Golden Corridor Living Magazine by ROX Media

“THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY”

SUMMER 2016 VOL. II

T H E

EDUCATION I S S U E

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL

Casa Grande City Council Candidates: “Make it Better” Q&A

ARIZONA CIT Y • C A S A GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • MARICOPA

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“THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY”

SUMMER 2016 VOL. II

Contents Features:

T H E

THE EDUCATION EDITION

EDUCATION I S S U E

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL

Casa Grande City Council Candidates: “Make it Better” Q&A

Summer 2016

Casa Grande City Council Candidates Q&A

Sun Life Family Health Center 40 Years & Counting

Education Special Section

ARIZONA CIT Y • C A S A GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • MARICOPA

Amy Berry at her graduation with her daughter Chloe 2016 MBA Class Benedictine University in Mesa Photographer: Lori Riley

Economy & Local Business What is Donors Choice?. . . . . . 20 Education: Creating Economic

Health, Wealth & Education Pathways for Toxins to Enter

Travel, Dining & Entertainment Family Playcations. . . . . . . . . . . 88

Your Body. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Success. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Being the Voice of a Child. . . . . 46

Educating the Self-Sustaining

God, What is Poor? Part 5. . . . 54

Citizen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Ticks Suck!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Character Counts!. . . . . . . . . . . . 92

MARIJUANA: The Impact on Our A Family Law Conundrum . . . . . 32

GOLDEN GOLDENCORRID CORRID OR ORLILI VV ING INGSUMMER SUMMER202016 16 VOL VOL . II. II

Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

The Story of Cleocatra . . . . . . . 98

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

Letter from the Editor

SUMMER IS IN FULL EFFECT HEAT EFFECT, THAT IS!!

N Bea Lueck

ow is the time to say THANK YOU to Willis Carrier. Huh – who is he and why are we thanking him? His name is the clue. Carrier is the inventor of the modern-day air conditioning system. He created the first large-scale electrical system in 1902. His legacy continues today with a major brand of air conditioning equipment recognized throughout the U.S. Residential air conditioning came into use in the 1920s. Evaporative air conditioning dates back to ancient Egypt when moistened reeds were hung in windows, with the evaporation of the water cooling the air. That’s your history lesson for the day. Speaking of history, this issue is aptly named the Education Edition. Never have parents had more options for their students. Not only are there public schools, but there are private, parochial, charter, online and even home-school options available. The financial cost ranges from free to tens of thousands per semester. Some schools are more hands-on for the parents, requiring parental participation at events and classroom volunteering. As a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker ROX Realty, a question I am frequently asked by newcomers to the area is, “What are the schools like? What’s a good school for my child?” And as they say in real estate school, “Be the source of the source!” There are several good websites available that rank the schools and the districts. • www.azed.gov • www.azreportcards.org • http://www.greatschools.org/ arizona/ • https://k12.niche.com/rankings/ public-elementary-schools/ best-overall/s/arizona/ Most districts post their report cards on their websites and, of course, go ask the neighbors what they think

of the schools! There are many variables to what is important to you – are you looking for a traditional, core curriculum or one that focuses more on the arts? Only you can judge what your child’s strengths and educational needs are. The good news is we have so many quality choices for our youth. Another topic this edition is politics. We sent a survey to the Casa Grande City Council candidates asking what they will do to make Casa Grande better. The responses are published as they were submitted. Do your research and be an informed voter. These are the people who are going to be making decisions that could have significant financial impact on us for years to come. I’ve noted many positive and negative comments on social media on all levels – from local to national. Social media seems to bring out the best and the worst in communication. The good news is people ARE communicating about issues that are important to them. The bad news is not all statements being shared are factual, so do your own research on matters that are important to you! Our next edition follows along with the root of politics – our Lead-

ership edition. What makes a good leader? As part of that edition, look for a Q&A with some of our Pinal County candidates. Have you ever wondered how a magazine cover is created? For us, it starts with a flurry of emails and a brainstorming session or two, taking place several months before the publication is finalized. In May, we were looking at various stock photography pertaining to education, but nothing was exactly what we were imaging. Then it happened: a Facebook post from a friend. I saw Amy’s graduation photo posted and the “AH-HA” moment arrived – that was the image. At least most of it was the image. There was not enough top image available to include the boys without the masthead covering them. So with a little bit of creative PhotoShop our cover was born. Below is the before image so you can see the creative effort our designers go through to make that special cover. Congratulations to all the 2016 graduates!

–Bea “THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY”

SUMMER 2016 VOL. II

T H E

EDUCATION I S S U E

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL

Casa Grande City Council Candidates: “Make it Better” Q&A

ARIZONA CIT Y • C A S A GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • MARICOPA

THE THEEDUCATION EDUCATION EDITION EDITION

SUMMER 20 16 16 VOL . .IIII CORRID OR LILI VVING 7 SUMMER SUMMER 2016 20 VOL VOL . GOLDEN IIGOLDEN GOLDEN CORRID CORRID OR OR LI VING ING

VOICES PUBLISHER Elaine Earle, CPA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Bea Lueck MANAGING EDITOR Katie Mayer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Harold Kitching Donna McBride Jackie Paunil Jim Rhodes ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE Debbie Cortez Melody Langevin CREATIVE DIRECTOR/GRAPHIC DESIGN Tim Clarke GRAPHIC DESIGN Jake Pagano Tad Smith CHIEF OF OPERATIONS & FINANCE Elaine Earle, CPA ADVERTISING INQUIRIES info@raxxdirect.com COMMENTS & IDEAS editor@raxxdirect.com CALENDAR INQUIRES calendar@raxxdirect.com

Bob Jackson

Born in Whitefish, Montana, Mayor Robert Jackson has lived in Casa Grande since 1991. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, holding a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He retired from the City of Casa Grande as Public Works Director in 2002 and is now serving his fourth term as mayor ending in 2015.

Helen Neuharth

Helen was hired as the President/CEO of the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce in August 1991 and is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management from Boulder, Colorado. Helen is an active member of the Arizona Chamber Executives

Donna McBride

Donna McBride is the Program Administrator/Public Information Officer and Supervisor for the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Unit for Pinal County Juvenile Court . McBride is actively involved as a Board Member for Casa Grande Alliance, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, BlackBox Foundation, Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reading Program, Pinal County Town Hall Vice-Chair, Parks and Block Watch Captain for the Casa Grande Police Department. A freelance writer and photographer, Donna and husband Mike enjoy white water rafting, kayaking and spending time with their 2 sons and 3 grandchildren who live in the valley.

(520) 426-2074 442 W. Kortsen Rd, Ste 101 Casa Grande, AZ 85122

Harold Kitching

Harold has worked for newspapers across the country. He was city government reporter for the Casa Grande Dispatch for 11 years until he resigned after the newspaper began downplaying local news.

Golden Corridor LIVING is published by RAXX Media. Editorial content is provided by affiliates of RAXX Media, community members and local organizations. The publishers of Golden Corridor LIVING assume no responsibility for errors or omissions of any advertisement beyond the actual cost of the advertisement. In no event shall the publishers be liable for any consequential damages in excess of the cost of the advertisement. Golden Corridor LIVING shall not be liable for inaccuracies, errors, omissions, or damages from the use of information contained herein. Submitted articles do not reflect the opinions of the owners or management of Golden Corridor LIVING Information contained within submitted articles had not been verified for accuracy and readers are responsible for forming their own opinions. Real CORRID OR ING SUMMER 20 16 . II availability and pricing. 8 GOLDEN estate information is asLIofV 7-8-16 and is subject to VOL current

THE EDUCATION EDITION

of the

Community

Evelyn Casuga

Evelyn Casuga CEcD, serves as Economic/ Community Development Advisor for Access Arizona, the area’s regional economic development foundation. Evelyn works part time at CAC and consults with the Center for the Future of Arizona, and other non-profit/private entities. She volunteers with numerous organizations in economic and community development throughout Arizona.

Breanna Boland

Breanna is the Executive Director of the Casa Grande Alliance. She started working for the organization in 2012 as a Prevention Specialist. Breanna studied Public Health at Northern Arizona University and is a Arizona Certified Prevention Specialist.

Jerry Chinn

Jerry Chinn’s is an award-winning and college-educated documentary filmmaker and photographer with more than 30 years of professional experience. Whether through film or still photography, his passion is telling stories that enlighten and inspire the viewer.

Jackie Paunil

Jackie is founder of Terra Medela: Personal Health Coaching. She earned her MFA at Texas Woman’s University and CHC from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Jackie coaches individuals in her private practice, as well as providing classes through the City of Casa Grande Parks & Recreation programming.

THE EDUCATION EDITION

BUSINESS INDEX 100

Academy Mortgage - CG

Access Arizona

Ace of Shades

Agave Dentistry

American Family Ins-Hobbs

Annie-Mac Home Mortgage

Arizona Department of Housing

ASU Preparatory Academy

Banner / CGRMC

Bay of Islands Spa

Brutinel

Capital R Construction

Casa Grande Alliance

Casa Grande Elementary

Casa Grande Family Dentistry

Casa Grande Union High School District

Central Arizona College

Coldwell Banker ROX Realty - BROKERAGE

Coldwell Banker ROX Realty - Property Management

Cottonwood Medical Center

D.A. Milewski Household Cleaning

Desert Sky Dental

Dick & Mitchell DDS

DM Family Dentistry

Farmers Insurance - Bryant

Fitzgibbons Law Offices

Grande Innovation Academy

Heritage Motors

Jenkins Chiropractic

LEGOLAND ® & Sea Life Aquarium

Legacy Traditional Schools

Make It Better

Mankel Mechanical

Mission Heights Preparatory

Phoenix Patio Systems

Pinal County - CASA of Pinal County

Premier Ortho

ROX Casa Grande Insurance

Silent Witness

Sircle Pain Clinic

Star Towing

Steve Miller for Pinal County Supervisor

Sun Life Family Health Center

Sunshine Child & Adolescent Care

Title Security

Yang and Horsley Dentistry SUMMER 20 16 VOL . II GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

Submit your events online at goldencorridorliving.com AUGUST

Line Dancing Classes - 9:00 AM10:00 AM - Len Colla Recreation Center - 1011 E. 4th St., Casa Grande

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM & 8/6/2016 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM)

for the Arts - 413 N. Florence St., Casa Grande

Soccer Registration - 9:00 AM-2:00 PM - The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Casa Grande Valley 798 N. Picacho Ave., Casa Grande

Breakfast with the Mayor - 7:30 AM-8:30 AM - Artisan Village of Coolidge - 351 N. Arizona Blvd., Coolidge Soccer Registration - 7:00 PM-9:00 PM - The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Casa Grande Valley 798 N. Picacho Ave., Casa Grande

Elf Jr. The Musical Auditions - Artisan Village of Coolidge Flatley Community Room - 351 N. Arizona Blvd., Coolidge (8/5/2016

Battle Moose Improv at Blackbox - 6:30 PM Blackbox Studio for the Arts - 413 N. Florence St., Casa Grande

Pickleball - 9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Len Colla Recreation Center 1011 E. 4th St., Casa Grande

Blending with Acrylic Paints 9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Artisan Village of Coolidge - Visual Arts Studio - 351 N. Arizona Blvd., Ste. 9, Coolidge

Line Dancing - 10:00 AM-12:00 PM - Len Colla Recreation Center - 1011 E. 4th St., Casa Grande

Auditions for Almost Maine 6:30 PM- - Blackbox Studio

Downtown Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM - N. Florence St. & 4th St., Casa Grande

Volleyball Open Gym - 6:30 PM-8:30 PM - Len Colla Recreation Center - 1011 E. 4th St., Casa Grande

Boys & Girls Club of the CG Valley Annual Dinner 6:00 PM-9:00 PM - The Property Conference Center - 1251 W. Gila Bend Hwy., Casa Grande

Fast Landscape Painting 9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Artisan Village of Coolidge - Visual Arts Studio - 351 N. Arizona Blvd., Ste. 9, Coolidge

School Buses Are Like Traffic Signals! When overhead lights are flashing yellow:

Prepare to stop

When overhead lights are flashing red:

STOP!

When hazard warning lights are flashing:

Proceed with caution

School zones are 15 mph with no passing 10

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING SUMMER 20 16 VOL . II

THE EDUCATION EDITION

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

August-September 2016 SEPTEMBER

Doggie Dive In - 2:00 PM-4:00 PM - Palm Island Aquatic Center - 1115 N. Brown Ave., Casa Grande

Line Dancing - 9:00 AM-10:00 AM - Len Colla Recreation Center - 1011 E. 4th St., Casa Grande Pickleball - 9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Len Colla Recreation Center 1011 E. 4th St., Casa Grande

Collector Car Club of Coolidge - 5:30 PM - Tag’s Cafe - 156 N. Arizona Blvd., Coolidge

Weekly Story Time - 10:15 AM - Coolidge Public Library - 160 W. Central Ave., Coolidge

THE EDUCATION EDITION

9-11 Rememberance - 6:30 PM - Peart Park - 350 E. 6th St., Casa Grande

Hello Sunshine Kidz Adventures - 9:00 AM-11:00 AM - Arizona City Elementary School - 12115 W. Benito Rd., Arizona City

Party in the Park Concert Series - 6:00 PM-8:00 PM - Peart Park - 350 E. 6th St., Casa Grande

Annual Day of Playtopia 6:00 PM-8:00 PM - CarrMcNatt Park - 1115 N. Brown Ave., Casa Grande Casa Grande Open at Francisco Grande Resort 8:00 AM-1:00 PM - Francisco Grande Hotel & Golf Resort - 26000 W. Gila Bend Hwy., Casa Grande

Viva Grande - 5:00 PM-9:00 PM - Paul Mason Sportsplex - 2525 N. Pinal Ave., Casa Grande

Downtown Farmer’s Market - 10:00 AM-4:00 PM - N. Florence St. & 4th St., Casa Grande

Volleyball Open Gym - 6:30 PM-8:30 PM - Len Colla Recreation Center - 1011 E. 4th St., Casa Grande

SUMMER 20 16 VOL . II GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

The Casa Grande H

• A RIZONA CIT Y • CASA GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • M A RICOPA • A RIZONA CIT Y • CASA GR ANDE • COOL

City to study transit system needs

CG News

by Harold Kitching

cgnews-info.webs.com or www.haroldkitching.com

Landfill maintenance project moves forward

ven landfills need maintenance — both to keep them functioning and to head off environmental problems. In the case of Casa Grande’s operation, a stormwater collection system needs to be constructed to lead from the west area to the retention basin in the north. This is easier said than done, given that the engineering company hired to design the system will have to work with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and the San Carlos Irrigation Project, both of which have a canal in the area. Sunrise Engineering from Mesa will do the design work and handle permitting from the other agencies. The contract is for $96,214, broken down as $79,538 for the base contract and $16,676 for optional services. “We’ll only use those services if we absolutely need to once we get into this project,” Public Works Direc-

tor Kevin Louis told the City Council during discussion of the contract. “We have three cells at the landfill – west cell, east cell and then a north cell.” Louis added, “The west cell and the east cell are both permitted for a landfill and the north cell is not. We currently use that for the retention of our stormwater from that site.”

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He continued, “The landfill’s west cell needs to have a drainage system designed through a series of ditches and canals along the existing berms that will convey that retention to the basin located in that north cell. The challenge is, those basins are locat-

continued on page 24...

asa Grande has contributed $40,000 to a grant to study whether a transit system in the city is feasible. The money, approved by the City Council, was added to a $160,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Transportation through federal funds. The study will be overseen by the Sun Corridor Metropolitan Planning Organization, formed after Casa Grande’s population surpassed 50,000. The $40,000 had already been earmarked for Sun Corridor as part of the city’s membership, therefore is not a new appropriation. The proposed study area is an approximately 39 square mile area bounded by: • Burris Road on the west. • Val Vista Road on the north. • Interstate 10 and the extents of the Promenade mall on the east. • Earley Road on the south. Councilwoman Mary Kortsen asked what the city is getting for the money. City Traffic Engineer Duane Eitel answered, “The $200,000 total is to do a study on transit for the city of Casa Grande, so it’s a real extensive public involvement. We’re going to work a lot with the public to see where they want to go if we have a transit system.” He added, “We want to work with businesses to see what their interest is in a transit system. For instance, we would go out and visit with the Walmart Distribution Center and Tractor Supply and all those companies out that way (on the southwest side of the city) to see what their interests are and what they think their employees’ are and we’d do a lot of THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

Herald

Local News from Golden Corridor Living Magazine

ALL THE NEWS WE THINK IS FIT TO PRINT!

LIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • M A RICOPA • A RIZONA CIT Y • CASA GR ANDE • COOLIDGE • ELOY • FLORENCE • M A RICOPA •

Spending approved to remove nitrates from water

he Casa Grande City Council has approved spending $206,533 for equipment to remove nitrates from water in the small city-owned Copper Mountain Valley Water Co. The equipment is expected to resolve a longstanding problem the water company has had with nitrate levels exceeding the health levels. The city has been sanctioned by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and entered into a consent agreement that it would install removal equipment. Public Works Director Kevin Louis told the council, “We’re hoping to get this completed in about three to four months. It’s going to be quite the effort but we believe we can meet the requirements of the (ADEQ) consent order.” He continued, “At this time, the plan is that the wastewater staff will perform

Transit needs (continued) online public involvement that would get more people involved than just having a few public hearings where maybe seven or 10 people show up.” Eitel added that if the decision is made to start a system, “we get about $850,000 of federal transit money a year that we can use to help run a transit system.” Kortsen said it seems that the emphasis would be getting residents to employment areas and back, and to school and back. “That’s quite a bit of it but that’s not all of it,” Eitel responded. “We’re also going to want to get people to the hospital, out to the mall, to Walmart, shopping, different things like that. It’s a whole bunch of different things.” He continued, “But I think the business part of it will really help the economic development. I think I mentioned in the (May) study sesTHE THEEDUCATION EDUCATION EDITION EDITION

the labor needed to install this equipment, as we started to run into some budget issues and just thought it would be better if we did that in-house to save some funds. That is what we’re going to try and do.” Answering a question from Councilman Dick Powell, Louis said that the nitrates removed from the water will be held in a containment area until pumped out and taken for disposal. The contract indicates that the water company, with one well, serves an estimated 690 people and has 276 connections. The facility is located near the intersection of Anderson Road and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway. It is entirely separate from the private Arizona Water Co., which serves the majority of residents within Casa Grande.

The city had previously advertised for a consulting company that could determine what equipment would be needed for nitrate removal. According to that request, “this facility includes an existing 180-gallons-per-minute well, 300,000-gallon storage tank and booster pumps. The water produced by the existing well exceeds the maximum contaminate level (10 mg/l) for nitrates. Nitrates have been observed at levels of approximately 10.5 to 12 mg/l.” The small water company was acquired years ago around the time the ill-fated Copper Mountain Ranch megaproject northwest of Pinal Avenue was being ballyhooed. The operation covers Santa Rosa Ranch, Santa Rosa III and Saddleback Farms. Mayor Bob Jackson said during discussions last year that the geographical area of the city water company is “north of Maricopa-Casa

sion, some of the development that wants to come to town (and) one of the first things they ask is if we have a transit system to get employees to work.” Councilwoman Lisa Fitzgibbons, looking at reaching the public, said, “I really hope that when we do these community outreaches, to really try to go into some of the neighborhoods that might not come generally to a meeting like this, to get the input from them, too. You maybe do a session with Spanish-speaking community members. But I really hope we get out to the general population.” That’s the plan, Eitel responded, “because originally ADOT was talking a $120,000 grant. We talked them into $200,000, just because we wanted to ensure that we met with as many people in Casa Grande as we could, as possible.” Councilman Dick Powell said he feels the study “is excellent to do”

because he believes it “will show us that we’d be wasting an awful lot of money trying to run a bus.” He added, “I think there’s other things we can study in transit that definitely would be valuable to us… it requires huge subsidies and this probably is not the time in our history of Casa Grande for subsidizing for things.” He continued, “People can’t get to a bus stop to catch them, anyway. That’s one of the problems you have – five bus stops scattered around town and how do people get there? And they want you to take them home and this and that and it would be nice, but, as I say, it’s a money hole and I think that the study will prove that. So I’m looking forward to it.” Eitel said the study would consider more than just buses. Powell responded, “That’s what I’m saying, we can study the other opportunities, absolutely.”

Grande Highway for the most part, west of Russell Road to Anderson Road, and then there’s a second component that is south of Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway

continued on page 25...

During the roll call vote on the resolution, Councilman Ralph Varela said, “I look forward to it and I vote yes. I think it’ll be a way to be creative about transit and I’m sure there is a need and it’s long overdue.” Kortsen said, “I’m voting yes and also to reiterate what council member Varela had said –Transit isn’t just buses. We’ve got a bus system that does exist in Coolidge and it could be maybe we support that. There’s different ways to look at it, and that’s what we need to do. That’s where we invent something that’s specific to our community needs.” Powell said, “I’d be remiss if I voted without making a statement. I’m glad that we’re doing the study and I think it will show other ways that we can embellish transit in the area. I don’t think we’re going to find out that that’s a bus, but there’s a lot of other things that we can do. So I’m happy to vote yes for it.” The council vote was unanimous.

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CITY

SPEAK W It is time to bring our schools into the modern era with proper protection for our kids.

SAY “YES” TO OUR SCHOOLS Our future workforce depends on it by Robert “Bob” Jackson, Mayor, Casa Grande

hile the city really has no authority over the education process, it is a critically important component of economic development. We are constantly being asked about the quality of the workforce – a direct result of education – and the quality of our local schools as a factor in relocating executives for new and existing businesses. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a facility committee for Casa Grande Elementary School District. What an eye-opening experience. There has been a lot of media coverage about the recently- approved Proposition 123 and its role in helping our schools financially. One of the things we learned is the proposition is intended to settle a long-standing lawsuit between multiple school districts and the state. It is intended solely to make up for inflationary operation costs over the past several years. There is no provision in the current state funding for capital improvements to fix, repair or replace facilities. Think about your house. If you don’t take care of it every year with a new roof, air conditioning, carpeting and such, they wear out. Imagine a school with 500-plus people in it every day, and no money to provide basic repairs. What we learned in the facility committee is that many of our elementary schools were built prior to 1990, making them at least 25 years old and some,

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING SUMMER 20 16 VOL . II

like Casa Grande Middle School, are over 60 years old. Next, think about how much the world has changed in the past 20 years. Google is 10 years old, the Internet has become a daily necessity and sadly, our country has seen multiple armed attacks on our schools. Casa Grande Elementary has done a great job teaching our kids and keeping the facilities in reasonable shape but the time has come for our citizens to help update and, in some cases, replace our aging school infrastructure to assure a good future workforce. The culmination of the facility committee is to recommend a ballot measure to the voters to allow the district to sell bonds to update and replace some of our schools. The timing was picked because we can sell the bonds with no increase in property taxes, because we are paying off existing debt. The improvements include improved security at all of the campuses, replacing HVAC systems where needed, modernizing many of the schools that are more than 30 years old and potentially replacing the 60-plusyear-old Casa Grande Middle School and neighboring Saguaro Elementary with a single facility. It is time to bring our schools into the modern era with proper protection for our kids. It can be done at no additional cost to the taxpayers. The ballot measure is planned to be on the November ballot. Please consider a “yes” vote to enable to continue offering quality education to our kids and grandkids.

THE EDUCATION EDITION

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SUMMER 20 16 VOL . II GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

Candidate Bio Through my business, charity and life experiences I have learned to listen, analyze, discuss, encourage and build trust and teamwork. I believe I have the leadership skills to help run any organization. I can and will: • Provide Leadership, encourage people and promote progress • Work to increase Quality of Life in Casa Grande • Collaborate with and encourage businesses to build new, expand and remain in Casa Grande • Continue to support Casa Grande’s Craig McFarland infrastructure and Economic devel- Running for Mayor opment • Represent Casa Grande in the greater AZ community as the face and voice for CG

It’s time to get out and vote! This is how change is made for a better community. We asked the local candidates one question:

If elected, what are your plans for Casa Grande to ‘Make It Better’?

FAMILY • Married to Nancy McFarland for 39 years • Two grown children, Kelly (35) graduate of U of A and Scott (34) graduate of ASU and Loyola Law School • Five grandchildren, Dillan (7), Keira (5), Connor (5), Leila (3), Brady (1) PERSONAL TIMELINE • Born and raised in California • Graduated College, Cal State University Fresno (1976) • Employed by Anheuser-Busch, Inc. moving 10 times, 6 different States over the course of 26 years • Employed by Golden Eagle Distributors in Jan 2005 to run their Casa Grande Branch operation • Lived in Casa Grande over 11 years • Retired from Golden Eagle Jan 2015 after 10 years (after a total of 36 years in Beverage business in Sales Management and Operations

If elected, what are your plans for Casa Grande to ‘Make It Better’? A survey I conducted shows top CG concerns; jobs and economy, schools and education, crime and public safety, roads and city infrastructure. I promise to work towards making Casa Grande Better . . . • Making it Easier for business to do business in CG • Marketing & promoting CG to AZ & the World • Workforce development, training, build a workforce ready to fill jobs, have a better understanding of the Millennial workforce, seek help from CAC, CGESD, CGHSD, CAVIT • Promote our School’s successes • Make CG Safer . . . support Fire and Police needs • Support current Casa Grande infrastructure and Economic development • Build the proposed community recreation center and bike path system Making Casa Grande better entails more than just providing quality of life features – somebody has to pay for it! In order to do that it takes growth in housing, growth in business and growth in the employment base. CG is positioned for that growth as we have key infrastructure elements like I-8, I-10, I-11, shovel ready industrial parks, CG Airport, and the CG Waste Water Treatment Plant. I believe I am the best candidate for Mayor of Casa Grande. I am a collaborator, consensus builder, and will work to encourage businesses to build new, expand existing and remain in Casa Grande. I have the time, passion, training, experience and leadership skills to help Make Casa Grande Better!

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THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATION EDITION

Candidate Bio

I moved here in the early 1970’s, attended elementary school and high school in Casa Grande. I have observed first hand significant changes to Casa Grande. After graduating, I earned a BS degree at ASU. My work experience includes time with the Xerox Corporation, Arizona Governor’s Office, Shearson Lehman Brothers in New York City Lisa Fitzgibbons and, more specifically, Running for City Council at Pepsi-Cola Company (Phoenix) for 10 years. Upon Incumbent returning to Casa Grande to raise my family, I worked for United Way of Pinal Countyand Fidelity National Title. Almost ten years ago, I became Director of Marketing and Business Development for Fitzgibbons Law Offices. In April 2010, I was selected to serve on the Casa Grande City Council to fill a vacancy. In 2011, I ran for, and was elected to,my first term on council. I love this community and try to make it better by service on various Boards, including; Latino Familia Initiative Board (past President); Community Action Human Resource Agency (CAHRA);St. Anthony’s School Advisory Board (Past President);Hispanic Leadership Institute (Founding Member/Facilitator); Celebrating Women of Today and Tomorrow (executive committee); Cesar Chavez Memorial Committeeand the CGUHS site council. In 2010, I received the Latino Advocacy Award fromValle Del Sol, a state wide organization that honored my leadership in the Latino community. I have been married for 26 years and have 3 daughters.

I am a thirty three year veteran of the Casa Grande Police Department. I have lived in Casa Grande since 1966. I am married to Doria Garza who has been involved in real estate in Casa Grande for over thirty years. Doria and I are Christians and are proud members of CrossRoads Church in Casa Grande. I started my career with Bob Huddleston the Police Department in Running for City Council 1980 as a patrol officer; became a Detective in 1983, and was promoted to Sergeant in 1986. I was promoted to Lieutenant in 1989 and took charge of the Patrol Division. In 1999, after a National recruitment, I was appointed Chief of Police. I held that position until retirement in 2013. I am the longest serving Police Chief in our City’s history. I have served as a Board Member on the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. I have served for seven years on the Board of Directors of Horizon Health and Wellness, currently the Board Secretary. I also served many years as a board member and past president of the Pinal County Law Enforcement Association. I also served many years with the Mayor’s Reading Club, visiting all Casa Grande Elementary Schools to read to children and talk about Public Safety. I am currently retired from Law Enforcement, and serve as a Judge Protem in the Pinal County Justice Court system.

If elected, what are your plans for Casa Grande to ‘Make It Better’?

I would be honored to continue to serve the citizens of Casa Grande. As I said many times previously: before we can be a great city, we must first be a safe city. I would work with our fire personnel and police to continue the progress we have made in making Casa Grande a safe place to live and raise a family. Additionally, I would work hard to continue to bring jobs to our community. I would like to better advertise the qualities that make Casa Grande attractive: it’s people, leadership, location and workforce. After we are safe and attracting new business, a related priority for Casa Grande is quality of life issues. In that regard, I would continue to promote the Community Center construction, increase hiking/biking trails, maintain and improve our City parks, and work in conjunction with the school districts who also own large tracks of land in our neighborhoods with potential community recreational features. Of course, we do all these things to make Casa Grande better with an eye towards being fiscally conservative so that the City books are balanced. During my time on council, during the lean financial years, we did extensive infrastructure to be ready for new industry and new development. We are poised for a very bright future.

I am a fiscal conservative, and as such I believe Making it Better, includes objectives of Financial Stability in Government, and a focused effort to reduce, or at least not raise taxes. I would ask our citizens and voters; what are their expectations of an elected council member? I believe many do not want more amenities, with the associated increase in taxes, but would prefer to have the core responsibilities of local government, Cleanliness (Sanitation and Sewer) and Public Safety (Police and Fire) delivered in an exceptional Manner. For those wishing added amenities, I would insist that taking on debt for such projects would require voter approval. I am supportive of the new Recreation Center because the voters approved the project in a General Obligation Bond election. I am angry about the addition of the Grande Sports World, as the Council (with only one dissenting vote) placed us twenty million dollars in debt, without voter approval. In short: “Make it Better” through fiscal solvency, and require that ANY additional City amenities or services be based on Citizen’s desires, and their willingness to pay for the project, through General Obligation Bonds, or Sales Tax or Property Tax Initiatives.

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Candidate Bio I am incredibly excited about running for re-election to City Council, having lived in Casa Grande for most of my life. Upon my election to the council in March of 2007, I started Kortsen Legal Document Preparation where I work as a paralegal and certified document preparer assisting clients with the preparation of LLCs, Wills, Mary Kortsen Trusts and Deeds. Prior to Running for City Council this, I worked for law firms in Mesa for approximately Incumbent 20 years. My husband, Dan Kortsen, and I have three children, Jennifer, Jimmy and Amy. Dan is a retired farmer and third generation Arizonan. My father, Dr. William Ford, was a family doctor in Casa Grande for over 40 years. I continue to meet up with people who were patients of my dad. He was a wonderful man and I learned so much from him. I was proud to serve on the Casa Grande Regional Hospital Board for over 15 years, eight years on Stanfield School board and two years on Main Street board. My dad taught me that being in public service is exactly that, serving the public, not yourself. Folks often ask me about Kortsen Road. It was named after my husband’s grandfather, James “Papa” Kortsen, who emigrated from Denmark and farmed in the Stanfield area.

Candidate Bio

Donna McBride Running for City Council

Donna McBride is a community activist who has been serving her community for over three decades. In addition to her duties as a Program Administrator for the Pinal County Juvenile Court, Donna spends her time as an active member on numerous committees and boards including the BlackBox Foundation, Casa Grande Alliance, Elementary School Capitol Improvement Committee, and is Vice Chair of Pinal

County Town Hall. As a former advisor to the Casa Grande Youth Commission and National Director for SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Donna has mentored many youth leaders on a local, state and national level. Her own leadership has not gone unnoticed, being invited to participate in the Casa Grande Leadership Council and the University of Arizona’s Center for Rural Leadership (Project CENTRL). Donna has also been appointed to the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism & Service Learning. Donna takes her civic duties seriously, having served on Casa Grande’s Parks & Recreation and Police Advisory Boards, Block Watch, and as a volunteer for the Mayor’s Reading Program. Donna has the support of her husband of 36 years, Mike, their two boys, Jereme and Justin, and her mother, Tess. Also rooting for her are her three grandchildren Colin, Cylee, and Madison.

If elected, what are your plans for Casa Grande to ‘Make It Better’?

If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected there are several items on my “TO DO” list to make Casa Grande even better. Of upmost importance is the design and completion of the community/recreational center. I’m very passionate about providing a center where our children, families and others can gather, play and take part in healthy activities. It is long overdue. I’m relieved the struggle to get “it done” is done! Continuing economic development efforts is crucial. We cannot rely only on retail for employment opportunities. We must continue to attract employers who pay above minimum wage, offer benefits and opportunity for advancement. We have been fortunate with the companies that have located during my tenure: Tractor Supply Distribution Center, Ehrmann’s Dairy, Franklin Foods, Tractor Supply Retail; Estimated annual payroll: $11 million. This does not happen overnight. It takes the knowledgeable efforts and experience of city council, city staff and community members. We are fortunate to have a dedicated police force. The addition of Chief McCrory is going to make the safety of our community even better. For example, he recently provided training for officers on dealing with the mentally ill. This will protect our officers and our citizens. I promise to continue to look for every opportunity to make Casa Grande better for our residents and their families.

I am asking the community of Casa Grande for the opportunity to serve on your city council. If elected, I have several recommendations to “make it better”. I want to be proactive in engaging our community to get more involved at city hall. With nearly 55,000 residents in Casa Grande, it is hard to understand how we cannot fill seats in our 19 boards and commissions. These boards and commissions guide activities, policies and issues. Engaging volunteers is key to keeping the lines of communication open with staff and our council. Citizens have a right to be heard - but you have to be willing to give an hour or two a month for the effort. The city and staff need your positive, constructive and professional input. Volunteerism is key to our community. When we have good, hard working staff in Casa Grande, they represent a valuable investment to our community. It takes a great deal of money to hire someone, train them efficiently and guide them to serve our community. When people leave - so does our investment. Whether it be police and fire or administrative and maintenance, these employees create good customer service that reflects how the community feels about our city. We need to continue to find ways to support staff in their leadership growth so they also want to live, work, and play in Casa Grande. Investing in our future is essential. I would like to expand on the opportunities to bring our youth and business community together. Creative partnerships can benefit our city, small business owners and make way for new leaders, employees and active citizens.

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THE THE THEEDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

Candidate Bio

Hello everyone. My name is Gilberto Mendez, a 21-year-old Arizona State University student. I graduated from Casa Grande Union High School in 2012. I attended Central Arizona College through the Promise for the Future Scholarship, and in 2015, I transferred to Arizona State University. With the help of the Latina Gilberto Mendez Familia Initiative’s Hispanic Running for City Council Leadership Institute and the Casa Grande Leadership Academy, I realized the civil responsibly that I have for my community as well as the desire to serve as a public ofﬁcial. The following week, I applied for the Casa Grande Police Advisory Board and shortly after, I was voted onto the board by City Council. That following week, I was voted to become the Vice Chairman of the board. In May, I was selected to become a board member of the Boys and Girls Club. Personally speaking, however, my most cherished title, which I hold closest to my heart, is my position as a youth leader for Redemption Church in Casa Grande. On a weekly basis, I am blessed with experiencing radical change in the lives of this diverse and dynamic youth group. Through this youth group, I have the opportunity to share and partake in a positive life-changing experience, serving as a tutor, a friend, and most importantly, a spiritual big brother.

A quick bio on me. Karl Montoya, currently on Casa Grande city council and serving as Mayor Pro Tempore. While finishing my second term plus one year, I am seeking a third term. As native of Casa Grande I have seen the many changes in the community and watched it grow. Having graduated from Casa Grande Union High Karl Montoya School in 1981, and going Running for City Council on to Central Arizona College, I am currently Incumbent employed at Fertizona as a sales consultant and reactor specialist and working in the agriculture field for over 30 years. I currently serve as an advisor to the Casa Grande Youth Commission, I also have served as president forCasa Grande Silent Witness for the past decade, and I am currently a lieutenant in the Pinal County Sheriff’s Posse. I also serve as the city liaison for the Emergency Assistance of Ministry. Having served in the past with the Casa Grande Little League, and past member of the Casa Grande Police Advisory Board. I continue to help with my volunteerism and show my two children Jake and Kara the many ways of giving back to the community.

If elected, what are your plans for Casa Grande to ‘Make It Better’?

As an Economics major at Arizona State University, I find it essential to address this issue from an economy-centered point of view. As it stands, I find two viable potential solutions: pro-consumerism and the incentive for new business. Basic economics have taught us of the law of supply and demand. Having more jobs in Casa Grande would increase the supply of its goods and services. For these jobs to be sustainable in the long term, there would need to be an increase in the demand of said goods and services. It’s my personal belief that in order to increase demand in our city, we would need to increase disposable income. How so? By decreasing the cost of living in Casa Grande through a reduction of cost and fees regarding services such as electricity, waste disposal, etc. Renewable energy like solar energy and wind power, as well as shipping our waste to outside facilities can serve as possible solutions. Additionally, I find a great need to attract new businesses into the city. I believe this can be accomplished by presenting Casa Grande in a fashion that attracts the gaze of CEOs of various companies, seeking new locations. Ultimately, a modernization-focused vision for the city can help introduce new business to Casa Grande. That is how I believe Casa Grande can be made better.

If re-elected I would keep doing what the council has been doing, since being elected in 2007 the city has gone seen many changes and as learned from previous councils the foresight to plan and keep up with demands from the citizens which has made the job challenging and fun. While there are a few major topics such as economic development, transportation, and infrastructure we continue to be aggressive in these areas, and continue to plan for the future. The current council has been able to attract businesses provide jobs and currently has a positive rating for its roads. We continue to plan by looking ahead and adding infrastructure that has contributed to landing business to the area. The council has done this while being protective of the taxpayer’s money, as we continue to have 6 months of operating money in the bank. As the recession hit our area we were able to stay ahead by having our “rainy day” funds available, keeping our levels of service at a high and not having lay off employees in the process. We also saw our bond rating go up “AA” rating. Personally I will keep working on making Casa Grande a better place by continuing my volunteerism and working with others to keep the community spirit and traditions alive and healthy while promoting Casa Grande as the place to locate and do business.

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Economy • Local Business

WHAT IS DONORS CHOOSE?

by Helen Neuharth, President/CEO, Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce

You can read about each of the projects and how it will impact the students, and then you have the opportunity to make a donation to fund those projects.

or a more global description of the nonprofit organization Donors Choose, I encourage you to visit www.donorschoose.org. You can find out more about the organization and also find proposals for funding for innovative learning projects from educators all over the country. More specifically, you can find requests from educators in the Casa Grande Elementary School District and the Casa Grande Union High School District. You can read about each of the projects and how they will impact the students, and then you have the opportunity to make a donation to fund those projects. Recently, a history teacher from the Eloy Junior High School submitted his classroom project for the first time. He posted his project called “Eloy Visits The World” on May 18 and in less than seven days the project received the entire funding of $1,155, from 15 donors from across the United States –New Jersey, Nevada, North Carolina, New York and Arizona, to name a few! If you are a teacher in any of the schools, check out www.donorschoose. org to find out how to post your classroom project. If you are someone that would like to donate to projects for the education of our students, please visit www.donorschoose.org.

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Here is a little more information about Donors Choose taken from the organization’s website. “In 2000, Charles Best, a teacher at a Bronx public high school, wanted his students to read Little House on the Prairie. As he was making photocopies of the one book he could procure, Charles thought about all the money he and his colleagues were spending on books, art supplies, and other materials. And he figured there were people out there who’d want to help — if they could see where their money was going. Charles sketched out a website where teachers could post classroom project requests, and donors could choose the ones they wanted to support. His colleagues posted the first 11 requests. Then it spread. Today, we’re open to every public school in America.” Here is how donorschoose.org works. To ensure integrity through every step of every project, they vet all requests, purchase each item and ship materials directly to verified schools. • You find a project - Find a classroom project that inspires you and give as little as $1. We’re a public charity, so your donation is tax-deductible. • Donors Choose fulfills the order

•

When a project is fully funded, all requested items are purchased through Donors Choose and shipped directly to the school. Thank you from teachers - Every donor gets a “thank you” letter from the teacher, photos from the classroom and a report of how each dollar was spent.

Donors Choose – “We make it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.”

THE EDUCATION EDITION

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THE EDUCATION EDITION

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Education: Creating Economic Success by Evelyn Casuga, Economic/Community Development Advisor, Access Arizona

n territorial times and early statehood, success in Arizona was grounded in the five C’s: copper, cotton, cattle, climate and citrus. Good-paying jobs required a willingness to work and hard physical labor to achieve a decent quality of life for individuals and families. By the year 2020, however, projections are that 68 percent of Arizona jobs will require post-secondary education and training, according to the Center on Education and Workforce at Georgetown University. From the Center for the Future of Arizona at Arizona State University Vision 2025 publication, two other facts stand out worthy of attention: • Arizona’s productivity and prosperity are declining compared to U.S. averages and those of many neighboring states • One in five Arizonans lives in poverty and the per capita income of Arizonans has declined. Education, training and retraining have everything to do with shifting the trajectory for Arizona and the Golden Corridor. For existing business and industry that we would want to grow and expand and for businesses and industries we would hope to attract, the talent pipeline becomes a more compelling driver of their success. Of course, access to markets, infrastructure, access to raw materials and a stable business environment (i.e. taxes and regulations) are still critical inputs, but a qualified workforce has risen in the ranks of site location decisions, particularly when businesses can and will follow talent versus the other way around. Industries already in Pinal County recognize and acknowledge that today’s second graders are their work force of the future and require high level skills and educational attainment for which companies will pay higher salaries

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and benefits. At the same time, Arizona is at a crossroads in terms of a shifting job base. From the same Vision 2025 publication, the economic base of the region (Greater Phoenix, which would include Pinal County commuters) is shifting from advanced high-tech manufacturing jobs that require high-level skills to jobs more in line with a low-wage service economy. Are we prepared to create a different future with education as the foundation for success and with benefits to all generations in the Golden Corridor? A look at education data through a joint effort by the Center for the Future of Arizona and Expect More Arizona, the Education Progress Meter launched in April, http://arizonafuture.org/exchange/education/, provides indicators of collective progress for Arizona and Pinal County. This snapshot of where we stand highlights opportunities where current and potential actions at the state, regional, and local levels can make substantial impacts. A peek at the definitions for four of the eight indicators highlights opportunities. The actual percentages can be found on the website. 1. Third grade reading - Percent of third graders passed the AzMERIT English language arts test by scoring proficient or highly proficient. (Arizona Department of Education, 2014-15 AzMERIT results) Research shows that a student’s ability to read proficiently by the end of third grade is a strong predictor of high school graduation and career success. 2. Eighth grade math - Percent of 8th grade students passed math by scoring proficient or highly proficient on the AzMERIT assessment. (Arizona Department of Education, 2014-15 AzMERIT results) Basic math skills provide a valuable tool for problem solving and decision making. Better math skills have been associat-

ed with higher earnings and higher probabilities of graduating from high school and college. 3. High school graduation - Percent of Arizona high school students graduate in four years. (Arizona Department of Education, 2013) While Arizona’s high school graduation rate has improved, we still fall short of the national average. In addition, significant gaps exist among minority and at-risk populations. To increase overall education levels of Arizonans, completing high school or the equivalent is essential. 4. College Attendance – Percent of 2011-12 Arizona high school graduates attend a postsecondary institution. (Arizona Board of Regents and National Center for Education Statistics) Individual earning potential increases based on education level. A more highly educated citizenry also leads to greater economic gains, decreased reliance on government services and reduced likelihood of criminal activity. Although reductions in public education funding at the state level over several years have hampered progress in Arizona, the local community has demonstrated action in support of education in many different ways. Casa Grande’s Mayor’s Reading Club; Casa Grande Elementary School District Career Camps, a partnership with local businesses; Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce ongoing classroom support; corporate support for STEM education; Central Arizona College Foundation Promise for the Future Scholarships are only a partial list of local actions benefiting local students. A healthy education system supported by the local community is the foundation of a thriving economy.

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

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LANDFILL MAINTENACE...cont. from page 12 ed on the other side of the canals that are operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the San Carlos Irrigation project, so environmental challenges and permitting challenges will definitely be an issue with this project.” Councilman Dick Powell asked if the rainwater now runs through the garbage or if it is diverted beforehand. Louis replied “yes” to both questions. “We have stormwater that sheets off the sides and the top of it, as well… there is some water that does go down through the trash,” he said. Powell said that he noticed in the environmental section of the proposal that contaminants and other substances might be brought to the retention ponds. “Yes,” Louis replied. “We’ll look at all of those issues. Of course, we’ll not

get a permit unless we meet all the environmental requirements.” Councilwoman Lisa Fitzgibbons asked why the project is just now being approved. “I know it’s budgeted and everything, but is it something we’ve had to do for several years and we’re kind of coming to the point where we have to do this?” she asked. Louis responded, “We developed a landfill master plan and it was identified in that master plan as something that we needed to do, so we’ve been looking at each phase of that master plan and this has now come up, and of course we want to stick to that as closely as possible.” Mayor Bob Jackson asked, “At some point, that drainage would be required as part of the closure and post-closure care of the landfill, as well, would it not?” Correct, Louis answered. “As we get further and further out

of the ground, in other words going above the areas around that in elevation, we have to maintain that drain-

Officials discuss master plan for downtown drainage

s longtime Casa Grande residents are aware, when the heavy rains come down, the old downtown area is prone to flooding, which snarls traffic and threatens businesses. In the past, it was not unusual to see sandbags trying to keep water out of the CookEJar restaurant at the corner of Second and Florence streets. Nine years ago, the city began downtown streets reconstruction projects, revamping Main Street in the first phase and Second Street and others in the 2012 second phase. Part of that second phase was to be flood control. But it didn’t happen. As Public Works Director Kevin Louis told the City Council before approval of a $96,110 contract for a drainage master plan, his department looked at the design for phase two, which had a heavy drainage section, but decided to wait. “When we looked at the improvements that were designed and the impacts it would have on the drainage in

that downtown area based on the estimate, you would not even be able to tell we’d made any improvements with the amount of money at that time,” Louis said. “So, staff decided to move forward — and City Council supported that decision — at the time to address drainage as a future phase.” He added, “We’re now at that point where we’re going to design the master plan for drainage in the downtown, identify which of those pieces need to be constructed with which phases as we go forward with future design of our next phase, which would be Phase III. This is the first step in that direction.” Answering a question from Councilwoman Mary Kortsen about the project boundaries, Louis said, “Casa Grande Avenue would probably be the limits of drainage improvements on the east side and then going all the way to Highway 84, the underpass on the west side (where water would go into an arroyo).” He added, “There will most likely be some improvements north of Second

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Street, bringing drainage to south of Second, most likely to First Street, the most logical street to put a large conduit in and convey that water to the west.” Councilman Dick Powell asked if all the streets would have to be torn up, including the ones already improved, and would the work wait until the other streets need repaving. With the exception of one intersection, Louis replied, “Our hope is not to have any improvement at any of the streets that we’ve made improvements to to-date.” He added, “No, we do not need to wait until the streets need to be repaved; they need to be repaved today. So that has already come and passed.” What the master plan will look at, Louis continued, are “the total improvements that are needed to address the flooding issues in the downtown area, and we would look at different ways to convey that water from basically east to west on the north side of the tracks. The entire drainage basin is about one-and-a-half square miles, so

age,” he said. “Otherwise we’re going to impact those (surrounding) properties negatively and we can’t do that.”

it goes much further than the historic downtown, but we need to catch those flows, channelize those and get them to the west side of the downtown area.” He added, “Currently, that is done on surface drainage and everybody who has seen the rain in the downtown areas knows how that impacts each of those businesses down there. It will be a combination of improvements, and I can’t even speculate where we’ll see those improvements or what type they are until we finish that study, but I would envision some type of box culvert structure (below pavement) going down the middle of First Street, which is one we have not reconstructed. We will have to go through one intersection that was reconstructed, but we looked at that and really couldn’t do anything to put a conduit in place so that we didn’t have to tear that up. But that should be the only street that was reconstructed that will have to be impacted…otherwise we should be ready to go.” Councilman Ralph Varela asked if

continued on page 28... THE EDUCATION EDITION

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WATER NITRATES...cont. from page 13 about half a mile south on the west side of Anderson Road.” The city has had problems with the system since the beginning. So why, then, did the city acquire it? Almost 11 years ago, then Mayor Chuck Walton said during a boards and commissions dinner that with the growth of the city at that time, officials decided to go into the water business to be able to have a say in water planning for the future of the area. “To get in the water business,” he told the audience, “the estimates we found would have cost $3 million to start from scratch to form a water company on the north end of Casa Grande to accommodate some of the fast growth that we were seeing at that time.” He added, “We searched around and found a water company that was already in existence that had about 250 customers. It was literally a piece of junk. It wasn’t worth 15 cents, but the purchase price was over a million dollars. Now,

we got a lot of criticism for that, for how come these idiots would hit taxpayers 1.2 or 1.3 million dollars for a piece of junk.” Walton continued, “Well, number one, I want to remind everybody that we didn’t spend taxpayers’ money on that water company. We got a mediation gift from Reliant (Energy) for putting that big steamboat out on the west end of town that’s known as the electric generation plant (now an SRP facility). They bought that water company and gave it to us and we gave it to the citizens of Casa Grande. So we literally started into the water business at the taxpayers’ expense of zero dollars.” Walton added that, “we’re on the verge right now of putting that water company on the market, (because) we don’t need it any more. And since we don’t need to anymore, it’s an asset we need to liquidate. We’ve got a minimum bid on that water company of $5 million, so anything over $5 million (and) that water company’s going to have a new owner.” Nothing came of that.

Single-family housing permits on the rise

he Casa Grande Planning and Development Department is seeing an uptick in single-family housing permits. During his report to the Planning and Zoning Commission during the May meeting, Planning and Development Director Paul Tice said, “The observation I’d make on the building permit data is for March we had a spike in the number of permits for new single-family homes. It’s 23.” He added, “Over the last five or six years, it’s been averaging about eight to 10 a month, so that was a pretty big spike.” This number is compared to six during January and nine in February

and rose to 14 for April. “We’re going to continue to watch that trend,” Tice said. “D.R. Horton continues building in Desert Sky Ranch. They’ve had a lot of homes under construction in Desert Sky. They’re building in Mission Valley.” He added, “I called them D.R. Horton, but they’re rebranding here in Casa Grande under Express Homes by D.R. Horton, so they’re Express Homes, but they are building. And Meritage is building in Mission Royale.” D.R. Horton has been buying and building on selected residential lots in subdivisions that were never completed.

Bonds issued for community rec center

Dunkin’ Donuts gears up to open in Casa Grande

asa Grande has issued $16 million in bonds for construction of a community recreation center. A few days after the authorization, Fitch Ratings assigned an ‘AA’ rating to the bonds. Issuing the bonds does not guarantee that a center will be built. It is to have money available if the council approves the final building plans, now in the process of being developed. During the April meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Community Services Director Bill Schwind said that possibly by the middle of May the contractor for the proposed center would be meeting with city officials to put forth a design schedule for the project. “We’ll hopefully have a schedule out and ready to go when it comes to the projected timeline that Haydon (the contractor) and Architekton (the architects) will be using to get us to

THE EDUCATION EDITION

the end road, which will get us back to council with a decision on whether or not to move forward with building it,” he said.“In looking at some documentation recently from Haydon and Architekton, they were thinking about a nine-month planning process. We’re hoping for maybe a five-month design process, because this isn’t the first building they’ve ever built.” He added, “And then you’ve got a 12- to 18-month construction period, so, a couple of years away for building completion.” The $16 million in bonds will be the last issue from the $47 million approved by the voters in November 2016. So far, the public safety facility, Len Colla Center renovation, library improvements and some golf course work have been completed. At the time of the 2006 bond election, city officials said the recreation center would be the last project to be built.

conditional use permit and site plan for a Dunkin’ Donuts at 1306 E. Florence Boulevard have been approved by the Casa Grande Planning and Zoning Commission. The site, between Great Western Bank and JB’s Restaurant, is just east of Colorado Street. The commission was told during its May 5 meeting that the building plans were in second review by the Planning and Development Department and should be finished within 30 days. After that, construction could begin and take four to six months. The operation will be open seven days a week from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m., the commission was told. There will probably be about 15 to 20 employees, with five on a shift. As presented, the building would be 1,985 square feet with a 247square-

foot covered patio on the south side facing Florence. There will be a drive-thru lane that wraps around the northwest side of the building. As part of the requested action, that part of the Casa Grande Shopping Center will be replatted to make a separate plat for Dunkin’ Donuts of just over a third of an acre. The staff report says the operation is projected to cause 1,802 vehicle trips per day with 222 in the morning peak hours and 95 during the afternoon and evening. According the company website, “Dunkin’ Donuts is the world’s leading baked goods and coffee chain, serving more than three million customers per day. Dunkin’ Donuts sells 52 varieties of donuts and more than a dozen coffee beverages as well as an array of bagels, breakfast sandwiches and other baked goods.”

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Candidate Bio

Dedication. Faithfulness. Honesty. Integrity. Character. Traits which we all aspire to and which most of us would say we see in ourselves to varying degrees. The introspection required to write one’s condensed biography can be a magnifying glass both for our flaws and our assets. The newspaper referred to me as “Average Joe” Redwine, a Peter Redwine term which I probably used Running for City Council as a summary description of how I view myself. I began full-time at Bethel University in Minnesota when I was 16. As a 17 year old sophomore, their computer lab hired me to be the LAN administrator for the first wired dorm on campus. Kelsey and I were married in 1998. Life hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been an awesome adventure, including two daughters, cross-country moves, motorcycling and, most recently, foster parenting. I’m a CenturyLink technician and 18 year member of the Communication Workers of America union. I work in almost every neighborhood, apartment complex, mobile home park, business and alleyway in this town. I’ve met thousands of you over the past nine years. I’m a staunch pro-life conservative who believes in small government, halting federal overreach and acting responsibly with every tax dollar in the city coffers. I’m also pro-labor, opposed to NAFTA, the TPP and other job-killing trade measures. I’m a common sense problem solver, but I know I don’t know everything.

My name is Marty Schmidt and I was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. After graduating high school I enlisted in the United States Navy from 1989-1992. I am a proud veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Storm. I am married to Rebekka, a fifth grade teacher at Mesquite Elementary. We have two kids, Jacob (14) and Jenna Marty Schmidt (10). Jacob was born with Running for City Council Neurofibromatosis Type I, a genetic disorder. We have spent countless hours raising money to help find a cure for Neurofibromatosis. I relocated to Casa Grande from Illinois in 2007. This is where my family and I now call home. I work at the Frito Lay Plant here in Casa Grande. Part of what I love about my position is the ability to donate product to non-profit organizations in our community. I am an avid golfer and participate in local charity golf events whenever possible. I have earned an Associate of Arts degree in Sports Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice while working full-time. I am a graduate of the 2013 Casa Grande Leadership Academy. My military, education, and work experience assisted me in exceling in collaborative settings. One of my best qualifications is that I am not a career politician.

If elected, what are your plans for Casa Grande to ‘Make It Better’?

A big part of making Casa Grande better is implementing things we haven’t done before. Sometimes growth requires growing pains. So it is with our minor sprawl and growing population of both teenagers and people who can no longer drive. I would like to see the city help a private company open and operate a small transit company, along the lines of the CART system. This help could take the form of expediting permits, allowing for designated stops, etc. and would not have to necessarily include any tax-exemption status or other financial incentive. I have lived in metro areas and would prefer to not have any flavor of that life find it’s way into Casa Grande, but we do have a growing population of teenagers and others who do not drive, but need to get to work, the doctor, Old Town, etc. These would NOT be the loud, polluting busses found in Phoenix and it’s suburbs. “Safer” is another word for “better.” Mission Royale residents need Casa Grande to step up and make their lives safer. The response time from the nearest firehouse, which is at Peart Rd just north of Florence Blvd, is atrocious by fire department standards. Building a new firehouse on Hacienda would alleviate this problem.

I have lived here almost 10 years and I have seen growth, economic slowdown, and now businesses closing. My goal is to help Casa Grande grow responsibly and I encourage my fellow residents to buy locally to help our small businesses continue to thrive. I want to give back to the city that I love and in doing so; I pledge to donate 100% of my City Council salary back to our community. I will donate 50% to local non-profit organizations and the other 50% to establish scholarships for those students who attend our local Central Arizona College. If elected, I will focus on transparency, job growth, sustainability, traffic safety, and homelessness. I want to bring creative and innovative solutions to the challenges facing Casa Grande. If you are pleased with where Casa Grande is now, then I am not your candidate, I am a new voice with a new direction. I am not displeased with the job that our current City Council has done, but we need a fresh start and we should expect more. It would be my honor to represent our city and be a voice for the community. In this election, every vote counts!

Continued on Page 36 26

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THE THE THEEDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

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DRAINAGE...cont. from page 25 meetings will be held with businesses in the area to gather their feedback. Louis replied that, “We’ll look at what the proposed improvements will be and then determine how best to make that outreach effort to the community. Of course, when we start any construction in the downtown area we’re going to have an extensive outreach project. We’ll have a project kickoff meeting prior to that. When we’re in design, we’ll be reaching out to the public getting their input on those different options so that we know what their issues are so we can try to address those through the design process, as well.” According to the scope of work list, the contract calls for planners to report on each of three phases as the planning continues. “The first phase will be a draft report after the existing conditions modeling,” it says. “This report will summarize the model results and will be presented to the city prior to the alternatives analysis phase for review and comment. The second phase will be a draft report after alternatives analysis presenting the results of the

alternatives development to the city for review and comment. The second phase draft report will be submitted prior to the public meeting.” It continues, “The consultant shall prepare a final report incorporating all the findings of the project. The final report will include summaries of the existing conditions hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, determination of flood prone locations, engineering analysis for flood hazard mitigation alternatives, potential utility conflicts and constraints, right-of-way constraints, aesthetic and environmental considerations, green infrastructure concepts incorporated into the alternatives, description of the three chosen alternatives, cost analysis of the three alternatives, results from the public meeting, evaluation criteria for the preferred alternative and implementation plan for the preferred alternative. A draft report will be submitted to the city for review. The consultant shall address all city comments and submit a final report with the completion of the project.” No estimate was given for when the planning will begin or when it will be completed.

City seeks bids for road project

asa Grande is seeking bids for a contractor to reconstruct the mile-long stretch of Thornton Road between Gila Bend Highway and Cottonwood Lane, including new pavement, curbs and traffic control signs and striping. According to the bids request, the work on the major truck bypass route will include: • Removing existing pavement and miscellaneous curb sections • Grading the roadway for paving • Constructing new cement-treated subgrade

• Placing, installing and compacting aggregate base course • Constructing new asphaltic concrete pavement • Constructing new curb and gutter sections • Installing new traffic control signing and striping • Adjusting valves and manholes to finished grade • Other miscellaneous and contingent work needed to complete the project The deadline for submitting bids was June 21.

cgnews-info.webs.com or www.haroldkitching.com 28

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City Council candidate roundup

en people, including three incumbents, will battle for the three open City Council seats in the August primary election. Only one person, Craig McFarland, filed to run for mayor. The candidates who filed their City Council petitions with enough valid signatures are: • Peter Redwine, Installer at CenturyLink • Marty Schmidt, Employed at Frito-Lay • David Snider, Former city library director and former county supervisor, now operating a consulting service • Gilberto Mendez, Arizona State University student • Marcus Foerster, Casa Grande resident who is a police officer in Mesa • Donna McBride, Program administrator for Pinal County Juvenile Court • Bob Huddleston, Retired Casa Grande police chief, serves as judge pro tem for Casa Grande Justice Court • Lisa Fitzgibbons (incumbent), Director of marketing and business development for Fitzgibbons Law Offices • Karl Montoya (incumbent), Agriculture consultant with Fertizona • Mary Kortsen (incumbent), Self-employed as an independent paralegal and certified legal document preparer • Craig McFarland (for mayor, Retired after 36 years in beverage industry sales management and operations

Gary Wood, an insurance agent, had initially taken out papers to run, but City Clerk Remy Miller said he had not collected enough signatures. Petitions required a minimum of 179 valid signatures of registered voters. Also, Miller said Jack Dixon indicated that he did not pursue collecting signatures to run for council. She said Dixon did not file either a $500 threshold exemption statement (collecting or spending $500 or less during a campaign) or a political committee statement, required before petitions could be circulated.

Scrap metal to be sold to highest bidder Casa Grande collects a lot of scrap metal — tons of it, in fact. And the city sells it to the highest bidder. According to a notice for bids posted on the city’s website, the landfill ships approximately 226 tons of scrap metal, or 452,000 pounds, for recycling per year. Bidders are to bid on a price-per-ton basis and will be responsible for be removing and providing empty containers as needed to keep up with incoming

scrap metal. “Landfill staff will support the operation by packing/compacting materials down into the containers in an effort to maximize container weights,” the bids request says. “An average of two containers is shipped every other week, averaging over seven tons of scrap metal per shipment.” The last time around, the bid was $11 per ton. THE EDUCATION EDITION

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y wife Debra and I are about to enter our second year of teaching in the Jobs For Life training program at the Mondo Anaya Community Center at Seeds of Hope. Mark Vanderheyden, executive director of Seeds of Hope, gave us the opportunity. Jobs for Life is a prescriptive employment readiness program that includes a faithbased support strategy designed to empower participants to be successful both at work and at life. The general goal is to assist students to be work-ready and to then help them to find jobs. What began as a teaching opportunity has been an outstanding learning opportunity for both of us. Thank you, Mark. On a parallel track, most of us pay close attention to various educational opportunities that are prescribed by law and are funded and distributed with both tax dollars and private dollars. These opportunities have a much broader purpose than just preparing a student for employment. What is actually included in this broader purpose is the subject of much discussion and volumes of research, possibly even some politics. What we generally seek are the answers to the question: “How do we prepare willing and able individuals to look after themselves and after those who depend on them?” One practical reason for answering this question is that, in the future, society may not be able to afford to care for a growing dependent population. Hopefully we can discover the importance of the answers and an ongoing discussion of information supporting the answers will emerge. Let’s begin by trying to move

into place some of the big pieces. I’m not an expert but stringing together 60 years of employment and education, it looks something like this. Keep in mind that experts who have dedicated much of their lives to this topic will have a more complete and useful picture. Work readiness is a life process rather than a test score. It starts early with personal characteristics that initially may not be even remotely identifiable as work-connected. Readiness emerges one building block at a time. Years back, I had an opportunity to visit the Child Development Laboratory at the Merrill Palmer Institute at Wayne State University in Detroit. We looked at young people from age two through kindergarten. The philosophy of the Child Development Laboratory is developmental. The curriculum addresses physical, intellec-

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tual, social and emotional needs. Children, stimulated by their environment, are motivated to interact. Broadly speaking, they benefit from some sort of common language. The arts, if you let them, can be expressions or examples of languages. They may be the traditional humanities arts such as painting, sculpture, music, literature and dance or music. Feel free to add or subtract whatever diversity suggests. This is part of the concept, “culture is transmitted through the arts.” It is where readiness begins. As you can see, in our schools and in our lives we ignore the arts at our peril. Work readiness is a process, so let’s take these baseline concepts of early education forward a few years. Out of college I did the hourly hiring for a large automobile plant near Detroit. We hired about 300 workers a month. I got

a pretty good idea of what was necessary for someone to get a job and keep a job making cars. A couple of years later I was a young police officer in the inner city Detroit Tenth Precinct and funding grad school by substitute teaching senior ungraded high school classes for the Detroit Board of Education. Class size was small and no one ever visited to tell me what to do or not to do. I prevailed upon my old friends at Chevrolet to share with me pads of unused employment applications. My concept of work readiness came from members of the inner city precinct business community. My premise was that if I could teach young people the niceties of filling out an application and getting past the employment interviewer that they could learn to put lug nuts on wheels and get paid for it.

continued on page 50...

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

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A FAMILY LAW CONUNDRUM: MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE AND PARENTING TIME How do our judges balance a parent’s legal use of marijuana while caring for young children and impaired judgment stemming from its use? by Richard L. Scholz, Attorney

icensed possession and use of medical marijuana has been legal in Arizona since 2011. It is generally accepted that, for certain health-related issues, marijuana provides pain relief. It is also generally accepted that marijuana is a mood-altering drug that can impair judgment and physical coordination. What was not expected when voters approved the 2010 medical marijuana ballot measure is the conundrum that Superior Court judges now face in family law cases regarding balancing a parent’s legal use of the drug while caring for young children and impaired judgment stemming from its use.

Irreconcilable Issues? The opposing forces of legal marijuana consumption and risk of harm to a minor child appear to be irreconcilable issues. The parent who uses medical marijuana will argue that he or she has a state-issued license, no law is being broken, and the court has no authority to restrict parenting time for exercising his or her rights under that license. At the same time, the judge has a duty to protect minor children from harm.

Court-Imposed Restrictions The conclusion that many judges reach is logical, though restrictive on the licensed user of marijuana – i.e., ordering the marijuana user to refrain from marijuana while parenting the child, in addition to not using marijuana before the child is with the parent. This would seem to protect the

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child from harm, but doesn’t that infringe on the parent’s rights? Clearly, the judge’s restriction imposes on a medical treatment plan and the parent needing the pain relief must make a choice.

More Questions What if marijuana use were made legal? Alcohol is legal and can impair judgment, but parents are not restricted from consuming alcohol when they parent. Excessive use of alcohol, however, is routinely addressed in family court settings. It would appear that central to this issue is the belief that consumption of one marijuana joint is mind-altering. Additionally, do we risk a child being exposed to second-hand marijuana smoke? I represented a parent in a case in which an infant tested positive for marijuana on a hair follicle test, because the child’s family openly smoked marijuana. Needless to say, the child was removed from that situation. Another factor that may cause judges to continue to restrict parenting time is the apparent proliferation of medical marijuana licenses; what was once rarely seen is becoming much more common. Does the frequency of the medical marijuana licenses being seen in court make judges wonder whether the usage is necessary medical relief or just an excuse to smoke weed? This conundrum is not going away any time soon. Richard Scholz is a family law attorney with the Fitzgibbons Law Offices in Casa Grande (520-426-3824). THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

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Celebrating 11 Years: Silent Witness Anti-Crime Night

by Wendy Lloyd, Casa Grande Police Department Volunteer Service & Event Coordinator

ational Night Out began in the United States in 1984 as an event to increase awareness about police programs, such as drug prevention, Neighborhood Watch and other

anti-crime efforts, in communities. In most of the U.S., it is held the first Tuesday in August. After participating for several years, the Casa Grande organizers decided to create their own city event on a date more

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conducive to our weather. August events come with the risk of monsoon storms and excessive heat. The City of Casa Grande Annual Silent Witness Anti-Crime Night began 11 years ago. This year, we are celebrating 11 successful years. For many years, this event was held at Carr McNatt Park. Over the years, the sheer explosion of the size of this event has caused challenges for parking, residents in the area and limited the number of participants. Last year the event moved to the new location at Vista Grande High School. With more space and better parking access, it is even bigger and better than before! This year the festivities take place on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. With over 75 local non-profits, law enforcement agencies, community resources and local businesses - there is something for everyone of all ages to see and enjoy. The participating vendors share information, give demonstrations and provide entertainment throughout the evening. Where else can you enjoy lots of games, bounce houses for kids, good food, drinks and raffle prizes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all for FREE! Silent Witness provides our

community with the opportunity to assist in the fight against crime. This is possible with the help of the community involvement and helps continue to make Casa Grande a safe community. The Silent Witness Anti-Crime Night helps to raise money for Casa Grande Silent Witness program. Each year, this event raises over $13,000 and is used for rewards for crime tips for Casa Grande Police Department. Mark your calendar and join us for the Annual Casa Grande Anti-Crime Night on Tuesday, September 27th.

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Candidate Bio David Snider was first elected to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors in November 2004 and took office on January 1, 2005 – he served two terms, leaving office at the end of 2012. Prior to his election, Snider worked for the City of Casa Grande for 26 years as Library Director as well as Interim and Acting City Manager on occasion. He David Snider was an elected member of Running for City Council the Casa Grande Elementary School District Governing Board (1992-2004) and served as its President for seven of those years – and returned as a member of CGESD’s Governing Board on 1/1/2015. Snider has been a member of the Latino Familia Initiative since 2004 and is currently a Board member. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Groundwater Users Advisory Council (Pinal Active Management Area) and has been Chair of the Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority since 1996. He has served on numerous state-level water commissions and boards. Snider is also Secretary of the Board of Directors of Against Abuse, Inc., serving since the 1980s. He is currently: a member of the Arizona Town Hall Research Committeeand the Local Drought Impact Group (drought preparedness) for Pinal County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the American University of Beirut (Lebanon) and earned his Master of Science in Library Science degree from Wayne State University.

If elected, what are your plans for Casa Grande to ‘Make It Better’?

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Marcus Foerster Running for City Council

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Casa Grande has been my home since 1977 – we have enjoyed a remarkable history of quiet development, thanks to solid leadership from elected officials and staff. But we’re in a new century with its own challenges. Street improvements, the community center, and workforce development are just some of our challenges. We also need to continue to focus on economic development: new jobs that lead to other industries coming here and higher wages across the board. I have both experience and time to play an active role in support of our efforts at the local, regional, and state level. Casa Grande needs to continue to be an active ‘player’ at all levels in the areas of transportation, natural resources (especially water), land use, economic development, regional infrastructure, etc. That means having the strongest possible presence at the tables where critical decisions are being made that will impact our future. We cannot allow others to determine where and how we will grow in the future. Casa Grande needs to step up to the plate and take an active role in recognizing and serving our military veterans. Community members have done an incredible job in organizing annual events and other efforts to serve veterans; the City should be a partner in those efforts – our neighbors have done so. Can Casa Grande do any less?

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60 Acre Ranch

16016 E. Cactus Forest Road, Florence $1,041,250 This 60 acre – ranch land and home, is the former headquarters for the England Cattle Company. This modular 2 bedroom, 2 bath home plus office features a great room concept with dining and wet bar. Kitchen has a nice breakfast bar and tiled floor. Outdoors you will find a large enclosed screened patio – great for entertaining or feeding your cowboys. Speaking of cowboys, this ranch has its own butcher shop, tack room, corrals, squeeze chute, scales and lots more.

JOYCE SOUTH

520.705.1272 | Joyce@joycesouth.com 520.423.8250 | ROXsells.com ©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

A Vision for Casa Grande’s Future

MAKE IT BETTER - CASA GRANDE (MIB-CG) is a group of local stakeholders who believe in a bright future for Casa Grande Evelyn Casuga

Craig McFarland

David “Red” Fitzgibbons

Rona Curphy

Robert “Bob” Jackson

Tim Smith

Judee Jackson

Larry Yount

Rock Earle

Robert Miller

Brett Eisele

Darrell Wilson

You Can Help Us Make Casa Grande Better Contact Make It Better - Casa Grande: Info@Mib-Cg.org

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M ISS IO N STATE ME N T MIB-CG will seek to improve the community’s prospects in the following ways: PROMOTE: Enhance the quality of life and the future of our community by supporting projects such as a showcase Community Recreation Center, the Regional Trail Plan and fostering opportunities for private investment. PROPOSE: Propose and support initiatives and opportunities to improve our community. EDUCATE: Engage all citizens individually and/or groups on the consequences to communities of obstructionist and no growth policies. ADVOCATE: Provide public advocacy when necessary to champion worthy initiatives that have been, are being, or otherwise would be at risk or denied in any venue/city/county/state by various special interests. ACCOUNTABLE: Be involved and proactive in the local political climate to remain positive and “pro” progress by engaging in debate and the decision process for local government.

makeitbetter-casagrande.org facebook.com/Make-it-Better-Casa-Grande

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ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING ANNOUNCES “PATHWAY TO PURCHASE” HOME LOAN PROGRAM TO CREDITWORTHY ARIZONANS Program Features Down Payment Assistance to Homebuyers

he Arizona Department of Housing acting jointly with the Arizona Home Foreclosure Prevention Funding Corporation (AHFPFC) announced that it has launched Pathway to Purchase, a new loan program for Arizonans statewide looking to become homeowners in select cities. “With the escalating increase in rents, many creditworthy renters are finding it more and more difficult to save for a down payment,” said Reginald Givens, with the Arizona Department of Housing. “With the Pathway to Purchase program, this obstacle has been removed. Pathway to Purchase gives qualified buyers a true pathway to homeownership

with a second mortgage provided as a deferred and potentially forgivable loan that can be used for down payment and closing cost assistance.” The ADOH Pathway to Purchase home loan program provides an attractive 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage with a down payment assistance (DPA) second mortgage, equal to 10 percent of the purchase price (up to $20,000 maximum), to qualifying homebuyers purchasing a primary residence which they intend to occupy within the cities of Arizona City, Avondale, Buckeye, Casa Grande, Coolidge, Douglas, El Mirage, Fort Mohave, Goodyear, Huachuca City, Laveen, Marico-

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pa (city), Red Rock, Sierra Vista, Snowflake, Tucson and Yuma. The DPA is provided as a second lien against the property that can be used for the down payment and closing costs. The five-year deferred loan will be forgiven at the completion of 5-years, with no payments and no interest due. New construction and manufactured homes are not currently permitted. The Pathway to Purchase program is available to homebuyers with an annual household income equal or less than $92,984, purchasing homes not exceeding $371,936. First-time, boomerang and move-up homebuyers should find the program especially

helpful. Homebuyers must work through an ADOH-approved lender and other participating lenders to obtain a Fannie Mae HFA Preferred, 30-year fixed mortgage. Funding for the Pathway to Purchase DPA Second Mortgage Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Hardest Hit Fund and has a $48 million allocation through the Arizona Home Foreclosure Prevention Funding Corporation (AHFPFC). Funds are available on a firstcome-first-serve basis. To learn more about AzHFA Pathway to Purchase DPA Second Mortgage Program, please visit www. azhousing.gov or call 602-771-1000.

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Out & About Exciting events and striking scenery in Pinal County

If you would like to contribute images of area events, people, pets and scenery, please post on our Facebook page or email to: editor@raxxdirect.com PHOTO BY JOHN THOMAS

PHOTO BY BEA LUECK

PHOTO BY GIGI MCWHERTER

PHOTO BY BOB HUDDLESTON

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DONNA MCBRIDE

PHOTO BY JILL SMYROS THE EDUCATION EDITION

Health • Wealth • Education

PHOTO BY KAREN SCOTT

PHOTO BY KATHLEEN BENNETT HECKEL

PHOTO BY GIGI MCWHIRTER

PHOTO BY ADRIANE KENNEY

SKYLAR JEAN ALLEN PHOTO BY DONNA MCBRIDE

PHOTO BY DONNA MCBRIDE

PHOTO BY BEA LUECK

PHOTO BY JULIE DODGE

PHOTO BY GIGI MCWHERTER THE EDUCATION EDITION

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PATHWAYS FOR TOXINS TO ENTER YOUR BODY by Jackie Paunil, MFA, CHC., owner of Terra Madela: Personal Health Coaching Optimizing your body’s function ultimately allows you to enjoy life more thoroughly, both physically and mentally.

ne of your most valuable investments will be educating yourself about human health, specifically your own. The quality of your life will depend greatly on your learning and applying your most supportive, healthful options. There are three basic pathways for both beneficial and harmful elements to enter your body. • Inhalation - We have little control over what is wafting in the air that we inevitably inhale. Your lungs take care of expelling most of the undesirable elements without you having to direct the process. The rest go through the filtering of your multi-tasked liver. Accumulating excessive levels of toxins hinders your liver’s ability to efficiently detoxify. This is the means by which your body expels and excretes unusable or undesirable elements from within your body. Inhaled toxic fumes, vapors and smoke are potentially the most harmful. Dander, pollens and dusts can enter your body through inhalation as well. House plants or air purifiers can be used to filter your indoor air to minimize the inhalation of undesirable elements. Avoid manufactured air fresheners and scented candles. Be aware that chemical cleaning products are some of the worst offenders as air pollutants. As an option, make your own nontoxic household cleaners. Choosing to avoid environments that you know will harbor airborne toxins is also within your control. • Ingestion - You have a great deal of control over what you choose to send through your digestive system. The quality of food and beverages is most important in order to eliminate some of the counterproductive effects of our common food products available today. Processed foods offer you convenience with a price, which is usually in the form of healthcare bills in the future. You may have become very comfortable with the convenience, immediate gratification and flavorful lab creations that the food industry has presented you. But your body requires real nutritious food to function properly. You must be diligent to determine what real foods are. The closer you come to a whole food that has not been packaged, pulverized, dried, overheated or filled with chemicals, the better. It is also important to recognize the physical packaging of food and drinks can upset your body’s hormonal balance. Endocrine disruptors, like those found in plastic food containers, leach into the food and drinks that you ingest, creating hormone production imbalances. Also of concern are pesticides and herbicides that are all too

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prevalent on and in the foods available and cause many deleterious effects within your body. Choosing organic food and drink options will eliminate a large part of your research in determining the best choices to ingest, because certified organic items cannot contain any of the additives and chemicals you should be avoiding. Choosing glass, porcelain, stainless steel or cast iron options for storage, preparation and cooking can minimize the ingestion of endocrine disruptors contributed by plastics and resins. Be aware of the fact that the excessive use of plastic water bottles in our society is effecting not just our environment, but the environment within your own body as well. • Absorption – Many people are not aware of the ease at which ingredients enter our bodies. Your skin absorbs products and sends them through to the liver to utilize or remove. The water you bathe in and the numerous products we apply to our skin all can contain ingredients that we must consider as to whether they are supportive elements for absorption. Educate yourself about the potential harm of some of the commonly used chemicals before slathering them on your skin to be absorbed. Ingredients in antiperspirants and skin lotions should be considered carefully as these are used routinely. Choose products with ingredients your body can process effectively. Be familiar with what is in the water you ingest, but also in which you bath. Absorbed fluoride and chlorine in treated water may have negative effects on your thyroid function, so installing a good quality filtration system may be helpful. As a unique individual you are made up of not just genetic material, but the ingredients that you have taken into your body to develop and build your bones, tissues and even your neural pathways. Being aware of what makes its way into your body is the first step to diminishing or eliminating less supportive elements and purposefully providing nutritious options. Optimizing your body’s function ultimately allows you to enjoy life more thoroughly, both physically and mentally. Contact Jackie for a complimentary health coaching session to learn about how health coaching can benefit you in developing and achieving your health goals. Jackie Paunil, Certified Personal Health Coach terramedela.com • 520-444-5434

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BEING THE VOICE OF A CHILD by Lydia Mercier, CASA Advocate - Casa Grande Introduction by Donna McBride

From the very beginning I was hooked on doing something worthwhile for the community and doing something meaningful in a child’s life.

hildren being removed from their homes due to neglect and abuse have reached an all-time high – more than 1,200 children in Pinal County. The task to protect them is overwhelming for police, social workers, foster families and the courts. And that’s why we have the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program. This program has been in Pinal County for nearly three decades. Thanks to thousands of hours our advocates serve, we are seeing successes. As the unit supervisor for CASA of Pinal County, I am amazed every day by the incredible acts of kindness they share. What does it take to be a CASA? I can give you the basics, but hearing it from a seasoned advocate like Lydia Mercier is better. An advocate for nearly 10 years, Lydia provides true insight of what to expect.

My First Year as a CASA: What I Expected and What I Didn’t From the very beginning I was hooked on doing something worthwhile for the community and doing something meaningful in a child’s life. The initial interview was like a sweetly baited hook. All the things you’ve ever dreamt you might be able to do to help a suffering child lay there just waiting for you to reach out. My eyes started to open during the initial two-day training academy. The session was intense. I believe it gives the “not-so-sure” applicants a chance to take a deep breath and finally begin to see all the responsibilities this role requires. Then you start listening to the cases. The work involved, paperwork and forms that are required, and the fear (well, most of it) begins to fade away when you hear about the children. This is something you know you have to

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do, not just want to do, but have to do. There is a child out there who may not get the attention, the voice in court, the counseling, the safe, nurturing home… if you don’t help make it happen. Just when you start to feel that this might be bigger than you can handle, you start to learn about the treasure trove of resources that you have at your fingertips. You’ll be part of a team made up of the child’s attorney, the case manager, the counselors or other behavioral or mental health organizations and, of course, the judge. You are never alone. And always just a phone call or email away, is your CASA Coordinator. She knows all the kids by name and walks you through every turn or roadblock to help this child. And behind her is this veritable legion of other specialists who can offer what you’re looking for! My coordinator, Pam Burke, is a combination of a supervisor, teacher and hook-wiggler extraordinaire.

•

What I didn’t expect: •

•

What I expected when I became a CASA: •

•

I expected to be blown-away with the number of children who can use the help of a CASA…but not enough of us exist. I expected to be frustrated sometimes, elated often, and eager to start a new case and see it to its best end. I expected that my current training was just the tip of the iceberg and I enjoy the support meetings, online training cours-

es, and other training sessions on all the different aspects of family and child life. I expected to meet many other people who, just like me, think that a little time, a little digging, and a lot of caring can help make a difference in the life of a child. I was not disappointed. Each exceeded my wildest dreams.

•

What I didn’t expect was how this new role has changed my own perspective of community and family life. I didn’t expect that life does not deal every child a fair hand. The principles of life that I hold true is different from another culture or another family’s history. I’ve learned not to try to impose my values on others. I never expected to find that the goal of doing what is in the best interest of the child to be so complex. It is seldom black and white. In most cases, someone has lost. I never expected my heart to light up when a child proudly introduced me as “This is my CASA!” or a teenager says in a tearful voice “I can tell you this. You’ll listen”. I never expected to consider jam-sticky kisses, and teenagers who roll their eyes but smile at me, to be the best reward anyone could bestow. I never expected to climb up on a CASA soapbox. But here I am. If I’m right, I expect you’re a little interested by now. There’s a special little “hook” waiting for you. It’s called CASA.

Find out more: 520-866-7076 or www.azcourts.gov/casaofpinalcounty/

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MEASLES: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW by Staff Reports

s of July 2, The Arizona Department of Health Services is confirming two new cases of measles, bringing the total to 22 cases stemming from a Pinal County outbreak that began May 26 at a private prison near Eloy. In 2015, seven cases of measles were reported in Arizona and three cases were registered in 2014. What to do if you think you have measles: â&#x20AC;˘ If you have a healthcare provider, contact him/her by phone and let them know that you may have been exposed to measles. They will let you know when to visit their office so as not to expose others in the waiting area. â&#x20AC;˘ If you do not have a health care provider, you may need to be seen at your local hospital emergency room or urgent care center. Please call before going to let them know you may have measles. Public Contact and Medical Questions: Medical questions should be directed to your health care provider. For outbreak-related questions call 602-839-2275 or visit StoptheSpreadAZ.com

introduced, measles was a common illness in infants, children and young adults. Because most people have now been vaccinated, measles has become a rare disease in the United States. Cases are typically unvaccinated and have travel history to a country where measles is still commonly spread. What are the symptoms of measles? The most prominent symptom of measles is the rash that usually starts on the head and slowly spreads down the rest of the body. Other symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. These symptoms last about a week. How do people become infected with the measles virus? Measles transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets and also by airborne spread. Measles virus may survive for up to two hours on environmental surfaces. Who is at risk for acquiring measles? Anyone who is not immune from either a previous measles infection or from vaccination can get measles.

About Measles Measles is a reportable disease in Arizona and should be reported to the local health department. Healthcare providers, schools, and clinical laboratories are required to report cases of measles to the Arizona Department of Health Services within 24 hours (Arizona Administrative Code R9-6-202-204).

Is measles contagious? Measles is highly contagious. When someone with measles sneezes or coughs they can spray infectious droplets into the air. These droplets can remain suspended in the air for periods as long as two hours until they are breathed in by someone else, or they may fall out of the air and land on various surfaces. Anyone who touches these surfaces after they have become contaminated and then touches their face may become infected.

What is measles? Measles is an acute, highly communicable disease caused by the measles virus. Before the routine vaccination program was

How is measles diagnosed? A diagnosis of measles is made by a health care provider and is based on signs and symptoms consistent with measles infection

such as rash, fever, and other symptoms. Confirmation of measles requires the detection of measles virus or IgM antibodies from a laboratory specimen such as a nasopharyngeal or throat swab or blood. What are some of the complications associated with measles? Measles can be severe, with about 30 percent of reported cases having at least one complication. The most frequent complications are diarrhea (8 percent of cases), middle ear infections (7 percent of cases), and pneumonia (6 percent of cases). Seizures occur in 7 out of every 1,000 measles cases, and one out of every 1,000 cases of measles will develop brain swelling (encephalitis), a severe condition that may result in permanent brain damage. Approximately two out of every 1,000 people with measles will die. The risk of severe complications and death is higher among children younger than five and adults older than 20 years of age. What is the treatment for measles? There is no specific treatment for measles. If you think you may have measles, CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FIRST for instructions on what to do. Calling ahead will avoid exposing others. It is very important to stay home and away from others when sick. What can be done to prevent the spread of measles? The measles vaccine (MMR) is the best way to prevent measles. Other things people can do to prevent measles and other infections include thoroughly washing hands with soap, teaching children to wash their hands, refrain from sharing eating utensils, and routine disinfection of surfaces that are frequently touched such as toys, doorknobs, tables, and counters.

Information for this article provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

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COURTROOM DRAMA by Donna McBride

After nearly five months of practice, students walk into a real courtroom at Pinal County Superior Courthouse in Florence to showcase their prosecution and defense skills before real superior court judges.

ourtrooms, attorneys, witnesses, tears, cross examinations and a verdict – sounds like a scene out of a Law and Order episode, doesn’t it? For Pinal County Juvenile Court, it is actually part of their Community Advisory Board’s (CAB) educational goal. For the past 13 years, the CAB has sponsored a Mock Trial Competition for middle school and high school students. Over the years the competition has grown from five teams to as many as 20. Nearly 250 students take part by learning about a specific case and selecting their parts (attorneys, witnesses, victims, etc.). Pinal County is the only county in the state that offers a local competition. It has become so popular over the years that Casa Grande Elementary School District includes a mock trial class as part of its curriculum. In fact, the CAB recently took home the “Award of Excellence” from the

Arizona Court Association for the Division 2 category, Picacho teams tied annual competition. for first place against each other and Villago Middle School took second place. After nearly five months of practice, students walk into a real courtroom Could students have learned the at Pinal County Superior Courthouse same thing in a textbook? Maybe. But in Florence to showcase their prosediving into their roles and learning from real attorneys and judges about cution and defense skills before real court procedures will likely stick with superior court judges. The day-long them too. Some have even decided to competition ends with the judges further their education in the field of selecting the best teams and giving law and justice because of their exindividual awards for best witness, opening statement, closing stateperience with Mock Trial. And years from now when they are rummaging ments, cross examination, direction through their old school memorabilexamination, and witness. In March, the competition awardia and find their Mock Trial medals, they will fondly remember the lessons ed Miami High School teams with both learned from real professionals. first and second place in the high school division. Middle School Division No. 1 ended with The CAB represents a group of volunteers Cactus Middle who are appointed by the Presiding JuveSchool receiving nile Judge. The board dedicates hundreds first place and Casa Grande Midof hours a year to promote positive actividle School coming ties for youth and families in Pinal Counin second. In the

ty while also being the eyes and ears of Juvenile Court Service.

EDUCATING THE SELF-SUSTAINING CITIZEN (continued) continued from page 30... The generalities of families and ownership followed. I realize that the lug nut jobs are no longer fashionable but many occupations have some sort of replacement entry level activity. So, on the journey to the world of work, what does an individual need to learn? Jobs for Life is a faith-based example of some of the skills and beliefs that help an individual get past the employment interviewer and operate successfully under the watchful eye of

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the boss. It is one of several programs of its type. In our experience it works. Students have “aha” moments. They enjoy some little personal victories. They earn wages. They participate in our economy. Finally, they understand the importance of replicating this process over and over again with offspring and family members. There’s not a singular menu of very specific things a person must remember in order to be employable. The most valuable skills support the willingness of individuals to take

responsibility for doing what they have agreed to do in return for wages. The most important personal trait is adaptability. The characteristics of the world of work are changing almost faster than we can record them and teach them. Recognizing new opportunities is important to our workplace survival. I have heard that somewhere out there is a piece of research that says children from broken homes are more successful than others at entrepreneurship. Hmmm. We’ll have to look into that.

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MEET VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

SHIRLEY

Seeds of Hope volunteers are our most valuable asset.

asa Grande is a community with many resources. One resource that is the lifeblood of Seeds of Hope is volunteers. We are able to accomplish our mission because of the in-kind support volunteers give us. Matching a volunteer’s skill set, availability and passions to a program takes delicate coordination. Enlisting new volunteers to fill gaps can be a time-consuming task. Tracking involvement, providing staff support and recognizing special days of unpaid helpers is a must in the world of nonprofits. There is one person who keeps it all together for us when it comes to volunteers. Shirley Ward has been our Volunteer Coordinator since July 2007. You can find her in our administrative office each Tuesday and Thursday morning coordinating people, recording in-kind hours, signing up new helpers and a whole lot more. Shirley and her husband Richard moved to Casa Grande in 1996 from Iowa to retire. But not the kind to be idle, she found herself working again. She filled her time with inserting ads into Penny Saver for a short time and working in the circulation department at the Casa Grande Dispatch for over seven years. The volunteer bug bit Shirley in 2007 and she became a page at the Casa Grande Public Library, downtown branch. About the same time, she began volunteering for Seeds of Hope doing data entry for then after school coordinator Vangie Saucedo. Seeds of Hope was experiencing a growth spurt and saw the need to hire someone part-time to keep track of the ever-growing number of volunteers who were joining us. Nine years later, Shirley’s role has grown with the organization and she also handles community service workers – a special kind of volunteer. Recording every volunteer’s hours

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by Terri Durham, Office Coordinator

into our volunteer tracking software is what she enjoys most because it familiarizes her with the names of those volunteering with us – a kind of memory aid. As well, she takes great pleasure in recognizing birthdays with handmade cards sent with love to our volunteers. To give you an idea of how important Shirley’s position is to Seeds of Hope, consider this. In 2015, 4,894.75 volunteer hours were given to Seeds of Hope. Independentsector.org calculates the estimated value of a volunteer hour to be $23.56. That equals $115,320.31 of donated time given to Seeds of Hope last year. Currently there are 123 active volunteers, so that’s a lot of people to keep track of! Seeds of Hope volunteers are our most valuable asset. They are the faces of our organization and the heartbeat of all we do. Without a volunteer coordinator, keeping track of all they do for us would be very difficult. We are fortunate to have Shirley, a faithful and friendly part of our team.

If you’re looking for a place to get involved and make a difference in our Casa Grande community, give Shirley a call at 520-836-6335. She’d love to talk over volunteer opportunities with you. If you’re already a volunteer and appreciate what Shirley does for us, give her a shout out on our Facebook page (fb.com/seedsofhopecg).

520-836-6335 www.seedsofhopeaz.com

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Esther Turner Cotton Reading Esther Cotton’s memoir has made me hungry for keeping my family’s story. My mother was one of six children. The last living, my Uncle Sam, recently lost his wife and has come to visit. Sam first came to Casa Grande to live with his father and sisters in 1942 at the age of 12. Today at 85, he has a hard time recognizing places where he grew up. This was his home until he was 24. He bagged groceries for George Y Wa, picked cotton, worked at a cotton gin, and worked for my father on our farm. So much of what Esther writes about is vividly etched in his memories of Casa Grande. My father’s only sister, Aunt Marguerite, has had a few health issues lately. She was only three or four years old when her parents moved here. When we visit her, my sister, cousins, and I find ourselves reminiscing about our childhood, stories of our parents, grandparents, and family. Several of the photos Esther and Nadine provided for this series are taken in front of an enormous Saguaro at the base of the Casa Grande Mountain. That Saguaro was just a few hundred feet west of my grandparents’ home on Peart Road. Anytime family or friends came for a visit, they were taken over to the cactus to have their photograph made. My parents’ farm was often visible in the background of those photos...but this is Esther’s story. Nadine Turner Hackler is my dearest friend – a woman of strength, character, and compassion, who has made a very real difference in my life. Born in Prescott, Arkansas, her family moved to Casa Grande in 1938. Each time I have wanted to confirm facts about Casa Grande’s history for articles I have written, Nadine, without fail, has been my source for details and information. Her memory is as sharp as her wit. Nadine’s parents, A.L. ‘Buck’ and Effie (Machen) Turner married in 1923 in Camden, Arkansas. Buck was a dirt farmer, logger, grave digger, cabinet maker and carpenter. They raised four children: J.T. (John Thomas, known to his friends as ‘Buck’), Nadine, Esther, and Opal Lavone (Bonni). Effie’s father was a Confederate in the Civil War. J.T. retired a Colonel in the U.S. Army, serving in WW II and the Korean Conflict. Esther became an LPN and X-ray technician and has lived in Bisbee since 1951. Bonni worked as the office nurse for Dr. J.B. Tucker for many years and lived in Casa Grande until 54

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“God, what is poor?” by Esther Turner Cotton In fond remembrances of Mother and Daddy Dedicated to Nadine, my sister

Chapter 5

adine and J.T. attended Junior High - or South School - across the railroad tracks and south of town out on the ChuiChui Highway. Nadine was in sixth grade and J.T. was in seventh. Mother took us into town the first day to help us enroll in school. She gave Nadine and J.T. a nickel or dime for lunch and she bought a five cent package of chocolate cupcakes for Bonni and me. I was amazed at lunch time when we went to the basement cafeteria. The kids had sandwiches made with “light” bread, cookies, an apple, orange or banana and a thermos of milk. A lunch “pail” in Arkansas had contained a biscuit with butter and jelly or biscuits with a fried egg. When I first walked into the classroom I was so frightened I could hardly speak and when I saw the teacher was a man, I wanted to die. The small schools in Arkansas never, ever, had male teachers in the

lower grades. Men were mostly high school principals. I was so intimidated by him that I became physically ill and remained s o u nt i l s c h o ol was out in May. He talked so fast and loud and yelled at anyone who didn’t know an answer to any question he asked. All I remember from the entire three months of fifth grade was Cecil McCullar, the teacher, reading to us aloud one or two chapters of “Little Lord Fauntleroy” each morning before class started. Mercifully I passed on to sixth grade and South School but much to my chagrin, he was transferred to South School that year and was my math teacher in eighth grade. My fear of him was no less, however. Forty-one years later I sat across the table from him and his wife at a retirement

her death in 2000. Growing up, music was always part of their lives; Buck was “an old fashioned hoe-down type fiddler,” J.T. played the guitar and Nadine played the organ and piano by ear. To this day, they remain a close-knit family. In the early 1970’s, Nadine’s sister, Esther,

began writing for her children a memoir of her life in Arkansas and Arizona. In keeping with Nadine’s wish, Esther is sharing the following excerpt from that work. Preface by Georgia Schaeffer, Casa Grande native and Associate Broker at Coldwell Banker ROX Realty. THE EDUCATION EDITION

Esther Turner Cotton ***Mary Rugg’s siblings were Bob, Cline and Ida Mae (Storey) Sligh.

dinner for a mutual friend in Safford, Arizona. When Cecil stood up to give a toast to the retiree, he began with “I knew this girl when blah-blah-blah – like I had been a favorite student. It was grace, good manners and maturity that kept me from kicking him under the table and saying, “You S.O.B., I ain’t scared no more!” The next two years are vague except for the fact that we kept on struggling for a better life and month by month, with very hard work by mother and daddy, we were making it. Mother had taken a job in a steam laundry and dry cleaning business. Every day she sorted and tagged clothes, put them into the washers and cleaning vats, and stood for hours shaking and straightening wet sheets before they were put into the large mangles to be ironed. Later she was promoted to driving the laundry delivery truck. She contributed a great deal toward helping to improve our standard of living. I believe the hardest job daddy had and the one that still hurts to think about was grave digging. He worked this job after 5 p.m., after already doing an eight hours work. He started after an early supper and

THE EDUCATION EDITION

sometimes stayed as late as midnight. Although mother always went with him and helped, sometimes we’d make it a family affair. We kids would remove dead flowers from graves and clean up. He took pride in his job, even if it was grave caretaker. The cemetery was located about three miles southeast of town down Trekell Road. It was a remote area in 1939. The earth was very dry and alkaline, which meant that a few inches below topsoil was solid caliche, which was harder than stone. He staked out and measured the grave and started digging with a shovel, but when the soil got too hard, he’d get a barrel or two of water from the reservoir and pour it into the grave and let it soak to soften the dirt, then go out and finish digging it the next night. It was ver y confining and backbreaking work. This dust along with long-term smoking and sawdust was a contributing factor to his lung problems later. During this time, J.T. had acquired a bicycle and gotten himself a paper route. Besides helping friends, it taught him responsibility and gave him pride. Daddy sold the big truck or traded it in for a 1936 brown Plymouth sedan. It was the pretti-

est and most comfortable car we had ever owned. We made our first return visit to Arkansas in this car. South (or Junior High) School was surrounded on three sides, south, west and north by cotton fields and the front on the east was still a desert with a few houses scattered here and there. The one thing that impressed me most at South School was a small white building located at the southwest corner of the big school playground. It was a one-room school for black students. There were never more than 12 students at any time and only one teacher. It bothered me because I thought this was a situation you’d only see in the South. When I was in seventh grade I got the opportunity to join the new grade school band that was being formed. I played the cymbals, which doesn’t require a lot of talent. The school furnished long-sleeved red satin shirts for each of us but there was a problem – we needed long white pants to wear and I could not afford to buy them. Carl Hoisington, the band director, could have chosen someone else to play the cymbals. Instead, he got funds (probably from his own pocket) to buy white pants for me. The biggest thrill of being in this grade school band was marching in the rodeo parade, the Fiesta De Los Vaqueros in Tucson! Since we were a small unit, with bad music, we marched near the end of the parade, but marching three miles through, over and around piles of horse manure didn’t dampen our enthusiasm in the least. Later in the year I was given a big brass baritone horn – which I never learned to play well – but Mr. Hoisington had hopes. We had moved out east of town and rode the school bus. Cecil McCullar was the driver so I was subjected to his put-down remarks about my big horn.

…to be continued.

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WAITING FOR BANNER CASA GRANDE’S NEW “BABY” A revamped Obstetrical Care Unit by David Lozano, Public Relations External Media

Now, we’re able to provide care to high-risk pregnant mothers and to newborn infants born at 32 weeks and above.

ny parent knows the first time you see your baby’s eyes in the nursery of a hospital after delivery, you automatically fall in love. It’s a special moment that you’ll keep in your memory for the rest of your life. Banner Casa Grande Medical Center (formerly Casa Grande Regional Medical Center) has helped with those special memories and “first time” meetings for hundreds of parents and newborn babies over the years. Heck, we even named the nursery after a baby born at the hospital about 27 years ago and he grew up to be a talented celebrity – Joe Jonas. To this day, we are still part of a very special partnership with him and his family. “Celebrity or not, all babies and their parents are special to us at the hospital,” said Rona Curphy, Chief Executive Officer at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center. “We’re proud that we’ve been able to deliver hundreds of babies through the years. If you live or work in Casa Grande, you’ve probably met a lot of those babies we helped bring into the world, who are now parents themselves and work in our businesses and go to our schools. It’s great that we’ve been able to be part of so many new lives and special moments for parents.” The current Obstetrical Care Unit at Banner Casa Grande provides a number of exceptional services including: • Spacious Labor-Delivery-Recovery rooms • A dedicated C-section suite that allows for the presence of an obstetrician, anesthesiologist or certified nurse anesthetist, neonatal nurse practitioner, nursery nurse and circulating nurse during the procedure • Ten private rooms for the remainder of the mother’s stay, where family can visit the mother and new baby

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KAITEE DOLL-BELL

•

All nurses certified as Neonatal Resuscitation Providers In addition to all of that, the hospital has a variety of pain management options available 24 hours a day. This allows our maternity patients to select various methods of pain relief available during labor and delivery, including epidurals. Banner Casa Grande aims to meet the demand of the growing community by continuing to provide an exceptional birthing experience and enhancing the existing area so we can give our mommies, daddies and their babies the best maternity care possible. How do you do that? By building more space. So on May 9, Banner Casa Grande Medical Center invited the community, including distinguished city leaders, to break ground on a new 27,800 squarefoot Obstetrical Care Unit. The new unit will feature the highest level of medical technologies for these services, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment and delivering expert care for babies and their parents. The new unit will continue to offer expanded labor, delivery and recovery rooms and private rooms for both mother and baby. As construction progresses on the new area each day,

we’re excited to count down the days to the estimated completion date scheduled for late July 2017 – just in time for more babies to be brought into the world! In addition to the maternity services within the hospital for patients, Banner Casa Grande will also continue to offer other services including childbirth and breastfeeding classes – not only for patients, but also for those in the community. “We knew it would be a matter of time before we’d need more space for maternity care, and that time came quickly,” Curphy said. “We’ve accomplished so much in the short time we’ve been a part of Banner Health. Not only are we looking to add a major maternity services area to the hospital, but we also completed our Level II Perinatal Service Survey with the Arizona Prenatal Trust. Now, we’re able to provide care to high-risk pregnant mothers and to newborn infants born at 32 weeks and above. It’s just an exciting time to be a part of all of this.” For more information on the Obstetrical Care Unit and Joe Jonas Nursery at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center, please go to www.BannerHealth.com/ casagrande.

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

The right therapy, right here at home. Rehabilitation therapy is one of the key ways to get people back on the road to good health. Fortunately, you have convenient and effective physical, occupational and speech therapy right in your hometown. Upon referral from a physician, you’ll be evaluated by an experienced therapist and an individualized treatment plan will be customized to meet your specific needs so you can get back to enjoying life as quickly as possible.

Appointments: (520) 381-6326 • Physician referral is necessary.

1800 E. Florence • BannerHealth.com

ENTERTAINMENT

A SNEAK PEEK INTO 2016/2017 Music inspires all cultures all over the world and this offers a chance to tour the world from the comfort of the Coolidge Performing Arts Center.

lthough the official 2015/2016 season officially wrapped up in May with the Central Arizona Symphony, the Coolidge Performing Arts Center is already gearing up for the 2016/17 season! The 2016/17 season will be as hot, if not hotter, than the Arizona summer! Not only are favorite performers Arvel Bird and Elvis tribute artist Jim Westover slated to return for a fourth season, they will be joined by a wide variety of international artists such as Canadian Fiddle Champions “Everything Fitz,” The Native American Art and Music Festival, Todd Green and “The British Invasion,” to name a few! Award Winning Native American Musician, Arvel Bird blends the Native American Flute and storytelling with Celtic fiddle and Irish whistles creating a magical concert where “Braveheart meets the Last of the Mohicans.” In previous years Arvel has been joined by the Central Arizona Symphony, performing original symphonic compositions by Arvel. Arvel tours internationally and performs at the Coolidge Performing Arts Center January 14, 2017 at 7 p.m. Casa Grande Ruins is proud to partner with the City of Coolidge and the Coolidge Performing Arts Center in the return of the “Native American Music and Arts Festival” on November 19, 2016 in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary of the National Park Service. This festival will provide

Top Right: Arvel Bird in Concert from January 2016. Right: Christmas in Coolidge featuring the Desert Song Community Choir, the Central Arizona Symphony and the Central Arizona Handbell Choir Photos by Kara Malpass, resident PAC Photographer

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a variety of activities and performances at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and the Artisan Village of Coolidge, closing with a “Grande” concert at the Coolidge Performing Arts Center. We are proud to be partnering with the Casa Grande Ruins on this historic anniversary! “Everything Fitz” brings energy and excitement to the Coolidge Performing Arts Center Stage on March 11, 2017 at 7 p.m. The Fitzgerald family tours internationally and is the Canadian National Fiddle Champion. Their fusion of Celtic fiddle, Irish step dancing and tap dancing make for an incredible and energetic performance for all ages! Tour the world through music with international musician Todd Green when he performs over 32 instruments from around the world in a

single concert on February 25 at 7 p.m. Mr. Green will be presenting to students from the Coolidge Unified School District in a special “show and tell” concert earlier in the week. Music inspires all cultures all over the world and this offers a chance to tour the world from the comfort of the Coolidge Performing Arts Center. Throughout the history of Rock and Roll, many incredible bands topped the charts in the U.S. as part of this invasion. The most famous being the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five and many more. “The British Invasion” invades the Coolidge Performing Arts Center on March 25, 2017 at 7 p.m. Whether you want to relive the excitement of your youth or you never had the opportunity to see these groups in concert, this show will be sure to have you dancing! In addition to these great concerts, The Central Arizona Symphony will have a series of four free concerts this season, two performances from the Artisan Village Youth Theater, The Ballet Folklorico Youth Concert and much more. There is something for everybody in the upcoming season! Stay tuned to our website at www. coolidgeperformingartscenter.org for more announcements and ticket releases and visit us on Facebook for unique behind-the-scenes photos, concert videos and much more!

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

Coldwell Banker® brand platforms drove 600,000 leads to affiliated companies, offices and agents — an increase of 40% with the highest conversion rates in the industry.* Mobile dominated in 2015 with more than half of all traffic

coming from a mobile or tablet device. In addition to the brand’s domestic coverage, the platform grew its diverse, international audience with approximately three million visitors coming from 235 countries outside of the U.S.

The CBx listing experience Coldwell Banker Real Estate launched the exclusive CBx Listing Experience application, which revolutionized the “kitchen table” listing conversation by merging the best of Big Data with an agent’s unique knowledge and understanding of the market. CBx allows sales associates to create a hyper-targeted marketing plan based on Coldwell Banker’s proprietary algorithms.

• CBx is used by over 25% of productive agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Real Estate • Over 30,000 listing presentation enhancements have been created with CBx since launch • The app has a 4+ rating in iTunes, Google Play and the Microsoft Store

Coldwell Banker Zap® Coldwell Banker Real Estate began a massive rollout of the Coldwell Banker Zap® platform to franchisees and their affiliated agents. This powerful digital marketing system allows consumers to find up-to-the-minute property listings and easily connect and communicate with agents from mobile devices, tablets and

desktop computers. The sites include community and school data, and comparative real estate pricing, and allow for each agent to communicate more effectively with email alerts, open house notifications, property status changes, sales estimates and other timely responses.

Wanted - one seasoned Realtor If you are an experienced agent who has earned the right to work and succeed without having your hand held through every transaction, Coldwell Banker ROX Realty is the next and final step for you. We will treat you with the respect you deserve and provide the environment you have earned, including a

private office, two conference rooms, and the best tools available, including CBX and our exclusive new ZAP web environment with personalized agent websites and integral CRM. Call me - let’s talk!

520.423.8250 | ROXsells.com

HEALTH

SUN LIFE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER – 40 YEARS AND COUNTING by Renée Louzon-Benn, Director of Community Outreach, Sun Life Family Health Center, Inc.

ebruary 2016 marked the 40th anniversary for Sun Life Family Health Center (Sun Life). Since 1976, Sun Life has delivered health care to the underserved, uninsured and insured people living in rural Pinal County. The not-for-profit organization has grown to become the county’s largest primary health care provider, committed to providing both the insured and uninsured with access to quality and price-conscious services.

Sun Life’s Historical Journey

Sun Life staff truly care about the people we serve. It has been our legacy since Sun Life started. We began as an outgrowth of the Arizona Job College, which provided job training for migrant and seasonal farm workers. The farm workers who were interested in health services were trained at the Center. Over time, as the training funds ran out, the health funds kept coming and the job college became solely a health facility. In 1976, the Center became incorporated as West Pinal Family Health Center (West Pinal), a 501(c)3 not-for profit organization which staffed one full-time and one part-time physician. In the first year, the Center provid-

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ed 12,000 patient visits. In March 1977, the Center moved from the Job College to the Esperanza Building at 201. W. Cottonwood Lane. This move provided a larger facility, allowing the Center to increase staffing to three full-time and three part-time physicians. This new facility was built to offer laboratory, X-ray and pharmacy services as a convenience for patients. By 1978, the Center had introduced family dentistry and women’s health and maternity care services (OB/GYN), now providing an array of services to the community, and truly being a “family health Center.” 1980 saw the start of growth to communities outside of Casa Grande, starting with the Center’s second office in Maricopa, and in 1981 becoming established as a Federally Qualified Health Center, allowing a shift in funding from migrant grants to the Community Health Center Program grant. The Center operated on a sliding-fee schedule and patients paid according to their income. This was by no means a ‘free clinic,’ as there was a minimum fee charged. This meant West Pinal was able to ensure that everyone in the community was eligible to use the Center’s services, regardless of income or insurance status. Even in these early years, the goal

was to offer good, quality, conventional care, focusing on preventative health services. This level of care supported continued growth, and in 1983, we opened in Eloy, and 1984, opened in Coolidge, bringing the organization to four offices in the county. In 1996, West Pinal underwent some big changes and rebranded, thus changing its name to Sun Life Family Health Center. Along with its new name, the organization also moved into a newly-constructed building on Arizola Road in order to serve the growing insured and uninsured Casa Grande population. The facility, expanded in 2003, still stands today as the organization’s largest family health center location, including dental and pharmacy. A mine closure presented Sun Life with an opportunity to fill more need, and in 1999, we opened an office in San Manuel, operating out of this small town’s newly-vacated hospital. This office houses family practice, lab, X-ray and a pharmacy. As the years went by, Sun Life continued to try to provide their patients and communities the best possible patient experience and to be where there is need for accessible and price-conscious health care. 2001 saw new construction for the Maricopa office and the Coolidge office in 2003. In 2004, Sun Life opened an office in the Oracle community. Sun Life experienced amazing growth over the past 10 years of operation. In 2010, Sun Life added integrated behavioral health services into the existing health care model. 2010 also marked the move of OB/GYN into its own building alongside the newly-added pediatric services. 2010 also marked the completion of a new building for Eloy which houses family practice and a pharmacy – a service the town had been without for over 14 years. Increased patient need spurred more growth in 2014, resulting in Casa Grande’s Sun Life Center for Children, Sun Life Center for Women and a new Apache Junction office offering family practice, pediatrics, OB/GYN and a pharmacy. In 2015, Sun Life moved Maricopa’s family practice to a new, larger facility, added pediatric care and a pharmacy and renovated the original Maricopa office to provide OB/GYN. In 2016, Sun Life marked its 40th year by opening a continued on page 94... THE THETHE THE EDUCATION EDUCATION TRAVEL TRAVELEDITION EDITION

Join us at the 1st Annual Sun Life Gala to celebrate 40 years of excellence in providing healthcare Arizona Grand Resort & Spa • Saturday, August 13, 2016 • Proceeds will help Sun Life continue to make healthcare services available and affordable to our communities.

GALA PROGRAM 6:00 pm - VIP Reception Hors D’oeuvres, Cocktail Hour & Guitar Accompaniment: Jazzona 7:30 pm - Dinner Welcome & Introductory Remarks Travis Robinette, CEO of Sun Life

• Registration $150 per person or to make a donation, contact Renee Louzon-Benn 520-381-0366 or renee. louzon-benn@slfhc.org • Register online www.sunlifefamilyhealth.org S P O N S O R S H I P

8:30 pm - Keynote Address Guest of Honor: Joe Gallegos, Senior Vice President for Western Operations of National Association of Community Health Centers Closing Remarks & Thank You 9:00 pm – Music & Dancing: Vinyl’s End

O P P O R T U N I T I E S #SunLifeGala

A V A I L A B L E

MARIJUANA: THE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY

by Breanna Boland, Executive Director (ACPP II), Casa Grande Alliance

You might be asking yourself, “What is the big deal? It’s just a little pot.” It is a big deal! The development and success of our youth and the future of our community is a big deal.

ince 2006, there has been a 15 percent increase in the number of Casa Grande youth who have never used drugs or alcohol. What that means for our community is there are 1,190 more kids living alcohol and drug free!1 This is wonderful news but there is always more work to be done. An issue currently being addressed by the coalition and the agency is marijuana and the misperceptions related to the use of the substance. You might be asking yourself, “What is the big deal? It’s just a little pot.” It is a big deal! The development and success of our youth and the future of our community is a big deal. In the early 1990s, the average THC content (or potency) of marijuana was about four percent, and today the average THC content is roughly 16 percent. There are some marijuana extracts, such as “dab” or “wax,” that can be 50-80 percent pure THC.5 When the potency increases, the chances of becoming addicted also increases. Yes, marijuana is addictive! About one in 10 people who use marijuana will become addicted. This number increases to about one in six if the user starts in their teens, and the potential for addiction increases to 25-50 percent for daily users.5 It is important to note, marijuana use can cause longterm and/or permanent changes to the brain. This is particularly important for our young community members whose brains are still developing. Studies show that using marijuana (especially by adolescents) has the ability to lower a person’s IQ, on average, eight points.4 This type of decline can move a young person from average intelligence to below average. The list of effects that marijuana

has on the developing brain and body continues.Studies show that the use of marijuana also causes declines in several other brain functions such as memory (both short and long-term), executive functioning (such as multitasking and thinking ahead), the speed in which information is processed and reaction time.4 These factors, along with the decline in IQ, contribute to poor academic performance, skipping and dropping out of school, not graduating and going on to college (or professional trade school), and not getting a well-paying job. These results can have a negative impact on our community and the future workforce. Across the nation, there has been an increase in youth marijuana use.3 In Casa Grande, marijuana use among our youth has not increased – yet. However, in Casa Grande, there has been a decrease in youth’s perception of risk/harm related to marijuana use. Perception of risk/harm is directly correlated to use. That means, when people believe there is little to no risk or harm associated with using a substance, such as marijuana, use of the drug tends to increase. Although there have been significant reductions in youth substance use trends in Casa Grande, we are coming up on a major event that could change the substance use and abuse landscape in Arizona – the 2016 election. The Campaign to Regulate and Tax Marijuana Like Alcohol (RTMA), sponsored by the Marijuana Policy Project, secured enough signatures to get the measure on the ballot.Here are five reasons why this initiative is dangerous for Arizona: • Potent edibles endanger our children – the law will allow “Big Mari-

juana” to profit from marijuana-laced edibles in the form of candies, cookies and lollipops. In marijuana-friendly states, accidental ingestion by youth is up over 600%.2 • Marijuana makes our roads more dangerous – the law will afford marijuana-impaired drivers with legal protections, despite statistics that show fatalities are on the rise in states that have legalized recreational marijuana.2 • Reduce the rights of employers – the law will restrict an employer’s ability to maintain a safe and drugfree workplace.2 • Law creates a marijuana monopoly - the law will create and protect a massive for-profit monopoly selling addictive products, just like “Big Tobacco.” “Big Marijuana’s” special interest groups will get rich while the rest of us pay the price.2 • Twenty pages of new laws protect “Big Marijuana” – the law is over 20 pages filled with legalese that creates another state commission and another state department.2 To read the 20-page initiative, visit the Arizona Secretary of State website at www.azsos.gov. The initiative and an analysis of the initiative can also be found on the Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy website at www.ardp.org. The Casa Grande Alliance, a community-based coalition, provides a framework for organizations, families and individuals to address substance abuse issues. If you want to bring an educational presentation about marijuana or other substances to your business, organization, or school, contact the Casa Grande Alliance at 520-836-5022 or visit our website at www.CasaGrandeAlliance.org.

1 Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. (2012). Arizona Youth Survey: Casa Grande. 2Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy.(2015). Reasons to Oppose the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana. Retrieved from https://ardp.org/resources/ 3Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2013). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Retrieved from http://nccd.cdc.gov/youthonline/App/Results.aspx?TT=B&OUT=0&SID=HS&QID=H49&LID=LL&YID=2013&LID2=&YID2=&COL=S&ROW1=N&ROW2=N&HT=QQ&LCT=LL&FS=S1&FR=R1&FG=G1&FSL=S1&FRL=R1&FGL=G1&PV=&TST=True&C1=S7&C2=S8&QP=G&DP=1&VA=CI&CS=Y&SYID=&EYID=&SC=DEFAULT&SO=ASC 4National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2013). Early-Onset, Regular Cannabis Use Is Linked to IQ Decline. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/nida-notes/2013/08/early-onset-regular-cannabis-use-linked-to-iq-decline 5National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2015). Marijuana. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-addictive

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THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

Marijuana Edibles...

what parents need to know.

Among 12th graders who used marijuana in the past year, 40% reported having consumed it in edible form in medical marijuana 1 states, versus 26% in non-medical marijuana states.

1. Packaging is appealing to youth - Marijuana edibles are often times packaged to look like familiar products or brands that kids love, such as popular candy items, pop tarts, etc. Could your child tell the difference between a pop tart and a pot tart? (See above examples.) 2. Higher amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) - Due to using concentrated THC oil, the amount of the mind altering drug in edibles is greater than traditional marijuana and often times mislabeled. Colorado is reporting â&#x20AC;&#x153;repurposed candiesâ&#x20AC;? containing THC levels up to 60%.2 3. Serving size - Marijuana edibles are typically sold in multi-serving packages. This means that one candy bar or cookie may contain multiple servings of THC. If consumed all at once, it can result in an overdose or poisoning. Who only eats part of a cookie? 1. NIDA, Monitoring the Future Survey 2014

2. Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, www.ardp.org

Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Referrals 901 E. Cottonwood Lane - Suite C Casa Grande, Arizona 85122 520-836-5022 www.CasaGrandeAlliance.org Facebook: CGAlliance | Twitter: @CG_Alliance

Education Special Section

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THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

Education Special Section

DISTRICT, CHARTER or PRIVATE SCHOOLS What’s the difference anyway? Choosing the right school for your student is confusing enough, but with so many choices, that decision can become overwhelming. That’s why we’ve tapped our local education experts to share with you what makes each type of school unique, how they serve our children and who can benefit from them.

WHY CHOOSE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS? by Bryan Harris, Ed.D., Director of Professional Development & Public Relations Casa Grande Elementary School District

rizona has been a proud leader in school choice for over 20 years. In the mid1990s, the state provided school districts, organizations, corporations, and individuals the authority to open and run charter schools. Today, parents and families have numerous school options: traditional public schools, private schools and charter schools. With so many options, how do parents decide on the best choice for their children? First, spend some time thinking about the unique needs, desires, and goals of your child or children. Traditional public schools are the only option that proudly educates all students. Does your child exhibit talents or skills in a certain area? We’ve got options for them. Does your child excel in the arts, in sports or academics? We’ve got options for them. Does your child have unique needs that require specialized attention? We wholeheartedly embrace all children and we do our best to create customized programs to meet their needs. Second, spend some time talking with people you know and trust. Talk with leaders in the community and ask about their experiences. In Casa Grande, more than eight out of

THE THEEDUCATION EDUCATION EDITION EDITION

10 families choose the Casa Grande Elementary School District. The vast majority of families choose our schools because of our reputation for quality and our proven model of Success for Every One. For over 10 years in a row, more than 95 percent of Casa Grande families rate our schools an A or B. Third, visit several different school

options and ask questions. Since a child’s education is so important, ask questions about the school’s leadership, the qualifications and certifications of its teachers, what programs they offer and ask to observe teachers and staff in action. In the Casa Grande Elementary School District, we are proud of our schools and are eager to show families what we can offer.

School Choices continued on page 74

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Education Special Section

ESSAY CONTEST

Golden Corridor LIVING Magazine is proud to showcase the young writers or our community as part of our annual essay contest. This year’s submissions came from Boys & Girls Clubs of the Casa Grande Valley and the Casa Grande Library and included youth ages 5-18. From wizards and aliens to dance and bowling, this year’s essay topics offer action, adventure and a whole lot of fun!

YOU CAN DO AMAZING THINGS

by Michael Rodriguez, Age 12 y favorite activity is art because you draw and make stuff. The reason I love art is you can paint, cut and draw 3D shapes. Draw for the class for the logo, have a drawing competition, think what to draw with your friends. Paint someone you know and draw the things in your mind and draw monsters. I like coming to the Boys & Girls Club because you can do amazing things.

FUN THINGS TO DO

by Paul Ries, Age 12 went bowling and, of course, I lost. The reason I like bowling is because you have a competition, but I like to just have fun. I roll the ball without a thumb because it is easier and I can have a better chance of making a strike. My second favorite sport here was soccer because you can juke people and there is a lot of cool tricks. My third favorite thing to do here is play dodgeball because you can get everyone out to win. If you catch the ball, but you already have one in your hand, you’re out. Once your are the last one and everyone is out, you win. I also really like the bumper pool and the walk a-thon. And we got to jump rope and hula hoop.

I LOVE GYM AND I LOVE GAME ROOM by Matthew Monreal, Age 11 ym is my most favorite thing to play here especially when we get to play basketball. I always pick people when we play basketball. The teams are usually Jace, Kmonee, me and sometimes Marky. One of the top people I always pick is Ethane. “Ooooooh,” is everyone’s reaction when I pick them Game room is also my favorite because me and Jace play the Minnie basketball. We have the record for the fastest to reach 100. We would sometimes play kips. We get to play with other people. And see people get mad

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DANCE

by Sara Scots, Age 13 t the Boys & Girls Club we do many things over the summer. I have a particular activity that enjoy while I am here and it is attending dance at The Studio. The Studio is not far away and it only takes a short second to get here and we stay there for an hour. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 we drive to the studio and leave at 11:00. We are practicing to perform in August, so we will have two months to learn our dances. The dances we are learning at the studio are hip hop but there is another group in ballet. So far, I have been only four times and we only have gotten through the introduction on our song. We find many ways to create a learning technique so we can remember our moves. I am the second oldest and have the moves of the song down pretty well and can’t wait to learn more. I love that we were given the opportunity to dance at the Boys & Girls Club and I am always looking forward to going each week. I would like to say thank you to the wonderful stuff at the Boys & Girls Club.

MY FAVORITE ACTIVITIES

by Francisco Leon, Age 14 y favorite activity at the Boys & Girls Club is gym. The reason why is because we get to play dodgeball. There are a lot of people in my group who all play mat ball in gym 2. This is what I like about gym -- that they play the games I like to play. After gym is really hard for me because I sweat a lot but fym 1 and 2 is my favorite activity here at the Boys & Girls Club. My second favorite activity here at the boy and girls club is art room because we do a lot of activities in there. The one thing that I like to do is make stuff out of glue. And I also like to make paper mask and slime. I mean, art room is good but not that fun you know? Art room is my second favorite activity here at the Boys & Girls Club.

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Education Special Section

THE AWFUL WIZARD

by Aili Sneezy, Age 7 nce upon a time, there lived an awful wizard named Leo. Leo was awful because he was the worst wizard that ever lived, he couldn’t even brew his own potion or get his magic to work. One day he met a witch that sold him a potion that would make him the best wizard that ever lived. He took the potion and nothing happened. But the next morning, he was a duck. “She tricked me,” said Leo. “Never trust a witch.” The End

GYM 1 AND ZOOM ARE MY FAVORITES By Jenna James, Age 12 y favorite thing to do at the Boys & Girls Club is playing in Gym 1 and playing dodgeball because everyone is very competitive, but it’s fun. And its breaks up the little groups of kids that always hang out with each other. And the staff is always involved and has nobody that they treat differently. I also like playing soccer because people always play and there is always good players that get you to challenge yourself. That’s why gym 1 is my favorite area. My second favorite is zoom because we always have something planned to do in there. And we barely watch movies, unlike last year. And Dora always has something fun for us to do, and when we finish she gives us another thing. And she always makes us clean no matter what. She treats us like the age we are and lets us do more advanced things than the first grade.

DODGEBALL IS THE BEST ACTIVITY by Alex Higgs Age 11 he best activity that we did was dodgeball in gym 2. It’s my favorite activity because Tyler from the staff runs it. He runs it like old-fashioned dodgeball and if you have 2 balls then you’re out. If you catch the ball and your teammates are out, he comes back in, but only one person can come back in. If you try to block the ball and the ball gets knocked out of your hands, you are out. If the ball hits the ball you have in your hand and then it hits you, you’re not out. If it hits the bleachers then hits you or if you catch the person that threw it, then it isn’t out and if it hits you you are not out. If it’s the last person

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and you’re out then the other team wins and you restart the game. Also, you can reach across the line to get a ball, but if your body crosses,then you’re out. It’s my favorite activity and hopefully some of yours too.

THE REASON I LOVE DODGEBALL

by Joe, Age 11 y favorite activity is dodgeball in gym. The reason I love dodgeball is I was the dodgeball king at my old school. Another reason I love dodgeball is because I played it my whole life. I have little legs which make it easier to dodge all the balls. I don’t grow fast so I’m small, which makes me a harder target. My second favorite activity is computers and game room. The game I usually play on the computers is bad eggs. In the game room I play cards, but the game I play on cards is kips. In computers I play a lot of people. When I play pool I win not that much, but I still try.

I REALLY LIKE BUILDING THINGS

by Jaden Atkins, Age 12 y favorite activity at the Boys & Girls Club is art class. We’ve done many fun, creative and clever things. I really like building things, so that’s probably why I like it so much. So far, my favorite thing in art room that we’ve done was make rotating boxes. I’m really looking forward to making paper mache masks. My 2nd favorite class is zoom. And that’s because we don’t do much there. It’s mostly an interactive room, where we can’t talk to our friends. My favorite thing we’ve done in there was eat jello and go outside and watch Halloween town.

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Education Special Section

LIFELINE

by Chandler Kaschimer, Age 8 Incoming signal Establishing Connection Receiving Message Hello! Hello my name is Taylor. I’m stuck on a weird desert moon in a crash on a ship called the Varia. I seem to be the only survivor in the crash. The door is IMPOSSIBLE to move. I have no way of communication because the computers are all wrecked up. If only I can make a pickaxe. Taylor is busy Ta da! I made a pickaxe out of computer hardware and hacked through the door. There is a whole new world out there. I mean LITERALLY, there’s a crater right next to me. I’m going to go check it out. Taylor is busy I’m so tired. This crater is HUGE. I mean the star of this moon is getting low. I think I should go back to the Varia. Taylor is busy Ok I’m back at the Varia. I’m getting so cold. My only warmth is the reactor. I’m going to camp up down there. Taylor is busy Hey I’m good as new! I don’t have five ears or two mouths. I’m ready for a hearty breakfast. I can snack down a few grab-and-go snack packs and I’m ready to go! Taylor is busy Now that I’m ready, I can go explore the crater down there. Taylor is busy

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WHOA. You got to see what I found! IT’S A SECRET BASE IN THE ROCKS. I AM DEFINITELY GOING INSIDE. Huh? My rats from the Varia. Hi Chubby and Blacksmith. AND THEY ARE KILLING EACH OTHER FOR A TINY PIECE OF CRUMB. It’s so horrifying! I can’t look. WHOA. A SLIMY GREEN… THING IS CLIMBING OUT OF BLACKSMITH. I think it’s an alien! I’m going to stomp on it. That takes care of that. Whoa. WORKING COMPUTERS! But I don’t like the way they sound. I can read you what they say. TARGET ACQUIRED. LOCKDOWN SUCCESFUL. WAIT. DID THEY SAY LOCKDOWN SUCCESFUL! I’m in big trouble. Let me hack into those computers. Taylor is busy There’s that and that and I’m done! So the door is moveable now. What about the TARGET ACQUIRED part? Intense heat spotted Minor leg burns My leg burns! Huh? That was another ship that crashed into the hideout! And on the computer shows little green things crashing into the moon. WAIT. THOSE ARE SPACESHIPS. It’s like somebody was trying to crash them. I’m going back to the Varia for my sleep plans. Taylor is busy There, I’m back at the Varia. I’m going to get ready for sleep. Taylor is busy Whoa! Those ships I saw didn’t crash. They are rescue ships! I have glow rods to signal them for help. Over here ship, over here. The ship picked me up and sent me into the orbit of earth. And now I’m back home on my home planet, Earth. The End

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Education Special Section

THE ALIEN PRINCESS

by Camille Kiser, Age not provided nce there was an alien princess who lived on an asteroid. She crashed on a planet with eight craters. She made each of the craters houses and named them Cocktail, Pecan, Asparagus, Gummy Bear, Salt, Apple, Carmel, and Carrot. She named them that because they looked like food. Then another asteroid with seven aliens on it hit the planet, and they lived in the seven smaller houses while the princess lived in the gigantic Gummy Bear Castle. The End

AN AWESOME SUMMER

by Olivia Barnes, Age 11 y summer was awesome so far. I went swimming and I learned a lot from our staff. We played dodgeball, capture the flag and we made flowers in the art room. It was awesome here. The staff are awesome and they are fun and they play in our games too. When we go swimming it’s fun to play with your friends. Also, after swimming we get ice cream at the ice cream truck there. I am signed up for Amazing Jakes. I have been there with the Boys & Girls Club and it’s fun. The activities you can do here are game room, computers, play in gym 1 and 2, art room and zoom. My favorite activity is computers. We play a lot of games. I play games with my friends and it’s awesome. My second favorite is gym 2. We play capture the flag, soccer, basketball, kickball and more. I love the Boys & Girls Club and I feel safe here with the staff.

FUN THINGS IN GYM AND GAME ROOM by Jace Atkins, Age 13 y favorite activity is gym. We play a lot of things in gym that I like. One of my favorite activities in there is dodgeball. My other favorites are capture the flag, maketball, mat ball, and knock out. I also like the staff in gym 1 and 2. My other favorite activity is game room. We do a lot of fun things in there. I love playing kips and speed with all of my friends. I also play bumper pool and basketball. I like the staff and volunteers in that room too.

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Have your child stop by the Vista Grande Library in Casa Grande to enter the ongoing Golden Corridor LIVING essay contest!

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

Education Special Section

MY ROOM

by Christian Kaschimer, Age 8 My room is clean if you walk in.It also has my dog,Roxy in it too. You will find a binder full of Pokemon.I will make my room stay like that.There is a reading section on top of my bed.It is very useful if you don’t know something.

Sometimes Roxy wanders out of my room. My dog is a lazy dog.We can’t take her on walks,she doesn’t swim,and she doesn’t play catch.All she does in my room is lay down. If you don’t know the percents it is me: 16% Roxy: 84%

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Education Special Section

UNDERSTANDING CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THE VALUE OF SCHOOL CHOICE by Drew Goodson, Principal, Mission Heights Preparatory High School

Overall, Arizona and Casa Grande is blessed to have the tremendous freedom of school choice.

ne of the best things Arizona offers for families is school choice. While our state is often criticized for low performance in national academic rankings, one thing that we do have to our great advantage is that our charter school laws are fair and among the most positive in the country. This has allowed for charter schools to become prevalent in our state and our community, which in turn allows parents to have a very powerful resource – options for where to send their child. Casa Grande is a great example of this, as there are many great traditional and charter school options, including my own school, Mission Heights Preparatory High School. So what exactly are charter schools and how do they differ from a traditional district schools? A charter school is a public school that operates separate from a district, on a “charter,” granted by the state. The charter is essentially an agreement to allow a school to open and operate by the state in exchange for meeting certain performance standards. Almost anyone can apply for a charter, but only those that show a strong plan or a history of meeting performance goals can be issued one by the state. Charter schools do not have a school board but are held accountable by both the Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools, which frequently assess the performance and viability of each school. This means charter schools are allowed more freedom to operate but they are still held to high standards. While charter schools are public schools, they very different from traditional public schools. Perhaps the biggest difference is size. Most charter schools are much smaller than traditional schools. This difference is primarily based on how each type of school is funded. Traditional schools receive capital funding from our tax dollars for things like building expenses and transportation. This allows for the building of large schools with impressive facilities and the ability to transport many students. Charter schools do not receive capital funding, but are given money by the state on a per-pupil basis per school year. This means the size of the school and facility offered is really limited to the amount of students who attend. The more students who enroll, the larger the facility that the school can operate, but since enrollment numbers can vary and there is no capital funding to back things up, charter schools tend to stay smaller

in size. However, the smaller size of charter schools is perhaps one of our biggest strengths as it allows us to have a central focus, rather than to trying to offer something for everyone. Most charter schools seem to specialize in a certain area. For example, there are few charter schools in Casa Grande that specialize in credit recovery. They are designed to help students earn back lost credits as quickly as possible to get back on track to graduate. My school’s focus is college preparation. Our program is for students who want an extra challenge and we help make sure they are truly prepared for college. They go through rigorous classes, have nightly homework and have a higher credit requirement for graduation. This is all explained to them when they enroll and students choose to come for these reasons. Another advantage of a smaller school is the personal experience we can offer. At a school of just 400 students, all of the staff truly gets to know the students on our campus. We become almost like family, which has tremendous advantages in the classroom and campus-wide. When students have a strong relationship with their teachers, they are more eager to learn and try new things. Also, when they feel connected with the campus, they want to make sure we maintain a positive and happy atmosphere. I feel these are the key reasons why we have an excellent safety record and our AzMERIT test scores are well above state averages in most categories. Overall, Arizona and Casa Grande is blessed to have the tremendous freedom of school choice. Whether it is a large district school with fantastic facilities and many programs to offer or a small focused charter school with a family atmosphere, the best thing for families is that you get to choose.

School Choices continued on page 84 74

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Education Special Section

CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE SUBMITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO CASA GRANDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD Board calls for $44.66 million bond election to repair and replace facilities and buses and to improve technology by Bryan Harris, Ed.D., Director of Professional Development & Public Relations Casa Grande Elementary School District

An important consideration for both the citizens’ committee and the school board was the fact that voters’ approval of the measure would not increase taxes.

n December 2015 the Casa Grande Elementary District Governing Board and superintendent called for the creation of a Capital Planning Committee. The committee first met in January 2016 and was tasked with the goal of addressing the school district’s short-term and long-term needs related to the maintenance and upgrading of district facilities, vehicles and equipment. The committee, consisting of 40 civic and community leaders, met for five months to consider issues such as: • The current state of district facilities and equipment • Long-term projections for district and community growth • State of Arizona funding methods • Current and future budget estimates • The needs of community as it relates to school district property. As a result of the work and recommendations of the committee, the Casa Grande Elementary School District Governing Board recently called for a $44.66 million bond election in November. After hearing recommendations and options from committee members, the Governing Board voted unanimously to seek approval from voters.

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If approved by voters, proceeds from the bonds would be used to repair and replace facilities throughout the school district, to construct replacement space for Saguaro Elementary School and Casa Grande Middle School and to replace older buses in the district’s fleet of 70 buses. The funds would also help to increase safety at the schools through improvements intended to bring greater security. An important consideration for both the citizens’ committee and the school board was the fact that voters’ approval of the measure would not increase taxes. In fact, the average tax rate over the repayment period for new bonds would be ten cents lower than the current secondary property tax rate of $0.55 for existing bond debt. The primary reasons given for the committee’s recommendations were that this approach would: • Protect the community’s investment in its schools • Increase security in schools • Strengthen neighborhood schools • Improve facilities long overdue for renovation • Avoid any increase in taxes The committee was led by the husband-and-wife team of Jerry Stabley and Evelyn Casuga. After assessing

the status of the school district’s capital needs over a five-month period of time, the committee members produced a consensus recommendation – to sell $44.66 in bonds to repair and upgrade facilities and to resume the replacement of buses. All major repairs and vehicle replacement stopped in the district in 2008 when state appropriations for school districts’ capital funding fell dramatically. Today, the state appropriates just 15 percent of the capital funding to school districts that is required by law. In making its recommendation, the citizens’ committee argued that it made more financial sense to replace rather than to renovate Saguaro Elementary and Casa Grande Middle School. Needed repairs to the two schools would cost over $11 million, whereas replacing the schools with space that could serve the community for several more decades would cost an additional $6 million. Following the vote, Governing Board President Judee Jackson thanked the members of the citizens’ committee for their efforts. Prior to the election, all registered voters will receive an informational pamphlet regarding the proposed sale of bonds. Information about the recommendation is also available on the district’s website.

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Education Special Section

Success for Everyone – The Responsibility is Yours and Mine ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT

. . . h g i H h c a Re

Casa Grande Elementary Schools Leading the Way

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Percentage of Casa Grande Parents Providing the 12 Schools an “A” or “B” Rating 97 96

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Education Special Section

CHANGES IN THE CLASSROOM: CGUHSD 1:1 INITIATIVE by Melani Edwards, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Casa Grande Union High School District

hances are, most of us will identify with one of the following classifications: Baby Boomer (ages 51-69), Generation X (ages 35-50), and Millennial (ages 1834). Each classification has a list of characteristics specific to that particular generation. However, there is a new generation classification that you may or may not be familiar with, called Generation Z. This particular generation has no precise date or age, except that this cohort begins after the Millennials. One significant characteristic of Generation Z is they are typically comfortable with technology and interact on social media websites for much of their socializing. According to Dr.Tim Elmore, author of Generation iY Secrets to Connecting with Today’s Teens & Young Adults in the Digital Age (2015),these students are much more entrepreneurial. They tend to be “pioneers” not “settlers” in a career. They are more likely to start a business, than to settle into one. Gen Z students are great at multitasking and are technology-reliant. They cannot imagine living in a world without being digitally connected. Technology holds the same significance for them as breathing air and drinking water. Recently, a group of adults were discussing their children and making comparisons between students today in comparison to students five to 10 years ago. One father was describing a

recent incident with his teenage son. The son had violated the house curfew, and when asked whether or not he wanted to be grounded from his car or give up his cell phone, the father was shocked when his son instantly handed over his car keys. What do teachers do with Millennials and the Gen Z students in their classrooms? How do we prepare them to be successful in careers that may not have even been invented yet? How do we engage students who have been engaged with technology of some sort from the day they were born? How do we identify the skills these students need to be successful, regardless of the career they choose to pursue? Achieving mastery of the “3 R’s” is no longer the single predictor to a student’s future success. Students also need to be fluent in the “4 C’s” – communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. Casa Verde, the district charter school has been 1:1 for the last five years. The district has closely monitored the positive impact on teacher instruction and student success, and after three years of research and discussion, Casa Grande Union High School District has made the decision – beginning in the fall of the 2016-17 school year – to place a digital device in the hands of every student in the district! In the spirit of enhancing students’ instruction by providing each student a laptop and focusing on teaching the curriculum, along

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with the essential 21st Century skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity, CGUHSD feels very strongly that we are preparing our students for whatever college or career choice they may pursue post- high school. Each student will be required to pay a $45.00 insurance fee for use of the device. A deductible of up to $100 per incident will be levied for damage to the device. Upon receipt of the $45.00 insurance fee, each student will be provided a Lenovo x140e during registration (July 25-30) for use throughout the school year. The x140e is a solid device that meets the rigorous demands of daily use by high school students. During the first week of school, students will receive specialized instruction on digital citizenship. Students will receive instruction on copyright infringement, cyberbullying (ethics and citizenship), digital footprint, citation, and creative use of educational technology. Each student will also

receive training on and be expected to adhere to the student responsible-use agreement. Central Arizona College, as well as most of the in-state universities uses Blackboard as a digital platform to warehouse student assignments. Blackboard will be the digital platform that CGUHSD uses in order to provide continuity and familiarity with the system for our students transitioning to in-state institutions. The district is providing devices in the hands of our students, but we are in no way an online school. We do not have a totally digitalized curriculum, and students will not be plugged into a computer all day. We are excited for our students and understand that some of our parents may not fit into the Millennial and Gen Z categories! We are here to support you as we make this very exciting move to placing devices in the hands of every student. More information may be found on the school and district websites.

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

Casa Grande Union High School District st

A 21 Century Education with 21st Century Choices! CAMPUSES:

Two comprehensive campuses, one STEM Academy and a Learning Center Program

STAFF:

Led by 148 highly qualified teachers

COURSE OFFERINGS:

COMMUNICATIONS:

PowerSchool, School connect, direct email to staff, weekly news

ACTIVITIES:

Over 200 course offerings

LIBRARY AND RESOURCES: More than 10,000 volumes at two campuses

FFA, FBLA, FPS, ROBOTICS, MARCHING BAND, National FCCLA, DECA, Academic Decathlon claiming state, national and international awards

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Emphasis on effective instructional practices

COLLABORATION/ ALTERNATIVES:

CAVIT, CAC, private corporations, City of Casa Grande

TUTORING:

Available four days a week on all campuses

STEM:

FACILITIES:

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics at Casa Verde

Professional Culinary Arts Kitchen, FFA greenhouse, Art, Auto Shop, Computer Labs, Theater Arts Auditorium

ATHLETICS:

Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Football, Track, Cross Country, Soccer, Golf, Spiritline, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling

Education Special Section

THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING THE RIGHT FIT by Jennifer Weber

The Grande Innovation Academy puts emphasis on educating the whole child, striving to develop open-minded, principled, inquisitive lifelong learners.

n an era where parents have so many choices when selecting a school for their kids, it’s important for parents to determine what their needs are first, before looking at all the options available. One school does not necessarily fit all students. In a situation where a family has multiple children with different interests, the challenge becomes even harder for the parents. Executive Director Patty Messer of the Grande Innovation Academy kept this in mind when developing the innovative and creative programs for the campus life and structure of the Kindergarten – 8th grade charter school. The Grande Innovation Academy’s mission is to provide its scholars with an innovative 21st Century education. They infuse technology in all aspects of their program and offer Spanish, art, music and after school clubs – all with hands-on learning techniques. Scholars hone their imagination, dexterity and cognitive strength while spending time in the school’s FabLab, an interactive do-it-yourself fabrication laboratory allowing students to take ownership of their projects through intrinsic creativity. Often parents of gifted children only have the option of

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regular classroom enrichment. Alternatively, the Grande Innovation Academy offers the Path-2-Potential Program. Gifted scholars are placed in self-contained gifted classes and are given a differentiated curriculum to match their abilities. Their culture is designed around a set of core values that puts a focus on teamwork and high achievement. On a daily basis, scholars not only challenge themselves, but challenge each other to prepare them for leadership roles in our increasingly global community. Scholars learn about business, social responsibility and agriculture by planting and harvesting crops each year, selling them at the Farmer’s Market and donating crops to the community food bank. The Grande Innovation Academy puts emphasis on educating the whole child, striving to develop open-minded, principled, inquisitive lifelong learners. Focused on physical fitness and nutrition as well as their academic endeavors, scholars develop a strong sense of pride in themselves, their school and a desire to learn. To learn more about the Grande Innovation Academy visit www.GrandeInnovationAcademy.com.

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

Education Special Section

CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE NAMES DR. JACQUELYN ELLIOTT AS NEXT PRESIDENT

by Angela Askey, Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing

or more than 45 years Central Arizona College has served Pinal County by providing high-quality, affordable education. On May 3, 2016, during a special Governing Board meeting, the Pinal County Community College District Board of Governors named Jacquelyn Elliott, Ed.D. as the next Central Arizona College President/CEO. She will take the helm at CAC in July 2016, replacing Dr. Doris Helmich, who retired June 30 after serving as the college’s president the past four years. Dr. Elliott has more than 27 years of experience working in higher education, specifically in senior level administrative and leadership positions at the community college level. She has served as president of North Arkansas College (Northark) since 2011. While at Northark she was responsible for

increasing the College’s reserves from $11 million to $16 million, increased Annual Foundation Contributions and led the College through four years of state funding challenges. Northark was named a “Great College to Work For” by the Chronicle of Higher Education in 2013. Dr. Elliottt has served in various consulting roles. She is a current Board of Trustees Member for the Higher Learning Commission, co-chair of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education’s Master Plan Development Committee and member of the Governor’s Task Force for Redesign of Arkansas Higher Education Funding. Dr. Elliott brings to CAC a dedication for developing strategic planning methods, strengthening community engagement and enhancing student success. With five campuses and three centers located

strategically throughout the county, CAC provides accessible, educational, economic, cultural and personal growth opportunities for all ages. As a learner-centered institution, CAC focuses on what is best for the student. The college offers a full array of academic degrees and certificates, career training and personal enrichment classes. Weekend College and online and university transfer courses, along with continuing education classes and workshops, provide multiple learning opportunities for community members. CAC’s talented and innovative faculty and staff are dedicated to fostering a spirit of learning that allows students to receive quality educational experiences for lifelong success. For a complete listing of educational options or to register for the upcoming semester please visit www.centralaz.edu.

Enroll Now for Fall!

Academic degrees and certificates, university transfer courses, weekend college, high school outreach programs, career training, personal enrichment and continuing education classes. Campuses:

Signal Peak Campus 8470 N. Overfield Rd. Coolidge, AZ 85128 520-494-5444 Centers: Casa Grande Center 1015 E. Florence Blvd. Casa Grande, AZ 85122 520-494-6050

THE THEEDUCATION EDUCATION EDITION EDITION

Superstition Mountain Campus 805 S. Idaho Rd. Apache Junction, AZ 85119 480-677-7700

Aravaipa Campus 80440 E. Aravaipa Rd. Winkelman, AZ 85192 520-357-2800

Corporate Center 540 N. Camino Mercado Casa Grande, AZ 85122 520-494-6600

Maricopa Campus 17945 N. Regent Dr. Maricopa, AZ 85138 520-494-6400

Florence Center 800 E. Butte Ave. Florence, AZ 85132 520-494-6801

San Tan Campus 3736 E. Bella Vista Rd. San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 480-677-7825

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Education Special Section

ASU PREPARATORY ACADEMY OPENS CASA GRANDE HIGH SCHOOL by Stefanie Contreras

Learn more and take a tour! Attend an information session: Wednesday, July 20 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

n August 1, ASU Preparatory Academy is opening a public charter high school in Casa Grande in partnership with Grande Sports Academy. The high school is free and open to the public, and is located onsite at the Francisco Grande Resort. The Casa Grande location is ASU Prep’s third high school. The other two high schools are in Phoenix and East Mesa. Students at the new Casa Grande location will be able to learn and partner with their peers at the other two campuses. “We are excited about opening a high school in Casa Grande,” said ASU Prep’s Chief Executive Officer Beatriz Rendón . “We are very proud of our track record of success with students from all backgrounds, and we are pleased to now serve the families in Casa Grande.” ASU Prep uses innovative approaches to prepare all students for success in graduating from a university by using college prep material. The high school focuses on student-led pathways and experiences, so that every student can learn at their own pace and drive their own college preparatory education. The flexible school design is also one of the reasons ASU Prep was chosen to partner with Grande Sports Academy to open a high school onsite. Since 2010 Grande Sports Academy has become a top soccer training facility. In the past six years, 100 percent of the Grande Sports Academy graduates

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have earned a college scholarship offer or have signed a professional contract. This level of excellence aligns with ASU Prep’s academic program. Students from Casa Grande and its neighboring communities such as Stanfield, Maricopa, Eloy and the Gila River Indian Community will learn side-by-side with the Grande Sports Academy students. ASU Prep students learn using the challenging, internationally acclaimed

Cambridge Curriculum. As juniors and seniors, students have the opportunity to take ASU Online courses with support from their teachers so they can start taking courses in their desired majors upon demonstrating readiness. Classes are taught in a hybrid format – a format that blends digital and in-person learning. Every student receives a personal tablet to use and take home for their studies. Additionally, every student is guided to explore college majors through personalized apprenticeships with ASU faculty and community organizations. Students also have Capstone classes, which are designed to help them develop leadership skills, community service projects and explore possible future careers and college majors.

“We want our students to realize their full potential and achieve their dreams,” said Sylvia Mejia, the Director of Blended Learning. Mejia is the Director (principal) of the Casa Grande campus and has been in education for the past 21 years. She is a Casa Grande native and taught in Casa Grande, becoming a principal and then superintendent in Toltec before working as the Math Initiative Director at the Rodel Foundation. “This is my community, and I am excited about giving Casa Grande students a different high school experience that focuses on college,” Mejia said. “In today’s competitive market, a college degree can lead to higher earning potential and the ability to sustain an optimum quality of life.” This past school year, 100 percent of the ASU Prep senior class graduated, and were admitted to post-secondary study, with a combined $4.6 million in college scholarships. ASU Prep was named a Top Charter Program based on academic achievement by the National Charter Association and students received top results in the rigorous Cambridge International Curriculum. Enrollment is ongoing for the 2016-2017 school year. Families are welcome to come by and take a tour, or enroll online by visiting the school website at asuprep.asu.edu. For questions, please email Sylvia.Mejia@asu. edu or call 520-374-4200 for more information.

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

ASU Preparatory Academy Casa Grande is a free public charter high school for grades 9-12. Families are welcome to attend free information sessions:

Information Sessions: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., July 20, 2016 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., July 26, 2016 ASU Prep students will: • Follow the Cambridge Curriculum for college readiness • Learn in a flexible hybrid learning environment on a self-paced schedule • Receive a personal take-home tablet for coursework • Explore college majors and career disciplines through apprenticeships with ASU faculty and community organizations • Have the opportunity to take ASU Online courses

Last year, ASU Prep graduated 100% of its senior class and students earned a combined $4.6 million in scholarships.

Classes start Aug. 1 Enroll now! asuprep.asu.edu 520-374-4200

2612 W. Gila Bend Hwy Casa Grande, AZ 85193

Education Special Section

THE PERKS OF PRIVATE by Staff Reports

A Public schools are required by law to accept all students, although there are some variables here when it comes to children from outside the district, and with school choice in Arizona, this issue is further complicated.

rizona offers nearly limitless options for schooling. There are charter schools, traditional district schools and private schools – each with their own set of pros and cons and each varying in quality, even among their own categories. But how do you make the right decision? How do you know which type of school will best suit your child? It seems that some parents fiercely advocate for private school educations, while others insist that there are as many high quality public school options available as well. Throw charter schools – which are also public – into the mix and the decision is even more confusing. The choice is yours, but here are some of the key differences all parents should know.

Affordability

Public schools cannot charge tuition because they are funded by federal, state and local taxes and are part of a larger school system operated by the government and subject to regulations set by politicians. Private schools, on the other hand, do not receive this funding and must rely on tuition, grants or fundraising from parents, alumni and the community to operate. If the school is affiliated with a church, the church will also likely assist with funding. What this means for parents is that attending private schools comes with a significant cost for tuition. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the median tuition for their member private day schools in 2008-2009 in the United States was $17,441. Parochial schools are generally more affordable and have a national mean tuition for parish elementary schools of $2,607 and $6,906 for the first year of high school, according to the National Catholic Educational Association. But despite the high out-of-pocket costs to attend, there are many benefits that private schools enjoy thanks

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to the fact that they are not operated and funded by the government. Private schools have greater flexibility to offer specialized programs, more rigorous curriculum and religious classes and activities. Parents with youth in private schools may enjoy greater flexibility with regards to children with special needs or those who require other special considerations.

Admissions

Another key difference between public and private schools is their admissions procedures. Public schools are required by law to accept all students, although there are some variables here when it comes to children from outside the district, and with school choice in Arizona, this issue is further complicated. Private schools, on the other hand, do not need to accept every child and can test, interview and select the students they allow to attend. Proponents of private schools often argue that this allows for a more rigorous classroom environment.

In the classroom

All teachers in public schools are held to certain education and certification requirements mandated by law. However, charter schools have a

bit more flexibility in this area, as do private schools. Likewise, in the area of curriculum, public schools follow specific state guidelines regarding standards and assessments, whereas private schools can select their own curriculum and assessment model. Class sizes vary in both public and private schools – for example Catholic schools tend to have larger class sizes than small Christian schools of other denominations. Finally, when it comes to students with special needs, public schools must educate all students and provide resources and programs to meet their special needs. However, private schools do not have to accept children with special needs and may or may not do so. So, how do you know what to choose? Ultimately, it depends on a number of factors – cost, religious preference, your child’s interests, needs and academic goals. While studies have shown that private school students generally score higher on tests, there are a number of widely publicized studies that – when accounting for students’ backgrounds – also show public school students fare as well or better than their private school-educated peers.

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

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Education Special Section

A VISIT TO ‘THE LOUNGE’ by Matthew Lemberg, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Casa Grande Valley

was hired by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Casa Grande Valley in 2003 to be the Teen/Athletic Director. And while our organization has had some success with our athletic programs during this time period – primarily with our soccer league – we haven’t had as much success with our teen programs. Over the past 13 years, we have offered a number of programs specifically for teens, such as dances, Jr. Staff (volunteering),

open gym (basketball) and Teen Night at the Mall to name a few, but none of these programs engaged teens in a consistent or meaningful way. Our goal has always been to help our members graduate high school with a plan for their future, but over the past few years, we have felt like we are only helping our members get halfway there. Knowing that Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the movement were making teen programs a priority (Boys & Girls Clubs of America named 2016 the Year of the Teen) this year, our Board of Directors dedicated an entire board meeting recently to discuss teen

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programming ideas. At this meeting, it was mentioned that Julie Andersen, the Young Adult Librarian at the Vista Grande Library, had been hosting an activity for teens in the library every day after school from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. As a result of this meeting, staff was encouraged to meet with Julie to discuss a possible partnership. We met with Julie and CGUHSD officials in January with the following proposal: We would have two of our staff members at the library each day to offer one or two activities, in addition to the activities put on by library staff. We would extend this program by an hour, or until 6:00 pm, which would allow students from Vista Grande to ride the activity bus home. Everyone liked the idea, so we decided to try it out for six weeks at the end of the school year to see if it was a model that we could make work. From there, we started meeting with different student groups to solicit their feedback on what activities they thought we should include in this program. These students provided some great feedback! They thought we should offer educational activities, food, fun activities, special interest classes and volunteer opportunities, among other things. After these meetings, we tasked the library’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB) with coming up with a name for this program. After much discussion, they decided to call it The Lounge. Everyone felt this name was fitting as this program’s main space was the library’s north Community Room, which we turned into a “teen lounge” with amenities like a bumper pool table, food, a foosball table and video games. We officially started this program on April 4. Fourteen teens came into The Lounge on that first day to play games and hang out. We hosted our first expanded Trivia Contest

that Tuesday and the winning team received Harkins gift cards. Word began to spread and our program continued to grow. Our average daily attendance was 25 during week two, 34 during week three, 39 during weeks four and five, and 44 during week six. Our largest single day was April 27, when we hosted our first outdoor activity –a disc golf tournament – in the school’s Commons Area and 56 teens participated that day. Two other highlights from this trial include 85 total teens attending this program at least once, including 5 students from both Casa Grande Union High School and Mission Heights Preparatory High School, and throughout the entire program, we had an average of 18 teens still with us at 5 p.m. This means that they all stayed for at least two hours. Additionally, we asked participants to complete a survey when they started attending and then again during the last week. These surveys provided some great feedback for us to consider as we looked at moving forward (and as you will see below, as we do move forward). I am proud to announce that our Board of Directors voted unanimously to continue this program at our May board meeting. As we discussed that night, our biggest challenge will be funding this new program, because we don’t plan to have any fees associated with this program. As we gear up to open the program once again on August 5 (CGUHSD’s first day of school), we will be ready to build on last year’s success and expand this program with more activities like ACT/SAT Prep, music production and tutoring. We appreciate our partnership with the Vista Grande Library and Vista Grande High School, and we are excited that this program will finally help our organization effectively serve teens!

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

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SUMMER 20 16 VOL . II GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

FAMILY PLAYCATIONS by Tori Ward

hen you’re young, the two longest weeks of the year are the ones leading up to winter holidays and the ones just before school is out for the summer. Conversely, the shortest weeks of the year for children are those weeks from the end of one school year to the start of the next. But if you’re stuck in traffic in the height of the Valley’s heat, however, those weeks can’t fly by fast enough! While you’re sitting there dreaming of a last summer adventure for your family before school starts back up, we have a few suggestions for you. From staycations to playcations, we’ve gathered a few of our favorites!

GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING SUMMER 20 16 VOL . II

THE EDUCATION EDITION

Traveling • Dining • Entertainment As summer break melts away and lazy days are replaced with school days, consider bidding farewell to the season with one last adventure Stay and play If you’re looking for a vacation close to home that has something enjoyable for the whole family, consider Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix. The resort offers suites to accommodate the entire family and boasts a seven-acre seasonal water park with a lazy float river, wave pool and eight-story water slide, as well as the Arizona Grand Golf Course. While the kids are playing Marco Polo, mom can dash over to do some back-to- school shopping (in air conditioning!) at Arizona Mills Mall located just one-half mile from the resort. Or, spend the afternoon taking one of the 45 fitness classes the resort offers, followed by a spa treatment. For a fun activity for the whole family, the South Mountain Preserve, located next to the resort, has 60 miles of hiking trails. One of the rites of passage my children still talk about is my oldest son’s thirteenth birthday camping trip. We took him, along with three close friends and his 6-year-old “little” brother to a state park with a creek for fishing and a lake for swimming. The older boys were provided with a tent of their own while we stayed close by in our family tent. Of course little brother wanted to be included in anything the older boys were doing and there were lots of tears when he was told to scram. Suspiciously, the crying stopped and he became mom’s best friend late in the afternoon when the newly-hatched teenagers ran him off when they went to the lake. We prepared dinner while we waited and the temperature in the mountains grew cooler as the sun set. Knowing the water wouldn’t be warm at this time of day, I took the younger son to fetch the older boys. The closer we got to the lake, the slower his feet dragged. As we came over the rise to the lake and the teens saw us, they started yelling and my younger son hid behind my back as they screamed they were going to clobber him. When I realized the cause of the drama was missing bathing trunks, which they had ditched in order to go skinny- dipping, I THE EDUCATION EDITION

only had to turn around to discover the thief! We retrieved the trunks from nearby bushes and threw them like lifesavers to the shivering teens. Little brother stuck to mom like glue the rest of the trip. And today, this remains a cherished family legend. So if your family, like ours, is up for some adventure, camping is an option with lots of choices. From glamping (glamorous camping with many amenities) to doing it old-school and packing your car with tents, sleeping bags and cooking gear, Arizona provides incredible destinations for many families.

Camping options to suit any family Epic Private Journeys in Lake Powell is a great choice for families who want a camping adventure, but don’t want to do the heavy lifting. After being transported from the base in Page to a canyon via a luxury boat, you’ll find the campsite already set up for you and your “chef” on site during your trip to take care of all the meals, while you and your family enjoy kayaking, fishing and relaxing away from the distracting electronic devices that prevent us from connecting with one other. There are similar camps throughout the southwest that offer a host of activities such as horseback riding, archery, hunting and fishing. If you have your own equipment or want to rent tents or an RV, there are so many wonderful sites located throughout the state with the Grand Canyon undoubtedly the top choice for many campers. (PRO TIP: The spaces fill up fast so check availability before throwing the equipment in the car and taking off.) Other options are campsites located throughout the Coconino Forest or Oak Creek Canyon. Both are so much cooler than the Valley and there a lots of day trips within easy driving to Sedona,

Prescott and Flagstaff. As the lazy days of summer near an end, there’s no better time to have a last family adventure or a bit of fun. The freedom of summer may fade for now, but the memories you make with your family will last a lifetime.

More family-friendly staycation options: Point Hilton Squaw Peak: Kids can have fun with Coyote Camp and a variety of water activities. Wild Horse Pass Resort: Adults can partake in a multitude of gaming options and spa amenities, while kids enjoy the Sheraton Adventure Club. Desert Ridge Resort: Pools, water slides and biking equal fun for the whole family. Kids ages 4-12 can also participate in the Family Escape Center.

Fun playcation activities for the whole family: • • • • •

Enjoy interactive exhibits at McDowell Sonoran Preserve Learn about Native American art and culture at the Heard Museum Take in desert beauty at the Desert Botanical Garden Laugh and learn at Children’s Museum of Phoenix Participate in guided horseback and desert stagecoach rides at MacDonald’s Ranch

Victoria “Tori” Ward is a cruise and resort specialist with an interest in traveling and seeing the world since she first began to crawl. For more information on these trips and others, contact Tori at tori@roxtravel.com or 928-254-9968. SUMMER 20 16 VOL . II GOLDEN CORRID OR LI V ING

TICKS SUCK!

by Gigi McWhirter, Queen of Receptionland at Casa Grande Animal Hospital

t is a fact: Ticks suck and are bad news. They are known transmitters of several illnesses which can not only be severe, but can lead to death in both animals and humans. Keeping your pet and your environment tick-free must be a top priority for your pet’s safety and for yours. Ticks hatch huge numbers of eggs. Eggs can be dropped indoors and outdoors. As the eggs hatch, the baby ticks climb onto grass and shrubs. Indoors, they can grab onto carpet and fabrics. They have a sticky shell which helps them cling to an unsuspecting victim. The ticks will then swiftly move down the hair shaft and then attach themselves to the skin where they will begin to suck the blood. They will stay on several hours or days, until they are completely engorged. Any microorganisms that were along for the ride on the tick are transmitted through the tick’s mouth and into your pet. Here are some guidelines to help keep your dog free from ticks: Because of the warm temperatures in our area, we can potentially find ticks all year long.

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Keeping your dogs out of known tick-infested areas like tall grasses and shrubs is important. Ask your veterinarian to recommend the most effective tick and flea preventative for your dog or cat. Use the products according to the manufacture’s guidelines, unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian. It is also essential that you treat your house and yard for ticks. Consult with a licensed exterminator and follow their recommended plan of attack for the house and yard. Check your pets for ticks daily, unless they have been frolicking in a suspected tick-infested area, then check them immediately. Go over their entire body, especially between the toes, inside and outside of the ears and around the eyes. These are favorite hiding spots for ticks. Follow these steps to remove a tick: • Using a pair of tweezers, grasp the head of the tick where it is attached to the skin. If you must use your fingers, wear gloves. • Gently and steadily pull on the tick. If you pull too quickly, you may leave a part of the

tick’s mouth which can cause an infection. Be patient. It can take 20-30 seconds before the tick releases its grasp. • Use an animal-safe disinfectant on the bitten area being careful not to get any into your pet’s eyes. • Kill the tick by dropping it into a container filled with rubbing alcohol. An old prescription bottle works great for this. Once the tick is dead, it is recommended that you place the tick into a plastic bag or container. Label the container noting the date and place the tick was found. This is important should your pet become ill. If your pet becomes ill, take it to a veterinarian immediately and bring the container with the ticks in it with you to show the doctor. The more quickly the animal is diagnosed and treated, the greater the chance for successful treatment. Left untreated, these little insects can cause serious illness and even death. As always, consult with your veterinarian before beginning any treatment.

THE THE EDUCATION EDUCATIONEDITION EDITION

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6/15/16 1:18:29 PM

CHARACTER COUNTS! by Donna McBride

haracter is defined as one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. Schools across Pinal County teach about the six pillars of character every day. Topics such as being caring, good citizenship, having trustworthiness and respect and being responsible and fair are all included. But, perhaps “teach” isn’t the right word. Teachers show examples of the six pillars through their own actions and by creating a culture of a positive learning environment. Caring about their students is demonstrated by showing compassion and forgiveness. Teachers share qualities of good citizenship through their lessons about being kind to the earth and respecting the flag. Trustworthiness is shown between a teacher and student by being honest and loyal. Respecting one another is taught by being tolerant and accepting differences. Teachers define responsibility through their own actions of being accountable and setting good examples. Playing by the rules and being open- minded show

1st Place Winner – Division I

1st Place Winner – Division 2

Juli Dillman, Legacy Traditional School - Maricopa

Helaina Bachman, Walker Butte Elementary – San Tan Valley

WHAT CARING MEANS TO ME

aring means being nice to people and animals, without being told to do so. I try to be that kind of person. We had a horse that was 30 years old. She got a sore on her leg. We took her to the vet, and for the next 10 months, 3 times a day, I helped my Nana take care of her morning, afternoon and even at 1 am. I never was tired. I always wanted to be there. It was sad Jenny did finally pass away. I now put a beautiful rock on her grave. I miss her very much and I would do it all over again to help her, all on my own. I want to be a caring person.

The interesting thing about the six pillars of character is that they shouldn’t be only for kids.

students the true meaning of fairness. The interesting thing about the six pillars of character is that they shouldn’t be only for kids. These are qualities that everyone, young and old alike, should follow – from the president of the United States to the janitor at our schools, these are traits that should define each of us. The Pinal County Juvenile Court Community Advisory Board sponsors an annual “Character Counts” Essay Contest for all school-aged students. Now in its thirteenth year, over 25,000 essays have been submitted by Pinal County youth. Taking nearly two months to shuffle through all the entries (over 2,200 this year), the CAB recently released the winning essays during an awards ceremony with the Honorable Brenda E. Oldham at the Pinal County Superior Courthouse. First place winners were invited to read their essays to the crowd of families, friends and school personnel. We hope you will enjoy reading them as much as we did!

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You need to be kind and show respect, forgive others, and help anyone in need.

hat caring means to me is that you need to show how to be nice. You need to be kind and show respect, forgive others, and help anyone in need. Caring people would not watch someone get beat up. Caring people would stop people being bullied by other people. I hate people that will bully people and make them cry or say that they are ugly. Some people say that people stink and are losers. People are that mean. Some people yell in your face. Some people that get bullied will go up to people and say that they are being mean and they are not. The other person knows how it feels and is doing it to the other person. Some people will get scared when people yell at them, so they panic. In conclusion, these are the reasons on what I think caring is. Some people just don’t know how to be nice.

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1st Place Winner – Division 3

1st Place Winner – Division 4

Nuriah Perea, Cactus Middle School – Casa Grande, AZ

Andrew Carter, San Tan Foothills High School – San Tan Valley

WHAT TRUSTWORTHINESS MEANS TO ME

WHAT RESPECT MEANS TO ME

o have trustworthiness means a lot of things. It can mean to be honest, reliable, loyal, and to have the courage to do what’s right, but that is not all that trustworthiness means. When you are taking a test do you peek over your neighbor’s shoulder to see if you have the right answer? If you don’t, you are trustworthy. Little decisions throughout your day can vary if you are a trustworthy person. Trustworthiness is a big deal, but it can be shown by little actions. Getting ready on time, being loyal to a friend and even standing up for what is right, is being trustworthy. In the end, trustworthiness is important to me. It can show what kind of person you are and what kind of person you will become.

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If you show respect to those around you, you will gain a great reputation.

espect. What is it? Is it part of people or is it simply just something you give and receive? Respect is a huge part of one of the six pillars of character because it helps to make people who they are as a person. Respect builds up and helps people to be able to respect you back if you respect them. Respect is also ethical. It gives people a different look at you, and most importantly, it also builds up one’s reputation and it looks good in a job or just in a person’s daily life. To start off with, respecting others is the key to gain and receive the respect you give to that person. When someone is given the respect back that they earn it is a great feeling. Knowing that someone respects you and will take that time too is great. Giving back respect is good also, without giving back to that person they won’t give you the same respect they did before. Secondly, respect is showing good ethics. It shows that you care about those around you and aren’t selfish. Respect isn’t always about who is the nicest or who is the friendliest. It simply just shows that you care enough about those around you to give them the respect everyone deserves. Done be selfless though, remember that respecting everyone is good but always remember to respect yourself as well as others. Furthermore, respect builds up your reputation for what others think about you. It is good to always show respect because you never know how well it will work out for you. Think about it like this, you go to work and one of your fellow coworkers needs a hand with something. Without thinking, you help them with whatever it is they need. Nothing seems to be different but that one coworker may tell other fellow coworkers about how respectful you are and helpful and you’ll earn great respect and reputation around your workplace. The same goes with just a normal day of your life. If you show respect to those around you, you will gain a great reputation. In conclusion, respect is an important key pillar of character that everyone should have. To show the importance behind respect; if you respect someone, they will respect you back. Its good ethics and finally, it shows a good reputation overall to the people around you.

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family practice office in Florence and a pediatric dental office in Casa Grande. From its humble beginnings, Sun Life has grown from a small office with one full-time and one part-time physician to staffing 61 health care providers at 12 offices in eight Pinal County communities. Over the 40 years of Sun Life’s journey, the Board of Directors and Leadership have set goals to provide the highest level of quality care to our patients, and to provide excellence in health, wellness and education.

What Makes Sun Life a Leader? In addition to meeting community health needs with comprehensive medical services in Pinal County, Sun Life is also dedicated to training the next generation of health care workers by acting as a clinical education resource. Sun Life provides opportunities for students with majors related to health care careers, to serve in interdisciplinary primary health care teams at area community health Centers. Sun Life was the first medical practice in Pinal County to participate in the nationally acclaimed Reach Out and Read program, where doctors give babies and

toddlers free books at well-child visits to encourage readership and literacy. Although the organization has been culturally branded as a nonprofit entity that relies on federal grant funds to operate, Sun Life’s Health Center Program grant monies make up only about seven percent of its annual revenues. The rest of the organization’s revenue is earned by serving all area populations from the insured to self-paying patients. Quality health care is not only words in the organization’s mission statement, but a real everyday effort throughout the organization. Sun Life is accredited by the Joint Commission, which is completely voluntary. Being accredited by the Joint Commission means that Sun Life adheres to the Commission’s mission, which is “to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public.” “Quality care,” Sun Life’s CEO Travis Robinette said, “is the right thing to do for our patients and staff.” He added, “I believe that to be a leader in anything, it is not a state of being or a plateau you reach. It’s a constant, never-ending effort. We don’t just sit back and rest on our laurels. At Sun Life, we will always continue to strive and raise the bar in delivering quality health care and achieving excellence.”

CASA GRANDE DISPATCH 6-29-77

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Puzzle Answers

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Dream Horse Set-up!

3732 South Peart Road, Casa Grande $355,000 This dream horse set-up is complete with irrigation, mare motel and large work shop with roll up door. You will love this secluded property with 2181 sq ft, which includes an added on game room. Recently updated with new tile floors, new kitchen and updated baths this split floor plan features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, office and a game room. The backyard is so inviting with the sparkling pool, large covered patio, fire pit, BBQ, bar area, 8X24 root cellar, 8X48 storage shed, irrigated pasture, dog run, washing area, tack room, and plenty of room to ride. This is a one-of-a-kind horse property with quiet surroundings and easy access to I-10 or I-8, close to town for all your shopping and close to the hospital.

SUE PITTULO

520.560.0957 | suep@coldwellbanker.com 520.423.8250 | ROXsells.com ÂŠ2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

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Real estate brand on social media 2015 Coldwell banker on locationÂŽ youtube video views: +101% 2015 Coldwell banker blue matter blog visits: +18% 2015 Coldwell banker online engagements: 43 million

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ROCK EARLE OWNER/BROKER

520.423.8250 | rock@cbrox.com | ROXsells.com 1919 N Trekell Rd, Casa Grande, AZ 85122 ÂŠ2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.

Summer Salad

A sweet and healthy addition to your summer barbecue Strawberry, quinoa, spinach & cashew salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Yield: 4-6 servings What could taste more like summer than strawberries? This sweet and healthy fruit makes a vibrant addition to more than just desserts. Add it to your summer salad for a punch of flavor and color. Pair with homemade honey balsamic dressing and nutritious quinoa and this summer salad is sure to be a favorite among guests – even those who are vegetarian, grain free, gluten free or dairy free!

Ingredients

Dressing: • 1/4 cup olive oil • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar • 2 tablespoons honey • 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder • 1 teaspoon onion powder • salt and pepper

Salad: • one package (10 oz) fresh spinach, chopped (about 10 cups of torn leaves) • 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries (cleaned and hulled) • 1 and 1/2 cup cooked quinoa • 1 cup peaches, finely chopped • 4 green onions, chopped • 1 red bell pepper, chopped • 1/3 cup cashews

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the dressing ingredients, and whisk together well. Add salt and pepper to taste. You can serve the dressing immediately or you can cover it and chill for an hour. 2. In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients, except the cashew nuts. Add the dressing to the salad and toss. Sprinkle cashew nuts on top of the salad.

Library Creative Writing Contest

f o y r o t S e Th Cleocatra by Christina Stueland

ne day, Cleopatra was born. Her mother was very beautiful and was the queen of Egypt. Then, some years later, the mother died. Cleopatra was 20 years old when her mother died. Cleopatra took the crown, now she was queen! Cleopatra marrie a handsome man named Joel. Joel died three years later because he caught a disease called the black death. When Joel got the disease, Cleopatra had the guards take him away. When Joel died, Cleopatra had a tiny pyramid built for him. Cleopatra put him in a silver coffin. That was the day when a cat was sitting on Cleopatraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s throne when she got back. Cleopatra adopted the cat and then was called Cleocatra.

Have your child stop by the Vista Grande Library in Casa Grande to enter the Golden Corridor LIVING essay contest! 98

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Crossword Puzzle

Answers to puzzles on page 94 THE THEEDUCATION EDUCATION EDITION EDITION

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Da w n S v o bo da

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Branch Da wManager n S v o|bNMLS o d#177235 a Da w n S v o b o dNotaaffiliated with Academy Mortgage. Branch Manager | NM LS #177235 Branch Manager | NM LS #177235 (520) 421-1171 ▲ Cell: (480) 221-9826

442 W Kortsen Road, 104, Casa Grande, AZ 85122 dawn.svoboda@AcademyMortgage.com 442 W Kortsen Road, 104, Casa Grande, AZ 44285122 W Kortsen Road, 104, Casa Grande, AZ 85122 www.AcademyMortgage.com/dawnsvoboda dawn.svoboda@AcademyMortgage.com AZdawn.svoboda@AcademyMortgage.com 0913936 www.AcademyMortgage.com/dawnsvoboda Cowww.AcademyMortgage.com/dawnsvoboda r p NMLS #3113 | Corp State Lic AZ #BK-0904081

(520) 421-1171 ▲ Cell: (480)(520) 221-9826 421-1171 ▲ Cell: (480) 221-9826

AZ 0913936

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