The Chandler Arizonian - 2.6.2022 by Times Media Group

SPRING TRAINING IN JEOPARDY

$19M SOUGHT FROM CITY

PAGE 18

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From Uptown to Downtown, covering Chandler like the sun.

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS ................................ 3 Mental health calls rising in Chandler.

COMMUNITY............ 25

A Chandler teen suffering cancer got a big surprise.

FREE | chandlernews.com

February 6, 2022

Fiscal doomsday clock ticks for Chandler schools BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor and HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Servcies

financial doomsday clock is ticking for most school districts in Arizona and unless the Legislature acts to stop it by March 1, Chandler Unified, Kyrene and Tempe Union school districts face making a combined $88 million in immediate spending cuts before the end of the current school year.

In all, Arizona school districts face $1.2 billion in immediate cuts if the Legislature does not raise or postpone what’s called the Aggregate Expenditure Limit that dates back to the 1980s, when Arizona voters approved a spending cap for K-12 schools that the Legislature could override with a simple vote. As that harsh prospect moves closer to reality, only a few school officials in the East Valley are even talking about it, though officials in both Gilbert school districts and Kyrene School District have begun calling the looming crisis to the public’s attention.

Kyrene Board member Michelle Fahy was one of the few school officials to make note of the impending crisis as most East Valley governing boards met the last week of January. “We are going to experience devastating financial impact,” Fahy warned. “I think the number is around $17 million that we would have to cut from our existing current year budget. That means our fourth quarter budget would be reduced by $17 million. “Now, it’s important to understand that in

see SPENDING page 8

City mulls rate hikes, Laptop liberation alley pickup’s future BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

BUSINESS ................... 28 Things are just ducky for this Chandler bakery.

NEWS .............................................. 03

COMMUNITY .............................. 25 BUSINESS ..................................... 28

CLASSIFIEDS .................................. 31

ost Chandler residents who have spoken out about the proposed rate hikes for their utilities are not upset about an increase. It’s the option to end alley collection of solid waste that has received the most attention. And most people who have commented so far want to keep putting their trash in the alley and not in front of their homes. The city plans to increase the rate that homeowners and businesses pay for water and solid-waste collection starting July 1. Chandler Budget Director Matt Dunbar said even with this increase, the city will still have among the lowest utility

see UTILITIES page 12

Chandler Unified School District education technology coach Sophany Tibke hands Chandler High sophomore Abigail Hernandez her laptop while Ryland Douglas during an event held Jan. 26 as part of a pilot program aimed at ending the district’s digital divide. For a look at how it went, see page 16. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

City sees alarming rise in mental health calls The Chandler Arizonan is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Chandler. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of The Chandler Arizonan, please visit www.ChandlerNews.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION Main number 480-898-6500 | Advertising 480-898-5624 Circulation service 480-898-5641 Chandler Arizonan 1990 W. Broadway Road Tempe, AZ 85282 Publisher Steve T. Strickbine Vice President Michael Hiatt

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT 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.

BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

handler Police say the number of mental health-related calls for service has doubled since 2015 to about 2,500 a year. “It’s unbelievable,” said Councilmember Matt Orlando. “It’s scary, I mean it’s what’s happening, it’s our society today. We are growing in … teen suicides, growing in drug addictions, and alcohol addiction and just general mental health issues.” Police are not the only ones who respond to mental health calls. Orlando said the Fire Department handles a couple of thousand as well. Councilmembers were briefed on how the city responds to behavioral health issues during a work session on Jan. 27. “I knew Chandler was doing a lot of things to address mental health, but man there were a lot of services that are coming to bear from all different parts of the city,” said Vice Mayor Terry Roe. “I was super impressed.” At the end of the presentation staff made some recommendations on how to handle the increase. They are: • Create a behavioral health unit within the police department • Add a behavioral health navigator, someone who helps patients get through a complicated health care system • Embed crisis counselors in the 9-1-1 communications center • Identify training resources for city employees on signs of suicides • Partner with Chandler Unified School District and Compass Church to offer a free mental health conference focused on kids • Explore other community partnerships A lot of that will cost money the city doesn’t currently spend. Can the city afford it? “We’re going to have to,” Orlando said. “We’re going to have to find the money. I just talked to the city manager tonight, we've got some options on the table that we’re discussing. “It’s a question we keep asking, ‘Can we afford this?’ Well, can we afford not

This chart shows the steady rise in mental health calls to Chandler Police since 2015. (City of Chandler)

to do it? You saw that line. That trend line was going like this, at a 45-degree angle. Year over year it’s getting higher and higher and higher. We have to do something.” There is a price being paid now because of the increase in calls, city officials said. They’ve noticed more calls for service, residents worrying about the safety of public facilities such as parks and libraries, challenges cleaning and maintaining public facilities that are being taken over by people experiencing homelessness, more requests for blight removal and environmental cleanup near homeless camps and more cases in the courts. Chandler Fire has a two-person response team that responds to calls and requires three full-time and eight parttime employees. They provide masterslevel mental health professionals to people in need. The average time for those units to respond to a call is 13 minutes and 33 seconds. The increase in cases is also impacting the courts. Chandler Municipal Court has three treatment courts. Chandler, along with other East Valley cities are part of the Veterans’ Court. It also offers a mental health court. It recently started a new support court. In all three cases, the goal is to find out what issues are in play, address them and help people get the care they need instead of putting them into the crimi-

nal justice system. The support court is relatively new, having started in December. Chandler Police does have a Crisis Intervention Team now. Those officers get 40 hours of specialized training that focuses on reducing the risk of serious injury or death between officers and people with mental health issues during an emergency. The program has been taught in the Valley since 2004 and was expanded in 2014. CIT officers get eight hours of continuing education each year. And all Chandler officers get CIT-related training annually. Orlando said it is important for the public to know they will never send just mental health teams to an emergency situation and that there will always be trained officers present. “We’ll always send out a police officer, definitely if there is going to be violence, or an issue like that, so let’s put that to rest,” he said. Roe said he’s not surprised by the huge increase in cases, pointing out the fact that the pandemic for the past two years has stressed the mental health of many people. He said he thought the recommendations were good ideas. “We know other cities are doing like programs already, with success,” said Roe, who is a former Mesa police officer. “We want mental health folks to be treated with dignity, for their benefit and the benefit of the community.”

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Family seeks $19M from city over police chase crash BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

our members of a local television news reporter’s family last July were on their way to get some ice cream when a man in an RV fleeing police ran a red light and crashed into one of their cars. That family has now filed a claim for $19 million against the City of Chandler, claiming gross negligence by police officers. The claim alleges that Andy Ramirez Jr. and his wife Norma Ramirez suffered major injuries to multiple parts of their bodies, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones and spinal joints. Andy Ramirez, an Emmy Award-winning journalist with ABC15, was reported to have spent two weeks in a medically-induced coma as he fought for his life. A claim is a precursor to a lawsuit and often leads to one if the defendant does not settle. The City of Chandler has a policy of not talking about current litiga-

The fleeing RV collided with six vehicles after running a second of two signals on July 24, injuring six people. (Courtesy of ABC15) tion. The claim also contends that Ramirezes’ two daughters, Liana and Mia, witnessed the accident as they were driving behind their parents and that they are receiving ongoing medical care and treatment for the emotional injuries

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they sustained watching the RV t-bone their parents’ car. The Ramirez family says it will agree to settle the claim for $12 million for Andy; $6 million for Norma; and $500,000 each for Mia and Liana. Police received a call last July 24 saying

someone in a motorhome was trespassing at a vacant downtown rental home. The homeowner told police she feared it might be drug-related. The man inside the RV was later identified as Arnold Serrano and police would learn later the RV was stolen. As they tried to get his attention to talk with them, additional officers arrived and blocked off the back of the house and turned on spotlights. Serrano then retracted the extended awnings and other portions of the motorhome, started the engine and crashed through a gate, forcing officers to take cover. A police lieutenant officer fired several shots, striking the 32-year-old Serrano once. “The unidentified driver proceeded down the sidewalk thereby striking a parked pick-up truck and entered the street and struck a parked tow truck before he was able to completely get into a

see CRASH page 6

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CRASH from page 4

traffic lane and exit the neighborhood,” the claim states. The pursuit began, with officers reporting it reached speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. Serrano allegedly ran two red lights with police chasing him. After the second signal, collided with the Ramirezes’ car and others at the intersection of Dobson and Frye, according to the claim. Six cars were involved and about six people were injured, three seriously, the claim states. The claim alleges that police “aggressively attempted to pursue the motorhome at reported speeds approaching one hundred (100) miles per hour, despite posing a threat to public safety and despite the fact that Chandler PD had no information suggesting the unidentified driver posed any immediate threat or harm to public safety,” which “led directly to the erratic, panicked, aggressive driving that caused the otherwise avoidable injuries.” The claim also contends that the city is responsible because an officer’s action

Left: Arnold Serrano, shown here in a mug shot that was paper-clipped to a file, faces trial on more than a dozen charges stemming from the motorhome chase in Chandler. He was hit by one of several bullets fired at the fleeing motorhome by a Chandler officer. Right: Award-winning Chandler 15 TV news reporter Andy Ramirez has filed a claim against the City of Chandler for $19 million. (Special to SanTan Sun News) was the source or cause of the suspect’s reckless and hazardous driving. It also says officers failed to utilize reasonable care and conduct when trying to take Serrano into custody.

“The injuries and damages suffered by Claimants, as well as their related medical expenses, were caused in whole or in part by the actions and/or omissions of the City of Chandler and/or CPD and

their agents, employees and assigns involved in the motor vehicle pursuit that led to the motor vehicle collision between Claimants and Arnold Serrano on July 24, 2021,” the claim states, contending that the pursuit was unjustified. It says officers decided to engage in a high-speed pursuit without having any information that would form a reasonable belief that he posed an immediate threat to the public. And it says the behavior of Chandler police officers that night was a direct violation of department procedures and responsible for the crash that injured the Ramirez family. The claim also alleges police used excessive force by shooting at the suspect and that the city’s failure to properly train the officers ultimately is to blame for the crash. Maricopa County attorneys filed 18 counts of charges against Serrano, ranging from aggravated assault involving a deadly weapon to narcotic drug possession and use. No Chandler police officers were injured in the encounter. Serrano’s case is scheduled to go to trial in Superior Court April 7.

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Kyrene, and in every district, we’ve pretty much spent our money to buy supplies and buy materials and buy books and make repairs,” she continued. “And, so we are talking about $17 million in people for the most part. And that’s just scary to think that could happen. “The Arizona Constitution ... limits spending for school districts statewide to the 1980 spending level plus 10% adjusted for inflation,” Fahey continued. “That limit was set over 40 years ago and that’s what we’re being taken back to if this doesn’t get changed. So it’s scary to think what we might have to do in Kyrene.” There was no board discussion last Wednesday at the Tempe Union Governing Board meeting evemn though that district would need to cut $17 million as well. But district spokeswoman Megan Sterling said, "There is a plan and they are prepared for a variety of scenarios. If the Legislature does not lift the spending cap, we would have to make cuts and would focus on limiting the impact of those cuts to students.” Chandler Unified confronts the biggest spending cut among the three districts serving northern Chandler: $54 million. “If the Legislature doesn’t act, we would have to reduce our budget and eliminate any expenditures that don’t impact our student learning directly and also shift expenditures into other funds,” CUSD spokesman Terry Locke said. Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes said the district probably won’t have to make hard choices until April, but said teachers would not be sacrificed to balance the budget. “Our ultimate goal would not be to impact teachers, because we need our kids in school,” Toenjes said. State Sen. Sean Bowie, whose district covers parts of northern Chandler and Mesa, Ahwatukee and parts of Tempe, said the combined cuts facing the five school districts he represents total $177 million, with Mesa Public Schools confronting a potential $73 million hit. The impending cuts go beyond another fiscal hit that Kyrene and Tempe Union already face: Gov. Doug Ducey’s withholding of federal pandemic relief money totaling $5.2 million for Kyrene and $2.8 million for Tempe Union for

having mask mandates this school year. Though the Biden administration has demanded Ducey either release that money or return it, the governor said he’s done nothing to warrant changing his action and has asked a federal judge to bar the U.S. Treasury from taking any punitive action. While legislative panels in recent weeks have heard testimony – and voted – on issues such as whether teachers should be required to tell parents if their child confides in them they are gay and banning references to homosexuality in textbooks, the fiscal crisis facing districts has received scant attention. Democratic Rep. Jennifer Pawlik of Chandler has introduced a couple of measures, one to waive the cap for this year and another to abolish it entirely – which would require voter approval. Republicans have not brought the issue forward and may be angling for something in return first – such as voucher expansion or reenactment of the income tax cut that is now tentatively scheduled to be on the November ballot. Bowie said in a message to his constituents two weeks ago, “My worry is that some of my colleagues will demand policy changes in exchange for lifting the cap. I hope we will do the right thing and vote to raise the cap before March 1st, but it’s too early to tell.” Without action by March 1, school districts across Arizona would have to cut a total of more than $1.2 billion from their 2021-22 budgets. That translates to more than $1,300 per student than what they’ve already budgeted — a 17% drop. They will be able to collect the state and local taxes as planned. They just won’t be able to spend it all. The only thing that could avert this fiscal train wreck would be action by the Legislature, which could approve an exemption from the voter-approved aggregate expenditure limit of about $6.6 billion. But that would take a two-thirds vote. “It’s catastrophic and it would be devastating to our budget, especially since we’ve already committed contracts for the year,” Kyrene Chief Financial Officer Chris Hermann said last fall. He said if the district has to start altering spending plans in the spring “it doesn’t give you hardly any time to make adjustments.” Gubernatorial press aide C.J. Karamar-

see SPENDING page 10

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gin last fall would not commit to Ducey supporting an exemption. In his budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year, Ducey proposed a $14.25 billion spending plan that included $227 million in new K-12 funding above and behind what’s required to keep pace with enrollment growth and inflation and $127 million for higher education, including $46 million for “economy workforce initiatives’’ at the three universities to prepare students for careers in future job. Karamargin last fall noted that schools got more than $4 billion in COVID relief dollars. While those dollars are not subject to the expenditure limit, they also are one-time monies. The current problem goes back to the Aggregate Expenditure Limit that voters approved in 1980 for all K-12 spending statewide. Based on figures at that time, it is adjusted annually for inflation and student growth. What’s happening this year is largely the convergence of two unusual factors. First, the limit is always based on last year’s student numbers. Chuck Essigs, lobbyist for the Arizona Association of School Business Officials, estimates that the drop in students in public K-12 education last year, much of that due to COVID, will reduce the spending limit by about $300 million. But the bigger problem is one that the

Legislature created in seeking to provide financial help. In 2000 voters approved Proposition 301 to levy a 0.6-cent sales tax to fund education, including teacher salaries, for 20 years. And voters made those revenues exempt from the aggregate expenditure limit. With that tax expiring this year, lawmakers in 2018 agreed to a new, identical levy to pick up in July and run until 2041 to keep the money flowing without interruption. Only thing is, they never exempted what the new levy will raise from the expenditure limit. And that alone accounts for more than $632 million of money now coming in to schools – money they formerly got to spend but, legally speaking, cannot spend this year absent a legislatively approved – Chris Hermann exemption. Fahy noted that Tucson projects a $58 million spending cut would be necessary in the current school year, gutting kindergarten and after-school programs and pushing class sizes to more than 40 pupils. “If you’re a district that has a lot of special ed kids, obviously you can spend more because the formula allows you to spend more,” Essigs explained. That’s because state law provides a higher level of aid for youngsters with special needs. But that 17% hit, he said, would come to the total spending authority, “even the part of it that includes special ed students.”

It’s catastrophic and it “would be devastating to

our budget, especially since we’ve already committed contracts for the year.

”

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

UTILITIES from page 1

rates in the Valley. How much rates will be going up depends on the type of user. The city is not going to apply a flat rate hike to all customers. Instead, it is adjusting the rate hike depending on which category the user falls into: Residential, multi-family, non-residential, landscape or industrial. A city service cost study compared each of those categories to how much service do they use, and how much are they paying. Some were getting more service than they paid for while others were using less service but paying more. So, the rate hikes will vary to try and balance that out. For example, a singlefamily homeowner can expect its water bill to increase by 1.27%. Landscape users, however, will see a 5.88% increase. The last time Chandler raised its utility rates was in 2017. The city estimates the combined single-family utility bill will be $76.78 for the upcoming fiscal year (12,000 gallon usage). That is less than Scottsdale ($107.10), Tempe ($120.40), Phoenix ($148) and Mesa ($152.08). Gilbert currently charges less at $65.38. However, that town is also in the process of raising its rates and Dunbar said the increase will likely move them ahead of Chandler. Anyone who wishes to comment about the rate increase should visit: chandleraz.gov/ProposedUtilityRates. The city is gathering public comments through March. If all goes as planned, City Council will vote to raise the rates in May. Dunbar said there are a couple of reasons for raising rates. “It’s a little bit of inflation, we’ve got utility costs that are higher, chemical costs that are higher, but we also have some capital improvements that are coming up that we have to make sure when it’s time to fund those capital improvements, we can fund them,” Dunbar said. Drawing the most comments so far is a proposal to end trash collection in alleys. The city says it can save money by collecting garbage from the front of homes. The independent collection company has to pay higher insurance rates for driving their vehicles through alleys. The larger alley bins cost more money and the city has to treat them to keep rats and other animals from settling in. Those bins hold 300 gallons and are shared by two families. The bins that are

Top: This chart shows the different rate increases in different categories of utility customers face come July 1. Above: City officials say that even after the rate hike, a Chandler homeowner on average will have the second-lowest utility bill among East Valley cities. (City of Chandler) for the front of the house are smaller, holding just under 100 gallons. Most of the newer developments do not have alleys, so this is an issue that primarily impacts older neighborhoods. If the city does do away with alley service, there is a chance that land could

be returned to homeowners. However, Public Works Director John Knudson said that will depend on if there are other utility lines there or not. If there are lines for phone, electricity, cable, etc., then that would not be possible. Dunbar said that opens up a lot of is-

sues and is something the city would have to take a look at. The decision to end alley service or not would be made neighborhood by neighborhood.

see UTILITIES page 15

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

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 | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Chandler Realtor co-authors autobiographical book BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

handler real estate agent Tricia McKenna lost her eye when she was 13. She said the drinking started about a year later. “It was more of the trauma that comes with that, and, like, the fear of showing up as I am, and learning to be OK with what happened,” McKenna said. “And not letting it hold me back from my goals.” She wrote about that experience in a co-authored book titled “Lineage Speaks: Women Who Carry the Torch for Future Generations” and held a local launch of the book at her downtown Chandler office Jan. 28. “I had my first alcoholic drink a year after I lost my eye, and it kept up until, like, my late 30s,” she recalled. “There were several different seasons where I had a desire to stop, but I didn’t know how.” That changed when she embraced the 12-step programs started by Alcoholics Anonymous and later adopted by other

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Chandler Realtor Tricia McKenna launched the book in which she discusses her victory over alcoholism. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

recovery programs. “First came letting go of what other people were going to think and then really focusing on myself,” she said. McKenna said getting sober and embracing a spiritual life were the keys in turning her life around and that’s the story she wanted to share with her chapter in “Lineage Speaks.” Her story is just one of 17 in the book. Each woman contributing a chapter hit a similar theme. “It’s about changes we’re doing personally as women and mothers, in our lives, so we let that trickle effect down into our families and businesses,” McKenna said. “We’re the torch for change for our families.” She said the focus was on how these 17 women were using disruptive change to make a difference in their communities. “They are disrupting what the status quo is,” she said. McKenna said she has incorporated her spirituality into her daily life by praying and meditating. She said she relies on it in her work.

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This is McKenna’s first book. She said writing her part of it took some discipline. “Once I committed, I was committed and I needed to get the content out there,” McKenna said. “I just basically allowed myself some creative time, to reflect. I spent some time in nature, went camping and things like that. When I came home, I was like, “OK, I’m going to write for two hours tonight.” She sent her first draft off to a friend who is a professional writer. She made some suggestions to improve the structure and make the story more cohesive. The publisher then had an editor go over it and make additional suggestions. McKenna said that kind of collaboration is one of the reasons a co-authored book appealed to her. “With a co-authored book, there’s a whole professional processing system that was put in place that allows you to plug in and do the fun part, the writing part, not having to worry about the editing or the set-up of it. “I wanted to take advantage of that.” The book is available at amazon.com.

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

State reaping big bucks in taxes from pot sales

many customers new to marijuana over the past year. He noticed that recreational customers gravitate to products that are more discreet and convenient, such as edibles or vape cartridges, than marijuana flower buds. According to the Arizona Marijuana Tax Handbook, medical marijuana patients are required to pay a 5.6% sales tax, whereas recreational users pay that 5.6% sales tax and an additional 16% excise tax. The excise tax revenue is shared by community colleges, public safety, public health programs and infrastructure.

John Haugh, the CEO of Sunday Goods, which has multiple dispensaries in the Phoenix area, has noticed that medical marijuana customers spend more money than recreational users, which tracks with the statewide trend. The Department of Revenue estimated medical sales totaled more than $700 million in 2021, compared to more than $500 million in recreational sales. About 300,000 Arizonans hold medical marijuana cards, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. Sam Richard, executive director of the Arizona Dispensaries Association, said

state officials overall are permissive and flexible when it comes to regulations on marijuana, acting more as a partner in compliance rather than an enforcement agency. “That subtle mind shift is really helping in a moment where we’re all kind of figuring everything out together,” Richard said, adding that although cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, several protections are in place to protect licensed operators working in a regulated ecosystem. The association focuses on advancing legislation and regulation of the marijuana industry to protect and expose people to marijuana, or as Richard puts it, “introduce people to the Grand Cannabis State.” But the group wants to see more trust and support from policymakers. “The public trusts us to a large extent,” Richard said. “We have 25,000 employees that are actively working in the cannabis space right now in Arizona, and one of the fastest-growing industries.” Haugh said Sunday Goods wants to make the marijuana buying process less scary for new and returning customers. For example, the recently opened Tempe location includes a drive-thru window. In-store, customers can ask trained staff members about specific strains and other concerns, and browse product packaging. “We’ve really tried in our dispensaries to make you feel comfortable walking in and asking questions,” Haugh said. “And we want you to walk out with a smile and with confidence that you’re going to have the shopping experience you’re looking for.”

keep them, and they understand there’s a cost increase to it, or associated with it, but they’re fine with that,” Dunbar said. He said that most of the comments say alley service is more convenient, since they don’t have to roll a bin to the street on certain days, and that they prefer to keep the smell away from their homes. The other options the city is considering are to limit the number of times residents can take loads to the Recycling Solid Waste Collection Center or call to request bulk pickup. Under the proposed plan, residents

could take up to two loads of less than 400 pounds to the collection center each year. Any additional trips would cost them either $10 or $20.70, depending on the type of material. Each resident would be limited to only one call each year for bulk pickup. Dunbar said that 95 percent or more of Chandler residents only need that many trips each year. It’s the others who use the service often that would end up paying more. Dunbar said the city plans to phase in the increases over five years so that

residents living on tight budgets don’t get hit with them all at once. There will be three increases, spaced two years apart. The first would be this July. He said the city will look at the numbers each year and may adjust the rates as needed. The ultimate goal, he said, is to make sure that everyone is paying a fair share based on the services they use. “Since we didn’t get out of alignment overnight, we wanted to make sure that we didn’t go back to alignment overnight,” Dunbar said.

BY SARA EDWARDS Cronkite News

alking into a marijuana dispensary today, it’s hard to tell that it’s only been a year since the use of recreational marijuana was legalized in Arizona. Dispensaries that already were selling medical marijuana, which began in 2012, had to scramble to transition their stores to sell to both recreational and medical customers. Sol Flower, which has five dispensaries in metro Phoenix, was prepared for the grand shift, according to Allie Marconi, senior director of marketing for parent company Copperstate Farms. “We were prepared from the get-go and were one of the first few dispensaries to start seeing recreational shoppers,” Marconi said. “We spent the majority of last January preparing a lot of our assets and marketing communications to accommodate this shift.” The Arizona Department of Revenue reported that more than $196 million was collected in taxes from combined marijuana sales in 2021 – not including final December figures – with 22% of that total coming from recreational adult use. The department also estimated $528 million in taxable recreational sales. In addition to feeding dollars to the state, the cannabis industry employs 25,000 people and is growing quickly, according to the Arizona Dispensaries Association. Matt Pinchera, president of the Arizona cannabis company Hana, said the company’s two dispensaries have seen

UTILITIES from page 12

It would take a majority of the residents who share an alley to decide to end that service in order to save some money on their solid waste bill. If a majority want to maintain alley service, then everyone will pay more. Dunbar said 98 percent of the submitted comments have been against ending alley service. The increase is minimal, $1.61 a month. “Right now, from what we’re seeing, a majority of them would really like to

Deontay Ware, left, and Jai Washington prepare to open for the day at Sunday Goods in Tempe. Ware and Washington are "budtenders" who help customers place orders. (Hope O’Brien/Cronkite News)

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Laptops start going to grateful Chandler High students BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

handler High School students were excited to be handed a new laptop computer Jan. 26 as the school district was joined by Intel Corp. and Dell in beginning another step toward bridging its digital divide. “We finally get better access to the Internet because the other computers are slow,” said sophomore Ryland Douglas. All Chandler High students are getting a laptop courtesy of a pilot program by Chandler Unified School District, Intel and Dell. The school district bought the laptops while the tech giants are contributing $1.6 million in tech and program support. “Students are the big winners with this partnership,” said CUSD Superintendent Frank Narducci. “Learning doesn’t stop when final bell rings at the end of the day. Providing laptops and connectivity will go a long way to help us bridge the digital divide.” Students couldn’t agree more. Fellow sophomore Abigail Hernandez said those new laptops will get a workout. “Like, every day,” she said when asked how often she will use her computer. “I like to check my papers off online, so it will just make everything easier.”

Chandler High students gathered last Wednesday to get their laptops that Chandler Unified is providing through a program that includes tech support contributed by Dell and Intel. (David Minton/Staff Photographer) families that had a good WiFi signal had trouble with mom and dad working from home and their brothers and sisters also trying to log in to do their school work. And some students just did not have any access to the Internet.

Students are the big winners with this partnership, “Learning doesn’t stop when final bell rings at the end of the day. Providing laptops and connectivity will go a long way to help us bridge the digital divide.

”

– Frank Narducci

Josh Newman, Intel’s vice president of mobile innovation, said Intel has been trying to improve the access students have to computers for decades. “We kind of weren’t having the resonance that we needed to have in terms of changing learning outcomes,” Newman said. “So two years ago we kind of switched our focus … from access to learning outcomes.” School officials said it became obvious during the early days of the pandemic – when students were learning from home – that access to the Internet varied. Even

As part of this pilot program, a limited number of laptops are equipped with LTE to give the student access even if there is no WiFi signal. The district planned to hand out 200 of them and have another 100 in reserve when officials find a need. In all, school officials are handing our more than 3,600 laptops to their students and teachers. Each laptop is etched with the school district’s logo. Parents can pay $25 to protect themselves if the computer is damaged while assigned to the student.

Nearly 400 of the laptops have more processing power. Those were given to students who do more work with videos, photos or graphics. “I’m really excited to just have the oneto-one program, for every student to be on the same page,” said senior Malasia Hardy. “So there’s no, like, ‘Oh well, I can’t afford a laptop, but they can, so I’m struggling with my work more than this person.’” The CUSD Governing Board voted in October to spend $2.95 million to purchase the laptops. Intel’s Newman said he’s already heard from other districts and state officials wondering how soon they can expand the program so more students can take advantage of it. He said they are in phase one of the pilot program now with the handing out of the machines. Newman said they expect phase two to start this summer, which will be Intel and Dell defining the software and services they can add to the laptops before they are handing out again in the fall. “At that point we hope … to create a blueprint that we can take to other districts and other states and say this is how we can change and transform education.”

One Chandler High teacher says this program should help. “Literally, a world of difference, a world of difference,” said physics teacher Chaylee Chan. “We have so many students who have so much drive for their education, and know that education is going to be their biggest tool to the life they want to have and to create generational change within their families, but they don’t have access to this technology on their own.” Dean of Students Renee Clancy said the students will help take care of the laptops. They’ve created a room called “The Hub” in the school’s library. The plan is for it to develop a certified class where students will be able to address many of the tech issues their peers may encounter. Chan said she believes they will learn a lot during this pilot program. “The biggest lesson learned, I think, is going to be what do we need to supply beyond the devices,” Chan said. “The devices is a big hurdle to get over. … But it’s really only step one in a very long process.” She said a major step in that process is making sure all the staff know how to take advantage of the new laptops to enhance their lesson plans.

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Chandler cinema programmer aims for the unique BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

he owners of Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grill are mapping a strategy aimed at meeting the challenges movie theaters face today. In addition to the impact of the pandemic and government-ordered shutdowns during the last two years, movie theaters also have to worry about competition from streaming – especially as some studios are now releasing films for streaming at the same time they go up on the big screen. Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grill hired Andrea Canales to bring innovative programming to its venues in Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe. “You have to stand out, you have to be unique,” Canales said. “We pride ourselves on offering a really fun, unique experience for people. We want to make great memories happen at our locations. We find that the easiest way to do that is to play up to nostalgia, things that people really enjoy doing.”

Andrea Canales is the programmer for Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grills, which has venues in Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe. Canales, who assumed her new role earlier this month, has been doing pro-

gramming for a number of independent movie houses in the state for years.

40 Years

“We are very excited to welcome Andrea to our Majestic family,” said Craig Paschich, Majestic’s CEO. “She has deep ties to the Valley’s film community, ranging from her academic relationships to connections with everyday cinephiles, and she truly respects and can accommodate the varied interests of our cinema guests.” All three theaters feature food and drinks delivered to your seat from their grill and bar. The first major event she is planning for Majestic’s three theaters is a Valentine’s Day special with showings of “The Wedding Singer” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” She said the food will be tied to the movie to enhance the overall experience. One option also will be a “Gal-entine’s Day” screening of “Magic Mike” for single women and their friends. Canales said she still needs to get a handle on what type of programming will play well in Chandler and Gilbert.

see MAJESTIC page 19

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Cactus League on the ropes for 3rd straight year BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

pring is coming, but it appears Cactus League baseball will be delayed. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to start reporting on Valentine’s Day, but instead of peanuts and Cracker Jacks baseball fans will likely get broken hearts. A labor dispute is threatening the Cactus League season. If it delays the start, it will be the third straight year that Spring Training Season in Arizona suffered. “The Cactus League is the crown jewel of Arizona tourism,” said Kim Sabow, president and CEO of the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association. “There is most definitely a ripple effect that permeates our entire economy.” Baseball owners locked out players once the previous collective bargaining agreement expired on Dec. 2. MLB Players Association leaders have said they gave up too much in the most recent agreements and they are determined to get some of that back. The Associated Press reported that the average salary for Major League Baseball players has dropped from about $4.1 million in 2018, to $4.05 million in 2019, to $3.89 million in 2020 (based on a whole season). The median MLB salary last year was down 6% from where it was in 2017. AP says the last time salaries were this low was in 2015. Owners, however, don’t want to give up their gains. Both sides are hoping that as financial pressure builds, either in the form of missed paychecks or gate receipts, the other side will be more willing to compromise. However, for that to happen, spring training and possibly regular season games would have to be postponed. That’s not good news for people in the Valley who rely on Spring Training to bring in tourism dollars and boost the local economy. The W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University estimated the 2019 Cactus League season generated over $644 million in economic impact. That number dropped significantly in 2020 after the pandemic forced an early

Discord between team owners and the Major League Baseball players union threatens to throw a wrench into the 2022 Spring Training season, leaving venues like Sloan Field in Mesa empty for the third consecutive season after two seasons were ravaged by the pandemic. (Arizonan file photo)

end to Spring Training on March 12. The business school estimates the economic impact that shortened season fell to only $363 million that year. “The pinch we’re feeling is that we’re not able to distribute as much money out to youth sports,” said Steve Adams, the president of the Hohokams nonprofit group, which handles parking at both Mesa ballparks. “We’ve earned enough money for the past two years to basically cover our operating costs, but didn’t have any left over for youth sports,” Adams said. He said that wasn’t necessarily a problem in 2020 because most youth sports leagues were shut down by the pandemic. However, pandemic-driven limits on attendance in 2021 did hurt youth sports teams last year. Most parks limited the number of fans to about a fifth of capacity to promote social distancing.

And it appears it will be the labor issues that threaten this Cactus League season. “We have more than 2,000 volunteers who put in about 100,000 volunteer hours each year,” said Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher. Binsbacher said another shortened Spring Training season will definitely hurt the Valley’s economy. “The trickle-down effect is significant, it’s very real,” she said. “Obviously, it’s been a tough time for everyone involved.” There are 10 Cactus League stadiums that host 15 teams. Hohokam Park and Sloan Park in Mesa are home to the Oakland A’s and Chicago Cubs, respectively. The Los Angeles Angels call Tempe’s Diablo Stadium home. There are two ballparks in Scottsdale, Salt River Fields is the home to the Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies. The San Francisco Giants train at Scotts-

dale Stadium. The Milwaukee Brewers call Maryvale home. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox train in Phoenix. The two Ohio teams, the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds, set up shop in Goodyear. The Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres are based in Peoria and the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals play in Surprise. Sabow, the head of the state’s tourism association, pointed out the ASU study found that six out of 10 fans attending Cactus League games came from out of state. It also found that a third of them travel to other parts of Arizona. “I want to emphasize, we remain optimistic,” Sabow said. “When a decision is reached, this industry is ready to welcome everybody back. We’re looking forward to a 2022 Cactus League season. It would be devastating for the local economy if there isn’t one.” She’s not the only one remaining optimistic. “We’re definitely hopeful,” said Binsbacher, the Cactus League executive director. “We’re not part of those conversation, but we’re watching it closely.”

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

MAJESTIC from page 17

She said they rely on the people who work at each location for some ideas, but also get a lot of ideas from patrons themselves through Majestic’s social media platforms. “It’s really listening to people on what they want,” Canales said. “Watching trends and patterns, and being a really keen observer of society and culture.” Since she’s only been on the job a few weeks, she said she doesn’t quite know what those audiences are looking for. “In Chandler and Gilbert, we’re doing a little experimenting to find out what is going to be the next consistent series for these locations,” she said. “We know there are movie lovers out here, we just have to find out what they want to see.” Majestic to a degree has the Tempe audience figured out. One popular program Majestic has at its Tempe venue is a themed scary movie night. On Feb. 2, they planned a night of original sequels for the date 2-2-22. So Majestic will show the second film in a series such as “Friday the 13th” or “Halloween.”

have to stand out, “youYouhave to be unique,

The lobby of Majestic’s Chandler venue creates a welcoming atmosphere for patrons. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Canales said if Majestic continues to focus on giving people something unique, the owners won’t have to worry

about competition. “People aren’t always looking for convenience,” she said. “They want to make

we pride ourselves on offering a really fun, unique experience for people. We want to make great memories happen at our locations. We find that the easiest way to do that is to play up to nostalgia, things that people really enjoy doing.

”

– Andrea Canales

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Panel defeats partisan school board races bill BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

tate senators on Tuesday quashed legislation designed to ensure that parents and others can protest outside school board meetings without fear of arrest. SB 1010 was killed on a 4-4 vote as Sen. Tyler Pace, R-Mesa, sided with the three Democrats on the Senate Education Committee who were opposed to the measure. But what apparently killed the legislation was not so much the questions about protest rights but a bid by its sponsor, Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, to also convert all future school board races to partisan affairs. She said that is designed to address a problem with the current system. “I’m not sure that parents know exactly what these school board members believe, what they think,’’ she said. And Ugenti-Rita said candidates having an “R,” “D” or whatever behind their names

will make a difference. “Having to identify yourself with your party helps communicate to a potential voter where you stand,’’ she said. “And that voter can ask questions.’’ Pace, who has on occasion balked at toeing the party line, said that is based on the faulty assumption that those who are registered Republican, as he is, will all vote the same. Tuesday’s vote, however, may not be the end of the issue of protecting protest rights. Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Phoenix, said she recognizes that parents and others have been abused by school boards who want to keep protesters far away. “I, too, have been relegated to street corners,’’ she said. And Marsh indicated that she would support a resurrected version of the measure – one without changing how school board elections are conducted. Ugenti-Rita wants an exemption from state laws that make it a crime to interfere with operation of an educational institution if people are engaged in

“peaceful protesting after school hours.’’ It also spells out that those who want to protest do not have to first obtain a permit or any other permission from the local school board. The vote by the Senate Education Committee comes amid heightened tensions both in Arizona and nationally as school boards debate controversial issues ranging from masking and remote learning to teaching of what some refer to as “critical race theory.’’ That has at times resulted in protests by parents unhappy with the decisions being made by board members. Ugenti-Rita said there have been situations where school boards call police to have protesters removed from the campus. A Phoenix man was arrested last summer after becoming unruly during a Chandler Unified Governing Board meeting. “So we were not allowed to protest on the property,’’ she told colleagues. And that, Ugenti-Rita said, undermines the reason for turning out in the first place.

“The whole point is that they see you, we make some eye contact, they read the sign that I made with my daughter, which is why my whole kitchen is full of glitter,’’ she said. “I want you to know that I’m there, I want you to see me, I want you to see the numbers.’’ And the issue, said Ugenti-Rita, is not academic. “I’ve experienced it,’’ she said. “They call the cops,’’ Ugenti-Rita continued. And the whole ability of school boards to kick protesters off of property “gets weaponized and gets used as a tool.’’ Other lawmakers said it’s not that simple, what with issues of liability to the district if something happens on school property. Marsh suggested that one option would be to require those who want to protest on campus to get a permit and get insurance, just like anyone else who wants to have an event on school property. But Ugenti-Rita said protests often

The name may change to “portrait of a learner,” Nance said, because district officials want to look at performance at all grade levels, not just the latter years. But the goal is the same: Over the next four months they will look for ways to help CUSD students be better prepared for the world they will enter once they graduate. And it’s looking like a world where robots are doing many of the jobs people do today. Superintendent Frank Narducci said the core mission will remain the same for CUSD, making sure students read, write and do math. But they want to find what other skills they will need and how can the district better prepare them. In this process they are calling those competencies and the goal is to reach a consensus on seven for CUSD. The district is partnering with a nonprofit, Battelle for Kids, to do this project. Valerie Greenhill, a vice president at Battelle, said each district comes up with something a little different. “Every community tackles those questions

a little differently because every community is different,” Greenhill said. “There are some competencies that we see more often, but I have not seen two that are identical yet.” Critical thinking would be one that is quite common. Greenhill said one that she is starting to see more and more lately is empathy. To figure that what the seven competencies will be for CUSD, Nance is putting together a group of 100 people that will meet four times over the next four months. They will comprise 40 people who are in the district, 40 people who are outside of it, and 20 current students. The outsiders will come from a variety of backgrounds, including the faith community, business, higher education, social service agencies, and policy makers. The insiders will include educators, families, school leaders and district leaders and the school board. Nance said they’ve already started selecting the 100

see BOARD page 23

CUSD aims to prepare for a robot future BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

fficials played a three-minute video at a recent Chandler Unified School District Governing Board meeting titled” he Future of Work.” It showed houses being built, cars being driven, cows being milked, packages being delivered and fields being plowed. What it did not show were any people doing those jobs. The video also spoke about how robots are moving into new fields. The Washington Post’s robot reporter wrote 850 stories last year. The video claims an artificial intelligence program is a better therapist than a human one. Another claim is that robotic surgeons are more accurate than even the most skilled doctors. And techs are working on AI programs to replace human lawyers. “The first time we’ve seen it, and we worked with people who we’re showing this video of future jobs, most of the

Chandler Unified officials say that with the coming dominance of robots in the workforce, today's high school graduate requires skills that can be useful to earn a living. (Special to the Arizonan)

people in the room said, ‘This is scary, are we ready?’” said Dr. Wendy Nance, district assistant superintendent. Nance showed the video as part of her presentation on the portrait of a graduate.

see PORTRAIT page 23

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Around Chandler Construction begins on 420 apartment homes on Frye

Construction has begun for a 420-unit apartment complex on Frye Road and Ellis Street that will be called Town Chandler. The developer, The Related Group, says the first units should be available to rent in the summer of 2023. The project calls for outdoor spaces, amenities, and an upscale mid-century modern design. The developer is billing them as luxury homes.

Chandler plans family �ishing for Feb. 12 at Veterans Oasis

The City of Chandler is offering a family fishing clinic from 8 a.m. until noon on Feb. 12 at Veterans Oasis Park. Fishing experts will be on hand to help beginners learn how to rig a rod and cast. Register at chandleraz.gov/registration.

City starts Good Neighbor program with series of classes Feb. 9

The City of Chandler is starting its Good Neighbor program, where residents can learn about the services and

This is a rendering of Town Chandler, a 520-unit apartment building going up at Frye Road and Ellis Street. (Special to the Arizonan) programs that impact their neighborhoods. It’s a series of four classes. The first is 5 p.m. Feb. 9 and focuses on code enforcement. Following classes will look at public safety, solid waste and water conservation and the final session on community resources.

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The classes take place in the Cooper Room of the downtown library. Registration is required to attend. Sign up at chandleraz.gov/registration.

Mayor's State of City address to include concert, art contest

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 (QViolin). Attendees will enjoy a sampling of local food and beverages. 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. The speech will be available on demand 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.

Chandler Innovation Fair scheduled for Feb. 19

This year’s Chandler Innovation Fair is

see AROUND page 22

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AROUND from page 21

engineering from Arizona State University. Olsson is a nationally recognized engineering firm offering design and consulting services in planning and design, engineering, field services, environmental and technology.

scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 19 in downtown Chandler. The event showcases businesses, artists, students, and innovators in the community. The city is participating in the Arizona SciTech Festival. Chandler students and organizations were invited to participate in the annual Chandler Science Spectacular Competition. Six winning teams will be awarded $500 each.

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. 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 480821-1108.

Chandler Sports Hall of Fame plans induction ceremony

Coming soon: a better Valley.

At 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at Hamilton High School Auditorium, the accomplishments of seven athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators will be celebrated at the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony and luncheon. Inductees include: Dr. Camille Casteel, former Chandler Unified School District superintendent, tennis coach Phil Gonzales, basketball coach Greg Haagsma, football players Cole Luke and N’Keal Harry, basketball player Markus Howard, and softball player Sierra Rodriguez. Tickets are $15. Lunch to follow. Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/chandler-sportshall-of-fame-induction-ceremony-andluncheon-tickets-250307154437

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Cajun Festival a highlight in Chandler this month

Adam Larson, an associate engineer at Olsson’s Chandler location, recently passed the standardized required exams and earned his professional engineer certification. To earn professional engineer certification, an individual must complete four years of professional experience under a licensed mentor and pass an exam. Larsen is a member of Olsson’s Arizona Water and Transportation team and specializes in bridge design and helps with structural and roadway projects, both designing and using computer-aid10 143 ed design. 17 He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil

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. 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 AriUniversity Dr zona charities.

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

BOARD from page 20

happen on short notice, such as after parents see a particular item on a school board agenda and then reach out to oth-

PORTRAIT from page 20

and invitations for the first meeting will go out by the first week of February. So what will the jobs of the future look like? “I don’t know if we know what they’re going to look like,” Nance said. “Some are obviously going to have to be in the technology world.” “I think that’s the whole point of this, it’s about the learning process, not necessarily the content because it changes so fast,” said Colleen Flannery, the district’s director of technology services. The first meeting will focus on how the world has changed and the implications for students. The topic of the second meeting is a discussion on the competencies students will need to thrive today and tomorrow. The third meeting plans to identify and contextualize the competencies that

ers to express their opposition. “The whole point of spontaneous protest is it’s spontaneous,’’ said Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale. should be a shared, local vision for our community’s portrait. The final meeting in May focuses on how to make what they envision for future students a reality. As part of this new plan, the district hopes to give them skills that will better prepare them for the future. They include critical thinking, adaptability, growth mindset and empathy. Nance said during her presentation that CUSD wants to help students be ready when it’s time for them to make a choice after graduating high school. Do they enroll in higher learning? Join the working force and skip college? Or enlist in the military? When they get there, they may find robots teaching college courses, or unclogging drains or repairing HVAC units, or even fighting the nation’s wars. CUSD officials are hoping this process will prepare students for whatever the world looks like 20 years from now.

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Marsh, for her part, remained unconvinced. And at least part of that is based on what is considered “peaceful’’ and automatically allowed. As crafted, SB 1010 says a protest is peaceful if it does “not pose an obvious threat to persons,’’ does not damage property, and does not interfere with or disrupt activities on school property where a school board or other meeting is taking place. “Who defines ‘peaceful’?’’ Marsh asked. Ugenti-Rita conceded that there

is no good hard-and-fast line. “You kind of know it when you see it,’’ she responded. The real heartburn for some lawmakers was over partisan elections. “ ‘Partisanship’ shouldn’t be a dirty word,’’ Ugenti-Rita said. But Sen. T.J. Shope, R-Phoenix, pointed to the 12 years he served on the Coolidge school board. He said had elections been partisan affairs it is unlikely that the community, with its Democratic edge, would ever have supported him.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Mesa Temple already setting stage for Easter BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

fter a two-year hiatus, the popular Easter Pageant at the Mesa Arizona Temple is returning in April in such a big way that preparations already are underway. During the second week of January, a 50-ton crane placed six 55-foot light towers and since then, other cranes have been used to help erect the 45-foot-tall – or four-story – stage for the free show, which will be presented at 8 p.m. April 6-9 and April 12-16. Even though Lent won’t begin for another month, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a big reason for laying the groundwork for a pageant that dates back to 1938, when it was a modest sunrise service that gradually evolved into an evening event beginning in 1977. “This is a very different production from its humble beginnings as a sunrise service in 1938,” said Jill Adair, communications director for Mesa Temple events. “On that Easter morning, young men and women of the Mesa Maricopa Stake hosted a statewide convention, and the culminating event of this festive weekend was an Easter Sunrise Service on the grounds of the temple. From that time on, it became an annual event and a beloved community tradition, moving from sunrise to an evening production in 1977.” Canceled the last two years while the temple and its grounds underwent an exhaustive renovation, the pageant promises to be bigger – no small feat for what church spokeswoman Jennifer Wheeler said is already recognized as the world’s largest annual outdoor Easter pageant, drawing tens of thousands of people. Some aspects of the show remain unchanged. There is still a cast of about 400 men, women and children presenting the life of Jesus Christ. They’ll be wearing the same costumes others have worn in past presentations. But organizers also are adding a number of new features – some of which they are keeping under wraps for now. Indeed, among the upgrades is a new script and score written by writer-composer Rob Gardner, a Gilbert resident

Although West wasn’t certain of the light towers’ weight, he said they were heavy enough to require the 50-ton crane. Besides the four light towers resting in the “bowl,” two more will stand at the north and south ends of the stage – a gift from another temple in Utah. “Those are improvements over what we had,” West said. “We had light towers before that were actually affixed to the stage… So that helps us to have light that we can project out into the crowd or even more back onto the stage – either way.” The stage itself “is sort of a hybrid of the old and new” and has been reconfigured so that there’s more surface area for the A 50-ton crane earlier this month helped put in place six four-story light towers around what will be the stage cast. Parts of that stage for the Mesa Arizona Temple’s celebrated Easter Pageant in April. (Photo by Richard Webb) were made by Gallagher Staging and Manufacturwho has written and directed a number year,” added West, who has been ining in California while other of works for stage and screen and most volved with the pageant for 10 years. parts are stored in a giant warehouse on recently directed the movie “Lamb of God “We’ve been designing the props for the Southern Avenue in Mesa. last couple of months.” – The Concert Film.” The stage was new enough that in 2019, He said the next month will give stage it was set up and given a trial run before He and pageant creative director Jenee Prince were in England last weekend to managers a chance to work with the props landscaping was completed “so that we record the new score with the London so that scenes change flawlessly. could make sure we had the right loca“All of that is going to be happening for tions” for massive concrete footings that Symphony Orchestra. “It’s been an intense last few months about four weeks before the actual per- had to be poured,” West explained. taking on the weighty task of writing a formers come and begin to rehearse,” he The steel foundations are bolted to new soundtrack for the Easter Pageant,” said. those footings, the biggest of which have “We have local volunteers who help us specially developed trays for dirt and Gardner said. “But the writing is done and I’m excited to record with the London install the speakers and monitor the sound grass that are used when the stage is disSymphony Orchestra. Making music with and the lights,” West said. “But we also have mantled, hiding most of the concrete. them is always a thrilling experience, they professionals who come and are actually As for the content of the presentation bring such artistry and power to every- employees of the church who help us.” itself, West said “90% of it is drawn from “But with the updating of the script and the King James Version of the Bible.” thing they perform.” Local singers and narrators will be re- the score, that’s also required some slight “With any production,” he added, “you have modifications to some of the lighting and to take some liberties because you have to corded here. This week, work is getting underway on the sound system.” make things transition (on stage), but we’ve West, Easter Pageant Committee Chair- tried very diligently to make this so that it has props and their operation – an area that Steve West, Temple Events Committee execu- man Matt Riggs and about 100 volunteers appeal to a wide Christian audience.” tive director, wasn’t about to discuss in detail. also have been busy with the arduous task And that goes right to the purpose of But he hinted that whatever in store will of finishing up the stage – which will now why organizers go through all this work, amaze audiences. “I can’t give away too be on the temple’s east side, facing the re- said Prince, explaining, “Our purpose is to much,” West said. “We want to premier done temple grounds where 9,000 folding bring others closer to the Savior. We want chairs will be set out for pageant specta- others to get to know Him, to feel His love this and be new to the world.” “Essentially, it’s a little different this tors at 525 E. Main St. and to feel more hope and peace.” ■

COMMUNITY

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Chandler cancer victim, 16, gets a big surprise BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

ulia Mitchell, a then 15-year-old south Chandler resident, looks into the camera without and hair on her head. She seems fearless, looking into the camera. However, right before her big announcement her eyes look away. “I have a bone cancer, which is called Ewing sarcoma,” she says in her first YouTube video documenting her journey in fighting cancer. “I have a tumor, a 6-inch tumor, in my right hip.” Her first video has been watched more than 20,000 times. And some of those viewers were likely among those who came out on Jan. 20 to help the high school sophomore celebrate her 16th birthday. Julia’s family planned a drive-by parade in front of their house. They set up a big easy chair for Julia to sit in and made sure she had a blanket to stay warm. Julia attended Basha High School last year, but switched to Chandler Online Academy after being diagnosed in August. She has since taken a break from

Cancer survivor Julia Mitchell was surprised with a new Volkswagen Beetle for her 16th birthday during a birthday parade in her honor in front of her Chandler home Jan. 20. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

her studies to focus on her health. Hundreds of cars drove past, with many of their drivers shouting happy birthday. The parade included Chandler Fire and Police vehicles, a Lamborghini, classic Mustangs, Corvettes and even the

more common Hyundais and Hondas seen every day on the road. The line was long and just kept coming. One family member guessed there had to be more than 400 vehicles. “We are so thankful for everybody’s

support, and prayers and encouragement to get through this,” mom Wendy Mitchell said. “I don’t think people can do this on their own. It’s too much.” The idea was suggested in a Facebook group called Julia’s Journey. That’s where many of the people learned of it. One car stood out from the rest – a light blue Volkswagen Beatle. What made it special is that it was the car the community bought it for Julia as a birthday present. “I was not expecting that at all,” Julia said. “I thought there’d be, like, 10, 20 cars driving by and saying ‘happy birthday.’ Sandra Row donated $5,000 toward the new car. Others in the community chipped in an additional $1,800, Wendy said. Van’s Chevrolet then contributed the rest so Julia had her own car. Julia doesn’t have her license yet, so she can’t drive it for a while. She plans to get her license once she can walk again after recovering from hip surgery. In her videos, she’s honest about the process she is going through. She talks of her anxiety attacks, having to cut her

see CANCER page 26

Chandler students compete in district spelling bee ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

aking the stage before a crowd of family members, teachers and principals from their schools, 41 Chandler elementary and middle school students competed at a district spelling bee last month at Chandler Center for the Arts. Nethra Chintaboina Ramprasad, an eighth grader at Basha Accelerated Middle School, won the championship after 15 rounds by correctly spelling “perpendicular.” Nethra won a trophy and bookstore gift card by Assistance League of East Valley, which co-sponsored the event with Chandler Unified School District. She and 10 semi-finalists will go on to

compete at the Maricopa Region 6 spelling bee on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center. From there, winners from each region will progress to the state contest on March 19, hoping to represent Arizona at the televised Scripps National Spelling Bee in June. LaVar Burton is this year’s host. Chandler semi-finalists, each of whom also received a trophy and gift card from Assistance League, are Aadi Rao of Arizona College Prep Middle School, Raania Khan of Chandler Traditional Academy Liberty campus, Owen Leo of Bogle JuNethra Chintaboina Ramprasad, a Basha Accelerated Middle School student, won the Region 6 spelling bee last month. (Special to the Arizonan)

nior High, Maria Parada Ortega of Carlson Elementary, Josh Ronsayro of Basha Elementary, Shree Thailikar of Chandler Traditional Academy Independence campus, Zoya Siddiqui of Hancock Elementary, Chloe Passno of Haley Elementary, Manha Hossain of Knox Gifted Academy and Everett Casper of Weinberg Gifted Academy. Assistance League of East Valley is an all-volunteer organization which provides nearly 10,000 elementary students and homeless teens with new school clothing, uniforms, shoes and hygiene items each year. Major source of funding is their thrift shop at 2326 N. Alma School Road, Chandler. Information:assistanceleague.org/ east-valley.

COMMUNITY

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Chandler boxer’s family recalls him outside the ring BY CHARLOTTE CANADA Arizonan Contributor

he children of hometown boxing hero Zora Folley spoke fondly of their late father at an event at the Chandler Museum last month as the exhibition . “Bigger Than Boxing: Zora Folley and the 1967 Heavyweight Title” winds down. With the last day of the months-long exhibit slated Feb. 13, Folley’s children gathered to discuss the man outside the boxing ring. The exhibition, which opened in March 2020, is framed around the 1967 World Boxing Association heavyweight tournament fight between Folley and Muhammad Ali, but also explores the greater social context around the fight including the civil rights movement and Vietnam War. Mary Bell Folley Griffin, one of the late boxer’s daughters, said her father was “lots of fun.” My dad was a jokester,” she explained. His niece, JoAnn Williams, also described

Zora Folley lost the world heavyweight tournament in 1967 to Muhamman Ali but gained the legendary boxer’s respect, according to Folley’s family. (Arizonan file photo) him as “kind and generous and very humble.” Folley loved children and had nine of

his own. “He’d tell my mom he wanted a football team of kids,” Griffin recalled. Folley’s humble and soft-spoken nature distinguished him from boxers of his era, according to the exhibition. His fight with Muhammad Ali, who was known for his larger than life persona, was punctuated by their differences in temperament. Although Folley lost, he won Ali’s respect. “My dad was the first one who would call him ‘Ali,’” Griffin said. Muhammad Ali famously changed his name from Cassius Clay in 1964 after converting to Islam, but many in the sports world and the press refused to refer to him by his new name. “My dad always said ‘you respect everyone but you demand respect back,’” Griffin said. Folley’s children and relatives contributed heavily to the exhibition. According to Nate Meyers, Chandler Museum collection coordinator, they

donated photos, loaned items that belonged to Folley, reviewed museum content, and contributed their stories to the museum’s historical collection. One event remain in the series of closing celebrations that the Chandler Museum held in recent weeks for “Bigger than Boxing.” “Fight Like Folley,” 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, includes a short tour of the “Bigger than Boxing” exhibition before an intensive one-hour cardio and boxing class presented by Title Boxing Club Ahwatukee. The event is free and free and open to the public. Registration is recommended but not required. After “Bigger than Boxing’’ closes on Feb. 13, the Chandler Museum will be debuting its next exhibition “Picturing Home: Dust Bowl Migrants in Chandler” on March 8. It will examine Chandler during the Great Depression through a series of unique black and white photographs. Find out more by visiting the Chandler Museum website or by calling 480-782-2717.

Left: Julia’s mother, Wendy Mitchell, explained that the community and Van’s Chevrolet bought her the Volkswagen Beetle for her 16th birthday. (David Minton/Staff Photographer) Right: Julia Mitchell checks out her surprise present on her 16th birthday during a birthday parade outside her Chandler home. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

CANCER from page 25

hair, the bags under her eyes and the crying she’s done. Julia starts off her second video warning viewers if they don’t like to hearing about vomit, they should stop watching. She describes undergoing six rounds of

chemo as part of her treatment before she had surgery last month. She said she started doing the videos to raise awareness among people her age, saying that she had never heard of chemo before she was diagnosed. Julia said she had a hard time dealing with the diagnosis over the summer.

“I was in disbelief for a very long time,” she said. “It’s still kind of hard to cope with.” She said she’s heard from many other young people who are going through the same experience and that motivates her. Julia says in one video that if she can help just one person better understand what they’re about to go through, it

would be worth it. “I feel like not many people know about this – or not enough, at least,” Julia said. “I’m really proud of her,” mom Wendy said. “I know she’s strong. She started doing the videos to raise awareness, it really blows my mind. I’m so thankful to be her mom.”

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

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BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Business is just ducky for Chandler donut bakery BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

t might be an oversimplification to say the reason that there is a Duck Donuts franchise in Arizona because of a wife’s craving during pregnancy. But it’s not far from the truth. Daniel Bruno said he and his wife fell in love with the North Carolina-based donuts franchise while vacationing in the Outer Banks. During his wife’s first pregnancy, she got a craving for something sweet and sent her husband out to find something. “So, I went out, in the town of Duck, and I was asking people, ‘Hey, my wife’s pregnant, could you suggest something.’ ‘Get her Duck Donuts.’ ‘What’s that?’ ‘You smell that in the air, follow your nose.’” He did – and brought his wife a Duck Dozen. Fast forward a few years and the Brunos are living in Arizona and expecting their second child. “She’s having cravings one night, ‘I

Duck Donuts owner Daniel Bruno displays some of his fare at his Ocotillo bakery.

(David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

want Duck Donuts.’ Man, we’re living in Arizona, it’s not happening, so she’s like,

‘figure it out!’” And that is how the first Duck Donuts lo-

cation in Arizona came to Chandler, one of more than 100 franchises across the nation. Duck Donuts is different from traditional bakeries. Instead making their donuts with yeast-based dough that takes a while to rise, they use white cake dough. Also, they don’t have a case filled with donuts that were made an hour or two before. They are made to order, which requires customers to wait unless they call in their orders or use their loyalty app to order in advance. It has gained a lot of fans. The Chandler franchise just celebrated its 2-year anniversary with a party and about 200 people showed up. Bruno opened at Arizona Avenue and Ocotillo in late January of 2020, also known as the time before COVID-19 shut down the world. He had a new franchise most people had not heard of before and large chunks of the population afraid to

see DUCK page 30

Chandler woman gives birth to her retail dream BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

rin Dragoo made it out of school before COVID-19 hit. With a degree from Arizona State University’s Cronkite School of Journalism, the Chandler woman had her sights set on a career in web design and social media studies. But she also helped out at her mother-in-law’s 4-year-old Ocotillo boutique called Judy Wear. That experience gave her the retailer bug – and that itch blossomed last week into the grand opening of her own store, Lunch Money at 2430 S. Gilbert Road, Chandler. The store reflects a certain nostalgia that Dragoo has to the 1990s. Though born in 1990, she explained, “Fanny packs, baby tees, butterfly clips, oversized scrunchies, chokers, printed leg-

Erin Dragoo last week cut the ribbon at the grand opening of her new Chandler store, called Lunch Money. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

gings – it just brings back some nostalgia for me.”

Hence, she said her “entire store is curated” with an inventory that “took me

three months of heavy research and online shopping.” “It’s carefully selected to ensure that everything goes together, that everything is fun, that nothing is basic or ordinary,” Dragoo explained, stating that she also looks for handmade items to sell because “they make the most unique gifts for both the people we love and ourselves.” So, Lunch Money brims with a variety of handmade wares: clay and resin earrings and hair clips, concrete phone holders, photo holders and soap dishes, hand-mixed confetti packets, candles, hand-painted blankets, sage bundles and incense burners, resin bottle openers and wine glass holders, dried flower arrangements, wood flowers and wall hangings, paper machè bowls and animal head wall hangings “and some really

see LUNCH page 29

BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

LUNCH from page 28

cool art prints.” “I will say that I’m very picky,” Dragoo said. “I’ve had a few artists approach me about carrying their product and I’ve turned them down because it doesn’t go with the Lunch Money vibe. Of course, I also carry bigger brands like ban.do and Erin Condren because I have always loved their products, and I never dreamed that I would be able to sell them.” There are also tarot cards, funny greeting cards, planners and “so many cute gift items.” Dragoo’s playful approach – reflected even in her grand opening last week, when she cut a ribbon with giant pink scissors – also extends to the way she decorated Lunch Money: wild blackand-white floor tile, bright green walls and a flower wall for selfies. A Tucson native who has lived in Chandler for more than 10 years, Dragoo makes no secret of how working in Judy Wear at 950 E. Riggs Road for more than three years only deepened her desire to run her own shop. “I began by helping her build her logo and brand identity,” she recalled. “Then

happy place.” After working there so long, she said, “I was just starting to feel a little unfulfilled.” “I wanted something that resembled me, something all my own. My close friend, Alisa Moreno, sent me the Instagram page for a tiny little shop Erin Dragoo decorated and styocked her new store, called Lunch Money, in an in San Diego called eclectic way that to some degree reﬂects her nostalgia for the 1990s. (David Simon Limon, Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer) owned by AlexanI created her website and became her dra Scarlett Perez social media girl, posting every day for Demma, and I just fell in love. I was inthree years. But somewhere in there, I spired. I wanted my own Simon Limon. decided that I wanted to be a bigger part So I just decided to go for it.” of her shop, so I also became the jewelAs for the store’s name, that also is ry buyer. And I found that I loved doing somewhat nostalgic for Dragoo. that, more than I loved building web“When I was in high school, my mom sites and creating social media content. would give me $20 at the beginning of “I loved creating the displays and find- each week for lunch and expect that it ing different ways to show off our prod- would last until Friday,” she explained. uct. I would find myself going to Judy “I never did use that money to buy Wear Boutique after hours just to change lunch. Instead, I would take it to the mall everything up. It was my play time, my and spend it on little knick knacks and

clothes. That brought me so much more joy than eating lunch ever did. So, my store sells everything that I would want to spend my lunch money on. It’s a compilation of everything that I love.” Now that she has opened, Dragoo has an interesting take on competition. “I’m not nervous about competing with the big chain stores,” she said. “I love the big chain stores. I think that just being a small business is a competitive edge in itself. I have found that more people want to support local businesses than chain stores as long as they provide the right product and excellent customer service. And I know that I have both of those going for me. “I’m also confident in the uniqueness of my products, like the handmade earrings and other goodies — you won’t see that at Target or any of the department stores. Also, Lunch Money is an experience. It’s almost sensory overload. It’s an absolute joy to come into my store; it’s more than just shopping. …Everything is bright and fun. Customers will always see me when they walk in and we’ll get to know each other, making it a much more intimate shopping experience.” Information: lunchmoneyaz.com, 480622-4220.

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BUSINESS

DUCK from page 28

eat out because of the pandemic. It wasn’t the best time to start a new business but the Arizona State University grad found a way to thrive. “We had to come up with some ideas, and I did,” Bruno said. “I visited all the neighborhoods within like five to 15 miles from here, … making friends with all the HOAs.” Bruno partnered with a coffee business and would bring their products to each HOA meeting to sell. That helped

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

him grow his brand and business. “Doing that, and individually packing donuts, that’s what saved us,” Bruno said. “Literally.” Bruno said patrons will notice a totally different experience at his store than traditional donut shops. “From the moment you walk in, we have our kitchen up front, our fryers are up front, all our batter-making is up front,” Bruno said.” We only have one style donuts, that’s it, the vanilla

cake donut. Then we just change out all the different coatings, the toppings, the drizzles. And you can pick from all the different various assortments we make.” He also offers seasonal menus. For example, he will be selling Valentines Day donuts. And since each donut is made to order, a customer can build their own. “Knowing it’s being made right in front of you, is the coolest thing ever,” Bruno said. “That’s totally what attracted me into the brand itself.”

He’s such a believer that as more Arizonans learn about Duck Donuts and become fans, he is preparing to open a second location by the end of this year, this one in Queen Creek. Bruno’s children are now 5 and 3. He said being a donut dad makes him one of the coolest fathers ever. “I’m behind the pizza guy and the police officer at school, but I’m in the top five.” Information: 4040 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler; duckdonuts.olo.com; 480-350-7763

which eliminates the need to buy and fumble with small batteries. Most modern-day hearing aids can also connect to Bluetooth, Fynes said, and many offer streaming from other devices; this means people can listen to television, music, audiobooks and telephone calls with greater ease. In addition, hearing aids now often come with an app, which allows the wearer to easily make small adjustments to the device. “Hearing aids are definitely not just for old people,” Fynes said. In addition to featuring a number of hearing aid options for their clients, Fynes

and audiologist Roger Knighton conduct comprehensive hearing diagnostic tests for hearing loss and tinnitus, and they also offer custom earplugs and earbuds. “We work with our clients to help them decide which options are best for them,” she said. Fynes opened Fynes Audiology in Mesa 18 years ago. Since then, she has helped countless clients regain the confidence and security that comes with being able to hear well. “We are small and locally-owned and are not a chain, and we are not owned by a manufacturer of hearing aids,” Fynes said. “We do what is best for our clients,

and because we are small we can offer a more personal experience.” Fynes said she and Knighton enjoy getting to know their clients, and will spend time chatting about their families in addition to their hearing issues. “We know who is having grandchildren, and who has kids who are graduating, and who has a special birthday coming up,” Fynes said, adding that she and Knighton have been delighted by the steady increase in both patient and professional referrals. Fynes Audiology is located at 2058 S. Dobson Road, Mesa. Information: 480456-0176 or fynesaudiology.com.

Fynes Audiology offers hearing issues help BY ALISON STANTON Arizonan Contributor

eople who are dealing with a hearing loss are sometimes reluctant to get a hearing aid, because they envision the large and uncomfortable devices their grandparents used to wear. As Dr. Cassandra Fynes, owner of the fullservice audiology clinic Fynes Audiology noted, hearing aids have come a long way. “Today’s technology is getting smaller all of the time and more discreet,” she said, adding that current hearing devices also include rechargeable batteries,

Common purpose drew 4 alumni to same Gilbert firm ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

hey attended the University of Wisconsin at different times, but have ended up working at the same Gilbert company, drawn by its commitment to reduce – if not eliminate –the use of single-use plastic packaging. And now, Jorgen Hamann, Brandon Moore, Collin Euteneuer and Roder Connell have embraced the ecological mission of Footprint, a molded fiber company occupying a 135,000-square-foot building near Baseline Road and Hobson Street that develops and manufactures eco-friendly packaging. Headquartered in Gilbert, Footprint said its products have already led to a global redirection of 61 million pounds of plastic waste from entering the air, earth, and water working with leading global consumer brands like Walmart and Conagra.

Roder Connell

Jorgen Hamann

The four University of Wisconsin grads all went to its Stout campus, where close to 10,000 students are enrolled in what has been called that state’s polytechnic university. Hamann (Class of 2018) is a packaging engineer who lives in Tempe; Moore (Class of 1996) is vice president of design and lives in Mesa; Euteneuer (Class of 2015) is sales director and lives in

Brandon Moore

Collin Euteneuer

Chandler; and Connell (Class of 2019), a Gilbert resident, is a platform engineer. All four men reflect a commitment to Footprint’s determination to reduce the disastrous impact plastic has had on human and environmental health. “Together, these UW-Stout alumni are fighting it head on by designing, engineering, and manufacturing plant-based fiber containers, bowls and trays that re-

place short-term use plastic,” a company spokeswoman said. Connell, who defines and manages the development path for new product launches, said he decided to major in plastics because “there will always be a need for packaging. “Every physical item you buy comes in a package. There is an abundance of career opportunities for packaging majors.” But as Hamann noted, Footprint also offered an opportunity to do more than make a living. “Our mutual interest in living somewhere new and helping save the planet is likely what brought us together,” Hamann said. And they share a common goal, he added: “To continue taking steps to improve the planet we all live on and make it a better place for the next generations.”

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Obituaries

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Howard Lee Johnson

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Howard Lee Johnson was born in Blackduck, MN on March 3, 1933, and 25 minutes later his identical twin brother Willard was

born. Howard is preceded in death by his Dad; Art Johnson, Mom; Viola Johnson, Step- Dad; Elmer Lee and Stepbrothers and Stepsister: Ernest, Lester, Eunice, Dennis, Harris and Russell as well as three wives: Barbara, Martha and Viona. He is survived by his identical twin brother Willard (Gerri), Stepsisters Carol and Ilane and his children, Scott (Judy), Sheila, Jay and Stepdaughters Terri (David) and Pamela (Jason) as well as seven grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He grew up in Fosston, MN and along with Willard, attended the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, which is a branch of University of Minnesota. They met friends Dale Finkenbinder and Allen Love. They all graduated in the Advanced Class of 1951 and remained friends until Dad passed. After graduation, Howard and Willard moved to the Twin Cities and worked for WCCO Radio before enlisting in the Air Force, to serve in the Korean War. He was sent to Kunsan, South Korea to serve with the 5th Air Force, 13th Bomb Division. He was a Flight Engineer / Navigator on a B26 Bomber. He flew 50 missions over the 38 th Parallel with the Light Night Invaders. His unit was one of the few on full lockdown due their close proximity to North Korea. He spent a short time in Japan where he and Willard, who was stationed in Japan with the U.S Marine Corps, had Liberty together. Next he went to Mitchell AFB,

Long Island, NY. He served in the Air Force from February 1952 – February of 1956. During his service at Mitchell, he met Barbara Benevides from the Island of Bermuda. After he was honorably discharged from the Air Force, they married and raised a family of three children: Scott (Judy) of Palm Springs, CA, Sheila of Mesa, AZ and Jay of Boise, ID. Howard and Barbara first lived in Fosston, MN. and then moved to the Twin Cities where Howard had a long, successful career in sales, made many friends and was involved in the Polka community. He moved to Arizona in the mid80s and fell in love with the state. He moved back to MN for a few years and as soon as he could, he returned to Arizona where he lived out the remainder of his life. He and wife, Viona (Rice) Johnson bought a motor home and travelled across the country. They spent the winters in Arizona and eventually purchased a home in Mesa. They were known for entertaining, card parties and their involvement in the P.O.L.K of A, Arizona Chapter. Dad was an active member of Victory Lutheran Church for many years. He was known and loved by many in the congregation. After Vi was moved to a nursing home in MN, Howard bought his dream home at Sunland Village East Retirement Community and made it into his “man cave”. He loved entertaining, playing bridge and of course Polka Dancing. He remained on the board of the P.O.L.K.ofA., AZ Chapter. Dad lived life on his terms and taught all of us that the most important thing is the friendships that you create. He excelled at letting people know how much they meant to him. Dad was a good man to have as a friend. Howard Johnson was a loving and dedicated father. He will be sorely missed.

Employment General Certified Nurse Assistant CNA One on One Patient Care Full-time and Part-time hours available $18.00 per hour - Private duty caregiver Benefits at 30+ hrs/week $500 Sign on Bonus To learn more and Apply go to cnscares.com/careers/ EOE Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Senior Solution Specialist in Gilbert, AZ & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to drive software development & implementation services to address manufacturing, financial, human resources, customer relationship management, supply chain, & other business needs, utilizing SAP products. 15% travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0122GIL8201 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/veterans. Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Senior Solution Specialist in Gilbert, AZ & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to drive Oracle software advisory & implementation services to help companies unlock the value of big technology investments as discrete services or comprehensive solutions in the Insurance, Financial Services, Healthcare, State & Local Government, Telecommunications, & Retail industries. 15% travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0122GIL786 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/veterans. Clairvoyant has openings for the following positions in Chandler, AZ area. Software Engineers reqs US Masters degree/foreign equiv or Bach degree + 5 yrs experience w/ skills in J2EE, Java, XML, SQL, and Unix to analyze/dsgn/dev/implement/test systems & applics. Sr. Programmer Analyst reqs US Bachelors/equiv (3 or 4 yr degree) in Commerce/BusAdm/STEM field to analyze/resolve/test/report on IT related projects using skills in EMC/MS/SQL/Excel/ Java/C. Email your resume to jobs@clairvoyantsoft.com with ref # 2022-19 for Software Eng; 2022-20 for Sr. Prog Analyst & ref EVT ad Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Senior Solution Specialist in Gilbert, AZ & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to drive software testing and implementation services to help companies unlock the value of big technology investments, ranging from requirements to architecture, design to development, testing to deployment, and beyond as discrete services or comprehensive solutions in the insurance, financial services, healthcare, state and local government, telecom, and retail industries. 15 % travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0122GIL7390 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/veterans.

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Block Fence * Gates

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

ALL Pro

T R E E

S E R V I C E

L L C

Prepare for Winter Season! LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

Tree Trimming • Tree Removal Stump Grinding Storm Damage • Bushes/Shrubs Yard Clean-up Commercial and Residential PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

480-354-5802

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Plumbing

Your newspaper. Your community. Your planet. Please recycle me.

Drain Cleaning Experts, water heaters, disposals, water & sewer lines repaired/replaced & remodels. Rapid Response. If water runs through it we do it! 602-663-8432

Plumbing

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH! FREE Service Calls + FREE Estimates Water Heaters Installed - $999 Unclog Drains - $49

10% OFF

Painting

All Water Purification Systems Voted #1 Plumber 3 Years In A Row OVER 1,000 5-STAR REVIEWS

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Pool Service / Repair

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

Juan Hernandez

ROC#309706

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

P OOL REPAIR Pebble cracking, Plaster peeling, Rebar

PAINTING Interior & Exterior Residential/Commercial Free Estimates Drywall Repairs Senior Discounts References Available

showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

(602) 502-1655

Roofing

ROOFING LLC COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident

Family Owned and Operated 43 Years Experience in Arizona

Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

623-873-1626 Free Estimates Monday through Saturday

Public Notices OUT WITH THE OLD, CHIP RETURN RETURN YOUR TABLE GAMES CASINO CHIPS AT HARRAH’S AK-CHIN BEFORE THEY EXPIRE!

Licensed 2006 ROC 223367 Bonded Insured

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.

PhillipsRoofing.org PhillipsRoofing@cox.net

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.

Roofing

aOver 30 Years of Experience

aFamily Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers!

East Valley PAINTERS

Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer! Serving All Types of Roofing:

Voted #1 Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

• • • •

Clean, Prompt, Friendly and Professional Service

FREE ESTIMATES

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

602-471-2346

10% OFF

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality Free Estimates! Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

PHILLIPS

Call Juan at

— Call Jason —

Family Owned & Operated

Roofing

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING

480-338-4011

Roofing

Now Accepting all major credit cards

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING Valley Wide Service

480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com

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

MonsoonRooﬁngInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

480-446-7663 FREE Estimates • Credit Cards OK www.spencer4hireroofing.com ROC#244850 | Insured | Bonded

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Arizona’s Resort-Style Home Builder MASTER PLANNED CELEBRATED COMMUNITIES BY BLANDFORD HOMES

Award-winning Arizona builder for over 40 years. F BELL RD.

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 low $600’s • 480-895-2800 Craftsman Collection • From the low $700’s • 480-988-2400 PALMA BRISA – In Ahwatukee Foothills NOW SELLING A Dramatic New Gated Community Vintage Collection • From the high $600’s • 480-641-1800 Craftsman Collection • From the low $800’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 high $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

E H G

C GERMANN

BlandfordHomes.com Not all photos shown are representative of all communities. Terms and conditions subject to change without notice.

The Chandler Arizonian - 2.6.2022

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