SanTan Sun News - 3.13.2022 by Times Media Group

March 13, 2022 | www.santansun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

State report details CUSD 2020-21 spending BY PAUL MARYNIAK AND KEN SAIN Santan Sun News Staff

Amid COVID-19’s disruptive influence throughout last school year, Chandler Unified School District’s spent just under three-quarters of its operating budget on students, though actual dollars spent per pupil in three key categories were below state averages, according to a report by the Arizona Auditor General released earlier this month. That report shows Chandler Unified spent 74.3% of its operational budget

on instruction – including 61.7% in the classroom; 7.8% of its total budget on student support – such as counselors, audiologists, speech pathologists, nurses, social workers and attendance services – and 4.8% on instructional support, such as librarians and technology. In total dollars spent per student in 2020-21, Chandler Unified spent $5,492 for instruction, $693 for student support and $435 for instructional support. The district’s total instructional spending last year was 2.3% higher than 2019-20.

The statewide average per-pupil expenditures were $5,521 spent for instruction, $905 for student support and $576 for instructional support. Chandler Unified total per-pupil cost also includes $2,282 for administration, plant operations, food service and transportation – lower than the $2,974 statewide average – and another $3,535 for nonoperation expenditures for land and buildings, equipment, interest and miscellaneous expenses – higher than the $2,355 statewide average. In terms of both operational and non-

operational spending, the total per-pupil cost of education in Chandler Unified was $12,437 – higher than the similar average expenditure for districts of comparable size and the statewide average. On a percentage basis, CUSD spent 8.3% of its budget on administration in 2020-21 – lower than the statewide average of 10.4%. The report says the district kept class sizes the same at an average 17.4 students per teacher in 2020-21. See

SPENDING on page 6

Budget process begins amid enrollment concern BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

The Chandler Unified Governing Board last week began its annual process for formulating a budget for the next school year on an ominous note as both the superintendent and the district’s fiscal chief expressed concern about a downward trend in enrollment. Chief Financial Officer Lana Berry

told the district is approaching its apex in enrollment and that it would likely level off for a couple years before officials start to see a decline. Berry said that while enrollment at high schools and junior highs is up, seeing a decline in elementary school students is emerging. She pointed out birth rates are in decline and that the cost of housing has increased significantly, making it

harder for young families to move into the area. Similar concerns have been expressed in several of the district’s neighbors, notably Kyrene and Tempe Union, where enrollment has fallen off by 10% in the last five years. “We really feel like our ADM (average daily membership) has leveled off and will eventually decrease,” she said. The decline is a major concern because it impacts district finances since

the state decides how much money to give each school district based on its ADM. While this is happening, the district also faces increasing competition for students from charter and private schools. Superintendent Frank Narducci said the district faces increasing competiSee

CUSD on page 12

Ready to party As rents soar, Chandler helping struggling tenants BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Riann Balch, Chandler’s community resources manager, said a senior in the city recently moved out of their home and into a car. “They said the landlord raised their rent $300 and they didn’t know what else to do,” Balch said. There are more stories like that. Part of Balch’s mission is to help keep Chandler residents in their home. The federal government established the Emergency Rental Assistance Program to help do that during the pandemic. So far, Balch said they’ve been able to help 741 Chandler households with their first grant of $7.95 million. The city asked for, and received, $7 million additional funds in December that it is just starting to hand out. That money came from grants approved during the Trump administration. The city also received $6.3 million for the program from money approved during the Biden administration. The two funds come with different requirements so the city keeps them separate. That’s more than $21 million in

federal funds to help keep Chandler residents in their homes. To qualify, the pandemic must have played some role in why the family needs assistance. “That’s fairly flexible, and far ranging,” she said. For example, a family might need help because of increased child care costs or lost employment because their child keeps being sent home from school for 10 days every time another student tests positive. Balch said that 68 percent of applicants for emergency rental housing assistance are approved. The rest either do not finish the application process or it is determined they don’t qualify. Another factor that could lead to people losing their homes is the high cost of rent in Chandler. A report out this month by the rental website Zumper says the average monthly rent in Chandler is $1,610, which is 20th highest in the nation. That’s the second highest in Arizona. Scottsdale is 10th at $1,950. “I think what’s happening in Chandler, you can be working and still not be able to afford your rent,” Balch said. See

HOUSING on page 13

Bam Bam” Gonzalez tightened down a ratchet strap on the top of a tent for a game as he and other workers finished setting up the midway ahead of the 2022 Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival, which is going on today and next Thursday through Sunday. For details, see page 3. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

F E AT U R E D STO R I E S Police cracking down on converter thefts. . . . . . . .NEWS . . . . . . . . . . Page 4 Chandler firm carries your day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . Page 26 Chandler author's take on human trafficking . . . . .NEIGHBORS . . . . . Page 35 Downtown comedy spot a laugh riot. . . . . . . . . . . .GETOUT . . . . . . . Page 40

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Ostrich Festival offers dozens of fun activities SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

If you can’t get to the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival today, Marc h 13, you have next weekend to check it out. And that includes a special St. Patrick’s Day themed celebration on Thursday, March 17, at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler. Attractions to include: PAW Patrol: PAW Patrol will make their return to the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival. These heroic pups, who believe, “No job is too big, no pup is too small!”, work together to protect their community. The canines include Chase the Police Pup, Marshall the Firedog, and Skye the Fearless. Imaginology STEM: This traveling science museum features dozens of interactive and visually captivating displays and activities. Many of the dis- Nacho Montenegro cleaned off menu signs at a food vendor booth in pfrepartion last week for the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival. (David Minton/Staff Photographer) plays in this exhibit are STEM (science, technology, engineering, and matheTickets are $1 each or $20 for 25 tickets. performing on the same stage/pool. matics) based and involve critical thinkRadical Reptile Show: This is an High dive show: This attraction is a ing, problem-solving, and teamwork. Mail Week: 02/28/2022 CLIPPER MAGAZINE MARTHA NEESE FOR VON HANSON S high interactive, learning experience that will high flying, energy, and high dive Professor Smart Science Show: roof Release Area: 02763-02-22 Chandler-West/Gilbert bring kids face-to-face with “radical” show featuring the legendary Sinbad, MEATSby SPIRIT Young and old will be engaged the Approve By: 02/14/22 Account #: CL112232 reptiles including a 14-foot python, a world traveler, and diving expert. ontact your Account Service juggling, the Coordinator: comedic physicality of the Ad #: CL-5068364.INDD Brad Bass-Alex Richmond giant tortoise, and a Monitor lizard. The show’s storyline follows Sinbad’s performer, and the tempo Malesha of theInthisane show. Team: 2J phone: 717-509-9495 phone: 480-917-2525 Smaller reptiles will also be featured at mission to go to the Island of Cyclops email: 2J@cmag.com Professor Smart is accurate,email: funny, liveMarthaneese@aol.com;mi.vonhanthis show for kids to touch and hold. to recover the stolen treasure belongsonsmeats@gmail.com ly, and uses many volunteers. fax: 480-917-2995 Wall To Wall: Former Cirque du Soleil ing to the king. Sinbad and his valiant Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs performers on a two-story trampoline Gary Millslaglesailors face several obstacles while on Rep:of Adventure Land: Pangaea Sales Land the structure provide acrobatics mixed a mission to entertain spectators of all Dinosaurs will return again this year with comedy. ages. and will include type ❑ more “adventure” ❑ ❑ Loop Rawlins: This one-man Wild WaterBark: This high-energy, acroactivities like a climbing wall, water West show features traditional Western batic show features dogs and humans walking balls, bungee trampoline, etc.

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skills of rope spinning, whip cracking, and gun spinning in his high-energy performances, which are choreographed with edgy pop and country music. Storybook Time: Children and families can see their favorite childhood stories come to life during Storybook Time. Special guest readers will read childhood favorites, along with real-life book character special appearances, and photo ops. Piggy 500: Pig races have long been an attendee favorite at the Ostrich Festival. Great American Duck Races: The duck races will have attendees select their favorite ducks at the start of the show to release the ducks on the water race track. Monster Energy BMX Stunt Show: The USA BMX/Monster Energy stunt show features the world’s most extreme bicycle stunt riders in a spectacular, non-stop, action-packed show. These professional riders use half pipes, quarter pipes, and box jumps to ensure a spectacle for their crowds. Chandler Warrior Zone: Chandler Warrior Zone will feature several attractions including their Boot Camp Challenge, Face to Face Climb, Adrenaline Rush, and Ninja Ladder Challenge where kids and adults can test their agility skills. The stage will feature demonstrations by local ninja and karate schools. Mango and Dango: Mango and Dan-

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Chandler cops busting catalytic converter thieves An edition of the East Valley Tribune

BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Chandler Police say they’ve made progress in dealing with a spree of catalytic converter thefts in the city, making nine arrests in the past month. Police announced it made three arrests last month after a victim interrupted a theft on Feb. 22. The suspects allegedly pointed a gun at the victim before fleeing in a black BMW. Police spotted a black BMW in the area and gave chase when the car did not pull over. The suspects abandoned the car in a parking lot. Police say they found them in a nearby business. Inside the car they found a firearm, 10 catalytic converters, and a battery-powered saw. Police arrested Robert Canez, Jesus Banuelos and Tevon Kroncke, all of Phoenix. Police believe they were responsible for other catalytic converter thefts in Chandler. Many Chandler residents have been victims. Police say about 90 cases have been reported this year so far. There were 447 cases reported last year. The thieves strike almost anywhere a car is parked – even behind security fences at auto repair shops.

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ads@santansun.com Chandler Police recovered these stolen catalytic converters while busting three Phoenix men on charges of stealing the devices from people’s parked vehicles. (Chandler Police)

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emissions so they are less harmful to the environment. They have become a popular target for theft because of the heavy metals used to make them, rhodium, palladium and platinum. While any car could be targeted, thieves tend to go after the Toyota Prius and Toyota trucks because they have

“

I am sick to my stomach, someone came between 8 p.m. last night and 5 p.m. today and cut out our catalytic converter of my Tundra. Toyota said there are so many thefts the last few months that they are on back order, could take a couple weeks, or months.

”

“I am sick to my stomach,” a Chandler resident wrote on social media. “Someone came between 8 p.m. last night and 5 p.m. today and cut out our catalytic converter of my Tundra. Toyota said there are so many thefts the last few months that they are on back order, could take a couple weeks, or months.” A catalytic converter converts

OSTRICH

from page 3

go perform a one-of-kind theatrical circus show. It includes partner acrobatics, juggling, aerial arts, stilt walking, physical comedy, mime, chair stacking, and more. BOOM! Percussion Entertainment: Percussion is a high-energy drum line that has performed in festivals and parades nationwide. Their colorful uniforms and LED suits will engage audiences of all kinds. Ostrich Experience: Ostriches will be roaming freely in their designated Ostrich viewing area. Rides: Rides include festival favorites like the Giant Ferris Wheel, the Centu-

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higher concentrations of the metals. It can cost several thousand dollars to replace one. Thieves can make thousands of dollars from the precious metals inside the catalytic converter. Using a saw, they can steal one in minutes. The National Insurance Crime Bureau said the number of catalytic converter thefts reported in claims to insurance companies jumped from 3,389 in 2019

ry Wheel, Vertigo, Inversion, 1001 Nachts, Quazar, Turbo, Wave Swinger, Starship 3000, Giant Scooter, and Scrambler, among many others. The festival will also feature kiddie and family rides, including the Dizzy Dragon, Tom Kangaroo, Chopper Hopper, Spinning Coaster, Wacky Worm Coaster, Looney Tooter Train, and more. A comprehensive list of rides and attractions can be found at the Ostrich Festival website, OstrichFestival.com. Headliner acts include: The Spazmatics (March 17), Rock & Roll Hall of Famers The Beach Boys (March 18), 3X Grammy-award winning R&B star Nelly (March 19), and two legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame supergroups, The Temptations and The Four Tops (March 20).

to 14,433 in 2020. NICB President David Glawe said there has been a significant increase in thefts since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s an opportunistic crime,” Glawe said in a statement. “As the value of the precious metals contained within the catalytic converters continues to increase, so do the number of thefts of these devices. There is a clear connection between times of crisis, limited resources, and disruption of the supply chain that drives investors towards these precious metals.” The increase in thefts has prompted states across the country – but not Arizona –to toughen penalties and impose new requirements for scrap metal dealers who buy the converters. There are anti-theft devices for the catalytic converter. Police urge residents to park their car in the garage if they have one. If not, park in a driveway that has motion-sensor lighting. “Happened to us too last month,” another Chandler resident wrote in response to the first. “Brand new Tacoma. We had a cage put around it so they cannot steal it again. Took a month to get our truck back.” Most insurance will cover the theft, though the owner will likely have to pay the deductible.

If you go

What: Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival When: 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday, March 17; 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 18; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 19; and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, March 20 Where: Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler Cost: Tickets start at $20 for ages 13 and older; start at $15 for children 4 to 12; free for children younger than 4. Chandler residents qualify for free tickets on March 17. See the website for more information. Info: ostrichfestival.com

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

from page 1

The statewide average was 17 students per teacher, though it is unclear how the 50,000 decline in total student enrollment affected that ratio. The average experience level of Chandler Unified teachers last school year was 12.3 years and teachers with three or fewer years comprised only 12% of all teachers. On the other hand, 17% of all teachers statewide had three or fewer years of experience and the average years of experience for an Arizona teacher was 11.9 years. The Auditor General’s report was a year behind in graduation rates. It showed that in May 2020, 91% of all Chandler Unified seniors graduated. That rate was far higher than the state average of 78% and roughly in the same range of most other East Valley districts, though Mesa Public Schools was an outlier with only a 79% graduation rate. Chandler also spent $1,444 per rider on school buses, compared to a state average twice that figure. CUSD had about 45,000 students last school year, which was 10% increase higher over where it was five years before. About 11% of those students were in special education and 8% live in poverty. Nearly a quarter of all students are eligible for free or reduced meals because of their household income. The district received about $7.8 million from the federal government in 2020 in pandemic-relief grants while other districts its size averaged about $5.5 million. The Auditor General found that Chandler Unified was among only 87 of the state’s 205 schools districts kept their promise to raise teacher salaries 20% from what they were in 2016-17. Instead, it found that statewide average salaries are up just 16.5%, or $7,977 a year. And just 87 of the 205 school districts actually hit or exceeded that 20% figure. Chandler’s average teacher salary was $62,866. CUSD ranked low for spending on

This chart shows statewide spending averages for school districts in 2020-21. (Auditor General)

These charts show how Chandler Unified’s 2020-21 budget divvied up expenditures. (State Auditor General)

administration and employed fewer administrators than districts its size of the average for all districts in the state. In a spending area where the more students per administrator, the more efficient a district is, the state average was 63 students per administrator while CUSD has 95 students per administrator. Administration spending also was low. While the average per-pupil cost of administration statewide was $1,041, CUSD spent $719.

Auditor General Lindsey Perry said there are various possibilities about why the actual spending on teacher salaries fell short of the 20% goal set by Gov. Doug Ducey. One, she said, is that the funds were distributed to districts based on the number of students and not how much each district would need to increase its average pay by 20%. So, a district where salaries were lower than average got proportionately more cash for each teacher.

In GPS the average teacher pay was already higher than the state average and so teachers saw a lower pay hike. Closely related is what Perry called “changes in teacher population.’’ “For example, most districts that had a decrease in average teacher salary also had a decrease in average years of teacher experience,’’ she explained. That’s because less experienced teachers are often paid less than those with more experience.

CUSD eyes district tech support center at Perry SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler Unified School District is creating a tech center at Perry High School to support its 43 schools from a centralized location. The Governing Board authorized spending up to a little more than $475,000 to bring all of its tech operations into one place. Colleen Flannery, the district’s director of technology services, says they have currently been using extra space at Basha, Hamilton and Perry high schools and the district office. “We want our service desk to work in tandem with our help desk,” she said. “Now there is not centralized place for that to happen. I have them in a room that isn’t conducive to multiple people

being in there.” Flannery said the plan is to put most of the district’s information technology staff in the central building at Perry,

deal with a problem. “This move will improve communications, collaborations and overall teamwork of the technology department,”

This move will improve communications, “collaborations and overall teamwork of the technology department. ”

– Frank Fletcher

but maintain hubs at the other five high schools. That way, techs would have the option of going to a place close to whatever school they are working at to

said Frank Fletcher, the district’s associate superintendent for support services. Flannery said the nature of their work continues to evolve.

“A lot of the service that we do isn’t hardware anymore, it’s software,” she said. Still, in a district with about 44,000 students there is a lot of hardware. Flannery said they don’t have a dedicated space right now for computer repairs. They are building one for the new tech center. Concord was chosen as the general contractor to convert the school’s former transportation building into the tech center. The maximum guaranteed price is $475,584. Flannery said she has not been given a date when construction is expected to be completed, because of supply chain issues that have led to construction delays. She said the best-case scenario is it will take about six months to complete so they can move in about the time the new school year begins in the fall.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

S. Chandler legislative delegation meets Chamber BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

District 17 representatives in the State Legislature say it’s time to permanently address the aggregate expenditure limit on school budgets after their colleagues flirted with forcing districts across the state to make drastic cuts totaling $1.1 billion – including $54 million in Chandler Unified. “When we look ahead to next year, the same thing is going to occur,” said Rep. Jennifer Pawlik. “One thing that we should be considering is a reform of the cap.” Pawlik, Rep. Jeff Weninger and Sen. J.D. Mesnard appeared earlier this month at a Chamber of Commerce Policy Impact session to give an update on this legislative session. Pawlik and Mesnard mentioned the aggregate expenditure limit, which was approved by voters in 1980 and caps how much school districts can spend on K-12 education. It takes a two-thirds vote by both chambers of the Legislature to overturn that cap and this year that approval came about a week before the deadline. “Every year going forward, we’re going to have this issue until we solve it permanently,” Mesnard said, though he did not elaborate on how he would solve it. Two topics dominated most of their remarks: education and voting rights. The first question for the three was about the state budget and if it looked like it might be passed early this year. They doubted it. “I think it’s going to be a long ses-

District 17 lawmakers, who represent south Chandler, spoke recently with the Chandler Chamber of Commerce. They include Reps. Jennifer Pawlik and Jeff Weninger and, in the foreground, Sen. J.D. Mesnard. (YouTube)

sion,” Mesnard said. Weninger said it’s unlikely the Republican caucus would be able to come to an agreement on a budget, saying they remain very divided. He said he hoped they could get some Democratic votes. “Keep it clean,” Pawlik, a Democrat, urged him. Last year Republicans added some controversial laws to the budget, such as a ban on mask mandates and teaching critical race theory in schools. Those measures were later struck down by the state Supreme Court, which declared lawmakers can’t insert non-budget laws into the budget. Pawlik sits on the House Education

Committee and said she has focused on bills that would dumb down standards to make it easier for students to graduate, such as the elimination of Algebra II as a requirement to graduate. “The sponsor of the bill talked about this and said that high school students are struggling to pass the state examination, and this would help them take away that requirement,” she said. “As a former teacher, my thought is that we shouldn’t be lowering the standard.” All three public universities in the state require passing Algebra II for admission. Mesnard and Weninger, both Republicans, said much of the rhetoric about

voter integrity laws being passed by the state is overblown. Mesnard said some of the extreme laws that have received all the attention never had a chance of becoming law. He said most of the laws that have passed are common sense laws that most Arizonans agree with. Mesnard said he supports adding voter ID to mail-in ballots. He said many other states are also considering the step. He said it would be easy, in that all it will require of voters is to write in their birthday and the last four digits of the Social Security or driver’s license number before returning their ballots. “This will be going before the voters and I think it makes a lot of sense, from a public policy standpoint,” Messnard said. “I know some folks would say, ‘Hey, there was nothing wrong with the 2020 election,’ and from my perspective, you don’t have to debate if something was or wasn’t wrong to look at whether this is the right policy for mail-in ballots.” Weninger said he has been focusing on the teen vaping epidemic. He said every year he and his colleagues try to get a law passed, but run into the same problem each time: Local governments, cities and counties, don’t want to cede control to a state law. “Every year there are bills that make sense, and could get through,” Weninger said. He offered a bill to ban using an AirBNB rental as a party house. “It didn’t give ultimate control to the cities, so it got voted down.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Neighbors protest Chandler car repair project BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Despite opposition by more than 100 residents, the Chandler Planning and Zoning Commission recently recommended that Council approve a car-repair business at Riggs and Pecos roads. Some of the more than 100 people who signed a petition showed up at the commission meeting to speak against Kerry’s Car Care, telling the panel they are concerned about noise levels, increased traffic in the area, and lower home values because a car repair business would be so close to their homes. “My experience in this case has been that the neighborhood’s input has actually made the case better, which is not unusual,” said Jason Morris, a lawyer from Withey Morris who represented the applicant. “I don’t know that we’re of a like mind on this case with the neighborhood, but we certainly have benefited from some of their comments.” The business would have room for eight vehicles to be worked on at a time. Morris said, and like other Kerry’s locations around the Valley, it is designed to be a small neighborhood shop. He said his clients have been eager to address the neighborhood’s concerns because they want to maintain a good

relationship, realizing that many of people nearby could be potential clients in the future. “This has never been done before,” said Joseph Russo, who leads a group of neighbors who oppose the business. “An automotive service garage is out of character with anything that I have been able to locate in Chandler and the surrounding areas.”

different types of businesses could have claimed that space, including restaurants, bars, fitness centers and others that can be loud and open more hours than a car repair business would be. That argument mirrors many of the comments made by commissioners when they unanimously voted to recommend approval to City Council. “This is not a rezoning case,” said Rick

This has never been done before, An automotive “service garage is out of character with anything that I have been able to locate in Chandler and the surrounding areas. ”

– Joseph Russo

Russo claimed that no other car repair business in Chandler is located inside such a dense residential neighborhood, with more than 500 homes surrounding it. The business would be built just south of the Circle K gas station at Pecos and Cooper. City staff and the applicant argued that this was not a zoning issue, because the land was rezoned in 2016 for retail use. They pointed out that a number of

Heumann, chairman of the city’s planning and zoning commission. “When I look at this project, and I remember when it came through, actually I was on Council when it came through at the time, this I think is actually a lot better project. It’s further away from homes.” He said the applicant has done a lot to address noise levels, including the addition of a buffer of trees between the business and homes and agreeing to do all car repairs inside the building with the garage door closed except for

when cars are entering or exiting. They also conducted a sound survey, where levels were taken on two different days. It determined that the decibel level would be in the 50s, which is about the same as normal conversation. “I do think they’ve gone above and beyond,” Heumann said. Some of the neighbors said they like to spend time in their backyards and they worry having a car repair business so close would ruin that experience. Russo said after the meeting opponents intend to urge the City Council to reject the project when it comes before them later this month. “I think if this were a zoning case, much of what we’re talking about would be incredibly appropriate in terms of uses and the proximity of uses,” Morris said. He said the building they are proposing is smaller than what was previously approved, and would likely have fewer customers than if the original plan was followed. Morris also gave the commission letters from neighbors of other car repair businesses that said they have had few troubles living so close to one. “We recognize the neighborhood’s concerns,” Morris said. “I think many of those concerns date back to 2016. And many of the concerns they raised made this a better plan because of what we were able to commit to as a user.”

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NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Residents pecking away at city on chicken rules BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Some Chandler residents are urging the City Council to slow down on any move toward allowing up to five chickens in residential areas. Council appeared to support the move during a Jan. 13 work session, directing staff to move forward with a proposal for final approval by this summer. Les Minkus was one of the organizers of opposition the last time Council considered allowing chickens in residential backyards. He listed the reasons why he still opposes chickens: They’re noisy, their waste can pile up; there are health concerns; they attract predators; coops need to be properly set up and not all are; the birds can fly, so fences may not be able to keep them in the backyard; and they can live for up to 10 years, but lay eggs for only two-to-three years, which can lead to abandonment issues. Minkus lives in a homeowners’ association, most of which do not allow any chickens or barnyard animals. However, he said that may not protect them. “Because of the way the CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions) are written in the HOAs, a member of an HOA can wind up suing the HOA if the language is not clear enough, and

not properly worded,” he said. “And if a judge awards them the right to be able to bring farm animals onto their property, the entire community is exposed to that. And that can happen.” Minkus argues that means this is an issue that the 70% of Chandler residents who live in a HOA community shouldn’t ignore. Linda Sawyer, who lives in a traditional nonHOA neighborhood, said “chickens can be problematic to neighbors.” Similarly, Mary Yannon, who also Sawyer lives in a traditional neighborhood, said, “It just looks like they are continually trying to blight our neighborhood for a reason. What is the reason?” During its discussion of the issue in January, it appeared that six Council members were leaning in favor of approving allowing up to five chickens in homeowners’ backyards. Chandler and Glendale are

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among the few cities that do not allow chickens in residential areas now. Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Phoenix and Maricopa County all allow some chickens on single-family lots. Glendale only allows them on lots bigger than 10,000 square feet. Chandler is the most restrictive, allowing the the birds only on lots of 33,000 square feet or more. The only council member who expressed reservations was Matt Orlando, who said he was neither for or against a proposed ordinance. However, he wanted to include a mechanism that would require getting support from neighbors before getting chickens. The one change Council directed staff to make from their recommendations,was to not make it a crime so that Chandler Police would not be involved in enforcement.

Any issues neighbors might have would have to be dealt with by the city’s code enforcement office. “Code enforcement doesn’t work on the weekend,” Minkus said. “They don’t work after 5 and they don’t work on the weekends,” Sawyer added. “And this is an example of how they do their jobs right now.” She showed photos of three homes that had other code enforcement issues. “If you drive my neighborhood and you see the violations,” she said. The three argued the city’s code enforcers are already overwhelmed and putting a contentious issue like backyard chickens on their plate was asking for problems. Minkus said to do it right, the city would have to hire more enforcers, which would mean spending more tax dollars. To those Chandler residents who want farm fresh eggs and the experience of raising their own chickens, he said there are options available. “There are solutions,” he said. “There are farms in the area, if people want chickens, they can go rent coop space on any farmers’ property. That would give them an alternative to have their chickens, their eggs, any anything they want.”

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NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

ROTH IRA

CONVERSIONS he turbines Bank of America would sue a relatively small compared to the giant machines people might see in the California hills. They are located along the top of the building in this rendering. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Bank's proposed wind turbines would be a first in Chandler BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Bank of America wants to put three wind turbines on the parking garage of its West Chandler campus. City officials say they believe they will be the first wind turbines put to work for energy production in the city. The proposal was approved by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this month and now heads to the City Council for its blessing. A spokesperson for Bank of America in Arizona said they had no comment on this project. These will not be the giant wind turbines with huge blades motorists might see driving through a mountain pass in California. They are compact, 7-feet, 5-inches in height, with only two vertical blades. As such, they will likely not be relied on to generate a lot of electricity. “Although these units as designed will not be performing at maximum potential due to the location, the inclusion of the turbines are a top priority for Bank of America as it pertains to their renewable energy and sustainability goals,” Delaney Van Winkle wrote to P&Z. She is the project development manager for Ameresco, which would do the installation. City staff negotiated with Bank of America officials the placement of the turbines on their campus on Chandler Boulevard between Price and Dobson. They will be atop of the five-story parking garage facing Ellis Street. Staff say it’s likely most people driving down Ellis would not notice the turbines because of solar panels of the parking lot and trees blocking the view. The parking garage is located in the middle of the campus, set well back from Ellis. Bank of America had originally hoped to put four turbines on its two office buildings, making them clearly visible from Chandler Boulevard. They also wanted to put a Bank of America logo on each of them. However, that would have violated city code. That’s why they were moved to inside the campus and on the parking garage. The turbines that Planning and Zoning approved won’t have logos

on them and will be painted the same color as the garage. “Over the past few years, Bank of America has been integrating renewable energy and sustainability programs across the country on their Admin Centers, Data Centers, Financial Branches, and stand-alone ATMs,” Van Winkle wrote. “These projects include

Over the past few “ years, Bank of America

has been integrating renewable energy and sustainability programs across the country on their Admin Centers, Data Centers, Financial Branches, and standalone ATMs, these projects include advanced renewable technologies such as various solar applications, EV charging, battery energy storage, and wind energy.

”

– Delaney Van Winkle

advanced renewable technologies such as various solar applications, EV charging, battery energy storage, and wind energy.” Ameresco recently installed 3.78 megawatts of solar and electric vehicle charging stations at the Bank of America Chandler campus. “I think these are the first three wind turbines to be installed in Chandler, for energy production,” said David De La Torre, the city’s planning manager. “There might be the old windmills for farming, but that’s different.”

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NEWS

CUSD

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

from page 1

tion from charter and private schools and other districts. He said to help attract more students, it needs to reach out to the community. The district administration has proposed a maintenance and operations budget of $341 million, though the numbers are still in flux and the final amount won’t be determined until after this month. The district’s current budget is about $333 million. The Governing Board adopted a recommended budget plan from its Budget and Super Q committees, which are composed of teachers, staff, administrators and members of the community. Some of the recommendations adopted last week include: • A 4% salary increase for classified staff • A 2% salary increase for certified and administrative staff • A $400 wellness incentive for employees who qualify • A $1,000 retention stipend next school year (pro-rated for time of service) • Shifting $2,500 of the annual $3,200 pay for performance bonus to base salary • Continue the pro-rated $600 Journey 2025 stipend (Journey 2025 is the district’s 10-year plan for improvement) • Stipends paid to coaches will increase to current market levels • Stipends for dual enrollment and special education teachers • Reducing the wait time for new hires to qualify for insurance from 60 to 30 days The budget process starts at the end

Budget guru Lana Berry outlined the district's main budget concerns. (CUSD)

of the previous year when top administrators and all principals are asked to list any new projects they would like that would cost $5,000 or more. The governor presents his budget in January and that is the first time district officials get a sense of how much money they can expect. Berry said that number rarely changes too much. This year Gov. Doug Ducey recommended an extra 2% for inflation, even though Berry said inflation is a lot higher than that. On a bright note, the district expects to pay about $624,000 less into the Arizona State Retirement System. “We are excited that it’s going down” Berry said. “It’s been going up, and up, and up since I’ve been in education, and this is my 23rd year.” That savings paid for most of the increase in health insurance for employees,

which will increase about 3%, or $670,694. The recommended budget has the district paying that costs for all employees, so the amount taken out of their paychecks will not increase. However, employees will have to pay the 3% increase for any dependents in their coverage. About $37 million was asked for new projects of $5,000 or more. The committees recommended approving about $23 million. That breaks down to $8.6 million for ongoing projects and $7.5 million for one-time expense; $2.6 million for capital projects; $2.2 million for bond projects that are not part of the ones approved by voters in November; and $2 million in other projects. Most of the money in the maintenance and operations budget ($10.8 million) would go to paying employees, either with salary increases or one-time stipends.

One issue on the list that may be challenged later this year is a recommendation to spend $500,000 for marketing. Board member Joel Wirth said he does not believe the district can afford that, but said he would wait until they get a study session on the issue in April. Any of the numbers in the recommendations passed this week can be revised by the time the final budget is adopted in July. Board member Jason Olive objected to a proposed $200,000 for enhanced security at one of the district’s schools that would offer secure access through the front office. Noting that the school has an open campus with multiple entry points, he said installing an expensive security system in the office while most of the campus remains open would be a waste of money. District officials told him they are evaluating all their schools right now to see where security systems make sense and how they can improve security. Board member Lara Bruner praised the proposed stipends for special education teachers. She also encouraged district officials to see if there was a way they could split the wellness incentive being offered. Currently, it would all be deposited in the employee’s health savings account, which limits how it could be spent. Bruner said she would like to give employees the option of using some of it to pay for preventative measures, such as gym memberships, which helps them stay healthy instead of just reacting to being sick.

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NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

HOUSING

from page 1

Balch said she has seen a spike in the number of what she called immediate evictions. Data from the Maricopa County Justice Courts show that eviction filings are rising now that the moratorium on them no longer exists, but they are still not at pre-pandemic levels. Court spokesman Scott Davis said that filings in the San Marcos Justice Court in chandler totaled 2028 in 2021 and 495 for the first two months of this year. County-wide, the justice courts are seeing a steady increase in the total judgment for eviction filings with average judgments rising 70.5 percent between 2019 and 2021, from $1,992 to $3,277. “Demand has become so tight as leases came to end, it is not atypical to see a landlord raise the rent $300 to

This chart shows the city's efforts so far to help struggling renters.

taken to get the money into the bank accounts of the people who need it. Balch said that has not been a problem in Chandler. She said at first, they rolled out the

could have just been evicted and needs “toSomeone find housing, and it’s really not easy to do after you’ve just been evicted, they work with people who are already homeless to get them back into a home, or people on the verge of being homeless.

”

– Riann Balch

$500,” Balch said. One of the major criticisms of the program nationally is how long it has

program without the details of what the reporting system would be like. When those details came out, they

(City of Chandler)

were so onerous that it made it difficult for any municipality to deal with quickly. Chandler relied on the nonprofit AZCEND to administer the program at first. However, after they learned about the reporting requirements, they switched to Maricopa County. She said any delays now are probably because the resident applying has yet to submit all the documentation needed, saying it has taken some as long as three months to do so. They also prioritize each case based on need, so some who have a higher income may experience a slight delay while others with more pressing needs are helped. In addition to help with the rent, the program can also be used to pay utility bills. Balch said they look at both areas when someone applies. They also offer housing stability

services. Balch said they have two case managers who work with families directly. “Someone could have just been evicted and needs to find housing, and it’s really not easy to do after you’ve just been evicted,” she said. “They work with people who are already homeless to get them back into a home, or people on the verge of being homeless.” Balch said those two case managers have worked with about 80 families so far. City staff has taken several hundred calls and directed residents to resources that might be able to help them. “At this point, they’re in a crisis,” Balch said. “Being evicted is extremely traumatic. We help them get their life back on track...The most important thing we can do in this economic environment is keep people in their homes – that’s what makes this program so important.”

93-lot S. Chandler project may be one of the last BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Chandler’s Planning and Zoning Commission is recommending approval of a project that would bring 93 single-family homes to south Chandler. With the city rapidly approaching buildout, it may be a long time before another large project is proposed. “Only a couple left,” said Kevin Mayo, the city’s planning administrator. “I don’t have an exact number off the top of my head but there are very few 20-acre and larger plots left.” Planning and Zoning gave its blessing to the Magnolia project, which would be located on Riggs Road between Cooper and Gilbert roads. The city has developed more than 90 percent of its available land. Mayo has said most of the space left is smaller, and would be more likely candidates for multi-family housing instead of single-family homes. The proposal calls for a gated community with both single story, and two-story homes on about 36 acres next to the Windermere Ranch subdivision. No home builder has been identified yet.

Most of the lots will be 10,000 square feet. However, the lots along the north property line would be more than 16,500 square feet to serve as a buffer to the larger lot sizes in the Circle G subdivision to the north. Lauren Schumann, the city’s senior planner, said the proposal includes a ramada, bocce court, tables and grills and a half basketball court in a common area. Most of the homes will be two stories. “We received some phone calls from residents in the Windermere subdivision to the west, stating because that was all single story, they requested that those lots (the ones next to their subdivision) be single story to be compatible with them,” Schumann said. “We decided to do the east side as well.” What the commission recommended was changing the zoning from agriculture to single-family home and approved the layout for the proposed subdivision. Since the applicant does not have a builder identified at this time, they will have to return for planning and zoning approval on the actual designs of the homes at a later date. Schumann said to date she is unaware of any opposition to the project.

The Magnolia project will be located on Riggs Road between Cooper and Gilbert Roads. (City of Chandler)

Do you have an interesting story? Contact Paul Maryniak: pmaryniak@timespublications.com

NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Family of thug shot 30 times by cops loses suit SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

“Rather, it reflects that the officers took steps to ensure that a fleeing, armed, and noncompliant suspect would not further endanger the officers, the home’s inhabitants, and the public,” it said. “On this record, the officers’ conduct does not shock the conscience and the officers did not violate the plaintiffs’ rights.” The shooting climaxed a tense few

Mesa-Gilbert border and eventually ran into another home where he threatened the occupants, including three children who eventually were led onto the roof by one of the occupants and res cued by a police helicopter. Police then entered the home and Ochoa escaped into the backyard, where officers formed a L-shaped line and ordered him to drop two knives.

A federal appeals court has upheld the actions of Gilbert and Mesa Police in the death of a Mesa man who was shot about 30 times by officers after he refused their orders to drop two knives and end a stand-off. The family of Sergio Ochoa, 27, had filed a civil rights suit against the Gilbert and Mesa police departments and seven Mesa cops and two Gilbert officers in his March 2016 shooting death during a confrontation in the backyard of a Gilbert home. The family had filed a lawsuit under an allegation that is more difficult to prove because the officers did not have time to deliberate before they fired. That standard requires the plaintiffs in the case to prove that the officers’ conduct “shocked the conscience.” The appeals panel ruled that a lower “According to officers, Ochoa looked hours that began when Ochoa, apparcourt judge “correctly concluded that angry and ready to fight,” the appellate ently under the influence of meth, under that test,” the shooting “does threatened his ex-girlfriend in her Mesa judges noted. not shock the conscience” but instead An officer fired a bean bag and home with a gun. showed the officers had attempted another released a K-9 dog and Ochoa The woman called 911 and within 10 “to satisfy legitimate law enforcement stepped back. minutes after that, police received a objectives: apprehension of an armed, Sixteen seconds after he had en911 call from a man in another house dangerous suspect and protection of tered the backyard, Ochoa was shot. reporting Ochoa had entered his home the safety of the officers, the home’s In rejecting the family’s claim, the with two knives. inhabitants and the public.” judges ruled, “Knowing what Ochoa had Ochoa then left and police located “In sum, the record does not show done earlier in the evening, the officers him and began following his car, trying that the officers acted with a purpose had to make a snap decision about to get him to pull over and then trying to harm unrelated to a legitimate law Ochoa’s intentions and the threat he to avoid him as he drove on the wrong enforcement objective,” said a threeposed to them, the people in the home, side of the street toward officers’ cars. judge panel ruled. COLOR: Right click his swatch, and replace and the public at large. with correct Ochoa abandoned vehicle onand the find

is nothing in the record suggesting that “theThere officers had an improper purpose to harm, there is no allegation that the officers sought to bully Ochoa or get even with him. ”

“The urgency of that moment – caused by Ochoa’s failure to follow police commands –forced the officers to react instantly, without deliberation. Given the undisputed facts, the district court correctly chose to apply the purpose-to-harm test. Under this test, the officers’ conduct was consistent with legitimate law enforcement objectives.” The family claimed police kept firing at Ochoa as he lay on the ground and laughed and cheered when the police dog began dragging him so they could see his hands. But the court noted that even the family’s lawyers conceded there was no evidence to support those allegations and that even if there had been, any laughing or cheering would have “minimal relevance because it relates to events that took place after the officers fired at Ochoa.” “There is nothing in the record suggesting that the officers had an improper purpose to harm,” the panel said. “There is no allegation that the officers sought to bully Ochoa or get even with him.” “In sum, the record does not show that the officers acted with a purpose to harm unrelated to a legitimate law enforcement objective,” it wrote. “Rather, it reflects that the officers took steps to ensure that a fleeing, armed, and noncompliant suspect would not further endanger the officers, the color home’s inhabitants, and the public.”

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Gateway Airport rail line moves toward reality BY GARY NELSON Contributor

When it comes to accommodating industrial development in the East Valley, Mesa is making tracks. Literally. Within a year, workers are expected to be building a 6-mile rail line to serve the burgeoning industrial zone south and east of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. J.D. Beatty, senior economic development project manager for the city of Mesa, gave an update on the project Feb. 8 with members of the East Valley Partnership. “It’s not a done deal yet,” Beatty said. But land acquisition and design are well along and construction is expected to begin late this year or early next. Union Pacific Railroad, which operates the main line that runs diagonally from southeast to northwest through the East Valley, will build and operate the trunk line. The projected route runs northeastward from the main line beginning near Sossaman and Pecos roads. When it hits the southern boundary of the airport, it then runs eastward to the Mesa city limits at Meridian Road. That terminus abuts the property of CMC Steel, which has operated its Mesa plant since 2009.

In 2020 the company announced a $300 million expansion of its Mesa operation, slated to open next year with the addition of 185 lucrative jobs. “They wouldn’t be doing this if the rail was not a strong possibility,” Beatty said. But it is not merely the existing factories in the area – a lineup that also

There’s roughly 2,000 “ acres surrounding the rail

line that we could open up for new industry, new economic development opportunities.

”

– J.D. Beatty

includes Fujifilm and MGC Pure Chemicals – that are impelling Union Pacific to build the line. The new tracks, Beatty said, will be a key asset when it comes to attracting businesses and jobs to the still largely barren tracts south of the airport. “There’s roughly 2,000 acres surrounding the rail line that we could

open up for new industry, new economic development opportunities,” Beatty said. At the moment, he said, rail-served industrial sites in the Southeast Valley are almost impossible to find. That has cost the region when it comes to attracting industry. Since 2019, he said, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council has fielded some 74 inquiries from firms that needed rail-accessible property. Those inquiries represented $22.5 billion in capital investment and 69,000 jobs paying an average of $57,000 a year. “The East Valley was in no position to compete,” Beatty said. Even if no new industries come as a result of the rail line, Beatty said it’s expected the trains will eliminate the need for 29,000 round-trip truckloads a year, most of them to and from CMC Steel. CMC accepts most of the scrap steel generated by the East Valley and turns it into rebar. Beatty’s optimism about the project is fueled by the cooperation he sees among the city, Union Pacific and property owners south of the airport. The railroad has spent $8 million to $9 million already to acquire right-ofway. “We expect additional closings to be happening here quite shortly,” Be-

atty said. “There’s really not that many property owners to deal with, which is another reason why this was more feasible than you might think.” Beatty said an economic analysis showed the prospect of 20,500 jobs being generated as a result of the rail line, with commensurate boosts in economic output and tax revenue. Efforts to obtain federal grants to help finance the project have not succeeded, he said, but with a new round of federal infrastructure spending in the offing, that could change. In any event, he said, “We are confident in our ability and Union Pacific’s ability to execute this project without being awarded a grant. However, we feel we have a strong competitive case.” Beatty said it’s expected rail crossings will be at-grade, but he doesn’t see a major effect on traffic. Trains on the spur line will be shorter and will run just a few times a day. “It’s not that much different than waiting at a stoplight,” he said. Jack Sellers, a former Chandler city councilman and current member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, applauded the project. “The East Valley is changing and we really need this kind of support moving forward,” Sellers said.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

State moving toward water agency, higher rates BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

The state is moving to create a new agency to search for and finance the water Arizona will need if it hopes to support the current population and grow into the future. But Arizonans, particularly those who plan to move here in the future, should be prepared to pay more – possibly a lot more – to get it. The new Arizona Water Authority announced Friday by Gov. Doug Ducey would have the unique right to obtain and even own water, much of it presumably coming from everything from piping excess from the Midwest to desalination of water from the Gulf of California. And it would start with that $1 billion the governor hopes to set aside over the next three years. That, however, would not go far, especially with expensive new technology required to make water from elsewhere suitable for household use. The plan envisions having the state partner with private investors who would be willing to finance these projects – investors who would want a rate of return on their cash. House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, who is instrumental in crafting the plan that does require legislative approval, said that is likely to mean that the rates Arizonans pay for water, which often cover only the cost of treating

and delivering it, will have to go up. “We’re going to have to get over the idea that water is cheap,’’ he said. The key, Bowers told Capitol Media Services, may be finding ways to protect those who already are here and charging higher rates or connection fees to those who come to the state in the future and want that water. “My mother-in-law, 100 years old, down on her little lot in Mesa, shouldn’t have to pay the cost of a desalination plant in Mexico,’’ he said. But the bottom line, Bowers said, is that without that new water, expensive that it may be, there just won’t be enough to go around. “If we don’t do it quick, then people actually will be leaving this valley,’’ he said. “They’ll be packing it up and leaving,’’ Bowers continued. “What do you do when you run out of that ditch?’’ The authority is the next step to the Drought Contingency Plan adopted in 2019 in the wake of a decline in water in the Colorado River. Even at the time it was recognized to be only a stop-gap measure, patching together things like obtaining water rights from tribes and some cutbacks in agricultural use. But now the region is facing its driest conditions in 1,200 years. “If that continues for another 10 years, Lake Mead will be empty,’’ Bowers said. In fact, he said that at the

current rate of use versus replenishment, it will be a “dead pool’’ in four or five years. All that is leading to some more radical proposals. “Desalination is one of them,’’ Ducey said. How far the state’s money would go even if it used the entire $1 billion for construction is unclear. And even then, current estimates are that treated water would cost $2,500 an acre foot. That’s the amount of water that, depending on usage, is needed to serve from two to four single-family homes each year. So, think possible $1,200 annual water bills. Bruce Babbitt, the former Arizona governor and U.S. interior secretary, told reporters the state should not look to desalination to answer the state’s water woes, at least not in the next generation. “We need people to understand, it isn’t going to help us out of our present crisis,’’ he said. Ducey, however, said Friday he considers it to be one of the options. Bowers, for his part, acknowledged that the state, in considering desalination, may be looking for a “magic bullet’’ to solve its water woes. But that, he said, does not make this a bad idea. “I would proffer that there aren’t any other bullets,’’ Bowers said. But, technology aside, Bowers said there’s something else that makes this a

practical solution, even if it is expensive. In Arizona, a host of laws govern the ownership of ground water and surface water, meaning much of it already belongs to someone. Even treated effluent, Bowers said, is subject to certain regulations. And the water authority will not have the right to use “eminent domain’’ to seize water that belongs to someone else. But new water from somewhere else? That’s not covered by state law. And that means it actually could be owned outright by the new water authority which then would have the power to sell it where needed without having to worry that someone else’s legal rights were being trampled. The high-dollar solutions like desalination and treated effluent – more colorfully referred to a “toilet-to-tap’’ – won’t be the only ways the authority could spend its money. There are other options, Bowers said, like paying farmers to convert to new crops or use different irrigation techniques. Even incentives to urban landowners to cut back on their lush lawns -- some of them in the Phoenix area actually watered through flood irrigation -- might result in water credits that developers could buy up for new subdivisions. But Ducey is balking at any talk of See

WATER on page 18

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Lawmakers like guns on campuses, government buildings BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

A Senate panel voted this month to allow more people to carry guns into more places, including school grounds. On a party-line vote, with Republicans in the majority, the Judiciary Committee approved permitting loaded weapons on school campuses as long as they remain in a vehicle. Backers of HB 2414 – crafted by Scottsdale Rep. John Kavanagh – say that it’s designed to ensure that parents driving on to school grounds to pick up their kids don’t have to first stop and unload their weapons. Michael Infanzon, lobbyist for the Arizona Citizens Defense League, said most accidents occur when people load and unload their weapons. That carried no weight with Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale. “If you can’t keep your gun from discharging by doing something as simple as loading and unloading it, you shouldn’t be carrying a gun,’’ he said. “And the last place you should be carrying a gun on a school campus. But the measure, which already has been approved by the House, involves more than just a parent driving into the parking lot. As worded, it also permits adults to stash their weapons in cars parked on campuses, provided the vehicle is locked and the weapon is out of sight. Separately and by the same 5-3 party-line vote, the committee said

anyone with a state permit to carry a concealed weapon can bring it into any government building and ignore any “no firearms’’ signs on the door. HB 2316 has built-in exceptions for places like schools and courts. It would allow cities, counties and state agencies to keep guns out – but only if each and every door has a metal detector and a security guard to ensure that no one is armed. And even then, the also would have to have lockers for people to store their weapons. Todd Madeksza, lobbyist for Coconino County, said there are places that guns really don’t belong, ranging from the treasurer’s office to the administrative building where the county supervisors meet. And he said the option of keeping them gun-free zones with equipment and staffing is not an answer, estimating it would take about $2 million to purchase the necessary equipment to cover all doors. And that, said Madeksza assumes that the county could recruit the people to staff each of them. “We are having trouble right now even recruiting sheriff ’s deputies,’’ he told lawmakers. But Kavanagh said it’s foolish to assume that, absent some screening, that people honor what are supposed to be gun-free buildings. “A 6-by-6 sign on the front door that says ‘no weapons’ is half effective,’’ he said. “It certainly stops people who are law-abiding from bringing their weapons in,’’ Kavanagh said. “But the people who are

now law-abiding bring their weapons in, creating a situation where you have good people unarmed and bad people armed.’’ The common theme of both is the question of the balance of the First Amendment right of people to carry a weapon in self-defense versus the risks to others. That was underlined by Lauren Snyder of the Arizona Libertarian Party, who testified in favor of both measures, telling lawmakers about her experience as a victim of sexual assault and domestic violence who now carries a gun. “I refuse to be a victim again,’’ she said. Lawmakers agreed years ago to allow guns in vehicles on campus, provided they are not loaded. Daniel Reid, western regional director of the National Rifle Association, said all HB 2414 does is remove that condition “so that parents who are going to pick up, drop off their kids do not have to deviate from their route.’’ But legal questions remain. One of the most significant is the Gun-Free School Zones Act, approved by Congress in 1990. It prohibits unauthorized individuals from having a loaded or unsecured firearm within in school zone and non-private property within 1,000 feet of them. Reid, however, pointed to an exception which if the person with the weapon is “licensed to do so by the state in which the school zone is located’’ and if law enforcement authorities “verify that the individual is qualified under the

law to receive the license.’’ Only thing is, HB 2414 would grant that right to have that loaded weapon to everyone, not just those who have a state-issued concealed-carry permit. And that could subject the proposal to legal challenges – and the unlicensed individuals who bring their guns onto campuses to federal charges. Cheryl Todd said that as as wife, a mother and a grandmother she wants that ability to bring a loaded weapon onto campus. “It impacts me every single day when I go and pick up my granddaughter from school,’’ said Todd, the Arizona coordinator for the DC Project, an organization of women that advocates for gun rights. She said under current law she is “needlessly left defenseless due to a wrong-headed law.’’ “The fact that I am left defenseless every day at the same time and the same location, these are the kinds of patterns that predators look for,’’ Todd said. She had similar arguments in favor of HB 2316. “A woman with small female children conducting business in any public building or public event where predators know that I will be left needlessly defenseless due to wrong-headed laws is to give predators every conceivable advantage to endanger me and my family,’’ Todd told lawmakers. Dana Allmond, testifying on behalf of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense See

GUNS on page 21

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Gilbert residents were asked to pick their two favorite designs for the Ocotillo Bridge that will span the town’s 272-acre Regional Park. (Topwn of Gilbert)

Gilbert asked residents for Ocotillo Bridge input SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Gilbert is weighing residents’ choice of their favorites among four preliminary designs of a bridge that will cross over Gilbert Regional Park, connecting Ocotillo Road between Higley and Greenfield roads and providing direct access to Queen Creek. The public’s feedback is now being considered as town planners whittle the four designs down to two with updated renderings by April, according to David Rutkowski with consultant Kimley-Horn. Rutkowski. The final two choices may consist of existing concepts or a hybrid of those and will be put to another public poll later this spring, according to officials. Town Council in early summer is expected to pick the design to proceed with construction, which was expected to begin in the fall or winter of 2023. The bridge was anticipated to open

WATER

from page 16

forcing the issue, at least when it comes to farms, even though agriculture uses about 70% of the state’s water. “Farming and agriculture is a huge part of our economy,’’ the governor said. I think we’ve been able to do it successfully.’’ Any change, Ducey said, will have to come from within. “ I think we’ve also had and seen the

for use in spring 2024, according to the town’s timeline. Each of the four concepts – Cascade, Palo Verde, Waterfall, and Water and Stone – is designed around a desert oasis theme, Rutkowski said. The theme came out of public outreach. The 545-foot bridge will have four travel lanes along with bicycle lanes and pedestrian pathways on both sides. The overall budget for the project was $67 million with the construction portion at $54 million, Project Supervisor Ryan Blair told Council last September. The town website also allows residents to leave comments on each design and a few have done so. The Waterfall design incorporates giant dragonfly statues on the bridge that one commenter said poses a “potential safety hazard with people trying to climb it,” while another called them “ugly.” But one person wrote, “I like the

dragonflies, but maybe another option like a hummingbird or butterfly. They add color and dimension. The bridge is more appealing from this vantage point. The shade provided is very appealing.” The Water and Stone design with blue wavy curves attached to the bridge was likened to a “slinky that got tangled up” by one person while another said it was nice but wished there were some shade spots. And, “this looks the most expensive with whatever system will be used to clad the bridge making the design,” another said. The Palo Verde with giant green arches that can be lit up at night got two thumbs up for its design while one person wrote, “Colors are terrible as well as the design.” While one person called the Cascade with its giant towers the “most appeal of the four,” others were less kind with the comments – “Kind of plain,”

“reminds me of a rest stop” and “So ugly. Totally l” I live where I can see this often and it’s not what I’d want to look ,” one person said. “It looks like every other Pheonix underpass.” Rutkowski was asked by the commission which of the four designs he liked. “I like the Waterfall out of the four,” he responded. “I think the simplicity of it; it’s loud but not everywhere and from both sides you get something special.” He added he would like to see the controversial Gilbert logo on top of whatever bridge is picked so people “can see from a distance where you are.” He added the Cascade design originally had the logo. A bridge is needed to connect Ocotillo Road because it’s separated by a number of natural barriers such as the Queen Creek Canal, East Maricopa Floodway and a Roosevelt Water Conservation District canal.

farmers and the companies that are involved in agriculture diversify their crops depending on what the needs and the costs are,’’ he said. “So I don’t know that it’s for the governor to decide who grows what.’’ Nor does he particularly believe that the state needs to curtail farming, even with the amount of water used on agriculture. “And we’re the leafy green capital of the country,’’ Ducey said. “I think we’ve been pretty good at it.’’

The proof, he said, is The flip side of agriculture using 70% is that urban use is a minority. And while the governor said he thinks encouraging conservation should be part of the discussion and a “responsible practice, he isn’t sure that it would make much of a difference. “It doesn’t do much to affect the water supply statewide,’’ he said. Still, Ducey said he does his part. “I turn off the water when I brush my

teeth,’’ the governor said. The new authority with have a nine-member board, with six appointed by the governor and three state officials, including the head of the Department of Water Resources. Of those the governor would name, no more than three could be from the same political party. No more than one appointed member can be from the same county, with a limit of just two of the six coming from Maricopa, Pinal or Pima counties.

NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Future of teletherapy debated as pandemic ebbs BY JENNA SAUTER Cronkite News

Telehealth has been a widely used resource during the pandemic, but as providers and policymakers consider its future, some continue to weigh the pros and cons of treating certain conditions from a distance – particularly mental illness and substance use. “Patients have tended to be OK with teletherapy, but a lot of therapists feel something is lost relative to in-person therapy,” said Dr. John Markowitz, professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University and a research psychiatrist for the New York State Psychiatric Institute. “The major advantage of teletherapy is that it maintains some access to treatment for many, but not all, patients. Exactly how good the quality of that treatment is is controversial,” Markowitz said, adding that research comparing telehealth with in-person therapy is sparse. In an article published in the American Journal of Psychiatry six months into the pandemic, Markowitz and his colleagues explored the benefits and disadvantages of virtual therapy. Those negatives include maintaining a consistent intimate focus and balancing distractions but also inequities with internet access or inability to pay for a smartphone. “Insurance plans, when they have reimbursed remote therapy at all, have arbitrarily tended to pay only for synchronous videotherapy” and not

The pandemic pushed telehealth into the mainstream for all kinds of conditions, as stay-at-home restrictions forced some medical facilities to close and new COVID-19 variants kept patients at home. Dr. Bart Demaerschalk, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, says telemedicine can reduce costs. (Jennifer Alvarez/ Cronkite News)

telephone therapy,” the research found. The pandemic pushed telehealth into the mainstream for all kinds of conditions, as stay-at-home restrictions forced some medical facilities to close and new COVID-19 variants kept patients at home. For many Americans, mental health deteriorated, substance use increased and overdose deaths hit new highs over the past two years. People of color were hit especially hard, research

shows. Black and Hispanic adults have been more likely than white adults to report symptoms of anxiety or depression during the pandemic, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. And Native Americans, who have faced the highest rates of COVID-19 deaths in the nation, have long experienced disproportionate rates of suicide. These communities also struggle to access and pay for behavioral health care. The $2 trillion CARES Act helped expand mental health and substance use services, as well as telehealth, during the pandemic. Federal research shows the percentage of mental health facilities using telemedicine increased to almost 70% in 2020 from 38% in 2019, while the percentage of substance use treatment clinics using telehealth jumped to 58.6% from 27.5%. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is prioritizing expanding telehealth access for mental health and substance use disorders. In a recent report, the agency noted that telehealth can increase treatment in medically underserved communities or those lacking providers. But the report also noted drawbacks. For example, seniors, people living in poverty and people of color report lower rates of smartphone ownership and broadband access. From March 2020 to March 2021, 22 states implemented policies that would provide better insurance coverage for

telemedicine, according to a report by The Commonwealth Fund. In May, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed legislation to expand access to telemedicine for patients, ensure doctors receive equal compensation from insurance companies for telemedicine, and allow out-of-state health care professionals to provide telemedicine in Arizona. “Telehealth expands access to medical services for low-income families and those living in rural areas, protects vulnerable populations, and allows snowbirds visiting our state to receive telemedicine from their home state,” Ducey said. Removing obstacles to care is especially important in Arizona, which ranks 46th in the nation for access to insurance, treatment and providers for mental health conditions, according to the national nonprofit Mental Health America. Although many providers applaud the changes, some remain wary. Vanessa Andersen is a registry nurse for Copa Health, a nonprofit that cares for patients living with developmental, intellectual or behavioral challenges across the Phoenix area. The center accepts in-person visits only under specific requirements, and all therapeutic appointments are done on Zoom. For Andersen, in-person visits are limited to those who require risk See

TELETHERAPY on page 21

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Bill would require review of school library books BY BRENDA MUÑOZ MURGUIA Cronkite News

A bill requiring public review of all school library books has passed its first hearing in the Arizona Senate. House Bill 2439 would establish parental review for books that are approved for school libraries, requiring schools to post the list of newly purchased books on their websites for at least 60 days after approval. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Beverly Pingerelli, R-Peoria, also would require schools to notify parents seven days before the public review period. The Senate Education Committee on Tuesday approved the bill 5-3 along

GUNS

from page 17

in America, had a different take, saying it would allow weapons into places like

TELETHERAPY

from page 19

assessments, medications, prescription pickup and court-ordered treatments. She worries that conditions she’d easily spot during face-to-face visits could be missed over video calls. “A patient can say ‘I’m fine’ over the phone but cry,” Andersen said. “A patient may say they are eating and sleeping well but physically are not well.

party lines. During the bill’s committee hearing, Pingerelli said her intent is not to censor what kids learn. “My intent on this bill is to give transparency for parents and so they know what books are coming, new, into a library,” she said. “This is actually giving local control. If parents have an issue with anything that is being purchased in the library, they have an ability to speak to their governing board.” The bill comes as legislatures across the country are passing laws to expand parental oversight of what is taught in schools. Many states have moved to ban or restrict any curriculum that has to do

with teaching about sexuality or race relations, including “instruction that presents any form of blame or judgment on the basis of race, ethnicity or sex,” according to another bill making its way through the Arizona Legislature. Alicia Messing, a special education teacher and parent, spoke against the bill, calling it a means to censor or to push certain ideologies. “We have a moral obligation to protect Arizona’s children from censorship and the indoctrination of ideas into a one size fits all mentality,” Messing said. “If we can’t trust librarians and our teachers to find and use suitable materials, then our public schools are hopelessly broken.”

Arizona statutes already allow parents who object to any kind of curriculum or material to withdraw their children from that instruction. An exception to HB 2439 includes schools that don’t have a fulltime librarian or media specialist. Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Paradise Valley, voted against the bill. A former teacher, she emphasized the strain the bill could potentially have on underfunded and understaffed schools. “This adds another layer of time and energy that just isn’t in our schools right now,” Marsh said. “Not with the teacher shortage, not with the sub shortage, not with almost every day being all-hands-on-deck.

events in public spaces for children, libraries and community centers. In the end, lawmakers voted according to their beliefs about whether more people with guns makes Arizona a safer place.

“Who’s going to stop a bad guy?’’ asked Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City. “Hopefully, a good guy with a gun.’’ And Borrelli cited the war in Ukraine to make his point.

“What we’re witnessing right now on the world stage is a great example of making sure that the citizenry has access to weapons to defend themselves,’’ he said.

Patients that are not seen can have signs of abuse, whether it be physical, mental or emotional.” Many of Andersen’s patients are dealing with poverty, homelessness or substance use, making access to technology that much more challenging. “Phones and tablets are a last priority considering some don’t know where the next meal is coming from or where they’re going to sleep for the night,” she said. “Not all but many patients

are homeless and need housing. There are so many guidelines and criteria that they need to meet to even qualify for housing. At times there is a waitlist for years for some assistance.” For those who do have a phone or computer, accessibility or other technical issues can still get in the way of making appointments, Andersen said. Although telemedicine can help increase access, Markowitz said, he agreed that it’s not a perfect solution.

Beyond that, Markowitz said, some patients simply can’t afford to burn minutes on their phones. “This is the technological equivalent of more widespread economic unfairness in access to health care,” he said. “If you have good insurance, you can afford good treatment; otherwise, you may be out of luck. It’s a disgrace that our rich country has insurance companies with profit motives rather than trying to help its entire citizenry.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

‘Big Trains’ exhibit shares nostalgia for bygone era BY JOSH ORTEGA Staff Writer

The end of March signals all aboard for Valley train enthusiasts of all ages. The Arizona Big Train Operators nonprofit will hold its annual garden railroading Spring Open House Tour on March 2627 in the gardens of homes in Chandler, Mesa, San Tan Valley and Avondale. The open houses are noon-4 p.m. both days and locations can be found at aztrains.org. The open hosues will run noon to 4 p.m. both days. Tax deductible donations are accepted and used to benefit the promotion of Garden Railroading through shows and open houses throughout the year as well as maintain the railroad layouts at Cardon Children’s Medical Center and the Ryan House. “I’ve been playing with trains all my life,” said San Tan Valley enthusiast Steve Lewis, who has been a member of ABTO since 2011, when he moved to Arizona from Wyoming with his wife Judy. He said he’s had every model of train ever since he can remember – from the time he was 2 years old – except for the smallest: Z-scale. That’s a 1:220 scale model that can fit in a briefcase. The retired 74-year-old had spent 42 years in mechanical engineering and included a position building heavy equipment for Melroe Manufacturing – later bought and renamed to Bobcat.

The “big trains” set-ups March 26-27 in the backyards of several homes in Chadler, Mesa and the SanTan Valley will appeal to train enthusiasts. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Today, he and his wife spend their days planning their layouts for future displays, including the Spring Open House at the end of the month. Their display covers approximately 45 feet by 25 feet with more than 150 linear feet of track running through their setup. It’s no small feat to make it showready, considering their backyard has a two-foot drop from the back fence toward the patio. “When we started out, we didn’t realize we had such a slope I our backyard,” he said. With some help from a member who works at Eaglewings Iron Craft, he leveled out the area to run his track and trains smoothly through his town. Although some operators build their

mockups to resemble real places, Lewis said he and his wife simply duplicate some of their hometown memories. “We try to duplicate what we had around home,” he said. “But it’s still a fictional town.” Some of these include a pair of figures playing checkers and an Old West Saloon with a guy that fell in a wash tub. His inspiration comes from the late ‘40s through the ‘60s. But be sure to visit his setup often because the layout changes with every open house and the only repeats you’ll see are the three duplicate figurines he hides in the display. “We try to create unique scenes when we put our stuff out,” he said.

Lewis and his wife attended the same high school in Morrill, Nebraska. The town of 900 sits in the panhandle near the Wyoming border. He said he’s amazed by some of the workings that goes on with trains and finds great fascination in the small details. “I enjoy things that are intricate,” he said. “The harder it is to put together, the better I like it.” His detail-oriented mind helps keep his trains running on-time and on-rail because he uses heavier, diesel-engine replicas to clean the brass rail that conducts electricity better. The downside to his trains: running more than two trains simultaneously can end in a head-on collision if he doesn’t pay attention to them, causing and damage to the cars that can cost thousands of dollars. But the Lewis’ still enjoys this hobby regardless of how much time and effort that goes into it. “We like our trains,” he said. “And we like to show off our trains.” The attention doesn’t go unnoticed because the Spring Open House can draw up to 50 people a day and twice that during the Christmas Open House. Visitors don’t just get to watch the trains. Lewis said he and his wife have a scavenger hunt for people to identify different figures and features they hide among the displays. You can see all that the Lewises have to offer at their home at 925 East Saddleback Place on March 26-27 from 12 to 4 p.m.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Kameron Marlowe featured performer here initially for Marlowe. “I had written by myself for so long,” he said. “That was a different animal in itself. I had to be vulnerable and be confident. Now I love writing songs with other people.”

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

The KNIX Barbecue & Beer Festival is the perfect gig for country singer Kameron Marlowe. His raucous beer anthem, “Raise One Up,” is a hit when he performs, and barbecue is among his favorite foods. “I think it’s going to be an awesome show,” he said. “I’m going to try out new songs and the old music, we still love to play. We’re excited for some barbecue.” The North Carolina native was introduced to country fans with the autobiographical, self-penned song “Giving You Up.” Marlowe has gone on to amass more than 153 million career on-demand streams. Music was innate to Marlowe. He longed to be a musician, but it was in the back of his mind as he wasn’t sure how to accomplish that. “I did ‘The Voice’ in 2018 and I met some songwriters out there in Nashville,” he said. “I was going back and forth and realized I really wanted to do that.” Signed to Columbia Nashville – home to Luke Combs and Maren Morris – received critical acclaimed before his debut single, “Sober as a Drunk,” was released. He said accolades do not faze him. “To be honest, I just keep my head away from any of that stuff,” he said. “I

it’s going to be “anI think awesome show,” he said. “I’m going to try out new songs and the old music, we still love to play. We’re excited for some barbecue.

”

– Kameron Marlowe

Country singer Kameron Marlowe will be one of the performers at the KNIXBarbecue & Beer Festival in Chandler. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

just write my music and play the shows. If they love it, they love it. If they don’t, they don’t. I love being a musician. I’m just going to keep on doing that. “However, I think it’s because there are so many different genres I pull from, although it’s mostly country. I grew up on a lot of rock and blues music, as well as pop music. There are a lot of different sides to me.” “Hungover” reflects those influences, while the charming “Tequila Talkin’” is a rollicking song that leans toward

country-pop. The song was co-written by Marlowe, Ray Fulcher and Dan Isbell. “I was pretty new in town,” he said about the songwriting process. “I’ve written a ton of breakup songs. I thought it was time to write something a little different. So, I pulled up a guitar and picked up a groove. We were throwing out different titles. ‘Tequila Talkin’’ is an old Lonestar title. We didn’t want to step on that song in any way.” Co-writing a song was challenging

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With his soaring, emotive vocals and gritty, rock-infused sound, Marlowe calls Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Travis Tritt and Ray Charles as influences. Check out his muscular cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” Last summer, he hit Ak-Chin Pavilion with Brad Paisley and Jimmie Allen. Marlowe said, for a fledgling act like him, the summer tour proved to be educational. “One thing I really respected about Brad Paisley and his camp was how they handle all their situations,” said Marlowe, who hails from Kannapolis, North Carolina. “They’re very professional on the road. They’re flawless. They take care of all their artists. They’re the nicest people in the world. They’re Johnny on the Spot.” Marlowe is parlaying those experiences into a new project, which he calls “fully me.” “There are a lot of different styles on the record—everything from traditional-sounding music to a little bit of old school rock. It’s going to be cool. I don’t know what to expect yet. It’s still going in the studio. “Just all of this has been a dream come true, to be honest. I never would have thought I would be here getting to play music every night.”

If you go

What: KNIX Barbecue & Beer Festival w/Lee Brice, Parker McCollum, Kameron Marlowe and Jacob Morris When: Noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 26 Where: Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road, Chandler Cost: $20 general admission in advance, $30 at the door; $225 VIP. Military and first responders get $15 off at the door with ID. Kids 12 and younger are admitted free. Admission does not include food and beverage. Info: forty8live.com/chandlerbbq.com

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler events firm bouncing back from shutdown BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Robb Corwin remembers the date everything changed. “March 13 was doomsday,” Corwin said, recalling the 2020 directive closing businesses his to shut down because of the pandemic. As chief executive officer for Forty8 Live, a Chandler-based events company that put on the Cajun Festival last month, he said the shutdown “was excruciating. “And, and that doesn’t come close to describing how hard it was,” Corwin said. “It was probably the hardest two weeks of my 35 years of being in business.” Corwin said the shutdown order hit them hard. “We had multiple events going that day, we were opening gates,” he said. “Laying people off, not knowing what was coming, trying to figure out how I was going to take care of all our employees … that was hard. “Thank God events are back.” And so is Corwin’s company, which had been the HDE Agency until this year. Corwin acquired HDE Agency in 2018

Left: Forty8 Live’s recreation of Bourbon Street in New Orleans was a special addition to the Cajun Fest in downtown Chandler. (Special to SanTan Sun News ) Right:Last month’s Cajun Festival in downtown Chandler was organized by Forty8 Live, a Chandler promotion company. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

and decided to change the focus this year, renaming his company Forty8 Live with a goal of producing 12 big events in 2022. He said the new name reflects a focus on the nation’s 48th state, but its

events won’t limited by that since there are plans to produce events nationally. Firty8 Live bills itself as a “national event company that provides turn-key solutions for start-up concepts to the well-established branded clients” and

“creates, books, produces, and markets live events from festivals, concerts and civic celebrations to corporate events and private themed special events. See

FORTY8 on page 28

Chandler business carries on with carry-ons BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Jacob Elggren says when he was young, he and his older brother Ethan competed at everything growing up in Mesa. “Basketball, football, games in the pool, video games, especially, board games, anything,” Jacob said. “Growing up he was always the guy that always would never let me win. I really think because of that, that’s helped me a lot, in the business too. Because I have all those losses, I know how to take losses and just move on, and keep moving forward. I’m just glad he’s on my team now.” The Elggren brothers started their own business in 2015 called Andar (pronounced AHN-dar). It’s a Spanish word meaning, among other definitions, to carry. The Chandler company makes and sells goods that carry things – from wallets and purses to computer bags and smartphone cases. Andar uses leather or wood for most of their products because, Jacob said, they want their products to last. “We saw an opportunity where a lot of people were carrying around a lot of bulk,” Jacob said. “We saw an opportunity where we could make a wallet that was thin, and help people minimize what they carry.” They started selling the wallets out of Jacob’s Mesa home. Soon, the business grew and they needed bigger space. Eventually they moved into a Chandler warehouse.

Above: Kinzy Wilstead packs orders in the fulfillment area of Andar’s warehouse. Right: Jacob Elggren of Chandler and his brother in Utah started Chandler-based Andar in 2015, making wallets and other things for people to carry stuff in. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)

“So we use leather as that material, folded leather in particular,” Jacob said. “Because it holds up so well, and people can have that product with them and not have to keep buying, every year.” He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration at Northern Arizona University, but starting a business was not his goal as a child. “Growing up, I was always like, ‘I want to be an NBA player,’” he said. “But, I didn’t work hard enough and I didn’t realize until that until I was in my 20s, then I was like, ‘I got to figure out what I want to do.’”

Jacob handles the day-to-day operations. Ethan lives in Utah and contributes with administration, finances and marketing. One of Andar’s challenges is while the products are designed and sold in

Arizona, they are manufactured overseas. That means dealing with supply chain issues, international laws, tariffs and other issues. Jacob said he didn’t undergo any special training to design their products. He said they remain true to their overall mission of slimming down the products. They now offer 18 different styles. One feature includes a pull tab that grants easy access to credit cards. They try to carry the same philosophy over to the other products they sell, including cases, bags and other goods. Last month they held their first warehouse sell, where they offer up their products that did not pass their quality control inspection as a significant discount. It is hard to see the defects that landed them in that category, but Jacob said they would never ship them out in that condition. He said the worked with two other companies and each advertised the sale to customers on their mailing lists. He called it a big success and said they will likely do this again, perhaps up to three times a year. Jacob said they had high hopes they can build Andar into an important business. And when they run into problems, he just remembers the lessons he learned losing all those games to his older brother as a child. But they weren’t all losses. “I beat him a few times, and celebrated it for sure.” Information: andar.com

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Major semiconductor support firm opening here SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Intel’s $20 billion expansion of its Ocotillo campus is starting to have the predicted impact on Chandler’s business sector. Edwards Semiconductor Service, the leading supplier of vacuum and abatement services and solutions to the global semiconductor industry, has announced plans to build a new stateof-the-art manufacturing facility in Chandler at 2411 E. Germann Road. “The new 200,000-square-foot facility will leverage the latest manufacturing and digital technologies to support the fast-growing North American semiconductor market with services and solutions for the efficient and environmentally sustainable production of chips,” a city spokeswoman said. Experts and city officials have predicted that Intel’s expansion would lure companies that service the semiconductor industry and ultimately produce as many as 15,000 jobs. Edwards’ Chandler is expected to add 200 jobs and will include warehouses, factory areas, meeting rooms and a dedicated training center. It also will have the capacity to grow along with the market. Semiconductor manufacturing is essential to supporting developments across the technology, electronics, transport, scientific and healthcare sectors. “A recent surge in demand has seen widespread investment in the US’ manufacturing capability, and Edwards’ invest-

This rendering shows the new building Edwards plans to erect on E. Germann Road in Chandler. (City of Chandler)

ment in a new Arizona facility represents a significant step forward in ensuring the supply chain capacity required to support that growth,” the city said. Edwards President Tony Metcalf said, “Unprecedented growth in the semiconductor market to meet the world’s growing consumer demand has resulted in extraordinary growth in demand for Edwards’ products and services. “Looking ahead, this growth is set to continue, with our customers in the USA investing billions of dollars in additional manufacturing capacity,” Metcalf added, noting his company has “a long tradition of supporting our customers with local service and manufacturing capabilities, and our investment in the Chandler facility continues that tradition.” Gov. Doug Ducey hailed Edwards’

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announcement, stating that it “furthers Arizona’s reputation as an unrivaled manufacturing destination and strengthens the state’s growing semiconductor supply chain.” “Edwards is a global leader in the semiconductor supply chain and we are proud the company will be part of Arizona’s semiconductor industry,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “Edwards’ innovative solutions in vacuum and abatement for semiconductor manufacturing will advance Arizona’s leadership as a semiconductor hub while creating hundreds of skilled jobs. We look forward to supporting Edwards as they begin production at their manufacturing facility later this year.” Construction of the new site in

Chandler is underway and beginning later this year, it will start remanufacturing and assembly of equipment essential to meet the demand for new semiconductor fab requirements. It will utilize advanced automation and data solutions to disassemble, clean, inspect, repair, replace and reassemble vacuum pumps. Reduced transportation through close customer proximity, along with water recycling and the use of renewable energy will all contribute to more sustainable manufacturing operations. “Chandler continues to attract significant investment from the semiconductor supply chain and we are thrilled to announce this latest addition,” said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. “Edwards went through an exhaustive site selection process and ultimately chose Chandler due to our first-class labor pool, excellent transportation access, and great quality of life. We look forward to partnering with Edwards as they invest in our community in the months and years ahead.” “Greater Phoenix is at the center of a rapidly accelerating semiconductor movement, and the Edwards Vacuum expansion in Chandler is the latest addition to our booming industry ecosystem,” said Chris Camacho, President and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council. “They provide a critical component to the manufacturing process that helps the region maintain a competitive edge, and we look forward to being a partner in their continued growth and success.”

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FORTY8

from page 26

“Our goal is to produce signature events that produce a significant economic impact in the community, create a memorable experience for the attendees and deliver results that exceed expectations for our partners,” it says on its website. Corwin said he knows the pandemic hasn’t completely gone away and that his company is doing everything it can to protect people at their events.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

“We space things out – more spatial awareness,” he said. “We space out our lines, have glass between the ticket takers, and we sanitize the whole space, and our disinfectant lasts for days. “There’s a lot that goes into COVID protocols that we’ve never had to experience before,” Corwin said. “It’s expensive, but it’s a necessary thing we have to do to make people feel comfortable going out.” Corwin is also CEO of the Pride Group, another events business. He said

he has started dozens of companies. He said one thing of Forty8 Live’s specialities is staging successful events. “We figure out how to make it profitable, that’s what we’re all about,” Corwin said. “We book talent, book entertainment, we come up with themes. And we end early, so we can help out other businesses in the area. So he expected after the Cajun Festival ended people would fill up the bars and restaurants in downtown Chandler. The theme for the Cajun Festival

had a very New Orleans feel. Guests entered by walking down Bourbon Street and there were people on top tossing beads down to everyone. “We hope events like this will embed us in.” Upcoming Forty8 Live events are the KNIX Barbecue and Beer festival in downtown Chandler on March 26, the Great American BBQ throw down in Surprise in April and the Rockin’ Taco Street Fest in September. The company will also put on Oktoberfest for Gilbert in October.

Local woman’s new business delivers food to pets SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

From a 25-year career as a 911 operator for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Anna Baum has started a new career as a small-business operator that’s a kind of UberEats for pets. Baum owns a franchise for Pet Wants Gilbert North, a mobile pet-food delivery that specializes in small-batch-produced healthy food and treats for dogs and cats. Her new gig – serving virtually the entire Valley – is giving her a chance to exercise what she learned in her preDPS career as a food-service manager as well as an opportunity to own her own pet again without feeling guilty about leaving it alone while she works. “I grew up with dogs, cats, horses, cows, chickens and goats,” Baum explained. “I was never without a faithful dog until my last two died a little over two years ago. Due to my long hours as a 911 communication manager with DPS, I did not get another dog. I felt it was better to wait until I retired.” Now the owner of cat – which she said “acts as close to a dog as a cat can get” – Baum delivers food ordered online from a 7-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio, company started by two women who began making food for their dog after discovering large-producer, commercial food actually made their pet sick. Besides selling multiple blends of dog and cat food that the company says contains high-quality proteins and never uses added sugar, fillers, animal by-products, corn, wheat, soy or dyes, Pet Wants also sells healing salve, calming balm, anti-itch spray and paw wax. Along with having a job that doesn’t require the long hours of 911 operator, Baum said her food-delivery service

Anna Baum, pictured here with her cat Lucy, operates a mobile pet food delivery service. (Special to STSN)

fulfills another post-retirement goal. ”I wanted something that was interactive with the community doing something I loved,” she said. “I found Pet Wants and it was exactly what I was looking for. I could interact with the community in a capacity I had a passion for – animals and health and wellness.” She undertook training last month “on the various kinds of pet food, ingredients and how supplements can be helpful, the various kinds of afflictions pets can have and how food can make such a big difference in how pets behave and how long they live. “I practice preventive care for myself so it was a natural fit to extend that to talking about good food for your pets,” she added. That training enables her to help

customers make the right choices when they peruse the various kinds of food offered on Pet Wants’ website. “I can work with them and share information with them that will help them make informed decisions about what kind of food to feed their pets,” Baum said. “They can order online but that’s only one part of the relationship. The other part is getting to know their pets and helping them learn how to address issues as they arise.” “Pet Wants is different because we provide fresh, holistic products in a way that’s convenient and personal. We have the knowledge and training to help our customers find the best solutions for their individual pets and the resources to help pets live long, healthy lives,” Baum said. “We want to support

you and your pets as they grow and age and their needs change over time.” As she planned for retiring and going out into the marketplace as a solo business owner, Baum had anticipated her father would be working with her. But he passed away in December. Recovering from her loss was the biggest challenge she faced as she launched her business but she finds some comfort in the fact that her delivery vehicle had been her father’s and “while he is not here to help me, he will be with me always.” And there’s another part of her new career that’s especially appealing. “My kids and their families, my mom and aunt and my sister are all excited about being a part of this new adventure so it will be very family-centric, with something fun for everyone to do,” Baum said. “After all the missed holidays over the years working as a 911 dispatcher and manager, I am looking forward to the time spent with my family, serving the community in a different way.” It also gives her time to continue volunteering in the community, serving homemade dinners to homeless women in Mesa. “Pet Wants is going to be the hub of our family – I’m looking forward to spending time working together and having the kind of flexibility you can’t have working for a 911 communications center,” Baum said. “After serving my community for 25 years, coupled with my holistic way of living, I felt strongly that Pet Wants was aligned with my values and would be a good way to continue to give back to the community in a positive, uplifting way.” Information: abaum@petwants. com, petwants.com, 480-867-3922.

Spencer’s opens new warehouse in East Valley SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Spencer’s TV & Appliance, in its now 50th year in business, has opened a warehouse facility and business headquarters on the southwest corner of 40th Street and the Loop 202 freeway in Chandler. Spencer’s new headquarters will be among a collection of buildings known as the Akimel Gateway in the Gila River Indian Community.

“With nearly 4 miles of storage racks, the new warehouse will give Spencer’s the space they need to effectively serve the growing population of the Valley and their additional planned locations,” the company said in a release. Spencer’s said it makes nearly 750 deliveries a day and a centrally located warehouse will give it more effective access throughout the region. Rick Biederbeck, owner stated “First of all, we want to thank the Gila River

community for their cooperation and relationship which has made this possible,” said owner Rick Biederbeck. “ We also want to thank all of our employees and customers which have provided us the sales growth and expansion that we never would have dreamed of when we started the company nearly 50 years ago.” Prior to the building’s construction, Biederbeck and the company management offered a prayer to dedicate the land.

“To think of Spencer’s and where it started and where we are today is humbling,” he said. “It’s been a blessing to our employees who now share in the ownership of the company.” Spencer’s opened its first small appliance store at the corner of MacDonald and First Avenue in Mesa in 1973. It now has 10 locations across the Valley. The employee-owned company sells all major brand appliances, mattresses, TV’s, and water-softening products.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Copenhagen Imports slates food drive in Valley SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Copenhagen Imports has partnered with community food banks across Arizona and Texas in a company-wide fundraising initiative to raise $90,000 to support hunger relief in each of the store’s locations – including Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Gilbert. From now through March 23, Copenhagen will donate 5% of all gross sales to St. Mary’s Food Bank to support the food bank during a time of year when giving is historically low. Copenhagen’s fundraising goal for the Valley is $30,000.

In addition, employees across the company are volunteering for shifts at food bank warehouses, gardens, kitchens, and more to show their support for this cause. To encourage participation, Copenhagen will give customers a 5% discount on purchases made in their showrooms and online and will encourage customers to donate non-perishable food items or individual monetary gifts, collected in-store its Valley locations. St. Mary’s Food Bank will provide storage bins for food collection at each location. Each showroom will have donation forms and/or a digital fund-

Copenhagen CFO and family-owner Jorgen Hansen. “We owe our success to the community, and it feels natural that we should be giving back.” Copenhagen Imports, family-owned and family-operated since 1970, is a Scandinavian contemporary furniture and accessories retailer with seven locations across Arizona and Texas. Copenhagen boasts “high-quality, tailored customer service and curates its furniture collection to ensure quality and responsible pricing” and says it fosters “fostering a family-oriented, professional workplace for employees.” Information: CopenhagenLiving.com

raising page setup by the Food Bank for individuals who would like to make personal donations. To create community awareness, St. Mary’s Food Bank will participate via social media while Copenhagen plans a full media blitz. As a family-owned and operated company since 1970, Copenhagen Imports has a longstanding history of, and commitment to, community involvement and has worked annually with organizations such as community food banks and other charities. “Being involved in the community has always been a priority for us,” said

Bill would allow lethal force to protect property BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

State senators are mulling a bill that would allow business owners and their employees to kill people who are damaging or even defacing their property. Legislation had been set for a rollcall vote last week to expand existing laws that allow people to use deadly physical force. At the Santan Sun News’ deadline, however, no vote had yet occurred. Right now lethal force is limited to things like preventing murder, rape, child molestation and arson of an occupied structure. But Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, said that list needs to be expanded. “Sadly, we have become all too familiar with the looting and smashand-grab thefts that have occurred across the county and has resulted in violence and property damage,’’ she told members of the Senate Judiciary Committee which already has approved the measure on a 5-3 party-line vote,

with all Republicans in favor. “I believe we need to strengthen our laws so that business owners will have a legal justification for using physical force or even deadly force when defending their property.’’ But Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale, told colleagues they need to consider the message they are sending. “This is a bill that puts the value of property above the value of human life,’’ he said. “Regardless, if somebody is committing criminal damage or not, no property is worth more than human life.’’ Sen. Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, said the question of whether property is equivalent to life is not that simple. “It depends,’’ he said. “If you have somebody who’s spent their entire life ... they saved everything, their whole life, their whole little life was put into buying the things they have, and then you destroy it or steal that from them, you’ve literally taken their life away from them, Ugenti-Rita said her SB 1650 would

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not provide an unrestricted license to kill. She said it requires that the person against whom they use force is “knowingly defacing or damaging property’’ of another person. And that, Ugenti-Rita conceded, could mean someone spray painting graffiti. More significant, she said, her measure would allow business owners to use deadly force only if the other person possess a “deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.’’ Ugenti-Rita said she did not want to make the language in her bill too specific as to exclude things nor so broad that

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it is over-inclusive. “I guess if you do it just right, you could stab a Q-tip into someone’s eye and do permanent damage,’’ she told Contreras. “Is that a dangerous weapon?’’ The question of what is a weapon aside, Ugenti-Rita said she sees the issue from a different perspective. “I’m sorry, but it’s a serious, violent crime that’s occurring,’’ she said. “And I think the owner, the owner’s representatives should be able to consider that if they feel it’s necessary.’’

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No good reason not to convert to a Roth IRA BY DR. HAROLD WONG Guest Writer

The more your traditional IRA or 401k grows, the more the eventual tax, either through Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) that start at age 72 or whenever you withdraw money to enjoy. It’s all taxed as ordinary income. The only way to avoid this ticking tax time bomb is the Roth IRA Conversion. There are two major benefits to a Roth IRA Conversion and the first is that no matter how much you earn, there is no tax for the rest of your life; your spouse’s life; and the first 10 years your heirs (typically kids) inherit the Roth IRA. The second major benefit is that there is no RMDs with a Roth IRA. Unlike with a traditional IRA or 401k, the government cannot tell you to distribute an increasing RMD each year that is fully taxable.

Over the last 12 years, thousands have attended my free seminars. Only 2% have $30,000 or more in a Roth IRA. There are two major reasons. The first is that they won’t give up the ability to reduce each year’s taxable income by contribution to a traditional IRA or 401k. However, this is a tax trap that will result in much more tax paid than saved over their lives. The second reason is that once you have reached retirement age, you can’t stomach the high tax that results from converting $200,000-$1 million+ to a Roth IRA, which increases taxable income by that much. What if there was a way to eliminate 100% of the federal tax that resulted from a Roth IRA conversion? The most powerful way to reduce tax on high taxable income (whether generated by high wages or profits; selling stock or real estate; or doing big Roth IRA Conversions) is buying and leasing out solar business equipment. On a $65,000 solar deal, the 26%

federal solar tax credit and Section 179 (which allows one to deduct 87% of the $65,000 cost of the equipment in the year it’s “placed in service”) is enough to offset all the federal tax on the first $170,000 of federal taxable income for a couple filing married, joint return. A common misconception is that a Roth IRA Conversion does not make sense if one is older. Case Study: Dave is a widower age 85. He was scammed over $3 million by a Wall Street investment firm. He still has $1 million financial assets, including $335,000 in a traditional IRA. His #1 priority is to leave assets to his three kids. His youngest child is a son that can average at least a 20% annual return in real estate investing. Dave should immediately convert the entire $335,000 to a Roth IRA. In 17 years, assuming Dave lives until 92 and then the kids enjoy 10 years of tax-free growth after inheriting the Roth IRA, it will become a total of $7.5 million taxfree. Split equally between the three

kids, each will have $2.5 million tax-free. The Roth IRA Conversion allows Dave to leave more than he thought possible to the kids, even after being scammed $3 million+ by Wall Street. You’re never too old to do a Roth IRA Conversion. You need earned income to make an annual contribution to an IRA, but no earnings are required to do a Roth IRA conversion. Free live seminar and lunch: 10 a.m. March at Hyatt Place, 3535 W. Chandler Blvd. Chandler, followed by a free lunch at 12:15 pm catered by La Madeleine French Café. The topic is “Roth IRA Conversions: Tax-Free at Any Age!” To RSVP for the seminar or schedule a free consultation, contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480-706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail.com. His website is drharoldwong.com. Dr. Harold Wong earned his Ph.D. in economics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/radio programs.

House rejects bill on bank lending practices BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

State lawmakers have slapped down a bid to tell banks with whom they have to do business. On a 29-29 vote the House killed legislation that would have barred financial institutions from considering a company’s ESG score when deciding whether to lend them money. That refers to an analysis of a firm’s environmental, social justice and governance practices to determine the financial risk. Rep. Jake Hoffman, R-Queen Creek, said this is becoming an increasing part of what have been traditional credit scores. He argued that lending decisions should be based on a company’s books, with everything else irrelevant -- and none of the business of financial institutions. “If you are not ‘green’ enough as a company they will lower your score,’’ effectively denying them access to capital, he told colleagues during hearings on the measure. “This is especially bad for a state like us that has lots of mining interests and where we have natural resources that are in abundance because, in many cases, those companies are seen as not

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Katie Gipson McLean, a defense attorney, questioned the breadth of the measure, saying it would amount to “being a reason for them to possibly die over something that’s even less than $250 worth of value.’’ Ugenti-Rita was unconvinced, saying that the conditions in her bill preclude just anyone from killing a person committing property damage. More to the point, she said the situation also has to be seen through the eyes of the business owner. “Your ability to earn a living and take care of yourself and your family is inextricably tied to your ability to have

green enough.’’ And that’s not all. “If you’re not ‘woke’ enough as a company, they will lower your score for that,’’ Hoffman said. And he said lenders are also making decisions based on whether their board of directors is set up in certain ways. The defeat came of HB 2656 came as two Republicans, Michelle Udall of Mesa and Joel John of Arlington lined up with every House Democrat in opposition. Neither explained their decision. But Rep. Morgan Abraham, D-Tucson, chided the other Republicans for failing to understand what they were proposing. “This is telling businesses how to act, what to do, what they can and cannot do,’’ he said. “I’m blown away by the dynamic I’m seeing.’’ Hoffman, however, said lawmakers need to understand the implications of not taking steps to ban the use of ESG scores. For example, he said that, unless they are restricted, a bank may decide to charge a higher mortgage rate to someone solely because the home is not as energy efficient as a lender thinks is appropriate, a difference he said could cost a homeowner hundreds of dollars a month. “It’s certainly not going to im-

pact the elites, the megacorporation wokesters who run these companies, the people who are in the Top 1%,’’ he said. “It’s going to affect low-income and middle-income families, the people who can’t afford to put solar on their homes, the people who can’t afford to drive a Tesla or some other green electric car.’’ Rep. Joseph Chaplik, R-Scottsdale, said there already are practical effects of the ESG system. He said the National Credit Union Administration is requiring credit unions to evaluate climate risk when making agricultural loans. “If the methane footprint of your cattle is too high, you may not get that loan,’’ he said. Rep. Neal Carter, R-Queen Creek, had a different example. He said that McDonald’s is moving to improve its ESG score with a pledge to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. But McDonald’s gets all of its cheese nationwide from Schreiber Foods. And he said that company gets much of its dairy from Pinal County farmers. “So, in other words, Schreiber Foods is going to require local dairy producers to reduce their carbon footprint and alter their land use practices, which is

going to have an effect on residents of Pinal County like myself,’’ Carter said. That pressure bothered Rep. Mark Finchem, R-Oro Valley. “This whole program of ESG truly is an evil attempt to force people into doing something that they otherwise might not otherwise do,’’ he said. The defeat of the bill is a victory for the financial sector. During committee hearings, Jay Kaprosy, lobbyist for the Arizona Bankers Association, said his clients are doing nothing improper. “What we see is we see banks that are making business decisions, who are evaluating their customer base, who are looking at the pros and cons of the work that they do, who are evaluating on a number of different factors about who they choose to do business with,’’ he said. Rep. Diego Espinoza, D-Tolleson, said the issue for him is even simpler. He said there’s a sign just inside the door of Fuego Bar and Grill that he owns: We have the right to refuse service. “Government shouldn’t be telling me who can and cannot be my business,’’ he said. “I should be able to make that determination based on a variety of factors.’’

employment and, in this case, own a business,’’ Ugenti-Rita said. “The vast majority of businesses are small businesses, under 100 employees.’’ She said the use of deadly physical force has to be an option for those who have exhausted other options. “You should have the right to defend your property like you defend yourself,’’ Ugenti-Rita said. “The unintended consequences that can come from someone damaging your property are severe to your livelihood, to you and your family.’’ There is nothing in her bill, however, that makes the ability to use deadly physical force contingent on exhausting other options.

Ugent-Rita, who is running for secretary of state, said her decision to propose this law isn’t just about what she said is an uptick in property damage. “You couple that with the ‘defund the police’ movement, you couple that with municipalities and elected officials not supporting our law enforcement,’’ she said. And Ugenti-Rita said police may not be able to answer calls from business owners “because they simply don’t have enough resources.’’ Sen. Sonny Borrelli, R-Lake Havasu City, said it has to be seen through the eyes of business owners. He spoke of being in the Marines and being deployed to Los Angeles to help the police department during the riots in 1992 after

four police officers were acquitted in the beating death of Rodney King. Total property damage from the multi-day incident was closed to $1 billion. “Those Korean neighborhoods, those business owners, small business owners, had their entire life savings, their entire livelihood is resting on protecting their property,’’ Borrelli said. He also said that the police are “minutes away’’ in urban areas, longer in rural areas. “A lot of things can happen in three or four minutes,’’ Borrelli said. “Most firefights in combat last less than a minute.’’ If the measure clears the Senate it then goes to the House for a new set of hearings.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Valley Christian wins 3A basketball title BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Valley Christian was in unfamiliar territory early in the 3A boys basketball state championship game Saturday, Feb. 26 at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. The Trojans found themselves facing a double-digit deficit against Coolidge at the half. They were being out-rebounded, out-shot and overall, outplayed in the first two quarters of the biggest game of the season. Head coach Greg Haagsma used the long intermission to calm his team down and help them refocus on the fundamentals. It worked. Valley Christian looked like a completely different team led by senior Caleb Shaw as it went on to outscore Coolidge 34-15 in the second half and defeat the Bears 61-56 to capture the 3A title. “We needed a long halftime to regroup and how to rebound better,” Haagsma said. “They were missing shots in the first half, too. They were just rebounding better. We stepped up the pressure a little bit certainly. “They were able to go cold and we were able to play an offense where we got some backdoor cuts, be patient and really attack the glass. Which I think really helped us a lot.” Coolidge jumped all over the Trojans

worn down by Coolidge’s explosive burst of energy early on. But once settled down, the Trojans took over. “We just needed to have more intensity,” Caleb said. “Have more intensity and get after it on defense and rebounding.” Valley Christian went on a 21-6 run in the third quarter, highlighted by its smothering defense, Caleb’s scoring and contributions from 6-foot-3 freshman wing Kyle Grier and Caleb’s younger brother, 6-foot-1 sophomore guard Luke. Grier, one of three freshmen for the Trojans this season, finished with Shaw led the team with 31 points and 10 rebounds, another stellar performance that was needed as 12 points and 7 rebounds. the Trojans trailed throughout the first half before outscoring Coolidge 34-15 in the second half. (Dave It was a quieter night Minton/Arizonan Staff) for Luke, who averages more than 10 points a Coolidge’s ability to not only cash in the first two quarters of play. The game. He capped off the season with a in from beyond the arc but get secduo of Brayden Gant and Belclem 7-point, 4-rebound performance. ond-chance opportunities on the Namegabe caused headaches everyEven as Valley Christian appeared to offensive end helped it quickly build where on the floor and on the glass. have flipped a switch and out-matched a double-digit lead. Valley Christian, Gant finished with a team-high 18 points and 12 rebounds. Namegabe add- aside from the heroics from Caleb and his 19 first-half points, appeared to be ed 16 points and 10 boards of his own. See on pag 32

VALLEY

With no Cactus League, Innings Fest draws a crowd BY KEVIN REDFERN Cronkite News

The ping of metal bats meeting baseballs in the cages could be heard from blocks away. Fans dusted off their favorite jerseys and memorabilia pieces to be signed by MLB legends as they scarfed down funnel cakes and corn dogs. Sharpies and sunscreen filled up purses and strollers galore. And instead of those metal bats, the sights, sounds and smells coming from Sloan Park, Scottsdale Stadium or any of the other Cactus League ballparks around the Valley, fans amid the MLB lockout fans were getting their fix of spring baseball at Tempe Beach Park two weeks ago when the Innings Festival made its return. After spending a year on hold because of COVID-19, the Innings Festival brought together baseball fans and rock-and-roll diehards, who merged for a two-day festival where MLB legends greeted fans and bands rocked out along Tempe Town Lake. Major League Baseball, and by extension the Cactus League, is still on pause as the league and its players continue collective bargaining negotiations. Many fans who attended Innings Fest said their initial intention was to be at spring training games in addition to experiencing the festival, which is the whole concept of the event.

The Tempe Innings Festival brought together fans of baseball and music and was a welcome event for supporters of a sport that is dealing with a work stoppage that has shut down Spring Training Season in Mesa and the rest of the Valley. (Jim Jacoby/Cronkite News)

After negotiations fell apart March 1, spring training is still on pause and early games in the regular season have been canceled. Evan Thompson and Corbin Clark, both 27 and San Francisco Giants supporters from Northern California, were two of many fans dressed head to toe in their team’s gear. When they purchased

their Innings Fest tickets in October, they hoped to pair the experience with a Giants game during the daytime. “We like Foo Fighters. We like Tame Impala and we like baseball. It’s kind of the trifecta,” Thompson said. “The fans are the ones that are kind of helpless. We don’t really have a say in what’s going on (with the lockout).”

Clark, while also disappointed, expressed interest in meeting Jim Abbott, the New York Yankees’ legend who is largely known for making it as a professional (and throwing a no-hitter) with just one hand. Abbott, who spoke to fans on Sunday, wrote a biography that inspired a young Clark, who is hopeful for a swift conclusion to the league’s negotiations. “I want to see some baseball, I just don’t want to see them compromise on what makes it baseball,” he said. Cactus League games provide a fan-friendly way to engage baseball’s younger audiences through face-toface player interactions that do not break the piggy bank for parents. While the price point for Innings fest was fairly steep at around $150 per day for admission, children of all ages received a similar experience to the ballpark. Of course, there is no shortage of adults – or pricey adult beverages – during spring training, either. In addition to Abbott, MLB Legends Roger Clemens, Kenny Lofton, Rick Sutcliffe and more signed baseballs and made small talk with thousands of fans. Former Diamondbacks’ pitcher Dontrelle Willis also made an appearance. Clemens, 59, won seven Cy Young awards and two World Series titles as See

BASEBALL on page 32

SPORTS & RECREATION

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Left: Jameson Riter, middle, fends off defenders Landen Dodd, left, and Ashaun Lindsey as he drives to the basket during a Mikey’s League basketball game. (Mary Grace Grabill/Cronkite News) Right: Jack Tait, center, sets his eyes on the hoop for a shot attempt as Ashaun Lindsey and others try to chase him down on defense during a Mikey’s League basketball game. (Mary Grace Grabill/Cronkite News)

Mikey’s League opens sports to disabled kids BY MARY GRACE GRABILL Cronkite News

While Karl Bender was deployed in Iraq, his brother Michael was fighting a battle of his own. In 2008, “Mikey,” as Michael Bender was known, lost his fight of 21 years with cerebral palsy and a heart defect. When he was born, doctors told the Bender family Mikey would not live past the age of 3. When Karl came home for the funeral, his unit was hit by an IED back in Iraq. In a way, Mikey’s death saved Karl’s life. “I would not be here if it wasn’t for him (Mikey),” Karl Bender said. To honor Mikey’s memory, Bender

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Coolidge, the Bears hung around. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Trojan lead was cut to just two points. Valley Christian had a chance to extend its lead several times from the free throw line. But during a 3-minute stretch in the fourth quarter, the Trojans missed 8-of-9 free throws. Caleb had seven of those. “He’s got to get better at those, huh?” Haagsma said. “He put us on his back and carried us. He really did. That’s

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a player. Sporting his sizable University of Texas national championship ring, he took time to give young players and fans some pointers and baseball grip techniques. One of those lucky fans was a 12-year-old Padres fan Rowan Ward from San Diego. Ward and his family planned to come watch the Padres play in Peoria in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic suspended all league activities. Now, two years later, they’re missing out on

founded Mikey’s League with Scott Freeman in 2019, creating an outlet of sports for children and adults who have intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities. “They might have to live at home and stuff, but they can still be big functioning members of society,” Bender said. “They’re no different. And that’s what I want to change. That’s what I want to really show and be true to the inclusive word.” Mikey’s League offers flag football, basketball and hockey within the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and Bender hopes to expand it throughout the nation. “That’s been our emphasis from the beginning, is making sure that these kids feel like they’re getting the same thing

as everyone else,” Freeman said. “We want them to have the same experience that they watch their brothers and sisters have. There’s really no reason that they can’t have that experience.” Freeman said the basketball program did not meet their “internal expectations of following our mission of giving these kids exceptional services,” so in January, Mikey’s League and KinectAbility Athletics joined to strengthen each program and help athletes grow. Daisy Altamirano, founder and chief executive officer of Kinectability Athletics, played collegiate basketball and is making changes to improve the Mikey’s League basketball program. “Daisy is an incredible partner in

helping us keep Mikey’s League going,” Bender said. “And that’s what we strive to be is we want to bring quality, and she is quality to our sport or to our league.” Each practice includes 45 minutes of skills development and 45 minutes of game play for participants. Freeman said the program helps young athletes make connections with everyone involved. “Through sports, we become connected with coaches that are positive role models,” he said. “We’re connected with peers who hold us accountable for our actions and … to expectations.” For now, Mikey’s League is confined to the East Valley, but Bender and Freeman hope to expand it across Arizona.

just the player he is.” Coolidge’s last opportunity to cut the lead was quickly taken away by Caleb, however, when he finally connected on a pair from the line. Luke added two of his own to ice the game. Caleb hugged Luke after the team had received the trophy and cut down a piece of the net. A senior, it was his way of passing the torch for the Valley Christian program after capping off his high school career with a 31-point, 10-rebound performance. He had similar success with his older brother Isaiah, who is now a freshman

at Grand Canyon, where his father is an assistant coach and his uncle the head coach. Now, he and Luke have a title together. “It’s such a blessing to be able to play with him and to have him on our team,” Luke said of his brother. “He really carried us. Man, this dude, man. He’s going on to bigger and better things.” Valley Christian had been working toward winning the state championship since the summer when it took part in Section 7, a massive basketball showcase featuring some of the top teams in the country.

It was at that moment Haagsma knew his team was special. And even in their few losses – one of which to Centennial, which is playing for the 5A championship – he felt it would benefit his team and prepare them for a grueling championship run. His players agreed. And even more so as they lifted the gold ball to cap off their impressive run. “Two of our losses were to tournament teams,” Caleb said. “That really prepared us to have a different mindset coming into this one and it helped us a lot.”

spring training baseball again. “Originally I was here for both (the music and the baseball). Now that it’s just the music, I’m kind of sad,” he said. “I would have preferred to maybe see some baseball played, but that’s definitely not a bad way to spend my day.” The artists did not shy away from the festival’s clear ties between song and sport. Rock artist Del Water Gap took a minute from his set to proclaim his love for the Diamondbacks, and how watching Randy Johnson inspired him to want a mustache when he was younger. Dawson Daugherty, the lead singer

of San Diego-based indie pop band “almost Monday,” said, “I hope that the season happens. I kind of wanted to say something (during the show), like, ‘Hey, MLB, can we figure this out?’” Innings Festival will host a second event in Tampa in March to complement Grapefruit League spring training games in Florida. With a fresh slate of artists and MLB legends, one of the few constants is former Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster. Dempster, a two-time All-Star, hosted talk shows with the other MLB legends all weekend long in Tempe, and he will

host a similar event in Tampa. In a traditional year, Dempster would be working at Sloan Park in Mesa with the Marquee Network that broadcasts Cubs games and other Chicago baseball content. “I don’t think the intention was ever to fill a void, because (the festival) has been here in the past,” Dempster said. “ “You kind of get the feel of something you’re missing right now. If we can give a little bit of that, and fill that void just a little bit over this weekend, we are doing a great thing. “Because music and baseball, there is nothing better.”

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

We need real “Made in America” energy policy BY JILL NORGAARD Guest Writer

After four years of Democrats denouncing America First policies, Joe Biden proposed a socalled ‘Made in America’ agenda in his State of the Union address. Yet his policies prevent us from making energy here in America. Arizona drivers are already starting to see gas pumps with prices of four dollars per gallon and higher, with expectations of continued increases. Biden and the Democrats want you to believe that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is the cause of this spike. While it is a contributing cause, the price rise started long before Russian troops rolled.

Joe Biden came into office and immediately moved to shut down the construction of the Keystone pipeline. He also signed executive orders that ended oil and gas exploration on federal lands. This eliminated jobs in both the long and short term. Construction jobs were eliminated. Long-term projects to build increased refining capacity for oil and natural gas were eliminated. The United States would have easily refined enough gasoline for domestic use. With natural gas, the infrastructure was to be built to allow for exporting liquified natural gas to Europe and other places overseas. The collapse of these projects diminished output here in the United States. After having achieved energy indepen-

dence, a year later we were back to relying on foreign sources for energy. Biden’s Administration claims that fossil fuels can all be replaced by renewable energy sources. This cannot be done as wind and solar are not reliable, are expensive, and are subsidized. In addition, ships and aircraft require liquid fuels, renewables will not be effective. In his speech, Biden announced the release of sixty million barrels of oil from strategic oil reserves, thirty million from the United States. This token effort was already done before, gasoline prices were constant for less than a week, then continued to climb. After Biden’s state of the union announcement on the oil reserve, international oil prices rose by 5%. Energy policy is national security

policy. Biden has increased the money supply which has contributed to the price of energy - and all - the inflation that we are seeing. The government has made energy less reliable and more expensive, resulting in a lower standard of living and increased reliance on foreign sources of energy. Unnecessarily. States are acting. Fifteen states have sued the Environmental Protection Agency to reverse the Biden oil and gas rules. Just as with the Bidens administration’s unconstitutional pandemic mandates, hopefully, the courts will restore some sanity. Jill Norgaard is an engineer and a former Arizona state representative, She is the first vice-chair of the Republican Party of Arizona.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Chandler Council should seriously study police staffing

In an irony that I hope wasn’t lost on the Chandler mayor and city council, the front-page story on crime in the Feb. 27 edition of the SanTan Sun News was accompanied by an article that reported Arizona’s crime rate is higher than the nation’s average (“Police union rep disputes mayor’s take on Chandler crime” and “Violent crime increase higher in Arizona than Nation”). The first article profiled Phoenix and its surrounding cities relative to residents per officer, starting wage, and new recruit bonuses. An even cursory review of this data, as well as (Chandler Law Enforcement Association) President Michael Collins’s assertions concerning the sub-optimal staffing levels, should convince Chandler residents that our hard-working, dedicated officers are in a compromised situation. The second article reported that violent crime in the U.S. rose 4.6%

between 2019 and 2020, while the rate in Arizona rose 8.6%. One needn’t be a criminologist to understand the linear relationship between funding for law enforcement and crime rates. A glance at other major metropolitan areas that have cut or redirected funding due to wholly misguided politics and priorities would convince even the skeptics among us of that causal relationship. Having served seven years on city council in a small Colorado town, I can attest to the political tensions between council and law enforcement relative to funding. In order to resolve those issues, we conducted annual comparative analyses to ensure our force was within statistical parameters. That not only satisfied our primary responsibilities regarding public safety, but kept us competitive in the vital areas of recruitment and retention. To the extent the Chandler mayor and council oppose this evi-

dence-based, common sense approach to public safety, they are effectively compromising the critical work of our officers, and increasing the risk of violent crime. As a staunch fiscal conservative, while on council I scrutinized city budgets and found many ways to reduce the burden to tax payers. But I consistently provided strong and unqualified support for law enforcement who have some of the toughest jobs in any community. As Collins was quoted, “Eventually you’re going to burn that candle out, and we’ve long been burned out...It’s not good for people who are making split-second, critical decisions to work 16-hour shifts three days a week.” It’s time for the mayor and council to express their unequivocal support for law enforcement, by providing the funding necessary to improve staffing ratios and wages. -Philip Mella

Students Can Make a Fresh Start by Transferring Schools When working in a field as impactful as education, it is a privilege to witness how schools can change the course of a student’s life. For some students, however, school does not always feel like a positive experience. A 2020 Yale study found that 75 percent of students reported negative feelings toward their school. Outside factors like moving homes, family crises and bullying are common reasons for a student to be unhappy in their learning environment, as the emotional repercussions of these stressors often carry over into the learning environment. For many students, the pandemic has caused an even greater rift in their educational experience, causing increased depression and anxiety over safety protocols and disruptions in

learning. For some, a fresh start at a different school can spur a newfound interest in learning, reinvigorate interest, and ease stresses for both parents and students. A transfer doesn’t have to be permanent either; it could be as simple as a semester or year-long break from a current environment to reassess expectations. Hesitations toward a transfer are normal, as humans are creatures of habit and embracing new environments can be intimidating. During the transfer process, students are encouraged to rely on the guidance of their teachers, counselors and administrators to learn the ropes of their new school. During my time as a classroom teacher at a traditional brick-and-mortar school, and now as a high school counselor at Primavera Online School, I’ve observed that the right support often acclimates students to their new school within the first few weeks of transferring. Parents and guardians can also support students by being available to talk through their new experiences, assisting with unfamiliar assignments, and encouraging an open dialogue about any new feelings they may have. Ultimately, the most difficult part for many families is transferring their student’s paperwork, which administrators can help facilitate. With the immense impact schools have on their lives, families shouldn’t feel obligated to keep their students in a learning environment that is making them unhappy or simply no longer working. If you find your student in this situation, I encourage you to have a conversation about transferring. There’s no time like the present to switch schools, and in today’s virtual world, the sky’s the limit. -Derek Petersen, high school counselor at Primavera Online School

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler author addresses human trafficking BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

B.D. Lawrence says human trafficking can happen anywhere. “We have a friend whose daughter got kind of caught up in it,” Lawrence said from his South Chandler home. “It got me thinking that this is really an awful thing, and you don’t see it spoken about a lot. It’s bad in the U.S., and ever worse worldwide.” Human trafficking plays a major role in Lawrence’s first self-published novel, “An Angel and a One-Armed Man.” The man with the missing limb is private detective Lefty Bruder and Lawrence plans to write more stories featuring him. Stating that human trafficking “is a lot more local than people think,” Lawrence said he attended an event with the head of a trafficking task force with the Phoenix Police Department and learned that about 60 percent of prostitutes there are products of the foster system or otherwise “lost in the system.” The issue has become so important to Lawrence he says he will donate half of his profits from sales of his book to help combat the problem. The first book is set in St. Louis, where Lawrence spent a lot of time. It ends with a lead that sets up the second novel to be set in the Phoenix area. Writing more Lefty Bruder novels as well as other stories is Lawrence’s plan to keep busy once he retires from a career as a software architect for 3M.

Chandler author B.D. Lawrence has based his novel on human trafficking, a problem he says is more widespread in the Valley than people realize. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

That’s not a likely path for someone who says English was his worst subject in high school and college. “I didn’t really care for writing that much,” he said. “One day … I was sitting in this programming class and I just thought of a story, a vigilante story if you will. I thought, you know I can probably write something like that. So I just got into writing and found I really

like it.” He joined an online writing group to learn the craft and began writing short stories. He has published about 30 of them. That led him to earn a master’s degree in English and started teaching writing and English at the junior college level. Lawrence said he found writing a novel is half the battle. The other half is market-

ing it and getting it out to where readers can find it. “I wish it was write a book, put it out there and it sells itself,” Lawrence said. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. You need time and money for that as well.” Lawrence said growing up he was drawn to super heroes. His favorite was Batman, so he’s always been a fan of vigilante justice. That’s how he settled on a private detective for his main character. Lefty Bruber is a former mixed-martial arts fighter who loses his arm investigating some serial killings. Lawrence said he got the idea for the character from a relationship with a friend. “I had a friend who only had one leg, and had a prosthetic leg, and in observing him and seeing how it didn’t really impact his life that much, I thought, ‘That’s interesting,’” Lawrence said. He said he also likes that it gives his character an element of surprise because others would likely underestimate him. Lawrence said he plans to continue to highlight human trafficking in future books. And he said his own faith journey will play a role in his novels. “I think Hollywood glorifies, in some cases, prostitution and what not, and I’d rather take the more realistic approach that shows most of those girls are not there by choice.”

Check it out

Read Lefty Bruber’s origin story and/ or a sample of his first book for free at the author’s website, bdlawrence.com.

3 honored by Chandler to mark Disabilities Month

BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

The City of Chandler honored three individuals and a business at a recent council meeting at part of Disability Month. The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities selected Savannah Branum, Julie Stuart, and Alicia Wronski for recognition. They also announced Sprouts Farmers Market is their employer of the year for offering a fun and inclusive place to work. Branum was named the Student of the Year. She attends Hamilton High and has transitioned from special education to regular classes. Branum has submitted all of her school work on time. Wronski was named the Educator of the Year. She teaches special education at Navaratte Elementary School for Chandler Unified School District and was nominated by several of her students. The nominations said she goes above and beyond and she

cares for her students like they were her own. Stuart is the Habiliator of the Year. She works with clients to help them build their skills. She was recognized for having the skills to help individuals with disabilities grow and progress to become better members of the community. In addition to the recognition, Mayor Kevin Hartke declared March to be Disabilities Awareness Month. Hartke said his committee for people with disabilities serves as a liaison between the City Council and people with living with disabilities. The panel provides programs to raise awareness and educate others. It also addresses employment issues through the use of a stipend program.

Honorees flanked by Chandler City Councilman OD Harris on the left and Mayor Kevin Hartke and Councilman Matt Orland on the right are, from left, Alicia Wronski, Erin Fortner, Julie Stuart and Savannah Branum. Fortner is a member of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities. Wronski, Stuart and Branum were honored at a recent council meeting. (City of Chandler)

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Area author sees her book at the movies BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

It may not be every novelist’s dream, but for many, seeing their work come alive on the big screen is a Holy Grail of sorts. And for area resident Erin Jade Lange, that dream came true two weeks ago with a nationwide release of the film version of her first young adult novel, “Butter.” Lange, a nom de plume for Erin Helm, Kyrene School District’s executive director of communications, has screened the movie twice on the big screen and once on TV during film festivals but seeing it with family, friends and coworkers at the Harkins Theater at Chandler Fashion Center Feb. 25 “was the most exciting to watch so far,” Lange said. Over 300 theaters across the country are now screening “Butter” and that number will rise in the coming weeks because AMC Theaters has picked it up. And Lange is pleased with the way the movie – directed and written for the screen by Paul Kaufman – has turned out – given that it, like the book, takes a dark subject and turns it into a coming-of-age comedy. “Butter” is the name that a lonely obese boy is called by everyone at school. Depressed by nearly constant shaming and bullying, he announces a plans to eat himself to death live on the internet and invites the world to watch. Though he expects pity, insults and possibly sheer indifference, he is stunned when popular cheerleaders and other kids at school morbidly rally around his plan. Though born of a morbid plan, the ensuing popularity begins to feel pretty good.

Left: The movie version of Erica Jade Lange’s first novel, “Butter,” has hit hundreds of movie theaters throughout the nation. (File hoto) Right: Two stars in “Butter” are Alex Kersting in the lead role and McKaley Miller as one of the cheerleader morbidly fascinated by his intention to eat himself to death on the internet. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

like-minded people, all from people that themselves maybe lost their child to suicide or teen mental illness, or they themselves were bullied in high school,” he told script. “We raised a million and a half bucks, shot it in LA got over $4 million worth of resources from Panavision giving us our cameras, to free office space and studio space at Santa Clarita Studios, because they were all like-minded. “None of us made any money. And the actors came on board because they were like-minded. Mira Sorvino is amazing and she gets to play the kooky mom, but she brought something to

have 100 schools already lined up that are going to once we start streaming, that are going to play the movie in the classroom and do a curriculum,” Kaufmann added. I’m going to come in and do some Zooms, and with some doctors and mental health experts are going to be part of that. It really does help. And for art’s sake, Kaufmann said, the movie could help fill a long-empty niche for teens. “We did test screenings with high school kids and they said, ‘There are no movies for us in the theater like this, there’s Spider-Man and Nicholas Sparks’ a romance every now and then that’s it.’

I had a mom who reached out to me, who didn’t know about the book,” “ Lange said. “She just happened to see the promotion for the movie. So she

took her daughters, who I think are aged 10 and either 12 or 13, to see it and they were so moved by it, she said her older daughter had been going through some bullying and found the movie really relatable.

”

Naturally, he begins to reconsider his original intentions. Though the movie takes on some of the most pressing issues among teens these days – like depression, suicide and the stigmas of shaming and obesity – Kaufman called Lange’s novel “art meets advocacy” in an interview with the online scriptwriters website, script.com. Indeed, once it finishes its run at the box office, the Emmy-award winning director-producer-writer plans to stream it in schools and health classes when the subject is mental health. The Emmy-award winning producer and director said he had perused hundreds of books on amazon.com, looking for a novel he could turn into a film, when he stumbled on “Butter” and saw it as a chance to “make a film about art and let’s do some good in the world.” “I raised the money privately all from

this part that you’ve just really never seen her do before. And it’s really fun to watch her. And we found Alex [Kersting], a needle in a haystack. This first-timer carries a movie on his shoulders, and we’re really proud of the film, really proud of the outreach that it’s going to have in the schools.” He talked about a teenage girl who saw the film and approached her counselors at school to tell them about a friend she thought was suicidal. “She felt it empowered her to recognize and understand friends or people around her that might be in crisis,” Kaufmann said of the film’s impact on the teen. “And she stepped up and the girl got help, and it really did save her life. We really do hope that Butter will start the conversation.” “We have an outreach program right now with teachers and we probably

– Erin Jade Lange

I had John Hughes. I had the ‘Breakfast Club’ and ‘Sixteen Candles,’ which were all movies about teenage angst and not fitting in, but they were funny. “And the teenagers today don’t have those. It would be nice to see ‘Butter’ do well so people make more of these movies for the kids.” Lange said she’s been delighted with the way Kaufman captured her humor. “I remember when I was pitching this book, the pitch on it sounds so dark – it’s ‘the boys gonna kill themselves live on the internet,’ she said. “It’s horrible and bullying and all these dark themes. “But I remember when I was trying to pitch it to editors and agents, I would say, ‘And it’s funny, which was a really hard sell with the book. But the film really captured that could have made a really depressing movie. They really leaned into the humor and the hope of

the story. And I’m so grateful for that.” Lange admits some of her book didn’t translate into the film. “It’s a little bit less gritty than the book is,” she said. “But I think that some things in the book would have been really hard to translate on screen and might have been irresponsible to do on screen with younger viewers on topics like suicide. They were right to go for the hope and the humor instead of the darker parts.” Rated PG13, the movie could even be seen “by a mature 11- or 12-year-old with a parent’s approval,” she said – eliminating her twin girls, who just turned 6. And like Kaufman, Lange also has heard people who have already seen “Butter.” “I had a mom who reached out to me, who didn’t know about the book,” Lange said. “She just happened to see the promotion for the movie. So she took her daughters, who I think are aged 10 and either 12 or 13, to see it and they were so moved by it, she said her older daughter had been going through some bullying and found the movie really relatable.” So the mom looked up the book because she wanted to help kids like her daughter – and ended up buying copies for her daughter’s junior high school class. Since publishing “Butter” in 2012, Lange has published two other young adult novels and will be releasing her fourth in September. That book, titled “Mere Mortals” also will tackle the trials and tribulations of adolescence in an equally unusual way. “Everybody’s heard the story of the human that gets turned into a vampire,” Lange said. “This is the story of a couple of teenage vampires who have been vampires for about a century. They make a mistake and as punishment, they get turned human – and they have to survive the nightmare of high school as mere mortals. “It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It was really fun to write. Technically, it’s like a vampire book. But it’s really what I always do: a coming-of-age story.”

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

NEIGHBORS

Sun Lakes Rotarians who volunteered at a recent Amada Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels Family Fun Festival are, from left:s: Kandi Skrabala, Victoria Flatley, Judi Edmonds; sitting: Rotarians Karen Flood & Bonnie Snow (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Sun Lakes Rotary celebrates foundation’s giving BY DR. HONORA NORTON Guest Writer

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes celebrated its giving to the community and beyond at its annual Rotary International Foundation Dinner at Sun Lakes Palo Verde Country Club. The Rotary International Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and

Rotarian of the month

David Mork is the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes’ Rotrian of the Month for March, A Roptarian for 40 years since his days in Woodbury, Minnesota, he is past club treasuer and currently upgrading the club’s accounting and financial systems. He is a past president of the Sun Lakes club, a past Rotary International district treasurer and a Paul Harris Fellow. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty within their communities and globally. Several RCSL Rotarians were honored as Paul Harris Fellows for their generous gifts to the Rotary International Foundation. Rotary International Paul Harris pins were awarded to various Rotarians based on their levels of giving with an initial Paul Harris gift of $1,000: Ed Anderson, Don Prestin, Janet Prestin, Kimberley Ann Prestin, Karen Lynn Prestin, as well as Paul Harris major donors Dick Thomas and Pamela Mason. Rotary International Foundation Chairman Dick Thomas stated that the Sun Lakes club has 50 Paul Harris Fellows and 12 major donors with gifts of $10,000 to $250. The Sun Lakes group has partnered with other Rotary Clubs to utilize RI Foundation Global Grant matching funds by completing several local and international projects, such as the $150,000 Navajo water project that provided homes on the Navajo Nation with inside running tap water. Rotary Club of Sun Lakes Foundation 2000 Chairman Bob Phillips provided an overview of of the foundation, which was established in 2000. Its mission is promoting charitable giving and provideingfinancial support for charities that are endorsed by the Sun Lakes Rotary Club. Phillips provided an overview of the Sun Lakes foundation’s projects: the Navajo Water Project, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, School Closet Projects, and hundreds of Club projects in support of education and local community needs. A recent example of support has been the Club’s support of Amanda Hope’s mission to bring dignity and comfort into the harsh world of childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. For information about the club: sunlakesrotary.org.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Chandler women invited to join regional Hadassah SANTAN SUN NEWS

Chandler women are invited to joined the Devorah Hadassah, the regional chapter of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America. Hadassah is a volunteer organization that inspires a passion for and commitment to the land, the people, and the

future of Israel. The first Monday of each month is the gorup’s Out to Lunch event, though it has not yet resumed because of the pandemic. On the second Wednesday of the month, the book group called Literary Ladies, meets on Zoom at 1:30 p.m. In April, they will discuss “The

Last Kings of Shanghai” by Jonathan Kaufman” and in May, “The Light of Days” by Judith Batalion The third Wednesday is devoted to collecting non-perishable food items for the Jewish Family & Children’s Services in various communities in the East Valley between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. On March 23, the group will hold its

monthly meeting via Zoom. A speaker from JFCS will talk about the organization that Devorah has been supporting through food donations and the other services that they provide to our community. For more information on attending its events, women can contact Eliana Bar-Shalom at 860-377-7126 or email ebarshalom.eb@gmail.com.

2 BASIS Chandler students tops in annual Brain Bee SANTAN SUN NEWS

Two BASIS Chandler students were among the top three finalists in the 23rd annual Arizona Regional Brain Bee held at Midwestern University in Glendale in partnership with the BHHS Legacy Foundation. Besting 28 students from 12 Arizona high schools in a competition focusing on neuroscience were first place winner Anushka Agrawal, second place champ Catherine McInnes and third place victor Aria Gibbons. Anushka and Catherine are juniors at BASIS Chandler and Catherine is a senior at Thunderbird High who last year attended Midwestern University’s Health Careers Institute for high school students. The contest tests participants’ knowledge of the human brain and how it governs human behavior as well as the science that helps medical professionals understand brain function.

Anushka will now compete at the 2022 U.S. National Brain Bee, which will be held virtually on April 9. Midwestern pharmacology professor Dr. Douglas Jones was the faculty academic director for the event. Gen Fitzgerald, a third-year medical student at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine who won the Arizona Regional Brain Bee as a student at Desert Vista High School in 2013, and second-year AZCOM student Carmen Jones served as the lead judges for the finals

The top three winners in the Arizona Brain Bee were, from left, BASIS Chandler juniors Anushka Agrawal and Catherine McInnes and Thunderbird High senior Aria Gibbons. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

round of the competition. Midwestern University faculty and student volunteers served as additional judges, question readers, timers, and scorekeepers in breakout rooms. Questions ran the gamut from identifying physical features of the brain itself to naming brain disorders and diseases to surgical and medical practices that modify neural behaviors. The Arizona Regional Brain Bee is funded as a result of generous financial support from BHHS Legacy Foundation, which is an Arizona charitable organization whose philanthropic mission is to enhance the quality of life and health of those it serves. Midwestern University is a private nonprfit graduate and postgraduate institution specializing in the health sciences with 12 colleges on two campuses. The Arizona campus is home to over 3,900 Information: midwestern.edu or 623572-3215.

Ship ahoy

U.S. Navy Quartermaster Seaman Alysia Noyes, a Chandler native, and Quartermaster 2nd Class Landon Sherrill, of Tennessee, have been assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (navigation department and are seen here preparing to hoist a broom to signify a “clean sweep” of post Planned Incremental Availability Sea Trials in the Atlantic Ocean after completing the industrial portion of a six-month PIA. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jackson Adkins).

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

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For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Downtown Chandler comedy series a laugh riot BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Bryant Thompson moved to Chandler with his family in 2019 and so far, they love it. “I’m the only one who misses Chicago,” he said. He said his wife and daughter, a senior at Chandler High, are enjoying the warmer days. But, there was one thing missing. “When I got out here, I realized there weren’t a lot of opportunities for things to do,” Thompson said. He’s helping address that by starting a monthly comedy series called “The Downtown Chandler Comedy Experience.” Thompson is using his connections with national comedians to put on four comedy shows each month. “I didn’t know many local comedians, but I had experience working with national comedians,” Thompson said. “You have to get out and go to different open mic nights to make sure you have the right one.” Thompson said he likes to give local comedians a chance to open for a national headliner, which he books through Red Level Entertainment. “It’s a platform for new comedians,” he said. So far, he says they found a home in Chandler. “The crowds are great,” he said. “We only did one show that first month. We increased it to two the second month, and they were packed and sold out.

Bryant Thompson thinks Chandler could use some more laughs so he started the Downtown Chandler Comedy Experience. (David Minton/GetOut Staff)

That surprised me because we were up against the Suns in the [NBA] Finals, Game 5.” Thompson said he had hoped to start the club in March 2020, just about the time the entire world shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the shows started in June. By August, Thompson was doing four shows a month at West Alley BBQ in downtown Chandler. He has moved the shows to ImprovMANIA because they outgrew the space at West Alley. Thompson said this will give him the flexibility to add more shows if needed. One comedian who grew up in South Phoenix said it offers a great oppor-

tunity for up-and-coming comics to connect with national stars. “I think that’s super huge,” Terrence DeLane said. “That’s how I got to work with Kevin Hart. He picked four comedians and took them to different states, and that’s where you really learn comedy, by going on the road.” Some of the national comedians to come to Chandler include Talent Harris, George Willborn, Nick Lewis, Damon Williams and Steve Brown. DeLane acted as host of the January shows at West Alley. He said it’s a great venue for comedy. “It allows the comedian to be intimate with the audience,” DeLane said.

“I feel like everyone gets a one-on-one experience.” Thompson said he stumbled on the venue because he’s a member of a cigar bar upstairs and noticed they had a stage when he walked through. Comedy has changed a bit in the #MeToo era. Some of the jokes from years ago don’t hold up as well today. Some comedians have been criticized for some of their past jokes. “Before, nothing was off limits,” Thompson said. “The climate has changed in what you can say and can’t say. However, if you’re a seasoned comedian, you know how to make fun where it’s not offensive.” DeLane said his goal when he’s on stage is to try and heal everybody. “Everybody wants to laugh,” he said. “My goal is to get you to forget about everything that you’re going through in that hour we’re on stage.” Thompson said based on the crowds he’s seeing each month, it’s working. “Word is getting out, and people are coming out and enjoying themselves.”

If you go

Where: Downtown Chandler Comedy Experience When: Fridays and Saturdays, third weekend of month, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Where: ImprovMANIA, 250 S. Arizona Ave. Tickets: Start at $20

Puppets put a new spin on TV show ‘Golden Girls’ BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

Betty White was beloved by many, but Samantha Lee Mason gets to share that adoration nightly. She plays White’s character, Rose, in “That Golden Girls Show!” a new “theater experience” that parodies classic “Golden Girls” moments – with puppets. Mason lists the reasons to see the show: cheesecake, laughter, Jazzercise, shoulder pads, sex and schemes. “It’s super fun,” Mason said. “The character of Rose is known for being very sweet and, playfully, somewhat dim. She’s very earnest and naïve. “I love getting to bring her to life every day on the stage. Playing Betty White’s character – especially since her death – does bring a lot of weight to the world. It wasn’t there to begin with since I started. I now have the great pleasure to carry on Betty’s legacy the best way I can.” The 75-minute “That Golden Girls Show!” hits the Chandler Center for the Arts stage on Thursday, March 17, to Sunday, March 20. “Our story is told through three episodes of the ‘Golden Girls,’” she said.

Samantha Lee Mason gives a hilarious yet reverent spin to the one-time hit TV show "Golden Girls" with her puppet extravaganza coming to Chandler Center for the Arts. (Special to GetOut)

“They’re not episodes that were directly pulled from the actual show. It’s an amalgamation of different lines in the series with a new storyline within the world of the show. It’s very short, very sweet and you’ll laugh the whole time.”

She confesses that even she has a hard time keeping cool during the performance. “I tend to be pretty good in terms of staying with it in the show,” she said. “But there have been a few moments

when something crazy happens and you have to really focus. That’s the beauty of live theater.” A Chicago native, Mason is a trained musical theater performer who attended Indiana University. Now residing in New York City, she had puppeting experience, thanks to a run with “Reusable the Musical,” written and directed by John Tartaglia. “Most of my other performances are in musical theater,” she said. “I lived in Japan and worked for Tokyo Disney Resort for a year and a half. I wanted to travel the world, and that was the best way to do it.” Mason admits she wasn’t an “avid watcher” prior to her auditions for “That Golden Girls Show!” She saw it on Hulu, fell in love with it and binged the entire series. Now, she gets it. “That Golden Girls Show!” kicked off its jaunt in 2016 and was forced to close down – just like the rest of the world – due to the pandemic. “The audience response has just been amazing, too,” she adds. “We look out in the audience and they’re wearing ‘Golden Girls’ face masks. It’s just overwhelming. “This is the farewell tour now. Fans should see it before it’s gone.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Chandler displaying its own collection of artwork BY KEN SAIN Staff Writer

Chandler Museum Administrator Jody Crago had been working on setting up a new exhibit that was about to open. It was late, the sun had set. As he walked through the museum’s hallway he glanced outside the windows. “There’s two young people, laying on the ground, staring up at the artwork as it moves and changes,” he said. They were enjoying “Infinite Wave,” a public arts sculpture that doubles as a shade structure outside the museum’s entrance. During the day, it’s easy to walk under and think of it as little more than a shade structure. Then you notice the shadows. There are 202 wings, or as the construction workers called them, butterflies attached. As the sun changes position, so do the shadows. But it’s at night when Jeff Zischke’s artwork truly shines, as dozens of programmable LED lights put on a show. “They actually hired a lighting designer to perfect how to light it,” Crago said. “It bounces light off of the white concrete and back onto the panels. And it’s kinetic, so it moves and changes. It makes it a whole different art piece at night.” When the City of Chandler builds anything, from a museum to City Hall, one percent of that budget is dedicated to adding a public art project. For the museum, that was “Infinite Wave.” The museum is currently hosting an

Jody Crago, administrator for the Chandler Museum and Peter Bugg, city visual arts coordinator, have developed the “Public Objects” exhibit at Vision Gallery, highlighting art work that Chandler owns. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

exhibition of some of the city’s public art. Most of it, however, is already on the streets, including statues and murals in downtown. The exhibit is scheduled to run through March 27. “We’ve got about 200 pieces in the collection,” said Peter Bugg, the city’s visual arts coordinator is in charge of the city’s public art collection. Bugg said he’s actually been trying to get that number down. The city owns some physical objects in the digital archives of the museum, such as film negatives. Since it has the prints, they don’t need the negatives and have been trying to find them a good home. “It’s a full-time job to care for all these

objects and keep them in good shape, especially things that are outdoors and need maintenance,” Bugg said. “We’re working on getting good documentation of everything, so we can get more things online so people can experience it that way.” He said they’re also working on creating a map that would allow people to travel around the city and see the different works of art. And there is a lot to see. “I think you would be surprised is somebody like Peter … walked with you downtown, I think you’d be utterly surprised that in such a small area how much there actually is,” Crago said. “The public arts program does such a good job of

integrating interesting design or an artistic aspect into what is a normal thing.” One area that has been done is commissioning artists to paint original works on utility boxes around the city. Bugg said they’ve done 31 of those boxes so far, most in uptown and near Hamilton High School. He said they plan to do five more this year. “The bulk of our public art collection is downtown,” Bugg said. “We’re trying to reach out more in the community and see other places where we can put it. It makes sense to have objects downtown, because a lot people come and see it there, but we also want to meet people where they are.” Bugg said when they add to the collection he looks for a few things. “We want some sort of tie-in to the local community,” he said. “It could be kind of broad, like desert imagery. Or something specifically Chandler related. Also, trying to support the artists that we have here locally.” Bugg said they do consider artists from outside the area, but in general they try and support Valley artists. Crago said this is the first time the museum has displayed the public art in an extensive manner. Both men did not know how often an exhibition like this might return. “It’ll be as we can,” Crago said. “We both have exhibitions schedules, he does six to eight shows a year (at the Vision Gallery), we do at least that many, plus we do big shows designed by us, so we’re always changing.” One thing that is not likely to change soon is the light show each night at the museum, which runs from dusk until 10:30 p.m.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

Chandler artist brings new works to artists’ gallery SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The Finer Arts Gallery in Cave Creek, an the artist-owned gallery. Is offering a major refresh of art, including from Chandler ceramicist Sandy Ashbaugh, who has hand-carved sake sets and vessels at the Gallery. In addition, three artists are being featured in February: fused glass artist Pat Isaacson; Arizona landscape painter Linda Lindus; and custom jewelry maker Jan Stiles. They join more than 30 other artists in a wide variety of mediums including ceramics, bronze, gourds, photography, metal sculpture, wood live edge, fiber sculpture, graphite, acrylic, pastel and oil. “We’ve been so pleased with how the community has embraced our new gallery,” said Linda Lindus, one of the managers. “It is such a joy when a patron purchases a piece of art they absolutely love.”

Ocotillo ceramicist Sandy Ashbaugh has new works at a Cave Creek gallery.

The Gallery holds a monthly meet and greet on the third Friday of the month, with the next scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 18 with three new featured artists. Regular Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and by appointment. The Finer Arts Gallery is on the picturesque road winding through Cave Creek and Carefree, in the rustic building known as the Cave Creek Station. It’s still shaded by a grand, 150-year-old Tamarisk tree, fondly remembered by residents as the “Treehouse.” Located at 6137 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek, the Gallery is between Big Earls and the Olive Oil Company. Parking is in the rear of the building adjacent to the back entrance. For details, visit TheFinerArtsGallery. com or call 480-488-2923. Artists showing there work include: Sandy Ashbaugh, ceramics; Karen

Chatfield-Barnhart, sculpture; Beverly Carlson-Bradshaw, pastels; Beth Benowich, jewelry; Nancy Breiman, acrylic; Casey Cheuvront, oil; Sarah Curley, ink/ transfer; Dennis Despois, acrylic; Robert Elenbaas, photography; Cynthia Eral, oil/acrylic; Karen Friend, gourds. Also, Joanne Galler, acrylic; Paulette Galop, ceramics; Julie Gilber, jewelry; Bill Goren, bronze and ceramicsw; Jan Griggs, acrylic; Rick Griggs, wood sculpture, Sandra Hamilton, photography; Pat Isaacson, glass; Karen Johnson, beaded wall art; Merrily Kulmer and Linda Lindus, acrylic. Also, Dick Mueller, drawing; Kathy Nelson, glass; Patrick O’Grady and Marlene Sabatina, jewelery; Linda Paul-Sontag, acrylic; Kirby Plessas, digital; Robin Ray, ceramic; Jack Schilder, graphite drawing; Jan Stiles, jewelry, Shannon Taggert. Mixed media; Carol Tenwalde, jewelry; and Ann Von Pentz, photography

Last Train to Juarez shares its map to success BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

With a cowboy hat pulled deep to his eyes and a thick beard, Dejan Knezevic fits the red dirt/outlaw country genre well. He has his fans fooled – and that’s not a bad thing. Born in Chicago, Knezevic was raised by parents from Montenegro and Bosnia. Serbian is his first language. The Serbian coat of arms adorns his hat. “My family is from former Yugoslavia,” he said. “I can’t say I’ve ever heard of an American/Serbian country singer before. There’s a first for everything, I guess.” In late 2018, Knezevic formed Last Train to Juarez, following the lineage of his heroes, Ward Davis, Whitey Morgan, Hank 3 and Jamey Johnson. They celebrate the release of their debut album, “Some Road,” on Friday, March 18, at Roosters in Mesa. “It was an awakening, so to speak, for me and I quickly started discovering a whole genre of country music that spoke to me,” Knezevic said. “It was around this time that I started seriously considering starting a project in the red dirt/outlaw genre of country music.” Last Train to Juarez is a departure from previous projects like Pelvic Meatloaf. “I’ve been in the scene, in metal bands, for the better part of 30 years,” he said. “I didn’t grow up on country music. It was the red dirt/new outlaw movement that got my ears and sold me on it. It’s inspired me to go in this direction, to the dismay of a lot of my metalhead brothers.” Last Train to Juarez sees Knezevic singing for the first time, something that even surprised his wife of 23 years. “Sure, I fronted a metal band in the past, but I never really tried singing,” Knezevic sys. “What we did back then was death metal and growling so this whole singing thing was new to me.

Last Train to Juarez will celebrate the release of their new album with a concert in Mesa Friday, March 18. (Special to GetOut)

I wasn’t confident at all. But what I lacked in confidence, I made up with motivation and perseverance.” In late 2018, he pulled the trigger and went all in. He had a revolving group of musicians until April 2021, when the lineup was solidified as vocalist/acoustic guitarist Knezevic; Mark Tomeo, pedal steel, dobro, backing vocals; bassist Jonathan Candler and lead guitarist Stephen Dietrich. Additionally, fiddler/ mandolin player Austin Brooks joins. “Our music blurs the lines a bit and doesn’t fit neatly into any specific country genre,” he said. “I’ve heard people refer to us as outlaw, red dirt, biker country and rock or metal country. Ultimately, what is most important to me as an artist is to write and create music that is pure, honest and authentic. Music that comes from the heart and soul, which is why I prefer to stick with originals over cover tunes. “Granted, we do play cover songs out of necessity since we are a newer

band and don’t have enough original material to cover a four-hour gig but that is quickly changing as I continue to write new material.” By the end of this year, Last Train to Juarez will be playing 60% originals and “I have nothing against cover songs at all,” he said. “It’s just not what I want to do, and I feel there is plenty of cover and tribute bands in the Valley already. I get my kicks hearing performances by singer/ songwriters who have stories to tell and that’s the path I feel is right for me.” “The fans we are picking up are wholeheartedly embracing what we are doing. I’d rather have 10 people intently watching, listening and appreciating our original songs over a packed room of people singing every word to a Luke Bryan or Florida Georgia Line cover song. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Just not my thing.” Knezevic said he could pen pop radio songs to “make it big.” “It ain’t about the destination,” he

said. “It’s about the ride and so far the ride has been epic.” Sometimes Knezevic can’t help but be drawn to music. In 2014, he visited Bosnia and, when he arrived, he was wired due to the time zone changed. From his families’ village, he could hear the faint sounds of music. As he approached, he could see a fair amount of people under a canopy. He was concerned it was a Croatian, Muslim or Serbian party. “That definitely matters,” he said. “I tucked my Serbian cross inside of my shirt. If they asked, I was going to say I’m American. I saw two Serbian flags, so I took the necklace out of my shirt.” As he walked up, the crowed formed around him. “I speak it fluently, but they could hear the accent. Apparently, it was a big party for two sons who were getting ready to go into the military. The military is obligatory. It was a big celebration with bands, they were roasting pigs, it was incredible. I’m sitting there trying to explain.” Then, a “little old lady” walked up to him and slapped him after he shared his story of walking through the woods and down the road by the refinery. “I thought, ‘Great. These people are going to kill me now,’” he recalled. “In Serbian, she said, ‘You (expletive) idiot. That’s all mined from the war, you moron. Keep him here until it’s daylight. Feed him well. Show him what an idiot he is. In the morning, they threw me in the car and every 15 feet there was skull and crossbones on a pole.”

If you go

What: Last Train to Juarez When: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday, March 18 Where: Roosters, 3731 E. Main St., Mesa Cost: Free admission Info: 480.985.4088, roosterscountrybar.net

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | MARCH 13, 2022

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

When life’s horrors make us ask ‘Where is God?’ RABBI IRWIN WIENER Columnist

“Your staff is there to support me.” These words written by King David during a very trying time in his life indicates his faith and devotion to the salvation offered by God in times of distress. Sometimes when we witness the tragedy of tragedies, the taking of innocent lives for no reason other than uncontrollable hate we are left wondering about love and caring. Everyone is created in the image of God – no color, no religion, just a soul and a vessel that carries the soul. How can God abandon us? After all, He too is colorless and blind to the differences within us as well as our outward appearance. Is God as blind as we are in our connection to one another? We seem to be blind to indifference and turn away when needed most. Helpless, we wander through the agony of despair. We look for answers as to why we sit idle and allow our deepest distrust and anger to be part of a society that enjoys the spectacle of horror. These thoughts came to mind, after sitting and watching the agony of alienation unfold. Time and again we are

witnesses to heinous acts of killings and mayhem. And as I watch these horrors, I turned to the 23rd Psalm. During times of grief or times of sorrowful news, it comforts me because it gives me courage and hope. Even though some memories somehow travel to unfortunate incidents and shade the glory of marvelous experiences. Moreover, we tend to dwell on the bad and relegate the good to the shadows of anguish. Hearing news that illness has taken hold, or some are discarded through ignorance, has us trapped in a cycle of pain. The news is not so good and the outcome so predictable. Once there was vibrancy, gaiety, now pain, and misery as we wait for the final curtain to come down on our lives and our hopes and dreams. Where is God? Why is this happening? here are the days filled with laughter and celebration? We search for answers and realize that there are none. here is illness and sometimes recovery. Such is not the case now. The news is just bad – no hope – just the realization of finality. People will constantly ask me these very questions and I search for answers that will comfort and console. Sometimes the answers just are not there. I see pain on the faces of those afflicted and those standing close with no ability to heal or

respond to the anticipated emptiness. God is there to provide a certain balance in life. On the one hand, He extends His hand to lift the spirit, as the other hand understands the affliction. It is hard to describe this to someone who is going through agonizing ordeals. It is even harder to comprehend the belief that God affords us the opportunity to receive comfort even while He cannot prevent the drama from unfolding. The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that God will comfort us giving us the ability to cope. We tend to forget the goodness and kindness that we encountered as we moved through the journey of life. We become so engrossed in our distress that we cannot recall the beauty of the steps we took as we moved from sadness to contentment. No words can suffice to bring solace to the prospect of death and no actions taken by others will give us the ability to forget the anger and frustration. It is up to us to return to the center of life through reliance on ourselves, our family, our friends, and our appreciation of God who is there to take our hand as we are guided on the path of release – the release of all our burdens. I look at the sick and infirmed and I realize that my function is to hold a hand, or kiss a brow, or listen to their cries for help. I cannot cure the aching,

but I can deepen their understanding of reaching out to receive an extended hand in friendship and understanding. My heart aches for the afflicted. I attempt to understand and respond through their cries of misery. Where is God? God is everywhere we want Him to be and even places where we would least expect. In the Book of Kings, we read that God is not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in fire, but in a still small voice. That voice is ours reaching out to walk with God in our hour of need because He will hear, and He does see, and He does comfort. Spinoza taught that eternity is the very core of God. There is no end. There is continuation of life. There is immortality. There is life after death. There is grace and there is forgiveness. God made all things both good and not so good and it is up to us to glean the good from among all that there is so that we can enjoy life and anticipate connection at death. Watching people go through the pangs of torment can be unnerving but I remember the final words of the Psalm 23: “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D., is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

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