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Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
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September 16, 2021
Binsbacher ‘interested’ in mayoral run BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor
SPORTS......... 18
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Mesquite District Councilmember Bridget Binsbacher filed her “statement of interest” to run for Peoria mayor. Binsbacher is the first candidate to announce a bid to lead Arizona’s ninth largest city. The winner will take the reins from current Peoria Mayor Cathy Carlat, who is term limited in 2022. “I filed my statement of interest, and I want to find out what is important to residents and if I can get the support to be their next mayor,” she said. “So far, it feels great. The election will sneak up on us. I want to be prepared and have plenty of time to connect with citizens across Peoria.”
Bridget Binsbacher will run for Peoria mayor in the 2022 race after current Mayor Cathy Carlat’s term limit ends. (Peoria Times file photo)
Binsbacher has lived in the Northwest Valley for more than three decades, dedicating her time to public and community service. She was elected to serve on the Peoria City Council in March 2015 and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. “Because I served on the council for six years, I’ve heard all the things that are important to people, as far as core services,” she said. “Peoria has amazing services, as far as public safety, public works, and our parks and recreation program. Residents are really proud of what Peoria has to offer. We have to work on balanced amenities across the city.” SEE MAYORAL PAGE 3
Harrowing childhood leads to helping others YOUTH.......... 27 Hubbard offers afterschool swimming lessons
OPINION.................12 BUSINESS...............15 SPORTS...................18 FEATURES...............20 RELIGION................24 YOUTH....................27 CLASSIFIEDS...........29
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor
When Thanou Thammavongsa moved to North Minneapolis from Paris, he was “just a French Asian kid who didn’t know a lick of English.” He was shuffled from home to home to ensure he received the best education while he dodged Asian and Black gangs in the Midwest. But Thammavongsa rose above it and cares about his 16-year hometown of Northwest Peoria. The small-business owner is
striving to help the community eat better, feel better and fight cancer with his vision for Westy’s Organic Kitchen & Juice. Through Oct. 10, he’s attempting to raise $50,000 via GoFundMe just to prove that the community cares about his future endeavor. “We are looking to start a crowdfund right now to bring the first all-organic kitchen and juice shop to Northwest Peoria,” he said. “We just want a little support from the community. “We have our own money and some potential silent investors. By crowdfunding, I
want to know if the community is ready for something like that. It doesn’t matter what we raise. I just want them to be aware and put some skin in the game as well.” He plans to expand it to include community cooking classes and events to discuss healthy eating ways featuring local contributors from the wholistic medical field and food industry. At the heart of campaign is his brotherin-law, who defied the odds of beating an aggressive battle with stage 4 colorectal SEE HELPING PAGE 4
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