Westview drama students bringing 1920’s activist’s story to life in Radium Girls — Page 11.
DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY
Ballet Arizona returning to West Valley with free performance — Page 10.
AVONDALE CITY COUNCILMAN BRYAN KILGORE runs through the
Avondale. The city held a dedication ceremony for the play area, which was part of a $3.5 million renovation
that included upgraded softball and soccer fields, new picnic shelters, a barbecue area, new restrooms and more parking spaces. To see all photos from this shoot, go to www.westvalleyview.com/pictures.
Luck of the draw
Donnie Gerhart moves on to Tolleson runoff
by Emily Toepfer assistant editor
For two Tolleson council candidates, months of campaigning and hard work came down to the luck of the draw during a Sept. 13 City Council meeting.
Kathie Farr, who was first elected to the Tolleson City Council in 1999, lost to newcomer Donnie Gerhart in a game of high-card draw for a chance to take part in a Nov. 8 runoff election.
Out of the seven candidates vying for three open seats in the Aug. 30 primary election, only two obtained enough votes to win. Incumbents Albert Mendoza and Lupe Leyva Bandin secured seats with 420 votes and 404 votes, respectively.
The race for the third seat moves on to a runoff, where the top two vote-getters among the remaining
(See Draw on Page 2)
election
Leslie Merritt files lawsuit for wrongful arrest
by Emily Toepfer assistant editor
Leslie Merritt Jr. spent 214 days in solitary confinement accused of being the Freeway Shooter.
Avondale man names state, county, county attorney were caused by wrongful imprisonment. Attorneys for the former Avondale resident submitted a 20-page complaint Sept. 13 to Maricopa County Superior Court against the state, Maricopa County and County Attorney Bill Montgomery.
Charges have since been dropped, and the 22-year-old is now suing for damages he claims
Elizabeth Whittle completes 17-year sentence
by Emily Toepfer assistant editor
Avondale resident Elizabeth Whittle became a household name when she severely injured her infant quadruplets almost 19 years ago. Today, she was released from the Perryville Prison complex in Goodyear after serving a 17-year sentence for the abuse.
Whittle was 23 years old when the quads — then named Megan, Anthony, Robert and Damian — were born on Jan. 9, 1998, at St.
Lawsuit on Page 4)
View photo by Ray Thomas
newly built splash pad Sept. 17 at Friendship Park in
project
Elizabeth Whittle
Donnie Gerhart
Draw
(From Page 1)
candidates face off.
John Carnero was in third place with 340 votes. Since Farr and Gerhart were tied for fourth place with 321 votes each, a tiebreaker was needed to decide who would move on with Carnero.
Toward the end of the Sept. 13 council meeting, Tolleson City Clerk Crystal Zamora produced a sealed deck of cards.
Dale Crandell, the city’s deputy building official and inspector, shuffled the deck and each candidate selected a card. When they revealed their hands, Farr had a six and Gerhart a king.
Gerhart said he was feeling anxious going into the draw, and that he doesn’t normally play cards because he’s not very good at it.
“It was kind of my joke at work, that I don’t even play cards,” he said. “I’ve never played 21, I don’t play poker, because I don’t even win enough to keep playing.”
While he would have preferred if the state statute allowed all three candidates to continue on to a runoff, Gerhart felt the card game was more fair than the other option of a coin flip, he said.
Farr, who wore her lucky playing card shirt to the meeting, said the tiebreaker method was “ridiculous.”
“We’re in 2016; there’s got to be a more updated draw that they could have done besides cards,” she said.
It was the first time a tiebreaker has been necessary in Tolleson, Zamora said.
“It was an honor to be a part of history in the making; however, it was a very emotional night,” she said. “It’s never easy to say goodbye to a beloved council member that truly has the passion and drive to serve the community of Tolleson. During this pivotal change in our City Council, we will honor our past and position our future with the opportunities to come.”
Looking back
Out of her 17 years on the City Council, Farr is most proud of the renovations that were done along Van Buren Street in downtown Tolleson, she said.
But one of her most memorable successes was fighting the planned South Mountain Freeway, which would have split the city and demolished homes and city buildings, Farr said.
“That would have been devastating, and I didn’t have a problem speaking out,” she said.
Before her tenure as councilwoman, Farr served
on several citizen committees, and her late husband worked at the city’s wastewater treatment plant for many years.
“When he passed away in 1991, I got even more interested in what was happening in the city that I was raising my family in,” Farr said.
“I was very proud of myself. I was a single mom raising three kids here in Tolleson, and I felt like I could make a difference. On the other hand, I wasn’t sure I had what I needed to go into politics, but over the 17 years, I have learned amazing things.”
Farr said she’s disappointed she won’t be able to see some of the projects through, such as getting more housing in the city.
“On 91st Avenue, we’ve had developers that have brought forth great ideas, and I wanted to be a part of getting that done,” she said. “There were so many promises and so many ideas that I just wanted to be part of them.”
She plans to remain involved with the city even after her term is up, serving on boards and as president of the Tolleson Woman’s Club.
“I’ve got plenty there to keep me busy,” Farr said. “And I told them Tuesday night, I’ll be around. I’ll be at the council meetings and watching what’s going on.”
Moving on to the runoff election, Gerhart said he plans to reach out to more voters and get his name out.
“Honestly, I’m starting over, but taking campaigning to another level,” he said. “I’m not as known in the city as the other candidate, but I think I’ve gotten my name out there.”
The winner of the runoff will join Mendoza, Leyva Bandin and the newly elected mayor, Anna Tovar, on the council in January, along with current Vice Mayor Linda Laborin, Councilman Juan Rodriguez and Councilwoman Clorinda Erives.
Emily Toepfer can be reached at etoepfer@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @EmilyToepfer.
Correction
Wrong name
In a front page story about the opening of a splash pad at Friendship Park in the Sept. 14 edition, the name of one of the master artists involved in the project was incorrect. Her name is Betsy Etchart. The View regrets the error.
(From Page 1)
Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix.
After their birth, donations poured in for the family, including clothes, money, cradles and a car.
Three months later, details started to unfold about injuries sustained by the four small babies between March 9 and April 5, 1998.
The abuse, which authorities said occurred in the onebedroom apartment Whittle shared with her husband, the four infants and another 6-year-old daughter, left the babies with retinal hemorrhages, fractured skulls and a total of 78 broken bones.
Anthony suffered the brunt of the abuse, with injuries that included bilateral coronal fractures, intracranial bleeding and retinal hemorrhages consistent with “shaken baby syndrome,” reports stated.
On March 23, 1998, he was taken to West Valley Emergency Center (now Abrazo West Campus) in Goodyear with a fever of 105 degrees, and then flown by helicopter to Phoenix Children’s Hospital when doctors noticed his swollen head. After receiving antibiotics, Anthony was sent to Los Ninos Hospital until April 3.
Two days later, he was back in the hospital for injuries that had occurred in the previous 24 hours, Child Protective Services reported.
He had brain bruising and bleeding, retinal hemorrhages and fractures to his skull, ribs, collar bone and arm that left him blind and deaf.
The other three babies were examined and found to have severe skull fractures.
During the investigation, Whittle told police she was diagnosed as a manic depressive three years before the babies were born, but she said they changed her outlook on life.
No previous complaints had been filed against the family with CPS.
Avondale police submitted a criminal complaint against Whittle and the babies’ father, Tony Perez, on Aug. 4, 1998, and Whittle was arrested two months later.
Following a four-week trial, Whittle was found guilty on 13 counts of child abuse in November 1999. Two months later, she was sentenced to 172 years in prison.
A plea deal was later struck in 2005 that lessened her sentence to 17 years, including credit for the six years already served.
The deal came after a long struggle by Whittle’s attorney to have her conviction overturned based on an alleged conflict of interest involving her previous lawyers in 1999.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office decided it was a strong argument for an appeal, and offered the deal rather than attempt to restage the case before another judge and jury. Whittle will be on parole until February 2019.
The quadruplets, who were adopted by multiple families, are now 18 years old.
Avondale runoff election to cost taxpayers $18,000
Leading mayoral candidate falls 15 votes short of majority necessary to win seat outright during August primary
by Glenn Gullickson staff writer
The city of Avondale will pay more than $18,000 to conduct a runoff election to determine who will become mayor after the leading candidate failed to gain a majority vote necessary for election in August by a quarter of a percentage point.
Maricopa County charged the city $17,996 to conduct the Aug. 30 election, and a similar amount will be paid for the November runoff, Avondale City Clerk Carmen Martinez said in response to questions from the West Valley View.
The city also had about $1,000 in other election expenses in August and will have minor miscellaneous expenses for the November vote, she said.
Without a runoff, the city would not be responsible for November election costs, she said.
Election costs are built into the city’s budget and the runoff does not require a special appropriation, Martinez said.
To be elected mayor in the August election and avoid the runoff, a candidate needed to gather a majority of the vote — 50 percent plus one.
Kenneth Weise, who has been on the council since 2006 and was appointed mayor in 2014, collected 2,932 votes or 49.75 percent of the 5,893 votes cast for Avondale’s mayor candidates in August, according to the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office.
That means a shift of 15 votes in Weise’s favor would have elected him mayor and prevented the runoff.
In the runoff, which will be on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, Weise will face Vice Mayor Stephanie Karlin, a 12-year council veteran, who placed second in August with 1,566 votes or 26.57 percent.
Eliminated by the primary election was Frank Scott, a former councilman and vice mayor, who got 1,395 votes or 23.67 percent.
In the same election, voters selected three City Council members and approved extension of Home Rule authority.
Martinez said state law and the city charter set the requirement for a majority vote to be elected.
In 2014, Avondale City Council candidate Charlie Vierhout dropped out before the runoff election, but the ballots had been printed and the city paid for the election.
The November ballot went to the printer on Monday, according to Elizabeth Bartholomew, executive assistant to County Recorder Helen Purcell.
Martinez said the county “basically runs the election” for the city by hiring poll workers, printing ballots,
mailing early ballots and tabulating the results.
The county’s charge to conduct the city’s election is based on a fee of 50 cents per registered voter, whether or not they vote, Martinez said.
The cost is not affected by the number of city races or issues on the ballot, she said.
For the August election, the city also paid $14,044.91 for printing and mailing of a publicity pamphlet that went to voters, Martinez said.
Avondale had 35,992 registered voters eligible, with 6,421 casting ballots, according to Martinez.
That means each vote cast in August cost the city the equivalent of $2.80 paid to the county. Factor in the other expenses, and the city’s cost per vote cast was $5.14.
While only 17.8 percent of registered voters cast ballots, Martinez said the turnout was more than 1.5 percent greater than the council election in 2014.
She noted that 107 early ballots were rejected, most because they arrived late.
The runoff will cost less than the August election because the city will not have the expense of printing another pamphlet, something that is required when there is an issue on the ballot, such as the Home Rule measure.
But the fee the county charges will increase if there is an increase in voter registration, which Martinez noted is being promoted by numerous voter registration campaigns in advance of an election that will include choices for the high-profile races for president and sheriff and a measure about recreational marijuana. The registration deadline is Oct. 10.
Martinez said Avondale has been saving money after the city consolidated elections with state elections several years ago.
Before consolidation, the city paid the county $33,000 for an election in 2009, Martinez noted.
She said the city had been informed that without consolidation, future elections would cost $54,000 as the county planned fee increases.
Tolleson and Buckeye are also conducting runoff elections in November to select city council members.
Based on 2,833 registered voters as of Aug. 30, Tolleson’s county election charge would be $1,416.50.
Buckeye is having a runoff for City Council in District 1, where there are 3,900 registered voters, which would place the cost of a runoff at just under $2,000.
Glenn Gullickson can be reached at ggullickson@westvalleyview.com.
Officials suspect arson in church fire in Buckeye
by Emily Toepfer assistant editor
For the second time in two months, an abandoned church has gone up in flames in Buckeye, and arson is suspected in both cases, officials said.
Firefighters responded at about 5 p.m. Sept. 17 to Iglesia Cristiana Monte Zión near Pima Street and Verde Road in the Hopeville community in Buckeye and found the vacant church partially engulfed in flames, said Capt. Cliff Turner, a spokesman with the Buckeye Valley Fire District.
“Firefighters had a difficult time gaining access to the structure and had to attack the fire from the outside because of boarded and barred windows and doors,” Turner said.
A limited water supply in the area meant firefighters had to shuttle water in with water tankers, he said.
Firefighters with Buckeye Valley, the Tonopah Valley Fire District and the cities of Buckeye and Avondale worked for more than five hours to contain the fire and extinguish hot spots, Turner said.
No injuries were reported from the fire, he said.
The fire is being investigated by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Arson Unit, because no electrical service runs to the building.
Witnesses in the area also reported seeing a man enter the structure and leave in a white passenger car shortly after the building caught fire, said Officer Courtney Palma, a spokeswoman with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone with information about the fire or suspect is urged to call the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office at 602-876-1011.
The Lord’s House, 402 N. Fourth St., was also set on fire at about 3:30 a.m. July 18, officials said.
Anyone with information on the fire is urged to contact the Buckeye Police Department tip line at 623-349-6411.
Emily Toepfer can be reached at etoepfer@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @EmilyToepfer.
Kenneth Weise Stephanie Karlin
Lawsuit
(From Page 1)
Missing from the lawsuit is Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who was named in the notice of claim filed in March.
Ducey was previously included because of an infamous tweet he posted on Twitter moments after Merritt’s Sept. 18, 2015, arrest that read, “We got him!”
“The tweet was wrong; we believe it was something that shouldn’t have been done, and respectfully, we believe that in hindsight, if the governor had the opportunity to do it over again, he wouldn’t have sent that tweet,” said Jason Lamm, one of Merritt’s attorneys. “At the end of the day, we believe it comes down to an error in judgment.”
While Lamm said he believes the post is actionable in court, he recognized that millions of taxpayer dollars have already been spent on the investigation, wrongful arrest and attempted conviction of Merritt.
“We just don’t think it’s appropriate for the taxpayers to have to foot the bill for basically what amounts to a split-second error in judgment on the part of the governor,” Lamm said.
However, there is still a strong likelihood Ducey will be called as a witness in the case, he said.
No monetary amount is named in the complaint, because it’s not allowed by court law, said David Don, another attorney representing Merritt.
“The message we want to send is that the police and the prosecutors are not above the law,” Don said. “Everyone can be held accountable when there is wrongdoing.
“This is a case against poor police work. What we need more than the police are good police officers, objective investigators, competent scientists who aren’t swayed by bias and make awful, terrible mistakes because they’re under intense public scrutiny and pressure to end the publicity around this freeway shooting case.”
Merritt was charged with four of the 11 shootings reported on Interstate 10 last fall that terrorized Valley drivers for almost two weeks.
He was arrested after the Arizona Department of Public Safety allegedly matched his 9 mm handgun found at a Phoenix pawn shop to bullet fragments collected from vehicles that had been shot in late August 2015.
The case started to unravel in February when the state hired criminalist expert Lucien Haag to reexamine testing done by DPS. He determined results were inconclusive, and that while the gun could not be excluded from the case, it also couldn’t be definitively linked to the shootings.
Merritt was released from jail April 19, and the case was dismissed six days later without prejudice, meaning it could be refiled if new evidence is presented.
DPS Director Col. Frank Milstead said April 29 that the department continues to investigate the case and he still thinks there is enough evidence to develop probable cause to believe Merritt is the correct suspect.
Since his release, Merritt has begun to show signs of post traumatic stress disorder, including depression, anxiety, pacing and distrust, according to his attorneys.
“At the end of the day, when you spend such a long time in jail by yourself for a crime you haven’t committed, you’re always going to think people are following you around, you are going to have paranoia,” Lamm said.
Merritt is working full time again as he attempts to integrate back into society, but people still confront him on the street and even want to fight him in front of his young children, Lamm said.
“Leslie’s being a father, he’s being a good employee and he’s trying to get back to the very private and simple life that he once had,” he said. “It’s been very difficult for him.”
Emily Toepfer can be reached at etoepfer@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @EmilyToepfer.
Man struck by car in west Phoenix dies
View report
A man died after he was struck by a car at about 7:25 p.m. Sept. 17 near 103rd Avenue and Buckeye Road in west Phoenix, officials said.
The pedestrian was identified as Fadi Tawil, 38, said Officer Courtney Palma, a spokeswoman with the
Community Notes are published as space permits. The View runs these items free of charge as a service to the community and puts as many into each newspaper as possible. If you have a notice that must run by a certain date, please contact our advertising department at 623535-8439.
Buckeye Valley Museum opens new exhibits
The Buckeye Valley Museum opened Sept. 9 for the 2016-17 season, titled “The Rest of the Story,” which features four new exhibits: “In the Headlines,” “Holidays Past,” “The Journey: Pioneer Days to Buckeye Days” and “The Melodrama.
“In the Headlines” is open this month and October; “Holidays Past” will be open November and December; “The Journey: Pioneer Days to Buckeye Days” will be open January and February; and “The Melodrama” will be open March through May.
The museum, at 116 E. Main St. in Buckeye, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For information, visit buckeyeaz.gov/buckeye-valley-museum.
First Things First honored with statewide award
The First Things First Southwest Maricopa Regional Partnership Council, made up of local volunteers from southwest Maricopa County cities including Avondale, Buckeye, Gila Bend, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Tolleson and Tonopah, received the Eddie Basha Regional Partnership Council Excellence Award for Leadership and Service at the First Things First 2016 Early Childhood Summit Aug. 22-23 at the Phoenix Convention Center.
The annual award recognizes one of 28 regional councils from across Arizona for inspiring its local community to come together and promote positive and lasting change on behalf of young children.
The First Things First Southwest Maricopa region was recognized for its collaboration with local cities, businesses and school districts to serve families with young children. The council’s efforts have created an effective early childhood system, including opportunities for early interventions.
First Things First is a voter-created, statewide organization that funds early education and health programs to help youths be successful once they enter kindergarten.
League honors state legislators
The League of Arizona Cities and Towns recently honored 30 state legislators including Sen. Lynne Pancrazi, D-District 4, Rep. Mark Cardenas, D-District 19, Rep. Diego Espinoza, D-District 19, Rep. Charlene R. Fernandez, D-District 4, Rep. Lisa Otondo, D-District 4, and Sen. Martin Quezada,
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives don’t believe the driver was speeding or under the influence of alcohol when the crash occurred, Palma said.
Check back with the View for information as it becomes available.
D-District 29, for their work during the 2016 legislative session.
The League’s legislative agenda includes two basic core principles: commitment to local decision-making by the elected leaders of cities and towns, and a commitment to the revenue sharing system established by the voters through a series of initiative measures.
Buckeye Water Resources Dept. seeks volunteers
The city of Buckeye is looking for volunteers o share their time, talent and experience to assist city staff in a variety of different areas within the Water Resources Department.
The hours can be flexible to meet an individual’s schedule. Opportunities for volunteer assistance exist in several areas, including support services in Utility Billing, data entry, assisting staff with water sampling and site maintenance and landscaping.
For information, contact Gail House at 623-349-6103 or visit buckeye.gov/departments/waterresources.
Scammers targeting APS customers
Arizona Public Service Co. urges all customers to be aware of fake call center ploys and possible frauds. Small business and residential customers across Arizona are once again being targeted by individuals falsely representing themselves as APS employees. The potential victims receive an unsolicited phone call from the scammers and are instructed to call a tollfree number to pay their electric bill under threat of having service disconnected within the hour. The false phone number connects to a recording that mimics and sounds like an actual APS Customer Care Center recording. Customers are asked to select a number for the service they require, including reporting an outage. After the customer selects the option to pay his or her bill, an individual picks up the phone and says, “This is Wendy (or another name), thanks for calling APS. How can I help you?”
If a potential fraud victim begins to question the fake APS employee, the response is rude, followed by a disconnection of the call. Criminals used the same tactics in the fall of 2015.
APS security, local law enforcement and the FBI are working together to apprehend those responsible. To help customers from falling victim, APS suggests to never share credit card information with an unverified source. Customers who pay by credit card at aps.com will be directed to the Kubra EZ-Pay website, which asks customers to enter a “captcha” validation code. Any other credit card payment site is fraudulent and should not be trusted.
If there is ever a question about the validity of an email, website or person claiming to be an APS representative, immediately call the APS Customer Care Center at 602-371-7171 to verify the information.
Business Briefcase
by Shane McOwen staff writer
Welcome to another edition of the Business Briefcase, readers!
There’s a small chance you had to discard some plastic wrapping to get to this week’s edition of the paper. That’s right, folks, that means rain!
Unfortunately, I’m having to make these predictions a few days in advance, so there very well could have been no protective cover for the paper, and the weather could be dry as a bone. If that’s the case, please disregard the previous few paragraphs (For those who disregard the Briefcase Beginnings every week, carry on).
Let’s get down to business.
Last week, the Briefcase included Spirit Halloween, at the northeast corner of Dysart and McDowell roads in Avondale. Here are some additional seasonal stores for this week’s edition.
Halloween City has made an appearance at two locations in the West Valley. The first, in Avondale, is occupying the space of the former Sports Authority in
Avondale staffer named president of 3CMA
Pier Simeri, community relations and public affairs director for the city of Avondale, was named president of the CityCounty Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) the week of Sept. 7 at the 3CMA 28th annual conference in San Antonio. She was elected by 3CMA’s members, who work for cities, counties, public utilities and other local government agencies, and include professionals in the fields of public information, public relations, marketing, government television and public affairs. Simeri has more than 20 years
Gateway Pavilions at 10050 W. McDowell Road. The second is at The Market at Estrella Falls in Goodyear, 1785 N. Pebble Creek Parkway.
The store, which is still hiring, offers countless decorations and costumes for Halloween. Even its tagline is themed: “So much for so little, it’s spooky!”
Both stores are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday.
advising, supply and installation for energy efficiency in homes or businesses. Supergreen helps clients manage heating and cooling, lighting, energy, water and air systems to help people maximize their efficiency in consumption.
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Your Business News in our Best Read Feature
Get a write-up in Business Briefcase. Guaranteed exactly what you want, when you want. Only $80 per inch. Call Julie at West Valley View, 623-535-8439 or advertising@WestValleyView.com.
For information, visit www.halloweencity.com.
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In Goodyear, Huhtamaki North America is coming to Cotton Lane Commerce Park, near Cotton Lane and MC 85.
The Finland-based food packaging manufacturing company has purchased a 750,000-square-foot facility and is expected to create 300 jobs. The company expects to be in production by late 2017.
Huhtamaki makes food packaging items such as paper and plastic cups and food containers.
Lastly, SuperGreen Solutions has recently opened in Avondale, 11435 W. Buckeye Road, Suite 104-230.
SuperGreen Solutions is a “one-stop shop” for
of communications and marketing experience in state and local government, and has served on the 3CMA board for many years, including as vice president last year. In 2014, she received the 3CMA Communicator of the Year Award, which honors individuals who represent a wide variety of qualities, including leadership, innovation and strategic planning, ethics, quality of their work and contributions to 3CMA.
She joined Avondale in April 2000 as the city’s first public information officer. She currently leads a sevenperson department that performs a wide range of services including public information and media relations, marketing, digital/social media innovations, community outreach, council relations, intergovernmental affairs, transit management and grants administration. Founded in 1988, 3CMA is an organization for local governments that are innovating new and better ways of communicating with their citizens. For information about 3CMA, visit www.3cma.org.
SuperGreen Solutions has franchises across the United States, and two in Canada. It also operates in Australia, India, Brazil, the Bahamas and South Africa. The Avondale location is the first in Arizona.
For information, visit www.supergreensolutions.com or call 480-485-8498.
That’s all for this week, everyone. Looks like there are plenty of options for costume hunting this year, so no excuses when it comes to the costume contests!
Send questions, comments, tips or random statements to smcowen@westvalleyview.com. I appreciate all emails that come my way.
Take care, everyone.
Shane McOwen can be reached at smcowen@westvalleyview.com or onTwitter @ShaneMcOwen.
RE/MAX Real Estate agent earns awards
Goodyear resident Stacia Meeker of RE/MAX Preferred Choice — Meeker Real Estate Professionals in Goodyear recently earned two RE/MAX awards. She won the 2015 RE/MAX Platinum Club Award, which honors successful agents who have earned at least $250,000 in annual commissions. Less than 7 percent of all active RE/MAX agents received the award. She also won the RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award, which honors agents who have earned more than $1 million in commissions during their careers with the company. Less than 23 percent of all active RE/MAX agents have ever earned the award.
Meeker has been an agent at RE/MAX for nine years and has 25 years of extensive real estate experience.
Shane McOwen
Pier Simeri
Gema Fernandez, M.D.
Maria R. DiLeo, M.D.
Kim Roberts, W.H.N.P.
Cari L. Cowling, M.D.
James M. Johnson, M.D.
Briggs J. Geier, D.O.
Raymond D. Suarez, M.D.
Mayoral debate is right thing to do for voters
We hope Stephanie Karlin will take Kenn Weise up on his request for a debate. Avondale residents are paying enough for a special election, they deserve to hear what separates their two mayoral candidates.
The city’s current mayor and vice mayor were the top two vote-getters in a three-way competition for the City Council’s top seat in the August primary, edging out Frank Scott, a former councilman and vice mayor.
Mayor Weise was the top vote-getter, missing the majority needed to win by less than a percentage point. He took 49.75 percent to Vice Mayor Karlin’s 26.57 percent, necessitating a runoff election to be held during the general election in November.
If Weise had received about 15 more votes, the runoff would be a moot point and taxpayers wouldn’t have to pony up at least $18,000. But he didn’t, and even though Karlin sounded pretty dejected after the primary, she decided to stay in and duke it out till the end.
But when Weise suggested a scrimmage, Karlin turned him down flat, telling the West Valley View, “What would be the point? We have different leadership styles, we have different visions. We’re apples and oranges,” adding that voters already know the differences between them. But she only knocked on 2,300 doors and Weise only knocked on 1,800, and the one forum held featuring all eight candidates running for City Council seats saw an attendance of maybe 150 tops. That’s less than 12 percent of Avondale’s 36,000 registered voters. Obviously, both candidates have websites and the View ran biographies early on and reported on the forum, but there’s nothing like some good old fashioned face time to really get a feel for a candidate’s stance.
If Karlin had conceded, Avondale taxpayers would not have had to pay a dime for the November election, but because Avondale now has one issue on the general election ballot, its residents are on the hook for 50 cents per registered voter.
And that’s OK, rules are rules. The rules say a candidate must acquire a majority of the vote to win the seat outright. That didn’t happen. But if the taxpayers have to pay for another election, they deserve to know as much as they can about their choices. A one-on-one debate without another six candidates eating away at precious time would go a long way to educating the voters who aren’t as privy to their differences.
And it’s a chance to campaign in front of a captive audience, to reach even more potential voters.
We hope she will reconsider. We think the voters deserve to hear more about the candidates who are costing them an extra $18,000 this year.
Our Viewpoint editorials represent the opinions of the West Valley View editorial board, which is composed of Publisher Elliott Freireich and Managing Editor Cary Hines.
I do believe your getting better tho, only 1 bag lost this time. You Republicans are so easy to make fun of, you keep me in stiches, keep it up.
Alfred Molina Tonopah
Editor’s note: The West Valley View will not run any Letters to the Editor criticizing candidates in the Nov. 2 issue because it is the last issue before the general election on Nov. 8 and candidates would not have a chance to defend themselves.
Forked tongue
Editor:
if you never knew what a Republican is made of, all you had .To do was look at the trip Donald Trump took to Mexico. He talked nice. And was on his best behavior. If thats possible. And then when he came back to the good ole USA, he trashed the president of Mexico. Thats the trade mark of a bully. When thier confronted, they turn to mush.
This man not only lyies to the American people, he lyies to the Mexican people.
Him speak with forked tongue. Thats what the Indians in the old west used to say about a white man who lied about everything. Can’t you Republicans do any thing right?
You screwed up the polling web sites this time, plus you Republians lost a big bag with ballots.
Went so far wrong
Editor: The Presidential election this year could not offer a more clear choice between two very different people, with two distinctly different philosophies. Donald Trump wants to restore America’s greatness, while Hillary Clinton is content to follow her Progressive vision and let us slide into oblivion.
Trump wants to rebuild our military, which has been neglected and downgraded by the Obama administration. He is concerned about all the illegal immigration along with illegal drugs which are pouring across our Southern border. We need to be strong militarily because Obama’s policies have left a power vacuum on the world stage,which has jeopardized our security. Trump also knows that if a nation does not control its borders, that nation will eventually cease to exist. Personally I believe we owe it to posterity to make our nation the best it can be. Trump’s plan will work !
Hillary Clinton, on the other
hand, is talking about free college for everyone. She is concerned about a $15 minimum wage and breaking up Wall Street and the free enterprise system, which has made us a great economic powerhouse . The thing Clinton fails to realize is that without a strong military and without controlling our borders, her utopian dreams will never happen. Oh did I mention her obsession with the bogus issue of climate change ?
Trump is living in the real world. Clinton continues to be concerned with her fantasy world of political correctness, where she is perusing her Progressive utopia. To think that Hillary grew up in the affluent Northwest Chicago suburb of Park Ridge, was a member of the United Methodist church, and was a former Goldwater girl. How the hell could somebody with all those advantages have gone so far wrong ?
Roy Azzarello Goodyear
Charitable hypocrisy
Editor: Okay, so let me get this straight... Hillary Clinton had meetings with several high profile individuals while she was Secretary of State. Those individuals also donated to the
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THIS WEEK'S QUESTION
LAST WEEK’S RESULTS
L etters to the editor are published without any editing. Any errors in spelling,
Letters
(From Page 6)
Clinton Foundation. There’s no evidence that they received anything in exchange — aside from feeling better about themselves. The Clinton Foundation is a 5 star rated charity. A higher percentage of it’s contributions go toward the causes it supports than about 95% of other public charities. The Clinton’s don’t even take a salary. Yet Clinton has been hounded by the Press. They say she has to explain herself, it looks bad, maybe the foundation should be shut down. On the other hand, we have Trump. His for profit university was being investigated by the State Attorney Generals of Texas and Florida. In 2013 his Trump Foundation illegally made large contributions to the campaigns of both; then the investigations were dropped. Trump was recently fined by the IRS. Apparently, you can’t make tax deductible campaign donations through your nonprofit foundation. Here’s my question — who’s asking for his foundation to be shut down? Why is HE still allowed to call HER crooked? Talk about hypocrisy.
Karla Thompson Avondale
Drownings are preventable
Editor:
I raised many small children around pools, above ground and in ground. Please write about this subject, because you are a better writer than I. Go to a store that sales sporting goods. Buy a small swim vest that zips . Put it on the child backwards and zip it up. The child can not remove it. When the child is in the pool, they will bob to the top, head up. The child’s head will always be out of the water. In case of distraction. The child remains safe. Buy larger sizes until the child can. Swim. I can not listen to another story about a child drowning!
Jean Levandowski Litchfield Park
Respecting international law
Editor:
Dr. Jill Stein is the only presidential candidate of the four top contenders who knows AND respects world geography. Her running mate, Prof. Ajamu
Baraka also is seasoned in international affairs. They both know what Aleppo is, how that city has suffered intensely throughout Syria’s civil war, and the Jill Stein for President team issued a press release related to this topic on July 21, 2016.
On July 22, 2016 Counterpunch.org published an article written by Jill Stein that included the following; “In my platform, I call for a new approach to foreign policy based on human rights and international law. We must lead by example by respecting human life and national sovereignty, just as we would like ours to be respected.”
On that note, the Green Party Presidential candidate and running mate joined the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (upon their invitation) and more than 1,000 Native Americans representing at least 100 tribes on Tuesday at the site of this past weekend’s mass protest of the destruction of sacred land by the Dakota Access Pipeline. Stein tweeted Wednesday, “The Dakota Access Pipeline is vandalism on steroids.”
The earth is our mother, and we must teach our children to respect her. Water is life, and we must think generations beyond our own as we plan for the future. Voters have more than one choice (“the lesser of two evils”) this November for POTUS. In a recent USA TODAY and Suffolk University poll, 76% of likely voters polled believe a third-party candidate should be included in the debates if they are certified by a majority of state ballots. Let’s demand that Jill (as well as Gary) be allowed to debate Hillary and Donald. Jill is looking out for people, planet and peace over profits. #It’sinourhands.
Celeste M. Castorena Phoenix
Correlations revealed
Editor:
Some correlations between the Obama and possible Hillary administrations: Matthew 23:112 — Jesus spoke to the crowds and his disciples: “The scribes and Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses... do not follow their example. For they preach, but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and they lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen...They love places of honor...greetings in marketplaces, and salutations.... You have but one teacher, and
you all are brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not call one a master, you have but one Master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
A correlation between scripture and those who voted for Obama and plan on voting for Hillary: Matthew 13:13 — “... they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand...”
Susan Hewitt Goodyear
Guess I’m deplorable
Editor:
Since I believe in a small honest & uncorrupted federal government and personal responsibility, I guess “Her Self-Over-Esteemed” Hillary must include me in her “basket of Deplorables,” as I am a “not ever Hillary” voter based on her proven history of lies and corruption over at least 30 years on the taxpayers dole, whereas there is hope that Trump, with a proven history of successful business savoy in America and internationally, will take this nation in a better direction. Trump is a strong leader who advocates enforcing existing laws and making America great again for every citizen. Also, he will change policies under Obama which has turned America much further into debt and into a weak and disrespected nation. Hillary probably also considers me to be unpatriotic, even though I honorably served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, because I still feel proud and privileged to stand for our flag and national anthem.
Roy Sharp Goodyear
Jobs aren’t coming back
Editor:
The part of your analogy in your August 31st editorial, that the American consumers buying habits are the force behind the exodus of manufacturing jobs to overseas locations is misguided. Manufacturing jobs started leaving this country back in the Seventies not because American consumers were obsessed with buying cheap but because trade barriers were eliminated opening up foreign markets for American manufacturers in exchange for building factories overseas. As this business practice became more popular and entrenched,
overseas manufacturers became the preferred source of products for our markets here. Remaining domestic manufactures where forced to close or to merge with competitors. This consolidation not only eliminated additional jobs, it reduced competition, directly benefiting those overseas manufacturers. The rise of big box retailers and on – line providers along with the consolidation of brick and mortar retailers has minimized competition at the retail level. The minimization of competition in the supply chain allows the suppliers to control the products they provide to the marketplace, neutralizing the customer as the driving force. So are we obsessed with cheap or are we settling for cheap so that corporations may profit? Cheap is not necessarily low cost, advantage to the supply side guys. They have sold us a bill of goods that leaves us with very few choices. Unfortunately, those choices amount to different color logos on the front of their stores.
For the last forty years this country has had consistent monthly trade deficits. Do you need any more proof of our complete dependence on overseas manufacturing? We are in a stranglehold that threatens more than just good paying jobs in this country. Maybe the consumer can still impact the situation but it is going to take a lot more than you, me and our neighbors changing our buying habits.
Jim Ely Goodyear
Is Hines after Limbaugh’s job?
Editor:
Rumor has it that Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and maybe Bill O’Reily will soon be retiring. After reading your editorial of Wednesday, September 14th, Biden wouldn’t call Americans deplorable, I have concluded that Cary Hines your managing editor, is auditioning for their jobs.
Yes, I know that editorials, like letters to the editor, are opinions. Cary’s editorial, however, is saturated with half truths and statements prefixed with “I can only imagine”. Personally, I believe Hillary will make an excellent President and that Cary Hines will make an excellent replacement for Rush Limbaugh. The West Valley View will be viewed as a partner to Fox news and the “far right “as long as Cary Hines remains managing editor.
I wish Cary good luck in finding a more suitable position
and encourage the West Valley View publisher to help expedite her departure.
Jorge Diaz B. Tolleson
Central poorly redesigned
Editor:
Being in the vicinity of Central in Avondale almost daily for the past 6 months has been a lesson in horrific engineering. The road has recently undergone a complete renovation. While I fully understand having totally separate bike lanes, and the left turn lane in the center, to do this they took a 4 lane road down to 2? More importantly, I wish to know the name of the incompetent engineer that thought putting bushes between the bike lanes and the road right up the the openings to side roads and parking lots was a good idea. There have been many accidents already caused by near total lack of sight-lines upon trying to enter from side roads or parking lots. Unless you drive a mega-lifted truck or a tractor trailer, you have no idea what is coming from either side. I will heretofore apologize in advance for my anger but my niece was almost killed in a similar circumstance in Phoenix and will live a lifetime of severe pain, and I see the same situation happening here for some other unfortunate person.. Did anyone employed in Avondale’s roads department think to mention this to their higher-ups? It is so mindnumbingly stupid sometimes I can’t believe they actually did it. Please pull out the bushes before you get your butts sued bigtime, and somebody dies.
Frank Cardinali Goodyear
Vote yes on Pendergast bond
Editor:
District bonds work a lot like home loans or corporate bonds. The basic purpose is to allow the borrower to spend money right away and then pay it back over time. Bonds are usually used to fund capital improvement projects for repairs and maintenance of facilities. In Pendergast District, a needs assessment was conducted to determine the priorities of the district and the impact of the loss of more than $8 million in revenue caused by State budget reductions.
(See Letters on Page 8)
Avondale, Arizona, Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Letters
(From Page 7)
As a former principal and a resident of Pendergast District, I know how the value of good schools helps maintain my property values. Our YES for Pendergast Schools Committee has worked to bring the facts to people about how the Bond funds would be used. The proposed 2016 Bond will continue the provision of $59,950,000 at no tax increase to homeowners and addresses four areas:
1. New construction projects to address increases in student enrollment, including new classroom additions to Amberlea, Pendergast and Sunset Ridge Elementary Schools.
2. Improvements to the learning environment at every school site. The bond will address three primary areas to help create a 21st century technology system.
3. Safety and security upgrades and maintenance, repair, replacements, and refurbishing of schools and district facilities.
4. Replacement of aging buses and transportation vehicles.
To find out more about the Bond Election, the public is invited to two presentations to deliver information and to give the public the opportunity to ask questions.
• September 21, 5-6 pmWestwind School – 9040 West Campbell
• October 5, 5-6 pm - Garden Lakes School – 10825 West Garden Lakes Parkway Pendergast District takes prides in its financial transparency and accountability to our community. It deserves
our support. PLEASE join me in voting YES on the upcoming November 8, 2016 Pendergast Bond Election.
Johnny Chavez Phoenix
What future do we want?
Editor:
Here we are less than two months’ away from the 2016 Presidential Election: although I’m not too thrilled with the choices we have for candidates — we have to decide what kind of future we want for us. And what kind of a future our children will have.
Back in 1992, I wrote to our Governor and gave him the idea to expand AHCCCS, to include lowincome workers who do not have Health Insurance. The income limit to qualify for AHCCCS is now $1200.00 a month.
Another letter I sent to the Governors’ office, was to bring a vocational school to Buckeye. The Estrella Mountain Community College now has a Satellite campus in Buckeye. My idea of a vocational school is to provide job training to people on welfare, to get job skills, so that they get off of welfare and become self-sufficient, productive individuals. They have computer classes and so does the Buckeye Library. We also need to reach out to help individuals (through Project Literacy) to learn to read and write. How will they be able to use the Internet if they can’t read?
According to our States’ Treasurer, Jeff De Witt, we have a surplus of $3 Billion Dollars
in Our States’ Budget (due to the record of tax returns filed this year.) Was Prop. 123 necessary? No. We have enough money to fund our States’ Education. I believe we can reduce our States’ sales tax. To get out of our National Debt of $19 Trillion Dollars, stop using plastic money and pay down your credit card debt. We need to reduce corporate tax (to 10%) and have a Wage Freeze. Manufacture quality goods like cars, smart phones below our competitors’ price. Made in the U.S.A. How about a National Health Insurance funded by tax Dollars? And Affordable?
Laura Rivas Buckeye
Why you must vote for Trump
Editor:
I recently received a request for money from the Republican Party telling me all the great things they’re planning to do after the presidential election. It made me ask the question: What have you done for the American people up to now? The voters gave you a majority in the House and Senate and you have done nothing with it.
You have become very successful at becoming political drones adept at lining your pockets with syndicated money and campaign contribution. And now you want me to contribute to your cause. You might feel that I am a fool, but I’m not stupid! Because of your lack of leadership and obsession to protect your own self-interest, America has become week and is on the verge of going bankrupt. We are becoming a nation of victims being invaded by illegals and special rights groups where it is becoming diffi cult to recognize the country we were born in. I’m sick of politicians and sick of the Democratic and Republican parties they belong to.
officials. It’s up the great majority to stand up and find new leaders.
David Rye Goodyear
Chaplains under fire
Editor:
Recently, a mass grave of over fifteen thousand human remains was uncovered in Iraq. On inspection the lost souls were Yazidis, Christians, Muslims and Kurds, who refused Isis’ form of brotherly love. At the onset of Isis’ attacks on the Yazidis and Christians, a Yazidis spokesman was in Washington D.C. begging for help for her people and was turned away.
This shouldn’t surprise you at all! This president is in with the Atheist lobby Mike Weinstein and their goal is to spiritually disarm our Chaplains.
Anti-religious bigotry and tearing down of our moral values are twin pillars of the transformation. Obama is carrying out, rendering our military chaplains powerless to share their faith to needy soldiers without suffering persecution. The vital work of military chaplains may soon be a crime punishable by court martial and possible imprisonment. Any expression of faith is under attack. Pray for our country and let our votes resound this fall.
Analie Maccree Goodyear
‘Happy atheist’ is wrong
Editor:
God sums it up beautifully when He says to Job, “Where were YOU when I laid the foundations of the earth?” You think that your limited, screen-shot of creation, wisdom is greater than the One who is eternal and holds the stars in the palm of His hand?
Some people do receive healing, while others do not. Many of the ancient prophets were killed and tortured, while others were delivered. Yet none of them ever stopped praising God. If you would just crawl out from behind your sheltered and insulated news; you would see that the sick are healed, the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised on a daily basis! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Doug Sargent Goodyear
Where were you then?
Editor:
I am astounded by all of the people incensed with football players not standing for the National Anthem. What a bunch of losers you are! Where were you when NFL players were beating the “crap” out of their wives and girlfriends?
Not standing for the Anthem is their Constitutional right. Beating a wife, or anyone for that matter, is illegal in all 50 states. Where was your outrage then? Where were all your letters demanding the NFL deal head on with this issue by sitting out of games, financial penalties, not to mention psychological counseling?
Maybe you all should take a moment and review your priorities, because they stink!
Sue
Coady Goodyear
And, I want it fi xed by electing for president a nonpolitician, Donald Trump. He is saying things that desperately need to be said and fi xed, but no politician has shown the fortitude to stand up and say them too. He’s not a political drone using lobbyist money to fund his campaign. He is using his own money to fi nance most of his campaign.
Trump may not be much of a choice, but he is a heck of a lot better than Clinton, a lying, cheating Wall Street funded and controlled politician.
P.S. Thought for the day: No country can sustain perpetual incompetency of their elected
I saw this article yesterday from someone called “the happy atheist” that asked, “If faith can heal people, why do churches have handicap parking?” Here is your answer, if you dare read it. But the the heart of the issue, you implying that since everyone who goes to church is not healed, then it’s all fake. I guess all the multitudes of people who have been healed are lying. You also asked, “Why don’t faith healers go to hospitals?” They do actually, and people are healed.
God is NOT our personal genie who obeys our commands. We don’t love Him because of what He does for us, we do so because of who He is. If, after the day of my salvation, Jesus never did another thing for me, He will have a ready done enough.
The Apostle Paul, who himself laid his hands on people and saw them healed, was denied healing himself. Why? God says, “My grace is sufficient for you” God sees the big picture, you do not.
EMCC campaign promotes civil discourse
‘I Am Human’ student initiative works to curb use of offensive language on
by Glenn Gullickson staff writer
A project launched last year at Estrella Mountain Community College to curb offensive language is gaining attention for working to change behavior on campus.
The “I Am Human” campaign encouraging civil discourse was the result of an incident on campus that directed offensive language toward the LGBT community and women.
“It’s helping people understand that it’s not OK to be bullied,” Ri’Ann Holmes said of the campaign that she helped to create on the Avondale campus.
The effort, which includes posters, a website, video and presentations, has collected awards and garnered interest from other campuses.
It all started in spring 2015, when a student success event on campus featured a display inviting students to write their hopes for the future by completing the phrase “When I graduate, I will ….”
Holmes, 21, who identifies herself as an ally to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, wrote that she hoped to advocate for transgender individuals.
The statement was defaced with an anti-gay slur, which upset Holmes’ friend, a closeted gay student, when she discovered it.
“That made me want to take this further,” Holmes said. “I saw someone in pain. If she didn’t break down in front of me, this may never have happened.”
When sociology faculty member Olga Tsoudis was alerted to the offensive alteration, she also found derogatory language directed toward women written among the entries on the board.
“That’s not inclusion, that’s not what this campus is about,” Holmes said.
Holmes said she asked Tsoudis for help and they met with the campus Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, a club that Tsoudis advises, and “I Am Human” was hit upon as the name for the awareness campaign.
“It kind of fit,” Holmes said, because the campaign addresses every type of discrimination that people could identify with, including race, gender, sexual orientation, ageism and immigration status.
Michael Bartley, coordinator of marketing for EMCC, was among staff and administrators who became involved and helped develop campaign material.
“We let the students drive the show,” he said. “They were driven not to let this opportunity slide by. They came up with the concept.”
Students who have been subjected to offensive
language are featured on the campaign’s posters that are used as campus-wide bulletin board postings that serve as a reminder to think before speaking.
Bartley said the posters were designed to be frank and confrontational by using some of the derogatory terms (many of which cannot be used in a newspaper).
There’s also a website featuring a video with about a dozen students and faculty members talking about how language can be hurtful.
Holmes said the goal is not to become politically correct language police.
“I don’t want to filter anyone,” she said. “It’s about being aware of what you say. What you say reflects back on you.”
Members of the faculty have been encouraged to use the lessons in their classrooms, and campus counselors discuss the issues with students, Tsoudis said.
It’s also being used in workshops offered to incoming students, Bartley said.
“Students come here to be safe, to be better citizens … when you’re confronted by horrible language, it can twist your values,” he said.
Tsoudis said the campaign has become part of the campus culture and fits with the college’s values of respect, integrity and diversity.
“I think it really impacted the students,” she said.
Holmes, who graduated in May and works part-time at EMCC’s academic affairs office, said she is pleased with how the campaign has developed.
“It just keeps getting bigger,” she said.
Bartley said it’s hoped that the campaign will grow past its first year to become a “continual force” on campus.
He noted that the issue goes beyond college settings.
“It’s a problem that exists everywhere. We see it on the news every day,” he said.
Bartley said the campaign has been the subject of about 20 workshops, including a presentation at a national convention for community college educators in Chicago.
“We’ve gotten wonderful feedback,” he said.
The effort has been recognized by the 11-campus Maricopa Community College system with awards for innovation and diversity, and Tsoudis said other schools have sought information about using the concept.
Beyond improving the discourse on campus, Tsoudis said the campaign has demonstrated to students that their ideas for improvements can become reality.
“It was good for the students to see that they can promote change,” she said.
For information about the “I Am Human” campaign,
campus
the project last year after a
wrote on a campus display was defaced with an anti-gay slur.
visit www.estrellamountain.educ/iamhuman.
Glenn Gullickson can be reached at ggullickson@westvalleyview.com.
EMCC awarded $2.6 million federal grant
Funding over 5 years targeted toward Hispanic students
by Glenn Gullickson staff writer
Rivera noted that 77 percent of EMCC’s Hispanic students are the first in their families to attend college, which means they lack examples of successful college students in their family to emulate.
“When you’re first generation, all this is brand new,” Rivera said.
Such students are helped by assigning advisers and mentors and directing them to a college success class, he said.
been awarded the grant funded by the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program and administered by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education.
A five-year $2.2 million grant awarded in 2001 was focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education.
Willekens said EMCC has had increasing competition for the grant funds since more colleges are attracting enrollment from the Hispanic community.
Estrella Mountain Community College serves more than 14,000 students annually as one of 11 colleges in the Maricopa Community College system.
“When you’re first generation, all this is brand new.”
Hispanic students at Estrella Mountain Community College will benefit from programs created from a $2.6 million federal grant the school will receive over the next five years. The Placement, Pathways and Prevention grant funding will provide the Avondale-based college with $524,437 for the first budget year beginning Oct. 1.
The funds will be used for programs that help Hispanic students and others complete courses and increase graduation rates, according to Rene Willekens, EMCC’s dean of institutional research, who was involved in writing the grant application.
Willekens said last year’s fall enrollment of 9,303 students included 4,477 Hispanics, or 48 percent of the student body, far more than the 25 percent needed for a college to qualify to apply for the grant.
The Hispanic students represent a growing portion of the student body, up from 33.8 percent 10 years ago, he said.
Willekens attributed the trend to an increasingly diverse population in the area served by the college.
But it’s a group that needs help to achieve academic success, according to Rey Rivera, EMCC’s vice president of learning.
Rivera said 61 percent of students need one or more developmental education class in subjects such as reading, English and math to prepare students for college classes.
To reduce that number, the grant will help fund “boot camps” and online resources so students can review background knowledge needed for a college class, he said.
Willekens said it’s hoped the programs will help increase the twoyear college’s graduation rates.
He said 16 percent of first-time, fulltime Hispanic students graduate within three years.
Of particular concern is the graduation rate for male Hispanic students, at 12 percent, Willekens said.
“Performance of male students is a national challenge as females tend to do better academically in college,” he said.
The grant also provides up to $200,000 for a scholarship endowment with the requirement that the college raise matching funds, Willekens said.
The administrators noted that all students have similar challenges and the programs the grant will fund have the potential of helping everyone attending EMCC, since anyone will be able to take advantage of them.
They said it’s the third time EMCC has
A $2.8 million grant awarded in 2008 was used to help the school become a learning college and increase student engagement.
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Submitted photo
RI’ANN HOLMES, an Estrella Mountain Community College student, is featured on a poster for the “I Am Human” campaign at the Avondale campus. Holmes helped launch
statement she
— Rey Rivera EMCC vice president of learning
Free Ballet Under the Stars returning to Goodyear Thursday
by Kourtney Balsan
special to the View
Combining Arizona’s desert landscape with the enchanting art of dance, Ballet Arizona is presenting its 19th annual Ballet Under the Stars at various Valley locations.
The free performance returns to the West Valley at 7 p.m. Thursday at Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater, 10300 S. Estrella Parkway in Goodyear. Shows will also take place in Fountain Hills, Phoenix, Tempe and Sun City West.
Ballet Arizona, which is in its 30th season, sees the performances as a gift to the communities, and a way to expose people to live professional ballet, said Samantha Turner, executive director at Ballet Arizona.
“Art enriches and changes lives. We want to give people the opportunity to experience the art of ballet without worrying about cost,” Turner said. “We rely on the contributions from individuals, foundations, corporation and government to fund about half of the cost of presenting our season. Ballet Under the Stars is a ‘Thank you’ to all those supporters.”
The dancers come from all around the world, from Argentina, Brazil and Canada to Cuba, Russia and Spain, as well as the United States, including the Phoenix area, Turner said.
“The dancers rehearse Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the season,” she said. “They just returned from the summer break on Aug. 22 and have been preparing for this production ever since.”
This year’s Ballet Under the Stars will include excerpts from La Bayadère, which the company will perform in October, as well as George Balanchine’s Symphony in Three Movements, Turner said.
It is directed by Ib Anderson, who has been with Ballet Arizona for 16 years and is a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet.
The outdoor performance has been a tradition for almost 20 years, but it’s only the fifth time being held in Goodyear, said Guylene Ozlanski, arts and culture coordinator for the city of Goodyear.
“Ballet Under the Stars is a way for Ballet Arizona to bring the beauty and elegance of the ballet to a diverse population under the backdrop of nature,” Ozlanski said. “The city of Goodyear partners with [Estrella developer] Newland Communities to create a festival around the ballet performance at North Lake in Estrella communities. The city organizes a fun-filled, familyfriendly evening with activities centered on the arts.”
Through a collaboration with Ballet Arizona, Newland Communities and local schools, Goodyear youths receive free dance classes with the Class Act program at Estrella Mountain Elementary School, Ozlanski said. The children will also perform during the event Thursday.
Vendors will sell food at the event, which will also include Goodyear’s mobile museum, face painting and art exhibitions, Ozlanski said.
Take lawn chairs or blankets to sit on.
For information, visit balletaz.org.
Kourtney Balsan can be reached at Kbalsan@westvalleyview.com.
EMCC celebrates Hispanic heritage
View report
Two Maricopa Community College administrators will share the stories of their journeys during Hispanic Heritage Month events at Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale. Events observing the month started Sept. 15 and continue through Oct. 14 at 3000 N. Dysart Road.
For events titled What’s Your Story?, Maria Harper-Marinick, chancellor of the Maricopa Community College District, and EMCC President Ernie Lara will discuss their life stories. Here’s the schedule of remaining events:
• Today: The LinkedIn/Women Rising Workshop will give assistance in creating a LinkedIn profile provided by Women Rising and the Career Transfer Center from 1 to 2 p.m. at Estrella South Room 115.
• Thursday: The film No Mas Bebes will be screened, followed by a discussion from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center Room 114.
• Sept. 27: Loteria (bingo) will be played and the origin of the game will be discussed from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Estrella Hall South North Community Room 260.
• Sept. 28: The annual Cesar Chavez Luncheon will commemorate the life of the Hispanic leader from noon to 1 p.m. at the Estrella Conference Center.
• Oct. 4: EMCC Student Storytelling will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center Room 147.
• Oct. 6: Salsa y Salsa will include a contest for best salsa and salsa dancing instruction from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Student Union.
• Oct. 11: What’s Your Story? will feature Harper-Marinick discussing her journey from the Dominican Republic to becoming chancellor of the community college district from11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Estrella Conference Center.
• Oct. 12: A Shrine Box Workshop will feature EMCC faculty member Annie Buerntello demonstrating how to make a shrine box for Dia de los Muertos from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Plaza Gallery.
• Oct. 13: A Mask Making Workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Plaza Gallery.
• Oct. 14: What’s Your Story? will feature EMCC President Ernie Lara discussing his journey from Prescott to becoming a leader in education from 11 a.m. to noon at the Plaza Gallery. All events are free and open to the public. To attend the Cesar Chavez Luncheon, an RSVP must be made to EMCC Student Life by calling 623-935-8807. For information, email emcc.hhmc@estrellamountain.edu.
View photo by Jordan Christopher
Radium Girls opening tonight at Westview H.S.
by Ciara Escalante
special to the View
Move over, Norma Rae and Erin Brokovich, there’s another activist in town, and the Westview High School Arts Department is bringing her story to life.
Radium Girls will be performed at 6:30 p.m. today through Friday at Westview High School’s Performing Arts Center, 10850 W. Garden Lakes Parkway, Avondale. Admission costs $7; $5 for students and people with military ID.
Jazmin Gonzalez, goes on a daring path to fight for justice, defending herself and everyone who was affected by the radium.
WHAT: Radium Girls WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today through Friday
WHERE: Westview High School’s Performing Arts Center, 10850 W. Garden Lakes Parkway, Avondale COST: $7; $5 for students and people with military ID
The original drama, written by D.W. Gregory, is inspired by the true story of Grace Fryer, a dial painter who worked at the U.S. Radium Corp. in Orange, N.J., in the 1920s. The company was known for its luminous watches, which were made by the ‘radium girls.’
Safety concerns quickly escalated when a mysterious illness broke out and caused many of the radium girls to become sick. Medical tests revealed the source of the disease to be radium, which was being used to make the watches glow in the dark.
It was later revealed the radium in the paint being used on the watches’ dials was poisonous. The U.S. Radium Corp. did not disclose that to the radium girls and continued to tell them it was not harmful.
Fryer, played by Westview senior
“She grows up throughout the play. She goes from a young naïve girl that’s just doing her job, but she gets stronger down the line. She realizes she needs to stand up for herself and that no one is going to do it for her,” Gonzalez said. The play follows not only Fryer, but other individuals who were impacted by the incident, including Tom Kreider, Fryer’s fiancé, played by sophomore Reilly McCoy, and Mr. Roeder, the president of the U.S. Radium Corp., played by senior Isaiah Moreno.
The director of the play, Lynn Holliday, said she is proud of her students’ commitment to the characters, adding that a majority of the roles deal with deep human emotions.
“I wanted to challenge the students with roles that had deep character issues that would make them use their raw emotions,”
Holliday said.
She also believes the play will spark interest with the audience, she said.
“It’s intriguing because it actually happened,” Holliday said. “Also, at the time, women didn’t have much of a voice. Grace showed courage, which is inspiring and moving for the audience to witness.”
School Notes are published as space permits. The View runs these items free of charge as a service to the community and puts as many into each newspaper as possible. If you have a notice that must run by a certain date, please contact our advertising department at 623-535-8439.
Littleton District to destroy special ed. records
The Littleton Elementary School District will destroy all special education records of former pupils who discontinued special education services, withdrew, transferred or graduated in 2010. Parents who wish to view their children’s records can call the Exceptional Student Services office at 623-478-5682 by Sept. 30.
IRS warns of back-to-school scams
The Internal Revenue Service warns taxpayers against telephone scammers targeting students and parents during back-to-school season and demanding payments for non-existent taxes, such as the “Federal Student Tax.”
Scamming calls tend to rise during the back-to-school season. The caller ID on the incoming call may read the IRS, local police or another agency and threaten the person being called to pay money immediately or be arrested.
The IRS reminds people that it will never demand immediate specific payments over the phone.
Anyone who receives a scam call should not give out any information, and should hang up immediately and report the number to treasury.gov/tigta.
Rachel Renaud named to dean’s list
Rachel Renaud of Avondale has been named to the spring 2016 honors dean’s list at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
To be named to the honors list, a student must have a GPA of 3.6 to 3.79.
Charles Rocker graduates
Charles Rocker of Goodyear has graduated from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. He received a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology-exercise science concentration history.
Kaitlin Marie Reeves named to dean’s list
Kaitlin Marie Reeves of Buckeye has been named to Iowa State University’s spring 2016 dean’s list in Ames, Iowa.
To be named to the dean’s list, a student must have earned a GPA of at least 3.5 with 12 credit hours.
Connor Joseph Moore named to honor roll
Connor Joseph Moore of Goodyear has been named to the spring 2016 honor roll at the University of Oklahoma Norman campus in Norman, Okla.
To be placed on the honor roll, a student must have a minimum 3.5 GPA with at least 12 credit hours.
Thai Quang Ong graduates
Thai Quang Ong of Avondale has graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.
Breanna Schukar inducted into honor society
Breanna Schukar of Avondale has been inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda nontraditional honor society. Schukar is a senior studying nutrition and health at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.
5
West Valley students receive scholarships
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix has awarded scholarships to five West Valley students; Yolotzin Avila-Cruz of Avondale, Dalia Cardenas Garcia of Avondale, Dallas Chewning of Litchfield Park, Mayra Hernandez of Buckeye, Jennifer Owusu-Ankomah of Avondale and Alias Sturges of Goodyear. The scholarships range from $1,500 to $2,500 each.
Damin Kippes named to honor roll
Damin Kippes of Buckeye has been named to the President’s Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA for the spring 2016 semester at Bismarck State College in Bismarck, N.D.
Hai Duc Dang graduates
Hai Duc Dang of Avondale has graduated from Fort Hays State University Hays, Kan., with a Master of Science in psychology.
Great Hearts receives $50K APS grant
Great Hearts received a $50,000 grant from the APS Foundation to support its two-year pilot program to deliver toptier math education in collaboration with Reasoning Mind.
Reasoning Mind is a national nonprofit that offers the Russian Mathematics curriculum together with a thorough and intentional method of instruction. The partnership between Great Hearts and Reasoning Mind features a master mathematics teacher as the center of instruction. The teacher is supported by a technology platform that allows students to work through problems at a level that challenges them and enables the teacher to work with small groups to provide targeted instruction.
Great Hearts has two campuses in Goodyear, Archway Classical Academy – Trivium East for kindergarten through fifth-graders and Trivium Preparatory Academy for six- through 12th-graders.
Gary Shoars graduates from Bemidji State Univ.
Gary Shoars of Avondale has graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minn.
View photo by Jordan Christopher
W ESTVIEW HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE REILLY MCCOY , left, and senior Jazmin Gonzalez rehearse their lines from Radium Girls Sept. 15 at the Avondale school. To see all photos from this shoot, go to www.westvalleyview.com/pictures.
Buckeye, Tolleson football lose; Agua Fria girls golf program returns; E.F. grad hired to coach soccer at Buckeye
Desert Edge tops Mesquite, stays unbeaten
Scorpions win despite struggles in red zone
by Casey Pritchard sports editor
Desert Edge coach Rich Wellbrock was not a happy camper following his team’s 24-13 victory over Gilbert Mesquite Sept. 16, and with good reason.
The Scorpions, at times, were sloppy handling the ball on offense, which led to turnovers and stalled drives.
“We couldn’t catch the snap at times, and we put the ball on the ground too many times, plain and simple,” Wellbrock said. “We have not gotten into a flow on offense yet this season. We could be pretty dangerous if we did.”
Desert Edge looked really dangerous when it did handle the ball properly, amassing 429 total yards. Most of them came from the ground attack, as the Scorpions rushed for 316 yards. Rocky Perez had 170 yards on 23 carries.
“The line was just doing their thing,” Perez said. “It’s really easy to run behind some big boys.”
Despite the massive offensive numbers, Desert Edge only scored 24 points. Fourteen of those came on fourth-down plays, or else the Scorpions might have been in a real battle to the end.
“It was very frustrating,” Desert Edge senior Roshuan Johnson said of the lack of scoring. “The main focus tonight was ball security, and I think we lacked it. We need to really focus on that next week during the bye week and really hit that hard because we can’t be fumbling like that. That’s why the score was so close.”
Although Wellbrock was frustrated with his team’s offensive performance, he had praise for the defense, which allowed just 177 total yards. One area the defense was especially strong in was stopping wide receiver screens. Every time the Wildcats tried to throw short to the outside, Desert Edge defenders were quick to the ball to make a play.
View photo by Ray Thomas
Lady Scorpions claim Wolves Classic title
D.E. comes from behind in championship game
by Casey Pritchard sports editor
Desert Edge was a set down, and then faced match point in the championship game of the Wolves Classic tournament Sept. 17 at Estrella Foothills, but that didn’t stop the Lady Scorpions from claiming the ultimate prize.
Falcons countered in the championship game and won the first set. Desert Edge showed some character in the first set, falling behind 20-14 before making a run to pull close before ultimately losing. The comeback, despite falling short, helped to turn things around in the next game, Bellis said.
VOLLEYBALL
Desert Edge came from behind to beat Fountain Hills, winning 23-25, 25-19 and 17-15.
“It’s exciting for the kids,” Desert Edge coach Bill Bellis said. “It’s always good to win a tournament. [In pool play] we got a lot of kids court time. We had our hands full a couple of matches today, and they responded. This was a battle.”
Desert Edge had beaten Fountain Hills in two sets during pool play Sept. 16, but the Lady
“We talked about a couple things [between games],” Bellis said. “We talked about momentum, and I talked to the girls about the expectation level they’ve shown us, and now they have to live up to it. They responded. I’m proud of them.”
Desert Edge trailed 7-5 in the second game, but after a Jennessy Cain kill, the momentum shifted completely in the direction of the Lady Scorpions. Cain stepped to the service line and delivered seven straight points, including three aces, and Desert Edge never looked back. Desert Edge led from the get-go in the third game, and had a match point at 14-11 following
(See Title on Page 13)
DANTE BLISSIT, 45, and Milton Rodgers sandwich Mesquite running back Joseph Eubanks Sept. 16. The Scorpions’ defense held Mesquite to 177 total yards of offense in a 24-13 victory.
(See Unbeaten on Page 20) FOOTBALL
View photo by Ray Thomas
JENNESSY CAIN, left, of Desert Edge spikes the ball last season. Cain had the winning point Sept. 17 against Fountain Hills as the Lady Scorpions claimed the Wolves Classic title.
La Joya cross country eyes state
Lobos fielding strong boys and girls squads in 2016
by Shane McOwen sports writer
La Joya cross country is on pace to make a splash in the state’s top division.
Both the girls and boys squads are putting up strong times, La Joya coach Jordan Beverly said. In fact, the Lobos’ runners continue to post personal bests each week.
“A lot of our girls are running in packs and staying close together and improving every race. Our boys are doing the same thing,” Beverly said. “We’re trying to work on our pack running, because you score more points the higher you finish.”
The Lobos have progressed over the hump into racing over running.
“With pack running, I want them to stay together for the first two miles, and then the last mile is pretty much every man for himself,” Beverly said. “It kind of motivates them. It’s their teammates pushing them, and it motivates them to go faster. It’s working, because everyone is PR-ing every single race right now.”
La Joya’s boys team has a strong top-five. Senior Jose Lima is the top runner, running the three-plus mile courses consistently under 20 minutes. Junior Francisco Acosta, sophomore Anthony Valencia, freshman Luis Martinez and junior Johnny Johnson all have times within 30 seconds of each other.
Beverly said the boys have started the season strong, but still have to work on keeping confidence levels high.
“Some of our boys are lacking confidence right now,” Beverly said. “They think just because people have faster times than them, they’re automatically faster than them. I’m just trying to tell them they can run with everybody and compete with anybody. On any given day, anyone can have a breakout race and have an amazing time. I’m just working with them on building that confidence so
they can stay with whoever is in front of them. If a faster person goes ahead, I’m telling them to latch on to them, because they’re going to pull you, and you’re going to run a faster time.”
La Joya’s girls are paced by junior Mariah Moreno, who has run under 23 minutes consistently this season. Senior Haille Edd has been one of the most improved runners, and is the team’s No. 2. Edd ran a season best 23:27 in the Adobe Invite Sept. 17 at Victory Lane Sports Complex in Glendale.
Both the Lobos’ boys and girls teams have their sights set on the district meet and the state meet.
“Both teams, they want to win district, and I think they are more than capable of doing it,” Beverly said. “We just have to fine-tune a couple of things, like maintain that pace for the second mile instead of always having to run hard that first mile, slowing down the second, and having to push for the third.
“If we can work on that, district [championship] should be a very obtainable goal for them,” Beverly said. “We definitely want to qualify for state.”
The Lobos qualified one runner for state last year, but have the potential to expand on that this season, Beverly said.
“Our boys are looking a little bit in better shape, and I think more of them can qualify,” Beverly said. “Our ladies are doing awesome. They definitely should qualify for state. I’m super pleased with the dedication and the work that every one of these kids has put forth.”
Beverly, a first-year coach who ran cross country at Grand Canyon University, said the team has made the transition to coaching an easy experience.
“These kids are amazing and I wouldn’t want to coach anyone else,” Beverly said. “It’s really easy when you have kids who buy into the program, are dedicated and have camaraderie.”
The Lobos’ next meet is today against Desert Edge and Tolleson at Friendship Park in Avondale.
Shane McOwen can be reached at smcowen@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @ShaneMcOwen.
said. “Our two outside hitters, we live and die with Rylee and Jennessy, as most teams do with their outside hitters.”
Fountain Hills was led by Kailey McMahon, who was a force at the net for the Lady Falcons.
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a Cain kill. However, Fountain Hills went on to score the next four points and earn a match point of its own. The Lady Falcons dumped their serve into the net, tying the score, and Desert Edge went on to victory through a Diamond Simms ace and Cain kill.
“That was a great call by our setter to loop [Cain] into the middle against a smaller middle, instead of going outside,” Bellis said of the last play of the game. “It gives her a little bit of an advantage. She jumps well and she hit right over that kid.”
Cain said winning the final point was gratifying because she wanted to do it for the school.
“We don’t have a lot of recognition at Desert Edge for our volleyball, and I think now we’re starting to show them we deserve it,” Cain said.
Cain had 10 kills in the championship match, along with eight aces. Rylee Brown led the team with 14 kills. Calista Bandin had 26 assists.
“Calista does a great job, she’s smart out there,” Bellis
“I don’t want to say they’re a one-player team, but their really big arm is the one kid [McMahon] outside,” Bellis said. “When she was in the back row, we knew we had to score points, and when she was in the front, we knew we had to fight really hard.”
Undefeated record
Overall, Desert Edge went 7-0 in the tournament, dropping just two sets the entire time. The Lady Scorpions improved their overall record to 10-3.
“It’s good for the school,” Bellis said. “It’s great for Desert Edge to win a tournament with all the years past that they’ve had there. It was rough, and these kids are making it very different for the image.”
Desert Edge opens region play at 6 p.m. Thursday, hosting Phoenix Barry Goldwater.
“We had a really tough preseason, we had [Peoria] Liberty, Millennium, [Phoenix] Arcadia and Queen Creek,” Bellis said. “We got to play some good level competition, we didn’t win them all, but we played tough and I think we grew during those four matches.”
View photo by Mike Rincon
JOSE LIMAS, center, of La Joya runs Sept. 14 during a cross country meet at Desert Edge. Limas is the Lobos’ top runner, having run a season best time of 18 minutes, 59.5 seconds.
Mountain Ridge takes down Tolleson
Tolleson coach Jason Wilke said.
Miscues
by Shane McOwen sports writer
Tolleson football succumbed to an inconsistent day Sept. 16, as the Wolverines fell to visiting Glendale Mountain Ridge 28-21 in the teams’ 6A contest.
costly for Wolverines FOOTBALL
The Wolverines traded off looking exceptional and sloppy, sometimes during the same play. Tolleson committed four turnovers, had a field-goal attempt blocked and generally just didn’t make enough things happen on the field,
“[In] 6A football, they’re not just going to give handouts,” Wilke said. “It’s earned. Unfortunately, we were standing around with our palm up, looking for handouts in the game tonight. Give Mountain Ridge credit, their backs were against the wall, and they made the plays and we didn’t.”
The game played out evenly. Tolleson outgained Mountain Ridge by seven yards — 277 to 270 — and no team led by more than one score at any point.
Tolleson had multiple opportunities to take command of the game, Wilke said.
“We came out and answered challenges, then went through the motions,” Wilke said. “This is 6A football. You can’t go through the motions against any opponent, and
unfortunately, tonight it cost us.
“We went down and scored right away, then we just assumed plays were going to happen, and we weren’t getting that sense of urgency to do it. It’s a mindset, and that’s what we have to work on here to get fixed.”
Hot start, fizzle
Tolleson couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game. Its defense forced an interception on the opening drive, and the offense drove down the field on five rushing plays to score. Davyon Duhart rushed for 35 yards on the drive, including a nine-yard scamper on a misdirection play.
Tolleson forced a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, before committing its first major miscue. On a second-and-five, Tolleson quarterback Cristian Reyes was giving pre-snap direction to the offensive line, when the ball was inadvertently snapped over his head. Reyes wasn’t able to fall on the ball, and Mountain Ridge recovered at the Tolleson eight-yard line. The Mountain Lions scored three plays later to tie the game at 7-7.
Scoring came in flashes to start the second quarter. On the first play of the period, Mountain Ridge quarterback Hunter Francis hit receiver Owen Gordon over the middle for a 52-yard touchdown. Gordon was able to get behind the Wolverines’ defenders early, and capitalized on an apparent Tolleson miscommunication in the defensive backfield.
Tolleson didn’t need its offense to counter. Trey Johnson took the following kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown, again tying the score, this time at 14-14 with 11:37 remaining in the half.
Mountain Ridge took a 21-14 lead just before the half on the back of a Tolleson turnover.
Johnson caught a pass from Patrick Ortega, and turned up field for a 44-yard gain, before fumbling the ball away.
Mountain Ridge then marched 66 yards on nine plays for the go-ahead touchdown.
The Mountain Lions also benefited from two Tolleson personal fouls, a facemask and roughing the passer call.
Tolleson again showed flashes of brilliance on the opening drive of the second half. Reyes, who was quarterbacking most of Tolleson’s running sets, made a great play-action fake and hit Dallas Dixon for an 80-yard touchdown strike down the right sideline, tying the game at 21-21.
The Wolverines then forced a three-and-
out and marched down to the Mountain Lions’ six-yard line, where they faced fourth down. Tolleson’s 22-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Mountain Ridge linebacker Trent Turner.
That would be the closest Tolleson would come to scoring again. The Wolverines’ remaining drives of the game ended with two interceptions and two punts.
Mountain Ridge scored the gamewinning touchdown with 3:32 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 36-yard pass from Francis to John Harayda. Harayda ran a go route down the right-hand side and made a difficult catch over Johnson in the end zone. The score would remain 28-21 the rest of the way.
Wilke said his team let one get off the hook.
“There’s got to be a sense of urgency for 48 minutes,” Wilke said. “Unfortunately, we wasted quite a few minutes of playing football [while] going through the motions … It’s got to hurt. We work pretty dang hard. The kids have bought in, it’s a yearround commitment. We work too hard [to] take plays off. It’s unacceptable.”
Tolleson’s two quarterbacks combined for 249 yards through the air. Reyes completed 2 of 6 passes for 89 yards with a touchdown and interception. Ortega went 9 of 16 for 160 yards and an interception.
Duhart rushed for 51 yards on eight carries and a score. Lionel Suazo carried the ball 12 times for 32 yards.
Johnson had 79 receiving yards on three catches, and Dixon led the way with five receptions for 138 yards and a score.
Dixon, a captain, said the team is capable of more than it’s showing at the moment.
“We got lazy,” Dixon said. “Coach taught us what we needed to do, and we got lazy and we beat ourselves. I don’t believe they’re a better team than us. We kept making minor mistakes that cost us in the end.”
Francis completed 15 of 29 passes for 185 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
Tolleson will take a trip to Mesa for its game Friday against Westwood. The Warriors (2-3) are coming off a 46-27 loss to Gilbert.
“We’ll get it fixed. There’s a lot of football left,” Wilke said. “We have a lot of good kids here. We’ll look at Westwood and get a plan, and take it one week at a time.”
View photo by Mike Rincon
DAVYON DUHART, 22, of Tolleson finds some running room Sept. 16 while being pursued by Mountain Ridge’s Thomas Fitzke. Duhart had 51 yards rushing for the Wolverines, who lost to Mountain Ridge 28-21.
Buckeye falters late in loss to Peoria
Mental errors prove to be difference maker in Hawks’ loss
by Rafael Alvarez
special to the View
Buckeye held a 21-13 lead with just over four minutes left in the third quarter, but the momentum shifted in Peoria’s favor after some costly fourth quarter turnovers by the Hawks to give the Panthers the 44-33 win Sept. 16.
On the very first play of the fourth quarter, it was a bad snap on a Buckeye (2-2) punt inside its own 20-yard line that resulted in a safety for Peoria (3-1). That was followed by a 64-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Panthers wide receiver Raymond Cortez, which switched the game in Peoria’s favor.
It was mistakes like those that Buckeye coach Kelley Moore said played a huge part as to why his team couldn’t come out on top.
“We made nine mental errors, five in the first half and four in the second half,” Moore said. “You don’t beat a good football team doing that kind of stuff.”
The missteps overshadowed what was a great day for Hawks quarterback Joseph Perez, as he finished the game completing 16 of his 32 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns, to go along with a rushing touchdown. Moore said his quarterback has progressed tremendously each game, but was quick to point out that success, as well as preventing those mistakes, start in one place — the practice field.
“I believe wholeheartedly in how we practice is making a difference,” Moore said. “But it’s also making a difference on the negative side because we’ve allowed those mental errors to go unchecked in practice, and the players have to take care of that if we’re going to be a good team.”
Peoria’s first points of the game occurred following a short punt by Buckeye from inside its own 20 that would allow the Panthers to start their drive on the Hawks’ 39-yard line with 4:39 left in the first quarter. The drive resulted in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Panthers quarterback Nate Dobson
to running back Sonatane Zabala to give them a 7-0 lead with 1:11 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Hawks answered back with a score of their own off a one-yard touchdown run from Perez to tie the game 7-7 at the 8:17 mark of the second quarter.
Then, after forcing a three-and-out on the Panthers’ next drive, the Hawks weren’t able to capitalize. Another bad snap, followed by a short punt by Buckeye, gave Peoria great field position at the Hawks’ 28-yard line.
Three plays later, the Panthers scored off a five-yard run from Zabala. After a missed PAT, Peoria led 13-7 with 4:34 left in the first half. Zabala finished the night with nine carries for 84 yards and a rushing touchdown, to go along with his receiving touchdown.
Buckeye responded once again with a seven-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Perez to running back Javon Sheron to give the Hawks their first lead of the game with 1:49 remaining in the first half, 14-13.
A few plays later, Buckeye got the ball back after an interception by Hawks cornerback Joshua Sanchez with 56 seconds left in the half. Sanchez fumbled the ball during the return, but Buckeye defensive back Jose Ortiz recovered.
“I saw the receiver was jogging his route and I saw the quarterback was throwing the ball,” Sanchez said. “I used to be a receiver my freshman year, so as an ex-receiver, I know how to catch the ball and I just caught it. I just wish I never fumbled it. It’s a good thing my brother, Jose Ortiz, recovered it and saved me.”
Nonetheless, the Hawks couldn’t make the most of the opportunity, as Buckeye kicker Jonathon Barcenas missed a 21-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
The Hawks started the second half strong, as Ortiz picked off Dobson with 9:45 left in the third quarter. Two plays before the interception, Ortiz also had a key pass breakup.
This time around, the Hawks converted the turnover into points after Perez completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anthony Smart to extend their lead to 21-13 with 4:17 left in the third quarter.
“Our offensive line was getting the push we needed and our receivers were running
good routes,” Perez said.
However, on the Panthers’ very next drive, a 32-yard touchdown run from Dobson, followed by a two-point conversion run by Dobson, tied the game at 21-21 with 2:04 left in the third.
From that moment on, the momentum shifted in favor of Peoria.
The aforementioned safety and kickoff return for a touchdown gave the Panthers a 30-21 lead at the 11:43 mark of the fourth quarter, and it would not relinquish that lead.
Peoria forced a turnover on Buckeye’s next drive. A fumble recovery by Panthers’ defensive end Zach Bingham put them at the Hawks’ 27-yard line. Peoria capped off the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run by Dobson to extend the lead to 37-21 with 9:52 remaining in the game.
The Hawks didn’t give up. On their next
drive, Perez threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to Smart with 8:42 left in the fourth, but the two-point conversion was unsuccessful, making it 37-27. Peoria then responded and eventually put the game on ice. Dobson scampered into the end zone from 18 yards out with 6:32 left in the game, making it 44-27. Dobson did most of his damage on the ground, as he had 14 carries for 150 yards and three scores, to go with his one touchdown pass. Buckeye added one last score with 5:19 remaining in the game to make it 44-33. Perez threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Smart, his third touchdown reception of the game. Smart finished with eight receptions for 180 yards, in addition to his three touchdowns.
(See Falters on Page 19)
View photo by Mike Rincon
JOSEPH PEREZ, right, of Buckeye runs with the ball Aug. 26 against Sunrise Mountain. Perez had 301 passing yards and four touchdowns against Peoria Sept. 16, but it was not enough to lead Buckeye to victory, as it lost 44-33
Buckeye hires Estrella alum as soccer coach
Kelsie Roberts brings experience to Lady Hawks in form of state titles
by Casey Pritchard sports editor
If anybody knows how to win in high school soccer, it’s Kelsie Roberts.
The 2012 Estrella Foothills graduate won four consecutive state titles as a player for the Lady Wolves, and will now bring her knowledge and experience to district sister school Buckeye as the girls’ new head soccer coach.
“I am really excited about it,” Roberts said. “I just want to be able to inspire them and help them in ways I wasn’t necessarily helped with in high school. The recruiting process, I got started on it super late, and a lot of that wasn’t my fault, I just didn’t know. I’m just excited to be able to influence their lives, whether it’s in the soccer realm or real life, it all reflects on each other and is about how you carry yourself.”
Roberts scored more than 150 goals in her Estrella career, including the game-winning goal in overtime during the 2012 state championship, her last one. She thinks her state tournament experience as a player can help with her coaching, she said.
“I think it will help a lot, especially our last year, because our last year state championship came down to heart, belief and effort, because we necessarily weren’t the best team, but mentally, we were,” Roberts said. “We had a lot of heart, a lot of work ethic behind it, and that’s what I want to teach them.”
Roberts just finished her collegiate playing career, contributing two goals for Grand Canyon University last season. She also played at New Mexico Highlands University, where she scored a team-leading six goals as a freshman in 2012. However, Roberts’ career was riddled with right knee injuries, as she had to have three ACL surgeries.
“The first one was at the end of my freshman year and the second one was at the very beginning of my junior year, so I had to sit my sophomore and junior years out,” Roberts said.
Roberts could have taken a redshirt and played again, but her third ACL surgery came following her senior year, so she would have had to miss all of the current season and wait to play again until 2017. That’s why she made the decision to conclude her playing career, and she became interested in coaching.
“I had heard about [the Buckeye position] and I was like, you know, why not?” Roberts said. “I ended up applying and they called me for an interview and I guess they kind of liked me.”
Despite the injury frustration that made her miss playing time, Roberts said she thinks the injuries served as a benefit to her overall soccer IQ, which should help her as a coach.
“I believe it helped me grow a lot as a player and person, and even as a teacher of the game, and my soccer knowledge increased,” she said. “Sitting on the sideline my sophomore year, I was able to help assist my head coach in teaching the freshmen and help them learn their style of play. He taught us different techniques, and I was able to help teach them in a different way that I didn’t learn because I couldn’t physically show them, I had to explain the different parts of it.”
Buckeye job
Roberts was hired in May, but didn’t get a chance to meet any of the players before summer break, so nothing was in place in terms of a summer workout program. However, she’s teaching physical education at Buckeye and since the start of school has met with several players. Soon, Roberts plans on starting open fields twice a week and speed and agility twice a week, she said.
“Twenty-something have shown interest, and that was at the initial meeting,” Roberts said. “I’ve had other girls
come up to me after that, had transfers and people who haven’t played the past two years come up to me and they’re interested again.”
Roberts’ goal for her first season is simple: improve.
The team went 5-8 last year.
“Yes, I want to win, yes, I want to have a winning program, but I think the most important part is helping them improve, helping the program improve, individually, as a team, as a community,” Roberts said. “They need the whole, all-around aspect of it.”
As far as changing from the Columbia blue and silver of Estrella to the royal blue and gold of Buckeye is concerned, Roberts said it’s a little different.
“It’s new being at Buckeye,” Roberts said. “No more being a Wolf, I’m a Hawk now. I had to put all my Estrella shirts to the side.”
Casey Pritchard can be reached at caseypritchard@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @CaseyonSports.
View photo by Ray Thomas
KELSIE ROBERTS, right, plays for Estrella Foothills during the 2009-10 season. Roberts was hired by Buckeye to be the Lady Hawks’ head soccer coach.
Knights boys swimmers undefeated
Westview swim looking to continue good start
by Shane McOwen sports writer
Westview’s boys and girls swim teams have taken to the pool with renewed vigor under first-year coach Rachel Parsons.
The boys side is currently undefeated in dual-meet events, and the girls, while undersized, have not backed down from challenges from schools with larger teams, Parsons said.
for the state meet that much tougher, Parsons said.
SWIMMING
“So far, I’m really pleased with the effort the kids are putting in at practice and the meets,” Parsons said.
Over the summer, Westview was placed in the 6A conference, the highest classification, meaning the swim team was put in Division I, which is the highest in the sport. The new classification will make qualifying
“A lot of the state qualifying times are going to be a bit more challenging than they’ve been in the past,” Parsons said. “Right now, we’re just taking it meet by meet. It’s unfortunate because they did the division based on school size, and not necessarily on demographics or location or anything like that. It’s going to be a challenge. There are still some kids who have their sights set for state.”
Westview has a couple of young swimmers making a big splash this season. Sophomore Howard Leukenga has been solid in basically every stroke this season, and freshman Blake Moore has been the team’s top breaststroke swimmer, Parsons said.
“He’s definitely going to be doing our breaststroke relays,” Parsons said. “He’s pretty fired up about improving his breaststroke times.”
Dawson Parker has also been strong in
multiple events for the Knights.
Senior Calista Leukenga is one of the top girls for the individual medley and backstroke, as well as a not-so-favorite event.
“She doesn’t like it, but she’s pretty good in the butterfly,” Parsons said.
Olivia Parsons has posted good times in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle, the coach said, and Kaylee Anderson is one of the top breaststroke swimmers for the girls.
“The boys are fired up about being undefeated so far,” Parsons said. “We have a really strong 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. I think the boys on the relays, the boys in general, are fired up about having a winning season. That’s one of the goals.
“The boys are fired up about being undefeated so far. We have a really strong medley relay and free relay. I think the boys on the relays, the boys in general, are fired up about having a winning season. That’s one of the goals.”
— Rachel Parsons Westview swim coach
“We have a lot of really great kids, it’s hard for me to [highlight] just a few,” Parsons said.
Both teams are setting their sights on finishing the season with winning records, Parsons said.
“Our girls medley relay is really strong. I think everyone as a team is seeing what we can do to put together a winning season.”
Westview’s next meet is Thursday at Chandler Basha.
Shane McOwen can be reached at smcowen@westvalleyview.com or Twitter @ShaneMcOwen.
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View photo by Jordan Christopher
TANNER MCMURDIE of Westview swims the breaststroke Sept. 15 during a meet at Goodyear Municipal Pool. Westview’s boys swim team is undefeated this season.
Buckeye runners out in droves in 2016
by Casey Pritchard sports editor
Buckeye’s cross country team is bigger than it’s ever been before. Last year’s success may have something to do with that.
The boys team finished third in its sectional meet last year to qualify for state, and this season’s team has 28 athletes. Add to that the 13 runners on the girls team, and Buckeye has 41 total competitors.
“It looks like we might be able to stay consistent for a couple years.”
The girls team is not quite as strong as the boys, but Maddux thinks it has a chance to make the state tournament for the first time since 2009.
“It’s really early, but we might be able to sneak the girls in as a team qualifier at section,” Maddux said.
CROSS COUNTRY
“We’ve really come around,” coach Pat Maddux said in regard to the number of athletes on the team. “A lot of them are soccer kids. I’ve had soccer boys before, but not girls. I think a lot of the soccer-type kids, or people that do other sports, realize, ‘Hey, you can get a lot of good stuff out of cross country that’s going to help you for other sports.’”
In addition to many new athletes, Buckeye also has a new assistant coach, Gerard Capella.
“He runs marathons, so that was a really good addition,” Maddux said. “He brings in some new pieces, which is nice.”
The boys team will look to improve upon last year’s third-place finish at sectionals, and has the firepower to do so. None of the Hawks’ top-five runners from last year graduated, and they added a senior who’s been running the team’s second fastest times so far.
“The boys are really, really strong,” Maddux said. “We were third last year in section, and we’re even better.”
Buckeye’s runners all achieved their season-best times during the Sept. 9 Desert Solstice meet. The Hawks’ top runner, senior Guillermo Casteron-Rios, ran it in 17 minutes, 19.7 seconds.
Felix Rios is new to the team and has done 17:32.3. The next three fastest runners are all in the 18-minute range right now. Nick Valenzuela-Marquez has done an 18:02.5, while Andrew McCumber’s fastest time is an 18:20.5 and Anthony Garcia is at 18:50.1.
“I think everybody is going to be about a minute under where they are now, which would give us two 16s, two 17s and a bunch of 18s,” Maddux said.
Buckeye will lose two seniors after this season, but several sophomores are on the team. It gives Maddux a positive outlook for the future of the program.
“We’ll be reloading with guys that can kind of help step up,” Maddux said.
Lady Owls flock to course
Agua Fria girls golf returns after 1-year hiatus
by Shane McOwen sports writer
At this time last year, Agua Fria’s girls golf program was non-existent.
Two Lady Owls golfers weren’t enough to field a team, so Andrea Vasquez and Khrystal Parra worked on their craft along with the boys team, unable to compete in girls team events.
This season, the Lady Owls are back — a win for the school. The girls’ first match win against Westview Aug. 31 was just the cherry on top.
up and show some initiative that way.”
Olivas said the girls have been hungry to learn during practice.
“They’ve been picking up the game a lot quicker,” Olivas said. “It’s been interesting seeing them grow.”
As expected with a first-year squad, the Lady Owls are still a ways from being state title contenders. Agua Fria is taking its time to build a foundation.
“The first couple weeks was learning the basics, and we jumped into matches right away,” Olivas said.
GIRLS GOLF
“We have two girls who played with the boys team last year, just to get the hang of the game,” Agua Fria coach Alicia Olivas said. “For all intents and purposes, the girls are new. They’ve really never played golf before, don’t really know the rules, and [with the match schedule] don’t have much time to get better.
“We basically have a fresh new team, so it’s kind of cool to pick up a win while learning how to play in a month.”
Olivas said the school’s administration called her during the summer to gauge her interest in coaching the girls golf team. Olivas was the varsity assistant coach for the Lady Owls’ softball team last year.
“They thought from what I did last year, that I could be the golf coach,” Olivas said. “They called me up, and I called up Andrea and Khrystal and asked if they wanted to do it again, and luckily, they did. [Aryanna Gentry] was in my class last year and was interested in playing, but didn’t really know how, so we got her out here.”
Vasquez, Parra and Gentry are all seniors. Penelope Beltran, a freshman, sought out the team on her own, Olivas said.
“Penelope actually came into my classroom and asked if she could play,” Olivas said. “It was cool to see her come
Falters
(From Page 15)
“[In 2009] we didn’t have girls with cross country bodies, but we made it that year. This year, we have some cross country bodies. They [2009 team] made it as a team by working hard, and these girls work their butts off.”
Buckeye’s fastest girl is a foreign exchange student from Japan, Rikako Gomya. She dropped three minutes at the Desert Solstice race, finishing in 23:49.2.
Amaya Arnold is the team’s second best runner. Her best time is a 25:24.
“She has really long legs, so we’ve got her arms down at her waist to keep her opened up to use her legs, and it’s starting to come around for her,” Maddux said.
Rounding out the top five are Faith Reed, Lizbeth Acosta and Laura Barajas.
“We have three or four cross-country type bodies, the others are kids who work hard, are running as hard as they can and doing whatever they can to get better, so maybe we can sneak in [to state],” Maddux said.
Buckeye’s focus during practice has been to work on grouping, where members try to run together to push each other and achieve better times. It’s something Maddux used to do when he coached in California, but he hasn’t always had the athletes at Buckeye to do it.
With a heavy match schedule, the Lady Owls have to make the most of their practice time.
“What practices are now are just what you are best at, let’s get that to be the best for you,” Olivas said. “Then we’ll work on the fundamentals for everything else. I would say each girl has something they’re best at, and it’s different for everybody. So then, they’re able to capitalize on the course with that skill.”
Olivas said maintaining the girls’ confidence is the main priority of the season.
“With the timing, they’re aware they’re not going to be Tiger Woods at the end of the season,” Olivas said. “My goal is for the girls to be able to go golfing with family members or friends and be able to play and know the rules. At this point, they’re able to do that, which I’m really excited about.”
The girls golf team might only have four members, the minimum amount to field a team, but Olivas feels like it’s the start of a good thing for the program, she said.
“I think it’s important to have a women’s golf team,” Olivas said. “To be a part of this movement of getting more girls to play golf, my girls take really big pride in it.
“I’ve had a lot of girls ask if they can play next year. I’m excited to get the movement started and have girls come out.”
Shane McOwen can be reached at smcowen@westvalleyview.com or on Twitter @ShaneMcOwen.
on the verge of being a pretty great football team … take away the mental errors and we’re a good team.”
The players said they felt like they did well, but reiterated Moore’s
“We have such a nice group of kids that are close time-wise, we can talk about how grouping works,” Maddux said. “You bring your guys along, stay together as close as you can to a certain point, then finally move out. That’s how you win cross country meets. The closer they are, the better grouping you have, the lower score you’re going to get.”
Buckeye’s next meet is today when it hosts El Mirage Dysart and Phoenix Sierra Linda.
“It’s a great group, really big, and we’re expecting really good things from the boys, and maybe the girls can sneak in, or at least get in individuals,” Maddux said.
“But it’s a great group of kids; they work their butts off.”
West Valley View is seek-
to hire individuals as Independent Contractors newspaper delivery routes! SUV, light truck or similar heavier duty vehicle preferable. Papers available for pick-up Tuesday night. Deliver late night (after 10:30 p.m.), overnight or early morning. Deliveries must be completed by 9 a.m. Wednesday mornings. Valid: Drivers License, Auto Insurance, Vehicle Registration all required. Background check and clean MVR (driving record) mandatory. Experience a plus. Please fill out an application, background authorization and submit all required documentation at our offices at: 1050 E. Riley Dr. on the NE corner of Elesio C Felix Jr. Way & Riley, south of Van Buren & east of Dysart. You can also email rsellmeyer@westvalleyview.com
ALICE’S House Cleaning Service. Reasonable prices. Excellent services /references. Bonded. Registered with PORA. 623-932-4147.
If you miss our regular deadlines, at the buzzer classified ads are available. Call 623-535-8439 by 11 a.m. on Tuesday
Deadline: Friday, 4pm
View photo
ANTHONY GARCIA of Buckeye runs at La Joya during a 2014 cross country meet. The Hawks were third at sectionals last year, and have all of their top runners back this season, including Garcia.
JOHNSON, 23, of Desert Edge gives a stiff arm to a Mesquite defender Sept. 16. Johnson had eight catches for 111 yards and a touchdown in
Unbeaten
(From Page 12)
“The defensive coaching staff did a really good job of coaching them up, preparing them for that, and that was huge for us that we were able to stop those screens, because they’re a very good screen football team,” Wellbrock said. “It was a focal point for us this week.”
Desert Edge didn’t waste any time getting on the scoreboard, doing so on its first drive of the game. However, a potential touchdown turned into a field goal because of some offensive miscues. The Scorpions had first-and-goal at the Mesquite 6-yard line, but on third down, quarterback Tehran Thomas mishandled the snap, leading to an 11-yard loss. That forced a 32-yard field-goal attempt from Jonathan Sangillo, which was good, making it 3-0.
The Scorpions fumbled the ball away on their next possession, but the defense held, forcing Mesquite to punt. Desert Edge then scored its first touchdown of the game, moving 84 yards in 15 plays. Thomas capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run on fourth down, making it 10-0.
Mesquite responded with a long drive of its own, 12
plays, to make it 10-7. The scoring play was a two-yard pass from Wade Sapergia to Robert Ortiz.
Desert Edge went into halftime with a 17-7 lead thanks to another Thomas touchdown, this one on a one-yard run.
The second half started with promise for the Scorpions when they stopped Mesquite, but Desert Edge’s offense went three-and-out.
“It starts with defense, they did their job to start the second half, and the offense didn’t do their job,” Wellbrock said. “Defense does their job, offense goes three-and-out to start the second half. That’s not acceptable. Everybody wants to continue to write and talk about our offensive line and our quarterback and running backs, all these things, but they need to step up and take care of all the media blitz they constantly get.”
Desert Edge got into the red zone on its next possession, but a false-start penalty backed up the Scorpions and they failed to convert on fourth down, turning it over.
The Scorpions finally put the game away with 9:14 left in the fourth quarter when converting a touchdown on another fourth-down play. Thomas faked a bubble screen to the left, then hit Johnson in the corner of the end zone for a 10-yard TD pass.
“We always practice that play, it’s a fun play to run,” Johnson said. “T [Thomas] just threw a perfect ball in the corner of the end zone and the play ended up well. I give all the credit to the coaching staff on the play call, and to T.”
On its final possession, Desert Edge fumbled on the first play, but was able to recover. That was not the case seven plays later, when Thomas mishandled another snap. When he went to dive on the loose ball, it squirted out and Mesquite’s Jacob Berry recovered and ran 67 yards for a touchdown. Only 29 seconds remained after the Mesquite score, and its onside kick was recovered by Desert Edge, which kneeled on the ball to end the game.
Thomas finished with 141 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. He was 9 of 13 passing for 113 yards and two scores. Johnson caught all but one of Thomas’ completions, amassing 111 yards.
The Scorpions improved to 5-0 and have a bye Friday. Desert Edge returns to action Sept. 30 playing at Agua Fria. That contest marks the start of region play.
“We have a lot of stuff to work on, so [the bye] is huge for us,” Wellbrock said. “We’ll go in there and work on the details of some things. We played some stupid football at times tonight that needs to be taken care of.”
View photo by Ray Thomas
ROSHAUN
the win.
Rev. Robert L. Simmons
Monthly book discussion
The Buckeye Public Library, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye, invites adults to a book discussion from 1 to 2 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month.
Fitness in the Park Buckeye hosts Fitness in the Park from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Sundance Park, 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road, Buckeye.
Citizenship class
People wanting to become U.S.citizens are invited to a free class from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday at the Care1st Avondale Resource Center, 328 W. Western Ave., Avondale.
Converse and immerse
Join in an afternoon of conversation in different languages at 4 p.m. every Wednesday at the Goodyear Branch Library, 14455 W. Van Buren St., Suite C-101, Goodyear.
Domestic violence support groups
Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. Registration is required at mcldaz.org.
Nurturing Parents Raise Great Kids
The Litchfield Park Elementary School District invites parents and their young children, from preschool to second grade, to take part in a program from 5 to 7 p.m. every Thursday through Nov. 17 at the Dreaming Summit Elementary School Library, 13335 W. Missouri Ave., Litchfield Park. The program is designed to empower parents with skills, knowledge and strategies while their future kindergarteners attend kinder readiness sessions with certified teachers. Families will receive free books at every session, and pizza and snacks will be provided.
S.M.A.R.T. Referrals Networking
Help! There are bugs in my garden
A workshop covering garden bugs is set for 2 to 4 p.m. at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. To sign up, visit mcldaz.org.
Saturday
24
Alcoholics
The West Valley View publishes on Wednesday.
The 9 Days a Week calendar — a listing of entertainment events such as concerts, theatrical performances, events for schools, churches, county parks and nonprofit groups — runs every issue.
Events must be open to the public to be considered and generally must be held within the View’s coverage area, which is south of Northern Avenue, west of Loop 101, plus all of Tolleson, extends to Estrella on the south and Tonopah on the west. Events such as concerts and theatrical performances that fall outside of the View’s circulation area will be considered as there are no concert halls or theater venues within our boundaries.
Fundraisers that are held at restaurants where only a portion of the proceeds benefits the charity or nonprofit will not be considered.
9 Days a Week calendar items print on a spaceavailable basis; the only way to guarantee that an item will print is to purchase an advertisement.
Paid Listings for 9 Days
The 9 Days a Week calendar now may contain paid listings which are clearly marked by “Advertisement” across the top and bottom of paid listings and appear in a screened box. Submissions for paid items may be made by calling the classified advertising dept. of the West Valley View at 623-535-8439. Available sizes and prices: 2 inch ad = $80.00, 3 inch ad = $120.00.
Submissions must reach our office by 4 p.m. Friday to be considered for the Wednesday publication. Submissions must be in writing and may be emailed to news1@westvalleyview.com; faxed to 623-935-2103; or dropped off at the West Valley View, 1050 E. Riley Drive, Avondale AZ 85323.
Set That Timer: Practice
New Life Center offers free confidential support groups for those who have experienced domestic violence. The meetings are held Monday evenings, Tuesday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and Friday afternoons, with varying times and confidential locations. For information, call 623-932-4404, Ext. 123.
Story time
Toddlers ages 2 to 4 accompanied by an adult can enjoy interactive stories, songs and games that encourage emerging language skills at 11:15 a.m. every Wednesday at the Buckeye Library Downtown Branch, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye. For information, call 623-349-6300.
Baby time
Take your babies from birth to 23 months to enjoy songs, activities, rhymes, books and playtime starting at 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays at the Buckeye Library Downtown Branch, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye. For information, call 623-349-6300.
Computer classes
Learn the basics of operating a computer from 6 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday in the Program Room at the Buckeye Library Coyote Branch, 21699 W. Yuma Road, Suite 116, Bu ckeye. Registration is required. For information, call 623-349-6300.
Thursday
Entrepreneurs are invited to network with other local small business owners at the Southwest Marketing and Referrals Team (S.M.A.R.T.) meeting. The group meets at noon the second and fourth Thursday of the month at Rudy’s BBQ, 845 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear. Owners or managers of all types of businesses are encouraged to attend. For information, contact Darren Mullins at darren.mullins@libertymutual.com.
Al-Anon Stepping Stones
Al-Anon Stepping Stones meets at 7 p.m. every Thursday at Christ Presbyterian Church, 925 N. Sarival Ave., Goodyear.
Grief Support Group
You don’t have to go through it alone. The Grief Support Group meets every Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Desert Springs Community Church, 14440 W. Indian School Road, Goodyear. For more information, call Angela at 623-435-2105.
Overeaters Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous, a 12-step program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, meets at 6 p.m. every Thursday at the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, 508 E. Monroe Ave., Buckeye. The goal of the group is to address and work toward recovery. For information, call 623-693-6244.
Baby time
Ballet Under the Stars
Take your babies to an interactive program that introduces board books, music and art to babies and toddlers. There will be educational toys, socialization and self-expression in a comfortable environment. Baby time is designed for children from birth to 2 years old. Baby time runs from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Thursdays at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell.
Alcoholics
Anonymous meets
AZ wildlife myth-busting, night hike
Everyone’s invited to join the Goodyear Branch Library to learn more about the wildlife of the Sonoran Desert from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 14455 W. Van Buren St., Suite C-101, Goodyear. During the presentation, myths surrounding Arizona wildlife will be busted. The following weekend will feature a night hike at Estrella Mountain Regional Park in Goodyear.
Nature Documentary:
Winged Migration
A documentary film-viewing party will begin at 11 a.m. at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. The award-winning documentary will explore the journey of migrating birds.
Minecraft Challenge of Kids
Children ages 6 to 10 are invited to prove their mettle in a series of Minecraft challenges, a scavenger hunt, building models and more at 4 p.m. at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. Registration is required. To register, visit mcldaz.org.
People can learn how to take control of outdoor water use and landscaping in a series of free classes offered by the city of Goodyear. Participants will receive personal instruction on a variety of topics including setting irrigation timers, optimal watering schedules and pruning tips for healthy landscapes. Goodyear’s seasonal water conservation classes are designed to encourage ways to use water wisely and sustainably. Today’s class will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Goodyear Public Works Administrative Building, 4980 S. 157th Ave., Goodyear. Classes are free, but registration is required by visiting goodyearaz.gov/h2o365 or calling 623-882-7509.
WomenHeart support group
WomenHeart, a support group for women with or at risk for heart disease, meets from 2:30 to 4 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month at 3657 Clubhouse Drive, Room 100, Goodyear. For information, call 623-215-3629.
Litchfield Park City Council meets The Litchfield Park City Council meets at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the Community Room at the Florence Brinton Litchfield Memorial Library, 101 W. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, unless otherwise posted. Meeting agendas can be viewed online at www.litchfieldpark.org.
Ballet Under the Stars, a free performance by Ballet Arizona, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater, 10300 S. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear.
Welcome to the Sonoran Desert
Are you new to the desert? Just visiting? Or maybe you’ve lived here all your life. Join Ranger Jessica Bland at 1 p.m. in the White Tank Branch Library classroom, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell, to learn about what defines a desert, meet the “locals,” and learn what makes the Sonoran Desert so unique.
Blood drive
United Blood Services will hold a blood drive from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, 109 N. Fifth St., Buckeye. To make an appointment to donate, visit www.BloodHero.com or call 1-877-UBSHERO (1-877-827-4376).
Landscape watering by the numbers
If you’re mystified about landscape watering, you’re not alone. Hands-on instruction creating a schedule to meet your plants’ watering needs will be offered from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Avondale City Hall, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Registration is required. For information, visit avondale.org/landscape classes or call 623-333-4422.
Read to the dog
Children are invited to read to Manda, a certified therapy dog, from 4 to 4:45 p.m. at the White
The Garden Lakes group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 7 p.m. every Thursday at the First Baptist Church of Garden Lakes, 2517 N. 107th Ave., Avondale.
Boy Scout meeting
Boy Scout Troop No. 263 meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays at First Southern Baptist Church, 405 Third St., Buckeye. The troop is looking for boys between the ages of 11 and 18 who are interested in outdoor activities, learning new skills and becoming leaders. For information, call Trina Stark at 623-693-8624.
ESL Cafe
Participants can practice their English or Spanish skills from 5 to 6:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Buckeye Public Library, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye. Spanish will be spoken for the first half and English for the second.
Friday
23
Minute to Win It
Youths 5 and older are invited to Minute to Win It: a series of timed challenges, at 2 p.m. at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell.
Grandparents raising grandchildren group
Duet’s support group for grandparents raising their grandchildren will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 918 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear. For information, visit duetaz.org or call 602-274-5022.
Feeding frenzy
Everyone’s invited to the Nature Center at 1 p.m. at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell, to watch White Tank Mountain Regional Park staff feed resident creatures, including rattlesnakes, scorpions, a Gila monster and a tarantula.
Free car seat safety inspection
The city of Goodyear is partnering with the Safe Kids Coalition of Maricopa County and Larry H. Miller dealerships to offer free car seat safety inspections from 8 to 11 a.m. at Avondale Volkswagen, 10205 W. Papago Freeway, Avondale.
Early bird walk
Joe Ford will lead an early morning walk at 7:30 a.m. along the Mule Deer Trail in White Tank Mountain Regional Park to look and listen for the many bird species that live in and pass through the White Tanks. The park is at 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. Take your bird book and binoculars, but leave your dog at home. Meet at the Nature Center.
Kickstart Mentorship Academy workshop
Kickstart Mentorship Academy holds a free workshop from noon to 2 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month at the American Sports Center, 755 N. 114th Ave., Avondale. The workshop focuses on topical information for guardians and youths and may cover topics such as bullying, law enforcement, social media and entrepreneurship.
Sunday
The support group Adult Children of Alcoholics meets at 5 p.m. every Sunday at the Litchfield Park First Baptist Church, 901 E. Plaza Circle, Litchfield Park. Group meditation class St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 400 S. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, hosts a group meditation class from 5 to 6 p.m. Sundays. The class is designed for those desiring to learn meditation or deepen their practice. All faiths are welcome. For information, call the Rev. Gae Chalker at 623-935-3279 or visit stpetersaz.com.
Adrenaline Youth Choir
The Church at Litchfield Park invites children in sixth through 12th grades to participate in the Adrenaline Youth Choir from 4 to 5 p.m. every Sunday in the church’s Choir Room at 300 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park. For information, call 623-935-3411 or email info@ churchatlitchfieldpark.org.There is no fee to participate.
Children’s Community Christian Choirs
Chimin’ In Hand Bell — 4:30 to 5 p.m. Fourth- to eighth-graders are invited to participate in a hand chime choir.
Voices in Praise — 5 to 6 p.m. VIP is for third- to fifth-graders. Joyful Noise — 5:30 to 6 p.m. This group is for children in kindergarten to second grade with an emphasis on musical exploration. Choirs meet at the Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park. For information, call 623-935-3411 or email info@ churchatlitchfieldpark.org.There is no fee for participation.
Foster care/adoption support group
A foster care and adoption support group will meet at 5:30 p.m. at Desert Springs Community Church, 14440 W. Indian School Road, Goodyear. All are welcome and childcare will be provided. For information, visit Psalms 82 Ministries on Facebook.
Blood drive
I’m voting for what?
Anyone wanting to become an informed voter and learn about upcoming ballot propositions and the potential impact on the community is invited to the Litchfield Park Branch Library at 1 p.m. at 101 W. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park.
The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kmart, 8701 W. McDowell Road, Tolleson. To make an appointment to donate, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767).
Blood drives
United Blood Services is holding a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. John Vianny Parish, 539 E. La Pasada Blvd., Goodyear; and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church, 24750 W. Lower Buckeye Road, Buckeye. To make an appointment to donate, visit www.BloodHero. com or call 1-877-UBS-HERO (1-877-827-4376).
Adult Children of
Monday Pokemon Go Club
Are you 12 to 17 years old and a member of Team Instinct, Mystic, or Valor? If you are, then you are invited to the Litchfield Park Branch Library every other Monday for Pokémon Go Club. The club meets at 5:15 p.m. at 101, W. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park.
Crazy 8s Math club
The Crazy 8s club meets from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. every Monday at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. The club is open to third- through fifth-graders who want to learn about math in new ways, including building projects, making music and other techniques. Registration is required online at mcldaz.org.
Blood drive
United Blood Services is holding a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Estrella Mountain Community College, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale.To make an appointment to donate, visit www.BloodHero.com or call 1-877-UBS-HERO (1-877-8274376).
West Valley Human Services Alliance
The West Valley Human Services Alliance meets from 9 a.m. to noon the fourth Monday of each month at the Pendergast Learning Center, 3841 N. 91st Ave., Phoenix.
Fitness in the Park Buckeye hosts Fitness in the Park from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at Sundance Park, 22865 W. Lower Buckeye Road, Buckeye.
Citizenship class
People wanting to become U.S. citizens are invited to a free class from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday at the Care1st Avondale Resource Center, 328 W. Western Ave., Avondale.
Crazy 8s club
The Crazy 8s club meets from 4 to 5 p.m. every Monday at the Goodyear Branch Library, 14455 W. Van Buren, Suite C-101, Goodyear. The club is open to third- through fifth-graders who want to learn about math
(See 9 Days on Page 23) 21 West Valley View, Avondale, Arizona, Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Tarla Alley
Tarla Alley, 73, of Phoenix and formerly of Avondale died Sept. 14, 2016, in Phoenix.
Mrs. Alley was born Aug. 17, 1943, in Morenci.
She is survived by two sons, Steven Alley of Litchfield Park and John Alley of Waddell; one sister, Edith; one brother, James; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Monday at West Resthaven Funeral Home in Glendale, with the Rev. Kyle Layne officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Arizona Humane Society, 1521 W. Dobbins Road, Phoenix, AZ 85041, or Donor Network of Arizona, 201 Coolidge St., Phoenix, AZ 85013.
Douglas Duane Boers
Douglas Duane Boers, 66, of Avondale died Sept. 9, 2016. Mr. Boers was born Aug. 19, 1950, in Spencer, Iowa, to Howard Lorraine Boers and Donna Reiman Boers. He was a member of the Hospitality Ministry at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Goodyear.
He is survived by his mother, Donna Boers; three sisters, Connie Helmers, Kathy Knuth and Casey Khaleesi; and five brothers, Larry, Robert, Scott, Michael and Dave Boers.
Services will be 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 539 E. La Pasada Blvd., Goodyear.
Condolences for the family may be left at thompsonfuneralchapel.com.
Carolyn Dropik
Carolyn Dropik, 80, of Litchfield Park died Sept. 3, 2016.
Mrs. Dropik was born Feb. 18, 1936, in Harrisburg, Pa., to Verne and Agnes Nichols.
She moved to Phoenix 1940.
She retired from the Cartwright School District, where she worked as a school aide.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Joe Dropik.
She is survived by two daughters, Melinda Kennedy and Sherri Dunlap; three sons, Mike Dropik, Steve Dropik and David Dropik; one brother, Vernon Nichols; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Condolences for the family may be left at thompsonfuneralchapel.com.
Melvin ‘Mucca’ Leroy Grayson
Melvin “Mucca” Leroy Grayson, 29, of Phoenix and formerly of Buckeye died Sept. 13, 2016.
Mr. Grayson was born July 3, 1987, in Phoenix.
He is survived by one son, Jareem Devon Grayson; his mother and stepfather, Angela and Charles James; his father and stepmother, Melvin and Peggy Grayson; three sisters, Melonie Grayson, Kayshia Green of Buckeye and Jenny Sims of Avondale; one stepsister, Sharmaine James of Milwaukee, Wis.; one brother, Michael Hendrix Jr. of Phoenix; one stepbrother, Jeremiah Borchers of Kingman; and two grandparents, Lonnie and Velma Washington of Buckeye.
Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Grace Fellowship Church, 1300 N. Miller Road, Buckeye, with the Rev. Ellen Berry officiating.
Philip Richard Eger
Philip Richard Eger, 74, of Buckeye died Sept. 18, 2016. Mr. Eger was born March 31, 1942, in the Bronx, N.Y., to Stephanie and Philip Eger Jr.
He worked as a deputy sheriff for McKinley County, N.M.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Victoria Lucy Eger.
He is survived by three daughters, Stephanie Eger, Elisa Eger and Dianna Harness; one sister, Nancy Cook; and two grandchildren.
A visitation will be at 5:30 p.m., with a rosary recital at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear.
Interment will be Sept. 27 at Mountain View Cemetery, 301 N. Stockton Hill Road, Kingman.
Condolences for the family may be left at thompsonfuneralchapel.com.
Lynnette Bloomfield Kwasiborski
Lynnette Bloomfield Kwasiborski, 43, of Buckeye and formerly of Wyandotte, Mich., died Sept. 17, 2016, at her home. Mrs. Kwasiborski was born to Carolyn and Ronald Bloomfield. She is survived by two sons, Justin and Josh; her mother, Carolyn Bloomfield; and one sister, Tiffany Hernandez.
A funeral Mass will be held Sept. 28 at St. Vincent Pallotti Parish at St. Joseph Worship Site in Wyandotte, Mich. Memorials may be made to Friends of the Buckeye Public Library, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye, AZ 85326, or Summit Community Church, 14545 W. Indian School Road, Goodyear, AZ 85395.
Alex ‘Mousie’
Chacho Nunez
Alex “Mousie” Chacho Nunez, 34, of Avondale died Sept. 13, 2016, in Phoenix. Mr. Nunez was born Dec. 4, 1981, in Loma Linda, Calif.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle Solano of Avondale; two daughters, Alexis Nunez of Avondale and Mercedes Nunez of Avondale; one son, Sebastian Nunez of Avondale; his father, Alexander Perez of Lancaster, Calif.; one sister, Elisa Perez of Lancaster, Calif.; four brothers, Anthony Castro of Tucson; Cesar Perez of Lancaster, Calif., Javier Perez of Lancaster, Calif., and Andrew Perez of Lancaster, Calif.; and one grandparent, Elisa Perez of Lancaster, Calif.
A visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Avenidas Funeral Chapel, 522 E. Western Ave., Avondale. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Avenidas Funeral Chapel, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery, 10045 W. Thomas Road, Avondale.
Aurora Quesea
Aurora Quesea, 84, of Buckeye died Sept. 12, 2016. Mrs. Quesea was born Aug. 31, 1932, in Gumaca, Quezon, Philippines, to Sabino and Semiona Segui.
She graduated with a doctorate in medicine from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, in 1959. She did post-graduate training to become an emergency physician at Dona Marta Memorial Hospital in Altimonan, Quezon, Philippines, until 1968. She had family medicine training at St. John Hospital in Cleveland and served as medical staff physician at Veterans Hospital in Cleveland until 1995. She is survived by her husband, Ernesto O. Quesea; one son,
Alexander S. Quesea; and two grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 16 at St. Henry Catholic Church in Buckeye.
Condolences for the family may be left at thompsonfuneralchapel.com.
Sal Santillan
Sal Santillan, 42, of Avondale died Sept. 2, 2016, from melanoma.
Mr. Santillan was born May 17, 1974, in Los Angeles to Salvador and Antonia Santillan.
He worked for National Car Rental in San Diego for about 10 years. He was hired as a field representative at Cox Communications in 2004 in San Diego, then transferred to Arizona in 2005. He was promoted to work as a network operations technician in 2007 in the Avondale office.
He volunteered as a coach with the American Youth Soccer Organization in Avondale for about four years and also coached baseball.
He is survived by wife, Mary Bustamante-Santillan; three daughters, Melanie, Kirsten and Melissa; one son, Moses; his parents, Salvador and Antonia Santillan; two brothers, David and Tony; and one sister, Elisavet.
Services were Sept. 10 at Monte Vista Church of the Nazarene in Phoenix, with interment at Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale.
Herbert Kitchener ‘Kitch’ Semmens
Herbert Kitchener “Kitch” Semmens, 100, of Litchfield Park died Sept. 17, 2016.
Mr. Semmens was born July 27, 1916, in Barlow, N.D.
He was a member of the military, serving as a sergeant medic during World War II. He worked for Gamble’s for nearly 40 years as a salesman and auditor.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, LaVerne. He is survived by four daughters, Janice Walker, Carol Bramble, Linda Audiss and Connie Biskeborn; four grandchildren; one stepgrandchild; and 14 greatgrandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 13720 W. Thomas Road, Avondale, with interment at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 10045 W. Thomas Road, Avondale. Condolences for the family may be left at thompsonfuneralchapel.com.
Steven Joseph Steffan Sr.
Steven Joseph Steffan Sr., 65, of Buckeye died Sept. 8, 2016, at his home.
Mr. Steffan was born Nov. 9, 1950, in Belleville, Ill., to John and Aurelia Steffan.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to1976, achieving the rank of staff sergeant.
He was crew chief for the Heimburger Racing Team from 1978 to 1985 and worked as a pit crew member for the USAC Silver Crown Championship in 1989.
He also worked for 10 years as an operations manager at the Macy’s Fulfillment Center in Goodyear.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Roxanne Henderson; one son, Steven Joseph Steffan Jr. of Edwardsville, Ill.; and one brother, John Steffan of Port Charlotte, Fla.
A memorial service with military honors will be Saturday at Skyline Regional Park, 2600 N. Watson Road, Buckeye.
Memorials may be sent to Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ 85338.
Tarla Alley
Carolyn Dropik
Sal Santillan
Steven Steffan
(See Obituaries on Page 23)
Alex Nunez
Aurora Quesea
Douglas Boers
Philip Eger
Lynnette Kwasiborski
Herbert Semmens
Sean E. Thompson, Funeral Director Cynthia Thompson, Owner
Hector R. Tantoco
Hector R. Tantoco, 88, of Avondale died Sept. 14, 2016, in Goodyear.
Mr. Tantoco was born Dec. 20, 1927, in Manila, Philippines, to Luis and Carmen Tantoco.
He was an attorney and a real estate broker. He was general manager of IDFS Morocco and Tyrrell Limited, LLC, in New York City.
He was the founder of the Filipino Jaycees Bowling League in New York City.
He was preceded in death by one grandson.
He is survived by his wife, Celeste Tantoco; four daughters, Cynthia, Minerva and Aurora Tantoco and Georgia Bulaong; and two sons, Eddie and Hector Dante Tantoco; two brothers Ricio and Bienvenido Tantoco; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A visitation was Sept. 16 at Thompson Funeral Chapel in Goodyear. A funeral Mass will be at a future date in Manila, Philippines. Burial will be at Tantoco Rustia Mausoleum, Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque, Philippines.
Condolences for the family may be left at thompsonfuneralchapel.com.
Bertha Anne Williams
Bertha Anne Williams, 71, of Goodyear died Sept. 11, 2016, in Phoenix.
Bertha Williams
Mrs. Williams was born July 5, 1945, in El Paso, Texas, to Lorenzo S. Alvillar and Elisa Provencio.
She is survived by her husband, James; one son, Christopher; six brothers; and five sisters.
Funeral services are private. Condolences for the family may be left at advantagefunerals. com.
A word about obituaries
The West Valley View publishes free obituaries for people who were residents or former residents of the West Valley.
Free obituaries are edited to conform to newspaper style. People who wish to have obituaries published verbatim, without any editing, may purchase a paid obituary; call 623-535-8439.
Funeral homes may submit obituaries using our online form at westvalleyview.com.
Dr., Avondale, AZ Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 21, and 28, 2016.
City of Avondale
for Bids (IFB)
a 1.75 MG steel reservoir, replace a 20” gate valve, and other miscellaneous work. The recoating Work will include a high solids coating application. The Project is located at 12550 W. McDowell Road in the City of Avondale, Arizona. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on September 21, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. (local Phoenix, AZ time) in the Sonoran Conference Room at the City of Avondale, 11465 W. Civic Center Dr., Avondale AZ 85323. A site visit will immediately follow the conference.
All bids should be directed to: City Clerk, 11465 W. Civic Center Dr., Suite 200, Avondale, AZ 85323-6806 or hand delivered to the City Clerk’s office. All sealed bids must be received by 3:00 p.m. (local Phoenix, AZ time) on October 5, 2016 and shall be clearly marked “PW17-010 Rancho Santa Fe Reservoir Modifications and Coating” on the lower left hand corner of the mailing envelope. The City is not responsible for the pre-opening of, post opening of, or the failure to open, a bid proposal not properly addressed or identified.
IFB packets/plans are available for download at www. avondale.org/engineering or for pick-up at the City of Avondale, 11465 W. Civic Center Dr., Avondale, AZ. There is no fee for the first set of bid documents. There is a non-refundable thirty dollar ($30.00) document fee for each additional set. Information regarding this project may be obtained by contacting Mike Smith at (623) 333-4450. The City of Avondale will endeavor to ensure in every way possible that disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) shall have every opportunity to participate in providing materials/services without being discriminated against on grounds of race, religion, sex, age, or natural origin. DBE businesses are encouraged to submit on this solicitation.
Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 14, and
Roadrunner Needlers
(From Page 21)
in new ways, including building projects, making music and other techniques.
Domestic violence support groups
New Life Center offers free confidential support groups for those who have experienced domestic violence. The meetings are held Monday evenings, Tuesday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and Friday afternoons, with varying times and confidential locations. For information, call 623-932-4404, Ext. 123.
Computer classes
Learn the basics of operating a computer from 10 to 11 a.m. every Monday at the Buckeye Library Downtown Branch, 310 N. Sixth St., Buckeye. Registration is required. For information, call 623-349-6300.
Mental Illness peer support group meets
The mental illness support group “Hope” meets from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Monday at Christ Evangelical Church, 918 S. Litchfield Road, Classroom C, in Goodyear. The group is free to attend, is for adults 18 and older and is open to the public. For information, call Andy Arnowitz at 480-994-4407.
Center, 201 E. Centre Ave., Buckeye. For information, visit duetaz.org or call 602-274-5022.
Sonoran Desert Readers Book Club
The Sonoran Desert Readers Book Club will begin at 1 p.m. at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. Today’s discussion will be on Dead Wake; The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson.
Blood drive
United Blood Services will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Estrella Mountain Community College, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale. To make an appointment to donate, visit www.BloodHero.com or call 1-877-UBS-HERO (1-877-8274376).
SMUSD community forum
The Saddle Mountain Unified School District will hold a community forum at 6 p.m. at Tartesso Elementary School, 29677 W. Indianola Ave., Buckeye.The new superintendent, school administrators and Governing Board members will be in attendance to hear ideas and answer questions.
The Roadrunner Needlers, a chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild, meets at 11 a.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Sun City West Foundation Building, 14465 R.H. Johnson Blvd.
Sewing for Babies meets in Phoenix
The Tolleson community sewing group Sewing for Babies meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at JoAnn’s Etc., 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix, in the Desert Ridge Marketplace. The group makes preemie hospital clothing, quilts for the isolettes in the hospital and burial layettes. For information, call 623-936-3412.
Youth support group
A support group for youths 12 to 19 years old who are affected by a loved one’s drinking or drug use meets from 7 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 400 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park. One adult is present at all meetings to ensure a safe environment.
Wednesday
Thursday
27
BINGO for Books
Meet new people and win prizes during BINGO for Books at 11 a.m. at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell. Register at mcldaz.org.
Medicare 101 workshop
Learn all about Medicare at 1 p.m. at the White Tank Branch Library, 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell.To sign up, visit mcldaz.org.
Heart disease support group
Cyber Technology Breakfast
Estrella Mountain Community College and Arizona State University, along with the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, are sponsoring a breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. to discuss Arizona’s cyber threat landscape and solutions. The breakfast will be at EMCC’s Estrella Conference Center, 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale. For information, visit southwestvalleychamber. org.
SMUSD community forum
The Saddle Mountain Unified School District will hold a community forum at 6 p.m. at Tartesso Elementary School, 29677 W. Indianola Ave., Buckeye. The new superintendent, school administrators and Governing Board members will be in attendance to hear ideas and answer questions.
Sonoran story, craft and play time
Preschool and school-aged children are invited to join Ranger Jessica Bland from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Nature Center at White Tank Mountain Regional Park for an open house style story, craft and play time. The park is at 20304 W. White Tank Mountain Road, Waddell.
Valley View, Avondale, Arizona, Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Vegetable gardening A garden workshop is offered from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Avondale City Hall, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. The workshop will cover planting seasons and watering. Registration is required. For information, visit avondale.org/landscape or call 623-333-4422.
Tuesday Grandparents raising grandchildren support group
Duet’s support group for grandparents raising their grandchildren will meet from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Buckeye Community
21, 2016.
City of Avondale
Public Notice
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE # 316, SECTION 3, pertaining to liquor license applications and Publication of Notice, notice is hereby given that the Avondale City Council has received for approval an application for a liquor license within the corporate limits of Avondale, Arizona from: Andrea Dahlman Lewkowitz Smashburger #1393 Location: 9915 W. McDowell Road, Suite 101, Avondale, AZ 85392 Series 12 – Restaurant License (Acquisition of Control)
Any person who is a resident of Avondale of the age of eighteen (18) years or more, residing, owning or leasing property within one-half mile radius of 9915 W. McDowell Road, Suite 101, Avondale and who is in favor of, or opposed to the issuance of a Series 12 liquor license shall, file with the City Clerk of the City of Avondale, a written argument in favor thereof, or objection thereto by September 30, 2016. Any person interested in said application is hereby notified that the Mayor and City Council will review said application at their Council meeting on October 3, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 11465 West Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 21, and 28, 2016.
City of Avondale
Public Notice
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINANCE # 316, SECTION 3, pertaining to liquor license applications and Publication of Notice, notice is hereby given that the Avondale City Council has received for approval an application for a liquor license
Tolleson City Council meets
The Tolleson City Council meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in the Park and Recreation Center, 9555 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson.
Tolleson Union High School Board meets
The Tolleson Union High School District Governing Board meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at the district office, 9801 W.Van Buren St., Tolleson. For information, visit www.tuhsd.org.
within the corporate limits of Avondale, Arizona from: Francisco Rodriguez Garcia Restaurante Mariscos 7 Mares
Location: 10740 W. Lower Buckeye Rd. #108 & #109 Avondale, AZ 85323
Series 12 – Restaurant License
Any person who is a resident of Avondale of the age of eighteen (18) years or more, residing, owning or leasing property within one-half mile radius of 10740 W. Lower Buckeye Rd. #108 & #109 Avondale and who is in favor of, or opposed to the issuance of a Series 12 liquor license shall, file with the City Clerk of the City of Avondale, a written argument in favor thereof, or objection thereto by September 30, 2016. Any person interested in said application is hereby notified that the Mayor and City Council will review said application at their Council meeting on October 3, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 11465 West Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 21, and 28, 2016.
City of Avondale
Public Notice
Request for Qualifications PR 16-030 JOC – Park, Trail and Landscape Construction
The City of Avondale is issuing this Request For Qualifications seeking statements of qualifications (“SOQ”) from qualified, licensed firms to be considered for various park, trail and landscaping-related construction projects utilizing a Job Order Contract (“JOC”) process. Pre-submittal Conference will be held Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 10:00 AM at the Avondale City Hall. All questions are due in writing to the Procurement Officer no later than October 10, 2016 Statements of Qualifications
The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease hosts a support group for women living with heart disease from 2:30 to 4 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of every month at Trinity Lutheran Church and School, 830 Plaza Circle in Litchfield Park.
Estrella Republican Club
The Estrella Republican Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of every month in the lecture room at Estrella Foothills High School, 13033 S. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear.
(“SOQ”) should be directed to the following address: City Clerk, 11465 West Civic Center Drive, Suite 200, Avondale, Arizona 85323-6806 or hand delivered to the City Clerk’s office. All SOQs must be received by October 20, 2016 by 3:00 P.M. All sealed SOQs shall be clearly marked “(RFQ PR 16-030) JOC – Park, Trail and Landscape Construction”, on the lower left hand corner of the mailing envelope. The City is not responsible for the pre-opening of, post opening of, or the failure to open, a proposal not properly addressed or identified.
Individuals wishing to submit an SOQ may pick up the RFQ information packet and Vendor Instruction sheet at the City of Avondale, 11465 West Civic Center Drive, Suite 250, Avondale, Arizona 85323 on or after September 21, 2016. Information may also be downloaded at www.avondale. org/procurement.
Information regarding this solicitation must be obtained by contacting Procurement Officer, Loretta Browning at 623-3332029 or email lbrowning@ avondale.org . The City of Avondale will endeavor to ensure every way possible that disadvantaged; minority and/or women owned business enterprises (DBE) shall have every opportunity to participate in providing materials without being discriminated against on grounds of race, religion, sex, age, or natural origin. DBE businesses are encouraged to submit on this Request for Qualifications. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 21, and 28, 2016.
City of Avondale Public Notice
Request for Statements of Qualifications PW 17-007 Integrated Utility Master Plan Update Notice is hereby given
that the City of Avondale is accepting sealed statements of qualifications from qualified, licensed firms interested in providing professional services to prepare an Integrated Utility Master Plan. The purpose of this Integrated Utility Master Plan is to update and coordinate the City’s existing water, wastewater, and reclaimed water planning efforts. A non-mandatory presubmittal conference will be held on September 28, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. (local-time, Phoenix, Arizona) at the City of Avondale, 11465 West Civic Center Dr., Avondale Arizona 85323. Statements of Qualifications must be received by 3:00 p.m. (local-time, Phoenix, Arizona) on October 13, 2016 and should be directed to: City Clerk, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Suite 200, Avondale, Arizona 85323 or hand delivered to the City Clerk’s office. Statements of Qualifications must be clearly marked (PW 17-007) Integrated Utility Master Plan Update in the lower left hand corner of the mailing envelope. The City is not responsible for the pre-opening of, post opening of, or the failure to open, a proposal that is not properly addressed or identified. The Request for Statements of Qualifications solicitation is available for download at www. avondale.org/procurement. The City of Avondale will endeavor to insure every way possible that disadvantaged, minority and/or women owned business enterprises (DBE) shall have every opportunity to participate in providing materials without being discriminated against on grounds of race, religion, sex, age, or natural origin. DBE businesses are encouraged to submit on this request for bids. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 21, and 28, 2016.
HUGE 2 day Litchfield Park estate auction. September 24th/25th. Complete contents of a Colonel’s home. Military items include uniforms, medals, jet fighter pilot helmet and much more. Gun collection, guitar collection, gold and silver boullion. 2,000 silver quarters, 2004 Chrysler Pacifica, 2003 PT Cruiser, hunting /fishing items, all the usual home furniture /furnishings. King Edward sterling flatware, many oil /water color paintings. Call or email for flyer / directions. waynepatrickauctioneers@msn.com. 602-919-0381. WaynePatrickAuctioneers.com.
& Found 15
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Do you have knowledge in gardening, coffee, art & / or sustainability?
I may have the perfect job for you! Early morning to early afternoons Part- time or full- time kelly@boongarden.com
FULL/ Part time seamstressironer needed. Dry cleaner near Luke Air Force Base. Thanom 623-935-1575.
GENERAL labor needed. Apply at The Pump Company, 327 N. 1st Street, Buckeye. Drivers license required. CDL preferred. Wage $10-$15 /hour depending on experience.
Immediate opening for Part- time group home staff at facility located West of Buckeye. Thursdays 8p.m,- 8a.m, $11- $12/ hr. based on experience Must enjoy working with children and adolescents also must be able to pass fingerprint and background check, clean driving record a must. Send resume to olsonapeca@aol.com
LOOKING for experienced compassionate CNA’s, Certified Caregivers. Part time/ full time. 623-547-7521.
LOOKING for Math Tutor, student OK, 623-396-9258
NEED EXTRA INCOME?
DRIVERS WANTED!
The West Valley View is seeking to hire individuals as Independent Contractors newspaper delivery routes! SUV, light truck or similar heavier duty vehicle preferable. Papers available for pick-up Tuesday night. Deliver late night (after 10:30 p.m.), overnight or early morning. Deliveries must be completed by 9 a.m. Wednesday mornings. Valid: Drivers License, Auto Insurance, Vehicle Registration all required. Background check and clean MVR (driving record) mandatory. Experience a plus. Please fill out an application, background authorization and submit all required documentation at our offices at: 1050 E. Riley Dr. on the NE corner of Elesio C Felix Jr. Way & Riley, south of Van Buren & east of Dysart. You can also email rsellmeyer@westvalleyview.com
PROPERTY Maintenance employees needed! Please apply in person at Tuscany Clubhouse at 16222 W clubhouse Dr., Goodyear, AZ
Seasonal Labor needed October, November and December General Labor Rolling stock Candidates apply in person at OLAM COTTON 25500 W Southern Ave., Buckeye, AZ
Our advertisers say: “WVV is an excellent source for advertisement!” ...Don
Twin or full new Orthopedic mattress set in plastic. Let the VIEW work for you. Call 623-535-VIEW (8439)
SONIC DRIVE-IN is now hiring General Managers, Assistant Managers & Shift Managers for our Apache Junction location Please call Roy Martinez 623-203-6622
Supervisors / Managers
Manufactured housing company in Goodyear, AZ is looking for candidates to fill positions as manufacturing supervisors. In order to qualify, the candidates must:
*Have experience with manufacturing processes.
*Have experience with managing 12-20 plus employees in a fast paced environment while maintaining smooth production flow.
*Maintain employee training standards giving employees direction to build homes and their components in a safe and efficient manner.
*Provide a safe working environment by assisting in the implementation and enforcement of safety standards.
*Have the ability to communicate efficiently with employees.
*Assist other supervisors / management in maintaining product quality standards. Located in Goodyear, AZ. Salary positions paid based on experience. Positions are full-time, Monday-Friday, occasional Saturdays. Benefits, 401K, Paid Vacation, BONUS Pay incentives for each position. Bilingual a plus. Email resume to cavcowestresume@cavco.com or fax to 623-882-2845
TownPlace Suites Goodyear is accepting applications for experienced room attendants Candidates must possess the desire to provide quality and timely cleanliness of the hotel guest rooms and public areas white keeping with standards Please apply in person at 13971 W Celebrate Life Way, Goodyear
Caregivers and Supervisors
[SUPERVISOR • 94th Ave& Deer Valley]
We are currently looking for responsible, energetic Supervisors & Caregivers to work in home care and group home environments. Paid training and certification. Must pass background check and have a valid Arizona Driver’s License for a minimum of 39 months and must have reliable transportation. Please apply at www.valleylifeaz.org
IS HIRING!!
SanMar is a fun customer driven organization that follows their family values in order to provide the utmost service to our internal customers, “Our Employees” and our external customers!! Where we Ship it Right, Ship it on Time, Ship it Complete! ORDER PROCESSORS Needed
You will love it, if you:
Work well with others while maintaining self-motivated, give your best to our clients in every order, demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills and have STRONG attention to detail, help out during occasional mandatory overtime which may include weekends, constantly walking. Why SanMar?
Great full benefit package, employee discounts, challenging but friendly environment, monthly employee activities, and competitive salaries! APPLY TODAY!!!
In person: 1100 N 127th Ave Ste. 200, Avondale, AZ 85323 Online: www.sanmar.com/career
Housekeeping 32
AA Housecleaning. Homes, RV’s, offices, remodels. Professional, references, reliable. 623-229-1507.
DUST Bunnies Housecleaning. “Let your day off really be your day off”. Lea, 602-908-1519.
Home Sales 50
ADVERTISE your home, property or business for sale in 71 AZ newspapers. Reach more than 1 million readers for ONLY $330! Call the West Valley View 623-535-8439 or visit: www.classifiedarizona.com. (AZCAN)
Land 51
1 to 18 acres, starting $10,000, various locations, payments, owner/ agent, 602-510-8900.
INDUSTRIAL lots for sale. 3.3 acres on Eliseo Felix Way, north of West Valley View building and 2.68 acres east of West Valley View building on Riley Dr. Zoned A-1. E-mail publisher@westvalleyview.com for information.
NORTHERN AZ Wilderness Ranch, $219 Month. Quiet & secluded 36 acre off the grid ranch at cool clear 6,400’ elevation near historic pioneer town & fishing lake. No urban noise & dark sky nights. Blend of mature evergreens & grassy meadows with sweeping views across surrounding wilderness mountains and valleys. Borders 640 acres of State Trust. Abundant groundwater, loam garden soil & maintained road access. Camping & RV ok. $25,500, $2,550 dn. Free brochure with photos /topo map /weather / area info. 1st United Realty 800-966-6690. (AzCAN) PRIME 2.5 acres. Electric available. Tonopah. 353rd Avenue. $17,500. PeakView Properties. 480-994-1200.
3 BEDROOM mobile homes for sale. Owner financing. All age family gated community. New homes available. 623-935-4296, 623-826-5398, 623-853-5739. $25,000 under dealer’s cost! New 2016 Schult mobile homes.
bedroom /2
SOCIAL SECURITY Disability
Benefits. Unable to work? Denied benefits? We can help! WIN or Pay nothing! Contact Bill Gordon & Associates at 1-800-960-3595 to start your application today! (AzCAN)
Services 80
HANDYMAN-37 years experience. Drywall, framing, plumbing, painting, electrical, roofing and more. Stan, 602-434-6057.
HD Painting, House painting exterior- interior, spray, brush, roll, epoxy, free estimates. David 623-670-3518.
LAWN and landscape maintenance service plus free estimates. Contact Rodney Davis, 623-329-1861.
LITCHFIELD ClockworksQuality antique clock repair. House calls on grandfather clocks. 623-759-3151.
YARD work, clean ups, removal, sod installation, irrigation systems, hauling, rock spreading. Josefina 623-242-4159, Juan 623-242-4161.
Merchandise 90
COMING SOON
Estate Shoppers Delite www.go2obb.com
DISH Network- New FLEX Pack- Select the channels you want. Free installation. Free streaming. $39.99/ 24 months. Add internet for $14.95 a month. Call 1-800-318-1693. (AZCAN)
DISH TV 190 channels plus highspeed internet only $49.95 /month! Ask about a 3 year price guarantee and get Netflix included for 1 year! Call today 1-800-318-1693. (AxCAN)
DISH TV 190 channels plus Highspeed Internet Only $54.94 /month! Ask about a 3 year price guarantee & get Netflix included for 1 year! Call Today 1-800-318-1693. (AzCAN)
EMPTY 30 gallon steel drums with cap and ring lids. $20 each. See at West Valley View, 1050 E. Riley Drive, Avondale. Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Email: Rwestfall@westvalleyview.com
NEWSPAPER end rolls for sale, $1.50 and up. One-Half inch of paper or more. West Valley View, 1050 E. Riley Dr., Avondale. Great for children’s fingerpainting and drawing. Or use it for packing dishes, etc. for that big move.
NFL Sunday Ticket (FREE!) with Choice Package includes 200 channels. $60 /month for 12 months. No upfront costs or equipment to buy. Ask about next day installation! 1-800-404-9329, (AzCAN)
ULTIMATE bundle from DirectTV & AT&T. 2-year price guarantee. Just $89.99 /month (TV /fast internet /phone). Free WholeHome Genie HD-DVR upgrade. New customer only. Call today 1-800-404-9329. (AzCAN)
Garage Sales 91
Garage Sale/ New Craft! September Friday 23 & Saturday 24, 8:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Featuring, hand made Christmas gifts in crochet, quilts, needlepoint. 10 cubic feet Magic Chef refrigerator. 23955 W Hidalgo Ave., Buckeye
HUGE yard sale! September 24th & 25th, starting at 7:00a.m. 16603 W Mesquite Dr., Goodyear. We have a ton of household and office items to sell. Furniture, clothing, home decor and so much more.
Sharon’s Petsitting & Australian Shepards LLC. Licensed and Bonded. 623-386-0281 / 623-810-0136.
Automotive 500
$ $100- $500+ ABANDONED all as is autos! Good condition more $$$$. Best prices! Fast, free pick up. 623-329-2043.
$ $100- $500+ ABANDONED all autos! Any condition. Good condition more $$$$! Call 602-561-6291.
1965 CHEVROLET Corvette convertible L75 327ci/300HP manual 4 speed, blue/ black, $16,500 call 623-900-0204 or bransonclarissa@gmail.com 2004 Saturn Vue RV tow car, $3,000 or best offer, 623-680-8672.
Public Notice
Legal text continued from Page 23
Public Notice
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN
IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: JT’S LOVELY LEO’S, LLC
L-2104513-1
II. The address of the known place of business is: 16600 W. Pierce St., Goodyear, AZ 85338
III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: David Malik, 16600 W. Pierce St., Goodyear, AZ 85338
B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members. The names and addresses of each person who is a member are: David Malik, Member, 16600 W. Pierce St., Goodyear, AZ 85338
Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 7, 14, and 21, 2016.
Public Notice
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION
COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: BRADLEY TRANSPO-TATION LLC L-2117700-8
II. The address of the known place of business is: 9703 N. El Mirage Road, El Mirage, AZ 85335
III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent
is: Mary Christine Bradley, 17740 W. Maryland Ave., Waddell, AZ
85355
B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members. The names and addresses of each person who is a member are:
Keith Harold Bradley, Member, 17740 W. Maryland Ave., Waddell, AZ 85355
Mary Christine Bradley, Member, 17740 W. Maryland Ave., Waddell, AZ 85355
Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 7, 14, and 21, 2016.
Public Notice
SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA IN YUMA COUNTY Case Number: S1400D0201501182
STATEMENTS MADE TO THE COURT, UNDER OATH OR AFFIRMATION:
1. INFORMATION ABOUT ME, THE PETITIONER: Calvin E. Perkins, Jr., 2500 Wheatloop, Unit D, Yuma, AZ 85365
2. INFORMATION ABOUT, MY SPOUSE, THE RESPONDENT: Angela R. Perkins, 12175 W. McDowell Rd., Apt. 3349, Avondale, AZ 85392
A. DISSOLUTION (DIVORCE): Dissolve our marriage and return each party to the status of a single person.
C. CHILD CUSTODY AND PARENTING TIME: Award custody and parenting time of the children under the age of 18 years and common to the parties, whether by birth or adoption as follows:
C.1. SOLE CUSTODY of the minor child(ren) awarded to Petitioner.
Chloe J Perkins
Avery W. Perkins OATH OR AFFIRMATION AND VERIFICATION
I swear or affirm that the information on this document is true and correct under penalty of perjury.
/s/ Calvin Perkins, Jr., 8/20/2015
Sworn to or Affirmed before me this: 8/20/2015 by Lynn Fazz, Clerk of Superior Court and Yvette Garcia Deputy Clerk or Notary Public
Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 14, 21, 28 and October 5, 2016
Public Notice
Notice of Election
The Tonopah Valley Fire District will hold an election on November 8, 2016 at the General Election to fill two (2) vacancies on the Tonopah Valley Fire District Board.
All precincts within the Tonopah Valley Fire District boundaries will be involved in this election. The polls are open from 6:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. FOR THE BOARD:
Lloyd Rogers Clerk of the Board
Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 14, and 21, 2016.
Public Notice
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION
COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: GH TRANSPORT SERVICES, LLC
L-2116742-3
II. The address of the known place of business is: 1802 S. 176th Ave., Goodyear, AZ 85338
III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent it: Jose Navarro, 1802 S. 176th Ave., Goodyear, AZ 85338
A. Management of the limited liability company is vested in a manager or managers. The names and addresses of each person who is a manager AND each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are: Caroline Navarro, Manager, 1802 S. 176th Ave., Goodyear, AZ 85338
Jose Navarro, Manager, 1802 S. 176th Ave., Goodyear, AZ 85338
Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 14, 21, and 28, 2016.
Public Notice
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION
COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: KINDRED CARE, PLLC P-2118234-7
II. The address of the known place of business is: 13630 W. Denton Street, Litchfield Park, Arizona, 85340
III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Patrick Canada, 13630 W. Denton Street, Litchfield Park, Arizona, 85340
A. Management of the limited liability company is vested in
a manager or managers. The names and addresses of each person who is a manager AND each member who owns a twenty percent or greater interest in the capital or profits of the limited liability company are:
Connie Canada, Manager, 13630 W. Denton Street, Litchfield Park, Arizona, 85340
Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 14, 21, and 28, 2016.
Public Notice
ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION HAVE BEEN FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE ARIZONA CORPORATION
COMMISSION FOR I. NAME: ROCKETT CLEANING SERVICES, LLC
L-2113760-4
II. The address of the known place of business is: 10405 W. Granada Rd., Avondale, AZ 85392
III. The name and street address of the Statutory Agent is: Tujuana Rockett, 10405 W. Granada Rd., Avondale, AZ 85392
B. Management of the limited liability company is reserved to the members. The names and addresses of each person who is a member are: Tujuana Rockett, Member, 10405 W. Granada Rd., Avondale, AZ 85392
Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 14, 21, and 28, 2016.
Public Notice
INVITATION TO BID
Bids: October 5, 2016 10:00 am
Project: Job Order Contract
Landscape Installation
DMB White Tank, LLC seeks
qualified General Contractors, with a minimum A- General Engineering license, to submit sealed bids for the Verrado Job Order Contract Landscape Installation which consists of, but is not limited to all work associated with installation of the landscape in accordance with the plans and specifications (the “Work”). The Successful Contractor shall be responsible for all coordination associated with the Work. Copies of the plans, specifications, bid documents and detailed information for this project will be available on Monday, September 19, 2016. Contact Terri Kading tkading@dmbinc. com to make arrangements to receive the bid documents. A MANDATORY pre-bid meeting will be held in the DMB White Tank Development Office located at 4236 N. Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ 85396 – Monday, September 26, 2016 at 2:00 pm. All interested parties are invited to attend. It is recommended that interested parties RSVP prior to the meeting. Sealed bids will be received at the City of Buckeye, City Clerk’s Office, located at 530 E Monroe, Buckeye, AZ 85326, on October 5, 2016 – 10:00 am. In the event the bid opening date is changed, a notification will be sent only to those who requested bid documents. Bids submitted after specified closing time will not be accepted. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud immediately after the specified closing time. Unless all bids are rejected, the Contract will be awarded within twenty one (21) days. The Contract will be awarded to the lowest qualified bidder that submits a complete and accurate bid. A complete and accurate bid will include all information requested in the bid documents. Every bid made by a Contractor pursuant to this Notice shall be accompanied by a surety bond for ten percent (10%) of the bid amount, listing DMB White Tank, LLC as the Obligee, as a guarantee that the Contractor will enter into a contract to perform the Work, or as liquidated damages in the event the Contractor refuses or fails to enter into the Contract with DMB White Tank, LLC upon award. Cashiers checks will not be accepted. The bonds will be returned to all Contractors whose bids are not awarded the Contract, and to the successful Contractor, upon execution of the Contract, and receipt of Payment and Performance bonds for the Work. The cost for providing Payment and Performance bonds shall be included in the bid submittal. A Payment and Performance bond will be required in the amount of 100% of the original Contract value for the duration of the Contract. All bidders shall be required to submit, with their bid proposal, a completed Certificate of Insurance evidencing their ability to meet the insurance requirements for this project. The Contractor shall carry property damage and public liability insurance and shall hold and save harmless DMB White Tank, LLC, Verrado Community Association, the City of Buckeye and the Verrado District 1 Community Facilities District from any employer’s liability and from any and all liens for materials or labor in connection with this Work
as specified in the bid documents. Any bids submitted without the bid bond, certificate of insurance and any other items as required in the bid documents will be deemed incomplete, and will be rejected. DMB White Tank, LLC reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to withhold the award for any reason DMB White Tank, LLC determines necessary and appropriate. Award of the successful bid shall be subject to approval by DMB White Tank, LLC or its representatives. Interested parties shall refer to the bid package and addendums for further information, or contact Terri Kading at tkading@dmbinc. com – reference “Verrado Job Order Contract Landscape Installation”. No engineer’s estimate will be distributed. Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 14, and 21, 2016.
Public Notice
ARIZONA STATE LAND DEPARTMENT 1616 WEST ADAMS STREET PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85007 PUBLIC AUCTION SALE NO. 16-94823-00-001 PERPETUAL RIGHT OF WAY EASEMENT
Pursuant to A.R.S. Title 37, notice is hereby given that the state of Arizona through its Arizona State Land Department (herein called ASLD), will sell at Public Auction to the highest and best bidder at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 5, 2016, at the Arizona State Land Department, Room 434B, 1616 W. Adams, Phoenix, Arizona, a perpetual right of way easement for the purpose of Underground Utilities situated in Maricopa County to wit:
TOWNSHIP 1 SOUTH, RANGE 2 WEST, G&SRB&M, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA PARCEL: M&B THRU S2S2, SECTION 9. CONTAINING 7.52 ACRES, MORE OR LESS.
BENEFICIARY: PERMANENT COMMON SCHOOLS (INDEMNITY SELECTIONS)
For a complete legal description of the land, prospective bidders are advised to examine the right of way application file as well as all pertinent files of ASLD.
Said right of way easement has been valued at $2,400.00 and consists of 7.52 acres, more or less.
Additional requirements and conditions of this right of way are available and may be viewed at the Arizona State Land Department, 1616 West Adams Street, Phoenix, Arizona. The complete file associated with the described land is open to public inspection at the ASLD, 1616 West Adams Street, Phoenix, Arizona, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., exclusive of holidays and weekends. Please direct any questions regarding this Public Auction to the Rights of Way Section of the Real Estate Division of ASLD at (602) 5424098. This auction notice is available on the ASLD’s web site at www.azland.gov
Each potential bidder must show ASLD’s representative a cashier’s check made payable to the Arizona State Land Department in the amount specified under Terms of Sale Paragraph (A) below.
TERMS OF SALE:
(A) At the time of sale the successful bidder must pay the following by a cashier’s check: (1) The value of the right of way, which is $2,400.00; (2) A Selling and Administrative Fee of 3% of the value of the right of way, which is $72.00; (3) Reimbursable Estimated Advertising Fee, which is $2,500.00. The total amount due at the time of sale is $4,972.00 (less $2,500.00 and less $2,472.00 for Advance Deposit into suspense if the successful bidder is the applicant for a total amount due of $0.00).
(B) Within 30 days after the auction date the successful bidder must pay the full balance of the amount bid for the right of way and pay a Selling and Administrative Fee of 3% of the purchase price for the right of way less the amount paid under (A) (2) above.
(C) No Selling and Administrative Fee shall be collected by ASLD if the successful bidder at auction is the beneficiary of the land trust.
(D) Within 30 days after the auction date the successful bidder shall be required to pay the actual legal advertising cost, less the amount paid under (A) (3) above.
BIDDING INFORMATION:
(A) The time of sale shall be deemed to be the time of declaration of the highest and best bidder. The bidding will begin at the total value of the right of way. A bid for less than the value of the right of way easement or by a party who has not inspected the right of way and/or the associated files and records of ASLD will not be considered.
(B) All bidders must sign an affidavit stating that they have undertaken due diligence in preparation for the auction
and that the bidder has five (5) days after notification by ASLD to pay by cashier’s check all amounts due.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The ASLD may cancel this auction in whole or in part at any time prior to the acceptance of a final bid. A protest to this sale must be filed within 30 days after the first day of publication of this announcement and in accordance with A.R.S. §37-301. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter, by
contacting the ADA Coordinator, at (602) 364-0875. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
Ruben Ojeda (for) Lisa A. Atkins
Commissioner September 1, 2016
Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2016.
Public Notice
SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA IN MARICOPA COUNTY
Person Filing: Zhetannah Parisa Gonzales
In the Matter of: Case Number: CV2016-
004140
Destinee Alexandra Shahjamali
CONSENT OF MINOR TO NAME CHANGE Name on Birth Certificate: Destinee Alexandra Shahjamali
Date of Birth: August 23, 2000
Place of Birth: Boise, ID, United States I am the minor who is the subject of this name change request.
I am at least 14 years of age. I have read the Application for Name Change and consent to changing my legal name to:
Destinee Alexandra Gonzales I waive notice of all further proceedings in this matter.
1. Court date 10-25-16
AZ 85031 Published in the West Valley View, and the West Valley Business on September 21, 28, and October 5, 2016.
Public Notice
INVITATION TO BID
Bids: Wednesday, October 19, 2016 Time tbd
Project: Victory – Tuthill Channel (REBID)
Verrado ARC LLC seeks qualified General Contractors, with a minimum A- General Engineering license, to submit sealed bids for the Victory District – Tuthill Channel in accordance with the plans and specifications (the “Work”). The Successful Contractor shall be responsible for all coordination associated
with the Work. Copies of the plans, specifications, bid documents and detailed information for this project will be available on Monday, September 26, 2016. Contact Terri Kading (480) 367.7309 or tkading@dmbinc.com to make arrangements to receive the bid documents. A MANDATORY pre-bid meeting will be held in the Victory Development Office located at 4236 N. Verrado Way, Buckeye, AZ 85396 –October 4, 2016, 2:00 pm. All interested parties are invited to attend. It is recommended that interested parties RSVP prior to the meeting. Sealed bids will be received at the City of Buckeye, City Clerk’s Office, located at 530 E Monroe, Buckeye, AZ 85326. Bids are due Wednesday, October 19, 2016, time to be
published with the bid documents. Bids submitted after specified closing time will not be accepted. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud immediately after the specified closing time. Unless all bids are rejected, the Contract will be awarded within twenty one (21) days. The Contract will be awarded to the lowest qualified bidder that submits a complete and accurate bid. A complete and accurate bid will include all information requested in the bid documents. Every bid made by a Contractor pursuant to this Notice shall be accompanied by a surety bond for ten percent (10%) of the bid amount, listing Verrado ARC LLC as the Obligee, as a guarantee that the Contractor will enter into a contract to perform the Work, or as liquidated damages in the event the
Contractor refuses or fails to enter into the Contract with Verrado ARC LLC upon award. Cashiers checks will not be accepted. The bonds will be returned to all Contractors whose bids are not awarded the Contract, and to the successful Contractor, upon execution of the Contract, and receipt of Payment and Performance bonds for the Work. The cost for providing Payment and Performance bonds shall be included in the bid submittal. A Payment and Performance bond will be required in the amount of 100% of the original Contract value for the duration of the Contract. All bidders shall be required to submit, with their bid proposal, a completed Certificate of Insurance evidencing their ability to meet the insurance requirements for this project. The
Contractor shall carry property damage and public liability insurance and shall hold and save harmless Verrado ARC LLC, DMB White Tank, LLC, the City of Buckeye and the Verrado District 1 Community Facilities District from any employer’s liability and from any and all liens for materials or labor in connection with this Work as specified in the bid documents. Any bids submitted without the bid bond, certificate of insurance and any other items as required in the bid documents will be deemed incomplete, and will be rejected. Verrado ARC LLC
