MAY 19 – JUNE 1, 2018 | www.SanTanSun.com
Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler and our neighboring communities
China rule hits recycle program hard here BY RICK BARRS Staff
Described as a “wakeup call” to the United States, the Republic of China’s decision to cease serving as a garbage dump for the world has crippled East Valley municipal recycling businesses, costing municipalities hundreds of thousands of dollars. The impact is dramatic: Last year, Chandler earned over a half-million dollars for selling its recyclables. This year, the Chinese action will cost the city nearly twice that instead to get rid of them. Declared “National Sword” by Chinese President Xi Jinping, China’s drastic change See
RECYCLING on page 8
In the swim
Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer
With summer water fun just around the corner, 2-year-old Frankie McMillion was among the youngsters whose parents brought them to Hamilton Aquatic Center in Chandler earlier this month for Water Safety Awareness Day activities. While fun was the order of the day, city staffers also gave CPR demonstrations while lifeguards “swim-tested” kids to determine the right swimming class for them. The city aquatics staff offers lessons for kids of all ages. Information about those classes: 480-782-2750 or chandleraz.gov/ aquatics. For more photos from Water Safety Awareness Day, see page 46.
Districts warn teachers: Seniors prepare to bid Mind your T’s and Q’s goodbye to high school BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor
BY COLLEEN SPARKS Managing Editor
The petition drive for a ballot question on a proposed tax surcharge on high-income Arizonans to raise more money for public education has created a potential tempest with a T-shirt for teachers and local school districts, including Tempe Union and Kyrene. Both districts, as well as Mesa and Chandler, have warned teachers that wearing the signature red shirts to class could violate state law and cost them as much as $5,000 in civil penalties – at least if there is any message on them, including #RedforEd. Some districts, including Kyrene and Chandler Unified, specifically warned teachers that opponents of their six-day walkout might try to turn them in for violating Arizona statute 15-511, which prohibits the “use of school district or charter school resources or employees to influence elections.”
Seniors at high schools in Chandler are preparing to celebrate a rite of passage with graduations this month. Seton Catholic seniors got a head start on their peers, graduating earlier this week. Most ceremonies for students in the Chandler Unified School District will be held May 29 and May 30 at various venues. Valley Christian High School will hold its graduation at 7 p.m. May 25 at Grace Community Church, 1200 E. Southern Ave. in Tempe. Graduating seniors with the highest grade point averages are honored with the title of valedictorian and the second highest with salutatorian. Other
Special to the SanTan Sun News
School districts are advising teachers and other staff that now that there’s a drive to get a tax surcharge initiative on the November ballot, these shirts could violate the law when worn on school grounds.
See
SHIRTS on page 10
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distinguished seniors have been chosen by their peers to deliver speeches at the graduation ceremonies, and adult administrators, teachers and at least one guest also will make remarks. Bands, orchestras and recordings will play “Pomp and Circumstance” and other traditional songs as parents and other family members try to capture the moment. Some schools will enlist their choirs to sing at the ceremonies. The 12th-graders planning to exit high school have earned millions of dollars in scholarships from post-secondary education institutions. About 792 graduates are expected at Chandler High School, which will hold its ceremony at 8 p.m. May 30 on the football field at the campus, 350 N. Arizona Ave. See
GRADUATION on page 16
Get a closer look at the grads on p.16 F E AT U R E STO R I E S
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Beloved Chandler High coach succumbs to cancer . . . . . . . . . . . .COMMUNITY . . . . . . Page 04 Chandler wedding planner does it all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . Page 26 Perry, Chandler High girls are champs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . Page 39 Students can learn digital storytelling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 54 El Sol restaurant a local landmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .EAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 69
Community . . . . .01-25 Business . . . . . . . 26-34 Sports . . . . . . . . . .39-41 Opinion. . . . . . . . 42-43 Neighbors. . . . . . 44-53 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . 54-60 Faith. . . . . . . . . . . .61-63 Classifieds. . . . . . 64-67 Where to Eat . . . 69-70
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