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Casteel growth surprises board / P. 3

Grant benefits QC trainers / P. 12

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Sunday, May 1, 2022

QC agritainment businesses feel labor pinch BY KATHLEEN STINSON Tribune Staff Writer

NEWS..................... 6 Commuter rail through Queen Creek dealt new setback.

COMMUNITY...... 20 National nonprofit building home for QC veteran.

SPORTS................ 24 Crismon High athletes building culture from ground up.

COMMUNITY.........................20 BUSINESS...............................23 SPORTS....................................24 CLASSIFIEDS.........................25

wo of Queen Creek’s major agritainment venues have not been immune to the labor shortages that are crimping the operations of many business across the country. Schnepf Farms and the Queen Creek Olive Mill also have run into difficulties to fully staff their businesses, hampering day-to-day operations and future plans. “The labor shortage has slowed our

see LABOR page 18

Mark and Carrie Schnepf have had to curtail dining operations at their farm because they can’t find enough workers. (Tribune file photo)

Election 2022 will change Town Council’s make-up BY KATHLEEN STINSON Tribune Staff Writer

he coming election in Queen Creek could result in a sizable shift in the composition of the Town Council with a new mayor a virtual certainty and five candidates vying for two seats. Mayor Gail Barney has chosen not to run for re-election after serving on Council since January 2002, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy. He has been mayor for three four-year terms.

In the Aug 2 Primary Election, Councilwoman Julia Wheatley is unopposed for mayor while incumbent Councilwoman Dawn Oliphant and four newcomers are seeking four-year terms to the two council seats. If two of those five candidates get more than 50% of all votes cast, they’ve won. If none of the candidates get more than 50%, a runoff will be on the Nov. 8 ballot. Also on the ballot are two propositions: Propositions 464 (a permanent base adjustment) and Proposition 465 (a Southwest Gas franchise agreement).

Barney said through the town that while “I have had the opportunity to meet so many outstanding people and help shape our community,” he wants to “take time to focus on my family.” Here’s a look at the candidates.

Julia Wheatley Asked why she is running for mayor, Wheatley recalled how more than 12 years ago, she let her husband watch their

see ELECTION page 8

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Casteel High growth surprises CUSD with new expenses BY KEN SAIN Tribune staff writer

hen Casteel High School opened in 2015, officials thought it would be a small school but much like the town it’s in – Queen Creek – it has grown faster than Chandler Unified School District officials were prepared for. The district Governing Board on April 27 approved construction of eight tennis courts and a concession building for the high school. As part of the deal, the existing four tennis courts at the school will be converted to basketball courts. The cost is about $4.4 million. Members of the board pointed out during the meeting that they keep having to go back to Casteel because they underestimated how many students would be enrolled at the school. The Queen Creek school has more than 3,200 students in grades 7-12,

Chandler Unified unveiled this rendering of a proposed new eight-court tennis complex. (CUSD) and more than 2,100 in the high school. Queen Creek’s population in 2015 was just over 30,000. Today, it’s estimated to top 68,000. “We did what we had to do at the beginning to get it up, operational,” said Frank Fletcher, the district’s assistant superintendent for support services. “The campus exploded and we never

saw it coming.” Fletcher said the school had about 1,000 students in its first year, and they expected only about 750-to-800. Board President Barb Mozdzen said it was her recollection they hoped the enrollment would be capped at between 1,600-to-2,000. “For the record, every high school

that I’ve known this district to build, we’ve over-exceeded,” said board member Joel Wirth. Because the district underestimated the number of students who would enroll, the school was built in pieces, Fletcher said. The district also has

see CASTEEL page 13

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Two districts’ bond issues address overcrowded schools An edition of the East Valley Tribune Queen Creek Tribune is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Queen Creek CONTACT INFORMATION Main number: 480-898-6500 | Fax: 480-898-562 Circulation: 480-898-5641 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 480-898-6309 Classifieds/Inside Sales: Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@timespublications.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@timespublications.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 | sinsalaco@timespublications.com Advertising Sales Executive: Jane Meyer | 480-898-5633 | jane@timespublications.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor: Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 pmaryniak@timespublications.com Managing Editor: Cecilia Chan | 480-898-5613 |cchan@timespublications.com Reporters: Kathleen Stinson | 480-898-5639 | kstinson@ timespublications.com Ken Sain | 928-420-5341 | ksain@timespublications.com Photographer: Dave Minton | dminton@timespublications.com Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@timespublications.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@timespublications.com Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@evtrib.com Sports Editor: Zach Alvira | 480-898-5630 | zalvira@timespublications.com

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BY CECILIA CHAN AND JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writers

wo of the school districts serving Queen Creek are asking voters Nov. 8 to approve bond measures and one isn’t wasting any time trying to win their approval. Both Queen Creek Unified and Higley Unified school districts are hoping the second time is a charm after voters in all-mail elections last year rejected bond measures. This time, both have trimmed the size of their asks. The QCUSD Governing Board at a special session April 12 voted 4-0 – member Patty Campbell was absent – to put a new $198 million bond measure for projects over the next five years. The measure that will fund various improvements for the district’s 14 schools as well as pay for two new elementary schools and the completion of Eastmark High School, among other projects. A political action committee tasked with swaying voters to pass a $77.2-million bond for Higley Unified is already at work after its governing board approved the measure in March – much earlier than last year, when it voted in June to go to the ballot box with a $95-million measure that was rejected by 54.64% of voters. Both Queen Creek and Higley are trying to prepare for huge increases in enrollment that virtually no other East Valley school district is seeing – and that in some cases are the exact opposite of what some of their neighbors are anticipating. QCUSD bond addresses growth “I personally like option two,” said QCUSD board President Ken Brague during the meeting as he and his colleagues sifted through four options representing different sizes of bond issues. “It gets everything and it stays under the $200 million (limit).” The other three options included: $188 million, $235 million, and $286 million. Last year, the district proposed a $286 million bond measure that 60%

Queen Creek’s soaring population is pushing student enrollment at QCUSD schools beyond capacity, as this district chart shows. (QCUSD) of the voters rejected. It would have helped pay for a full build out of the district’s infrastructure, including the completion of several schools and various upgrades. Only 11,840 of the 45,497 registered voters in the Queen Creek district mailed in their ballots. Even if the board had chosen to try again with the $286 million measure, administration officials said it would not cover everything they thought it would last year. “We wanted to make sure that even though that $286 million last year was full build-out, but because of inflation, it’s not going to have a full build-out,” Chief Financial Officer Amber Stouard explained. The district has more than 12,000 students and expects more than 16,000 by the 2024-2025 school year and expects nine of the 14 schools in the district to reach or exceed capacity for its student population by the following school year. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Queen Creek jumped more than 55% to more than 59,000. It also says that nearly one-third of the

town is under the age of 18. Some of the most common upgrades in the bond measure include adding security cameras, updating playgrounds and furniture, and adding or renovating classrooms. For Queen Creek High, the measure would underwrite a master plan redesign “to support a large comprehensive school,” separate parent/student traffic loop and additional parking, Career and Technical Education classroom and lab remodels, outdoor dining, sports fields and stadium renovations that include new LED lights, new gym space, and a blackbox theater with dance room and set-design space. Eastmark would get more parking, a performing arts center with fine arts classrooms, outdoor dining and additional classrooms, fields and athletic facilities. Some board members said this year’s will require a lot of legwork to get the word out about the measure to the community. The district also notes many of the improvements won’t just benefit stu-

see QCUSD page 11

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QC commuter rail plan hits roadblock in Gilbert BY CECILIA CHAN Tribune Staff Writer

ilbert Town Council last week derailed a study that would have marked a small step toward the dream of a commuter rail line through Queen Creek. Mayor Gail Barney as recently as Aug. 4 wrote members of Arizona’s delegation to Congress in support of the Tucson-Phoenix-Buckeye line, which could give Queen Creek residents a speedier way of reaching Phoenix and East Valley locations. Citing a 2015 Arizona Department of Transportation study and another in 2018 by the Maricopa Association of Governments, Barney said both “identified the need of a passenger rail facility to provide an alternative mode to address existing and future travel demand and mitigate congestion in Arizona’s metropolitan areas.

Writing Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly as well as U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar, Barney also asked for their support of Amtrak’s proposal for a corridor development program that would advance the planning for the route. He also noted that funding could get the route up and running and cover operating costs during the first few years as ridership and revenues grew. But Gilbert Town Council for now has put the brakes on its staff ’s request to spend $288,760 to further study two proposed transit stations to accommodate the passenger rail service – which has no timeline on for implementation. Gilbert staff said “time is of the essence” in awarding a contract to the Dallas engineer firm AECOM to look at the feasibility of site locations in the downtown Heritage District and

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Vice Mayor Aimee Yentes slammed the proposed study of possible sites for stations for a regional commuter rail line during a council meeting April 26. (YouTube) do preliminary site design of phases for a transit center in the Cooley Station community. Council is expected to revisit the item Aug. 23. “I have a lot of problems with this item,” said Vice Mayor Aimee Yentes, who pulled the item off consent agenda for discussion. “My specific concern is specific to these being planned for commuter rail,” she said. “I feel like as a body we really haven’t had an opportunity to discuss this idea (and do) a deeper dive into. Is this even a good idea has not been held by this body and I feel this is absolutely premature.” Yentes acknowledged that commuter rail has been in planning documents for a while both with the

town and the Maricopa Association of Governments, which plans and finances regional transportation systems. “The commuter stations have been published in several documents that have been presented to the public in Gilbert over the past several years,” Councilwoman Yung Koprowski said. “One of the stations, which would be in the Heritage District was included in that (downtown) redevelopment plan and there was public participation for that,” Koprowski said. “And the station at Cooley Station – both were mentioned as part of the outreach for the transportation bond so I do feel the public has

see RAIL page 10

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Julia Wheatley

ELECTION from page 1

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Dawn Oliphant

3-week-old baby so she could run out at 2 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving and collect signatures on election petitions from Black Friday shoppers standing in line. Back then, there were nine candidates fighting for three seats, she recalled, adding, “I worked really hard that election and won. It was a great feeling. “I can’t help but think of the similarities between watching the growth and development of my now-12-yearold daughter and what we’ve seen here in Queen Creek over the last 12 years. Whenever we have family that comes to town they are always amazed at all the changes in Queen Creek, just like they are amazed at how tall my four kids have grown. Just like raising kids, as an elected official I’m always working on the proper balance; always distinguishing the needs versus the wants… just doing the best I can. “I’ve probably read over 100,000 pages of council meeting documents. Filed hours and hours of meetings, debates, dialogs, and negotiations. We’ve built miles and miles of roads, fire stations, parks, started a police department, welcomed many businesses through our economic development programs, and always try to make Queen Creek a family friendly community. The statistics show that families love migrating to our community. “I hope that during the next four years working as mayor of Queen Creek that I will be able to help navigate the difficulties of such a rapidly expanding town. Over the past 12 years, we have been developing infrastructure and laying

Lamar Keener

the groundwork to build upon an incredible town. We are reaping the benefits of the planning and investment of our town leadership over the years.” Wheatley serves on the town’s budget committee, the Economic Development Commission, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and represents Queen Creek on the Arizona League of Cities’ budget, finance and economic development committee. She holds a B.S. degree in legal studies and is pursuing a master’s degree on public administration. She and her husband Benjamin and their four children have called Queen Creek home since 2007.

Dawn Oliphant Dawn Oliphant moved to Queen Creek in November 2005 and worked for the City of Tempe in various positions from 1989-2010. She currently owns a health and wellness online distributorship. “I love serving the Queen Creek Community and want to continue helping shape and manage the growth that is coming to our town,” she told the Tribune. First elected in June 2010 and re-elected in 2014 and 2018, Oliphant serves on Council’s budget committee and represents Queen Creek on the Maricopa Association of Governments Economic Development Committee, the League of Cities’ neighborhoods, sustainability and quality of life committee and its league’s public safety, military affairs, and courts committee. She also is an alternate on the East Valley Transportation Infrastructure North/South Corridor Sub-Committee and Stakeholder Regional Committee.

Matt McWilliams

Travis Padilla

Oliphant holds a B.S. in liberal studies and a MBA and graduated from Queen Creek’s Citizen Leadership Institute in 2010.

Lamar Keener Lamar Keener told the Tribune he is running for the council because “I feel like I can bring life experience to town business. “I like the way the town is moving and I believe we need to manage our growth a little bit better,” he said. “Our growth gets ahead of our infrastructure. We need to get infrastructure caught up with the growth.” Keener has been the executive director of the Evangelical Press Association for the past seven years and has lived in Queen Creek for five years. The son of a farming family who has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Liberty University, Keener started in college administration before becoming co-owner with his wife of the publishing business that produces faith-based newspapers, magazines and other products. He describes himself on his campaign website as a “lifelong family-values conservative at heart, both fiscally and socially, believing that limited government, responsible fiscal policies, strong families, and freedom of religious belief and practice are the foundation of a flourishing community.” Keener also states, “Roads have been and should continue to be a priority for our town. I will support the continued funding of transportation projects as aggressively as our resources will allow.” And he believes Queen Creek “is gaining the reputation as the agritainment

Bryan McClure

capital of Arizona” with attractions such as Schnepf Farms, Queen Creek Olive Mill and similar attractions and that “this is part of the town’s official economic development strategy.”

Matt McWilliams Matt McWilliams told The Tribune, “I ran for Town Council in 2016 and came oh so close to winning a seat… I knew that I would likely run again when the time was right. I was motivated to run then and now to work to preserve Queen Creek’s founders’ vision for the Town. “During the interim between then and now I have served on Queen Creek’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Working on the Planning and Zoning Commission gave me additional experience and insight in how best to shape the buildout of Queen Creek. I really enjoyed the quality time and work I, and the entire Planning and Zoning Commission, put into doing what is right for all of our town’s citizens on the cases brought before us.” On his Facebook campaign site, he said he wants to manage growth and “keep Queen Creek true to its heritage.” He also said he would “support Queen Creek’s efforts to make our roads safe, accessible and designed to mitigate congestion.” McWilliams moved to Queen Creek in 2011, he said and has a B.A. in international studies and law degree from the University of Kansas. “I have a broad background of work experience that includes financial service information technology, law, title

see ELECTION page 16

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RAIL from page 6

had a lot of exposure to these projects.” But Yentes said, “If I were to ask 100 of my neighbors do they know that commuter rail is going to be coming to Gilbert, I think approximately zero of those people would be aware.” “I think when we are talking about an investment of this size …we really need to have eyes wide-open about the level of awareness,” Yentes added. “It’s one thing to have it in planning docs but people don’t know, they’re not involved in this stuff.” Koprowski then responded that Amtrak last year announced it was looking at projects that might bring intercity passenger rail service through Gilbert and Queen Creek. In the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill signed by the president last year, $66 billion went to Amtrak. Amtrak in July unveiled its 15-year expansion plan to connect up to 160 communities by building new or improved rail corridors in over 25 states. The plan included providing train trips between Phoenix and Tucson with nine stations, including in Queen Creek, Tempe and Phoenix, proposed for the route, but not in Gilbert. Exactly when that service might commence is not yet known. “The specific timeline, station location and other details will be discussed during the service development plan, which will be driven by local stakeholders,” said Amtrak spokeswoman Olivia Irvin. Irvin added that the decision on final station locations will be made at the local level and discussed by stakeholders. Amtrak used to serve Phoenix until a 1995 terrorist attack on a stretch of Union Pacific track west of the city that derailed one of its trains, killing one person and injuring many others. The cost to repair that line at the time was deemed too expensive, prompting Amtrak to shutter its service in Phoenix.

This map shows one proposed layout of the commuter rail line that has been studied by MAG and East Valley officials. (Special to the Tribune) Koprowski said the proposed study was the first step toward providing more information to Council to make a decision whether or not to move forward on the two stations. Development Services Director Kyle Mieras said Gilbert, Arizona Department of Transportation and MAG have been working on passenger rail in the Valley and through the town since 1993. “Back in 2013 there was a study being commissioned by ADOT that looked at commuter rail from Tucson up through Phoenix and at that time (the sitting) Gilbert Council did sign a letter of support for that study,” Mieras said. “There was a federal record of decision that came down that identified that rail line through Gilbert as the most favorable one. It had the highest ridership, it showed that the station locations were very favorable and this was a study that had gone on for several years. “This has definitely been something that has been at the forefront of our thoughts and transportation planning for a while.” He added that the development agreement with the Cooleys for a

transit center at the Cooley Station community was executed about 20 years ago. Mieras said the study would help staff determine a location for a station in downtown and if it’s feasible. At Cooley Station, there is land already set aside for the station and the study would help determine the size and design of it. He stressed that the study is not for the construction of the stations. “I don’t have a problem with the station per se,” Councilman Scott Anderson said. But “I think we are a little bit premature. We are out over our skis. “We heard that Amtrak doesn’t even consider Gilbert as being a location for the stations and the region has been doing studies over time. But what I would like to see is a commitment by the region that this is really going to happen and I haven’t seen that.” Mieras said early documents did not show a station in Gilbert but staff has since met with and given ample information to an Amtrak official who agreed that “Gilbert is ripe for a station location.” Regional commuter rail would

run on Union Pacific- and on BNSFowned freight rail tracks and is generally less than 20 miles in travel lengths and focuses on peak period service. Amtrak’s intercity passenger services makes less frequent stops than commuter rail. “We didn’t want to get too far out ahead of ourselves with the study but what we wanted to do is try to at least show support for this and get ahead of it,” Mieras said, adding: “So, that if and when Amtrak or commuter rail does come forward we at least studied this and we got a good position and we are kind of ahead of the eight ball where we are skating toward where the puck is going and not where it’s been.” Mayor Brigette Peterson said the Amtrak representative was shocked that Gilbert was not on the initial list of station stops, considering there is a whole neighborhood created with a commuter rail station in mind. And, she said, when she attended a MAG meeting a week before the April 26 council meeting, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego commented, “‘Gilbert is way ahead of us.

see RAIL page 17

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QCUSD from page 1

dents: “Schools are not only used for those with students in the district, but also for community events such as sports league games, faith-based events, HOA meetings, scout meetings, Kiwanis clubs, vendor shows, dance recitals and more.” Brague said approval will come from a grassroots campaign of “wives convincing their husbands.” “We have to win our own parents,” he said. “Some people don’t know that Silver Valley has over 1,200 kids, people don’t know that kids are eating on the ground,” board member Samantha Davis said. “So that just needs to be made known to everyone.” “It’s going to have to be more work than any other that we’ve ever done,” Vice President Jennifer Revolt said.

Higley ditches leases’ retirement With more time and resources to organize and education, the Higley bond PAC plans to contact as many voters and stakeholders as possible – providing factual information to persuade them to vote ‘yes,’” said PAC treasurer Paul Ulan, principal at Primary Consultants, a consulting firm that specializes in passing bond and override elections. Ulan said 15 people so far have signed on to volunteer with the effort of going door-to-door and calling voters. The PAC also will use social media

The QCUSD Governing Board on April 12 discussed four different options for a bond measure. (Josh Ortega/Tribune Staff)

and mailings to get out their pro-bond message. The group relies solely on donations for the campaign and is prohibited from using district funds. According to the district, there are roughly 60,000 voters in its boundaries. Officials say there would be no increase in the property tax rate if the bond is approved. “The most persuasive way to get somebody to vote for something or for somebody is to look them eye-toeye and get them to vote yes and that is what we are going to do,” said Ulan, who’s been pushing bonds and overrides for 30 years. “Mail and social media and events are great but the most effective way is to get through to people and we were not able to do that last year – time constraints and COVID,” he added. Although the district dropped the un-

popular proposal to retire one of two controversial lease payments for Cooley and Sossaman middle schools with bond money, not everyone was sold on the new measure. But Ulan said, “When we are asking for $77 million, I’m not surprised that there are people that are opposed to it. “I think you have people not just in Higley, it’s across the state and county (saying) – ‘I’m opposed to it, it’s more money, I don’t have kids in schools, my

kids go to private or charter school and I don’t like Higley School District. I don’t like how the money’s spent or want to go after prior bad acts.’ It doesn’t make it right or wrong. “There is not a PAC in this county that will convert somebody who’s saying, ‘I’m voting no.’ Our job is go out and find two ‘yes’ votes rather than to convert a ‘no’ vote.” The prior “bad acts “refer to then-Superintendent Denise Birdwell’s execution of the lease agreements in 2012 with a third-party for the use of two new buildings to house Cooley and Sossaman, the district’s first and only middle schools. It was during a time the district was seeing a big uptick in student enrollment. The total cost of the two leases over their lifetime to the district is nearly $160 million. Each year, HUSD directs $4.4 million of its capital funding to the two payments and has paid to date approximately $44 million. A grand jury last July indicted Bird-

see QCUSD page 13

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QC to benefit from $80K grant for school trainers BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

thletic trainers are often the forgotten piece to a sports program, especially at the high school level. They can treat a wide variety of injuries, from bumps and bruises to immediate urgent care until paramedics can arrive on scene. They can be a coach’s best friend or worst enemy depending on who you ask. But one thing is clear: They’re there no matter when called upon. School districts will often provide enough money to ensure its head athletic trainer and staff have the necessary equipment to be useful daily. But as in most aspects of education, the funds are not unlimited. That’s where Dignity Health has come in. In partnership with the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority, Dignity secured an $80,000 grant for new equipment for its partner schools across Queen Creek, Chandler and Gilbert. In total, 28 schools received new equipment for its training staff, including 14 high schools. “The athletic trainers are extremely grateful, said Suzie Squires, Athletic Training Manager of the Dignity Health Sports Medicine Program. “They know having the funds and these items allow them to do their jobs that much better which is their ultimate goal. Some of our schools, it’s adding to their long-running wish list.” Most of the equipment donated through the grant went to portable automated external defibrillators. Some schools, like Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, will receive a new equipment cart used to transport equipment, staff and when necessary, injured athletes. The new cart is a welcomed sight for Campo Verde head athletic trainer Julia Marino. While still in her first year, she’s felt the brunt of having an outdated cart with battery issues. But she now looks forward to a new one on the way. “Our current golf cart is running on its last leg,” Marino said. “Just to have those funds available, we don’t have to fund-

From left: Chris Marquez of Arizona College Prep, Julia Marino of Campo Verde and Jennifer Yates of Casteel are all in the process of receiving new equipment from Dignity as part of an $80,000 grant from the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority. In total, 23 middle schools and high schools in Gilbert, Chandler and Queen Creek will benefit from the grant. (Dave Minton/Arizonan Staff) raise or find the funds, we can give more attention to our athletes knowing Dignity is in the background preparing these resources for us. We can get around easier, we can build our program and use some of that money elsewhere. “Same thing with the AED. Those get old quickly. Many schools apply for grants and get denied so having Dignity under our belt is amazing.” Campo Verde, like other schools, will also receive five years of subscriptions for an electronic medical record software used by trainers daily. The software allows trainers to better monitor and track each individual athlete. Some schools are also receiving iPads and WiFi jetpacks with the grant, which can be used for training and a variety of other things related to the head athletic trainer’s day-to-day operations keeping athletes healthy. Chris Marquez came to Arizona College Prep two years ago from Arizona

State where he served as the wrestling athletic trainer. At the time of his arrival, ACP was still at its old campus near Alma School and Ray roads in Chandler. The school, at the time, had a practice field and small gym, but not much else. But last fall the school opened its larger standalone campus near Gilbert and Ocotillo roads, which included multiple practice fields, softball, baseball, a football stadium and large gym and weight room. Quickly, Marquez had much more ground to cover during the school year when most sports are in full swing. “Having access to those supplies and have the golf carts to cover such a huge ground has been so helpful, especially as we find new access points and a way to run athletics out there,” Marquez said. “It’s a lot of ground to cover.” Along with ACP, Basha, Chandler, Hamilton, and Perry, seven middle schools and junior highs received part of the

grant. In Gilbert, Mesquite, Desert Ridge, Gilbert, Highland and Gilbert Classical Academy were the beneficiaries alongside Campo Verde and five junior highs. Queen Creek, Eastmark, Queen Creek Middle School and Newell Barney Middle School in Queen Creek were gifted equipment. Casteel, one of the newer and fastest-growing schools on the border of Queen Creek and Chandler, received most of its equipment from a previous grant gifted to Dignity in year’s past. This time around, the athletic training staff received the software and an extra AED. School athletic trainer Jennifer Yates said the school’s partnership with Dignity has been key for their growth, especially as the school’s athletic programs continue to see a constant uptick in participation from its students.

see TRAINERS page 16

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | MAI 1, 2022

CASTEEL from page 3

had to buy land for the school four separate times to accommodate that growth. One of those purchases was to add a parking lot and main entrance to the school. Tom Dunn, the director of construction for the district, said eight tennis courts are required for schools to compete in AIA and that all other CUSD high schools have that many. State tennis matches comprise five single matches and three doubles matches. Fletcher said trying to com-

QCUSD from page 11

well for alleged bid rigging and payoffs while at HUSD. Three others outside the district also were indicted. Ulan said the bond had an advantage going into an even election year, where it will share space with state, municipal and school candidates running for office. “We will have a higher turnout than last year,” Ulan said. “I think that helps us.” The last time the district went out for a successful bond election was in 2013. The $70 million went toward projects such as building more classrooms at Williams Field High School, buying school buses and constructing Bridges Elementary campus. HUSD, with 13 campuses in Gilbert and parts of Queen Creek housing 12,500 students, is one of the fastest growing districts in the state. According to HUSD, over the next five years about 3,000 new students are

plete all eight matches on four courts is a challenge, especially in the fall when the sun sets earlier. The freshmen tennis teams play in the fall, and the varsity plays in the spring. The 2,718-square-foot concession building would be shared by the tennis courts and the district’s beach volleyball facility. In addition to providing food and drinks, it would also provide permanent bathrooms for the area. Currently, there are portable bathrooms for that area. Those would be moved to between the school’s varsity

baseball and softball fields, Dunn said. That’s the early plan, Fletcher cautioned the board. He said it depends on finding a suitable location, saying they need to find a domestic water source and there has to be a way for the vendor to get to them for service. “We still have some evaluation on the site to do before we pick a location,” Fletcher said. “Finding the domestic water to flush is our challenge right now and how far we have to trench.” Dunn said once the new tennis courts are built, the existing ones

would be converted to basketball courts and turned over to the school’s physical education department. Superintendent Frank Narducci reminded the board that the beach volleyball courts at Casteel are used by all schools in the district. Fletcher said the school has been asking for all eight tennis courts since they filled all of its grades. He said it is time to fix that problem. “We have a little bit more light in the spring, but in the fall getting those matches completed is unreasonable,” Fletcher said.

expected. The latest bond proposal includes $38.6 million to build a new elementary school, begin the second phase of renovations at Higley High School and upgrade the Higley Center for Performing Arts. Some of the upgrades for the arts center, which opened in 2006, include fire-panel replacement, flooring, roofing, HVAC and exterior weatherization. Overhauls proposed for Higley High included converting the existing gym into a competition gym and renovating the campus, courtyard and common areas. Phase 1 used the remaining money

from the 2013 bond to begin expanding the high school with the construction of a two-story building containing approximately 12 classrooms and two lecture halls. Projects are called for just about every school and program in the district. The bond proposes to spend $19.3 million for technology such as display panels, projectors, teacher laptops, desktops and copiers and $17 million for major maintenance such as flooring, roofing, HVAC and grounds improvement. The remaining $2.3 million would pay for safety equipment such as security cameras and two-way radio upgrades.

For instance, the nine elementary campuses, including Cortina in Queen Creek would receive projects under all three categories while the two middle schools, including Sossaman in Queen Creek would get technology and safety projects. Even though last year’s roadshows were not well-attended - only one member from the public attended the first one, it’s necessary, Ulan said. “I think if you don’t do it you get criticized for hiding the election,” he said. “I think the district has an obligation to go out and provide that factual information and do it so people will have a chance to get that information.”

Know anything interesting going on in Queen Creek? Send your news to pmaryniak@timespublications.com

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GOP hopefuls for state schools chief debate education BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

he race among Republicans who want to be the state’s school chief could come down to whether voters believe whether the education system in Arizona is properly funded. During a debate aired this past week by KAET-TV, the Phoenix PBS affiliate, business owner Shiry Sapir of Scottsdale said she sees no reason to put more taxpayer dollars into K-12 education. While state funding this year is about $6,600 per student according to legislative budget reports, Sapir said that reaches $14,000 when federal and local dollars are added in. “You can go to some religious schools or charter schools at a fraction of that,” she said. “There’s no business in the world that thrives when you throw good money after bad.” But Phoenix resident Tom Horne, who served as superintendent of public instruction from 2003 through 2010, said he disagrees. “Maybe it’s unusual for a conservative Republican,” he said. “But I think we need more resources in our schools as long as there’s accountability making sure those resources achieve academic results and to be sure that the money is used for teacher salaries and smaller class size.” State Rep. Michelle Udall of Mesa, who is pushing legislation to revamp school funding, said she falls somewhere in the middle. “I think there are some areas where we’re spending enough and other areas where we need some targeted increases,” she said. For example, Udall said, the amount of money the state puts into special education programs does not even cover the services that schools are required to provide. She also said teachers should be paid more. But Udall said she believes that some of the problem of getting dollars into their pockets lies not with the state but with local school boards who

have been using some of the money allocated by the state, including for a 20% average salary increase, for other priorities. Horne said his 24 years of experience on the Paradise Valley Unified Governing Board convinces him that there are ways to spend less on administration and more in the classroom. The debate, sponsored by the Citizens Clean Elections Commission, found much greater area of agreement among the candidates on the question of what is being taught in traditional public schools. And much of that is over the teaching of what has been called “critical race theory.” Their understandings of exactly what that includes differs among the candidates. But they agreed that schools should not be teaching students that their race matters. “Critical race theory is really a way of looking at history as every decision they made was based on racism,” said Udall. “The problem with that is when we start teaching our children, our teachers, to see race first, then they see race first.” But race, she said, is not always the motivating factor. “Definitely, our country was not founded to perpetuate racism,” Udall said. Horne noted, though, that was one of the conclusions of the 1619 Project, the New York Times series looking at the history of American from when slaves were first brought here. The report concluded that one reason the Revolutionary War was fought was to preserve slavery in the colonies. “There’s not one scrap of paper from the period that would support that,” he said. “It’s a complete fabrication.” Sapir said it comes down to teaching all the facts. “Yes, there was slavery in America,” she said. “But if you taught children that there was also the Civil War, they will not tear down statues of Lincoln because they’ll understand he was actually leading

Tom Horne

Shiry Sapir

the movement to abolish slavery and he actually took a shot to his head for that,” Sapir continued. “But the reason our children tear those statute is because somebody’s not teaching them the facts.” That led moderator Ted Simons to question whether there were a lot of Lincoln statues being torn down. “Not really,” Sapir acknowledged. “But there are a lot of others.” The issue of critical race theory is only part of what Sapir said is wrong with what is being taught in Arizona schools. “We’ve been seeing since COVID the oversexualizing and grooming of our children rampant around our state,” she said. Pushed for a definition, Sapir said grooming is “conditioning a child to accept things that otherwise would not accept as normal, such as sexual conversations with adults.” Udall said grooming is “rare” in Arizona schools. “But there are cases that we’ve seen it happening,” she said, defining it as “preparing them to receive sexual advances from adults.” And Horne chimed in with a story from a neighbor who said her young son was acting like a ballerina. The story, he said, is the students picked out Skittles and, depending on the color they got, they had to play the role of being gay or transgender. “That has no business in our schools,” he said, saying he believes it fits within the definition of “grooming.”

Michelle Udall

All three say they support providing vouchers of public funds to parents to be able to send their children to private and parochial schools. “Public schools will perform better if they have competition,” said Sapir. Udall angered members of her own party last year when she -- along with two other Republicans -- refused to support what could be a massive expansion of who would be eligible. During this week’s debate, however, she said she does support vouchers “in a limited way.” “But it does require accountability,” Udall said. She compared it to when Arizona first legalized “charter schools” about three decades ago. These are technically public schools and they get state funds. But they can be operated by private organizations, even on a for-profit basis. “Charters took off like wildfire,” Udall said. “Some of them were great and some of them were really bad and really took advantage of parents and children,” she said. “Rather than ensuring they got a good education, some of them took the money and ran.” Now, Udall said, “charter schools are regulated and can be closed if they’re not performing,’’ she said, suggesting that some oversight would be appropriate if schools are getting state dollars. The survivor of the Aug. 2 GOP primary will face off against incumbent Kathy Hoffman who is unopposed in the Democratic race.

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | MAI 1, 2022

Big go-kart venue eyed in Southeast Valley BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer

The proposed Andretti Indoor Karting & Games venue at Cooper Road and the Loop 202 is slated to open in summer 2023. (City of Chandler)

ndretti Indoor Karting & Games is racing toward opening a mega-entertainment venue along the San Tan Loop 202 Freeway opening next year. The Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of Andretti’s new facility at the southwest corner of the freeway and Cooper Road on April 20. The preliminary development plan next goes to Chandler City Council for approval, probably this month. The entertainment complex includes a three-level go-kart racing track, a “dark ride,” laser tag and a large gaming center. Chad Montgomery, the director of real estate and development for Andretti, said some games would likely include virtual reality headsets with omni-directional treadmills. The plan also calls for private rooms for parties and food and beverage areas when visitors need a break from the fun. Named after racing legend Mario Andretti, the company operates six venues in Florida, Georgia and Texas. This would be the first location in Arizona and, like the others, is billed as a family entertainment center. In addition to the three levels, the gokart track includes hairpin turns for the electric-motor karts. “[They can go] 35 miles per hour,” Montgomery said. “We’ll do like 150 arcade games, bowling lanes, laser tag, a number of virtual reality experiences.” On its website, the company states, “Experience the adrenaline rush of our electric go kart races with instant acceleration as you put the pedal to the metal around hairpin turns, up and down elevation changes and long straightaways on our indoor climate-controlled tracks.” “Andretti’s racing simulators are the most advanced on the market and deliver big-time on thrills and heart-pounding excitement,” the company brags. “It’s so realistic that you actually feel the motion and vibrations of the car, experience

the tension in the seatbelt, and hear the sounds of the race track.” With panoramic screens, the simulators “are the same kind that professional race car drivers use,” the company said, and its “full motion actuators” “give the feel of driving at high speeds.” Another attraction, called the 7D Xperience, offers “a 3D interactive movie experience with amazing special effects. Up to eight riders at a time compete for the highest score using laser blasters and battling on-screen enemies. You actually feel the earth-rumbling movement and wind,” the website states. Go-kart racing ranges in price from $23 for a single adult spin along the track on weekdays to a $55 three-race package. Other attractions range in price from $11 for a 10-minute weekday laser tag experience to $30 to $35 for bowling for an hour with up to six people on one lane to a $90 VIP package that combines one race, six other attractions and a $10 game card. Patrons who posted reviews on travel sites gave various Andretti Indoor Karting Venues generally high marks. While some posts warned of sticker shock, the pricing apparently is no major obstacle: the Orlando, Florida, venue reportedly draws close to a half million guests a year. Florida developer Eddie Hamann opened the original Andretti Indoor

Karting & Games in Roswell in 1999, naming it after his friend Mario Andretti, one of only two drivers to have won races in Formula One, IndyCar, the World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR.

Montgomery said they expect Council to vote on the development plan in May and break ground in the third quarter of this year. He said if that happens, they expect to open in the summer of 2023.

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TRAINERS from page 12

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | MAI 1, 2022

“Our campus is super spread out, we have a junior high and high school in

one,” said Yates, who has been at Casteel for four years. “Having access to golf carts or new AEDs, new ice submerging tubs or whatever it may be has been fantastic because of how many athletes we are working with in such a large, expansive space. “Having the support of Dignity is amazing.” Since 2014, Dignity has partnered with schools in the three communities to deliver top-notch care in a timely fashion for athletes. Along with in-season injury prevention and care, Dignity also routinely hosts events that allow athletes to receive a full screening before the start of their respective season. The most recent one was held at Chan-

ELECTION from page 8

Since 2014 Dignity has partnered with local schools to deliver top-notch athletic training programs. Along with grants, it has also set up events where athletes can receive a full screening to be cleared for play well in advance of the season. The most recent event was held Saturday, April 23 at Chandler Gilbert Community College. (Dave Minton/Arizonan Staff)

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agency, and as small custom home builder,” he said. “All of these have helped me gain an understanding of and a method to approach the opportunities and challenges of Queen Creek as the buildout of our town continues.”

Travis Padilla Travis Padilla told the Tribune that he and his wife have raised their five children in Queen Creek for the last 13 years. He said he has “seen big changes in our community” and that “as a business owner for 18 years and a father of five, I want to ensure that Queen Creek remains a safe place for my children to raise a family, to attend great schools, and to start and run local businesses.” On Padilla’s campaign website, he states that he was raised in San Antonio, Texas, and served a two-year mission in Peru. He started a family and his payment-processing business, called Strategy Payments, in 2004. He graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio.” He said having had success in business over the past 18 years, he “felt the need to use his business knowledge and skills to give back to the community that has served his family so well and to ensure it remains a great town for his children to raise his future grandchildren.”

dler Gilbert Community College on Saturday, April 23. Trainers and physicians from Dignity were on site with multiple stations for a wide variety of tests often conducted during a sports physical. Hundreds of high school athletes from Dignity’s partner schools attended the event to be cleared for summer workouts and the season. Yates said the ability for them to get cleared early gives them the opportunity to enjoy their summer and trainers the peace of mind heading into a new season. “It’s nice for the athletes to come in today, get it done and be over with it,” Yates said. “The coaches back us on this as well because they need it done to play and can’t practice. We get support from all sides to have something this big.” Therefore, he decided to run for town council.

Bryan McClure Bryan McClure told The Tribune he is running for Council because “I own a small business in financial services and am a native of Queen Creek. I love my hometown and am passionate about helping Queen Creek continue in a positive direction.” “I love our hometown and am passionate about making it the best community for families to live and do business for generations,” he says on his Facebook campaign page. He is senior vice president of Primerica, a financial services marketing firm, and a member of the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce board. There are also two propositions on the ballot. Prop 464, the permanent base adjustment, would allow the town to set its own balanced budget without seeking voter approval every four years of home rule to do that. It does not raise or impose taxes, nor allow the town to spend more than it receives in revenue. Prop 465 gives Southwest Gas Corporation authority to serve customers within Queen Creek and utilize town public rights-of-way for 25 years to do so. The deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 2 election is July 5 and people can do that at Servicearizona.com.

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | MAI 1, 2022

RAIL from page 10

“‘They already have two stations planned and the rest of us are already signing onto this letter for commuter rail and none of us are ready. We need to catch up to Gilbert,’” Peterson said Gallego had stated. She said a transit center for Cooley Station has been in the works for over two decades as a potential item coming forward. “We are at the point we have to decide if it is going to work in those locations,” Peterson said. “We need to be at a point where we are ready to say that. And if Amtrak comes knocking with those federal dollars is Gilbert on board to do that?” Yentes said she saw the proposed study as an attempt to build community support for the stations. She said she didn’t see it as a feasibility study but rather that the town has its mind made up to build the transit centers. “I think quite frankly we are taking crazy pills if we think people are

going to be excited about commuter rail and the complete boondoggle that this would be not just for this community but for this state,” Yentes said. “I think we are going to have a lot of backlash from the community when we start heading down this road.” Yentes said she can’t point to any state where Amtrak is not being heavily and deeply subsidized by taxpayers despite a 75% drop in its ridership. She referred to a 2018 MAG report that showed states with commuter rail have a dedicated sales tax on top of a “massive” state subsidy and federal funding to support it. “If we are going to put the foot on the pedal because we got buildback bankruptcy dollars that are going to be flooding the jurisdictions, I think this has a lot more to do with who has to gain financially,” Yentes said. “There is a huge rail lobby in D.C. for this kind of stuff and it has nothing to do with reducing congestion and improving transportation as a

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model. I am a vehement ‘no’ on this.” She said it was not a matter of timing to do the study and that there is no good timing for “19th-Century technology” that is a broken model. “I think there is a lot of buyers’ remorse in other states that have gone down this track,” she said. As far as regional commuter rail goes, residents shouldn’t hold their breath. Audra Koester Thomas, MAG transportation program manager, said there is no identified funding for commuter rail, which would take $2.5 billion to implement and connect two dozen communities. “There are no current plans to implement commuter rail and no funding,” she said. “We have over $90 billion of transportation needs throughout the region and only $36 billion of funding. But “we are continuing to investigate for potential future implementation,” she added.

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LABOR from page 1

trouble finding people to work for that specific department,” he said. “A lot of the growth, because we have been trying front of the house and back of the house to start up some other venues on the workers have really left the industry,” he property, but can’t now,” said Perry Rea, said. co-owner of Queen Creek Olive Mill. Schnepf Farms recently launched its “There aren’t enough experienced peo- annual offerings of peaches and while ple out there.” owners Carrie and Mark Schnepf can still And experience is what Rea relies on fill online, people also can go and pick for his crew. their own – likely a good thing since the “Queen Creek Olive Mill is the only pro- couple, too, is struggling to fill empty poducer of extra virgin olive oil in Arizona,” sitions. he noted. “We have a little more than “We can’t even open for breakfast 8,000 olive trees and partner with an- or lunch,” Carrie said. “We don’t have other group out of Yuma that has 80,000 enough employees to open.” trees.” “Temporary employees expect more “We grow, harvest and mill our own ol- money – they know everyone is having a ives to make olive oil,” he said. “The busi- difficult time so we have to do so much ness also operates a restaurant and holds stuff to incentivize them to work,” she various events throughout the year.” said. “We have been serving employee Rea said he’s been especially strained lunches. If they work the entire season, for workers on the beverage-food side they get a bonus, if not and they are late, of the business – where, he said, “we do the employee goes back down to minihave a labor shortage.” mum wage.” “I think when COVID hit, a lot of people The farm has about 35 regular employleft the food and beverage industry and ees, she said. “We have some incredible stayed home for a while,” he said. “They employees.” got discouraged when COVID hit and left “This is a big issue for us,” she said. the industry and just got other jobs.” “The minimum wage goes up based on “It’s not like the wages aren’t good,” he inflation.” said. “We’re paying people a lot to work… First-time employees have to be upwards to $17 and $18 an hour and the trained and they can’t earn more than exbenefits are extremely generous. perienced employees, she said. “You can’t “At the end of the day, we’re having run a business like that.” With wages and workmen’s comp going up, “eventually you get to the point where you have to raise prices.” The Schnepfs have rolled with the economy’s punches over the 86 years the family has owned the farm and their agritainment business grew out of necessity. “To help preserve history, we had to change,” Carrie said. “Going from agriculture to agritainment is helping us do that.” Schnepf said the “foundation to the farm is agriculture. We are still very The U.S. Chamber of Commerce analyzed employment data to much farmers. We are the illustrate what sectors of the economy nationally are feeling largest peach grower in the labor shortage pinch. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) the state and have a fabu-

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | MAI 1, 2022

lous U-Pick garden. “When I moved to the farm 31 years ago, we had a large commercial farming operation growing peaches, vegetables and trees and nursery stock. People used to come to the farm during peach season and pick peaches and vegetables from our little roadside stand which is now the country store and bakery. “As a way to make things viable and hopefully to leave a legacy, we started the transition with festivals and events, adding a few products in the roadside stand like preserves and t- shirts. Queen Creek Olive Mill co-owner Perry Rea may be smiling on his Little by little we add- Facebook page, but he’s not very happy about the labor shortage’s ed more festivals, impact on his business. (facebook) started doing school tours, adding trains, and other rides, music events, weddings 2021, but 1.2 million people were hired and more were all part of the plan. into the industry that same month. In She said she doesn’t know the reason fact, leisure and hospitality has mainfor the labor shortage. tained the highest hiring rate of all in“Maybe they don’t want to work?” she dustries since November 2020 at 8.1 wondered. “People in general don’t like percent. This is compared to the national working like they used to.” hiring rate of 4.4 percent.” The average pay at the farm is about But the Chamber conceded, “The food $15 an hour, she said. sector, on the other hand, struggles to The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Feb- retain workers and has experienced conruary disputed notions that people have sistently high quit rates.” simply quit working and said “what has But neither Rea nor the Schnepfs are happened to the labor force can be better about to surrender to this trend. described as ‘The Great Reshuffle’” rathThe Queen Creek Olive Mill continues er than “The Great Resignation.” to have special activities, such as the “Hiring rates have outpaced quit rates Mother’s Day Brunch next weekend that since November of 2020,” the Chamber will offer entertainment, children’s activnoted. “So, many workers are quitting ities and, of course, its great food. More their jobs—but many are getting re- information is on its Facebook page. hired elsewhere.” And people can still get peaches at The Chamber pointed to the leisure Schnepf Farms. and hospitality and retail industries, We are trying hard,” Carrie said. “A lot “have had the highest quit rates since of businesses can’t open. Our employees November 2020, consistently above 4.5 are amazing …the best of the best and we percent.” would do anything for them – that’s how “But at the same time, the hiring rate important employees are to a business.” has been even higher. Leisure and hospiInformation: schnepffarms.com, tality lost 1 million workers in November queencreekolivemill.com.

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | MAI 1, 2022

Gateway airport announces record month BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer

hoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport recently announced a record number of passengers passed through its gates in March, tallying 239,160 departures and arrivals for the month. March is the airport’s busiest time for passenger flights at Gateway, and this year’s peak blew away the airport’s previous record, set in March of 2019, by about 15,000 passengers. The new record may be a sign that travelers are feeling comfortable flying again as many parts of the country, including Arizona, currently enjoy low COVID transmission rates. Airport leadership hopes the new highwater mark is just the start of what will be a record-setting year, and a period of sustained growth in aviation activity at the airport, which is seen as an important engine of economic development in the East Valley. Gateway Executive Director J. Brian O’Neill was buoyant about the airport’s recent activity at the airport board meeting last month. The record-setting spring comes after years of travel demand cooled by COVID disruptions. After plunging from 160,000 passengers in February of 2020 to less than 25,000 by April, Gateway’s monthly passenger counts slowly inched up each month until the airport started reaching pre-pandemic levels again last summer. On a rainy Christmas Eve 2021, the airport even ran out of parking as it experienced a 20% surge over its previous holiday record.

Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport reported that March was its best year ever for the number of passengers that ﬂowed through its gates. (Special to the Tribune) Spikes in the highly contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19 across the country in December and January proved to be a speed bump for January’s travel figures, dropping them below 2021 and 2019 levels, but March’s record-setting numbers show the setback was temporary. There are several signs around the airport that Gateway s preparing for a future of higher volumes of air travel. Construction crews are working on a new economy parking lot, which will give the airport an additional 1,300 parking spaces – a move to ensure the PMGA never runs out of parking again. O’Neill also told the board of directors at its April meeting that the airport plans to add an additional 300,000 gallons of aviation fuel storage, more than doubling its current capacity of 250,000 gallons.

The expansion, he said, would bump the airport from a three-day on-site supply of fuel to a seven-day supply, which would help it outlast supply chain disruptions. “We’ve been extremely busy for the last several months, and there have been a couple times where we’ve run very low on fuel,” he said. Travelers using PMGA are not just flying in higher numbers, they’re also spending more on food and drink at airport amenities. O’Neill told the board that revenue from the airport’s non-aviation concessionaires is up 77% in 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. “You can see that with the addition of the new upscale concessions that we have in the terminal – and we’re grateful that they’re starting to figure out the staffing issues and those new

concessions are staying open longer – you can see that it’s really become an increasing revenue stream for the authority,” he said. Gateway’s upgraded air traffic control tower – being constructed with $29 million in federal dollars – is also expected to begin operations this year. O’Neill told the board the exterior of the 165-foot tower, which will have space for up to eight controllers, is substantially complete. FAA technicians are now installing equipment in the interior, O’Neill said, and the tower is expected to be ready by late August. While reporting on the airport’s growth to the board this month, O’Neill also touted reductions in the number of noise complaints fielded by airport staff. The airport recorded 98 noise calls this fiscal year compared to 177 at the same time last year. The decrease could stem from reduced commercial air travel in the first half of 2021, but O’Neill attributed it to advances in the aircraft serving the airport. “We’ve got a lot of stage 3 aircraft that are replacing noisier stage 2 aircraft,” O’Neill said, referring to the FAA’s noise ranking of aircraft, running from 1, the loudest, to 4, the quietest. Inflation concerns and the impact of Russia’s initiation of war in Europe are creating turbulence in the economy, but O’Neill told the board the airport was on a flight path toward prosperity. “We feel as long as the economy stays strong and leisure air travel remains strong, we’ll be able to see new record activity for the year of 2022,” he said.

Know anything interesting going on in Queen Creek? Send your news to pmaryniak@timespublications.com

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Nonprofit helps wounded QC vet build a life BY DAVID M. BROWN Tribune Contributor

his fall, Marine Cpl. Yevgeniy ‘Yev’ Shenker, his wife Maggie and their sons, Billy, 8 and Luka, 2, will move into a specially adapted Queen Creek home that was begun early last month by Homes For Our Troops, a national nonprofit that is helping rebuild his life. During his first combat deployment in 2011, Shenker was on a clearing effort to eliminate resistance in Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. An improvised explosive device (IED) detonated, and he and six of his comrades were down. His left leg was gone and his right leg and arm severely damaged. “When I woke up in the hospital, I asked about the Marines that were with me and I was reassured that I was the most injured out of everyone,” he recalled. “That gave me some peace since I was alive and none of my brothers died that day.” Built by Taber Custom Homes of Mesa, the 2,800-square-foot single-level has four bedrooms and two baths and will incorporate more than 40 such as widened doorways and hallways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower and kitchen amenities including pull-down shelving, lowered countertops, accessible appliances, roll-under access and pull-down shelving. Taunton, Massachusetts-based Homes For Our Troops is a publicly funded nonprofit that builds and donates specially adapted homes nationwide to severely injured post-9/11 veterans. The organization has built 330 homes in 42 states since its inception in 2004.

Standing on the site of their new future home are Marine Cpl. Yevgeniy ‘Yev’ Shenker, his wife Maggie and their sons, Billy, 8 and Luka, 2, with Homes For Our Troops Executive Director Bill Ivey (far right). (Special to the Tribune) In Arizona, the organization has built four homes with two in progress, including Shenker’s. “These homes restore some of the

freedom and independence our veterans sacrificed while defending our country and enable them to focus on their family, recovery and rebuilding

BY JUSTIN LIGGIN Tribune Contributor

whose effort won the highest honor available in Girl Scouting. While working backstage on multiple productions at Queen Creek High School, Gibbs realized that the lack of headsets did not allow the team to communicate effectively, and the headsets provided by the school did not allow crew members to move freely backstage. “With the previous headsets, crew members were restricted to only a foot or two of cord room and only a few members were able to use these headsets because we didn’t have enough,” said Gibbs. This is what sparked the idea for Gibbs’ Gold Award project. “I wanted to allow the crew to feel

their lives,” HFOT Executive Director Bill Ivey explained. Shenker, 33, was born in the former Soviet Union, and his parents immigrated to the United States in 1990, when he was 3. He joined the Marines in 2007. “I watched the tragedy of 9/11 live on TV, and this country had done so much for my family and me, I wanted to give back in any way I could,” he says. “Joining the Marines was my way of giving back to our country.” “I wish I could remember all the names of the amazing doctors and nurses that have been there with me during my recovery. Each military hospital I was at, whether it was Landstuhl in Germany, Bethesda or Balboa, all the personnel were incredible and took

see VETERAN page 21

QC Girl Scout’s theater tech wins top award

hen faced with a lack of backstage tech equipment in her high school’s theater program, 18-year-old Megan Gibbs sprang into action, raising money for new headsets and earning a prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award in the process. Working as a theatrical technician or “techie,” Gibbs took on several jobs to ensure the school’s shows run smoothly. “My job backstage can range from fixing costumes to working on set pieces to operating lights to actually managing small shows,” said Gibbs,

more at ease during shows, be highly productive and get more done in the moment,” said Gibbs. To raise money to purchase these wireless headsets for the theater group, Gibbs funded her project in a couple different ways including using her Girl Scout Cookie proceeds, Girl Scout fall program sales, monetary donations and selling custom buttons. “During our school productions I sold buttons with photos of the cast and crew. Parents could pick the button size, type, and the image, then we would make them into what they wanted right there,” said Gibbs. Raising over $650, Gibbs was able to

see SCOUT page 22

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VETERAN from page 20

amazing care of all the injured.” Meanwhile, he’s checked on his six comrades. “As far as I know, all of them are doing well for themselves and being productive members of society regardless of the hardships they have gone through.” In Queen Creek, he’s not working yet, saying, “I would like to go back to school and learn a useful trade but with as many interests and hobbies that I have I have yet to decide what field I want to go into.” Until then, he’s enjoying his family: Billy, “the kindest most caring child I have ever met who also loves getting under my skin and pushing my buttons”; Luka, “the wild child and fears nothing and gives his parents as much anxiety as possible with crazy stunts all over the house”; and Maggie, “the most amazing mother and wife anyone could ask for. She saved my life from going down a path I would regret. She has watched me struggle with my demons and helped me crawl out from that hole

Marine Cpl. Yevgeniy ‘Yev’ Shenker, seen here with his 2-year-old son Luka, is grateful to the nonproﬁt Homes For Our Troops for the new Queen Creek home he will be moving into this fall. (Special to the Tribune)

back to her and our boys.” “It’s hard to put into words what my family and friends have done to help me recover and support me,” Shenker added. “Just knowing that they are there for me no matter what is the best aid in recovery.” In 2004, a Massachusetts general contractor founded Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) when he offered to build a Massachusetts Army National Guard soldier a specially adapted custom home. “He had been injured in Iraq and agreed on the condition the contractor do the same for other injured veterans,” Ivey explained. Most participating veterans have sustained life-altering injuries, including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). HFOT builds these homes where the veteran chooses and continues its relationship with the veterans after the home has been completed to assist them with rebuilding their lives.

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SCOUT from page 20

purchase eight wireless headsets for the Queen Creek High School theater group that will be used by the future backstage crew members for many productions to come. “Before, it was like trying to think of one small thing when there are fifty voices saying where, what, who, when and why is this happening. However, the headsets solved that and now that worry is gone,” said Gibbs. In addition to supplying the headsets, Gibbs also held stagecraft classes and lessons that taught students how to use the technology and work on the radio frequencies to communicate with each other. The Gold Award winners must tackle a problem in a community and create a lasting impact. Requiring a commitment of at least 80 hours, Gold Award projects not only give girls the opportunity to earn educational scholarships and stand out in future job interviews, but these projects also have the power to make a difference. “Theater inspired my project and it’s so important to me because its where I found something I enjoy doing even if it gets stressful at times,” said Gibbs. “The feeling I get whenever we perform live is just amazing.”

Megan Gibbs of Queen Creek earned the highest award given to Girl Scouts with a project that helped the theater program at Queen Creek High School. (Special to the Tribune)

VETERAN from page 21

Megan Gibbs raised money to buy wireless headsets for the Queen Creek High School theater group. (Special to the Tribune)

“We provide a pro-bono financial planner for three years to assist in financial planning and household budgeting, homeownership education and warranty coverage to ensure that the veteran is set up for long-term success,” Ivey said. “We also have a peer-mentoring program consisting of veterans and spouses in the HFOT program. And, to improve our post-home-delivery support, we continue to expand our network of nonprofits, corporations and government entities to provide assistance with employment, education, training,

As a Girl Scout for 12 years, Gibbs has been able to develop important skills and find out more about herself in the process “Girl Scouts has always been a part of my life,” said Gibbs. “It has taught me so many character-building skills and helped me learn and grow to become the person I am today.” Gibbs’ Gold Award project helped her realize her potential to make a change in her community. “I learned that once I get a grasp on what I am doing I can productively start, organize, and execute plans and truly put my ideas into motion,” said Gibbs. Now a graduate from Queen Creek High School, Gibbs is currently looking to the future, which is sure to include theater. “Theater has allowed me to build a community filled with many possibilities. I would love to work on the stage crew for movies,” said Gibbs. For any Girl Scout or future Girl Scout that looks ahead to making a lasting change in their community through their Gold Award project, Gibbs advises girls not to let challenges derail them and to stick with what they love. “Remember that things are not always supposed to come easy, and a lesson can only be learned if you actually work on the problem,” said Gibbs. “You should pick a subject you are truly passionate about because in the long run, it will all be worth it” health and other issues,” he added. Shenker is grateful to the nonprofit. “What Homes For Our Troops is doing for us is overwhelming, to say the least,” Shenker said. “This is a dream that I never would have imagined coming true. This means freedom for myself and for my family. “The ability to comfortably move around a home and be able to do all the things most people take for granted is incredible. Without limitations or compromises, I will be able to be with my family and chase my kids around the yard. A simple thank-you will never be enough.” Information: hfotusa.org.

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QC education expert opening micro school BY KATHLEEN STINSON Tribune staff writer

amara Becker’s experience as educator has not only spanned a variety of positions but also covered just about every kind of education venue there is – from traditional and charter schools to online and hybrid models. Now, Queen Creek resident, is the CEO of Adamo Education, an education provider that she packages the best of all her past worlds “to create a positive, personalized environment where children love to learn” in the form of “micro schools.” She defines micro schools as kind of 21st century one-room schoolhouses that “establish safe locations convenient for its families, anywhere in the Valley.” “Learning takes place best when children of different age cohorts interact with one another,” according to Becker’s website, adamoeducation.org. “Class sizes are intentionally small so students receive the personal interaction they need. And, all of our teachers are certified, so children learn from subject matter experts.” With one micro school already in operation in Fountain Hills, Becker is set to open one closer to home and has started enrollment for K-8 students for the coming school year. The Queen Creek Adamo Education micro school will combine in-person learning with distance learning, “depending on the needs of students, families and their teachers.” Adamo Education partners with a large charter network in Arizona called Edkey, Inc. The students are fully accredited to move on in the public school system and there is no tuition. The pandemic propelled Becker’s embrace of micro schools. “Micro schools aren’t new and have

Adamo Education’s micro school in Fountain Hills provides a wide range of in-person and virtual learning experiences. (Special to the Tribune) been around for a while, but really started to develop during the pandemic,” she explained. “I saw an opportunity for education to innovate itself, but sadly we went back to doing things the same way after the pandemic. That’s why I started Adamo.” “The difference is we use only certified teachers and we provide direct instruction aligned to the state standards and project-based learning opportunities.” The Fountain Hills micro school debuted for the beginning of the current school year. At Adamo schools, the ratio is one teacher for no more than 12 students, Becker said. The student’s schedule can be flexible and customized for the parents and students. Students may come to morning or afternoon sessions or full days. “Adamo’s model is different than anything else available today,” she said. “We’re taking the best pieces of digital, traditional and at-home learning to develop our program.” For example, students through projects can learn about space exploration and the solar system, incorporating the subject areas of reading, writing and

math, she explained. “I wanted to put students back at the center of education,” she said. Students get a “smaller, more personalized learning experience and a stronger connection with the teacher” at Adamo. “Because I partner with a charter network, the students will be accredited for their learning and will be able to move on to high school,” she said. Lindsay Nagela, the mother of a third grader at Adamo School in Fountain Hills, said she moved her daughter out of the public school in November when she noticed her daughter’s “handwriting and spelling were declining,” and her work ethic lagging. Her daughter had “a lot of substitute teachers” at the public school and “a lot of kids in the class,” Nagela said, which she blames for her daughter’s inability to focus. Her daughter’s teacher at Adamo used to teach at the public school in Fountain Hills and Nagela knew her, she said. She moved her daughter because she “thought the change would be a positive thing for her daughter.” “(My daughter) went from about 30 students to now maybe 10 – she’s get-

Tamara Becker, CEO and founder of Adamo Education and a Queen Creek resident, is opening a K-8 micro school in Queen Creek and is accepting students for the coming school year. (Special to the Tribune) ting way more attention,” she said. “Even just her confidence level has completely changed. She wants to go to school. “I notice a huge change in just the way she feels about herself” since moving to Adamo, she said. Her daughter “thrives” at the school and has several second-grade friends in her class, she said. “She likes helping the younger kids with their work.” Next year, her class will consist of just 4th and 5th graders, she said. Nagela wants to “emphasize” that her daughter has much more one-to-one attention from the teacher, “not comparable to the regular school.” Nagela also is able to talk with the teacher on a daily basis or text her about her daughter’s home work. Which is pretty much Becker’s goal: “Our positive, encouraging culture is an important part of the educational process. Adamo Education students learn to be respectful, considerate and kind, which lays the groundwork for positive, productive citizenship in the future.” Information: adamoeducation.org or 480-209-2429.

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Crismon athletics building a culture from ground up BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

he expansive growth of the southeast Valley has created opportunities for administrators, coaches and athletes alike to put their own stamp on an athletic program. Eastmark High School went through that process just three years ago when the campus opened its doors. Now, the Firebirds have been involved in the 3A Conference playoffs across multiple sports. The ability to start a program from scratch, while challenging, interested Eastmark’s coaches and administrators. Barry Cromer had the same thought process when he saw the athletic director position at Crismon High, the Queen Creek Unified School District’s newest high school, become available shortly after plans for the campus were announced. “The opportunity of opening a brand new school is something that has always intrigued me,” said Cromer, who is a Valley native. “It’s almost like a bucket list type of thing for Ads and especially for me. Queen Creek is such a growing area that, just to get the opportunity to do it was phenomenal and I’m very excited about it.” Cromer has spent the last seven years as an athletic director at Payson and Walden Grove High School in Sahuarita, a small town south of Tucson. He was twice named the 4A Conference Athletic Director of the Year and under his direction, Walden Grove has captured 16 region titles and has been crowned champion once in five total trips to the finals. Cromer, along with school principal Elyse Torbert, has been tasked with finding coaches to lead the athletic pro-

Former McClintock coach Corbin Smith was one of many coaches hired by Crismon to begin building the new school’s athletic programs. Smith, a longtime coach at a variety of levels, will lead the Rattler football program. (Dave Minton/Tribune Staff) grams in their infancy. Along with a passion for the sport, Cromer wanted coaches who share the same vision as the district for the school. Much like its other high schools, it aims to have continued success no matter how long it takes. Cromer believes he has so far put together a staff that will be able to do that. “I don’t want it to be something where we win right away and then it falters,” Cromer said. “I want something that is built where we have continued success. The coaches we have, they’ve done that and they’re excited and ready to put their stamp on that.” One of the most notable hires by Crismon is for the football program, tabbing former McClintock head coach Corbin Smith as the program’s first-ever leader.

Smith learned everything he knows about the game from his father, Larry, who coached at multiple power five college programs, including USC and Missouri. He made an impact at every stop, something Smith has aimed to do during his coaching career. Following his days as a player for USC and Iowa, Smith became an assistant at Arkansas State and Missouri. He then was on staff at Mesquite while his oldest son, Preston, starred in the Wildcats’ secondary before going on to play for Weber State. Smith took over the McClintock program five years ago and stepped down following the 2021 season. He admits he was content with becoming an assistant again at a local East Valley school. Then Crismon called. “My thing was, if I didn’t land some-

where I would go be an assistant and teach,” Smith said. “It’s always been a goal to start a program from the ground up. I know it’s a lot of work but it’s very rewarding.” Since he was hired, Smith has started the groundwork for the football program. He has begun putting together offseason workout plans for the incoming players. He met with parents at the Queen Creek district office in late April where more than 20 families showed up. He anticipates even more once summer begins. Uniform concepts for the Rattlers have already been made, further building the excitement for the new school that will field a freshman/sophomore team to start and move up from there. But perhaps the most exciting aspect for Smith is the ability to build the program’s culture from the ground up using what he learned from his father. He also has the opportunity to do it with his middle son, Braxton, who will join his coaching staff. Smith’s youngest son, Brody, will graduate in May after finishing his career at Perry under his uncle and now retired Pumas coach Preston Jones. “He coached at Perry last year and loved it,” Smith said. “When Preston retired he told me, ‘Dad, I think it’s time for me to come coach with you.’ I told him, ‘Yeah, it is.’ I’m still talking to some more guys. I’m just getting good people to help.” Smith is just one of many coaches with years of experience Crismon has tabbed for its teams. Crismon hired former Arizona State player and coach Greg Bordes to lead its baseball program. Bordes has also

see CRISMON page 25

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CRISMON from page 24

coached at Central Arizona College, St. Mary’s and GCU. Andrew Yamashiro, who has been an assistant and head coach for the likes of Hamilton, Higley and Mountain Pointe, was named the Rattlers’ girls’ volleyball coach. Former Dobson wrestling coach Jake Allen will head to Crismon to take on the same position, while Cara Roth will take over the boys’ volleyball program after years as an assistant at Benjamin Franklin Charter School and at the club scene. TJ Stower, a former professional baseball player for the Independent League Chico Outlaws will coach Crismon’s softball team, while David Small (golf) and Kailin Cloud (Spiritline) will also join the school. Recently, Crismon announced the hiring of former Perry girls’ soccer coach John Roberts for the same position. Joining Roberts from Perry is Brad Minor, who after eight years as varsity assistant and junior varsity head coach has landed his first basketball head coaching gig. “I really felt I was ready,” Minor said.

“With the growing community of Queen Creek, there’s enormous potential. Not many people are blessed with the opportunity to start a program. It was hard to turn down.” Like Smith, Minor is excited to put his own spin on the program and install a winning culture. He’s also started planning summer workouts, camps and tournaments he plans to bring his young group of players to in order to get them acclimated. Minor said it’s been a whirlwind since he was hired at Crismon. There have been several logistical hoops to jump through to prepare for the season, including finding a temporary home for workouts with the school not yet completed. But he and all of the other coaches know it will all be worth it in the end when Crismon opens its doors in the fall and teams take the field and courts for the first time. “It’s been two months of knowing you have the job but until you meet the kids and are on the court I don’t think it will really sink in,” Minor said. “I don’t really know what to expect but I am really, really excited.”

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to language, math and literacy, among other areas, early learning efforts seek to help kids develop their life skills through instruction and interactive play. Head Start programs seek to ensure that all participants have access to the medical, dental and health services they need to succeed, function and thrive. All program participants enjoy access to health and development screenings, nutritious meals and snacks, and oral and metal health support, among related services. Founded In 1981, Southwest Human Development is a leader in early childhood development and education, serving more than 140,000 children and their families every year. Arizona’s largest nonprofit dedicated

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INSIDE SALES TEAM PLAYER IN TEMPE Salary + Comission, Beneﬁts, Vacation and Sick Time Times Media Group is the largest publisher of community news in Arizona. With a complete digital advertising suite and over 300,000 copies a week – our reach is a must-have for local businesses, and we offer advertising solutions to ﬁt any business in any community! We are hiring inside advertising sales representatives to help with inbound and outbound sales. TMG has grown 500% in the past six years, and we expect this growth trajectory to continue. Come join us! Do you get excited when you sell? We get it - it’s exciting to sell! Do you have an interest in selling solutions and not just ads? If you are a fast learner, tech savvy and familiar with Google and other digital advertising solutions, you should contact us. If you want to learn how, we have you covered too! Will train. This is a full time job with the hours of 8:30-5pm Mon-Fri. in Tempe near the Broadway Curve. Need we say more? Contact us TODAY!

Please send your resume and cover letter to:

Elaine Cota, ecota@timespublications.com

EOE

• In-Ofﬁce Position • Health, Dental, Vision • Paid Vacations, Holidays • 401K and more • Full-Time

Times Media Group is a digital and print media company operating in the Phoenix, Tucson, and Los Angeles markets. We have experienced signiﬁcant growth in recent years due to our commitment to excellence when it comes to providing news to the communities we serve.

Why Work Here?

A Good Candidate Possesses

Times Media Group offers a positive work environment, employee training, a talented team, and lots of professional growth opportunities.

• An energetic and upbeat attitude • A minimum of two years of ofﬁce experience • The ability to work well on a team • An ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment • Exceptional organizational skills • A desire for hands-on professional growth experience

Job Description We are seeking a highly organized, friendly, and outgoing individual who excels at making customers happy and keeping the ofﬁce environment functioning. A good candidate will have strong computer and communication skills and an ability to build rapport and communicate with customers, usually by phone.

If you are a hardworking and resourceful individual, please respond with your resume and a cover letter outlining why you believe your skill set and experience make you a good ﬁt for this position. We are currently scheduling interviews for an immediate opening.

Apply today, upload your resume: TimesLocalMedia.com

EOE

QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | MAY 1, 2022 | JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG / JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG

JOBS.PHOENIX.ORG LOCAL JOBS. LOCAL PEOPLE.

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TO APPLY: 623-932-1674 OR WWW.AIRNOWAC.COM

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UP TO $ 3000 SIGNING BONUS!

FIND YOUR JOB

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CLASSIFIEDS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | MAY 1, 2022

Cleaning Specialists Needed Valleywide! • Full/Part time • Must pass background check • Willing to work around your schedule • Must be authorized to work in the U.S. • OT in some areas • Must bring two forms of Identiﬁcation • Permanent positions for E-verify purposes • Pay $13.50 +

Applications are being accepted Monday-Friday 9am-3:30pm

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Ahwatukee

Apply at: 8930 N. 78th Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345 Mesa Chandler Gilbert Glendale

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CLASSIFIEDS.PHOENIX.ORG To Advertise Call: 480-898-6465 or email Class@TimesPublications.com Air Duct Cleaning

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We Are Hiring For: Behavioral Health Technicians Direct Support Professional/Caregivers Why Join Our Team? • Competitive pay, benefits and growth opportunities • The opportunity to make a difference • Comprehensive rewards & benefits • Professional development • Supportive & collaborative teams • Innovative health & wellness options • Paid Training • Employee recognition programs

To apply, visit us at jobs.sevitahealth.com or call Marc Baker at 602-529-4775 or email marc.baker@sevitahealth.com

★ 30+ Years HVAC Experience

Air Conditioning/Heating 40 Years Serving the Central Valley

FREE Service Call (with repair) • Second Opinion

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(480) 912-0881 – Licensed & Insured Drywall

20pt tune up plus outdoor coil cleaning Reg. $116

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SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643

www.BrewersAC.com

QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE!

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480.266.4589 josedominguez0224@gmail.com Not a licensed contractor.

Glass/Mirror

GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS

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WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR Call 480-306-5113 wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

CLASSIFIEDS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | MAY 1, 2022

Ahwatukee Chandler Gilbert Glendale Mesa North Valley Peoria Phoenix SanTan Scottsdale Queen Creek West Valley

CLASSIFIEDS.PHOENIX.ORG To Advertise Call: 480-898-6465 or email Class@TimesPublications.com Handyman

Plumbing

Irrigation

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!

LLC

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

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

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

All Estimates are Free • Call:

520.508.1420

www.husbands2go.com

Licensed, Bonded & Insured • ROC#317949

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service ARRANTY 5 -YEAR PART W

FREE Service Calls + FREE Estimates Water Heaters Installed - $999 Unclog Drains - $49

10% OFF

480.654.5600

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azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

Ask me about FREE water testing!

Irrigation

Painting Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

PAINTING

Sprinkler & Drip Systems Repairs • Modifications • Installs

Rooﬁng

844-560-7755

Interior & Exterior Residential/Commercial Free Estimates Drywall Repairs Senior Discounts References Available

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof

MonsoonRooﬁngInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

Your newspaper. Your community. Your planet. Please recycle me.

— Call Jason —

(602) 502-1655

It Only Takes Seconds to Drown.

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

• 20+ Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

ROC#309706

Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online! Classifieds 480-898-6465

Always watch your child around water.

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | MAY 1, 2022