Queen Creek Tribune 062622 by Times Media Group

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Sunday, June 26, 2022

Arizona mourns Mayor Gail Barney BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor

NEWS..................... 3 Allegiant pilot woes grounding flights.

COMMUNITY ..... 14 Barney Junior High getting new principal.

ueen Creek Mayor Gail Barney, whose public service had an impact far beyond the town that was his home since he was 6 months old, died June 23 after a months-long battle with a lung infection. He was 74. Tributes from across the state, including the Governor’s Office, not only noted that impact but also recalled his humility and friendly demeanor that endeared him to everyday residents and public officials alike. “He was totally void of ego,” Mesa Mayor John Giles said, recalling how Mayor Barney

see MAYOR page 4

Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney, seen here in a 2012 photo, was known as much for his unassuming personality as he was for his impact as a public servant on the town and the region. (United Fibers)

LG battery plant moving forward, officials say REAL ESTATE ...... 16 Still time for sellers to get in the game.

COMMUNITY.........................14 REAL ESTATE.........................16 BUSINESS...............................18 OPINION..................................20 SPORTS....................................22 CLASSIFIEDS.........................26

BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer

ith no more public input required, the LG plant construction will continue as planned, local and county officials said last week. On June 21, a joint meeting between the Town of Queen Creek and the Pinal County Board of Supervisors brought experts togeth-

er to help answer any questions citizens had about the project. Citizens brought their questions to the Combs High School Performing Arts Center and through some heated moments, some were answered but some grievances remained. “What they did up there is just show us that they’ve already made up their mind they don’t care what we’re going to say,” George Rascon

said. Rascon, 22, of San Tan Valley, said the meeting was informative but redundant. He said it didn’t address the possibility of residents dealing with the noise, pollution and traffic from this. The meeting outlined what residents can expect moving forward, including the evo-

see BATTERY page 8

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Allegiant cutting Mesa flights this summer BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer

mericans’ desire to travel is currently strong, but there will be fewer flights leaving and arriving at the East Valley’s major airport this summer. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport CEO J. Brian O’Neill told the airport authority’s board of directors on June 21 that the facility’s largest carrier, Allegiant Airlines, had informed management that it would be cutting about 220 flights servicing Mesa this summer. He told the board the cuts may end the airport’s streak of record-setting months beginning in March, when the airport set an all-time record of nearly 250,000 commercial passengers. The airport set monthly records for passengers in April and May. Like most major airline companies across the country, O’Neill said Allegiant cited a pilot shortage as the reason for the cuts.

The company did not return a request for information before the Tribune’s deadline. A June 17 press release from Allegiant noted that bookings are up from pre-pandemic levels, but the company is running into hurdles meeting demand. “As COVID cases began rising in May, we saw an increase in flight cancellations stemming from crew availability,” the company said. In the latest air travel consumer report from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Allegiant Air topped the list for highest percentage of cancellations in March, with 5.4%, compared to an overall average of 1.5%. Allegiant also topped the list of lowest on-time arrival rates in March, with 57.2%, just a little lower than Frontier Airlines with 57.8%. At the same time, flight cancellations for all airlines were down in March, according to the DOT data – 1.5% compared with 4.5% in February. March’s overall cancellations were also lower than the 2% record-

Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport has seen ups and downs in flights over the last three and a half years as the pandemic cut into air travel. This chart tracks flights from all carriers using the airport. (Phoenix Mesa Gateway Asirport) ed in March of 2019, before the pandemic. O’Neill said the airport is expecting to see 45 Allegiant flights cut for June and 90 each month for July and August. “I’m really not sure about the continued string of record setting activity. What we’re hopeful about is that the pilot shortage gets resolved,” O’Neill said. The Air Line Pilots Association, the largest commercial pilots’ union, has pushed back on claims by airlines that pilot shortages are causing cancellations, blaming

instead airline mismanagement and poor allocation of federal relief funds during the pandemic. A May release from the ALPA stated that “five of the seven largest passenger air carriers currently have more pilots now than they did in 2019 prior to the pandemic.” In June, ALPA released a statement that the U.S. is training more pilots now than before the pandemic, noting that almost 8,000 have been certified in the last 12 months. Allegiant’s cancellation issues and decision to cut Mesa flights this summer is at odds with plans for expansion. The airline has purchased 50 Boeing 737s, which are slated for delivery next year. An Allegiant representative said in March that some of those new planes would likely be based in Mesa. In late 2021, Allegiant also announced a partnership with Mexican airline Viva Aerobus, which could see Allegiant add many destinations south of the border to its U.S. network.

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | APRIL 24, 2022

MAYOR from page 1

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@TimesLocalMedia.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@TimesLocalMedia.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 sinsalaco@TimesLocalMedia.com Advertising Sales Executive: Jane Meyer | 480-898-5633 | jane@TimesLocalMedia.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor: Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 pmaryniak@TimesLocalMedia.com Managing Editor: Cecilia Chan | 480-898-5613 |cchan@TimesLocalMedia.com Reporters: Josh Ortega | 480-898-5610 | jortega@TimesLocalMedia.com Ken Sain | 928-420-5341 | ksain@TimesLocalMedia.com Photographer: Dave Minton | dminton@TimesLocalMedia.com Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@TimesLocalMedia.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@TimesLocalMedia.com Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 customercare@TimesLocalMedia.com Sports Editor: Zach Alvira | 480-898-5630 | zalvira@TimesLocalMedia.com

Queen Creek Tribune is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegratedmedia.com

made Queen Creek “an important part of the East Valley but on a personal level, he was very humble. And so that made him just remarkably easy to work with.” Gov. Doug Ducey ordered all state flags to fly at half-mast last Friday and hailed Mayor Barney’s contributions. Stating “he cared greatly about his community and all those who called it home,” Ducey said: “Under Mayor Barney, the Town of Queen Creek has become one of the fastest growing municipalities in the nation, attracting industry giants and many new residents. His vision and leadership helped make that growth possible.” “He was committed to fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for Queen Creek’s growing population. His legacy as a humble public servant who cared for his community will live on,” Ducey said. That humility was fondly recalled by Roc Arnett, the longtime former leader of the PHX East Valley Partnership, who worked with Mayor Barney for 20 years at the Partnership and Maricopa Association of Governments. “Many times, he would attend those meetings in his Levi’s with a little mud yet on his boots having come from his field irrigating. Reflecting on Mayor Barney’s loss reminds me of the entire Barney Family who have contributed to the growth, development, and stature of our great East Valley,” Arnett said. Former Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, now Partnership president/CEO, said “He spent his whole life in the town that he loved and as mayor, it showed. His heart was in the community – always thinking and asking, ‘what is in the best interest of our citizens now and in the future?’” Lewis recalled walking around the then newly-opened Horseshoe Park. “We had the best time wearing our cowboy hats together,” Lewis said. “He laughed at me and said, ‘You’re not a real cowboy, but you look like you could be!’ In other words, with his positive attitude, he was telling me that I had potential. He looked for the good in others and could always see their potential. “I laughed when Mayor Gail told me that one night he needed to rush the

The town provided this official photo of Mayor Gail Barney. (Town of Queen Creek) end of a council meeting. He said, ‘I did not want to end the meeting until all of our town business was addressed, but I needed to get home to turn on and watch the irrigation water.” Maricopa County Supervisor Jack Sellers said, “The passing of Mayor Barney is truly a blow to those of us who knew him as a friend and a great leader... I was always impressed with the sincerity in which he served our community.” Queen Creek Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Perry Berry said, “Mayor Barney was a good friend of mine and I am very sorry about his passing. We both shared a love for the outdoors and hunting. We would often share pictures, stories, and I loved hearing about his hunting trips. He was a good man, and will be greatly missed.” The district Governing Board also issued a joint statement praising his support and saying, “Our hearts go out to the Barney family and the Queen Creek community. We see the impact of this wonderful founding family in the town’s

culture, traditions, and in our public institutions. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who live here and through our schools and our students. He will be truly missed.” Mayor Barney became a Queen Creek resident at 6 months of age in 1948 and lived and worked on his family’s farm – which ultimately inspired him to take the road of public service. “Mayor Barney often shared he was having trouble crossing Germann Road on his tractor, so he got involved and never looked back,” the town said in its statement. He started his public life on the Queen Creek Planning & Zoning Commission in 1998 and served there until 2002, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Town Council. In that time, Mayor Barney was instrumental in helping the town achieve many of the milestones in its development, including the opening Ellsworth

see MAYOR page 6

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | APRIL 24, 2022

NEWS

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | APRIL 24, 2022

MAYOR from page 4

Loop, starting a fire department, and building municipal water services. “Mayor Barney embodied what it meant to be QC neighborly – while his years of leadership and dedication will leave a legacy in the Queen Creek community – he will be sincerely missed,” the town statement said. In 2010, he was elected mayor and continued to help the town make strategic advancements, helping to make Queen Creek the first municipality in Arizona to have a fully funded pension system and launching the town’s police department. In 2014, Mayor Barney was highlighted in a League of Arizona Cities and Towns newsletter in which he said one of his proudest achievements involved the town’s handling of the Great Recession despite with reduced staff and limited resources. “Queen Creek even saw an increase to our credit rating - one of only nine communities in the nation,” he said. “I credit this to having such great, dedicated employees and a town council that worked together to make tough decisions.” He also said the town’s biggest challenge at that time was ensuring enough resources for its infrastructure. “We are building a community from scratch, and still have two-thirds of our infrastructure needed to serve our build-out population of about 95,000,” he said. Mayor Barney also served on the Maricopa Association of Governments in various capacities since 2006, including his appointment to the Regional Council in 2010 and served as chairman of the

Former Buckeye Mayor Jackie Meck handed over the gavel to Mayor Barney when he became chairman of the Maricopa Association of Governments in 2018. (Town of Queen Creek) Regional Council in 2018 for one year. His influence also impacted the East Valley in other ways, notably in the development of Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport. East Valley Partnership Vice President Mike Hutchinson recalled, “He was active with Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport for a long time. He was just a really good guy in terms of rolling up this sleeves and working on issues and participating. “Being a guy who showed up, if there was a meeting, there was an event, there was somebody we had a talk about lobbying, Gail was always game to be in the

mix. …He didn’t care if you were the intern or another mayor: he just treated everybody well.” Though his illness had sidelined him from Town Council meetings since April, Mayor Barney remained active right up until the day he died. Giles said he was shocked to hear of his passing because Mayor Barney had joined by phone the June 21 meeting of the Gateway airport authority board and had been on the phone with other mayors for a MAG conference call on June 22. Under the Town Code, Vice Mayor Jeff Brown will continue to perform the duties as mayor.

Mayor Barney is survived by his wife Pam, three children, 16 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Details about remembrances and services were not immediately available. Lewis eulogized him, stating, “Mayor Gail was and is a farmer who knew how to raise crops, a family, and a community. It is always hard to say goodbye to friends, but I am grateful to have known this dedicated, humble, and servant leader, I call my friend, Gail Barney.” Tribune staff writer Josh Ortega contributed to this report.

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BATTERY from page 1

lution of the process, why it is a good for Queen Creek and the East Valley and safety operations that will be in place after construction is completed. The plant will primarily manufacture cylindrical batteries approximately 3”x1” that primarily are for electrical vehicles. While electric vehicles once used 7,000 batteries to power up, the newest generation of these batteries only requires 3,000 for one EV. Stan Barnes, president of Copper State Consulting Group representing LG Energy Solutions, said “the company plans to invest right out of the gate about $1.4 billion.” “If the plant fulfills its measure, it’s going to be perhaps somewhere double that by the time it’s all done,” Barnes said. He said the location attracted a company like LG because of its good governance, educated workforce, available real estate and resources, and a modest incentive package from the state and town. Barnes said he grew up in the area with an “idyllic Huckleberry Finn childhood”

The LG lithium battery plant will comprise 11 buildings totaling approximately 1.5 million square feet of manufacturing, office, and facility support space on land the company bought as sole bidder at a state Land Department auction. (Tribune file photo) and understands why some locals oppose the development but reiterated what growth, change and opportunity will bring to a community. “All you have to do is think and look at all of that central Phoenix and what it meant to go east and west,” he said. “It is a song that has been sung in Arizona since state-

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hood.” He said Salt River Project will provide LG with a “100% renewable tariff” as part of the company’s push for 100% renewable energy. Barnes said the company still faces some bureaucratic hurdles to ensure the company stays true to its green energy promise.

but expects construction to begin soon. “If things go well, they might be able to break ground and get running this year,” Barnes said. “And if that takes place, then it’s a couple of years of workup to get it done.” Some citizens present questioned what the future will hold for the area and what LG plans to do further down the road, and Barnes said it’s only the beginning for this partnership. “We’re in the very beginning of a longterm relationship and it could blossom much larger than then even proposed at the moment,” Barnes said. The Town of Queen Creek had several personnel from various departments present. Karen Dada, planning & engineering manager for the state Land Department, said State Trust Land is not public land but more akin to private land and was granted by the federal government at the time of Arizona’s statehood. LG’s American subsidiary was the sole bidder on the State Land that the compa-

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | APRIL 24, 2022

Ex-teacher’s arrest prompts Higley probe BY CECILIA CHAN Tribune Staff Writer

igley Unified School District has hired an outside investigator to look into allegations that officials were made aware of a former teacher recently accused of inappropriate behavior with two underage students but did nothing. Gilbert Police arrested Aaron Dunton, 35, on June 16. The former Higley High School social studies teacher has a preliminary hearing on June 27 and apparently posted the $10,000 bail as his inmate record could not be found. “Since the District’s original report to police, some social media posts and other reports have asserted that details about this former employee were allegedly previously shared with HUSD employees,” board

President Amy Kaylor announced in a prepared statement at the June 22 meeting. “We are very concerned about the accusations regarding this former employee and that they were not addressed when raised. “The District has hired an outside attorney to investigate and help our administration review all of these matters. It is the District’s intent to learn the details of any prior reported concern and how it was handled.” Kaylor asked that people who have reported a concern they felt was not addressed by HUSD employees, to call the district’s safe hotline at 480279-7233 or email safe.hotline@ husd.org. “We take all concerns very seriously and will follow-up on situations that are reported,” she read. “Our district will continue to review our protocols, practices and policies to

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ensure students are safe on our campuses.” The full transcript is on the district’s website. Gilbert Police launched a twomonth investigation after it was contacted by the district on April 13. Dunton submitted a request to be released from his teaching contract on April 14. While investigating Dunton’s inappropriate relationship with the 14-year-old student, police said they found another victim, who made allegations against Dunton for incidents that occurred in 2019 at Power Ranch Elementary when the victim was 11 years old. Dunton taught at Power Ranch from from July 16, 2015 to May 28, 2021 and was the victim’s teacher. He transferred to Higley High in July 2021, where he also volunteered as a softball coach and an assistant

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football coach, according to the district. Dunton’s arrest became a hot topic of interest on social media. According to one person, Dunton’s behavior wasn’t a secret, writing, “I was friends with the 11-year-old in elementary school… my entire grade knew they were dating.” Another person wrote that “in 2019 a student told the principal that he witnessed Dunton committing sexual assault against a 6th grade girl and the principal suspended the kid that saw Dunton.” People claimed that both parents and teachers reported Dunton to administration, which turned a blind eye. “Only teacher I ever had to report several times over the years,” a woman said. “My kiddos were at the school.” Another woman said, “plenty of other teachers had reported him since 2015. I know of a teacher that reported him and she herself got written up for ‘stirring the pot.’” The school was notified and did nothing, a woman claimed while another said, “there were allegations made to the administration when he worked at the elementary school. So the administration should have followed up on those.” “There was plenty of talk back in 2019, we were alerted to it by a school employee back then,” a man said “The school definitely had info about potential inappropriate behavior but seemed to let it go.” And another man said, “From what I have heard the school district had 27 complaints from teachers warning the district of inappropriate dealings with children between 2015 till now.” And one woman said, “I also know there are years of families with issues regarding his actions. I know he was moved from the elementary campus to the high school. Given a fresh start.”

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | APRIL 24, 2022

BATTERY from page 8

ny will build on. State Trust Land makes up approximately 9.2 million acres, or 12.7% of the total land in the state. Many citizens voiced their concerns about what exactly State Land Trusts are and why the sale wasn’t advertised more. “Application to auction takes about a year,” she said. “Every auction has a 10week public advertising period where it’s advertised in the newspaper.” The Arizona Constitution dictates that state land auction proceeds go to one of 14 areas benefitting the general public. Most of the money goes to K-12 public education. Paul Gardner, town utility services/water/wastewater director, addressed the issue of groundwater and the drought along the Colorado River. “If it stopped raining tomorrow, and we had no other surface water allocations, every subdivision would still have well within 100 years assured supply,” he said. According to the town’s website, water wells are drilled more than 1,000 feet deep, and the Town is presently pumping water from approximately 540 feet to 640 feet. The water table ranges from 245 feet to approximately 2,000 feet below the surface. Gardner said his hypothetical scenario would not even get close to the 1,000-foot-limit. Citizens brought up questions about pollution of the groundwater and Gardner said new regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality exist because of past contamination spills. “If a facility was to contaminate anything, it’s their responsibility to clean it up

first,” he said. He also said there are protections and monitoring from the very start of a project to avoid such an incident as well as federal and state funds set aside to clean up. “We’re not going to sit there and have someone put a point of contamination that goes right into the groundwater,” he said. “That’s just not how it works today, might have worked that way in the 20s, 30s and 40s. It doesn’t work that way today.” Brett Burningham, town Development Services director, outlined the timeline of the project up to this point and explained some of the site plans approved by the Town Council on May 11. The site will have 11 buildings totaling approximately 1.5 million square feet of manufacturing, office, and facility support space. Many of the buildings will stand at 70 feet tall with one on the western edge of the building at 90 feet tall, and unoccupied structures like cooling towers up to 185 feet tall. Some residents raised concerns about the proximity of the facility to residential areas and Burningham said it will sit 3,100 feet north of Germann Road. Along with that, a 300-foot-wide “Residential Compatibility Area” will run along the north side of Germann Road that provides a buffer to keep development from encroaching on residential areas. “The state has plans to expand it along the entire area,” he said. “They have submitted a plan within the last couple of months to include the entire area of Germann Road.” Burningham said no site plans have been submitted for future development. Queen Creek Fire Department Chief Vance Gray shared plans of if and when

any hazardous material emergency happened. Citizens expressed their concerns that evacuation plans had not already been established but Gray said those plans are in place and that every firefighter is trained at a first responder operational level for hazardous materials. “If an incident escalates to a point where evacuations are needed, that is determined at that time,” Gray said. “If the incident comes to that point, we will use reverse 911.”

Citizens brought forth many questions and not all were answered. Officials said more information would be available at queencreekaz.gov/advancedmanufacturing. The next step is the air quality permitting process that is currently underway handled through the Pinal County Air Quality Department. The next public hearing will be for the Air Quality Permit on July 12 at 6 p.m. in the Combs High School Performing Arts Center.

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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | APRIL 24, 2022

Commuter rail opponents make their pitch BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer

ome residents are not onboard with commuter rail. On June 22, citizens gathered at the Heritage Academy Gateway to hear arguments against a commuter rail for the area. Gilbert Vice Mayor Aimee Yentes hosted the event and Queen Creek Councilwoman Leah Martineau spoke out on the issue. Martineau said no items regarding commuter rail will appear on upcoming Queen Creek Town Council agendas, but Yentes said now is the time for concerned citizens to act. “It’s not even being talked about, but with it is being talked about in Gilbert, we know that Queen Creek will be next,” Martineau said. Yentes outlined six major reasons that goes against the commuter rail development: increased crime, increased taxes, requires massive subsidies, outdated technology and falling ridership. “We’re convinced this is a really terrible

idea for our community,” Yentes said. Martineau was appointed to the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority Board of Directors at the beginning of the year. “We’re spending our money on lobbyists that are therefore going to the state capitol and trying to get more of our tax dollars to go towards more of these types of things,” she said. The RPTA Board has 19 members comprising elected officials appointed by their own mayor, councils and the county board of supervisors. Along with them, the Valley Metro Rail Board of Directors has four members who are elected officials that help guide the agency by providing transportation leadership to best serve the region and their communities, according to their website. In 2018, Maricopa Association of Governments released the Regional Commuter Rail System Study Update, which revised the results of the original study conducted in 2010. The updated study became a point of

contention at a Gilbert Town Council meeting because it was considering a motion to pay toward further study. That motion was tabled. Commuter rail service differs from light rail service, which focuses on shorter corridors and more frequent service throughout the day, according to the study. Commuter rail corridors are longer than LRT lines, which traditionally are fewer than 20 miles in length, according to the study. The study said commuter rail could share existing freight rail tracks in each corridor with a second track being constructed within the central portions of the system to accommodate both freight and passenger trains. The 2018 study proposed the possibility of a 61.4-mile “Estrella/San Tan Line” commuter rail route connecting Buckeye to Florence with 16 stops. Travel time along the entire route estimates one hour and 18 minutes. There are also plans for a 53.8-mile “Grand/ Kyrene Line” from Wickenburg to

Wild Horse Pass/I-10 with 14 stops. Travel time along the entire route estimates one hour and nine minutes. The study estimates that the Estrella/San Tan Line would have more than 10,000 daily passengers by 2040, with only 240 coming from Queen Creek. The study looked at two possible models of locomotives: Locomotive Hauled Coaches (LHC) and Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU). For example, the San Diego Coaster that connects downtown San Diego to Oceanside, California, utilizes an LHU. The Sonoma– Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) that connects Santa Rosa to downtown San Rafael, California utilizes a DMU. Capital costs for both line corridors, System Elements including Union Station and Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility, and 15 train sets were approximately $2.5 billion. The light rail currently connecting Phoenix to Mesa has approximately 28 miles of track that has cost $2.1 billion to construct with average weekday ridership of 48,000, according to Valley Metro.

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Gateway Airport opens up 270 acres for development BY SCOTT SHUMAKER Tribune Staff Writer

hoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is throwing 270-acres of vacant land into the economic development feeding frenzy taking place in Southeast Mesa. The airport board signed a deal last week with The Boyer Company to develop Gateway East, a large section of land in the northeast corner of the airport set aside by the airport authority for non-aeronautical development. The trapezoid-shaped parcel between the airport’s runways and US 24 sits across Ellsworth Road from an area that has been growing at full-steam in recent year with developments such as the Eastmark and Cadence master-planned communities and the 320-acre Bell Bank Park sports complex that opened in January. At its June 21 meeting, the airport’s board of directors approved a 40-year master development agreement with Boyer, headquartered in Salt Lake City. The deal envisions a mixed-use commercial area developed in three phases at Gateway East, but the airport authority is giving Boyer freedom to hammer out the details of development. In Boyer’s tentative master plan for the area, 50% of Gateway East would be devoted to industrial uses, 32% to office, 9.5% to retail and 6.25% to hospitality. Boyer describes itself on its website as one of the nation’s largest developers in the nation and a full-serve development company and manager of office, retail, industrial, medical, government, and other specialty property types, including schools and residential communities. It has developed over 43 million square feet of commercial space since 1972 and has over $700 million of additional development in progress. Gateway East has been set aside for specifically non-aviation businesses. Airports receiving federal grants are allowed to engage in non-aviation development for revenue support of operations. By the terms of the federal government’s transfer of the property, which was Williams Air Force base until 1994, the airport can’t sell the land, but it can grant development

rights to outside parties. Communications and Government Relations Director Ryan Smith said the revenue generated for the airport from the Gateway East deal would help the airport expand in the future should demand for services increase. By the terms of Gateway East deal, Boyer will pay the airport 55 cents per square foot for developed lots in addition to a 10% revenue share. While Gateway East is devoted to non-aeronautical uses, the airport authority has reserved other space on the east side for a future terminal and aviation-related commercial development. A large chunk of the remaining east side has already been taken by Gulf Stream Aerospace, which recently broke ground on a $100 million maintenance and repair hub. With the Gateway East deal signed, Boyer has a greenlight to begin work on the first phase of 110 acres, composed mostly of industrial development with a small percentage of retail. Boyer’s right to develop the rest of the acreage in Gateway East requires the company to meet benchmarks for development over the next 20 years. The company’s first development deadline comes five years after the signing of the deal, when 500,000 square feet of development and all phase 1 infrastructure must be complete. By year, 10 the company must have 1.5 million square feet of development in place and all phase 2 infrastructure. Representatives for Boyer at the meet-

The site will be developed in pahses with specific goals set for each stage. (Phoenix Message Gateway Airport Authority)

ing were optimistic about Gateway East’s prospects. “We think it’s a great site; we think it has a great future,” Boyer Project Manager Matt Jensen said. Jensen said that long before the deal was signed, the company began This map outlines the various portions of the 270-acre fielding calls from prospective ten- site that will be devoted to different uses. (Phoenix Message Gateway Airport Authority) ants. The airport and Boyer will share costs on “We’ve been amazed really just over the last probably two months,” Jensen developing the remainder of the road. Airport Authority Business Development said. “You know, word gets out. We haven’t really been out marketing the property yet, Director Shea Joachim said the road is “well but we’re working on calls. … A lot of good on its way in design and it will be under construction shortly.” discussions taking place.” Smith said outside of the financial arBefore Boyer starts putting buildings in, there is “horizontal development” that needs rangement and development benchmarks, Boyer has a lot of autonomy to manage the to take place, namely roads and utilities. The City of Mesa is contributing to the details of Gateway East. launch of Gateway East by building the first “They’re going to look at what the market 1,000 feet of a new road accessing the site, is looking for,” Smith said. “Really the sky’s called Gateway Boulevard. the limit.”

QC Chamber offers internship opportunities TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

ollege students looking for some real-world job experience might want to contact the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is looking for college interns for summer or fall 2022 who are interested in communication, journalism or video editing. This is an unpaid internship and can be used towards college credit. It involves approximately 16 hours per week between the hours

of 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Duties may include: creating social media posts and graphics for Facebook and Instagram, assisting with writing and designing articles for the Explore Queen Creek publication, assisting writing and editing blog posts, and assisting with chamber video projects including filming and editing. Travel may be required. Desired skills and qualifications: declared college major in media, communications, marketing, advertising, or journalism. Intern

should have working knowledge of Microsoft office, social media and design programs like Canva and Cyberlink. Applicants should have strong research, writing and organizational skills and be able to multitask and work independently, Those interested should send their resume to Kim Dowers at kim@queencreekchamber.com. The Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce was formed in 2002 to solve problems so you can thrive because strong businesses create strong communities.

COMMUNITY

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New principal eager to lead Barney Jr. High BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer

evin Aikins is aching to start the new school year. Earlier this month, the Queen Creek Unified School District appointed Aikins as the new principal of Newell Barney Junior High School. He’s served as the assistant principal and athletic director since the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year and will officially start his new

position next month. Superintendent Dr. Perry Berry said Aikins has done a great job in his current leadership roles. “We’re happy to be able to advance his career path within the district and continue great leadership for our students,” he said in a press release. Aikins has spent 12 years in education – seven with Queen Creek – and has held various roles, including teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal and athletic director. He earned his bachelors in second-

ary education with an emphasis in history from Arizona State University, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University. The Illinois native said he enjoys working around kids so much because of the mentors he had in school. “I had great teachers and coaches growing up that kind of motivated me to do better and be better,” he said. He attended Glenbard East High

School in Lombard, Illinois, where his inspiration to become a teacher started. He said his PE teacher and wrestling coach inspired him through “super supportive” mentorship. “Always pushed us to be better, not just in the wrestling room, but as a person,” he said. He also said his social studies teacher was one of his favorite teachers and who inspired him to pursue

see PRINCIPAL page 15

FirstBank supports WNBA star shoe drive

BY JORDAN ROGERS Tribune Staff Writer

s the Phoenix Mercury and fans across the country await the safe return of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, the community continues Griner’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive. To continue the momentum the community has shepherded, Mercury partner FirstBank is showing its support by hosting collection bins at Valley branch locations for fans to donate new or gently used shoes. Branch locations located in Ahwatukee, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Goodyear, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Sun City West. “Being the official bank of the Phoenix Mercury means more than supporting the team when it comes to game time, but also doing what we can to amplify our community impact,” said Joel Johnson, East Valley market president at FirstBank.

“With bank branches across the Valley, we decided to act on our motto of ‘banking for good’ to offer our locations as additional drop off locations for (Griner’s) Heart and Sole Shoe Drive to help make this year’s campaign as successful as possible.” With the help from fans and teams around the WNBA and NBA, the drive has collected more than 500 pairs of shoes and raised more

see SHOES page 15

Founded in 2016, Brittney Griner’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive came about when the 6-foot-9 athlete was driving home after practice and saw unhoused people in the Arizona summer without shoes. Subsequently, Brittney Griner drove with shoes in the trunk of her car in case she saw someone in need. (Barry Gossage/Phoenix Mercury)

COMMUNITY

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PRINCIPAL from page 14

the same subject as a teacher. “He was one of my favorite socia studies teachers growing up,” he said. “I’ve gone back home a couple times and visited and talked to them.” He said spending time around students means the most to him and the reason why he’s now the one teaching and coaching them. “Just being around the kids is probably the best thing to me,” he said. He and his wife Katie have two children. Katie Aikins serves as the director of education for the Arizona Farm Bureau. Aikins said he initially pictured himself in the classroom for his entire career but once he found success in leadership roles, the climb up the administration ladder began.

“Initially, I always thought I would be in the classroom,” he said. “But I’m the type of person that when I see an opportunity, I seize it.” Aikins said every year in education changes and has repeatedly given him that one moment that confirms the career choice he made was the right one. “I think every year I’ve been in education I’ve had a moment that kind of inspired me to just go, ‘okay, this is why I’m here and this is why I’m going to keep being here,” he said. He said he looks forward to continuing the success the school has received and credits the “amazing staff ” for that success. “This campus is one that in our district has just had a long tradition of excellence and I’m just excited to keep it going.”

than $12,000 for the Phoenix Rescue Mission, making it the most successful drive since its first go in 2016. The drive will continue through the 2022 season, and, in addition to FirstBank branches, fans can bring donations to all Mercury home games or to the Team Shop at Footprint Center during business hours. “We say all the time that what separates our fans is how supportive they are of our mission, on and off the court, and that’s true of our partners, as well,” said Phoenix Mercury President Vince Kozar. “FirstBank’s commitment to BG’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive is further demonstration of the alignment between our two organizations, and our shared desire to make a difference in the Valley — and this time it’s inspired by Brittney.” Founded in 2016, Griner’s Heart and Sole Shoe Drive came about when the 6-foot-9 athlete was driving home after practice and saw unhoused people in the Arizona summer without shoes. Subsequently, Griner drove with shoes in the trunk of her car in case she saw someone in need. Inspired by Griner’s idea, the Mer-

cury established a shoe drive with the help of local nonprofit Phoenix Rescue Mission, engaging its X-Factor fan base and Griner’s teammates. It was nonoperational in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but the drive helped nearly 2,000 Phoenicians in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. On June 14, a Russian court extended Griner’s detention through Saturday, July 2. She has been held in Russia since February after she was stopped at a Moscow airport after authorities claimed she was carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil. Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, issued a statement on Twitter. “Today’s extension is just further reinforcement that Brittney Griner – an Olympian and an American citizen – is being used as a political pawn. Her detention is inhumane and unacceptable. “She has not had a single phone call in her 117 days of wrongful detention, and we call on @POTUS (President Joe Biden) and @VP (Vice President Kamala Harris) to act with urgency and do whatever it takes to bring Brittney home immediately. “We must fight for (Griner) like family because as an American, she is all of ours. #WeAreBG”

SHOES from page 14

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Valley home market shifting quickly for sellers BY MELANIE NEMETZ Tribune Guest Writer

any homeowners wonder if they missed the boat when it comes to selling their home. Sellers wonder if they waited too long to get their home on the market. The answer is: the ship is leaving the dock. There is still time to get onboard! In all seriousness, the market is in a shift. The shift began a couple months ago and we expected to have higher inventory, for it to take a little

longer to sell a home, and for buyers to feel like they have choices once again. And that market is here. In the height of the frenzy, we had less than 5,000 homes on the market, to serve the entire Phoenix Metro area. Keep in mind we should have 20,000-25,000 homes on the market to have a balanced market. We currently have over 13,500 homes listed for sale and the inventory continues to rapidly increase. Again, we knew the inventory would rise. What we are surprised by is the speed at which it is rising. If the inventory growth continues at this pace, we could reach a balanced mar-

ket by August. Queen Creek had 211 homes for sale in the month of May. In June, that number jumped to 387. A few things to know about rising inventory if you are a seller: 1. Now is the time to get on the boat; 2. We are still in a seller’s market, just not a forgiving one; 3. When you price right and prepare the home correctly, you will do well on the market. Our current market is not forgiving if the seller over-prices the home or under-prepares it for showings. These are the homes that we see sitting on the market and taking price reductions. In any market, you want

to price your home correctly and have it show the best it possibly can. This is what allows you to fetch the very best price for the home. If you price your home correctly and get the home in the best condition possible, which also means clean, then yes, your home will sell. If you miss any of these steps, you may sit on the market. While a higher inventory is a refreshing change for buyers, allowing them to have more homes to choose from and take more than a minute to decide which home they want to of-

Our extensive, high quality marketing of your home combined with our thorough preparation of listing the home for sale, will help your home sell faster and for more money. Here is a sample of the marketing for our listings:

see MARKET page 17

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MARKET from page 16

fer on, it is met with higher interest rates. For those experiencing a life change, a move is happening no matter what. These buyers will still be looking for the best house, at the right price, that is move in ready. Which takes us back to having a home priced correctly and showing the best it possibly can. There is opportunity out there for buyers, especially on the homes that are nice homes but they are overpriced and didn’t take the extra steps

to prepare for the showings. These homes have taken price reductions and the seller is usually eager to get it sold. Buyers have more say in the final price they offer as well as other terms of the sale. Queen Creek has grown into a wonderful place to call home with opportunities for buying and selling even, in this market shift. Melanie Nemetz, the owner and founder of The Melanie Nemetz Team with Keller Williams Integrity First can be reached at 480- 2213034, melanie@fosteringre.com or fosteringre.com.

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Twin brothers follow a passion for paramotoring BY MELODY BIRKETT Tribune Contributor

esa resident Nik Rasheta and his twin brother Noah share a hobby off-hours — paramo-

toring. They’ve been passionate about flying since they were young, starting skydiving at 16 and both getting general aviation pilot licenses. Nik is a full-time valley police officer and while Noah lives in Texas, the brothers run Epic Paramotor in Mesa together, offering the thrills of powered paragliding and the training needed to do it safely. “The sensation of flying is just like magic,” said Nik. “It feels like you’re living out a childhood dream or a dream of flying. Once it lifts you, you’re sitting in a chair, it feels like a magic chair, that you can just tell where to go. You can go up, you can go down, you can go right, you can go left. It’s just an incredible sensation.” The twins, both certified paramotor instructors, started their business four years ago. “It started as a passion for flight,” said Rasheta. “We’ve always known we wanted to fly. My brother has a rotorcraft pilot license. He was trying to find a way to be a helicopter pilot for a profession but it didn’t work out so he moved on to other entrepreneurial adventures. “I did the same. I got my fixed-wing airplane pilot license and decided to not go that route for work but I’ve always been trying to maintain aviation as something in my life.” Rasheta also got into motorcycling and his brother was about to do the same when Rasheta discovered paramotoring and shared it with Noah. “Within two weeks, my brother had

Mesa resident Nik Rasheta and his twin brother Noah love the thrill of paramotoring – and share it with others through their Mesa business, Epic Paramotor. (Special to the Tribune) purchased equipment, set up training for himself and was full steam ahead into paramotoring,” Rasheta said. Noah got into the business side of it and became an instructor. “The reason he did it was he knew how it had transformed our lives,” said Rasheta. “We had no idea it would be this incredible and accessible so we decided to help other people have a route into what we discovered. That’s how it started.” Noah started training people and Rasheta would assist during his days off. When Rasheta became an instructor, the brothers branched out the school. “We try to structure the course that when you leave, you have the minimum

amount of skill to be competent of flying on your own,” Rasheta explained. “But you’re still a novice when you leave. It takes 50-100 hours of flying to get to the point where you can go anywhere and fly in almost any condition. A lot of the learning and the skill comes after the course. “We just help you learn to get to the point where you’re going to do it safely and not be breaking equipment or hurting yourself to gather that experience.” Paramotoring is a skill and should be learned with an instructor even though it’s not legally required. Gear can be purchased and adventurers can learn to fly on their own. “But experience has shown it can

be very dangerous because you don’t know what you don’t know,” Rasheta added. “Aviation is an unforgiving sport if you’re not aware of the weather or you don’t know about the equipment you won’t have the benefit of learning from someone else’s experience.” For those who want to learn on their own, he said there are organizations that have a safe curriculum to learn. The biggest one is The United States Powered Paragliding Association which Rasheta said has “a recommended syllabus and a lot of experience and information…that has allowed people to learn and get into it safely.” It’s also good to go through an organization like this in finding an instructor with a rating. There are different forms of experiencing flight that reflect peoples’ character and personality. “Some of us are very mellow and just fly 5 feet above the ground or thousands of feet above the ground, just enjoying the sensation of flying,” Rasheta explained, adding: “Some people like the adrenaline roller coaster ride part of flying. They’ll go up high and start doing turns that get more and more aggressive. And then all of a sudden, they’re doing what’s called a wingover where they’re over their wing and it dips and descends and then they swing back out over it and you dip it where they can do a barrel roll. “It gets kind of aerobatic where you’re feeling the g-forces. It’s a lot like a roller coaster ride.” To get to that level of flying, you must have a lot of control and experience. There are advanced courses where you can learn high-g maneuvers. The two ways of flying a paramotor

see PARAMOTORING page 19

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 26, 2022

PARAMOTORING from page 18

are foot launch and a wheels launch that looks like a go-kart with the same type of motor but on a frame with wheels. “The sport itself is accessible to all body types,” explained Rasheta. “If you’re heavy and can’t fathom running with 50-60 pounds on your back, then you get the wheels set up where you don’t do any running. And because of that, you can have larger and heavier motors because you’re not carrying it – the wheels are.” While there are few FAA rules on paramotoring, enthusiasts are not allowed to fly over congested areas and can’t fly at night. The hobby isn’t cheap with brand new equipment, including the backpack motor setup and paraglider, costing between $10,000-$12,000. Used gear costs $6,000-$8,000. Rasheta said it’s usable and doable as long as you have some assistance in finding the right gear. “It’s all based on your weight and where you’ll be flying, what altitude your takeoff is,” explained Rasheta. “We’re at about 1,200 feet here. You’d want different equipment if you’re flying at 5,000 or 6,000 feet elevation in Utah or at the beach. All of those things make a difference.” Once the equipment is purchased, the main cost is gasoline. “These things can fly about an hour per gallon,” said Rasheta. “And most of our fuel tanks hold about three gallons of fuel. Most people can fly about three hours on the long end but most of us average one to two hours because we don’t want to carry that much fuel weight on our takeoffs.” Maintaining the equipment is lowkey. It’s a two-stroke engine that is very basic and accessible according to Rasheta. About every 50-100 hours, things like the bushings, the gasket or fuel lines need to be changed depending on the type of fuel used. “It’s all basic small stuff when you compare it to other forms of aviation. It’s like two different worlds. I would say this is like upkeeping a weedeater or a dirt bike where it’s completely ac-

Nik Rasheta, a Valley police officer, calls flying in a paramotor “magic.” (Special to the Tribune)

The Mesa brothers say paramotoring can be done 5 feet or thousands of feet above ground. (Special to the Tribune)

BUSINESS

cessible. It’s completely accessible to someone who knows nothing about motors to get into this and learn how to tune and keep a two-stroke motor running. They’re pretty basic when it comes to mechanics.” In the East Valley, Rasheta said, San Tan Valley and Gold Canyon are popular flying sites. “My favorite for personal flying is definitely Gold Canyon. I love flying up to the Superstition Mountains over Flatiron and as the sun is setting to the west, I descend the mountain and go over the saguaro desert, back over US 60, and then I land in the desert. That whole return is facing the sunset. It’s just a beautiful flight.” The sport does have its dangers. “The most common factor for danger or death in our sport is bad decision making,” Rasheta explained. “Sometimes it’s the attitude problem. Sometimes it’s the lack of knowledge problem. If you get the right training, at least you’ll have the knowledge to do it safely. Then it becomes an attitude problem. If you get complacent or invincible, you can make decisions that are very dangerous in this sport. “The most common fatality is people flying over water, going really low, and for whatever reason ending up in the water. And it can happen quickly. Then they drown because they’re connected to the wing and all the lines are there.” Rasheta added there are flotation devices flyers can carry with them. It gives a person time to separate from the equipment. “The second most common form of bad decision making is doing those aerobatic type moves but low,” Rasheta said. “Usually that happens in a showoff attitude where they’re really low and doing high, steep turns and miscalculate. The equipment can easily be carried by car. By disassembling the hoop and taking the propeller off, it’s about the size of a kitchen chair. Rasheta said a person needs to be able to carry a motor, with the lightest one weighing 4550 pounds with fuel. He said typically kids need to be at least 12 years old and should pursue the sport with their family. Information: epicparamotor.com

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GOP lawmakers’ new obsession is a drag BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

e live in dangerous times for children in Arizona. In 2020, 838 children died in our state, including 53 kids murdered and 49 lost to suicide. Firearms were to blame in 51 of these fatalities. Fentanyl claimed 57 young lives. In all, substance use was indicated in 157 child deaths. Have no fear, though. Last week, Arizona Senate Republicans trumpeted their decision to join “several other states by working on legislation that would prohibit minors from attending drag shows.”

A snippet from their press release’s money quote: “One of the reasons why we were elected as lawmakers by our constituents was to protect family values. … We will be damned if we won’t fight like hell to protect the most innocent from these horrifying and disturbing trends that are spreading across the nation now that extremist Democrats are currently in control of our federal government.” Guess I missed the press conference where President Biden glammed up as Joy Riden and ushered in America’s Great 21st Century Drag Age. At the risk of injecting some reality into a story that reads like a lousy “Footloose” knockoff, there are in fact a tiny handful of events where children,

accompanied by their parents, might be exposed to drag queens doing “horrifying and disturbing” stuff like reading aloud from Maurice Sendak’s “Where The Wild Things Are.” There’s Drag Story Hour Arizona, a non-profit that promotes monthly “children’s story hours,” where “we generally read 3-5 stories, sing/dance to music, and end our time with a clean craft for kids to take home. All of our performers and volunteers are background checked and anyone reading to children goes through specialized literacy training.” There also was a June 3 event at the Heard Museum – the museum’s first-ever Native American drag show – where indigenous performers with names like

Pyraddictionn and Tomahawk Martini performed before a crowd that apparently included some kids and parents. And in May a Tucson high school held a drag show featuring students from the school’s LGBTQ+ student club. It all sounds relatively tame to me. And like an attendance decision best left to parents and kids, the way we do with things like R-rated movies, which kids can stream alongside porn on those cell phones they seem to get at about age seven these days. Even so, the rise of the drag queens had gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake screeching on Twitter about an omnipotent evil “they,” as in, “They kicked

it’s wintertime in the desert!” True enough, but another seasonal assertion fails the credibility test. It goes something like this: “And another thing…we don’t need rakes in the desert because there are no falling autumn leaves.” But many newcomers soon discover that they need at least one rake…and maybe a few more. Fall may not bring falling leaves, but summer certainly brings falling pods… at least for homeowners who choose to plant mesquite trees on their property. And because of that fateful decision, those property owners soon discover that they have sentenced themselves to seemingly ceaseless summer days with rake-in-hand, gathering pods-onground.

Age and circumstance provide an interesting paradox in the human condition. School kids, when engaged in the routine of academic pursuits, find themselves gazing out classroom windows, imagining their post-educational “classroom-free” future. Adults, engaged in age-appropriate “responsible-but-not-enjoyable” tasks, find themselves recalling lessons from their school days, freeing their minds from the physical drudgery in which they’re involved. Personal experience, amidst the picking-up-of-the-pods, prompted a recollection of the fate of Sisyphus. If you’re in need of a brief “refresher” on this particular figure in Greek mythology, here ’tis: Sisyphus was a king and because he cheated death

twice, Zeus punished him by forcing Sisyphus to roll a huge boulder up a hill—only to see it roll down each time it neared the top—and to repeat that action for all eternity. Okay, okay…so picking up mesquite pods isn’t an eternal fate…it only seems that way. Visitors, be advised: in the Arizona desert, those “lazy, hazy crazy days of summer” aren’t lazy or hazy…but if you have mesquite trees, they will drive you a little crazy. The above is offered as a “public service” for those considering a move here – especially if they hail from California, which has fostered its own kind of crazy in the recent past. But in research conducted exclusive-

see LEIBOWITZ page 21

The pods of summer can drive you crazy BY JD HAYWORTH Tribune Columnist

rizona and Ancient Greece are separated by thousands of years and thousands of miles, but there is one task that makes Greek mythology an Arizona reality in this modern age and season. It is found in an annual duty that takes many new desert dwellers by surprise, fresh from their boasts to friends who remain in colder winter climes. Be honest…how many times have you taunted friends still living in Chicago, or Minneapolis, or Omaha with this articulation of the obvious: “We don’t have to shovel sunshine when

see HAYWORTH page 21

OPINION

QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JUNE 26, 2022

LEIBOWITZ from Page 20

God out of schools and welcomed the Drag Queens.” Hilariously, Lake made national news a day later, when she was outed as a drag queen bestie by her former pal, Phoenix drag icon Barbara Seville. Seville accused Lake of hypocrisy not only for attending multiple drag shows, but for hosting Seville at her house to perform at parties, including with Lake’s young daughter in attendance. It all made for great amateur theater, not unlike a drag show. But that’s our politics anymore: our elected Neros fiddling and tweeting away while all around them the state, the economy,

HAYWORTH from Page 20

ly for this column, a constructive use for mesquite pods has been discovered…which may strike you as a bit cra…ahem…different. An October 2009 article from the Associated Press, still found on the website of “The Christian Science Monitor,” heralds the culinary value of mesquite pods, saying that in the Southwest, they’re a “tasty treat.” It goes on to claim that they are “now being added to smoothies, breads, and pancakes.” Prominently mentioned in the 2009 AP story is the Tucson-based group, “Desert Harvesters,” or DH, as the organization calls itself. A visit to the DH website reveals updated language that is certainly palatable to the “politically correct.” While acknowledging the help of area tribes and thanking them for access to traditional homelands, Desert Harvesters also “acknowledges our on-going commitment to un-learn and help change colonial behaviors.”

and the culture go up like the Pipeline Fire on a windy afternoon. Nothing I’ve witnessed at a drag show – yup, I’ve been – or on “Rupaul’s Drag Race: Untucked” is any more risque than your average trip to the apartment complex swimming pool or the beach in Rocky Point or Coronado. And I’ll guarantee you every weekend exponentially more Arizona kids go to the movies or stream violent, over-sexualized Hollywood crap than will witness Tess Ticular read “Hop On Pop” between now and the end of time. Meanwhile, those we elect are busy creating solutions in search of problems. At least it’s entertaining. Otherwise, it would be a total … drag.

But apparently no serious effort has been made to “un-learn” the colonial behavior of promoting commerce. A link to the DH virtual store promotes a cookbook for the “pre-order special price” of $35, and also invites the seriously committed to take one-hour “group walks” for up to a dozen people and costing $150. There are discounts for “nonprofit organizations and indigenous people purchasing for educational purposes.” The noble purposes of the Desert Harvesters, despite a rhetorical seasoning that is heavily “woke,” may soon receive wider circulation. If supply lines continue to slow and food shortages become a reality in this country, mesquite pods may soon find a use in a kitchen near you. But if you believe that argument can be advanced while the pods are still falling and store shelves remain fairly well-stocked, you might as well look for beachfront property in Yuma – roll a heavy boulder up a steep hill time and again in truly Sisyphean fashion.

How to get a letter published E-mail: pmaryniak@timespublications.com

Queen Creek Tribune welcomes letters that express readers’ opinion on current topics. Letters must include the writer’s full name, address (including city) and telephone number. Queen Creek Tribune will print the writer’s name and city of residence only. Letters without the requisite identifying information will not be published. Letters are published in the order received, and they are subject to editing. The Foothills Focus will not publish consumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not Queen Creek Tribune, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.

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Section 7 returned bigger and better BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

t’s the premier high school athletics event in Arizona. Every year it brings numerous high school basketball programs from across the western part of the U.S. and into the Midwest for a four-day showcase. College coaches flock to the Valley to see some of the top talent at Section 7, a tournament hosted by the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. “This has been a fantastic experience,” Queen Creek coach Daniel Bobik said. “It’s a great facility and the organizers do a really good job of it. For our kids, let’s be honest, the exposure piece is very important. I love the concept.” Since announcing its move to State Farm Stadium, Section 7 has grown exponentially. Last year, just under 200 high schools participated. This year, 231 boys and 18 girls’ teams played on 12 courts placed over top of the concrete floor that is typically covered by the Arizona Cardinals’ game field. Thursday, June 16, marked the official start of the tournament. Teams were split into 14 brackets on the boys’ side while the girls played in one large tournament. A cast of all Arizona-based schools kicked off the tournament on its first day. Friday was the scheduled start for several others playing in brackets featuring out-of-state opponents. Queen Creek began its tournament on Thursday playing in the Legacy Foundation Bracket, which featured all Arizona teams. The Bulldogs were without a chunk of its roster for the tournament, but they fought, nonetheless. After close losses to Mica Mountain and Fountain Hills,

The Section 7 high school basketball tournament returned bigger and better this year with more teams added from across Arizona and surrounding states and with more than 500 college coaches in attendance to watch games spread out on 12 courts at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. (Dave Minton/Tribune Staff)

Queen Creek coach Daniel Bobik is passionate about what Section 7 has to offer high school athletes. To him, exposure is the most important aspect of the tournament, as it entices kids not to leave for prep schools promising the same thing. (Dave Minton/Tribune Staff)

Queen Creek squeaked out a win against Washington. They capped off the tournament with a two-point loss to Desert Vista, a team that began to find its footing in the back-half of the tournament. Despite the outcome, it was still a unique experience for Queen Creek’s players. Junior guard Leyton Steenhard had the opportunity to show his leadership skills in front of college coaches, an experience he will always be thankful for. “I was excited because it’s a good stage to be on, to play on,” Steenhard said. “The feeling of the bright lights coming down, it’s amazing. It was a good experience, for sure.” Along with Queen Creek, Casteel also represented the far southeast Valley at Section 7, along with several other East Valley teams. Mountain View, Mesa, Desert Ridge, Red Mountain and Dobson were all present, as well as Perry, Gilbert, Highland, Mesquite boys and girls, Campo Verde and Higley. Chandler, Hamilton girls and boys, Basha and Valley Christian represented the Chandler area, while Saguaro, Chap-

arral, Scottsdale Christian, Horizon, Desert Mountain and Rancho Solano all represented Scottsdale. Desert Vista and Mountain Pointe out of Ahwatukee also competed. Bobik was passionate about what Section 7 offers high school basketball teams. In previous years, he has lost players to prep schools, a growing struggle with promises of playing out-of-state competition and getting maximum exposure to colleges. But Bobik believes there are opportunities for regular high schools, too, and Section 7 proves that. “The prep schools try to use exposure and competition as a carrot on the stick to go to a prep school,” Bobik said. “I don’t think that’s right, and I don’t think that’s true. This is a legitimate event, and you can play at your high school and still get whatever exposure you want.” Bobik isn’t wrong. Several East Valley athletes walked away with scholarship offers after Section 7. Some received multiple. Others placed themselves on the radars of schools, no matter the level.

Queen Creek junior Leyton Steenhard said Section 7 was a unique experience. It showed what he and his team need to improve on before the start of the season. (Dave Minton/Tribune Staff) From local community colleges to Division I blue bloods like Kentucky and Duke, coaches from all across the country flocked to State Farm Stadium to see athletes during the four-day event. Bobik said that aspect alone is better than anything he has witnesses at the prep scene. And he hopes more kids will realize that before making the jump. “I love the concept, I love the idea and I love that you can use it – for lack of a better term – as ammunition for kids who are potentially thinking about going the prep route,” Bobik said. “I can guarantee there are more coaches here this weekend watching them than they will get at prep schools over the entire year. “I’m glad this has been put together for teams that are a part of the AIA so kids can understand they can go to a public high school and still play at the next level.” This has been a fantastic experience. It’s a great facility and the organizers do a really good job of it. For our kids, let’s be honest, the exposure piece is very important. I love the concept.

GET OUT

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With JAN D’ATRI GetOut Columnist

This rub will make the perfect BBQ addition

have no idea if it’s Kansas City, Carolina, Texas, Memphis or St. Louis style. All I know is that this dry rub is magic dust on a rib – just in time for your summer menus. It’s the perfect seasoning for a meaty slab of pork or beef ribs, finished off with just a light brushing of barbecue sauce. So let’s tackle cooking first. Slow and low. It’s the only way to keep those juices moistening the meat. For the rub, don’t overpower. Generally, whatever sticks to the slab should give you just the right amount of flavor. And because BBQ sauce is loaded with sugar or honey that can burn, save it for the last 10-15 minutes, and then just lightly coat it on the slab at the end of the cooking process. You want the flavor of the rub to come through. Now for the rub. It’s an incred-

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Where Character Leads to Success. ibly simple formula I found in an old paperback cookbook called “Tasty Vittles.” This rub is the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, hot and salty. You can add a slightly citrusy kick if you’re using something like a chili lime sea salt, or burn it up big time with various chili powders. I’ve been on a quest for a good

Rub ingredients: (Makes about 1 cup) • 1 /4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed • 1 /8 cup sweet paprika (do not use regular paprika) • 1 /8 cup smoked paprika (do not use regular paprika) • 2 teaspoons onion powder • 2 teaspoons garlic powder (not garlic salt) • 1 /2 teaspoon dry mustard • 1/4 teaspoon cumin • 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes • 1 tablespoon sea salt • 1 tablespoon black pepper Directions: In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix with your hands or a fork, breaking up any lumps. Store in an airtight jar in the pantry

basic rub that I can make ahead, keep it in a jar in the pantry, and shake out onto a slab whenever I’m craving ribs, and this is it! Start with the basic rub and then add your own special touches using some of your favorite herbs and spices, a little at a time, until you make it your own. Rub some ribs and reap the rewards this summer!

or cupboard. For the ribs: • 3 1/4 pound slab of meaty ribs (I used pork back ribs) • 2 tablespoons grape seed or vegetable oil • 2 cups of your favorite BBQ Sauce, dividedHomemade dry rub Directions: Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with several sheets of tin foil. Brush oil lightly over top of ribs (meat side up). Sprinkle dry rub liberally over ribs and lightly pat. Bake for about 2 ½ to 3 hours or until thermometer reaches 180 degrees. Brush with one cup of barbecue sauce during last 10-15 minutes. Serve with remaining cup of barbecue sauce, warmed.

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