to grow up to be.’”

A University of Northern Colorado press release stated Hoffpauir “made a strong, positive impact” in his short time there.

“I am devastated by the loss of Zach Hoffpauir, a friend to me and my family since his playing days with my son Christian at Stanford. He was like a brother to our boys,” Ed McCaffrey said.

who became an NFL star with the Philadelphia Eagles, was one of many to express his emotions on social media.

“Shook up about this,” Ertz tweeted.

“Zach could light up a room like it was nothing, and had this amazing, unique personality.

Praying for the Hoffpauir family during this time.”

Though concussions derailed his dreams of playing pro football, Hoffpauir was a member of three Pac 12 champion football teams, played in two Rose Bowls and was an All-Pac 12 honorable mention.

David Shaw, who coached Hoffpauir at Stanford, was philosophical about the loss.

“Life is not just about what you accomplish. I believe life is about how you influence others,” Shaw tweeted.

“Every day Zach Hoffpauir gave his love and passion to his family, his teammates and the players he coached. Our prayers are with the Hoffpauir family, though Zach you are always with us.”

Ben Copeland, another of Hoffpauir’s many friends, may have summed it up best:

“There will never be another Zach Hoffpauir and that’s okay. We were all lucky to know you for the time we did.”

“He was a young, intelligent coach with limitless potential. Mostly he loved sharing his life and experiences with our players who he was born to mentor. My sincere condolences to Zach’s family and his many friends.”

Zach Ertz, a Stanford teammate

“When he came home it started unfolding piece by piece. … I noticed things right away, but I couldn’t articulate it as PTSD. It’s very easy for a spouse or a soldier to say, ‘It was just a bad day,’ or ‘Sorry, I was a little bit mad.’”

But the bad days and unexplainable anger kept stacking up.

After a night of drinking one night in October 2016, Sean told his wife he was fed up with living.

“I remember he had been upset, but I could tell this was another level I’ve never experienced before,” she recalled. “I asked him to go to the hospital. It was an immediate, ‘No!’ So I said, ‘OK, let’s just go for a drive.’ He agreed to that and we drove around for a while.”

Breanna took an indirect route but slowly circled around until they were close to the Phoenix Veterans’ Administration Medical Center. Since they were close by, he agreed to go in and talk to someone.

But that small victory quickly looked like it would turn disastrous.

“When we got to the hospital, he was still under the influence and it was hard

for him to agree to what was going on. He gets upset when things are happening fast, and he got upset at the hospital. Some workers were trying to ask him a lot of rapid-fire questions,” Breanna said.

“Because of his trauma he can become easily overwhelmed.”

When a hospital worker told Breanna, “Your husband’s being very difficult— we’re going to have to get him court ordered,” she knew it was time to step in.

Having a judge order Sean to a mental-health facility would save him in the short run, but Breanna felt it would have bad long-term consequences.

She had the hospital workers give her quiet time with Sean. They spent hours talking and crying together, reflecting on their years since they started dating as high school kids in the Prescott-Chino Valley area. Finally, he agreed to voluntarily get treatment.

Sean credits his wife with saving his life. If he didn’t have her, he doesn’t think he would have been able to reach out for help.

“When you’re in the military, your job is to be a part of a team and you do what you need to do to suck it up and be there

for your brothers,” he said.

“There is a stigma attached to getting help.”

Sean received treatment at Aurora Behavioral Health System hospitals in Glendale.

Homecoming and coping

Breanna, who is 30, said the staff at Aurora was caring and involved, only releasing Sean when they were confident he was no longer a danger to himself.

the tough times, Sean answered, “Having a solid support system, whether that’s my family or a veterans support group I meet with.

“My wife also plays a crucial role in helping me get back up and reminding me I still have a future. I also try to remind myself that there are still so many things that I want to experience and enjoy.”

Sean is not the only one who recognizes the importance of his wife.

Recognizing her passionate care before, during and after her husband’s crisis, Breanna was recently named one of 30 Elizabeth Dole Foundation Caregiver Fellows selected across the country.

As a Dole Caregiver Fellow, she will serve as a leader, community organizer, and advocate for the nation’s 5 million military caregivers, according to the organization.

Returning home to Peoria, Sean, now 31, continued to struggle with knee and back injury, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. But now, he had some skills to deal with his situation.

“Before, there were no coping skills in place,” Breanna said. “He did not know how to cope. There was a period of time when he was feeling he was always in pain or a prisoner to his mind.”

She said the two like to walk their dogs around Peoria, get coffee, and talk or visit with friends and family.

Sean said he is fortunate to have the emotional support of his mother and father, Kathy and Steve Daldrup, who live in the West Valley, as have his sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephew.

“We have seen Sean go through some tough times over the past few years,” Steve said. “With the support, prayers and encouragement of Bree, Sean has had the courage and strength to work on some of those difficulties.

“Bree has done research to find the best programs to help Sean,” Kathy said. “Both Sean and Bree have been pivotal in teaching and helping the family understand what we can do to help. We have been blessed to be a part of his healing.

“Sean is still healing and working through issues but has put in a lot of hard work, and we see that in him.”

Asked about the keys to getting through

“Bree will be a great resource for veterans and their families. I am proud of both Sean and Bree. Sean for facing the hard tasks and being able to tackle them. Bree for standing by him through the tough hard times. We thank God for bringing such an amazing supportive loving wife into his life,” Kathy said.

Reach out

Sean offered tips for people—in the military or not—who are going through tough times from a mental health perspective, especially in these challenging pandemic times:

“During COVID, find creative ways to stay connected to the hobbies you enjoy and visiting with people—even if you are sitting in a parking lot 6 feet apart or talking with someone on a headset while playing video games. Find something you can do to take your mind off of things or even help you process through things is very important, because it can be easy to get stuck in a rut and have no desire to do anything.

“Be open with people, as hard as that may be. The payoff is finding those who will accept you and see you through all stages and who you can really be your true self around is worth it.”

Veterans experiencing thoughts of hopelessness, self-harm or suicide can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 800273-8255 or send a text message to 838255.

For more information and resources, visit mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention.

West Valley’s Benevilla receives funding award

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BY TOM SCANLON

Peoria Times Managing Editor

Gov. Doug Ducey announced May 15 that $300,000 in funding from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund has been allocated to organizations that support senior citizens, the homebound and those who are medically fragile.

Benevilla of Surprise was one of the recipients.

According to its mission statement, “Benevilla enriches lives of West Valley residents by serving older adults, adults with disabilities, children, and the families who care for them.”

Benevilla’s free home services are available to seniors in El Mirage, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Avondale, Buckeye and Tolleson. For information, visit benevilla.org/services.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Benevilla expanded its grocery shopping for seniors services.

“We believe we are strongest when we work together,” said Joanne Thomson, president and CEO of Benevilla. “The support from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund now will

help provide much-needed services to the most vulnerable population in our community.

“Working together we are able to help seniors with grocery shopping, emergency errands and more. We are able to provide support and friendship to caregivers who might feel overwhelmed and alone and continue to support families in our community during this time.”

The funding Ducey announced supports organizations that assist with grocery shopping, meal deliveries, transportation to medical appointments, emergency errands, and social interaction during a time of physical distancing.

“Arizona continues to focus on protecting public health, especially for those most at risk, like seniors and those medically vulnerable,” Ducey said. “Volunteer and community organizations across the state are working day and night to provide support for those in their care through additional food deliveries, transportation and other services—and we’re proud to support their efforts.”

Foundation for Senior Living and Aster Aging also received funding.

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Benevilla will receive state funding to assist seniors in grocery shopping and other essential activities. (Photo courtesy of Benevilla)

Valley nurses help Tucson patient survive COVID

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

Retired paramedic Larry Delfs is being transferred to a long-term acutecare facility following his treatment that included a team of nurses from Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital. The Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital nurses traveled to Tucson twice to assist with patient care and staff education on using ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) to help treat Delf.

“It was not an easy decision for all of us, since we were leaving our families and knowingly going to a COVID patient to run ECMO. But we all took the risk, as we felt it was our duty to help our sister facilities and also considered

that the patient is a fellow staff member,” said one of the nurses, Maricris Tallant, who lives in Peoria.

After contracting COVID-19, Delfs initially was admitted to Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital. Over the next few days his pulmonary status worsened and he developed acute respiratory failure requiring intubation, maximum support for his circulatory system and suffered an acute kidney injury. Carondelet administration arranged for Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital nurses with ECMO experience to travel from Phoenix.

Delfs’ condition stabilized after three weeks on the ECMO device.

Peoria makes changes as part of phase 1 of reopening

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

Peoria has started opening city facilities—but not all of them.

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

Two grantmakers teamed up to award $59,000 to organizations serving people with disabilities to ease social isolation in Arizona during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council and the Arizona Community Foundation funded 28 groups that provide services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“We applaud the service providers across the state that have adapted their

programs to continue providing critical health and well-being programs in these unprecedented times,” said Glenn Wike of ACF.

Recipients include group homes, day programs and in-home therapy providers.

Among those receiving grants:

• Arizona Training & Evaluation Center (AZTEC), Peoria.

• The city of Peoria.

• Goldensun Peace Ministries, Glendale.

• Gompers, Glendale/Peoria.

• One Step Beyond, Glendale/Peoria.

Following Gov. Doug Ducey’s guidelines for reopening, Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat announced a phased plan to open city buildings, facilities and programs starting May 18.

“Peoria families, businesses and employees have made considerable sacrifices over the past few months, and I am very proud of how our community stepped forward to accomplish what needed to be done to protect public health,” Carlat said. “As we begin reopening, the health and wellness of our community remains our No. 1 priority; and we look forward to a successful phased approach where Peoria residents can once again enjoy the wonderful services our city offers, along with the added sensibilities learned through the pandemic.”

She noted most city services have continued without interruption, including public safety, utilities, water, streets, planning and engineering.

And customer service has been delivered online and on the phone. The city of Peoria’s plan follows federal and state guidance and is divided into three phases.

Some employee groups returned to work May 11 to prepare for the opening on May 18.

Facial masks and temperature checks

are available to city employees on a voluntary basis and may be required in certain circumstances.

City public meetings will continue remotely, and customer service will continue online and on the phone.

Peoria City Council meetings are again open to the public, with measures to keep groups in the audience to less than 10 people.

City park play areas, tennis courts, pickleball courts, volleyball courts, dog parks, the skate park, playgrounds and restrooms opened for groups of less than 10 on Saturday, May 16.

On Monday, May 18, all city buildings, including the libraries, Rio Vista Recreation Center and community center, were to open with limitations, including strict sanitation, occupancy capacity and social distancing protocols.

Other Peoria facilities, such as picnic areas, splash pads and basketball courts, will not open until Ducey announces a move to phase 2.

“Opening of typical summer programming such as aquatics, sports and camps will be delayed and evaluated upon further review of health trends and Arizona Department of Health Services data,” Carlat said.

She stressed that “high standards of cleanliness, social distancing, personal hygiene, and health and safety policies will be in place and enforced.”

For more information, visit peoriaaz. gov/covid19.

Maricris Tallant, who lives in Peoria, and other Valley nurses traveled to Tucson to help a COVID-19 patient. (Photo courtesy Abrazo)

More deaths from COVID-19 at Glencroft

BY TOM SCANLON Peoria Times Managing Editor

Glencroft Center for Modern Aging in Glendale has taken the unique step of publicly reporting cases of COVID-19—even as the number who died there from coronavirus more than doubled over the last week.

On May 11, 38 residents tested positive for COVID-19 and seven residents died from complications from the disease, according to Millie Oakeson, vice president of corporate marketing for the facility.

Since then, 10 more Glencroft residents died from the disease, bringing the total to 17, according to information at glencroft. com/covid. According to that site, a total of 126—81 residents and 45 employees— have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, 51 are listed as “recovered.,” with 43 residents and 15 employees listed as “active COVID.”

Though the Maricopa County Department of Public Health reports there have been 223 deaths from COVID-19 at longterm care facilities, the county and state have denied media requests to name the facilities that have cases.

And most other facilities have been extremely guarded, releasing information only to family members.

“We decided to post our data daily on our website in an effort to provide the most upto-date information in real time to every-

one at one time,” said Scott McClintock, Glencroft’s chief strategy officer.

“There are so many different versions of ‘hearsay’ that get reported in the media we decided to simplify the data to be easily referenced by residents, families, employees and media,” he added.

McClintock said COVID-19 information will be updated daily. “By releasing this data we hope it inspires others to do so and encourage our industry to be as transparent as possible,” he said.

Glencroft has 1,600 people working and living on its campus. According to its website, five of the COVID-19 deaths were residents of an assisted-living facility at Glencroft, with 11 deaths from Glencroft’s skilled-nursing facility.

None of the 600 residents in Glencroft’s independent-living residences have tested positive for COVID-19.

“From the beginning of this pandemic, Glencroft has carefully followed the most stringent preventative protocols, and we continue to do so,” McClintock said.

“For more than 50 years, Glencroft has been providing outstanding care and services to our residents. We are doing everything within our power to continue to save lives and deal with this pandemic. Our residents, their families and our employees are true heroes, and we will continue to do everything in our power to care for everyone at Glencroft.”

Are you ready to reopen?

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

While some are eager for a return to normalcy, others around the West Valley feel extreme caution is still needed in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Peoria Times’ Facebook page took the following poll May 15:

“With Gov. Doug Ducey lifting the stay-home order today, I am (choose one): A) continuing to practice strict social distancing/isolation; B) planning to go out a little more but still practice social distancing; C) ready to return to normal.

Of those who responded, six went

with “continue to practice strict social distancing/isolation,” five chose the middle option and six are “ready to return to normal.”

Among those planning to continue social distancing/isolation was Marilynn Hempen, who noted, “I am vulnerable so need to exercise caution. I think we all need to do what is best for us and people need to be respectful of other’s choices.”

Heather Cassel, a hair stylist, was decidedly in the “ready to return to normal” camp: “I went back to work on Friday and went out to dinner on Monday. Bring it on.”

Goodwill might be a model for reopening

BY CLAIRE SPINNER Peoria Times Contributing Writer

As retail shops around the West Valley ponder reopening while following safety guidelines, there may be a model to follow: Goodwill of Northern and Central Arizona.

Gov. Doug Ducey included Goodwill as an “essential business,” allowing Goodwill to do business. Since April 13, Goodwill has reopened 21 stores and four career centers.

Courtney Nelson, Goodwill’s vice president of marketing and communications, was asked about “lessons learned” for doing business during the pandemic.

“Keep your employees’ and customers’ safety top of mind and make sure to do a thorough review of all your business operations to ensure you are implementing every safety protocol you can before reopening,” Nelson said.

“The community has been so positive about our reopening,” she added.

“Customers have been very understanding and receptive of our new safety procedures.”

Goodwill of Northern and Central Arizona became the first company to obtain the HealthyVerify Certification. The certification was created by the Rose Law Group with the help of Arizona State University and Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in Arizona.

Safety measures at Goodwill stores include plexiglass at all registers, tape marking off 6 feet of distance for cash register lines, and contactless payment options.

Goodwill funds its operations by selling donated items.

Under new pandemic practices, Nelson said, “When someone drops off donations, the donation attendants spray them with a disinfectant spray before they are sorted and put on the sales floor.”

Goodwill employees now have a health check every day, she added. “This includes employees having to answer a few questions like, ‘Have you been around anyone who is sick?’ before they are able

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to enter the building,” Nelson said.

Goodwill’s reopened stores in the West Valley are located at:

• 6161 W. Bell Road, Glendale.

• 20713 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria.

• 711 S. Watson Road, Buckeye.

• 15433 W. McDowell Road, Goodyear.

• 390 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear.

The four Career Centers that have reopened include 515. N. 51st Avenue (at West Van Buren Street) in Phoenix and 6750 W. Peoria Avenue in Peoria.

The Career Center desks and computers are now 6 feet apart. The number of job seekers inside the career center is limited, and sanitizing takes place after each use.

According to Goodwill, reopening the stores and career centers allowed 1,000 employees to return to work.

Ducey announced April 7 that $2 million will be allocated to Goodwill to expand its career support services and put its employees back to work. The money comes from a $50 million COVID-19 relief package that was passed by the Arizona Legislature and signed by Ducey in March.

“Goodwill is a beacon of hope to countless Arizonans across our state. The work they do not only provides invaluable job and life skills but also critical resources for families and individuals in need. They are a core part of our communities, and this funding will ensure they can continue to meet the needs of those who rely on them,” Ducey said.

Goodwill’s career service programs are free and include “training for interviews, help with resumes, connecting people to jobs, or other important skill training designed for community members to get ahead in the professional world.”

Online resources include virtual meetings between Goodwill’s career navigators and job seekers.

Goodwill also held its first “virtual hiring event” involving 150 participants and 10 hiring companies.

Goodwill reopened various West Valley stores April 13, with safety precautions including plexiglass at all registers and tape marking off 6 feet of distance for lines. (Photos courtesy Goodwill)

“We get to see individuals coming in who have perhaps lost hope,” said Denise Coulson, district director of Goodwill Career Services.

“As they build their career path and submit resumes that could lead to the next career, the hope returns to their eyes. It’s so rewarding to see their excitement for what’s coming in the future,” she said.

“We will provide (assistance) to anyone in the community who is in need of a job or anyone who wants better employment,” Nelson said.

“Now, more than ever, people need us, and we want to be there for them.”

For online career services, visit mycareeradvisor.com.

Nelson said Goodwill business is booming for a variety of reasons.

“Our donation centers have seen an uptick and our stores are doing well,” she said.

“We believe many shoppers will return because they love to treasure hunt, but some may visit us in the coming weeks out of necessity, too.

“They may have lost a job and want to shop at a lower price point.”

Tom Scanlon contributed to this story.

‘No mask, no service’: Businesses slowly open

BY TOM SCANLON Peoria Times Managing Editor

After being virtually stopped for more than a month, Glendale and its neighbors started to take tentative steps forward last week.

From Westgate to Arrowhead, shops and restaurants were open for business, though with far less patrons than normal. At Arrowhead Mall, there were plenty of empty parking spaces this weekend. Though restaurants were slowly accepting dine-in customers, AMC Westgate movie theater and many shops remained closed, leaving plenty of space for those walking around.

And that’s pretty much the way Gov. Doug Ducey wants it.

Like a lifeguard at a busy pool, Ducey’s message is, “Walk - don’t run.”

Ducey announced May 12 that his stayhome executive order would end three days later.

“It is time to move forward with the next steps of Arizona’s economic recovery — while continuing to make health and safety

our number one priority,” Ducey said.

“This is not a green light to speed,” he added. “This is a green light to proceed.”

Ducey said - as long as they practice physical distancing and enhanced sanitation- gyms, spas, swimming pools and movie theaters could reopen. But few were ready to do so.

Sit-down movie theaters in Glendale and Peoria have not reopened, although the West Wind Glendale Drive-In remains open and Westgate continues a makeshift drive-in theater.

And, though some casinos in the state reopened, Desert Diamond Casino West Valley stated on its website it would remain closed through May.

When Ducey allowed barbers and salons to reopen last week, many rushed to get coiffed for the first time in nearly two months.

Dannele Palmer, regional manager of Floyd’s 99 Barbershops, said the Glendale/ Peoria location, like others, has been busy.

“It’s been great,” Palmer said. “With

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opening of course there’s nerves and excitement - the unknown, how are we going to do sanitizing. We were all wearing masks and a little unsure how it was going to go.”

But, she said, barbers and stylists adjusted on-the-fly: “They had it down like they’ve been doing it forever. Every hour, we’re doing a thorough sanitizing.”

The new Floyd’s 99 motto: “No mask, no service.”

Palmer said customers have adjusted to the guidelines well.

“We’re only running at 50% capacity,” Palmer said. “We had 14 chairs, we’re only running eight.”

That fits the Ducey “no speeding” guidelines. “We’re completely booked up, we’re booking a couple days in advance,” said Palmer.

To emphasize social distancing, Floyd’s 99 is not accepting walk-in customers. Those who have booked an appointment are asked to check in by phone before entering the shop.

“Before you enter the shop we do require a mask. We have one to offer them if they don’t have one,” Palmer said.

Gyms

The Glendale/Peoria Family YMCA is open - but with reduced hours (6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the week, closed weekends). And, according to a staff member who asked not to be identified, “Pool and basketball won’t be open until June 1.”

Though the 18 Mountainside Fitness centers around the Valley, including Arrowhead Mall and Peoria, did not open last week, that was to change this week.

“I am excited to welcome you back to Mountainside Fitness on Monday, May 18, as our fitness centers reopen,” Tom Hatten, Mountainside’s CEO, said in an announcement.

“Our clubs are going above and beyond to ensure your health and safety,” he said. Mountainside Fitness has the following

Funerals a challenge for family members

BY CHRISTOPHER DORCH Peoria Times Contributing Writer

As COVID-19 continues to affect business across the Valley, funeral services and weddings are no exception. Resorts and funeral homes across Arizona continue to face hardship as the stay-at-home order lightens.

Gov. Doug Ducey implemented an official stay-at-home order March 31 to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, then extended the order twice.

While Ducey listed funeral services as an essential business to remain open, it has not been business as usual, since large gatherings are still prohibited.

For Victoria Megill, a Glendale resident, this means not being able to have a funeral for her brother who died in hospice.

“Not being able to embrace the family physically, look through photographs or tell stories together has been a challenge,” she said.

According to Judith Stapley, executive

director of the Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, funeral workers have to exercise extreme caution when working with customers, especially when access to technology is limited.

“Some areas cater to older, retired populations; some don’t have computers, so they’re not able to do DocuSign and things online,” Stapley said.

Stapley said that in some cases, the funeral home workers have to drop off the paperwork at the front door for customers to sign.

“(The workers) are trying to do the right thing with social distancing and protecting consumers, but they still have to serve,” Stapley said. “Death doesn’t stop.”

She stresses that funeral workers and planners face pressure from multiple sources, saying that they’re doing too much or not enough.

“We get yelled at either way. But we have guidelines and recommendations we need to follow.”

No pressing the flesh, but candidates learn to campaign under COVID-19

BY MCKENZIE SADEGHI Cronkite News

In any other election year, Eva Putzova would be driving across Arizona’s sprawling 1st District to get to in-person campaign events in her challenge to Rep. Tom O’Halleran, D-Sedona.

But this is not any other election year.

Faced with the stay-home orders and social distancing brought on by the coronavirus, Putzova and her campaign team have put all in-person activities on hold and are operating remotely for the most part.

Rep. David Schweikert, a Republican representing District 6, which includes parts of Glendale and Peoria, said he has “more volunteers right now than we’ve ever had any time in our political lives, because people are home.” Stuck at home like everyone else, he said he spends his days juggling campaigning and serving constituents while taking care of his 4-year-old daughter.

“You walk around with a headset on and a backup battery for your cell phone and you just take it as it comes in the door because you also have that responsibility,” Schweikert said. “When the day comes to an end, you’re getting on the phone to make sure that people who want yard signs are called back.”

Anita Malik, one of the Democrats hoping to unseat Schweikert, said her campaign volunteers are checking on neighbors, offering to help with groceries and connecting people with places where they can donate. Malik said her campaign is “not about

competition; this is about serving.” That means changing what “we would normally do, which is talk about David Schweikert,” and instead setting up a digital cafe, as well as Slack communities that are “not about politics” but provide people with resources and connections.

“While we all are dealing with a lot of stress and worry about our loved ones because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can’t put democracy on pause,” Putzova, a former Flagstaff City Council member, said in an emailed statement.

“Organizing in geographically one of the largest districts in the country means that as a team we have already been operating mostly remotely,” said Putzova, a Democrat.

Candidates across Arizona and the nation have suspended rallies and in-person canvassing and have their campaign staffers work from home because of the coronavirus. In addition to the challenge reaching voters, COVID-19 brings competition for financial donations and media attention.

“Nobody was planning on this happening when they put together their campaign,” said Chad Campbell, senior vice president for Strategies 360. “If you were planning on doing a lot of time door-to-door, you probably have to shift … money and time to phones and to texting and to digital.”

But candidates are putting the best face on it, reaching out digitally and in many cases using their campaigns as a platform to help people dealing with COVID-19.

Putzova said she’s using the time

that would be spent on group functions to connect with voters individually. O’Halleran’s campaign manager said that while the campaign has canceled in-person events, it is “utilizing email outreach and social media platforms for public health updates.”

Experts say that while the change poses difficulties for all campaigns, it’s particularly tough for challengers.

Campbell said incumbents have an advantage because they have more resources and have been fundraising for a longer period of time.

“They can reach out to a network of supporters who have voted for them in the past, who have given them money in the past and who have signed their petitions in the past,” he said.

Amy Dacey, executive director at the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics at American University, said COVID-19 presents another challenge to campaign—lack of media attention.

“Any kind of earned media is very hard to break into because a lot of these media outlets are 24/7 coronavirus … a lot of these places used to be like political channels that would talk about campaigns all day long,” Dacey said.

Some campaigns, like the presidential race and Arizona’s high-profile Senate race, will likely be able to break through the coronavirus noise. But local candidates will have an uphill climb for attention, said Paul Bentz,

senior vice president of research and strategy at HighGround.

“That nice weather and spring training and all of that go-door-to-door was basically taken from them,” Bentz said. “So I suspect we’re going to see at a minimum level you’re going to see campaigns have difficulty finding enough signatures (to get on the ballot).”

Bentz also said candidates should expect to operate with smaller budgets, as donations flow to other virus-related efforts.

“There’s very noble causes to donate to right now and relief efforts, so there’s going to be now, and moving forward, less money available to donate to campaigns,” he said.

Trump Victory spokesperson Samantha Zager said the campaign was able to move everything to digital within 24 hours by shifting to Zoom and Google Hangouts and implementing 340 training sessions per week for volunteers. She said the campaign has an app called “Trump Talk” that lets volunteers make calls from their homes, provides them with a trainer video on how to make the calls, and gives the survey script.

David Bergstein, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said the party is “partnering with our state parties and implementing innovative tactics that allow us to continue communicating with voters during this time.”

WE’VE THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING ESPECIALLY

WE’VE THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING THAT MATTERS. ESPECIALLY WHAT MATTERS TO YOU.

As if firefighting wasn’t dangerous enough, crews grapple with COVID-19

BY MCKENZIE SADEGHI Cronkite News

As if fighting fires wasn’t dangerous enough, firefighters now have to worry about COVID-19 while they’re on the job, making for what fire officials say will be the “most challenging season we’re going to have.”

Strategies to check the spread of the disease include everything from avoiding eating together in large mess halls to splitting the regular 10-person fire crew into two teams of five. But officials said they still expect challenges in a job that relies on constant face-to-face communication.

All of which comes in a year in which conditions are ripe for intense wildfires in the state.

into the station and are checked for symptoms. If a firefighter has any symptoms, they are sent back home.

Valliere, who is also chairman of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association, said 10-person fire crews will now be split up into groups of five to follow CDC guidelines.

“We’re going to try to socially distance as much as we can,” he said.

Highlands Fire District Chief Dirch Foreman said social distancing will be enforced when possible on the fire line and in camp and that officials anticipate fewer large fire camps in an effort to limit exposure.

The new strategies come none too soon: Fire chiefs say the fire season is already starting to hit and will likely continue until the monsoon season starts.

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“This is going to be one of the most challenging seasons we’re going to have, with the added complexity of trying to deal with the COVID-19 protocols from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention),” State Fire Management Officer John Truett said during a recent briefing.

Jayson Coil, Wildland Committee chair for the Arizona Fire Chiefs, said new precautions include avoiding eating at mess halls and installing refrigerators so firefighters can grab a meal while maintaining distance.

He said personnel will be encouraged to stay away from firefighters before a blaze, to ensure the strength of the workforce and to maintain distances as best they can when in the field. In some cases, he said, it is possible to alter actions during firefighting to maintain social distancing but that it all depends on time and resources available.

“It’s argued … that we can minimize the time of exposure and the proximity to other people that may potentially be COVID-19 positive, then we reduce likelihood of spreading,” Coil said.

That can include firefighters avoiding mingling with operational personnel and workers undergoing a required a temperature check before every shift.

But Coil said there will still be times where firefighters will have no choice but to be in close proximity to each other, for example, during the actual mission of suppressing the fire.

Scottsdale Fire Department Assistant Chief Eric Valliere said firefighters are getting temperature checks before they come

“Arizona is already in fire season,” Foreman said. “Over the past couple weeks, the higher-elevation timber country has experienced a handful of wildfires.”

Those have been easy to suppress so far, he said, since it’s still early in the season. But the outlook is more challenging.

“The wildfire season in the Valley is going to be pretty bad,” Valliere said. “As far as looking at the fine fuels and some of the things that we dealt with last year, some things are going to probably be more aggressive this year.”

Foreman said that a reported 1,867 wildland fires—about three-quarters of which were caused by people—burned approximately 400,000 acres in Arizona last year. National forests and some counties in the state have already started implementing fire restrictions to reduce fires started by people. Those include reminding Arizonans to not throw cigarette butts out the window or drag chains on trailers, Valliere said. And it includes banning campfires, which Coil said may have a double benefit, not only reducing small fires but also minimizing the spread of COVID-19 on campgrounds.

As far as what kind of role the stay-athome order will play in the wildfire season, Valliere said it is too early to tell.

But Coil said that because many people are not working because of the shutdown, they could be more likely to engage in activities that could spark a fire, by taking their trailers out to the lake and dragging the chains on the road, for example.

House of Representatives votes for $3 trillion stimulus

BY TOM SCANLON Peoria Times Managing Editor

After sponsoring “The HEROES Act,” Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva voted for the $3 trillion stimulus bill.

Rep. Debbie Lesko, a Republican who represents part of Avondale, Litchfield Park, Glendale and Peoria, pushed for—but failed to get—amendments to HEROES.

It passed by a 208-199 vote in the House of Representatives May 15.

“I’ve heard from my constituents and small businesses in the West Valley who remain in a tough financial situation due to the pandemic,” said Grijalva, a Democrat who represents Buckeye, Goodyear and part of Avondale (District 3 stretches south to Tucson).

The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act includes another round of stimulus checks of up to $6,000 per household, plus $100 billion in rental assistance and $200 billion in “hazard pay” for essential workers.

But buying something now and expecting the HEROES Act money to pay it off might be unwise: The bill goes to the Republican-controlled Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called the bill “an unserious product from an unserious majority.”

And President Donald Trump said the bill is “DOA.”

Grijalva insisted the legislation was desperately needed.

“We’re all ready for businesses to open, but we cannot open our economy in good faith without the robust testing, tracing and treatment needed to keep our communities safe. While congressional Republicans and the Trump administration remain intent on forcing our country to reopen while the virus continues harming people across the country, I’m proud we passed legislation that invests in our health care system, the safety of our workers, the security of our families and the recovery of our economy,” he said.

He also noted that cities and towns are facing budget shortfalls and small businesses have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lesko voted against what she called “massive wish-list legislation.”

“This bill is filled with flaws and provisions that are extremely alarming,” she said.

One of Lesko’s failed amendments would have removed provisions in the bill that reinstate the State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT).

“The SALT deduction benefits the rich in high-tax states and requires taxpayers in low-tax states, like Arizona, to subsidize the rich,” Lesko said. “We should be focusing on provisions that will help average Americans who are suffering, not the richest among us.”

Another amendment Lesko wanted would have prohibited undocumented immigrants from receiving economic impact payments. Lesko’s failed amendment required Social Security number verification for all disbursements from the bill.

“There is no scenario in which taxpayer dollars should end up in the pockets of illegal immigrants,” Lesko said. “There are Americans suffering as a result of this virus, and relief should be reserved for our citizens.”

Lesko also wanted limitations on funds being used for abortion services, insisting “taxpayer funds appropriated through the HEROES Act could be used to directly fund abortion.”

All of Lesko’s amendments failed on a straight party-line vote.

Highlights of the HEROES Act:

• $75 billion for testing, tracing, treatment and support for hospitals and providers.

• Includes investments in nursing home safety.

• Increases the Medicaid matching rates to absorb increased enrollment and provide relief to state budgets.

• $500 billion for state governments.

• $375 billion for local governments.

• Expands emergency paid family, medical and sick-leave benefits to millions of workers, including health care workers and first responders, by eliminating exemptions that prevented workers from accessing emergency paid leave during a pandemic.

• Extends weekly $600 unemployment provisions through January.

• Invests more than $100 billion in direct emergency funding for students, schools and institutions.

new policies in place, according to its website: Sanitizing stations available throughout the club including the front desk.

Staff will disinfect frequently touched areas with CDC-approved products.

Cardio equipment will be spaced accordingly to support social distancing.

Group Fitness classes will have decreased capacity and will be available for pre-booking 12 hours prior to class/

All employees will have temperature checked prior to each shift and will wash hands regularly.

Restaurants

Many restaurants have been seating customers for more than a week now, though again with Ducey guidelines for reduced capacity and social distancing.

Michelle and Brian Bojanowski, owners of Twisted Italian in Peoria’s Lake Pleasant Pavilion for five years, welcomed back regulars last week.

“We definitely have a lot of locals that come in, they’re so happy- they’ve been waiting for our lasagne,” said Michelle Bojanowski.

Though Twisted Italian, like many other

West Valley restaurants, remained open for takeout during the previous Ducey ban on dining in restaurants, it wasn’t the same for many regulars.

“They’re happy we’re open. They’re excited to be out and about,” Bojanowski said. It’s hardly “business as usual,” as Twisted Italian has reduced hours and capacity.

“We took out a lot of tables, so we do have reduced seating. It’s as good as we could have hoped,” she said.

At Tailgaters Sports Bar in north Glendale, an employee said “we’re doing all right” since reopening for in-house eating and drinking.

“We’re staying pretty consistent, not bad at all,” said Mike, a manager at the Yard House in Westgate who asked to not have his last name used. “We’re being sanitized and having 50% occupancy … All restaurants should be doing it.”

Babbo’s Italian Eatery in north Glendale/ Peoria also is strictly following guidelines since reopening for seated customers last week, said Jenna Harris, a manager.

“For all of our staff, it’s mandatory to wear masks and gloves, and we’re doing social distancing - everyone 6 feet apart in the restaurant and bar,” Harris said.

Wearing a mask means you’re wearing a mask

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Peoria Times View Columnist

I spent a chunk of Wednesday at the dermatologist’s office, sitting in the waiting room.

Twenty minutes cooling my heels typically isn’t fun, but this time there was entertainment, pandemic style: a guy in his 50s who bristled at the receptionist offering him a disposable face mask.

“We’re requiring masks for everyone’s safety,” she explained.

“Yeah, I’m sure this’ll fix everything,” said Mr. Tucked-In Tommy Bahama Shirt. “You know these are dangerous, right?”

He took a few steps toward the door, to leave in protest, then apparently changed his mind. Our hero settled for sighing and eye-rolling his way to a chair beneath the lobby flat screen, where, mask on, he commenced barking into his iPhone.

“If I sound muffled, it’s because they’ve got me wearing this stupid %$@^ing mask,” he told the poor soul on the other end of the phone.

It seems covering one’s face in public has become the latest flashpoint in our ongoing COVID-19 wars.

Costco discovered this a couple weeks ago, immediately after announcing a new policy requiring members and guests to wear a face covering when entering its warehouses.

This 21st century pandemic update of the old “no shirt, no shoes, no service” sign sent some Costco members into a frothing rage, complete with #BoycottCostco trending on social media and a wave of canceled memberships.

Soon after came the predictable backlash: Costco received a wave of support for not buckling to the threats and for keeping its mask requirement in place.

Expect many more such arguments to occur over the next few weeks, as our economy lurches back into motion, businesses begin reopening and hordes on both sides of this argument turn a simple act—wearing a cheap mask or piece of cloth over your nose and mouth—into a referendum on patriotism, freedom, manhood, civility, intelligence, common courtesy and anything else they can dream up and turn into a meme.

You know what wearing a mask really means? It means you’re wearing a mask. And pretty much nothing else.

You know what not wearing a mask means? It means you’re not wearing a mask. And pretty much nothing else.

Anymore, as we split ourselves into warring tribes, we seek to invest with massive meaning all sorts of small acts that we hold out as proof we belong to this or that club.

Mask wearers hold themselves out to be more evolved than those who refuse to wear a mask. Members of Team Breathe Free or Die think of themselves as outlaw badasses, freedom fighters willing to sacrifice buying raw almonds and toilet paper in bulk at Costco in service to their cause.

The truth? It’s just a mask, people. Get over yourselves.

Medical science in large part has come down on the side of wearing a mask while in public and in close proximity to others as a way of slowing the spread of COVID-19.

For me, that’s reason enough to cover my face if I’m going to the grocery store, the doctor’s office, the post office, Costco or any potentially crowded spot. By contrast, I haven’t been wearing a mask when I’m walking the dog, going on a hike or playing golf while keeping a reasonable distance from my playing partners.

In either case, it’s a decision predicated mostly on common sense and a little bit on comfort—and not at all on “what’s the message I’m sending?”

As for the masked avenger in my dermatologist’s office, he may still be sitting there grousing about being forced to wear a mask.

To me, it should’ve been the least of his worries. After all, as everyone knows, only idiots tuck in Hawaiian shirts.

American Legion salutes fallen veterans on Memorial Day

BY BILL OXFORD Guest Writer

Every crisis has new heroes. During the 9/11 attacks, they were the first responders running into burning and crumbling buildings as others ran out. Now, during the coronavirus pandemic, the most visible heroes are the health care professionals who are saving others and risking their own lives while doing so.

These heroes have much in common with the people we honor today—America’s fallen veterans. They are men and women who have sacrificed their own lives so others could live. They are both elite and ordinary. They are elite in the sense of character. Giving your life so others could live is the ultimate definition of selfless.

They are ordinary in the fact that they represent the diverse fabric of our country. They are rich and poor, black and white, male and female. They come from every ethnicity and background. In short, they looked like any of us.

As we celebrate the selfless and untiring performances of the health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it brings to mind the military medics, doctors and nurses who sacrificed their lives while treating others on the battlefield.

One such hero was Pharmacist Mate Third Class Jack Williams. The Navy Reserve corpsman was only 20 years old when he landed on Iwo Jima 75 years ago.

On March 3, 1945, James Naughton, a Marine in Williams’ unit, was wounded by a grenade. While under intense enemy fire, Williams dragged Naughton to a shallow depression and treated his wounds. Williams used his own body as a screen and was shot four times. Yet he continued.

After he treated Naughton, Williams dressed his own wounds. He then proceeded to treat another Marine, despite his own immense pain. While heading to the rear, he was hit by a sniper’s bullet and killed. For his actions, Petty Officer Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor.

We also remember Army veterans

like Lt. Sharon Lane.

According to her biographer, Philip Bigler, Lt. Lane threw herself into her work as a nurse. While serving in Colorado, she requested a transfer to Vietnam.

“There, at least, you are busy 12 hours a day, six or seven days a week,” she said in a 1968 letter to her parents.

Her dedication was obvious, even as she treated enemy Viet Cong soldiers who would return the favor by kicking, cursing and spitting at their American captors.

In the early morning of June 8, 1969, Sharon’s tour of duty ended. A Soviet-built rocket struck the hospital. Lt. Sharon A. Lane was killed in action at age 25.

If she were still here, her skills as a nurse might still be benefiting us during the current crisis. But not all of the heroes working during the COVID-19 pandemic are in the health care industry. Grocers, first responders, delivery workers and drive-thru restaurant employees are just a few of the many people we rely on to provide vital services for society while risking their own safety.

The military also has heroes in every occupational field. Truck drivers, cooks and administrative clerks have all paid the ultimate price. At sea, on land or in the air, military service requires great risk.

Roy Knight Jr. was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. On May 19, 1967, he was shot down while attacking a target on the Ho Chi Minh trail in Laos. He was posthumously promoted to colonel. Last year, a joint team from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency discovered and later identified Col. Knight’s remains.

When his remains arrived at Dallas’s Love Field, a crowd had gathered to witness the dignified transfer of the flag-draped casket from the Southwest Airlines jet into the receptive arms of the military honor guard. One observer reported that the entire crowd fell silent.

The Southwest flight was piloted by another Air Force veteran, Col. Knight’s son, Bryan. Bryan Knight

was only 5 years old when he said goodbye to his father as the elder Knight left for Vietnam.

This is yet another legacy these heroes leave behind. A legacy that includes their sons, daughters, grieving parents, grandparents and friends.

Their heroic acts are sometimes performed to protect those with whom they serve. Cpl. Jason Dunham was a squad leader with the Third Battalion, 7th Marines in Iraq.

On April 14, 2004, his squad approached a Toyota Land Cruiser. After his squad discovered AK-47s in the vehicle, the enemy insurgent exited and engaged in hand-to-hand fighting with the unit. The driver dropped a grenade.

To save his fellow Marines, Cpl. Dunham made the ultimate sacrifice. He threw himself on the grenade and tried to use his helmet to shield the blast. Severely wounded by the grenade’s fragments, Cpl. Dunham was taken off life support eight days later.

Cpl. Dunham died so other Marines could live. He, too, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallantry.

Approximately 1 million men and women of the U.S. military have lost their lives in defense of our nation since the founding of this great Republic.

Not all have died from enemy fire. Some have died from diseases that

have too often festered around war zones. Oftentimes, deaths from disease and accidents outnumbered casualties caused by enemy weapons.

During the Spanish American War, 60 soldiers of the all-black 24th Infantry Regiment volunteered to serve as nurses. Thirty-six of them would later die of yellow fever or malaria.

A generation later, the flu would kill nearly 16,000 U.S. soldiers in France during World War I. Another 30,000 American service members died in stateside camps. These men and women could have isolated safely in their homes. But they knew they had an important job to do. A mission to accomplish. They were all on a mission to serve.

Even when the enemy is an invisible virus or a microscopic germ, the sacrifices made are just as meaningful. The U.S. military has already lost service members to COVID-19.

This Memorial Day, as we continue to honor those who fell for us in battle, let’s also pause to remember those who have sacrificed their lives while serving others.

May God bless them and may God bless you for remembering them here today. Thank you.

State taking steps to reopen economy, but reviving it could take years

BY CHRISTOPHER SCRAGG Cronkite News

Arizona took another tentative step toward reopening the state’s economy when dine-in restaurants were allowed to resume limited service.

But while reopening the economy could come relatively swiftly, experts say reviving the economy could take years.

As businesses shuttered by COVID-19 and resulting high unemployment have led to a collapse in sales and income tax revenues, state and local governments may be forced to slash budgets. That, in turn, could slow the overall recovery, economists say, with fewer workers and services pumping money back into the economy.

Arizona’s Joint Legislative Budget Committee predicts the state could face a $1.1 billion budget shortfall for the rest of this fiscal year and into fiscal 2021. But that’s just the midpoint of a shortfall estimated to fall between $600 million and $1.6 billion.

The state may be in a relatively good position with a $973 million “rainy day” fund to draw on in emergencies like this. But if that’s not enough, Arizona—like other states—may have to make budget cuts to weather the storm.

“Unlike the federal government, states can’t deficit spend and they have to balance their budgets, so you know with these types of revenue loss states could face significant cuts without assistance,” said Erica MacKellar, a policy specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Gov. Doug Ducey, saying Arizona was “headed in the right direction” in terms of new COVID-19 cases, allowed reopening of retail businesses, gyms, swimming pools, barbers and salons with social distancing rules in place. And restaurants were allowed to resume dine-in services May 11, with limits on the numbers of people who can be served at one time.

But the JLBC still projects Arizona will lose hundreds of millions in revenue this year and next from multiple sources, ranging from corporate income tax, which is

expected to decline 39% this year, to income tax withholdings, predicted to drop 15% in the fourth quarter of this fiscal year.

As revenues are falling, state costs will be climbing in some areas.

Arizona’s Medicaid agency, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, is projecting to see caseloads jump by as much as 30% by the end of fiscal 2021, bigger than the increase the state saw during the Great Recession, according to state documents.

Arizona budget officials expect the state will face a deficit

of

$1.1 billion—possibly

higher—over

this fiscal

year and next from

the economic hit caused the COVID-19. One plus for the state is a “rainy day” fund that currently has almost $1 billion, but lawmakers say tough decisions still lie ahead. (Photo by Ellen O’Brien/Cronkite News)

MacKellar said if states run out of money, they could begin hiring freezes or could start broadly cutting agencies.

But with federal assistance and money from the state’s rainy day fund, Arizona may be able to take the economic hit and “tread water,” said state Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

“At this moment, I’m cautiously—but very cautiously—optimistic that everything that will come from the feds and the rainy day fund and other tools in the toolbelt, that we may not have to cut too much,” Mesnard said. “We’re just right now in a waiting game to see where the bottom is.”

But with the bottom potentially as high as $1.6 billion, Mesnard said the gap will be “impossible to budget for” until the numbers become clearer.

Nationwide, state budget shortfalls could total $650 billion, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

“States face a fiscal crisis that’s much

worse than even during the Great Recession of a decade ago,” CBPP Fiscal Director Michael Leachman said during an April conference call.

“They urgently need significantly more fiscal relief from the federal government to avoid laying off workers and imposing deep budget cuts at exactly the wrong time— when those cuts will make an already weak economy even weaker,” Leachman said.

The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted in March appropriated $110 billion to states and $30 billion to cities, but some say it’s not enough. And the Treasury Department said those funds are limited to use only for “necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency,” limits the critics say are too restrictive for the broad needs of local and state governments.

Mesnard said it’s a challenge “when you don’t know what the rules are for the money that you’re given.”

“We’re still learning about whatever restrictions we have on how we allocate it,” Mesnard said. “Eventually they’ll put some meat on the bones as far as the mon-

ey usage that’s going to the states.”

In the worst-case scenario, states will have to cut their budgets but Mesnard said that would be a struggle when so much of the budget is essential services like education and health care. He called those “the last place we’re going to cut.

“Those three issues—public safety, education, health care—are the three things that encompass 90% of the budget,” he said.

Cuts to state and local budgets would “make the downturn worse,” said Stephanie Aaronson, an economic director at the Brookings Institute.

“States would end up having to lay off civil servants and cut back on services in a way that will be detrimental to the health of the economy,” she said.

Aaronson said there’s a lesson to be learned from the Great Recession in 2008.

“I think one thing that made it so difficult for the country to emerge strongly from the Great Recession was the fact that state and local government spending recovered so slowly,” she said. “It was really a drag on the economy.”

BY TOM SCANLON Peoria Times Managing Editor

“Risky Business” isn’t just the name of an ’80s Tom Cruise movie—it’s the unfortunate theme for many entrepreneurs, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keeping a sharp eye out for the legality of things in our litigious society, the Glendale Chamber of Commerce hosted a Zoom meeting May 14 that offered legal tips for businesses reopening in a pandemic.

There was plenty to chew on for patrons, as well.

Christopher Callahan, Alexis Glascock, Mario Vasta and Terry Evans from Fennemore Craig Attorneys took turns talking about “how to manage risk and minimize the risk of claims now that Arizona’s stay-athome order is beginning to phase out.”

They said as customers return to your business, there are ample possibilities for contract and tort disputes.

Callahan noted Rep. Andy Biggs of the 5th Congressional District (Chandler, Queen Creek) introduced legislation aimed at protecting businesses.

According to a Biggs press release, his bill is “to protect businesses taking reasonable steps to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 from frivolous negligence claims.”

The Biggs bill “requires a specific jury instruction in civil actions in federal court that include a claim alleging negligence arising from the transmission of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus

Business Briefcase

disease 2019) and a request for damages.

“Specifically, a court must instruct the jury that negligence may not be found solely on the basis of holding oneself open for business.”

H.R. 6601 was introduced by Biggs April 23 and referred to the Judiciary Committee the same day. Biggs is also on the Judiciary Committee.

Evans then took over to talk about insurance coverage.

He stressed for business owners to read the fine print on their policies at renewal time and be on the lookout for “communicable disease exclusion”—which could, theoretically at least, allow an insurance company to wash its hands of any claim during a pandemic.

“I’ve seen two renewals where they tried to slip them into policies,” he said.

And, he added, with so many people working from home, the “workplace” definition has often changed.

“If you’re working from home and trip over your dog at 2 a.m.—technically, that’s workers’ compensation,” Evans said.

Callahan then jumped in to note most insurance policies don’t cover “business interruption” due to COVID-19.

Loss of business income “has to result from physical loss or damage to your property,” Callahan said.

He pointed to exclusionary language in most policies: “We will not pay for loss or damage caused by or resulting from any virus, bacterium or other mi-

croorganism. …”

Callahan noted that the most common claim in our litigious society falls in the category of negligence.

Checking temperatures before allowing employees to work is one way to show “duty” if a person alleges they caught COVID-19 at your workplace and sues you, Callahan said.

The attorney stressed it may be important to show “you’ve acted reasonably.”

“That can be you’re following guidelines—state or local official guidelines—maintaining social distancing, wearing masks and gloves, avoiding direct contact with customers as much as possible.”

And, if you find out an employee is sick from the virus, do you tell customers?

“Technically, it’s a good thing,” Callahan said.

“However, there are HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) guidelines.”

Meaning: Trying to avoid one lawsuit could be a trap for another.

Another conundrum came up with the idea of having customers sign

waivers promising not to sue if they contract COVID-19 at your business.

“That might give them the idea to sue you,” Callahan said.

Looking at things from all angles is great for lawyers but can leave the rest of us feeling cynical.

To cleanse the palate, so to speak: Panda Cares, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, has donated $77,760 worth of personal protective equipment to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

The donation includes 9,600 KN95 respirators and 80,000 single-use surgical masks.

“This donation is simply monumental when it comes to fighting the spread of coronavirus, and for protecting our health care workers, patients and families,” said Steve Schnall, senior vice president of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “Panda Express and Panda Cares have made an extraordinary effort to provide this equipment the hospital relies on to give and receive best-in-class care.”

Panda Express has multiple locations in the West Valley, including Goodyear, Glendale and Peoria.

Multiplexes not ready to open yet

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Gov. Doug Ducey says it’s now OK to watch movies in a theater.

But don’t pack the kids in the car just yet or fill your purse with candy from the dollar store.

Memorial Day weekend is usually huge for movies, but not this year.

Theater operators contacted by Capitol Media Services say they’re not ready to open the doors just yet—if for no other reasons than there simply isn’t anything new to throw up on the screen.

The Department of Health Services has released its guidelines for how the theaters should operate, covering every-

thing from seating to butter dispensers for popcorn.

Only thing is, these are being phrased as suggestions and recommendations. And that leaves a lot up to individual operators—and, ultimately, to customers to see if they feel safe.

As to other recreational opportunities, don’t hold your breath waiting to see the first pitch of the season.

Ducey has said that games can go on, albeit without fans.

But Major League Baseball isn’t ready yet, either. The latest news show team owners looking for a start in early July—assuming some arrangement can be reached with players.

“Although we are not planning to re-

open our theaters now, we are anxious for the day we can safely and responsibly welcome guests back into our theaters to watch movies on the big screen, where they are meant to be seen,’’ reads a statement from Harkins Theatres.

The company says it is working with public health officials and industry partners to finalize a reopening plan and safety protocols.

“Another necessary criteria is a reliable and continuous slate of great new theatrical films,’’ the company said, adding it is waiting for the planned release of anticipated summer blockbusters like “Wonder Woman 1984’’ and “Mulan.’’

Potentially the first up could be “Ten-

et,’’ the latest film from “Batman’’ director Christopher Nolan scheduled for release on July 17.

AMC, the other big player in Arizona, did not immediately return calls seeking a schedule.

The company is not listing any showtimes for the immediate future.

Fans eager to see the likes of “Wonder Woman 1984” will have to wait, as even though Gov. Doug Ducey is allowing movie theaters to reopen, Arizona’s big movie chains are not ready to open yet. (Photo courtesy Warner Bros.)

Highlight your graduating senior in your local paper.

High Schools will have their own section highlighting their students and achievements throughout the year.

Share your graduates achievements, accolades, plan for the future or a favorite moment of high school. Let your senior take a bow for all of their accomplishments!

DATES FOR PUBLICATIONS

Gilbert Sun News - Sunday, May 24

Mesa Tribune - Sunday, May 24

Scottsdale Progress - Sunday, May 24

SanTan Sun News - Sunday, May 24

DEADLINE - MAY 18

Ahwatukee Foothills News - Wednesday, May 27

West Valley View - Wednesday, May 27

DEADLINE - MAY 20

Peoria Times - Thursday, May 28

The Glendale Star - Thursday, May 28

DEADLINE - MAY 21

Chandler Arizonan - Sunday, May 31

DEADLINE - MAY 26

New guidelines at Lake Pleasant

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

Those planning a trip to Lake Pleasant over Memorial Day weekend should be ready for a few changes.

According to the Maricopa County Parks and Recreation website, “All individuals, when in public (e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas), should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more than 10 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be avoided unless precautionary measures are observed.”

County parks will continue to limit the day-use capacity to comply with state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. “Once the park has reached day-use capaci-

ty, entrance into the park will be restricted to a one-out, one-in practice or closing completely and reopened when capacity is at a safe number again,” according to the website.

Camping reservations can be or by calling 602-506-2930 ext. 1.

Nature centers and park playgrounds are closed, as are group picnic areas.

“This has been a learning experience for all of us, and we’ve come to realize that the COVID-19 strategies that are working well in our mountain parks do not fully meet the lake’s needs. Over the past week, we’ve worked closely with the lake staff to develop a plan that will provide a safe environment for both our park visitors and my team,” said R.J. Cardin, Maricopa County Parks and Recre-

ation Department director. “The new changes we’re making take the guessing out of when we’re closing and will eliminate the long lines. This, in turn, will help park visitors better plan their outing at the lake.”

Park hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., but Lake Pleasant Park will not allow entry from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the main park entry.

The 10-lane boat ramp is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The north entrance and four-lane boat ramp are closed during the week but open from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. All boaters must exit the area by 4 p.m. on weekends.

There is no primitive, shoreline or boat camping available at the lake.

According to a press release, “All

Fishing enthusiasts upset over changes at Lake Pleasant

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

A fishing group is upset about changes at Lake Pleasant, where the Maricopa County Department of Parks and Recreation is enforcing social distancing, reducing hours and boat launches and limiting the number of people.

“How could this be fair?” Cynthia Bihary asked. “I can sit and dine and do grocery shopping where people are walking feet from you, even cut your hair, but I can’t enjoy the nature where people are more spread out. This doesn’t make sense at all.”

Phil Branson of Glendale and others are upset about one of the main boat launches being closed during the week.

“This is forcing everyone to congregate at one one ramp to launch our boats—which is far from social dis-

tancing,” he said.

Barry Worman of Litchfield Park also doesn’t understand the restrictions.

“Fishing is probably the safest and most social distancing you can do besides hiking,” he said. “You’re 100 to 300 yards between another boat, if you even see another boat. The lake is huge.”

Donna Taylor, a parks and recreation spokeswoman, said restrictions are staying in place—despite Gov. Doug Ducey lifting the stay-home order and allowing businesses to reopen.

“We’re still practicing social dis-

changes will remain in effect until COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. For additional COVID-19 regional park system updates, visit bit.ly/ MaricopaCountyParksCOVID-19.”

Lake Pleasant Regional Park is at 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road. Castle Hot Springs Road is located roughly near Mile Marker 19 on the Carefree Highway (Hwy. 74).

For more information, visit maricopacountyparks.net.

tancing,” Taylor said.

“We’re experiencing really high traffic on the weekends,” she said.

“Guidelines have been put in place to help people social distance. … Typically during the summer we put restrictions in place anyway because volume is so high.

“We go into temporary closures over the summer. It’s not anything new,” Taylor said.

Devon Updegraff, PA-C

Lake Pleasant remains open, but with a number of restrictions. (Photos courtesy Maricopa County Department of Parks and Recreation)

King Crossword

GO FIGURE!

by Linda Thistle

The idea of Go Figure is to arrive at the figures given at the bottom and right-hand columns of the diagram by following the arithmetic signs in the order they are given (that is, from left to right and top to bottom). Use only the numbers below the diagram to complete its blank squares and use each of the nine numbers only once.

EVEN EXCHANGE

by Donna Pettman

SUDOKU TIME

Each numbered row contains two clues and two answers. The two answers differ from each other by only one letter, which has already been inserted. For example, if you exchange the A from MASTER for an I, you get MISTER. Do not change the order of the letters.

SCRAMBLERS

Unscramble the letters within each rectangle to form four ordinary words. Then rearrange the boxed letters to form the mystery word, which will complete the gag!

When ordinary people set themselves to do extraordinary things

CHURCH COMMUNITY CONNECTION

This week let’s take a moment to bring our attention off our present situations and pause to honor those who honored us with the ultimate sacrifice. I’m referring to Memorial Day here in the United States.

Think for a moment. They served, fought, died and went through unimaginable hardships to give a future to those they would never know. Like the title of this article says, they were or still are ordinary people just like us who became extraordinary people who set themselves to do extraordinary things for the generations yet to come.

Author and friend Craig D. Lounsbrough gives us his thoughts about Memorial Day: “You are silent now who once stood on battlefields ravaged by destruction unimaginable, holding in those desperate places the line of freedom for others you would never know and who would never know you. And being one of those you never knew, I would give all I have to clasp your hand one single time, look into eyes that witnessed the bloodied carnage that results when freedom refuses to bow to chains of any kind, and simply say, ‘Thank you.’”

Why is Memorial Day “Memorial Day”? It causes us to remember how we got here and to not take our liberty for granted. It’s a high-impact moment to say “thank you” to those who paid the price for our freedom. Just think of it. Freedom isn’t free. Someone paid the price for the freedom we enjoy. Couldn’t we at least say “thank you”? When three drunken high-school students crashed their car into a tree, the wreck sat in front of their school for several days. Each day the students looked at it. That’s called a high-impact teachable moment. Memorial Day was designed to be a high-impact teachable moment reminding us of the price someone paid for us that we will never know.

Memorials are significant in the life of any nation, organization or individual.

When Israel crossed the Jordan river after God miraculously parted the waters, God instructed Joshua to build a monument of 12 stones on the other side of the river. It was to be a memorial. What God was saying was, “When your children ask what the 12 stones are all about, use the monument for a teaching moment about my love and faithfulness.” God parted the waters as a high-impact teachable reminder, more for future generations than the current generation. When you are teachable, you are reachable. Memorials are crucial. If you forget where you came from, you will forget where you are going.

Today, Memorial Day has devolved into a holiday. It frees us from the doldrums of winter and launches us into the warmth of summer. It’s like the starter’s gun going off that starts the race of summer. To many, Memorial Day represents swimming time, barbecue time and party time. That’s not all bad. It should be a celebration, a new season, but it also should not take us away from the purpose of Memorial Day.

Allow me to quote Craig Lounsbrough again on his take on Memorial Day.

“Memorial Day stands as a marker, giving us pause when we might not otherwise pause. It draws us back to something we should not forget, something that made us what we are. Some foundational things happened that represented crossroads, some of which were little more than minor shifts. Others represented events upon which the future of our entire nation precariously hung.

Memorial Day stands as a marker that will not allow history and the winds of time to forget freezing soldiers at Valley Forge who longed for home while teetering on the precipice of defeat. It holds high farmers and common folk who took up arms at places with names like Bunker Hill, Cemetery Ridge, San Juan Hill, Iwo Jima, the DMZ and the streets of Baghdad to hold the line for freedom.

It reminds us that many have fallen whose names would have otherwise been lost to history or the pages of a tattered family Bible. In and through it all, it reminds us of who we are and it rekindles a sense of the incredible privileges that are ours.”

The past is a guidepost, not a hitching post. It’s OK to revisit our past. If we abandon our past, we have no foundation upon which to build our futures or our identities. Revisiting is not about reinventing or rewriting our history as historical revisionists are so prone to do. Memorial Days are for reflection—a reflection that makes us better.

Memorial Day is a reminder that the only reason you might be seeing more than those before you is you’re sitting on top of their shoulders. Memorial Day, both personally and nationally, allows us to reflect

on where we have come from—both our failures and successes. It shows us where we should go and not go. It reveals positive and negative teachable moments in our history from which we need to learn. It allows us to be authentic. We celebrate our victories, learn from our failures, acknowledge our strengths and try not to replicate our weaknesses.

Allow Memorial Day to draw you back to something you should not forget, something that made you what you are. That way those we remember on Memorial Day will not have died in vain.

To learn more about Pastor Ed Delph, the Church-Community Connection and Nation strategy, call 623-376-6757, e-mail nationstrategy@cs.com or visit nationstrategy.com.

Pastor Ed Delph Peoria Times Columnist

Catholic Parish Glendale 5614 W. Orangewood Ave., Glendale • 623-939-9785 www.olphglendale.com All Services canceled until further notice due to COVID-19 See our website for updates & Online Giving

• Worship Saturday 4:00pm, Sunday 9:30am

• Holy Communion both services

• Word on Wednesday 6:30pm, Supper 5:30pm

• First Communion ClassesCall to schedule • Youth Programs - ScoutsAfter School - Camp

ELCA Rev. Dr. Daniel R. Defassio, Pastor 623-933-1359 shepherdofthedesertelca.org Email: sodsecretary@qwestoffice.net Handicap Bus - Call for pickup

www.westolive.com

Worship ............................ 10:30 am Discipleship Training 4:45 pm Evening Worship 6:00 pm Wednesdays: TeamKid, Youth Worship Bible Study & Prayer 6:00 pm Dr. Mark Mucklow, Pastor www.fsbcg.org 10250 N. 59th Ave. 623-937-9216

Sunday Services: Bible Study 9:15 am

Outstanding ASU grads reflect on college journeys

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

After making the most of their college years, Thomas Prior and Alexander Sojourney graduated from Arizona State University May 11.

Prior, a Peoria resident, said he found his own passion for local government with the help of a city manager who recognized how important being a mentor could be and a “community of public servants who provided support, guidance and compassion” throughout his academic career.

Prior is the spring 2020 outstanding graduate in the School of Public Affairs.

When he was in eighth grade, his class took a career exploration quiz that had a lasting impact on his life.

“Although it may sound crazy basing your career path on a 20-minute online assessment, that is essentially what I did. While other classmates received results like teacher, artist and police officer, my top result was city manager,” Prior said.

“I was eager to learn more, despite the fact that I hadn’t a clue about what a city manager does for a living. My teacher at the time organized an opportunity for me to learn more about local government by job shadowing the city manager of Glendale,” Prior said.

That led him to serve on the city of Peoria’s Youth Advisory Board and multiple internships in cities and towns across Arizona.

Sojourney, a Glendale resident, discovered his passion for politics at ASU. He completed his degree in political science, and he hopes to continue that passion in the nation’s capital.

He participated in Undergraduate Student Government, the Speech and Debate club, Devils on the Run and the Black Student Union at the West campus.

As a junior, Sojourney was the stu-

dent body president at the west campus, and as a senior he was the president of the Black African Coalition.

As a first-year student, Sojourney joined ASU’s Speech and Debate club, where he discovered his passion for politics.

“It occurred to me midway through the semester that I think where my passion lies is being involved with politics at the local level, at the national level and, specifically for me, at the campus level,” Sojourney said.

Looking toward the future, Sojourney hopes to attend Georgetown University’s democracy and governance master’s degree program. The program in Washington, D.C., focuses on exposure to professional experience, reputation, languages and education in public service.

Thomas Prior of Peoria, left, and Alexander Sojourney of Glendale completed accomplished college careers and graduated from ASU May 11. (Photos courtesy ASU)

Five high school seniors awarded $1,000 scholarships

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

Credit Union West of Glendale showed its commitment to the future by awarding five graduating high school seniors $1,000 scholarships to use toward college costs.

The 2020 Credit Union West Scholarship recipients are: Neil Walia, Mountain Ridge High School; Eduardo Avila, University High School; Katelyn Canedo, Prescott High School; Daniel Hill Jr., Moon Valley High School; and Kaycee Krell, Paradise Valley High School.

The scholarships were awarded based on academic achievement, community service and overall character. Applicants were encouraged to discuss their academic and extracurricular achievements, as well as how the

credit union’s core values of commitment, empowerment, integrity and respect resonated with them. Two of the selected recipients are Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps students.

“This year saw our highest number of applications since our program began, and with so many amazing students applying, I know our future is in capable hands,” said Karen Roch, president and CEO at Credit Union West.

This is the seventh year that the credit union has offered scholarships to Maricopa and Yavapai county high school graduates. In its pursuit to assist local graduates continuing their education, Credit Union West has provided $27,000 in scholarships since the inception of the program.

Westside Head Start enrolling for fall programs

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

Catholic Charities Westside Head Start is enrolling students for the 202021 school year, which will include expansion into the Littleton School District serving Avondale and Tolleson, for Head Start, Early Head Start, pregnant mothers and home-based programs. Programs emphasize pre-reading, language, math, cognitive skills, and health, social and emotional competence to prepare disadvantaged children for school and to maximize their potential for a bright future.

Full-day, duration classrooms (8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), full-day, non-duration classrooms (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and halfday (8-11:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) classes are available in Avondale, Buckeye, El Mirage, Glendale, Goodyear, Palo Verde, Peoria and Tolleson.

Students and families eligible to enroll in Westside Head Start include expectant mothers, children ages up to 5 and children with special needs, foster children and homeless children.

For more information, visit catholiccharitiesaz.org/all-locations/youth-development.

National Merit Scholar

Scholar. The National Merit Scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The nationwide pool of semifinalists, which represents less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. Deal was president of Sunrise Mountain’s DECA Club since 2018, where he has attended the International Career Development Conference and helped the Mustangs achieve first-place honors in back-to-back state competitions. Deal also recently received two Peoria Education Foundation scholarships: the Joseph McCord Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship for college-bound students who have a passion for history and social studies, and the Community Service Scholarship, a scholarship given to students who have completed a minimum of 100 community service hours throughout their high school career. Deal plans to study economics in college, which he will attend this fall. (Photo courtesy Peoria Unified School District)

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently awarded Sunrise Mountain High School senior Cameron Deal as a National Merit

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR ALL INTERESTED CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF PEORIA, ARIZONA ON; the Fiscal Year 2021 Final Budget and the setting of the Tax Levies are scheduled for the follow-

ing dates:

Notice is Hereby Given that a Public Hearing will be held in the Peoria Municipal Campus, Council Chamber, 8401 West Monroe Street on June 2, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the proposed budget for the next fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021.

The proposed budget may be examined on the City’s website at www. peoriaaz.gov or at the Peoria Municipal Campus either in the Main Library or at the Management and Budget Department office, Room 220.

All interested citizens will have an opportunity to give written and /or oral comments, and are encouraged to attend the Hearing.

The Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2021 is scheduled to be adopted at the regular

council meeting on June 2, 2020 commencing at 7:00 p.m. in the Peoria Municipal Campus, Council Chamber.

A Public Hearing relative to the levy increase of the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 Property Tax Levies will be held on June 2, 2020 commencing at 7:00 p.m. The final Fiscal Year 2021 Tax Levies are scheduled to be adopted at the regular council meeting on June 16, 2020 commencing at 7:00 p.m. at the Peoria Municipal Campus, Council Chamber.

Publish Peoria Times May 21 and 28, 2020

RESOLUTION

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-35

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PEORIA, ARIZONA, ADOPTING THE TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL PERIOD BEGINNING JULY 1, 2020, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2021 SPECIFYING THE OBJECT AND PURPOSE FOR WHICH SUCH BUDGET IS MADE; AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO PUBLISH SAID PROPOSED BUDGET IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARIZONA STATE STATUTES.

WHEREAS, the City Manager of the City of Peoria, Arizona, has submitted to the Mayor and Council a Tentative budget for

Of Peoria FY2021 Budget Schedule 1 - All Funds Summary

the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021, as required by the Peoria City Code; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Peoria, Arizona, have reviewed said proposed budget; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Peoria, Arizona, that the Tentative budget submitted by the City Manager for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2020, and ending June 30, 2021 for the object or purpose specified on the attached Exhibit, and the same hereby is, tentatively adopted.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Peoria, Arizona, that the City Clerk of the City of Peoria, Arizona be, and the same hereby is, directed to publish the

Tentative budget provided herein and tentatively adopted by the City Council in accordance with the statutes of the State of Arizona and the Peoria City Code. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Peoria, Arizona this 19th day of May 2020. Cathy Carlat, Mayor ATTEST:

Rhonda Geriminsky, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Vanessa P. Hickman, City Attorney. Published: Peoria Times May 21 and 28, 2020

1

2

3

4

5

6

OF PEORIA

City of Peoria

3

COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT

NOTICE OF FILING STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED FY 2020 BUDGET (INCLUDING SUCH STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES) REQUIRED BY A.R.S. §§ 48-716 AND 48-723

NOTICE OF FILING STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES OF THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES OF VISTANCIA COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT, THE COSTS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE FINANCED BY THE AD VALOREM TAX LEVY, AND THE AMOUNT OF ALL OTHER EXPENDITURES FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PURPOSES PROPOSED TO BE PAID FROM THE TAX LEVY AND OF THE AMOUNT TO BE RAISED TO PAY GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE DISTRICT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED FY 2021 BUDGET OF THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING A HEARING ON THOSE PORTIONS OF THE STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES NOT RELATING TO DEBT SERVICE ON GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.

Notice is hereby given that statements and estimates have been filed in the Office of the District Clerk of Vistancia Community Facilities District of the operation and maintenance expenses of the District, the costs of capital improvements to be financed by the voter-approved ad valorem tax levy by the District, and the amount of all other expenditures for public infrastructure purposes proposed to be paid from the tax levy and of the amount to be raised to pay general obligation bonds of the District by the District, all of which shall be provided for by the levy and collec- tion of ad valorem taxes on the assessed value of all the real and personal property in the District. Notice is further given that a public hearing on the proposed FY 2021 Budget of the District, including (but not limited to) a hearing on those portions of the statements and estimates not relating to debt service on general obligation bonds, all pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes §§48716 and 48-723, will be held by the District Board on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at or after 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of Peoria, 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, Arizona. Copies of the budget are available from the Office of the District Chief Financial Officer, Sonia Andrews, City of Peoria, 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, Arizona, telephone number: (623) 773-5206.

Dated this Day of May 19, 2020 /s/................................

Sonia Andrews

District Chief Financial Officer

Vistancia Community Facilities District Publish in Peoria Times: May 21, 2020 & May 28, 2020

EXHIBIT

RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION NO. VCFD 2020-01 (VISTANCIA)

A RESOLUTION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF VISTANCIA COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT APPROVING A PROPOSED BUDGET AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING DATE ON SAID PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 PURSUANT TO A.R.S. §48-716; FILING STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES OF THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES OF THE DISTRICT, THE COSTS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE FINANCED BY THE APPROVED AD VALOREM TAX LEVY, AND THE AMOUNT OF ALL OTHER EXPENDITURES FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PURPOSES PROPOSED TO BE PAID FROM THE TAX LEVY AND OF THE AMOUNT TO BE RAISED TO PAY GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE DISTRICT, ALL OF WHICH SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR BY THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AD VALOREM TAXES ON THE ASSESSED VALUE OF ALL THE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT AND PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF FILING THE STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PORTIONS OF THE STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES NOT RELATING TO DEBT SERVICE ON GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 PURSUANT TO A.R.S. §48-723; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AFTER ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL ACCORDING TO LAW.

WHEREAS, Vistancia Community Facilities District (the “District”) is a special purpose district for purposes of Article IX, Section 19, Constitution of Arizona, a tax-levying public improvement district for the purposes of Article XIII, Section 7, Constitution of Arizona, and a municipal corporation for all purposes of Title 35, Chapter 3, Articles 3, 3.1., 3.2, 4 and 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended, and [except as otherwise provided in §48-708(B), as amended] is considered to be a municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Arizona, separate and apart from the City of Peoria, Arizona; and WHEREAS, the District was created to finance construction and maintenance of certain public infrastructure needed for the development of the project known as “Vistancia”, including through assessment of ad valorem taxes on all real and personal property within the District for such purpose; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with A.R.S. §§48-719 and 48-723, a special election was held wherein the qualified electors of the District authorized the issuance of general obligation bonds to cover costs of constructing required public infrastructure and the levy and collection of an annual ad valorem tax at a rate not to exceed thirty cents (30¢) per one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation for operation and maintenance expenses of the District; and WHEREAS, by Resolution Nos. VCFD 02-02, VCFD 05-01, and VCFD 06-03 of the District authorized the sale and issuance of $21,250,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds, Series 2002 (the “2002 Bonds”), $23,550,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds, Series 2005 (the “2005 Bonds”), and $22,760,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds, Series 2006 (the “2006 Bonds”) respectively, to fund certain public infrastructure for such development; and WHEREAS, by Resolution No. VCFD 2015-03, the District authorized the sale and issuance of $36,985,000 aggregate principal amount of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2015 (the “2015 Bonds) to refund all the outstanding 2002 Bonds, 2005 Bonds and 2006 Bonds; and WHEREAS, the District also entered into a Standby Contribution Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2015, with entities involved in such development and with respect to the 2015 Bonds, whereby annual payments will be made to the District in order to maintain the tax rate at no more than two dollars and ten cents ($2.10) per one hundred dollars ($100) of limited property assessed valuation for debt service, given the tax base of the District in each tax year; and WHEREAS, in accordance with A.R.S. §§ 48-716 and 48-723, there has been submitted a proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021 which includes statements and estimates of the operation and maintenance expenses of the District, the costs of capital improvements to be financed by the authorized ad valorem tax levy, and the amount of all other expenditures for public infrastructure purposes proposed to be paid from the tax levy and of the amount to be raised to pay debt service with respect to the 2015 Bonds, all of which shall be provided for by the levy and collection of ad valorem taxes on the assessed value of all the real and personal property within the District and from amounts raised pursuant to the above described Standby Contribution Agreements; and

WHEREAS, this Board desires now to approve said proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021, to publish notice of having filed the required statements and estimates, and to set a date (and publish a notice thereof) for a public hearing to receive comment on the proposed budget and, particularly, on the portions of the statements and estimates not relating to debt service on general obligation bonds; and WHEREAS, after said public hearing (and on or before October 1), this Board expects to adopt a final budget by resolution; and WHEREAS, on or before the third Monday in August, this Board also expects to order the fixing, levying and assessment of required ad valorem taxes and to cause certified copies of the order providing for the same to be delivered to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the Arizona Department of Revenue; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD OF THE VISTANCIA COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT, AS FOLLOWS:

1. That certain proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021 for the District, attached hereto and expressly made a part hereof as Exhibit 1, is hereby tentatively approved.

2. That the statements and estimates of the operation and maintenance expenses of the District, the costs of capital improvements to be financed by the approved ad valorem tax levy by the District, and the amount of all other expenditures for public infrastructure purposes proposed to be paid from the tax levy and of the amount to be raised to pay general obligation bonds in Fiscal Year 2021 by the District are hereby filed in accordance with A.R.S. §§ 4217101(3) and 48-723(C), and are attached hereto and expressly made a part hereof as Exhibit 2.

3. That a public hearing date of Tuesday, June 2, 2020, beginning at or after 7:00 p.m. at the City of Peoria Council Chambers at 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, Arizona, is hereby set to consider said proposed budget (including, but expressly not limited to, consideration of those portions of the statements and estimates not relating to debt service on general obligation bonds), and said notice (attached hereto and expressly made a part hereof as Exhibit 3) shall be published at least once in the Peoria Times no later than ten (10) days prior to said hearing date.

4. That if any provision in this Resolution is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall not be affected but shall continue in full force and effect.

5. That this Resolution shall be effective after its passage and approval according to law.

RESOLVED by the District Board of the Vistancia Community Facilities District this 19th day of May, 2020.

Cathy Carlat

Chairperson, District Board, Vistancia Community Facilities District

ATTEST:

Rhonda Geriminsky

District Clerk

Vistancia Community Facilities District

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Vanessa Hickman

District Counsel

Vistancia Community Facilities District

ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1 – Proposed FY 2021 Budget

Exhibit 2 - Statements and Estimates – Tax Levy

Exhibit 3 - Notice of Public Hearing

Published: Peoria Times, May 21 and 28, 2020

RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION NO. VWCFD 2020-01 (VISTANCIA WEST)

A RESOLUTION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD OF VISTANCIA WEST COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT APPROVING A PROPOSED BUDGET AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING DATE ON SAID PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 PURSUANT TO A.R.S. §48-716; FILING STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES OF THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES OF THE DISTRICT, THE COSTS OF CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE FINANCED BY THE APPROVED AD VALOREM TAX LEVY, AND THE AMOUNT OF ALL OTHER EXPENDITURES FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PURPOSES PROPOSED TO BE PAID FROM THE TAX LEVY AND OF THE AMOUNT TO BE RAISED TO PAY GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE DISTRICT, ALL OF WHICH SHALL BE PROVIDED FOR BY THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AD VALOREM TAXES ON THE ASSESSED VALUE OF ALL THE REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE DISTRICT AND PROVIDING FOR NOTICE OF FILING THE STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PORTIONS OF THE STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES NOT RELATING TO DEBT SERVICE ON GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 PURSUANT TO A.R.S. §48-723; AND PROVIDING THAT THIS RESOLUTION SHALL BE EFFECTIVE AFTER ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL ACCORDING TO LAW.

WHEREAS, Vistancia West Community Facilities District (the “District”) is a special purpose district for purposes of Article IX, Section 19, Constitution of Arizona, a tax-levying public improvement district for the purposes of Article XIII, Section 7, Constitution of Arizona, and a municipal corporation for all purposes of Title 35, Chapter 3, Articles 3, 3.1., 3.2, 4 and 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended, and [except as otherwise provided in §48-708(B), as amended] is considered to be a municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Arizona, separate and apart from the City of Peoria, Arizona; and WHEREAS, the District was created to finance construction and maintenance of certain public infrastructure needed for the development of the project known as “Vistancia West”, including through assessment of ad valorem taxes on all real and personal property within the District for such purpose; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with A.R.S. §§48-719 and 48-723, a special election was held wherein the qualified electors of the District authorized the issuance of general obligation bonds to cover costs of constructing required public infrastructure and the levy and collection of an annual ad valorem tax at a rate not to exceed thirty cents (30¢) per one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation for operation and maintenance expenses of the District; and WHEREAS, by Resolution Nos. VWCFD 2015-01, VWCFD 2016-02, and VWCFD 2019-03 of the District authorized the sale and issuance of $35,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds, Series 2015 (the “2015 Bonds”), $3,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds, Series 2016 (the “2016 Bonds”), and $2,590,000 aggregate principal amount of Bonds, Series 2019 (the “2019 Bonds”) respectively, to fund certain public infrastructure for such development; and WHEREAS, the District also entered into a District Development, Financing Participation and Intergovernmental Agreement, whereby annual payments will be made to the District in order to maintain the tax rate at no more than two dollars and ten cents ($2.10) per one hundred dollars ($100) of limited assessed valuation for debt service, given the tax base of the District in each tax year; and WHEREAS, in accordance with A.R.S. §§ 48-716 and 48-723, there has been submitted a proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021 which includes statements and estimates of the operation and maintenance expenses of the District, the costs of capital improvements to be financed by the authorized ad valorem tax levy, and the amount of all other expenditures for public infrastructure purposes proposed to be paid from the tax levy and of the amount to be raised to pay debt service, all of which shall be provided for by the levy and collection of ad valorem taxes on the assessed value of all the real and personal property within the District; and

WHEREAS, this Board desires now to approve said proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021, to publish notice of having filed the required statements and estimates, and to set a date (and publish a notice thereof) for a public hearing to receive comment on the proposed budget and, particularly, on the portions of the statements and estimates not relating to debt service on general obligation bonds; and WHEREAS, after said public hearing (and on or before October 1), this Board expects to adopt a final budget by resolution; and WHEREAS, on or before the third Monday in August, this Board also expects to order the fixing, levying and assessment of required ad valorem taxes and to cause certified copies of the order providing for the same to be delivered to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and the Arizona Department of Revenue; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD OF THE VISTANCIA WEST COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT, AS FOLLOWS:

1. That certain proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021 for the District, attached hereto and expressly made a part hereof as Exhibit 1, is hereby tentatively approved.

2. That the statements and estimates of the operation and maintenance expenses of the District, the costs of capital improvements to be financed by the approved ad valorem tax levy by the District, and the amount of all other expenditures for public infrastructure purposes proposed to be paid from the tax levy and of the amount to be raised to pay general obligation bonds in Fiscal Year 2021 by the District are hereby filed in accordance with A.R.S. §§ 4217101(3) and 48-723(C), and are attached hereto and expressly made a part hereof as Exhibit 2.

3. That a public hearing date of Tuesday, June 2, 2020, beginning at or after 7:00 p.m. at the City of Peoria Council Chambers at 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, Arizona, is hereby set to consider said proposed budget (including, but expressly not limited to, consideration of those portions of the statements and estimates not relating to debt service on general obligation bonds), and said notice (attached hereto and expressly made a part hereof as Exhibit 3) shall be published at least once in the Peoria Times no later than ten (10) days prior to said hearing date.

4. That if any provision in this Resolution is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall not be affected but shall continue in full force and effect.

5. That this Resolution shall be effective after its passage and approval according to law.

RESOLVED by the District Board of the Vistancia West Community Facilities District this 19th day of May, 2020.

Cathy Carlat

Chairperson, District Board,

Vistancia West Community Facilities District

ATTEST:

Rhonda Geriminsky

District Clerk

Vistancia West Community Facilities District

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Vanessa Hickman

District Counsel

Vistancia West Community Facilities District

ATTACHMENTS: Exhibit 1 – Proposed FY 2021 Budget

Exhibit 2 - Statements and Estimates – Tax Levy

Exhibit 3 – Notice of Public Hearing

Published: Peoria Times May 21 and 28, 2020

AZCANS

PUBLIC NOTICE

2

Assessed Valuation:

Maricopa

Estimated Levy Amount:

The levy is estimated to be $408,000 for

Estimated capital improvements to be financed by the tax levy in fiscal year 2021: $0

EXHIBIT 3

COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT

NOTICE OF FILING STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED FY 2021 BUDGET (INCLUDING SUCH STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES) REQUIRED BY A.R.S. §§ 48-716 AND 48-723

NOTICE OF FILING STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES OF THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES OF VISTANCIA WEST COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT, THE COSTS OF ADMINISTRATION AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO BE FINANCED BY THE AD VALOREM TAX LEVY, AND THE AMOUNT OF ALL OTHER EXPENDITURES FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PURPOSES PROPOSED TO BE PAID FROM THE TAX LEVY AND OF THE AMOUNT TO BE RAISED TO PAY GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS OF THE DISTRICT AND NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED FY 2021 BUDGET OF THE DISTRICT, INCLUDING A HEARING ON THOSE PORTIONS OF THE STATEMENTS AND ESTIMATES NOT RELATING TO DEBT SERVICE ON GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS.

Notice is hereby given that statements and estimates have been filed in the Office of the District Clerk of Vistancia West Community Facilities District of the operation and maintenance expenses of the District, the costs of administration and capital improvements to be financed by the voter-approved ad valorem tax levy by the District, and the amount of all other expenditures for public infrastructure purposes proposed to be paid from the tax levy and of the amount to be raised to pay general obligation bonds of the District by the District, all of which shall be provided for by the levy and collection of ad valorem taxes on the assessed value of all the real and personal property in the District. Notice is further given that a public hearing on the proposed FY 2021 Budget of the District, including (but not limited to) a hearing on those portions of the statements and estimates not relating to debt service on general obligation bonds, all pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes §§48-716 and 48-723, will be held by the District Board on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at or after 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City of Peoria, 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, Arizona. Copies of the budget are available from the Office of the District Chief Financial Officer, Sonia Andrews, City of Peoria, 8401 W. Monroe Street, Peoria, Arizona, telephone number: (623) 773-5206.

Dated this Day of May 19, 2020 /s/................................

Sonia Andrews

District Chief Financial Officer

Vistancia West Community Facilities District

Publish in Peoria Times: May 21, 2020 & May 28, 2020

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