The Chandler Arizonian - 1.23.2022 by Times Media Group

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From Uptown to Downtown, covering Chandler like the sun.

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

Chandler lawmaker defends sports betting's low yield.

COMMUNITY............ 27 New Chandler clinic provides therapy that matters.

January 23, 2022

TU warns selective closings possible BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

NEWS ............................ 18

FREE | chandlernews.com

empe Union High School District has raised the possibility of selectively closing some classes “for a short period of time” as an emergency measure if teacher and bus driver absences fall below an unspeci�ied threshold. Superintendent Dr. Kevin Mendivil stressed in his Jan. 15 announcement, “I want to be very clear – we do not have any intention of returning to a district-wide vir-

tual learning model.” But he said the district could not ignore the impact of “the troubling upwards trend of Maricopa County’s (virus transmission) metric” and the fact that “the metrics for students and staff within our District are at an all-time high.” Calling rumors of a district-wide return to virtual learning “untrue,” Mendivil said, “It is our responsibility as a District to plan for the worst and expect the best. Just as we have emergency plans for �ire incidents and lockdowns, it is critical that we are pre-

pared to face this situation as well, should it arise. “At a District and site level, administrators have worked to prepare learning contingency plans for schools to shift their learning models to hybrid or fully virtual, if staffing levels fall below a certain threshold,” he continued. “If there is a shortage of staff available to provide instruction and/or transportation, for example, we would be fully prepared

�� VIRUS �� 10

Fire chief, schools boss step New rules for the roost up amid staff shortages BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

BUSINESS ...................

Chandler strip mall king makes big on mall sales. NEWS ................................................. 2 HEALTH & WELLNESS ................ 21 REAL ESTATE ................................. 25 COMMUNITY .............................. 27 BUSINESS ..................................... 33 SPORTS ......................................... 36 CLASSIFIEDS ................................. 38

ast Monday morning, Chandler Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins got a phone call from his staff: They had a shift they couldn’t �ill because of the latest COVID-19 outbreak. So, for the �irst time in 12 years, he grabbed his gear and headed out to work a shift on the truck. “Like the rest of the world, and certainly in the United States, since Christmas Eve … we’ve had over 45 �ire�ighters come up positive,” Dwiggins said. Cases are up across the country. There were 73 City of Chandler employees who were out of the of�ice on Wednesday because they tested positive. Those who could were working from home. Dwiggins rides out with crews once a year when he does his station visits, but this was different.

�� CHIEF �� 9

After banning chickens in homeowners' backyards for years, Chandler officials are hatching new rules to allow as many as five of the birds on their premises. That would satisfy egg-lovers like Shannon Ellingson, standing next to her empty coop with her son Zane and daughter Afton, as explained on page 2. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 202

Chickens may come home to roost in Chandler BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

t appears chickens will be coming to roost at Chandler single-family homes this year. During a study session Jan. 13, Chandler City Council took its first look at the issue and most members indicated they would support changing ordinances to allow up to five chickens at a residential home. Only Councilmember Matt Orlando showed hesitation, saying he wanted to look at more data to ensure it would not become a problem for neighbors. “I’m neither for or against this,” Orlando said. “I don’t want to create a problem. There are bad actors out there, too. We see it in our code enforcement all the time, we see it in our police force all the time. So how do we protect those neighbors that have a bad actor living next door? That’s all I’m suggesting.” Under current law, chickens are allowed on lots with at least 33,000 square feet. If the Council changes the ordinance, most of Chandler would still not be able to house chickens in their backyards because 71.5% of the city is covered by homeowners associations and most of them have rules against it. So, any change would mostly impact residents who do not belong to a HOA. Chandler and Avondale are among the few Valley cities that do not allow backyard chickens. Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix and Maricopa County all allow at least five chickens on single-family lots. Councilmember OD Harris said he saw little difference between owning chickens and owning dogs or cats. “I agree with Councilmember Harris, chickens are pets,” said Councilman Mark Stewart. “They’re not as smelly as dogs. I mean, dogs are pretty bad, especially with neighbors who don’t pick up their backyards. And you can have 90 of them if you wanted. So, let’s choose the side of freedom on this one.” Based on the direction from Council, city staff will begin work on proposing changes to city ordinances. The earliest the change could be adopted would be this summer. Here’s what they are looking to do:

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ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Shannon Ellingson and her husband spent $3,000 to build the coop and buy chickens, only to be told by a city inspector that keeping chickens in the backyard was not allowed. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer) • Allow chickens on all single-family lots (HOAs could still ban them). • Allow a maximum of five hens, no roosters. • Chickens must be contained by enclosure; no trespassing upon other properties or street. • Any chicken coop exceeding 120 square feet, or nine feet in height would require a building code. • Any coop connected to utilities (water or electricity) would require a permit. • Change any violations from a misdemeanor to civil citation. • Repeal requirement of written consent by neighbors living within 200 feet of the animals. Staff suggested allowing police to respond to noise complaints about loud chickens. However, the councilmembers were against the idea. They made it clear they wanted code enforcement to handle any issues and let the police focus on stopping crime. City staff plans to research and propose actual changes to ordinances as the next step. It will post them for public comment in newspapers and on the city’s website this spring. Once that step is complete, it would go to the planning and zoning this summer. If it advances from there, the council could take it up soon after.

Shannon Ellingson and her husband spent about $3,000 building a chicken coop and then buying eight hens. City inspectors saw her chickens and told her she’d have to get rid of them, which she did. The couple’s initial investment came in the very early days of the pandemic as many people panicked and there were runs at the grocery store, making basic goods like toilet paper impossible to find. Grocery stores responded by limiting how many of some high-demand items people could buy. One of those was a limit of a dozen eggs per customer. That was a problem for Ellingson. “We eat a lot of eggs,” Ellingson said. “We normally eat three to four dozen a week. We have some food allergy issues, so we eat a lot of eggs.” That’s when she and her husband decided to get their own egg supply, figuring that if they built a coop in their backyard and filled it with a half dozen chickens, then they wouldn’t have to worry about eggs being rationed at grocery stores. Ellingson said they did their due diligence before beginning. They searched the city code to make sure there was no ordinance banning chickens in resi-

see CHICKENS page 4

Display Advertising 480-898-6309 Classifieds/Inside Sales Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@chandlernews.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@chandlernews.com Advertising Office Manager Lori Dionisio | 480-898-6309 | ldionisio@chandlernews.com Director of National Advertising Zac Reynolds | 480-898-5603 | zac@chandlernews.com

NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 | pmaryniak@chandlernews.com Reporter Ken Sain | 480-898-6825 | ksain@timespublications.com Photographer David Minton | dmonton@timespublications.com Design Jay Banbury | jbanbury@chandlernews.com Production Coordinator Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@chandlernews.com Circulation Director Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@chandlernews.com The Chandler Arizonan is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, and for subscription information, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@ azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegatedmedia.com.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 202

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

CHICKENS from page 2

dential areas. When they couldn’t find any mention of chickens or poultry they moved forward. They also spoke with their neighbors, making sure no one had a problem with them raising chickens. The neighbors were 100 percent behind the idea. So, they built a coop and bought eight chickens that ended up producing about five to six eggs a day. Her husband supplied the labor. Everything worked out perfectly. “We didn’t want to make this big investment and then have to get rid of them, which is exactly what ended up happening,” Ellingson said. Ellingson got a notice in the mail telling her chickens are not allowed in residential areas in the city. “Chandler has what they call a permissive code and because under our zoning it doesn’t specifically say that you can have poultry or farm animals or anything because we’re not in an agricultural zone … if it doesn’t specifically say you can, then you can’t,” she said.

Ellingson said it’s not a cost-saving move because it costs about the same to feed and house the chickens as it did to buy eggs at the store. However, she said there are other benefits. “The bug population on our property was way down,” Ellingson said. “We didn’t see hardly any scorpions the whole time we had them because they were eating all the bugs that the scorpions like.” And as anyone who has had farm fresh eggs will tell you, the taste is much better. “Obviously the fresher you can get any of your food, the better it’s going to be,” Ellingson said. Ellingson said she sold her eight

chickens and her coop is empty. A residential street is right next to her backyard and anyone can see into it through the chain-link fence. That’s how a city inspector discovered she had chickens and had to send her a citation. Ellingson said the inspector told her no one filed a complaint. She said if they had a block fence, or lived between two other houses, chances are she would still have her chickens today. Her neighbors continued to support her owning chickens, she said. They would even help corral them when one would escape the back yard, which happened a couple of times before they clipped their wings. “People would stop by and look at them through the fence,” Ellingson said. “They’d

40 Years

ask how the chickens are doing. Nobody complained about it.” Rick Huemann, chair of the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, said while Ellingson’s neighbors may have no issue with her raising hens, the neighbors two streets down may have a problem with one of their neighbors doing the same, especially if they have a rooster, which is much nosier. The last time this came up was in 2013 and a proposal to allow a limited number of chickens in residential backyards was defeated on a 4-3 vote by council. Some of the 75 people who attended because of the topic were concerned about the smell and noise they say chickens generate. After attending the Jan. 13 meeting, Ellingson said, “I was encouraged by the support that was there, but half of the council is still undecided.” She thought the limit of five hens seemed fair. “I can understand that, even though personally I think we can manage more than that. We could use more, but if it simplifies things, and helps get it passed, then that’s fine.”

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 202

State of the City

Mayor Kevin Hartke and the Chandler City Council invite you to a free community concert and the annual State of the City Address. Join us as we celebrate Chandler Changemakers, budding youth artists and the success of our innovative City. Come enjoy complimentary food and beverages from local Chandler businesses prior to the Mayor’s address.

Thursday, Feb. 17 Chandler Center for the Arts | 250 N. Arizona Ave. Doors open: 5:30 p.m. | Mayoral address: 6:30 p.m.

Concert featuring chandleraz.gov/stateofthecity *RSVPs not required, but appreciated.

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

New Chandler Airport boss has high hopes BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

handler’s new airport manager jokes he had little choice in what career to pursue. “I grew up in a family, quite honestly, if you didn’t like aviation, disownment was considered,” Ryan Reeves said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I live, eat, breathe aviation. It’s my favorite thing in the world outside of my family, and my kids are sick with it.” The city selected Reeves to be its airport manager, promoting him from airport business coordinator, a position he has held since 2019. Reeves said it was a natural progression for a kid who is the third generation of his family to work in aviation. Before that he was coordinator of the Buckeye Municipal Airport and general manager for Lux Air Jet Centers at Phoenix-Goodyear Airport. The 44-year-old Reeves said he’s received a lot of support since the announcement was made. “I’ve been choked up more times than I can count,” Reeves said. “You would think there’s something wrong with me. People have been saying the nicest things, and I’ve just been so welcomed. It’s overwhelming.” Reeves has a number of duties. He describes his job as being a bit of a tactician. “They make sure that the dreams of Council, the dreams of the city management at the airport get fulfilled, but at the same time make sure everybody stays within the lines of federal regulations and state regs.” One of his duties is to help bring in new businesses that will set up shop inside the airport’s outer fence. He said there is a huge need for more hangars

Chandler’s new airport manager comes from an aviation family, and one of his big tasks will be to attract businesses to come and locate within the airport’s outer fence. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

and service shops. “What we need right now is simply more hangars, not necessarily small hangars, but larger hangars where businesses can operate to support existing aircraft,” Reeves said. “There’s seemingly a wait list for everything. We need hangars for every make and model of aircraft that can utilize this airport.” There are 450 aircraft based at Chandler Municipal Airport. It has two maintenance businesses and four flight schools located inside of the facility’s fence. Reeves said they have multiple requests for proposals out and will ultimately let the market decide what businesses will be added to the airport. But he said he hopes to see more large hangars added. Reeves lives in the West Valley and commutes daily, saying the recentlyopened Loop 202 has cut his travel time by more than half. He graduated from

Eastern Illinios University and earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. He is in the process of earning a private pilot’s license, something both his grandfather and father accomplished. The city has been trying to lengthen the runways at airport for a while. A previous City Council put in a mandate that any such project would have to be put before voters in a bond election. The city has tried twice – and it has been defeated twice. Reeves said it will take educating voters to get it passed. He said too many people think if the runways are longer, it will open the door for major passenger airlines – which he said is not true. “The runway can never be that long,” Reeves said. “What we got now can take mid-size jets. If we lengthen it out to 5,550 feet, which is the longest we can get that southern runway, two things are interesting.”

Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan told the City Council on Jan. 13 his department received 126 calls for service related to fireworks on New Year’s Eve, though officers issued only 16 warnings. Duggan said part of the problem is that it was a Friday, one of the department’s busiest days normally, in addition to be-

ing a holiday. Officers fielded a total 507 calls from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. that night and often had to prioritize some of them before sending out an officer on a fireworks complaint. People complain for a variety of reasons, from the noise terrorizing pets to veterans who suffer from PTSD.

First, is that they can do it inside the existing fence, so no land needs to be acquired Second, he said, it won’t necessarily mean more airplanes, but it will lead to more cycles. That means the airplanes that are already using the field will be able to do so year-round. “Even some of our smaller aircraft, as we get into the heat of summer, hot air is thin air, so an airplane needs a longer runway to get off,” Reeves said. Reeves said some businesses that utilize the airport have to be careful about how much weight they have on their planes to ensure they can take off on the shorter runways. Lengthening them will allow them to carry more weight. He also said shorter runways are costing the city money. Some business planes are forced to go to other airports. Reeves said the large passenger jets will continue to operate at Phoenix Sky Harbor and Mesa Gateway airports and will not be coming to Chandler. Reeves says Chandler is the 32nd busiest airport in the nation with about a quarter of million flights annually. The airport is still waiting on a final report from the National Transportation Safety Board about the fatal crash that took place at the airport in October. Reeves said air travel remains very safe. He said he is confident that they have excellent service from the Chandler and Gilbert fire departments. Reeves said they have been staging drills and says the response time has been very good. Reeves says one of the best aspects of his job is that the Chandler Airport is a fun place to work. “It is one of the best flying communities, not just in the state. I think it’s one of the best flying communities in the country,” Reeves said.

Fireworks create headache for city officials BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

handler officials can do little about the large number of fireworks complaints they receive because a state law overrides any action they may want to take.

Councilman Matt Orlando requested the presentation after getting a number of complaints from residents. He said officers sometimes arrived hours after a complaint had been made and found nothing when they arrived.

see FIREWORKS page 12

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

ENEAR FSREMI

Chandler senator takes stand in short-term rental fight

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

ome Republican lawmakers want to revisit and repeal the 2016 measure that stripped local governments of their ability to regulate short-term and vacation rentals but Chandler Sen. J.D. Mesnard wants a less radical measure. Rep. Walt Blackman of Snowflake said the legislation pushed by Airbnb and its other companies and supported by Gov. Doug Ducey has had a serious negative effect on neighborhoods. He has introduced HB 2069 to put the law back the way it was before. Sen. Wendy Rogers of Flagstaff has identical legislation in SB 1026. The move will get a fight – and not only from the companies that benefit from being clearinghouses for people to rent out everything from individual rooms to entire homes. Mesnard plans to introduce a lesscomprehensive measure which gives cities and counties some control over issues like noise and other violations. He said that should help address the perennial complaints of “party houses’’ popping up in residential areas. But Blackman said those efforts fall short of what is needed to ensure that homes in neighborhoods are not turned into de facto hotels. The measure was sold to lawmakers as allowing individuals to rent out a spare room to make a bit of extra cash. In fact, that’s how Airbnb got its names, the idea being an air mattress set up for a guest. “For thousands of hardworking citizens, opening up their homes to out-of-state guests provides the financial breathing room they need to provide for the family or enjoy extra expenses that they otherwise couldn’t afford,’’ Ducey said in signing the bill. But the reality turned out to be something quite different. In some communities, homes and apartments in entire areas have been bought up by investors to be converted into these short-term rentals, drying up the availability of affordable housing for local residents and converting whole areas into vacation rental zones -- possibilities that Ducey dismissed in 2016 as “hypotheticals.’’

6 SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO: DOUBLE YOUR RETIREMENT INCOME & SLASH YOUR TAXES Sen. J.D. Mesnard By 2019, however, the governor conceded there were “some unintended consequences’’ in the law. That resulted in some amendments allowing cities to issue some public safety regulations, like requiring owners to provide a contact for who could respond to complaints and prohibiting rentals from being used for special events like weddings. Blackman said these are local issues and none of the business of state lawmakers. Mesnard, however, sees the question from a different perspective. First, he said, it will create “a mish-mash of regulations’’ among cities. And, he said, leaving these decisions to mayors and council members will “trample on property rights,’’ meaning the ability of individuals to use their homes in a way they want and make money by renting them out. Blackman said the property rights that are at issue here are those of the people living in the neighborhood, which is why these questions are best handled by local officials. Mesnard said he sees the big complaint being those “party houses.’’ And he said there are ways to address that. Last year, for example, he proposed allowing communities to impose fines on owners who fail to provide information for police and others to contact them if there are problems with the tenants.

see RENTAL page 15

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

CUSD disputes advocate’s school safety concerns BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

handler Unified School District is rebutting what a spokesman called “some false or incomplete information” in a letter it received about its school safety protocols. Katey McPherson, a mother of four CUSD students and a well-known advocate for improved mental health services for young people, last month wrote the administration and Governing Board about her concerns in the aftermath of the fatal school shooting in Michigan in November and a subsequent schoolshooter scare at a Michigan school district attended by her sister’s kids. McPherson expressed a number of concerns, including the “need to increase parent awareness around sharing, re-sharing and inciting more chaos during a potential lockdown.” In response, district spokesman Terry Locke said, “Our Community Relations team produced a video for the safety/security division School Emergency Protocols for Parents and Guardians. This parent response video was sent to parents and posted on the CUSD safety website. “It details the dangers of parents sharing misinformation and provides direction for parents during a critical incident, Locke said. The video is at cusd80. com/Domain/81. Locke also said the district “has initiated and implemented a Speak Up for Safety anonymous reporting program that has been in place for two years” and utilized at all grade levels and that cards were handed out to students that advertised that program. In addition, he said, “a service called Gaggle monitors students’ writing to look for key words such as suicide, alcohol, drugs, bullying, profanity, etc. School and district administrators are notified of anything concerning. Students and parents are contacted by administrators and/or counselors.” Locke said administrators last year “reviewed training video links divided into three age-appropriate videos to assist schools with options other than lockdowns to include barricading and when to flee” and that the video is on the CUSD safety website.

Katey McPherson “All of our sites exercise evacuation drills in conjunction with law enforcement agencies,” he added. “Elementary schools are required to participate every two years.” Locke also disputed McPherson’s criticism of how regularly the district assesses every school’s infrastructure. Stating Chandler Unified is “one of few districts that have elementary campus security (ECS) officers assigned to their sites,” he said they “assist administrators with emergency plans and conduct daily walkthrough of sites. “Our sites’ infrastructure is reviewed not just periodically, but daily,” he said. “In addition, we had a comprehensive threat vulnerability assessment completed at all schools. These were hours-long assessments completed by law enforcement personnel. This project was very thorough, taking months to complete.” He also said administrators in 2019 took an eight-hour training course taught by Chandler police and firefighters. “Lauded as a unique and forwardthinking program that allows for open communication and collaboration,” the

training covered “social media awareness, stop-the-bleed and CPR overview, what to expect with fire and law enforcement response," he said. "It proved to be a very comprehensive course and valuable to our administrators.” He also said the district has conducted a campaign that addresses "the consequences of social media,” which also is on the district’s website. “The video interviews law enforcement who drive home the point of the possible actions of statements that be considered threatening in nature to others,” he said. Locke said safety plans for the entire district and individual schools “are reviewed and updated every year” and shared with public safety agencies in Queen Creek, Gilbert and Chandler – all homes to district schools. “Sites have School Safety Prevention and Assessment Team in place for an approach with multidisciplinary teams meeting to include counselors, security, administrators, nurses to discuss safety issues,” he said. In response to McPherson’s questions about whether the district has tried to assess the pandemic’s impact on student well-being and other safety and mental health issues by surveying and talking with students, Locke said: “We garner student feedback and are very cognizant to include their ideas and solutions. The counseling and social services department focuses on reaching out to groups of students at our high schools. Some of their feedback became a part of our student wellness initiative response. “All of CUSD student wellness pieces focus on prevention and on evidencebased curriculum,” he said, adding parents and staff are brought into education and training related to safety.

“The safety of our community is of utmost importance,” he said. “CUSD recognizes that staff, students, law enforcement and the community as a whole has important roles to play in this effort.” McPherson fired back at Locke’s letter, which contained many specifics that were not part of CUSD Superintendent Frank Narducci’s initial response to her letter last month. “My email asked for an ongoing social media awareness campaign not a video … from three years ago that no one knows about. How are they addressing the impact that social media has on safety? They did not even respond to the TikTok challenge threat to their teachers.” McPherson also said that Locke made no mention of her question on whether children have been trained “in how to run, hide, fight” like her nieces in Michigan. “So they did a one-time assessment of threat,” McPherson said. “I asked if the admin conducted this every year as suggested by Steve Dieu of Chandler PD and other national experts. So the answer is no. I have never seen an elementary security guard doing walk throughs, by the way and I was a PTO mom. I have seen them patrolling at night.” She also noted that while Locke said training ahd been conducted for administrators for eight hours in 2019, “I asked if there was yearly training conducted. He said eight hours in 2019. So the answer is no.” McPherson also said there was no mention of student-driven committees and that “no committee exists for pandemic related student input” or any avenue for input for K-8 students. “I would like to know which evidence-based curriculum they are using,” she added. “He can’t even name the programs because they don’t have any.” “He did not address my main concern: are you continuously assessing kids for risk and if so, how? Do you have behavioral health teams at each campus? if so, who trained them and what model are you using?” McPherson said. Asked if any governing board members had responded to her email, which had gone to them as well last month, McPherson said only one briefly replied.

CITY NEWS

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Chandler Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins, second from left, reported for duty one day last week to fill in for one of many firefighters who called off sick as he and Chandler Unified Superintendent Frank Narducci cope with virus-driven staff shortages. (Courtesy of Chief Tom Dwiggins)

CHIEF from page 1

He tweeted about his first truck shift in a dozen years, but said the story shouldn’t be about him. “That shift is not about me,” Dwiggins said. “It’s about the professionalism of our firefighters. That’s really what this is about. I just wanted to give them a break, because they have been amazing.” He said he saw firsthand the COVID protocols people like him have put in place and how they are working in the real world. For nearing two years the pandemic has challenged first-responders. They are exposed to the coronavirus daily, and because they are considered essential health care workers, they face strict quarantine requirements if they test positive. The chief said many firefighters have had COVID at least once, and some have had it twice. They also risk taking the virus home to their families and must look after them while taking on extra shifts, or staying late to cover for other sick firefighters. “That’s what keeps me up at night,” Dwiggins said. “How do we keep them healthy? Keep their morale up? Through it all they have maintained their professionalism and have not missed a beat.” That’s why Dwiggins said everyone in the organization may be called on to work an extra shift, including him. A similar problem happened earlier this month in Chandler Unified School

District, where there has been a shortage of substitute teachers. Superintendent Frank Narducci and his top executives all showed up for the first day of the new term, ready to fill in if needed. “We stopped in at our high-risk schools to see if there was any help needed,” Narducci told the Governing Board Jan. 12. The district used social media to appeal to parents, putting out a call for parents to apply for sub positions and increasing the daily pay from $115 to $145. It worked. “I want to thank our community, because they have turned in over 10 applications to ESI [Educational Services Inc.], who works with the hiring of our substitute teachers,” Narducci said. “When we were at 43, Dr. [Wendy] Nance was told by ESI, that that was the most applications they ever got for one school district. When we hit 100, they said, ‘What are you guys doing out there?’” Nance, the assistant superintendent in charge of human resources, said the shortage was severe, but that CUSD still had it better than other districts in the area. “Since we came back from winter break we’re probably averaging about 10 percent,” Nance said. That means about 500 to 550 teachers out. The high came on Jan. 10 with about 600 out. Nance says they typically are able to fill about 92 percent of that with sub-

see CHIEF page 17

Chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is a result of damage to the nerves often causing weakness, pain, numbness, tingling, and the most debilitating balance problems. This damage is commonly caused by a lack of blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet which causes the nerves to begin to degenerate due to lack of nutrient flow.

determined after a detailed neurological and vascular evaluation. As long as you have not sustained at least 95% nerve damage there is hope!

Fig. 2

NOTE: Once you have sustained 95% nerve loss, there is likely nothing that we can do for you. 3) How much treatment will your condition require?

Aspen Medical will do a chronic pain and neuropathy severity examination to determine the extent of the nerve damage as a public service to you and/or your family and friends. This neuropathy/ pain severity examination will consist of a detailed sensory evaluation, extensive peripheral vascular testing, and a detailed analysis of the findings of your neuropathy.

The treatment that is provided at Aspen Medical has three main goals. 1) Increase blood flow 2) Stimulate and increase small fiber nerves 3) Decrease brain-based pain The treatment to increase blood flow, stimulate small nerve fibers and get you back to health is our new $50,000.00 SANEXAS UNIT!

As you can see in Figure 2, as the blood vessels that surround the nerves become diseased they shrivel up which causes the nerves to not get the nutrients to continue to survive. When these nerves begin to “die” they cause you to have balance problems, pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and many additional symptoms. The main problem is that your doctor has told you to just live with the problem or try the drugs which you don’t like taking because they make you feel uncomfortable. There is now a facility right here in Mesa that offers you hope without taking those endless drugs with serious side effects. (See the special neuropathy severity examination at the end of this article) In order to effectively treat your neuropathy three factors must be determined. 1) What is the underlying cause? 2) How much nerve damage has been sustained.

In addition, we use a state-of-the-art diagnostics like the TM Flow diagnostic unit to accurately determine the increase in blood flow and a small skin biopsy to accurately determine the increase in small nerve fibers! The Sanexas electric cell signaling system delivers energy to the affected area of your body at varying wavelengths, including both low-frequency and middle-frequency signals. It also uses amplitude modulated (AM) and frequency modulated (FM) signaling. During a treatment session, the Sanexas system automatically changes to simultaneously deliver AM and FM electric cell signal energy. THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT SANEXAS IS COVERED BY MEDICARE AND MOST INSURANCE! Depending on your coverage, your treatment could be little to no cost to you! The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to fully recover varies from person to person and can only be

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

VIRUS from page 1

for a shift to virtual learning for a short period of time, whether that is with a program, a department or even with a particularly impacted bus route.” “It is important to note once again that we do not have any plans of going back to virtual learning District-wide,” he said. “The continuity of learning for our students is critical to their success. But failing to prepare for an emergency situation with appropriate learning transition plans would be irresponsible.” Mendivil’s announcement came at a time when COVID has surged throughout the Valley, with virus transmission levels recorded in many school districts and cities that are the highest since the pandemic began in March 2020. And it also came three days after Gov. Doug Ducey announced that he would reimburse parents for charter school expenses if they wanted to transfer their children out of any school district that closed a classroom for even so much as a day. The latest county health department data showed there were 2,091 cases per 100,000 people and 35.4% new positive test results in Tempe Union. Other nearby districts, including Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert – three of the state’s five largest districts – had positivity levels of 40% or slightly higher though their cases per 100,000 varied between 1,647 (Mesa) and 2,040 (Chandler). Tempe Union also reported 377 active COVID cases among a total 14,569 staffers and students. Of that number, 359 were students with the highest number of infections reported at Desert Vista High School, whose 122 COVID cases was nearly three times the number recorded at Mountain Pointe High. Kyrene Governing Board also met earlier the same week of Mendivil’s announcement and the Tempe Union Governing Board meeting but there was little formal discussion of the COVID surge’s impact on district operations. Most of the discussion of the virus occurred during the public comment section as various people attacked and praised the district’s decision to retain a mandatory mask policy. While all East Valley school districts are struggling with absence rates that exceed their ability to find enough substitute teachers to fill in, Tempe Union is the only district to raise the possibility of selective closures. Mendivil’s announce-

Both Tempe Union and Kyrene have been encouraging vaccinations at various special events. This was the scene at one of Kyrene’s two recent vaccination clinics, which resulted in a total 944 people getting a shot, more than half being children under age 12. (Kyrene School District)

ment gave no specific data on absences and the availability of substitutes. Gilbert and Chandler have not changed their optional mask policy and made no mention of any thought of closing classrooms. Mesa Assistant Superintendent Holly Williams said the district’s would invoke a 10-day mask mandate at those schools where 3% of the total site population were infected. The possibility of closures and other issues related to the virus’ surge were discussed at last week’s Governing Board meeting as Assistant Superintendent Sean McDonald briefed it on COVID levels. “We believe those numbers will continue to rise for the next two or three weeks and speaking to our medical professionals, the omicron variant is very aggressive as far as transmission,” he said. “We believe that it will peak in about two to three weeks and that it will go down in approximately the same amount of time. However, we do have another variant on the horizon and we don’t know what will come up.” At one point in the discussion, board member Sarah James noted rumors of a district-wide classroom closure and teachers driving school buses had been circulating in the community and asked Mendivil, “what is the point where we’re not doing okay? What does it look like?” Mendivil replied, “It’s hard to be accurate when you don’t have all the information.” He said for the first time since the pandemic began, he and his aides are try-

ing are asking themselves at what point do absences become so high “where we can’t conduct business and I mean educating our kids. And educating our kids isn’t just in the classroom in terms of our business or organization. It’s transportation, it’s food, nutrition, it’s all of those things.” He said early last week, 20 percent of the district’s bus drivers had called in sick and noted that across all district operations, “certain groups of students and schools are more impacted.” “We want to make sure that they’re not negatively impacted as a result of some changes in transportation, food nutrition,” he continued. He said that while the district has developed partnerships with agencies to address the nutrition aspect, “the teachers piece is a more complicated one with high schools.” “I believe we have a good plan in terms of determining their thresholds because it’s different in every school,” Mendivil said. “It’s not going to be the same because there are larger schools like DV and Corona are going to have very different needs than what Tempe High or maybe Marcos may have.” Mendivil also said his aides are working on a plan “to reduce the time away from school with their teachers. “So what does that mean if there’s a need to go through temporary virtual instruction?,” Mendivil continued. “It could be just one classroom. It could be a department. It could be a program. It could be an entire school – now that’s a worst-

case scenario. But our goal and our commitment - and I know your commitment as board members of this fine district is - that we keep our kids in school because we know they’re going to be the safest. They’re going to get fed. They’re going to interact with their peers, even though they’re masked. “But they’re going to have more of that socialization and just normalization of school. And that’s what I want to maintain as much as we can because we are now seeing the positive. Our students are back in the swing of being kids and being students.” A district spokeswoman said Mendivil was not among the 1,000 school superintendents from across the country who met virtually last week with top U.S. officials, including Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Carona, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and Christian Rhodes, chief of staff for the U.S. Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. “They warned that we are going to see a surge in the number of cases within our communities during the next few weeks and the next few weeks ahead may be difficult and this is due to the variant of omicron,” Higley Unified Superintendent Dawn Foley said. “They said, ‘do not panic.’ “What is known about this variant is that it is usually milder and doesn’t last as long and that individuals are usually feeling better within a few days. Again, they stress this is not every case but this is being documented for a majority of the cases that they are seeing.” Foley said the superintendents were assured that more testing was coming, which federal officials called a good way to help minimize the virus’ spread. “Obviously one of the things they cautioned is that this cannot become the next toilet-paper issue,” Foley said. “Do not hoard testing, more supplies are coming. Use it as you need it.” She said the officials shared what’s been learned over the past two years about the virus. “Our collective knowledge allows us to be more precise and allows us to reduce the number of days and work that is missed because of what we know,” she said. Foley said federal officials also stressed the importance of keeping kids in school. “They acknowledged that this can be challenging with increased illness the impact this has on everyone particularly staffing,” Foley said.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Fight over Ducey’s mask mandate sanctions intensifies BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

ederal officials are ordering Arizona to rescind its policy of giving COVID dollars only to schools without mask mandates or face having to give back $163 million in aid. But a top aide to Gov. Doug Ducey is vowing to fight the move – which could cost Tempe Union High School District $2.8 million and Kyrene School District $5.2 million. In a letter Friday, Kathleen Victorino said it is illegal for Gov. Doug Ducey to dole out the cash Arizona is getting from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund only to public schools that do not mandate that students and staff wear face coverings. “The purpose of the SLFRF funds is to mitigate the fiscal effects stemming from the COVID-10 public health emergency, including by supporting efforts to spread the virus,’’ wrote Victorino, the deputy chief compliance officer of the U.S. Treasury Office of Recovery Programs, to Ducey’s budget staff. She pointed out that the Centers for Disease Control recommends universal indoor masking by all students, staff, teachers and visitors to K-12 schools. In fact, she said, the CDC guidance also suggests other strategies, like limiting class sizes. Instead, Victorino said, Arizona effectively is discouraging schools from taking those steps by withholding federal dollars. “Accordingly, these school programs as currently structured are ineligible uses of SLFRF funds,’’ she said. That’s only part of the problem. While Ducey is using the loss of federal dollars as a stick to coerce schools to abandon mask mandates, he also has set aside $10 million specifically to provide $7,000 payments to parents who want to remove their children from schools that do require face coverings and instead send them to private and parochial schools. That program is limited to what the governor has called “low-income students.’’ But Ducey defined that as households at or below 350% of the federal poverty level, the equivalent of about $92,750 for a family of four.

Victorino said her agency has “concerns’’ about the claimed objections of benefiting low-income families and students. She has given the state 60 days to redesign the programs to bring them into compliance with federal law. Otherwise, Victorino said, the government may take steps to recoup the dollars used illegally. And Treasury has another fiscal weapon at its disposal. Victorino said her agency may withhold Arizona’s next installment of these federal relief dollars “until Treasury receives information that the issues described above have been adequately addressed.’’ Daniel Ruiz, the governor’s chief of staff, said Friday morning he had not yet seen the letter. But he defended how his boss is using the dollars. “Ultimately, we’re going to challenge whatever they’ve asserted in the letter,’’ Ruiz said. And he said the state has done nothing sneaky with the dollars, saying it is “above board.’’ The threat to withhold those dollars apparently has had effect on at least some school districts. “We’re seeing more schools go to maskoptional policies,’’ Ruiz said, though he said that also has been helped by the fact that younger children are now eligible for vaccination. And he said Ducey sees this as catering to what parents want. “Parents want their kids back in the classroom,’’ he said. “They want to stop talking about masks, they want to start talking about math.’’ He also said parents appreciate the option of a voucher to take their children out of public schools that do maintain the mask requirements, even in the face of a loss of federal dollars. As it turns out, though, there haven’t been many of them. Ducey press aide C.J. Karamargin said earlier this month that only 85 families have applied for the $7,000 vouchers, at a cost of $595,000. But he said that the balance of the $10 million the governor set aside remains available to parents even as several Arizona schools have announced plans to impose new mask mandates due to the outbreak of the omicron variant.

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Chandler’s population soared in last decade BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

rizona added nearly 109,000 new residents last year, but Chandler got only a slim portion of them. Gilbert’s population last year grew by a measly 1.1%, according to recent figures from the state Office of Economic Opportunity. But the city’s population soared between 2011 and 2021, rising by 17.8%. That increase is not nearly as big as the increase in neighboring Queen Creek’s population, which grew by a whopping 144.8% in that 10-year period and 9% in the past year. The figures also show the state grew at a rate of 1.5% between June 30, 2020, and a year later. That’s how the agency tracks annual growth. And the more than 860,000 new residents in the past decade amounted to a 13.4% increase. The newcomers were picky and choosy about where in the state they decided to live. So where did a lot of them go? Think about areas near the state’s major population center, but far enough away to have houses that are affordable. And since growth for Phoenix to the immediate south is blocked by the Gila River Indian Community, that left Pinal

FIREWORKS from page 6

No citations were given out on New Year’s Eve for fireworks violations. “That’s really no different than any other city, certainly in the East Valley,” Duggan said. He said he asked officers in the South Mountain precinct of Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert and Scottsdale. He said all reported an exceptionally high call volume that night and none of them issued any citations for firework violations. “This is a very challenging issue for every city across the state, … and a lot of that stems from the fact this is a stateregulated issue,” City Manager Josh Wright said. “Cities are, in fact, prohibited from doing a lot of the things that we that we used to be able to do around this issue.”

County communities of Coolidge and Eloy at 7.1% and 5.3% respectively. The desire for affordable homes also boosted the population of Casa Grande by 4.3% and Maricopa by 4.2%. Florence probably should have been in that list somewhere. But the official tally shows that community actually lost close to 1,600 residents over a 12-month period, making it the community with the greatest percentage loss at 6.2%. What’s behind that, though, has little to do with the desirability of the community. Jim Quang, the state demographer, said it has to do largely with the fact there are

fewer people in the custody of the state Department of Corrections there. Population in the Eyeman and Florence units went from 9,031 in June of 2020 to 7,796 a year later. And the trend continues, with the most recent inmate count at the two facilities now below 7,500. Anchor cities are growing slower than the rest of the state. Phoenix added about 19,000 residents, but only enough to post a 1.2% year-overyear increase. Mesa grew at 1.1% annually and land-locked Tempe – like Scottsdale – was pretty much where it was a year earlier. At the other end of the area, Glendale added just under 1,900 residents, a 0.7% in-

crease. But nearby Peoria, stretching much further out and with room to grow, managed to post a 1.9% growth rate, increasing to 3.8% for even farther out Surprise. Pima County lags not just Maricopa County but the statewide average. And the key according to George Hammond of the Eller College of Business at the University of Arizona is how the economy is built. “Tucson is just a less dynamic economy,’’ he said, heavily reliant on jobs in federal, state and local government. “We just have a lot more of that. And it’s just not a growth industry.’’ There is a plus side to all that. Hammond said it tends to make the economy less susceptible to wild swings. But he also said that geography plays a role in economic development. Hammond said as firms look to locate or expand in Arizona, the Phoenix area is “just more of a draw,’’ with things like much better airport connections. Elsewhere around the state, Prescott Valley continues to grow more rapidly than Prescott, at 2.1% versus 1.8%. But even those were outstripped by a 3.1% population increase in Clarkdale and 2.4% in Chino Valley, though Cottonwood grew by just 1.1% Sedona posted a 1.0% growth rate. And Flagstaff actually lost 345 residents, translating to a 0.4% loss.

Under state law, businesses can sell fireworks and people can set them off only between three windows of time each year for Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July and Christmas/New Year. The dates for sales and firing them are different. They can be sold from April 25 through May 6; May 20 through July 6 and Dec. 10 through Jan. 3. They can be set off from May 4-6; June 24-July 6; and Dec. 24 through Jan. 3. Most fireworks set off outside of those dates are illegal. Some small fireworks are allowed to be sold and set off at any time of year. Also under state law, no aerial consumer fireworks are allowed. So, outside of official permitted displays, any fireworks that explode in the air are illegal. And according to city officials, they are

not sold in Chandler. Duggan said most of the illegal fireworks set off in the city were bought in another state or in Mexico. Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins said his department inspects all businesses that sell fireworks in the city and that outside of one bad actor years ago, they all carry only legal fireworks. “We over the years have developed a very good working relationship with all the vendors,” Dwiggins said. “It is a good working relationship, because it is extremely confusing. I can line up 10 of them up right now, and you wouldn’t know what was legal and what wasn’t.” Dwiggins said he is confident that none of the fireworks being set off into the air are coming from the vendors they have approved.

“These illegal fireworks are readily available,” Duggan said. “You can get them from other states, you can get them from Mexico, the fireworks are everywhere. They are prolific in our community.” Mayor Kevin Hartke said he hopes to work with local state legislators to address the issue. He said he’d like to look at narrowing the window where fireworks are allowed or perhaps putting in a curfew so they couldn’t be shot off in the early morning hours when most people are sleeping. “This is an item that we’re picking up as legal cities and towns and have it as an issue that we’re going to be hoping to work with our legislators, if indeed we can find some traction there,” Hartke said.

AREA POPULATION CHANGES Community

2021 population

Change since 2020

Change since 2011

Apache Junction Chandler Gilbert Maricopa Mesa Phoenix Queen Creek Scottsdale Tempe Maricopa County Arizona

39,009' 280,189 273,796 61,109 510,792 1,630,195 66,275 243,528 181,548 4,507,419 7,825,370

1.1% 1.1% 1.9% 4.2% 1.1% 1.2% 9.0% 0.7% 0.8% 1.6% 1.5%

8.0% 17.8% 29.1% 38.2% 15.5% 12.2% 144.8% 12.0% 12.3% 17.3% 13.4%

- Source: Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

AROUND CHANDLER State of City address to include concert, art contest for kids

Mayor Kevin Hartke will deliver his annual State of the City in an event starting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17, at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. After Hartke’s address, a free concert from 7-7:45 p.m. will feature multi-instrumentalist, singer & composer Quetzal Guerrero, also known as QVLN (Q-Violin). Attendees will enjoy a sampling of local food and beverages from Chan-dler restaurants prior to the speech. The address will kick off the Mayor’s Chandler Changemakers initiative that aims to highlight Chandler young people who are making a difference in their community. Nominations can be sent to isabella.neal@chandleraz.gov. A new component to the State of the City is a youth art contest, which local students can enter to win a $500 scholarship. The theme is “What does Chandler look like through your eyes?” and there will be three winners per age group (ages 6-9, ages 10-13, and ages 14-18). First place winners will receive $500, second place winners will receive $250, and third place winners will receive $100. To enter, students must live in Chandler and be between 6-18. Participants also must have a parent/legal guardian who is over 18 to provide parental consent to enter the contest. Entries must be submitted online at chan-dleraz.gov/ ThroughYourEyes, or dropped off with the front desk receptionist at Chandler City Hall, 175 S. Arizona Ave., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The deadline to enter is 5 p.m. Feb. 4. Entries will be judged based upon the following criteria: creativity and orig-inality; quality and execution; adherence to the Theme; and overall impression. Complete criteria guidelines and accepted art formats are available online at chan-dleraz.gov/ThroughYourEyes. The public will vote on the entries during an online voting period between Feb. 8-15 at chandleraz.gov/ThroughYourEyes). All submitted entries will be on display in the lobby of the CCA, and the nine winners will be announced during the event. For questions regarding the art contest, contact Isabella Neal at 480-7822242 or isabella.neal@chandleraz.gov. The speech will be available on de-

mand at chandleraz.gov/StateoftheCity shortly afterwards. The event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are preferred, but not required. Attendees may RSVP online at chandleraz.gov/StateoftheCity.

New Adventures Await...

S. Chandler couple found dead in suspected murder-suicide

Chandler Police say they found the bodies of 76-year-old Sheldon Butler and 74-year-old Linda Butler inside their south Chandler home. Officers say they received a phone call from Sheldon at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday. He reportedly told them he had shot his wife. There was no response at the door when police arrived at their home. They entered and found the bodies, both with a single gunshot wound. Detectives say no motive is known and are considering this a murder-suicide. The investigation continues.

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We Service What We Sell Model for 2022

Arizona Railway Museum slates open house Feb. 26

Train lovers, history buffs and people of all ages are invited to climb aboard and explore the glory days of local and long-distance travel on America’s railways during Arizona Railway Day in Chandler 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Arizona Railway Museum, 330 E. Ryan Road. The free public event is hosted each year by volunteers of the museum, located in the southwest corner of Chandler’s Tumbleweed Park. Arizona Railway Day will include displays of artifacts and memorabilia, tours of vintage railcars and a large sale of railroad books, magazines, and timetables. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. “Visitors will learn about the historical importance of railroads from museum volun-teers who will explain the type of work that is required to restore and refurbish these railcars to keep them ‘alive’ as a testament to the glory days of rail passenger travel,” the city said in a release. Several cars feature interior displays of the typical accommodations for the travelling public, including seating, sleeping arrangements, and dining facilities, complete with custom-made railroad dining car china. The museum’s diesel locomotive will be open, affording visitors the oppor-

see AROUND page 15

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Chandler pastor earns city MLK Achievement Award BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

astor Victor Hardy was at a comic book convention interviewing “Ghostbusters” star Ernie Hudson and thought he was the one asking the questions. Not so. When the interview ended, it was Hudson’s turn. “He looked at me, and he said, ‘What are you doing for the African American people in your neighborhood?’ And I went, ‘ah, dah, dah, dah.’” Hardy has done enough since then to earn recognition, something he received on Friday as he was given the MLK Lifetime Achievement Award by the city in an event organized by Councilmembers OD Harris and Christine Ellis. “The only thing I can think of, is I’m only 60 years old,” Hardy said. “Lifetime achievement? I don’t think so,” he said with a laugh. “That’s what went through my mind.” Hardy, pastor of the Congregational Church of the Valley in Chandler for six

years, founded the Chandler Men of Action, which hosts an annual banquet to honor African-American men. “Pastor Hardy has been in our community for 20-plus years,” Harris said. “He has been a community leader, he’s been an advocate, he’s been a spiritual parent to so many people and he has just been a pillar in the community.” Another member of Chandler City Council, Mark Stewart, attends Hardy’s church. “He’s my pastor, first of all, but second of all he’s been a friend,” Stewart said. “He’s been a stalwart of our community for years. His impact as it relates to Martin Luther King’s dream, has been incredible for Chandler.” Hardy never envisioned this path for himself, however. Though he grew up in a family of pastors and ministers, he wanted to be a singer, possibly headlining a show in Las Vegas. “God said, ‘This is what you will do,’” Hardy said. “And I ran from God. Truly ran. I didn’t want to have anything to do with what He wanted me to do. All of a sud-

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Pastor Victor Hardy of the Congregational Church of the Valley in Chandler was honored last week with the MLK Lifetime Achievement Award from the city. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

den, everything else closed down. Couldn’t work anymore. Family needed to eat. All these different things that kept happening in my life, and I wound up in this church.” The Chandler Men of Action has been around for a decade. Hardy said he got the idea for a banquet because he was going to a lot of other banquets that recognized other groups. He would see only two other African Americans, the same ones, at every banquet. He said when he first proposed the idea, he ran into people who told him he’d never pull it off. He pushed to get the city involved, and they were able to pull it together in about six months. “The only way we could get it done, really and truly, was for it to look like a man did it,” Hardy said. “Not all the flowers, and not all the glitz and glamour. This was a man’s banquet. We’re going to eat, and we’re going to give somebody an award, and that’s it.” The dinner honored former Chandler Mayor Coy Payne, the first AfricanAmerican mayor in Arizona. “Somebody told me the only thing you did was to take a hundred men out to dinner. Fantastic, that’s what we wanted to do. Everybody came out, they had a good time. I was prouder of that than anything.” His moment to enjoy what he accom-

plished didn’t last long. “Then the vice mayor got up, and I thought that maybe we’ll just do it once, no. ‘Thank you all for coming to the annual African American banquet …’ and I’m looking at him like, ‘you said annual what? What is your problem?’” Harris said in keeping with King’s dream, the inaugural class of Chandler’s MLK award recipients includes people of all races who have shown they deserve it based on their character. Here is the first class of the city’s MLK honorees: Kiana Sears, Monique Hughes, Amya Rodriguez, Laura Capello, Ernest Clark Jr., Jaylen Jones, Michael Bankston, Juanita Encinas, Angel Encinas, Michael Franklin, Shawn Mitchell, Dr. Bill Crawford, Cianna Kirksey, Dr. Adama Sallu, Faith Johnson, Julia Peixoto-Peters, Lisa Grayer, Ashlee Atkins, Keasha Beach, Crystal Blackwell, Shelby Pedersen, Terri Kimble, Brian Fox, Cristian Brantley, Bardo Brantley, Derek Kennard, and Nzinga Lyakaremye. Hardy said he didn’t set out for this kind of recognition. “Somebody once told me, ‘the only thing you need to do is to make things better in the corner of the world where you live,” Hardy said. “And that’s what I’m trying to do. Not trying, that’s what we’re doing.”

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

AROUND from page 13

tunity to blow the horn and Chandler’s historic #2562 steam locomotive also will be on display. Outdoor dis-plays will include a wide variety of railroad signs, signals, and mining equipment. The museum’s standard entrance fee is waived for Arizona Railway Day. However, do-nations from the public and local businesses are greatly appreciated. Visitors should access the event on Ryan Road, from Arizona Avenue or McQueen Road. Parking is free. The Arizona Railway Museum is normally open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, September through May. It is closed during the summer. Information: azry-museum.org or call 480-821-1108.

EMD Electronics to invest $28 million near Chandler Airport

Chandler’s Economic Development Department announced EMD Electronics plans to invest $28 million and bring 100 jobs to the city. The firm plans to build a new factory near the Chandler Airport to make equipment for its delivery systems and services division. The company is part of the North American Electronics business of Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany. It intends to capture and grow its chemical and gas delivery systems in

RENTAL from page 7

The measure also would have let cities mandate minimum liability insurance. Potentially more significant, it would have meant an owner would lose a state license to do business following three violations of local ordinances within three months, violations that could include noise or nuisance complaints. It failed. “It feels like that issue of party houses is being used to try to do more than just address party houses,’’ Mesnard said. And he said he would be open to further tweaks in the future to maintain that balance between the rights of individual property owners and the neighbors. “But they want to take a sledge hammer to the thing,’’ Mesnard said, rescinding all limits on what cities can and cannot forbid. “I’m not going to support that.’’ The problem is not limited to party

North America and Europe. The company expects to begin operations at its new factory by the end of this year.

Haitian officials group will be meeting in Chandler

The National Haitian American Elected Officials Network is planning to hold its annual retreat in Chandler at the end of this month. Councilwoman Christine Ellis is a member of the group, which will meet Jan. 2831 at the Marriot Phoenix Chandler. The group has been meeting annually since 2009 to discuss ways to improve relations between the United States and Haiti.

Councilman Stewart appointed to national panel on tech

Chandler Councilmember Mark Stewart has been appointed to the National League of Cities information technology and communications federal advocacy committee for this year. He’s being asked to provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s advocacy agenda. Stewart just finished his one-year term as the city’s vice mayor.

Cajun Festival coming next month to downtown Chandler

Angry Crab Shack and Forty8 Live! plan to help Chandler residents have a small taste of Mardi Gras with a Southwest Cajun Fest planned for Feb. 26.

houses. During hearings last year there was testimony about investors creating de facto hotels in residential neighborhoods, dividing up homes into multiple rooms being rented out by the night. And then there’s the question of drying up the supply of affordable housing. There have been estimates that up to 40% of residential properties in tourist destinations like Sedona are now vacation rentals. And Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, who voted against the 2016 law, said it also is happening in places like Scottsdale. Unsurprisingly, Airbnb is opposed to what Blackman and Rogers want and instead supports the more limited restrictions in the Mesnard bill, arguing that anything more would harm the tourism economy. No date has been set for a hearing on any of the proposals.

15 CITY NEWS

It will take place from 2 to 9 p.m. at A.J. Chandler Park. In addition to seafood, there will also be entertainment, a live alligator petting zoo, jugglers and brass marching bands. Tickets are $12 online and $20 at the door. Children 12 and younger are free. Admission price does not include food or beverages. The money raised will be donated to Greater Cause Foundation, which raises funds for a number of Arizona charities.

Devorah Hadassah off to a big

start, seeks members

The Devorah Hadassah Chapter is inviting East Valley women to join them in the club’s activities. Interested women can contact Eliana Bar Shalom at ebarshalom.eb@gmail.com. The group will have a general meeting online at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 26 with Dr. Craig Scharf of LifeQuest Physical Medicine and Rehab speaking about healthy and pain-free aging. You are invited to a Zoom Register at hadassah-org. zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvduGorjIiEtTPHQ6HwrXYh1v Fg7XEn2uG

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

After 2-year hiatus, Ostrich Fest plans a big return in March BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

he Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival was an hour away from starting in March 2020 when nearly the entire country came to a stop. “The President made the announcement an hour before we were supposed to open the gates. It was awful,” said Jamie LeVine, one of the owners of Steve LeVine Entertainment, which puts on the festival with the city and Chamber of Commerce. “Everything was completely set up,” LeVine recalled. “It was a sad time for the city, all the vendors, and the performers. We literally set up the festival, just to have to take it all down. It was a sad time.” President Trump declared a national emergency because of the COVID-19, ending normalcy in America. The Ostrich Festival was just one of many ac-

The birds are once again the word this March as the Ostrich Fest returns. (File photo) tivities canceled as the nation struggled to slow the spread of the deadly virus. Last year, the Chamber had considered holding the Ostrich Festival in fall.

“We just didn’t feel like it was the right thing to do. We decided to wait. It was a collective decision with the city and the Chamber,” LeVine said.

Two years later. life is poised to return to normal – and that includes the Ostrich Festival. “We decided to bring it back, bigger and better than ever,” LeVine said. This year’s Ostrich Festival is scheduled for two weekends for the first time, March 11-13 and March 17-20 at Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road. The festival pays tribute to the early days of Chandler when ostrich ranches existed. It began and drew between 250,000 and 300,000 people over three days. Now they’re expanding it to six days. The festival includes live entertainment, carnival rides, food, beverages and of course, ostriches. Country music star Walker Hayes is the featured performer for March 12. His

see OSTRICH page 17

ADOT chief forecasts early end to some I-10 work

ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

rizona Department of Transportation Director John Halikowski has good news and bad news for Chandler motorists who commute on I-10 to Phoenix for work – and those who go at all to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The good news doesn’t take as long and it applies to work on the I-10 eastbound lanes between Baseline Road and the Santan Loop 202 Freeway: “We anticipate the work in this area to be completed two years earlier than much of the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project – in 2022 rather than in 2024.” “ADOT saw value for our customers in working to complete construction on eastbound I-10 between Baseline Road and Chandler Boulevard early in the project,” Halikowski explained. “So, we worked with the developer team that is designing and building the project to make it happen.” “The primary work along eastbound I-10 between Baseline Road and Chandler Boulevard is widening on the outside to provide another travel lane,” he added. “Crews will work behind the concrete barrier, limiting the need for restrictions

or closures that impact drivers. In terms of highway construction, it is relatively “easy” work; yet the payoff for thousands of motorists is tremendous.” Now for the bad news: “The I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project will be highly impactful in other areas of I-10, the US 60 (Superstition Freeway) and State Route 143.” Besides widening I-10 to six general purpose lanes and two high-occupancy-vehicle, or HOV, lanes in each direction between US 60 and I-17 and adding a fourth This map shows the outline and scope of the I-10 Broadway Curve general purpose Project, which also will have ramifications for anyone using Sky lane in each direcHarbor Airport. (ADOT)

tion between Ray Road and US 60, the project includes: • Adding collector-distributor roads that parallel I-10 between Baseline Road and 40th Street to separate throughtraffic on I-10 from local traffic entering or exiting the highway. Unlike frontage roads along portions of the existing freeway system, these CD roads will not intersect with perpendicular roads. • Rebuilding the I-10 interchange with SR 143 to improve traffic flow and create direct connections to and from SR 143 for drivers in the I-10 HOV lanes. This part of the project will reduce lane changes and often hair-raising weaving between Interstate 10 in the Broadway Curve and on State Route 143 at University Drive. When work is completed, drivers on westbound I-10 will exit I-10 near Baseline Road and use the CD roads to access northbound SR 143 and reach the airport. The entire SR 143 and I-10 interchange will be replaced by ramps that make a direct connection for drivers from the general and HOV lanes and eliminates the existing cloverleaf ramp that con-

see ADOT page 18

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

OSTRICH from page 16

rough, with no Ostrich Festival since 2019. She said the performers they are talking to about appearing are all excited to get in front of people again. “They’re very eager, very excited,” she said. “They’re very interested in coming to see what this Ostrich Festival is all about.” Admission is $20 for 13 and older, $15 for ages 4 to 12, and free for children 3 and younger. VIP tickets that include ac-

cess to the front of stage viewing area and VIP tent are $100. The carnival rides will cost a dollar each, or visitors can purchase 25 tickets for $23 or 80 tickets for $70. They also plan to offer unlimited ride wristbands. No price has been announced for those. For details as the gala event gets closer, check ostrichfestival.com. And as organizers continue to plan for

this year’s bigger and better festival, COVID cases are once again spiking to record highs. “We’re still a few months away, we’re hoping that the numbers get under control,” LeVine said. “The entire thing is outside, and that is a positive component to this. We’re certainly watching and listening and seeing what other events are doing in the Valley and across the country.”

CHIEF from page 9

don’t want to come in because the case counts are too high,” she said. “What are we going to do when we have so many staff out?” The people who recently filled out an application to substitute teach will have to submit their fingerprints and go through a background check before they can start working. It’s not that easy, of course, to fill in for a firefighter who calls in sick. Dwiggins recently told City Council that he expects the current wave caused by the omicron variant to peak soon, and then decline fast. “Now, what you’re seeing is what

they’re calling an ice pick,” Dwiggins said. “And that is a humongous raise, with that said, it also means that it’s going to come down very quickly.” He said the countries that saw the Omicron variant first are already seeing the number of cases drop. He said the variant does not appear to be as severe as others, and that most vaccinated people are not being hospitalized. He said they call a rise in the number of cases and a fall in the number of deaths “decoupling,” and if that should happen, it would be a sign the end of the pandemic is near. Dwiggins did give some hope for everyone who is tired of living through a

pandemic. “The chief medical officer of Banner talked yesterday on the news and said 2022 we’re going to hit an endemic, where we go from this response, reactionary mode to how do we live with it moving forward.” Dwiggins said until the health crisis is over, he expects his firefighters will continue to shine. “The selflessness of our firefighters to ensure that the City of Chandler has the highest level of experience has been something,” he said. “They have answered the bell every single time, and it’s been tough.”

hit “Fancy Like” was number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs list for four weeks. Also lined up is GRAMMY Award winning R&B singer Nelly. St. Patrick’s Day will fall during the festival and LeVine said special activities are being planned to take advantage of that. She said the past two years have been

stitute teachers. However, with the current spread of COVID-19 that number dropped to the low 80s. “But we were still higher than our neighbors,” Nance said. “We just divide and conquer: if there’s any school that was hit particularly hard, our departments are willing to go in and assist them.” Katie Nash, who is president of the Chandler Education Association, said part of the problem is some substitute teachers don’t feel safe stepping into a classroom during a pandemic. “We have a number of substitutes who

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Chandler rep defends state's low gambling revenue haul BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

rizonans bet nearly $780 million in the first two months that the state allowed gambling on sporting events and that translated to just slightly more than $1 million in state revenues. That’s because of a provision in the law has the state effectively financing free games to entice people to gamble. And if the pattern doesn’t change, the state will wind up with far less than the $100 million a year in new revenues that proponents were claiming. Moreover, revenue sharing from the tribal casinos, which until this past fall had a monopoly on gaming, was less than $21.5 million for the last three months of 2021. The Department of Gaming reports that is 32 percent less than from the same period a year earlier. Max Hartgraves, spokesman for the agency, acknowledged the numbers – and the fact that the 2020 legislation built in five years’ worth of what amount to credits the gaming industry can use to offset what they owe the state. But he said the low net revenue numbers are likely to be only temporary. “It’s basically to jump-start the market in the state,’’ he said of the deductions the gaming companies can take. Gubernatorial press aide C.J. Karamargin agreed. “These numbers are going to go up,’’ he told Capitol Media Services. And he boasted of Arizona already having the fifth highest “handle’’ of wagers in the entire country. But that has so far not translated into actual dollars into state coffers – the prime reason behind the legislation. Newly legalized fantasy sports – wagering on made-up teams of real players – also has not taken off, with the state collecting only about $24,000 in gaming

ADOT from page 16

nects southbound SR 143 with eastbound I-10. • Razing and replacing the Broadway Road bridge over I-10. From 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, to the following Monday morning, I-10 west-

This rendering illustrates FanDuel's plans for its sportsbook at Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. (Courtesy FanDuel) taxes in its first two months. The new reports are the first since Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation in August allowing the sports franchises that are being given licenses to take bets on professional and college games to give away free samples. As adopted, the franchises or the outside firms they hire to run their gaming operations can provide free bets or promotional credits. But the key is the law says these operators can reduce what they report in the amount used to compute what they owe the state by up to 20% for each of the first two years they are in business to compensate them for those free bets. That drops to 15% in the third year of gaming and 10% in years four and five. After that, write-offs are not allowed. In September, the state reported $291.2 million in gross wagers, virtually all of that placed on phones and other mobile apps. The companies paid out $258.9 million in winnings, leaving them with $31.6 million in net wagers. But the companies also took $31.2 million in “promotional credits,’’ leaving them with about $392,000 subject to the

bound between State Route 143 and I-17 will be closed. Drivers on westbound I-10 must use northbound SR 143 to westbound Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway to access westbound I-10 beyond the closure. Drivers on westbound US 60 can use northbound Loop 101 to westbound Loop 202 to access

state tax of 8% on in-person bets and 10% on mobile – or just $31,393 owed to the state. It got somewhat better in October, with $486.1 million in wagers. But here, too, after deducting the promotional credits, that left $10.4 million in net revenues – and slightly more than $1 million for the state Karamargin, however, preferred to focus on the gross handle rather than what wound up in state coffers. He said the Arizona numbers are incredible, given that Nevada, in that same month, had $1.2 billion in gaming handle. Rep. Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler, who was the sponsor of the House version of the legislation, said the numbers showing the level of gaming are a positive sign. “It shows there’s clearly demand,’’ he said. “People of Arizona are responding and are embracing this.’’ So if there is all that interest, does the state need to incentivize enticements for people to gamble? Yes, said Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Coolidge, the sponsor of the Senate version. “I’m likening it to a store offering a holiday sale or something like that,’’ he

westbound I-10 beyond the closure. Airport traffic should use exits for Sky Harbor SR 143 or Loop 202.Some 50 interruptions in traffic will be involved over the next two years and that while ADOT officials have said they’ll try to limit those to evenings and weekends, that won’t always be possible. That’s

said. “You need to entice people into the door to get them interested in doing something that they may have never done before.’’ Weninger had his own explanation. “What it’s really geared for is enticing the existing illegal bettors to come over to these platforms, to bring them into the legal fold,’’ he said. Weninger said the companies that operate the sports wagering will voluntarily begin to scale back their giveaways and enticements once Arizonans are in the habit of betting on sports. “You saw a big drop from September to October,’’ said Weninger, with the amount of credits taken dropping from $31.2 million to $26 million. It’s no different, he said, with how he operates his own restaurants, providing incentives to get new customers that aren’t necessary after they become regulars. Anyway, Weninger said, it would be wrong to look at the benefits of legalized sports gaming based solely on the tax on net profits of the wagering companies, even after the promotion deductions. “I believe there’s a lot of indirect revenue that comes through this, through economic development, through lots of tourism,’’ Weninger said. And that, he said, doesn’t count all the money that TV stations in Arizona are making from the blizzard of commercials promoting gambling and the free wagers. The numbers do not include the initial $14 million in licensing fees for the operations plus the $3 million a year the state expects to get in renewals. Weninger said he was not surprised that tribal gaming numbers are down. He said it reflects the fact that slot machines, keno and blackjack tables require physical presence. “You have to be masked up the entire time you’re in there,’’ Weninger said. “So I’m sure COVID is affecting that somewhat right now, and has been.’’

why they’re urging motorists to subscribe to traffic alerts and updates through a project app called The Curve and get familiiar with their special website for the project, i10BroadwayCurve. com as well as #StayAheadOfTheCurve on Instagram.

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office atmosphere.” While providing “the highest quality of dentistry,” he said he creates an environment of more fun and less fear. Cook balances “being the doc that rocks and with keeping it simple” and is continually upgrading his ability and knowledge through continuing dental education and encourages and supports his staff to do the same. “What you see with the doc is what you get: great dentistry and a really good time,” he said.

When not practicing dentistry, he is golfing with his wife or hanging out with their 12 dogs. “The health and well-being of our patients and team members continues to be our top priority,” Cook added. “We practice all COVID-19 safety protocols and are seeing patients by appointment only. Many of these safeguards have always been a part of our practice, but we have taken additional precautions to ensure your protection for your appointment.” Information: kellyjorncook.com

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Fynes Audiology’s experienced pros address hearing issues ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

ynes Audiology LLC, a locally owned and operated audiology practice in Mesa, specializes in hearing evaluations, hearing protection and hearing aids. Audiologists Cassandra Fynes, AuD, CCC-A, and Roger Knighton, M.N.S, CCC-A, each have over 20 years of experience at Fynes, located at 2058 S. Dobson Road. Fynes said it works with multiple manufacturer’s hearing aids “so that we

Audiologists Cassandra Fynes and Roger Knighton each bring more than two decades of experience in their field. (Courtesy of Fynes Audiology)

Clarendale of Chandler offers total health, wellness

BY CLARENDALE OF CHANDLER

eniors move to retirement communities for lots of different reasons. At Clarendale of Chandler, residents love the way the community helps them set a course for total health and wellness. In fact, Clarendale offers a program uniquely designed to help residents maintain a healthy lifestyle and navigate any medical challenges that lie ahead. “We’re clear-eyed about our focus. From our dedicated management to

the residents and staff who live and work here, it’s not just a one-time new year’s resolution but a tenet of daily living. We’re committed to ensuring overall physical, psychological and social well-being,” says Executive Director Ryan Duve. With Health & Wellness Navigation, Clarendale’s trained wellness Navigation team helps residents anticipate health needs and address them – from day-to-day nutrition, fitness and life-enriching activities to preparation and follow-up for hospital care if needed. It

provides peace of mind for residents and their families. “Even in the best of times, helping seniors stay involved can be tricky,” says Duve. “But at Clarendale of Chandler, we believe maintaining connections with others and participating in favorite pastimes is critical. So we make it easy.” Clarendale understands quality of life is multi-dimensional, so the focus is on all eight dimensions of wellness: emotional, intellectual, physical, social, environmental, spiritual, vocational and health wellness.

Residents have access to a full calendar of activities and events to keep minds and bodies active. From arts, crafts and exercise classes to lectures, movies and happy hours, Clarendale of Chandler finds creative ways to keep everyone safely engaged and connected. To learn more about Clarendale of Chandler, interested seniors and their families may schedule a virtual visit by calling 480-571-2407. The community offers independent living, assisted living and memory care under one roof. Information: ClarendaleOfChandler.com.

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

25 REAL ESTATE

From Uptown to Downtown, we cover Chandler like the sun

Housing market situation ‘desperate’ for buyers BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

he word du jour for the Valley’s housing market is “desperate,” according to a leading analyst of the Phoenix Metro region. “This market desperately needs more homes to buy,” the Cromford Report said last week, adding that “without a significant increase in the number of homes for sale, any hope of halting the brisk rate of price increases is likely to be crushed.” And brisk it is, according to the Cromford Report’s rating of home prices in the Valley’s 17 major cities that is based on a variety of factors to create an index in which the higher the number above 100, the more the market is tilted in sellers’ favor. Only Buckeye moved toward 100 – and thus more favorable to sellers – and its index number was 237, higher only than that of Maricopa. In 11 of those 17 cities, Cromford’s market index was above 400 with Fountain Hills leading the way at 723. Phoenix was at 426. Even more startling, according to the Cromford Market Index, seven cities saw their market position increase by more than 20 percent in a month. Those cities included Tempe, Goodyear, Surprise, Phoenix, Gilbert, Avondale and Scottsdale. Stating “the momentum in favor of sellers is growing,” the report noted “some increase in the number of homes available to rent.” But those are houses that big investors took off the market and converted into rental. Additionally, it said, many brand-new homes are being purchased to either convert into a rental or to immediately flip for a profit.” Simply put, it added, “demand is not the controlling factor.” “The market is showing almost no sign

This home on E. Oakwood Hills Drive, Chandler, recently sold for $3.95 million. The eight-bedroom, nine-bath home, built in 2000, has 9,748 square feet and a stunning array of amenities that include a 1,1000-bottle wine cellar with an adjacent dining room, a 12-hoot walk-in refrigerator, theater room, mother-in-law quarters, game and a sitting room with a 250-gallon salt water fish tank overlooking a lake. (Special to the Arizonan) of turning in favor of buyers,” the report said. “The bad supply situation is getting worse. Or at least worse from a buyer’s perspective.” “In January we should be seeing a lot of new listings piling up ready for the surge of buyers arriving after the Super Bowl is done,” it continued. “But we are not getting more supply, it is already going lower than at the start of the year. “This is quite a shock, but not exactly unprecedented. It happened in January 2021, but that was a precursor to a spring of absolute madness and frenzy. This is telling us that the bull market in housing has a lot of legs in it yet.” The Cromford Report only a year ago expressed concern about housing inventory and cited several examples of how the situation has worsened: Paradise Valley plummeted to “an all-time low of

just 93 single-family homes for sale,” almost half the number available in January 2021. “Scottsdale is down to 344 singlefamily homes for sale. There were 569 this time last year,” it continued. “Mesa is down to 314 single-family homes for sale There were 483 as recently as Oct. 3. Phoenix is down to 777 single-family homes for sale. There were 1,095 just one month ago.” It’s not a matter of huge demand, either, although the Cromford Report said it was high. “What is unusual about the current housing market is the chronic and extreme shortage of supply,” it said. “When buying a house, it feels like ‘high demand’ because there are far too many buyers for every house. The fact is this is due to there being so few houses avail-

able to buy. The number of buyers is only somewhat above average.” There are some bright spots – in Pinal County, it noted, adding, that there, “supply is still very low, but not as low as in Maricopa County.” Prices also are reflecting the tightening supply, according to the Cromford Report, which noted that the average sales price per foot in December was $267.31 – a 26.4% increase over the $211.44 per square foot in December 2020. The median sales price of a house in the Valley was $425,000 in December – a 28% increase of the December 2020 median price of $332,000. “The downward trend in supply that started in late October accelerated throughout December, taking us to the lowest number of active listings at year end that we have ever recorded,” it added.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

27 COMMUNITY

New Chandler therapy center is a one-stop shop for kids BY DANA TRUMBULL Arizonan Staff Writer

hwatukee resident Jonathan Elovitz says both parents and kids will benefit from his consolidation of services for developmentally delayed children under one roof. Although the business is still primarily focused on in-home healthcare, Therapy Matters has moved to 670 N. Arizona Ave. in Chandler, where parents of developmentally delayed children can find fully integrated clinical services under one roof. Therapy Matters offers occupational therapy, applied behavior analysis, speech, feeding and physical therapies that are custom-tailored to each individual child’s needs. The child is continuously monitored, working one on one

Kelly Bridgeforth is the clinical director of applied behavior analysis at Therapy Matters Inc., where the staff is trained to use play-based therapy. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

with a direct-care worker through programs design to support ongoing performance and growth. “To have one company that [families] can go to, and all of those clinicians can be working collaboratively as a team makes all the difference in the world,” explained Elovitz. “It’s much less of a burden on the parent, and it’s much more effective for the child.” Elovitz plans to add a doctor to the staff in the near future as well “and then we’ll truly have the full integrative health model, where we’re the one-stop shop.” Established in 2005, Therapy Matters is the brainchild of Jonathan’s late wife, Kylee – a dedicated occupational therapist whose vision and passion was to

see THERAPY page 28

Dirt project could win $10K for Hamilton High BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

irt can help address the world’s climate change problem. And that message could earn Hamilton High School $100,000 in technical equipment. Brian Sears’ environmental system science class has already been awarded $6,500 worth of new tech gear for submitting the best project in Arizona in Samsung’s Solve For Tomorrow contest, which is for STEM classes from sixth grade through high school. Now, the class advances with 99 other finalists to compete for the national title. “One of the things I’ve been telling these guys, I joke around about it, but it’s really true, is that out of college I said, ‘I want to save the world.’” Sears said. He thinks his idea to improve the quality of dirt through composting, can do just that. “We saw a common theme that was taking place,” Sears said. “Which was, we’re cutting down trees at an alarming

Hamilton High School teacher Brian Sears talks to his Environmental Systems Science class at Hamilton High Schoo. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer) rate, which isn’t bringing in more carbon, which is ultimately leaving the car-

bon to blanket our atmosphere, which doesn’t allow the U.V. [ultraviolet] rays

to escape, which is ultimately causing the climate change.” Plants, like trees, rely on carbon to grow. The more trees there are, the more carbon they take out of the atmosphere. Not just trees, but all plants. And for plants to thrive, they need good quality dirt. And that’s where the Hamilton High project starts. It is looking at composting, the process of taking food scraps and letting them decay in dirt to give them the nutrients they need for life to grow. “Composting will increase crop yield, not only that, but the soil itself takes in more carbon,” Sears said. “We started talking about it more and more and more, and we’re like, this just makes sense.” Sears teaches five environmental systems science classes a week. The class counts as a lab for students. Their experiment is to take food scraps from the school’s culinary arts classes and see what types of scraps are best for good

see STEM page 29

COMMUNITY

THERAPY �� page 27

provide services to children with special needs in rural communities, where services often are not easily available for developmentally delayed children. After his wife passed away suddenly in 2012 at age 36, he recalled, “I had a hard time focusing on anything.” “My other job is very technical, and I couldn’t work,” the systems engineer explained. “I couldn’t sit for 30 minutes and watch a television show. I didn’t want to be asleep, because I knew that, there’s that split second right when you wake up that you forget everything, but then everything comes rushing back. And then it was living everything all over again. And I had my son to take care of. The last thing I was thinking about was Therapy Matters.” But over a year, Elovitz met other therapists who had known Kylee or had heard her story. They rallied around Elovitz to help keep the company going, fulfilling the existing contracts. “The more I learned about the industry, the more I worked with these people, and the more I talked to the moms and the dads of these kids, the more I just became enamored,” he said.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Elovitz, who had no idea what an occupational therapist was before he met Kylee, found that her legacy had become his calling. “’Live in the moment and be the miracle.’ That’s our saying,” he said. “It’s a little bit corny, but that’s really what Kylee was all about. The fact that, through the ongoing efforts of her company, she can still do that 1,000-fold every single week, even though she’s no longer here, is just very meaningful for me.” Over the last two years, business has surged, driving Therapy Matters to more than double their clientele. Part of the sudden growth was an outcome of the pandemic. As a single dad who now had two companies to run, Elovitz had already implemented an efficient technology infrastructure at Therapy Matters to facilitate communication. When COVID hit, the company was able to shift services overnight to teletherapy, while other home health providers had to shut down for months while they built their telecommunications capabilities. The business now serves approxi-

mately 750 clients in the home health sector, with additional services provided in remaining school contracts and the clinic. The employee roster grew from 45 to a current high of 115. With the opening of the clinic, Therapy Matters has added applied behavior analysis therapy to their business card. Kelly Bridgeforth, executive director of Clinical ABA explained that traditional applied behavior analysis involves a lot of table time and rote memory, but at Therapy Matters, the staff is trained to use play-based therapy instead. Technicians and therapists strive to harness the teachable moments within the child’s shifting interests to make learning as natural as possible. “If that kid is interested in those Legos, we’re going to figure out 20 different ways to teach with the Legos in that 10-minute window while they’re still interested.” Using those activities, the therapists have specific goals that they are taking data on, and they are looking for specific responses. With repetition and persistence, the child learns to perform the tasks independently. “We don’t want this to be an aversive

place to them,” Bridgeforth said. “We want them to think of this as ‘a place I go and play with my friend who’s my therapist.’” With intensive early intervention – 2040 hours per week under age7 – outcomes can be very good, she said. Not every child will grow to be independent, but others can go on to college and need just minimal support. The most important thing to ensure that every child can live their best life, said Bridgeforth, is to get every service you possibly can as early as you can. “We really want to focus on that early intervention timeframe as an alternative to preschool” she explained. “That doesn’t really work for a lot of the kids with autism. If you send your kid straight into preschool with autism, a lot of times what happens is they’re in a six to one ratio; they don’t know how to set for circle time; they don’t know how to follow directions; and they have no language. It becomes a babysitting service. “We’re an alternative to that. We get all of those barriers gone. We teach them to sit through circle time; we teach them to attend to a task, put their items away, go

see THERAPY page 29

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get them… We teach all of those skills so that when we hand them to the schools, they’re successful.” Luckily, she said, Arizona is one of the best states to support the developmentally disabled with services. The Division of Developmental Disabilities provides everyone who qualifies with speech, OT, music therapy, and more. ABA services are available for any age, any diagnosis, through AHCCCS. “So, we can also help kids with Down syndrome who are having behavioral problems,” stated Bridgeforth. “We can

STEM �� page 27

help severe mental illness. We are now in group homes. We’re working with kids that have cerebral palsy, and severe self-injury. “It’s just opened up services with ABA to reduce aggressive behavior or self-injurious behaviors – all of those things that make their group home life a lot easier, keep them out of residential facilities, or help their families so that they can stay at home. It’s amazing that Arizona has done this.” Therapy Matters is a member of DDD, AHCCCS, AHSA, and ArizOTA. Information: therapymatters.org or call 602-790-8923.

dirt. They will determine that by growing radishes. They may put carrot skins in one plot, and potato skins in another. Then when they harvest the radishes, they’ll see which plot produced the biggest yields. Sears said if everyone had a compost pile, it would go a long way to improving the quality of dirt in Arizona, and help address climate Hamilton High School junior Isabel Trautwein, left, and sechange. He pointed to Ver- nior Kaleigh Sloan helped set up the compost area where mont, which mandates ev- science students and culinary arts students turn leftover food into healthy usable soil at Hamilton High Schoo. (Daery citizen compost under vid Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer) its universal recycling law. “Luckily, we do have some practice If they don’t want, or can’t have, a compost pile in their yards, from past assignments, so hopefully then they collect the scraps in a bag and we’ll do pretty well,” Trautwein said. “And be able to get our point across.” drop them off at a collection center. Earlier this year Sears assigned the stuWhile the idea has taken Hamilton High this far, winning the national contest will dents to do a public service announcebe up its students. They didn’t even know ment on acid rain. Now, they will use that experience to produce four different about the contest until this week. “It was a pretty big shock to me this videos that explain how composting can morning, I thought he was, like, messing help address climate change and why around with us,” said senior Kaleigh Sloan. people should do it. Sears said the deadline to get the videos “He didn’t even like mention to us that he was entering us in the competition,” ju- ready is in early March and the finalists will nior Isabel Trautwein said. “I didn’t even be announced in the middle of the month. “I think we have a really good chance know there was such a competition.” The next phase of the competition for at winning our category,” Sears said. the 100 finalists is students must pro- “We are so focused on climate change duce their own public service announce- and sustainability, and our project could ments explaining their idea and trying to influence how if Chandler, or Gilbert, or Tempe has more of a composting proconvince others to believe in their idea. Trautwein and Sloan said they know gram in the future. That’s what I’d really like to see come out of this.” the pressure is on the students.

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31 COMMUNITY

EV nonprofit rides wave in sustainable remodeling

BY DANA TRUMBULL Arizonan Staff Writer

his is the year for sustainable renovations, according to Zillow, and a Mesa nonprofit is catching the

wave. Stardust Building Supplies, 1720 W. Broadway Road, stocks its warehouse with a wide variety of used building fixtures and furnishings. Zillow, the online real estate platform, recently released a report on home trends for 2022 and said nearly three-quarters of the homeowners it surveyed are considering at least one remodeling project – adding a home office space, another room, or a guest house. “In the new year, homeowners will be turning to secondhand furniture and décor stores now more than ever,” it said, adding: “Stardust – the only nonprofit building material reuse organization in Metro Phoenix – is the one-stop shop for homeowners to avoid steep costs and delivery delays by shopping affordable, repurposed furniture and materials.”

Besides a desire to be more environmentally responsible, Zillow added, homeowners it surveyed also were aware of continuing supply-chain disruptions and that it’s not only cheaper but faster to turn to used furnishings and other supplies rather than wait months for new ones. “The pandemic forced a lot of people to reevaluate what’s most important in their lives and in their homes,” explained Zillow home trends expert Amanda Pendleton. “For many, 2022 is the moment to start living those values.” The bountiful shelves at Stardust overflow with treasures, from jetted soaker tubs and white oak cabinets (also on trend, according to the Zillow survey), to office furniture, doors, windows and more. Many items still bear the remnants of deconstruction – a little rust or plaster from the walls that used to abut the fixtures. But for those willing to spend a bit of time and effort to clean and fit their finds, the savings are significant: 50-80% off retail prices. And everything is cash and carry, so there is no long wait for delivery of material.

“There’s always something interesting here,” said Stardust CEO Karen Jayne. “We have lots of great light fixtures, tile flooring... That’s one thing that makes a lot of people come back often; the product changes every day, and there’s not likely to be two of any one thing.” Stardust is also a haven for DIYers who can bring their imaginations along to browse for inspiration. Reclaimed granite countertops might not be large enough for a complete kitchen redo, but would make unique and beautiful coffee tables. “We hope that creative folks want to come in and use our products,” added Jayne. “YouTube, Etsy and Google searches offer a lot of great ideas.” Stardust can also be a resource for homeowners who are looking for one floor tile or cabinet door to replace a damaged fixture. “If you’re searching for something that matches a cabinet door front that got broken, we probably have it,” said Jayne. Stardust is the only business that has earned a Green Business Certification from the City of Mesa and Local First Arizona. Founded in 1997, it has been green

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since long before sustainability was cool. Serving more than 3,000 people every month, they have been able to divert more than 80 million pounds of usable material from piling up in landfills. Profits from the business support the store’s Gift in Kind program, which provides material resources to roughly 400 other non-profit agencies in Maricopa County. Annually, Stardust distributes about $20 million in reusable material, helping 200,000 individuals and their families. “So, when people shop with us, they’re helping that program,” said Jayne. “It runs the gamut from folks like UMOM New Day Centers and Native American Connections to pet rescues. All different agencies are in that program.” Stardust does not refurbish or install products but does have have a deconstruction team that will remove usable material from donors’ homes. The organization also has an outlet at 5150 W. Northern Ave., Glendale. For more information, visit stardustbuilding.org, or call 480-428-4684. ■

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Peter “Pete” Andrew McMillan is running as a Libertarian candidate for Arizona State Representative – District 18 and asks for your support to place him on the ballot for the Primary Election to be held on August 02, 2022.

peter-mcmillan-libertarian.vote Pete is a retired Federal Law Enforcement Ofﬁcer who served with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for twenty-four years. He is also a retired Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve with twenty-eight (28) years of Honorable service including a tour of duty in Iraq. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The Citadel – The Military College of South Carolina (1989), and, a Jurist Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law (1995). Life experience and education forged a man who is a stalwart defender of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The turmoil of the 2020 election requires government accountability and the honest return to “Government of the People, By the People, For the People.” Libertarians are practical. We know that we can’t make the world perfect. But, it can be better. The Libertarian Party is the only political party that truly respects your rights as unique and competent individuals. We want a responsible system of government that citizens can trust and by which all people are FREE to choose what they want from life – that lets us live, work, play and dream our own way….together.

Peter Andrew McMillan’s Legislative agenda: √ Amendment to the Arizona State Constitution declaring it a sanctuary for the Bill of Rights in particular the 1st and 2nd Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. √ Balanced Budget Amendment to the Arizona State Constitution. Citizens balance their budgets; so must the government. Build and maintain public infrastructure to promote and sustain the livelihood of all citizens. √ Amend the Arizona State Constitution to require a Proposition voted on and approved by citizens to raise taxes; the Arizona State legislature can lower taxes, but,never raise them. √ Abolition of State Income tax in favor of Fair Tax Amendment to the Arizona State Constitution: a single rate tax at the point of purchase on all new goods and services that will eliminate all state income taxes (including alternative minimum tax, corporate income taxes and capital gains taxes) payroll taxes, gift taxes and estate taxes, replacing them with a single consumption tax on retail sales that will increase savings and investment, ease tax compliance, increase economic growth, increase incentives for interstate and international businesses to locate in Arizona and increase Arizona’s competitiveness in trade, provide transparency for funding the state government, increase civil liberties, benefit the environment and effectively tax illegal activity. It’s your money; you earned it. And you are free to spend it or save it as you see fit. √ Blue sky anti-fraud voting law requiring Constitutional voter ID, pre-election voter record audits and county election officials to provide unrestricted access to observers at polling places and county election bureaus, as well as, as a prohibition on the use of non-USA manufactured electronic voting machines and artificial intelligence software in any voting related matter and specifically the tabulation of votes. √ Amend the Arizona State Constitution’s term limit: Eight (08) years total and out – regardless of breaks, respite or service in different Houses (Senate and House of Representatives). √ Pledge that as a member of the Arizona state legislature I will cosponsor, vote for, and defend the resolution applying for an Article V convention for the sole purpose of enacting term limits on U.S. Congress. √ Pledge that as a member of the Arizona state legislature I will cosponsor, vote for, and defend the resolution applying for an Article V convention for the sole purpose of enacting a balanced

budget on U.S. Congress. √ Energy reform which provides property owners the freedom and incentive to install natural environment friendly solar and other alternative power systems with battery back up and EMP protection which are self-sufﬁcient and entirely off the utility grid or dual use systems which allow owners to sell excess energy to the utility or operate off-grid in the event of emergency. Energy independence promotes Civil Defense. Property owners who install alternative power systems with battery back up and EMP protection will receive Fair Tax credits. √ Reasonable healthcare regulation at the State (not Federal) level to ensure affordable access to medical care and prescription medicine based on fair market place competition not predatory/monopolistic pricing. The Tenth (10th) Amendment was included in the Bill of Rights for for a reason; the Founding Fathers had wisdom: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” √ Public education: stay focused on classic education – the four (04) R’s: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Individual Responsibility. Reform school boards in favor of parental oversight. Adopt Junior High School (7th thru 9th grade) to address overcrowded high schools and age differences. Identify and reform mismanaged school districts to ensure quality and economy of scale. Good pay for teachers, uniform per capita student investment and uniform State (not Federal) curriculum will promote e-QUALITY which is the key to developing educated citizens who understand, respect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness by a Government of the People, by the People and for the People in God We Trust. Parents who exercise their freedom to choose home schooling or private schools will receive Fair Tax credits. √ Pro-Life from conception until natural death. Respect for Life is fundamental to a peaceful society: Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. As citizens, we have a duty to aspire to the Golden Rule: compassion, understanding and support for mothers in crisis, the unborn, the handicapped, the elderly and the inﬁrm. √ Legal immigration: E Pluribus Unum (out of many, one) – the motto of the United States of America. The National goal is to build a stronger Union. All People seeking to become American citizens deserve an opportunity to properly identify themselves, follow a reasonable immigration process and pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. And to the

Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. √ Secure international border. There is no United States of America (or any other Nation for that matter) without defined secure borders. We the People have the Right to be secure in our Life, our Liberty, our Property and our Pursuit of Happiness. We are a Nation. National defense requires We the People know who enters our Land and their intentions; that is the essence of legal immigration. √ Prohibition on government mandates on vaccines and face masks. Arizona is one of the fifty (50) United States of America: the Land of Free and the Home of the Brave. The government does not own your body. People are FREE to wear masks – or – not wear masks. People are FREE to take vaccines – or – not take vaccines. The government does not have the authority to abuse executive orders (which only apply to government agencies) and licensing to force private businesses to do its bidding in violation of Strict Scrutiny which requires the legislature to pass laws that further a compelling government interest that are narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. Our police officers enforce the laws enacted by the legislature – not executive orders by the governor; as public servants their first duty is to protect and serve We the People: our Life, our Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. √ Demilitarize & End Qualified Immunity for Police. I support (including funding) reasonable law enforcement. However, post 9/11 America has seen the proliferation of militarized police (military uniforms, infantry weapons, armored vehicles, electronic surveillance, and civil asset forfeiture) which is contrary to a Free People. Benjamin Franklin said, “a Republic if you can keep it.” That requires ALL citizens to abide by the U.S. Constitution. Police officers are citizens certified / licensed by We the People to Protect and Serve. The Police are public servants who should be respected, properly trained, equipped and funded but not feared as they are equal before the law: no special treatment. The Police should not be granted special protections against being sued or prosecuted for violating people’s Constitutional Rights.. √ Gun Safety, Driver Education and Home Economics made part of High School curriculum. Knowledge is power. A responsible society teaches civics including proper nutrition and financial responsibility, as well as, the proper use of motor vehicles (by AZ DMV certified instructors) and firearms (by AZ National Guard instructors) so citizens can be healthy, fiscally sound and responsibly exercise their license to drive and Right to keep and bear arms. And to be clear: I stand against Explicit Sex Education to prepubescent children and Critical Race Theory.

For more information, please visit the following sites:

apps.azsos.gov/apps/election/eps/op/ | fairtax.org/about/how-fairtax-works PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT PETER MCMILLAN FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 18

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

33 BUSINESS

Chandler strip mall king sells 5 shopping centers BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

ommercial real estate baron Michael Pollack is reaping the benefits of one of the best markets in 15 years. His company, Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments, sold five of his Valley shopping centers for more than $32 million. “It has been very good for us for the last three years,” said Pollack, who is one of the largest commercial real estate owners in Chandler. “Anyone who wants to sell right now, it’s a sellers market, just like it is for anyone looking to sell a home.” Pollack sold retail centers in Mesa, Peoria, Phoenix and Tempe. He said they worked hard to wrap up all five transactions before 2021 ended

Michael Pollack, seen here in his recently renovated Pollack Tempe Cinemas, sold five of his shopping centers last year. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

because he is uncertain what the federal government might do this year with the capital gains tax rate. “Hopefully, the federal government doesn’t do something irrational,” he said. Pollack said he’s been working for more than a decade to make sure his retail centers continue to thrive in a changing marketplace. He called them “Amazon-resistant,” saying they have focused on businesses that offer experiences or services. “You can’t get a haircut at Amazon,” he said. Pollack said they will look to buy more retail centers but, considering how hot the market is right now, they might wait. “It’s a little too hot to be a buyer,” he said. “We would love to put capital out right now, but we’re also realists. It’s a

see POLLACK page 34

Developer sues Chandler over garage rent default BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

n a dispute that could cost taxpayers millions of dollars, the City of Chandler is being sued for failing to pay its rent of the parking garage at the Overstreet development at Arizona Avenue and Chandler Boulevard. Developer DT Chandler’s lawyers filed the lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court in mid-October and City Council went into executive session on Monday to discuss how to deal with it. At the heart of the dispute is DT Chandler’s claim that the city did not exercise its option to buy the parking garage correctly. It says that option is now gone, and the city must pay rent as part of their lease agreement. The city wants to buy the garage for about $8.7 million. If the court sides with DT Chandler, then it would have to pay a little more than $65,000 a month

The parking garage at the Overstreet development in downtown Chandler is the subject of a lawsuit filed against the city. (File photo) in rent for the next 27 years – about $21.1 million over the life of the lease, DT Chandler claims. Under the terms of the lease, the city paid $26,250 a month

for the first three years. The rent increases starting the fourth year. According to the lawsuit, the city had to notify DT Chandler it planned to exer-

cise its option to purchase the garage for $8,690,351 in writing at least 30 days before the third year ended. DT Chandler said it was not notified until it received a letter on Aug. 27. It claims the city did not state it was exercising the option and that the letter was not sent to the escrow holder. It also claims the city did not provide the required $150,000 deposit to the escrow holder. And it claims that written notice of the city’s intent to exercise the option was due on or before Aug. 12, since the lease began on Sept. 11, 2018. DT Chandler argues the city failed to give the required notice, or take the required steps toward actually purchasing the garage, and therefore must pay the higher rent for the rest of the lease agreement, which was for 30 years. But the city not only has denied the

see GARAGE page 34

BUSINESS

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POLLACK �� page 33

Pollack said his company follows the same model. They look for retail centers that have an issue, such as poor occupancy, tenant issues or just needs major remodeling. Those centers usually come with a discount. They then invest in the centers and fix whatever issues they have. The Tempe property, Apache Central Center, was sold to the City of Tempe for $10.6 million. He said the city plans to redevelop it into a mixed-use center that has retail on the ground level and housing for working class and low-income residents above. Lindsay Marketplace went for the highest amount, $11.2 million. Pollack’s company had owned it since 1993. He owned the other Mesa and Phoenix properties for nearly 30 years. His company bought the Peoria property in 2003. “This business is ever evolving, ever changing” Pollack said. “Anyone who thinks it’s easy, that you can buy a center and lease it out to the local T-shirt shop, well, they won’t be in it for long. You have to a have a specialty, you have to do a niche.”

GARAGE �� page 33

DT Chandler made in what it is owed, suggesting DT Chandler has over-simplified the whole matter. “The City acknowledges the dispute over the Option is one issue before the Court," the responses states. "However, that issue will also require the Court to resolve whether a valid, enforceable agreement exists between the parties, and …whether Plaintiff is a proper party to any agreement, whether it breached any contract that exists and the damages incurred by the City as a result of that breach. The City denies this dispute is capable of simple resolution with only a determination of the ‘option’ issue.” Chandler also filed a counterclaim against DT Chandler, contending it had already agreed to extend the deadline for exercising its option to October 2022 and that it had agreed on a sale price of $8.8 million, with rent payments going toward that purchase. It asks the court to rule that the city is the actual owner of the site or declare the lease escalation rate “unenforceable.” The case has been assigned to Superior Court Commissioner Richard Albrecht.

very hot market, not just in sales but the leasing side is on fire like I haven’t seen since 2006.” He said 2006 was the peak before this current market. Pollack said he currently has occupancy rates in the high 90 to 100 percent. He’s even had some of his tenants ask about a wait list for any openings he has. “I haven’t seen it this way in a long time,” he said. Pollack said his strong numbers shows there is still space for retail centers despite the growth of online shopping. He said the biggest trouble facing retail today is not Amazon, it’s the inability to find workers. He said he knows of businesses looking to expand, but they can’t because they can’t find the workers. The retail centers he sold are Trailside Center and Lindsay Marketplace in Mesa; Tower Plaza in Phoenix; Olive Plaza in Peoria; and Apache Central Center in Tempe.

charges, but also has countersued the developer. The city contends that the lease “ represents only a portion of the overall dealings between the parties” and that the lease “must be read in conjunction with” development and option agreements. Besides, the city says, the document the plaintiff attached to the complaint “does not bear the stamp of a document recorded with the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and which the City considers the official version of the document.” The City also notes that the pandemic was a major event that automatically extended the deadline for any action on Chandler’s part. It also says it offered the purchase agreement “in the form required by the documents which DTC refused to execute” and that DT Chandler’s allegations “misstate the nature of the documents and imposes and assumes obligations not set forth in the documents. The City denies failing to comply the terms of the documents.” The City also disputes the calculations

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

35 BUSINESS

Inflation requires better retirement planning BY HAROLD WONG Arizonan Guest Writer

nflation is accelerating in America. Recent data shows that the producer price index (a wholesale prices measure) in November 2021 increased by 9.6% over the previous 12 months, the largest gain on record. Case study: Joe and Susan Boomer are 60 and are not sure when they will retire. Many of their retired friends who are 1020 years older than them are now very frightened by the current high inflation. This is forcing Joe and Susan to rethink their retirement plans and investment strategies. Assume that inflation will average 6% over the next 10 years. Facts: Joe and Susan, currently, have total wages of $150,000 and $10,000 of investment income. They pay a total of $11,475 of Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes and $22,000 total income taxes. They save $30,000 per year and invest it. They have saved $1 million of finan-

cial assets and have no debts at all. They hope to be able to spend $120,000 per year in retirement and expect to live until 92. They have no pensions and their combined Social Security if taken at age 62 would be $35,000 annually vs. $70,000 if taken at age 70. According to moneychimp.com, the compound annual growth rate in the S&P 500 Index has been 4.57% in the 21-year period starting Jan. 1, 2000. When one adds dividends of 2.02% the gross is 6.59%. If one subtracts a future 6% inflation rate, the net return would be 0.59% before annual Wall Street fees. Even if they invest only in super lowfee Vanguard index funds, their projected net return would be zero. Note that if you loan to Uncle Sam by buying a 30-year US Treasury Bond, the current interest yield is 1.91%. Using $35,000 from Social Security taken at age 62 (most take it at 62) plus an assumed average 3% cost-of-living increases for eight years, that equals $44,337 annual Social Security income

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at age 70. One would add their $1 million times 2% return = $20,000 annually. One would add their $30,000 of annual savings for 10 years = $300,000 more saved times 2% return, which gives them an extra $6,000 of income. Now total retirement income is $70,337, which is only 59% of their desired $120,000 retirement income. However, with 6% annual inflation for the next 10 years, they would need $214,902 annual income in 10 years to buy what $120,000 will buy today. Their $70,337 retirement income will be only 33% of what is needed and retirement looks grim. Inflation means they need three times their projected income to retire as planned! Different plan: They take Social Security at age 70 and it’s $80,000 a year, counting cost-of-living increases. They deposit $700,000 in a private pension plan at age 60 and it generates $70,000 a year at age 70. They invest $70,000 annually in solar equipment that saves them $20,000 a year in taxes and has a 10% return. Using a financial calcula-

tor: PMT = $70,000; I = 10% return; N = 10 years; and FV (Future Value) = $1,227,181. At age 70, 7% ($1,227,181) = $85,903. Now total retirement income is$235,903 and allows them to spend more than what they planned on, even with high inflation for the next 10 years. They will still have some extra financial assets left over for emergencies. Conclusion: Continued high inflation requires innovative retirement planning. Live seminar: For a discussion on “Double Your Retirement Income and Slash Your Taxes! At 10 a.m. Jan. 29 at Hyatt Place, 3535 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler, and a free lunch at 12:15 p.m. catered by La Madeleine French Café, RSVP or schedule a free consultation by contacting Dr. Harold Wong at 480-7060177 or harold_wong@hotmail.com. His website is drharoldwong.com. Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.

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SPORTS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Channing Chasten returning home to play for Phoenix Rising BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor

hen Channing Chasten was in high school, he wrote down the goals he wanted to accomplish on a piece of paper. He hung them above his bed with the caption, “my why,” so he would wake up every morning and be reminded of what he wanted to accomplish. It was at that time he set out to achieve them through hard work and dedication. Some of the goals were common for kids his age. But there were two that stood out amongst the rest: Attend Ohio State University and become a professional soccer player. Now at 21 years old, Channing crossed both of those off his list. “It’s so surreal,” Channing said. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of. To make it a reality now, it’s really exciting. Now all the hard work starts. But it’s crazy to say out loud. “I always knew I had the ability, and I knew it would take hard work to come about. But I never knew it would come this early.” Channing signed a multi-year contract with the Phoenix Rising FC on Tuesday, Jan. 11 – Arizona’s local professional team that plays in the United Soccer League. A junior at Ohio State, Channing made 40 appearances at Ohio State in his three seasons as a forward. He scored one goal for the Buckeyes but opened the eyes of Rising coaches during a training session last summer before the start of the 2021-22 school year. Channing remained in contact with the Rising and following the end of his most recent season with the Buckeyes, the Rising offered him a deal. Rising coach Rick Schantz said in a press release shortly after Channing’s signing that he believes the Hamilton product has a bright future in soccer. “He is very athletic and can play right wing or right back,” Schantz said in the release. “He gives us versatility and has a great ability to learn quickly from our

race. His goal was to beat me, and he finally did it in seventh grade and I said, ‘you finally knocked that off your list, son.’ “It was always a big deal for him and I’m just very proud he was able to accomplish what he set out to do.” Clark and Ella always enjoyed being able to watch Channing play in person when he was younger in club and at Hamilton. They made it out to Ohio for some of his games but watched most from their home Left: Channing Chasten cemented his legacy at Hamilton as he made his high school debut as a freshman on the Big Ten Network. Ella said screaming at the on the varsity team that captured the state title over Gilbert in 2016. As a senior, he was named captain and scored 17 goals for the Huskies who finished as the 6A runners up. (Arizonan File Photo) Right: Hamil- television set wasn’t the same ton alum Channing Chasten, who spent the last three season playing for Ohio State’s soccer team, signed when Channing was unable his first professional contract on Tuesday, Jan. 7 to return home and play for Arizona’s Phoenix Rising FC. to hear her. And while she (Courtesy Phoenix Rising FC) may still not be heard over the supporters’ section at the experienced players. He should push for named an Ohio State Scholar Athlete Rising’s stadium in Chandler, a starting position.” this year and to the Academic All-Big they will still be able to make the short Channing began to cement his soccer Ten the last two seasons. Overall, it was drive to watch him play in person again. legacy while playing for the Huskies. As a rewarding experience. That will make his professional debut a freshman, he made the varsity roster “Our success has been up and down on for his hometown team that much more and was a part of the team that captured the field, but it’s been good,” Channing special. Hamilton’s most recent state soccer title said. “I’ve enjoyed my time here, but I’m “We’re thrilled and excited to actually be at over Gilbert High School in 2016. excited for the future.” the games and attend,” Ella said. “We know As a senior in the 2018-19 season, he Channing said that while he has signed this is just the start of his career so, there’s finished with 17 goals on a Hamilton a professional contract, he plans to remain no telling where he will go next. We are just team that went 20-4 and fell to pow- enrolled at Ohio State online to finish his excited he gets to start here in Phoenix.” erhouse Brophy in the 6A title game. degree in strategic communications. A high Channing will officially begin his proAt the time, he was already committed GPA student at Hamilton, he had hoped to fessional career when Rising players reto attend and play soccer at Ohio State do the same while playing for the Buckeyes. port for training this month. Currently, where he received a partial athletic and His parents, Clark and Ella, had always he is still in awe of the events that have full academic scholarships. taught him the importance of obtaining a transpired that led him to signing his He admitted the adjustment to soccer at degree. Clark did it from Michigan State first-ever contract. the Division I level was difficult. He played in and Ella from Ohio State. Channing’s sisBut he thinks when he first steps on 16 games his first season and recorded one ter currently attends Michigan State, fol- the pitch – especially in front of thouassist. As a sophomore, he only appeared in lowing in the footsteps of their father. sands of Rising fans – that is when it will eight games. He considered transferring at To see him accomplish his dream of play- really hit him. one point but decided to ride out his junior ing professionally while still maintaining “Just to put on that kit, be in that environseason with the Buckeyes. the drive to finish school is welcoming for ment and call myself a part of the team, it’s That’s when he flourished. Clark and Ella. They said they couldn’t be amazing,” Channing said. “I haven’t even He started in 15 of the 16 games he prouder of the man their son has become. played yet and I’m getting (direct mesplayed and was named to the Wolstein “He’s just such a dedicated young man,” sages) from little kids who go to the games Classic All-Tournament Team. He re- Clark said. “He’s always had this drive and people who sit on the south end with corded a goal against Creighton and had even when he was 5 or 6 years old when the Bandidos. They’re already supporting three total assists. Channing was also he always thought he could beat me in a me, which is pretty amazing.”

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

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Obituaries Boyd Kenneth Williams

Robert A. Jacobson

Willams 79, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away Monday January 17, 2022 from complications of a recent stroke. Funeral Services will be held in Nampa, ID on Sat. January 29th. To view the full obituary go to https://www.zeyerfuneralchapel.com/

Michael Leonard Deehan

Robert passed away peacefully at ACOYA Retirement Homes in Mesa, AZ on January 6th 2022, at age 80. He underwent cancer surgery in May of 2021 from which he never fully recovered. Bob was born on November 7, 1941 in Es-tevan, Canada and became a Naturalized US Citizen in 1957. He graduated Crosby High School in 1959, later attended North Dakota State University and became a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. Bob married Susan Francis Stenger in Moor-head Minnesota on June 12, 1963 and on December 12, 1964 his son Thomas John Jacobson was born. Bob’s greatest passion was airplanes. He re-ceived his private pilot license, his commercial pilot license and his instructor’s certification throughout his career. Bob started his flying career as a crop sprayer in Divide County, ND, which lasted for over 20 years. He moved his family to Arizona in 1975 and was employed by Grand Canyon Airlines and West Wind Airlines. He will be remembered for piloting a WWII B-17 Bomber and a WWII T-6 Trainer for the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, AZ. In 2013 he decided to end his 50 year flying career. Bob lived his dream: flying aircrafts! He loved sharing his knowledge, encouraged and trained others to fly. Bob was fun loving and touched so many lives with his wit, his spirit and his timeless stories! Bob Jacobson is survived by his former wife, Susan Jacobson Witzeman of Tempe, AZ, his son Thomas John Jacobson, ND and his sister Deborah Melby of Crosby, ND. His family in-cludes Nieces, Nephews, a Granddaughter, two great Grandchildren and a host of extended relatives still living across the United States. It was Bob’s wish to refrain from public funeral services. A small memory gathering is planned at the CAF to be announced at a later date. Bob’s life story is being produced and will be available online at QR Memory Markers in the near future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Arizona Humane Society and/or to www.QRMemoryMarkers.com

Mike was born in Stillwater, OK. on July 30, 1947. He lived in Roslyn Heights, NY and starting in 1957, lived in Scottsdale/ Phoenix. He passed away on Dec. 12, 2021. He was the son of Marye Jo & Len, the brother of Patrick & Daniel and the husband of Ann Cupec. Mike was one tough cowboy and he lived his life well. Now he will finally be able to find that pony. Everyone who knew Mike, especially his niece, Jenn Goodrich, is truly saddened by his passing. Mike, you were always you and you will always be remembered and missed for that. But now ride on, my friend, ride on. Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

Deadline for obituaries is Thursday at 10am for Sunday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays. Call 480-898-6465 Mon-Fri 8:30-5 for assistance.

H E A D STO N E S

EVERLASTING MONUMENT Co.

“Memories cut in Stone” • MONUMENTS • GRANITE & BRONZE • CEMETERY LETTERING • CUSTOM DESIGNS

480-969-0788 75 W. Baseline Rd. Ste. A-8 Gilbert, AZ 85233

www.everlastingmonumentco.com info@everlastingmonument.phxcoxmail.com

Make your choice Everlasting

Classifieds Warner Aaron Thomson III

Thomson, 75 of Idaho Falls, passed away January 8, 2022, at The Gables of Ammon Assisted Living Center. He was under the care of Encompass Hospice. Warner was born May 9, 1946, in Shropshire, England, to Warner Aaron Thomson II and Helen Hester Woolf Thomson. He grew up and attended schools in Arizona and graduated from Arcadia High School. He also attended the University of Arizona. Warner and Linda Gayle Johnson were married in April 1967, and were the proud parents of five children together: David, Sarah, Amy, Rebecca and Katie. They were later divorced in 1989. On August 4, 1990, he married Peggy Ellen Rasmussen in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple. Peggy had 7 children from a previous marriage (Russ, Francine, Suzette, Karla, Katie, Jacob and Ellen), which brought their blended family to a combined total of 12 children. Warner and Peggy made their home in Mesa and Phoenix, Arizona, where Warner worked as a Construction Superintendent. He had a special love and gift for landscaping and architecture. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed country music, driving the wagon for hay rides, collecting and reloading guns, as well as collecting coins and stamps. He loved the outdoors and spending time with family. Warner is survived by his wife, Peggy Ellen Thomson of Idaho Falls, ID; children, David (Lori) Thomson of Rathdrum, ID, Sarah (Michael) Deakins of Nine Mile Falls, WA, Amy (Jacob) Deakins of Nine Mile Falls, WA, Rebecca (Jeff) Burghardt of Kennewick, WA, Kathryn (Jason) Scott of Spokane, WA, Russ (Melissa) Meyers, Jr. of Pocatello, ID, Francine (Wesley) Meyers of Pocatello, ID, Suzette Meyers of Post Falls, ID, Karla (Nicholas) Frey of Ammon, ID, Katie Meyers of Pocatello, ID, Jacob (Rachael) Meyers of Santaquin, UT, and Ellen (Louis) Adamson of Pocatello, ID; siblings, Eleanor (Jon) Beck of St. Augustine, FL, Laura Thomson of Sacramento, CA, Christopher (Kathie) Thomson of Peoria, AZ, and Mary (Joe) Thomson of Rancho Murieta, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents. Warner and Peggy shared a combined total of 43 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022, at the Cottonwood Ward, 2200 Stafford Drive, with Bishop Jared Randall officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Ammon Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.

Employ ment

Adult Care/ Assisted Living Experienced Adult Care Compassionate, Reliable. Cooking, Cleaning, Bathing, Dressing & More 20 yrs exp. Ft/Pt $22hr. (Min. 4hrs/day 2 days/wk) "Strong, healthy 42 y/o, will take every precaution needed to ensure your safety or your loved one" Please call Erica at 480-518-1953

Employment General IntraEdge has multiple openings for Sr. Programmer Analyst in Chandler, AZ. Reqs US Bachelor degree/foreign (3 or 4 yr degree) equiv in Commerce/BusAdm/STEM field. Will accept combination of IT training/education/experience for equiv to ed req. Analyze/resolve/test/monitor/report on IT related projects using skills in HTML,CSS,C#,.Net, Unix,API. Email resume to jobs@intraedge.com w/ ref no 2022-2121 directly on resume & ref ad in EVT

Employment General MetaSoftTech Solutions has openings for Software Engineers in Chandler, AZ area. Reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in Java/Salesforce/HTML/Oracle/SQL to analyze/design/develop/implement/test systems & applications. Email resume to applymst@gmail.com with ref # 2022-19 & ref EVT ad

inside | sales Join our experienced inside sales team! Do you have print media/digital advertising selling experience? We may be looking for you! The position is in Tempe (Broadway curve area) includes lots of out-bound calls selling advertising all over Phoenix Metro and even Tucson! Our 20 local publications, newspapers, magazines and digital solutions fit pretty much every need! Great team environment Our small team wants to grow with you! Do you get excited when you sell? Do you talk louder when you are selling something you believe in? We get it—it’s exciting to sell! Do you learn quickly, like to stay organized, multi-task, are you familiar with Gmail, Google Docs/Sheets/Voice, Word, Excel, internet browsing and other software programs? This is a full time job with benefits. 8:305pm Mon-Fri. If you think you are the missing puzzle piece, please apply! Wait, did I mention we are a FUN team? Send your resume with cover letter to Elaine: ecota@timespublications.com

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

39 CLASSIFIEDS

The Chandler Arizonan

1900 W Broadway Rd. • Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465 class@timespublications.com

Deadlines

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | ChandlerNews.com Employment General Business Analyst : conduct analysis of business strategies; BA in Business, Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, or related; All About Speech, LLC 22424 S Ellsworth Loop Rd, Unit 464, Queen Creek, AZ 85142 Flexi-Van Leasing LLC located in Scottsdale, AZ seeks a Manager, Application Integration to manage WebMethods Integ’n proj. No trvl. No telecomm. To Apply: https://app.trinethire .com/companies /31696-flexi-vanleasing-llc/jobs /50515-managerapplication-integration

IntraEdge has multiple openings for Software Engineer (SE) positions in Chandler, AZ. SE candidates req US Masters degree/foreign equiv or bachelors degree + 5 yrs exp, w/ skills in Java,J2EE,JSP,SQL,Jav aScript,Oracle to analyze/dsgn/dev/implement/test systems & applics. Email resume to jobs@intraedge.com w/ ref no 2022-1919 directly on resume/cover & ref ad in EVT WE’RE ALWAYS HERE TO SERVE YOUR CLASSIFIED NEEDS

480.898.6465 CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Correctional Education Site Director, Lewis Correctional Complex (AZ) The Correctional Education Program at Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) invites applications for full-time Site Director at the Lewis Correctional Complex, located in Buckeye, AZ. For requirements and qualifications and to apply online, go to: https://jobs.ashland.edu/hr/postings/416. Ashland University meets fully its obligation of nondiscrimination under federal and state laws and is actively committed to diversity in its workplace. Employment will require a criminal background check

LEGAL NOTICES

Deadline for Sunday’s Edition is the Wednesday prior at 5pm. Please call Elaine at 480-898-7926 to inquire or email your notice to: legals@evtrib.com and request a quote.

NOW HIRING Peter Piper Pizza

Location: McDowell and Miller Road

Classifieds: Thursday 11am for Sunday Life Events: Thursday 10am for Sunday

Merch andise Garage Sales/ Bazaars Community Garage Sale - Tuscany Villas February 5th, Gates open 8am - 1pm 6202 E McKellips Rd, Mesa

Miscellaneous For Sale Patio heater like new with tank $95 Bistro patio set w/cushions $110 (602)369-3795

Air Conditioning/Heating Wanted to Buy Diabetic Test Strips by the box, unused. Any type or brand. Will pay top dollar. Call Pat 480-323-8846

HIRING?

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If One Needs a Job, They Look Every day! For a Quote email: class@times publications.com 480-898-6465

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Real Estate for Sale Manufactured Homes

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THE LINKS ESTATES Why Rent The Lot When YOU CAN OWN THE LAND And Own Your New Home

We are now hiring Full Time / Part Time, Team Members for Day, Evenings and Night positions. Apply at: 7607 E. McDowell Road Scottsdale, Az. 85257 (480) 947-9901

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Gawthorp & Associates

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602-402-2213

www.linksestates.net

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We offer Big Savings and Great Financing!

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MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!

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CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Employment General

Earn Extra Income For The Holidays!

Gannett Publishing Services wants to contract you to deliver newspapers and magazine products in the early morning hours in the Phoenix metro area.

Earn up to $400 per week Work just 2-3 hours a day between 12:00AM - 6:00AM All routes are 7 days a week

Routes are available now across metro Phoenix (East Valley, West Valley, North and South Phoenix). Please include home zip code when applying.

How It Works

What You Need

What We Offer

We’ll provide you a daily delivery list

A Reliable Vehicle

Weekly pay can be up to $400 per week depending on the size of your route

Pick up your newspapers from our local distribution center

A Valid Arizona Driver’s License

Direct payment deposit into bank account

Go at your own pace, as long as papers are delivered by our established deadlines

Valid Auto Insurance

Flexibility, as most routes have a wide allotted time frame for delivery

APPLY NOW Scan the QR code with your smartphone Visit htp://deliveryopportunities.gannett.com

or call 602-444-4243

41 CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Air Conditioning/Heating Family Owned & Operated

Three Phase Mechanical

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www.3phasemech.com Sales, Service & Installation

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ACCREDITED BUSINESS

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

Appliance Repairs

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If It’s Broken, We Can Fix It! • Same Day Service • On-Site Repairs • Servicing All Major Brands • Quality Guaranteed

We Also Buy, Sell & Trade Used Appliances Working or Not

480-659-1400 Licensed & Insured

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Not a licensed contractor

Place YOUR Business HERE! Call for our 3 Month Trial Special! Classifieds: 480-898-6465

Concrete & Masonry

Block Fence * Gates

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YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST!

Electrical Services HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY

Carpet Cleaning • Serving Arizona Since 2005 •

• Panel Changes and Repairs • Installation of Ceiling Fans • Switches/Outlets • Home Remodel

Home Improvement HOME REMODELING REPAIRS & CUSTOM INTERIOR PAINTING Move a wall; turn a door into a window. From small jobs and repairs to room additions, I do it all. Precision interior painting, carpentry, drywall, tile, windows, doors, skylights, electrical, fans, plumbing and more. All trades done by hands-on General Contractor. Friendly, artistic, intelligent, honest and affordable. 40 years' experience. Call Ron Wolfgang Pleas text or leave message Cell 602-628-9653 Wolfgang Construction Inc. Licensed & Bonded ROC 124934

CLASSIFIEDS and LEGALS Deadline: Thursday at 10am for Sunday

Insurance Best Auto & Home Insurance Brokers Rates in AZ. One Agency with 20+ companies Like Progressive, Safeco and more, that will shop Instantly & Save you money. Call/Text Ed Caceres 480-717-7277 www.TheFreedomInsurance.com Ed@TheFreedomInsurance.com

480-898-6465

Hauling

Email Your Ad: class@times publications.com

ChandlerNews.com

HOME FOR RENT? Place it here!

• Old Paint & Chems.

• Furniture • Appliances • Mattresses • Televisions • Garage Clean-Out • Construction Debris

81% of our readers, read the Classifieds!

• Yard Waste • Concrete Slab • Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

Home Improvement

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Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! One Call, We Do It All! Call to place your ad online!! 602-339-4766 Classifieds Marks the480-898-6465 Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

Owner Does All Work, Painting • Flooring • Electrical All Honey-Do Lists Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Handyman Decks • Tile • More! All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers,

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing

Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, ALL RESIDENTIAL & the Spot Marks for ALL•Your Handyman Needs! ✔ PaintingStucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Painting Flooring • Electrical Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs. “No Job Too COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Man!” Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service! Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More! Call Jim Endres 480.282.7932 9 199 ce Sin Quality Work Decks • Tileble,• More!

✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, Irrigation 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 ✔ Drywall Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job ✔ Carpentry Glass/Mirror Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” Man!” “No Job Too ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Small Man!” GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens • Sprinkler/Drip Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, 1999 Repairs ce Sin rk Wo ty ali Qu le, abglass, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated Afford ✔ Bathrooms BSMALLMAN@Q.COM 2010, 2011 99 19 ce • New Installs ty Work Sin mirrored closet doors, window glass, patio alitable Quglass le,doors, 2012, “No 2013, Job Too ordab Affmirrors, And More! Poly/PVC 2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you. Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Over 28 Years Experience • ROC #246019 Bonded/Insured

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Meetings/Events?

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Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Landscape/Maintenance

Irrigation Repair Services Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

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PHILLIPS

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Pool Service / Repair

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PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR

623-873-1626

showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

Rooﬁng

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

MonsoonRooﬁngInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

43 CLASSIFIEDS

Public Notices

Public Notices ANNOUNCEMENT OF PROPOSED STUDY RESULTS FOR THE MESA ZONE D PHASE 1 FLOODPLAIN DELINEATION STUDY WITHIN THE CITY OF MESA, MARICOPA COUNTY, AZ The Flood Control District (FCD) of Maricopa County has conducted a floodplain delineation study (FDS) for the previously unstudied Zone D area within the City of Mesa. The FCD conducts floodplain delineation studies to identify and refine areas that are subject to flooding by a 100-year flood. These floods have a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. The FCD also proposes to establish areas subject to a 500-year flood. These floods have a 0.2% chance of occurring in any given year.

JAMES MADISON PREPARATORY SCHOOL, INC 5815 S MCCLINTOCK DR. TEMPE, AZ 85283 480-345-2306 480-345-0059 (FAX) www.madisonprep.org Announces open enrollment for grades 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12 for the 2022-2023 school year. The open enrollment period is February 7-28, 2022.

• • • •

FREE ESTIMATES

Tiles & Shingles sunlandroofingllc@gmail.com Installation Repair Re-Roofing

602-471-2346

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

SHARE WITH THE WORLD! Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today! Call us for details.

class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465

RETURN YOUR TABLE GAMES CASINO CHIPS AT HARRAH’S AK-CHIN BEFORE THEY EXPIRE! If you have Table Games Casino chips received before July 7, 2021, please redeem them at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino cashier cage no later than March 31, 2022 for a full refund. Disclaimer: Any discontinued Table Games chips not returned by March 31, 2022 will be void and hold no cash value. Redemption must take place at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino cashier cage in person. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is not responsible for any unreturned Table Games chips.

The Zone D area is approximately 10.2 square miles and roughly bounded by Meridian Road to the east, Baseline Road to the north, Ellsworth Road to the west, and Ray Road to the south. Phase 1 studied the portion north of Elliot Road, approximately 4.1 square miles.

Serving All Types Clean, Prompt, Friendly and Professional Service of Roofing:

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As a result of this revision, this study proposes to establish Zone AE and Zone AO 100-year floodplains and Base Flood Elevations (BFE’s), and Shaded-X Zone 500-year floodplains along several watercourses and within several Regional Detention Basins. Specifically, these floodplains and BFE’s are proposed along Crismon Channel and Crismon Channel Breakouts #1 and #2 extending from the US 60 to Elliot Road; Eastridge Channel extending from Baseline Road to near Guadalupe Road; Sunland Springs Channel extending from Baseline Road to Signal Butte Road; Guadalupe Channel extending from Santa Rita Road to Crismon Road; Siphon Draw extending from Meridian Road to Elliot Road; and the Elliot Road Regional Detention Basins EA, WA, and WB located along the north side of Elliot Road between Signal Butte Road and Ellsworth Road. Remaining areas within the study that are not one of these watercourses or Basins, are proposed to become Unshaded-X Zones, which are not Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Study Documentation is pending finalization. Once it is finalized, impacted property owners will be notified. In the interim, they can review information about the study and proposed floodplains on the FCD website: https://apps.fcd.maricopa.gov/ fcdprojects/Details/71 The results will be used by the City of Mesa and the District to regulate development within the floodplains. Technical documentation for the study will be submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for updating FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps which are used to determine federal flood insurance requirements and rates. Any relevant technical information or comments can be sent to Richard Harris at 2801 W. Durango Street, P h o e n i x , A Z 8 5 0 0 9 o r Richard.Harris@maricopa.gov.

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Polaris received $1.75 million through competitive funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Grant #90ZV0134-01-00. The project will be financed with 43.75% of federal funds and 56.25% ($2.25 million) by non-governmental sources. The contents of this flyer are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

OPERATED BY

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JANUARY 23, 2022

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56TH ST.

Blandford Homes specializes in building master planned environments with a variety of amenities, parks, and charm. You’ll find the perfect community to fit your lifestyle. A STRATFORD NOW SELLING B C D E F G H

A Dramatic New Gated Community in Gilbert Vintage Collection • From the mid $500’s • 480-895-2800 Craftsman Collection • From the high $600’s • 480-988-2400 PALMA BRISA – In Ahwatukee Foothills NOW SELLING A Dramatic New Gated Community Vintage Collection • From the low $600’s • 480-641-1800 Craftsman Collection • From the high $700’s • 480-641-1800 BELMONT AT SOMERSET – Prime Gilbert Location CLOSEOUT Luxury estate homes and timeless architecture • From the low $1,000,000’s • 480-895-6300 MONTELUNA – Brand New Gated Community in the Foothills of Northeast Mesa NOW SELLING B McKellips Rd just east of the Red Mountain 202 Fwy • From the $600’s RESERVE AT RED ROCK – New Upscale Resort Community in the Foothills of Northeast Mesa COMING IN 2022 Stunning views of Red Mountain • From the $600’s TALINN AT DESERT RIDGE – SALES BEGIN EARLY IN 2022 Spectacular location at Desert Ridge ESTATES AT MANDARIN GROVE – In the Citrus Groves of NE Mesa CLOSEOUT 11 luxury single-level estate homes with 3- to 6-car garages plus optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the mid $1,000,000’s • 480-750-3000 ESTATES AT HERMOSA RANCH – In the Citrus Groves of NE Mesa CLOSEOUT 12 single-level homes on extra large homesites with 5- to 6-car garages plus optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the mid $1,000,000’s • 480-750-3000

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The Chandler Arizonian - 1.23.2022

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