Santan Sun News - 04.25.2021 by Times Media Group

April 25, 2021 | www.santansun.com

Relentlessly local coverage of Southern Chandler

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

‘Exhausted’ police ask Chandler officials for help BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan is pleading for help from city officials to improve his department’s staffing levels amid an inexplicable strange spike in violent crimes. And now two police organizations – The Chandler Law Enforcement Association and Chandler Lieutenants & Sergeants Association – are recommending a five-year plan for an additional 83 sworn officers to address critical police staffing shortages in the City of Chandler. “This would bring Chandler in line with other Valley agencies in a fiscally

Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan pleaded with City Council recently to beef up his department's ranks. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

responsible way,” the two groups said last week in a release. Protests, shootings and a pandemic have plagued his department for the last year and the wearying job conditions have been making it harder to recruit new officers, the chief said said. Duggan said he’d like to fill 15 vacancies just to get the city up to its staffing capacity but Chandler is having to compete with every other Valley city for the same pool of suitable

candidates – and that pool is becoming smaller. “There aren’t many people that are willing to do the difficult job of being a police officer,” the chief said. The two police associations noted that it has been 13 years since new police positions have been added despite the continuous influx of new families and corporations to Chandler. “Instead, positions have been reassigned to meet only basic patrol needs, leaving a gap in other investigative and proactive policing divisions,” they said. “We will be there when we are needed. We’ve always been there,” said See

POLICE on page 9

Council split on Chandler non-discrimination policy BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Marvin Wessel has been waging a one-pilot war with city officials over safety issues at the Chandler Municipal Airport. (Pablo Robles/Staff Photographer)

Chandler pilot on mission to make airport safer BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Marvin Wessel keeps a detached airplane tail sitting on the asphalt outside his hangar in the Chandler Municipal Airport. It’s the only piece of wreckage he was able to salvage from a fire that destroyed Wessel’s plane last May on the airport’s runway. While Wessel was testing his plane, a brake fire broke out and the pilot quickly radioed for help. Firefighters were dispatched to the airport and struggled to swiftly gain entry to the ﬂaming aircraft. Wessel watched as firetrucks stood outside the airport’s gates, waiting for one of them to open. Sixteen minutes would pass before firefighters could start dosing water on his burning plane. “It was very, very, frustrating to say the least,” Wessel recalled. The incident almost didn’t come as a surprise: Wessel said he has been trying to raise the alarm about fire safety at the

airport for years. Wessel witnessed a fire at a hangar in 2017 and observed how firefighters seemed to not know how to navigate the airport’s layout. According to data Wessel has collected, Chandler is one of the few top general aviation airports in the country that has no fire station located in less than one mile of its perimeter. In early 2019, Wessel said he brought up his concern before the Chandler Airport Commission and was invited to meet with city officials over his worries. They assured him fire safety was under control at the airport. One year later, Wessel’s plane was demolished in a fire. Now, he is on a mission to get the city to respond to his concerns. “These guys better wake up and smell the coffee,” Wessel said. “If people die because they can’t respond, no money See

AIRPORT on page 8

Chandler City Council is split over whether to adopt a resolution or ordinance to protect certain populations from unlawful discrimination. After several cities across the Valley passed ordinances prohibiting discrimination in public places, Chandler is thinking of following suit by introducing similar legislation that could apply to local residents and businesses. Chandler city Councilman OD Harris has been recently spearheading the initiative and has already begun drafting some language he’d like to see included in a non-discrimination policy. “Chandler celebrates and welcomes all people of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, social-economic status, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, immigrant status, veteran status, disability,” a draft of Harris’ policy states. Harris publicly mentioned his desire to pass an ordinance last month after hundreds of Asian-American residents assembled outside City Hall to protest discriminatory behavior observed nationally against Asians throughout the pandemic. During a council meeting on April 21, Harris said passing a non-discrimination

ordinance could send a “strong message” to the community that Chandler is committed to protecting vulnerable groups and treating all its residents fairly. But other Chandler leaders feel an ordinance is a bit overzealous and could result in criminalizing behavior the city should not be in a position to regulate. Councilman Rene Lopez prefers establishing a resolution that could include many of the same elements as an ordinance, but without any enforcement aspect to it. Resolutions, considered a notch below an ordinance, are a formal expression of opinion or position that represents the will of a municipal body. Chandler typically passes resolutions to handle administrative matters involving grants and intergovernmental agreements. Lopez believes it may be best to pass a resolution that embodies the city’s stance on discrimination without including a regulatory feature to it. Unless there’s a systemic problem of discrimination in Chandler, he said, an ordinance with a set of penalties and fees almost seems unnecessary. “That’s why putting something in with a criminal aspect to it, is a bridge too far,” Lopez said.

F E AT U R E STO R I E S Street cameras staying in Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . Page 4 Downtown Chandler icon to close . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . . Page 31 Chef basks in VFW Magazine limelight. . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . Page 38 Cinco de Chandler is on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARTS . . . . . . . . . . Page 43 Ocotillo getting famed breakfast joint. . . . . . . . . . . EAT . . . . . . . . . . . Page 50

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Mortgage company picks up $50K CUSD lunch tab SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

In the 19 years that Trevor Barrett has run his own mortgage company, Barrett Financial Group has grown from a oneman shop to a company with 300 loan officers who have originated more than $4 billion in loans for homeowners in Arizona and 12 other states. He and his Gilbert company also have been an angel for scores of students with unpaid lunch accounts and, of course, the districts that are owed the money. Earlier this month, Barrett and some of his employees again exercised generosity, handing a $50,000 checked to Chandler Unified Superintendent Camille Casteel to settle all those delinquent lunch accounts. The district was glad for the help. “We are grateful for Barrett Financial Group and United Wholesale Mortgage for their donation of $50,000 to pay off student lunch debt,” said district spokesman Terry Locke. “The pandemic created many stress points, including financial.” And Trevor Barret was glad to extend the helping hand. “School districts take on unexpected debt when students cannot pay for their meals,” Barrett said. “They continue to feed students, even if they have a balance on their account so they can focus on learning. Especially after the tough financial year our community has faced, we wanted to do our part to give back to those in need and help out a cause that’s close

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Barrett Financial Group founder Trevor Barrett, left, presents a check for $50,000 to Chandler Unified Superintendent Camille Casteel and Chief Financial Officer Lana Berry as as as Sterling Bar. (Special to the SanTan Sun News)

to home,” he said. In April of last year, the company donated to the same cause at Higley Unified School District. In addition, they hosted a free Thanksgiving Turkey Drive at a Mesa school where a total of 1,000 turkeys were given away just in time for the holidays. The lunch money gifting dates back a few years to Barrett employee John Hegglin, who had told coworkers how he donated annually to Higley Unified School District’s angel fund to defray the district’s cost of unpaid student lunch accounts. Another loan officer suggested trading in “Power Points” earned by employees who write loans. The “Power Points” are awarded by

United Wholesale Mortgage to the loan officers when they use its services and are then exchanged for cash bonuses or other prizes. So Barrett Financial collaborated with UWM to allow trading Partner Points in return for a charitable donation on behalf of each of loan officer. Barrett Financial Group has a variety of wholesale lenders, which allow homebuyers to get the best loan for their needs. Because of its size and reputation, Barrett Financial Group receives additional pricing benefits and perks from its lending partners. In 2020, the company was named a Top 1% Partner and a Top 20 Broker in the Nation by two industry leaders.

Times Media Group, a Valley-based company with community weekly newspapers and websites throughout Arizona and California, announced today that it has acquired Tucson Local Media. Tucson Local Media is the publisher of the Tucson Explorer, Tucson Weekly, Marana News, Foothills News, Desert Times and Inside Tucson Business. The deal will be effective April 30, 2021. “Our plan is to continue publishing all publications in the portfolio, and to do so with all of the current staff members,” said Steve Strickbine, Times

Media Group’s founder and president. “Jason Joseph, current publisher, will be exiting as a planned result of the deal.” Times Media Group, which publishes the SanTan Sun News, also operates community news websites in the Valley, including EastValley.com, WestValleyView.com, themesatribune.com, Scottsdale.org, , gilbertsunnews.com, Ahwatukee.com, ChandlerNews.com, santansun.com and others with a cumulative monthly unique visitor count in the Valley of more than 500,000. The company said its online audience numbers are also supported by its most recent independent audit by AMA.

At a time when many newspaper-centric media companies are curtailing circulation and managing declining operations, Times Media Group has famously continued to expand its reach and footprint, mostly through the acquisition of other similar media groups. “We are always interested in expanding our portfolio of publications and news websites that have at their center, a mission of providing the news to the community,” Strickbine said. “The publications we are acquiring from Tucson Local Media have that in common along with long-standing loyal readership audiences.”

Chandler ﬁreﬁghter arrested in arson case misconduct involving weapons, a Class 2 felony; and criminal damage, a Class 4 felony – according to Gilbert Police spokeswoman Brenda Carrasco. Neighbors in The Islands community in Gilbert said they were roused from their sleep at 1 a.m. April 18 by the blaring sirens of first-responders. A house on Dolphin Drive was on fire and residents took to social media the following day asking what had happened. “Apparently someone threw a bomb at a house,” wrote a woman, who said

BY CECILIA CHAN Staff Writer

A veteran Chandler Fire Department firefighter faces arson and other charges in connection with his arrest last week for the apparent fire-bombing of an occupied Gilbert home. Eric Donald Jones, 41, of Chandler, was released with electronic monitoring from the County Jail on May 21 after posting a $50,000 bond two days after his arrest in connection with the April 18 incident. Jones faces three counts – arson of an occupied structure, a Class 2 felony;

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Chandler joins pedestrian safety campaign BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The Chandler Police Department is participating in a countywide enforcement campaign intended to reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities across the Valley. The Maricopa Association of Government’s “See Me AZ” education campaign aims to make Chandler’s roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The number of pedestrians killed in Arizona has been steadily rising from 163 in 2015 to 220 in 2019, according to the state’s most recently available data. Maricopa County saw 134 pedestrians killed in 2019, accounting for nearly half of the state’s fatal accidents. The large majority of fatalities occur in clear daylight. The Association’s “See Me AZ” campaign is intended to make motorists and pedestrians more aware of each other and less distracted by their phones. Chandler Detective Zachary Waters said pedestrian safety has been a top priority in the city for several years and the “See Me AZ” campaign will augment the city’s efforts to make drivers more conscious of their surroundings. “We continue to make a collective effort by educating citizens on appropriate safety measures while they are

traversing the roadways on foot or bicycle,” Waters said. “Enhanced educational efforts will continue to be made to induce changes in driving behavior to encourage drivers to notice and respect the presence of pedestrians and bicyclists.” Chandler is joining Phoenix, Tempe, and Glendale as the first group of municipalities that will be spreading the campaign’s messaging this month. “As one of the pilot cities, we believe this campaign is another opportunity in fulfilling our mission statement of providing a safe place for people to live, work, and thrive,” Waters added. Chandler’s traffic unit will be coordinating education and enforcement efforts throughout the month on roadways and near school zones to remind local drivers to always be cognizant of pedestrians and cyclists. Officers will be dispersing simple safety tips that include keeping a 3-foot distance between cars and cyclists, not parking near crosswalks, obeying speed limits, and not passing other vehicles that have stopped for a moving pedestrian. Pedestrians can better protect themselves by wearing visible clothing at night, utilizing pedestrian buttons at traffic signals, and looking out for cars turning right on a red light. Cyclists are reminded to always

yield to pedestrians, be cautious while passing driveways, use bike lanes when available, and to follow traffic laws the same as if driving a car. Sobriety will be another piece of the campaign’s messaging, since impairment has become one of the most prevalent factors in pedestrian crashes that end in a fatality. Out of the 220 pedestrians killed in Arizona in 2019, at least 95 were reportedly under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Arizona and the Phoenix metro area have often been ranked as some of the worst places for pedestrians as the number of accidents continues to rise year after year. Chandler has had its fair share of tragic accidents reported in recent years, culminating in the untimely deaths of multiple children and young parents. The killing of 31-year-old Pamela Hesselbacher near Ponderosa and Ray roads in 2016 by an unlicensed driver has had a lasting impact on the community and the state’s driving laws. The mother and her two small children were walking home from a nearby park when a motorist ran a red light and struck the Hesselbacher family. The driver, William Epperlein, claims he simply wasn’t paying attention as he was passing through an intersection. The Hesselbacher children survived

the accident, but Pamela succumbed to her injuries. The mother’s death sparked statewide outrage once it was revealed the driver was not legally licensed to be operating a vehicle. Epperlein was given the maximum sentence at the time – 30 days in jail – which later motivated the state’s lawmakers to pass legislation that heightened the penalties for unlicensed drivers who injure or kill pedestrians. Chandler has attempted to make its roads safer over the years by introducing new infrastructure throughout the city. In 2014, a special walking bridge was constructed across the Loop 101 freeway, allowing a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists to pass over the busy roadway. The city has additionally spent this last year creating more bike lanes in the West Chandler region along Kyrene and McClintock roads. Cities participating in the “See Me AZ” campaign will be collecting surveys before and after the event in order to see what type of impact the education efforts have had on local drivers. “We know that traffic crashes involving pedestrian deaths are a growing public health concern and that we need to quickly figure out the root causes, as we all share the responsibility when it comes to road safety,” said MAG Council Chair Jerry Weiers.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Chandler to renew contract for street cameras BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The city is preparing to renew its contract with a vendor to keep Chandler’s red-light enforcement cameras operational for another five years. Even though Chandler’s photo-enforcement traffic program is expected to lose $200,000 this year, city officials believe it is still worth continuing for the next few years in order to curb speeders and red-light runners. “From the beginning, the overall goals of the program were to shape behavior, to influence drivers, to reduce collisions in our city,” Police Chief Sean Duggan said. Duggan said he’s confident Chandler’s cameras have been “beneficial” to the city over the last five years and warned of the consequences that would result in deactivating them. The city’s busiest intersections won’t have 24/7 monitoring for traffic violators, Duggan said, and his department doesn’t have enough manpower to continuously surveille those intersections. “We have fewer traffic officers now than we did back when this started,” the chief said. Chandler began installing traffic cameras in 2000 at four intersections in the city’s northern region. In 2016, the city expanded its enforcement to 12 intersections spread out throughout Chandler by contracting with a private vendor. Chandler’s contract with American

Traffic Solutions is set to expire this year and extending it to last through 2026 will cost the city about $2.5 million. Last year, Chandler issued about 23,000 traffic citations and half of them were generated by traffic cameras. The number of citations recorded at each intersection can vary widely, with some intersections responsible for two to four times the number of tickets

From the beginning, the overall goals of the “program were to shape behavior, to inﬂuence drivers, to reduce collisions in our city. ”

– Police Chief Sean Duggan

issued in other parts of Chandler. According to data released last year by Chandler Police, the cameras at McQueen and Queen Creek roads issued 8,376 tickets in a year. The intersection of Arizona Avenue and Ocotillo Road recorded the city’s second-highest number of tickets at 2,355. Chandler’s 10 other intersections with traffic cameras issued between 684 and 2,200 tickets during the fiscal year which ended June 30, 2018. The city’s data show the number of accidents at the 12 intersections with traffic cameras can also vary.

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The McQueen-Queen Creek roads intersection, which recorded the lowest number of traffic tickets, had 11 traffic accidents during the last six months of 2018. The 38 accidents at the Dobson-Ray intersection were the most mishaps at any intersection with camera enforcement. The photo-enforcement cameras have not always been popular in Arizona and

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some state lawmakers have repeatedly attempted and failed to outlaw them. Some cities have discontinued their traffic cameras over the years due to fears that they were perceived by the public a “money grab.” Chandler’s revenue generated from the traffic cameras has fluctuated over the years. Between 2017 and 2019, Chandler made a profit off of its photo-enforcement program and reinvested the money back into safety initiatives. Duggan said the city has policies in place to restrict how profits can be spent and the money must be used to

enhance traffic safety in Chandler. Chandler currently stands to lose about $200,000 this fiscal year from the camera program. But Duggan said the loss balances out with the profits earned in previous years, allowing the city to break even at the end of its five-year contract. According to the contract, Chandler must pay its vendor $20 each time an officer uses a photo to issue a citation, which is one aspect of the contract that doesn’t sit well with some people. Councilman Matt Orlando doesn’t think it makes much sense for the city to pay to use photos, considering the vendor needs police officers to issue citations. “They should be giving us the photo for free,” Orlando said. “Otherwise, they can’t do anything, we can’t do anything.” The city is able to earn revenue through the citations in several ways. Chandler receives about 40 percent of the citation fee charged to traffic violators. The city can additionally earn a portion of the tuition students pay to attend traffic school. Chandler can also get reimbursed if a citizen ignores a traffic ticket and the city has to dispatch a process server. Duggan said his agency tries its best to assure the public that the cameras are not being used to cheat them. They’re stationed out in the open with plenty of signage around that alert drivers to their presence, Duggan said. “There is no attempt to hide these,” he added. “We are doing everything we can to give people warning.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

CUSD ripped for Casteel retirement party BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

The Chandler Unified School District is planning a big celebration to mark the retirement of Superintendent Camille Casteel and some people think the timing isn’t right for a massive gathering. Even though the district determined it was not safe for high school students to have a senior prom this year, CUSD felt the pandemic won’t interfere with plans to commemorate Casteel’s 50year career in Chandler. Not long after CUSD announced its plan to host a retirement party on April 29 on Chandler High School’s football field, parents quickly responded with criticisms over the district’s choice to hold a big event while canceling other end-of-year celebrations. “As the mom of a senior, I am disheartened by the inequity and hypocrisy of this celebration in light of all the limitations and cancellations bestowed upon the Class of 2021,” one CUSD parent wrote online. Another parent felt the retirement party was “a very selfish move on the school district’s part” and exhibited major “tone deafness” to the pandemic’s circumstances. The criticism attacked CUSD for creating the appearance it was favoring Casteel’s retirement over graduating seniors, whose traditional ceremony will be limited as far as spectators are

concerned. CUSD is allowing each senior to invite no more than two guests to the ceremony. Other friends and family will have to watch online. Debra Georgvich, another CUSD parent, believes the strict quotas given to graduation ceremonies insult students,

The district will monitor attendance levels at the reception and guests will be expected to RSVP before the event. Guests will also have to wear masks and socially distance. CUSD intends to have volunteers on the football field to manage the movement of guests during the event.

As the mom of a senior, I am disheartened “ by the inequity and hypocrisy of this celebration in light of all the limitations and cancellations bestowed upon the Class of 2021. ”

– CUSD parent

especially since Casteel’s retirement party is a public event. “Why aren’t high school graduation students given the same respect as Dr. Casteel,” Georgvich asked. “It’s because kids, right now, aren’t being put first.” Shortly after announcing Casteel’s retirement reception, CUSD released another statement to clarify its intentions with hosting an in-person, public event during a pandemic. “The outdoor come-and-go event scheduled in Dr. Casteel’s honor was intentionally designed to follow the COVID mitigation strategies currently in place for CUSD gatherings,” the district wrote.

“As we near the end of 2021 and recognize the accomplishments of students and staff, the best practices for COVID mitigation will remain a priority,” the district’s statement reads. “High schools are hopeful they can increase the number of invitees to graduation as COVID-19 cases decline.” As of April 19, CUSD only had 18 active cases of COVID-19 out of its 49,500 students and staff. Georgvich said the pandemic has interrupted other events impacting all of the district’s students -- not just the seniors. She has another child in eighth grade who won’t get to celebrate the

end of junior high with a promotion ceremony. The district’s priorities don’t seem to make much sense, Georgvich said, since they seem to bend their rules for certain activities and events. The mother said she doesn’t object to Casteel getting a public celebration to mark her retirement, but the timing doesn’t seem right. “I think Dr. Casteel deserves this wonderful milestone event,” Georgvich said. “She’s an outstanding leader who I admire deeply. But the kids of this district deserve their milestones too.” It does not appear like CUSD values the needs of its students during this precarious time, she said, nor the longterm impact this pandemic has already had on them. “I’m tired of hearing the excuse that kids are resilient,” Georgvich added. “If kids are so resilient, why do we have a generation of adults still talking about their childhood traumas.” Despite the controversy surrounding Casteel’s retirement event, many community members have already begun thanking the outgoing superintendent for her dedication to public education. “We owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude for everything you have done for CUSD and the Chandler community,” Rudy Apodaca wrote the district. “All the work you have done has cemented an indelible legacy that will serve many generations to come.”

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AIRPORT

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

from page 1

can do anything to replace that.” Wessel filed a lawsuit against the city in January for the damage done last year to his plane. The litigation isn’t so much about recouping damages, he said, as it is about sending a loud message to the city. “I don’t care if I get a penny out of that,” Wessel remarked. “But they’re going to fix the safety issues they’ve got at that airport.” Because the civil case is ongoing, representatives from the city declined to comment on Wessel’s allegations. But the city has countersued Wessel for damage that was allegedly sustained during the 2020 fire. The two parties currently appear to be in a standoff and Wessel has already begun seeking outside help by filing complaints with federal authorities against the city. As a pilot who has housed planes at the Chandler airport for more than a decade, Wessel’s had several opportunities to observe and document how the city treats the many tenants who occupy the airport’s hangars. In a letter written last year to various members of Congress, Wessel accused city employees of seizing and disabling airplanes housed at the airport by attaching a locking device to them. An action like that could be considered a federal offense, Wessel noted, and should not be done without the proper authorization. The city claims a rogue employee had been disabling aircraft owned by hangar tenants who were allegedly behind on their rent. The prop-locking reportedly stopped after the city was advised by law enforcement to discontinue the practice.

A fire in 2017 damaged two hangars and two planes at the Chandler Municipal Airport. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

“Airport employees have not proplocked or otherwise disabled any private aircraft since at least February 2019,” city officials wrote in response to Wessel’s complaint, “and the sole employee responsible for that practice is no longer employed by the city.” In its response, the city further rejected Wessel’s notion that the airport’s security gates were nonfunctional and barred firefighters from reaching his burning aircraft during last year’s fire. “The Chandler Municipal Airport is well maintained and fully covered by a highly-rated emergency response and public safety system,” city officials wrote. But Wessel does not appear to be the only person with concerns about safety issues at the airport. During a public meeting last year with airport officials, one of the property’s other users expressed fears over a lack of fire coverage despite there being several fire stations located within a couple miles of the airport. “These (fire stations) are not dedicated

to the airport,” the attendee told officials during the meeting. “However, the airport is one of the biggest fire hazards in the city of Chandler and it’s not covered.” A representative of the city was quick to dispute the attendee’s assessment. “I think our Fire Department would disagree with that statement,” Chris Andres, an airport administrator, said during the meeting. For the last year, the city has been updating its airport masterplan and compiling a list of expensive capital improvements it hopes to implement in the near future. The most recent draft of the masterplan recommends 53 projects valued at about $100 million –40 percent of which would be eligible for federal or state grants. If the city chooses to ultimately approve the new masterplan, Wessel warned he intends to try to get the Federal Aviation Administration to negate it. But it’s unclear how much grant funding will be available in the near future or what type of economic climate the

aviation industry will be in due to the cataclysmic disruptions that have been caused by the pandemic. “While general aviation and business aviation operations have been returning to pre COVID levels,” the city’s masterplan states, “there is still much uncertainty as to how this health crisis will affect airports in the coming months or the lasting impacts it may have on the industry as a whole.” Some of the plan’s recommendations include rehabilitating runways, relocating the airport fuel tank, taxiway extensions and reconstructing the heliport area. Wessel thinks the masterplan updates are “ridiculous” and could mostly end up being a waste of money. He specifically objects to one of the plan’s most expensive projects: an $8-million reconstruction of the airport terminal building. That amount of money could be better spent on making the airport safer, Wessel noted, and preventing another fire incident. “It’s just your typical bureaucracy at work,” he said, “screwing things up as much as possible.” If the city chooses to ultimately approve the new masterplan, Wessel warned he intends to try to get the Federal Aviation Administration to negate it. Perhaps the biggest grievance Wessel has with the city is an overall lack of communication. He feels the airport’s users are not properly consulted on important matters involving the airport and their advice is often ignored. “I’m at my wits end with this stuff,” he said, “I can’t get anywhere with these guys.” It’s important the airport remain a viable enterprise for the years to come, Wessel said, because the pilots have invested a lot of their time and money into that property and they don’t want to see it be wasted.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

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Michael Collins, CLEA President. “We’ve done more with less for a long time, but now, even though our officers are working more overtime than ever before, Chandler PD is struggling to fill shifts. “We’re stretched very thin. It’s happening more than anyone should be comfortable with and our citizens deserve better.” The hiring conundrum comes at a time when Chandler is grappling with a sudden uptick in shootings and homicides. In 2020, the city logged 75 shootings – 16 more than the previous year – that resulted in 26 injured victims and nine deaths. One incident involved a 26-yearold man who allegedly fired up to 100 rounds of ammunition at police officers during a standoff near Commonwealth Avenue. No one was seriously injured and the suspect is awaiting trial for several charges of attempted murder. The city already recorded 27 shootings during the first couple months of 2021, setting the new year on a trajectory that may continue Chandler’s troubling crime trend. Duggan said Chandler’s shooting statistics are “alarming” and have prompted him to develop a special task force assigned to tackle gun violence. “This is the number one priority in our police department right now,” Duggan said. The task force will examine where shootings have been occurring and try

to explain the escalation in violence. “We’re trying to get an understanding of what’s happening,” Duggan added, “but we just don’t know why and we’re trying to put those pieces together so we can prevent these shootings from occurring.” In addition to shootings, Chandler has recently seen a steady rise in sexual assaults. The city recorded having 123 assaults in 2020, which was more than double the amount seen in 2014. Chandler’s shifts in crime trends are similar to those in other cities throughout the country and some experts believe they are related to the pandemic’s impact. According to a report published by the Council on Criminal Justice, homicide rates jumped 32 percent during the pandemic and assaults increased by 11 percent. Property crimes have taken a nosedive in many – which some experts attribute to so many Americans staying home during the pandemic. Despite the local uptick in violence, Duggan said Chandler is still experiencing historic downturns in other types of crime. The city’s overall crime index has dropped by more than 30 percent in the last 10 years. “To ensure we continue down that path,” Duggan said, “we need to invest in our police.” The chief noted how Chandler has the same number of sworn officer positions it had in 2008 even though the city’s population has grown significantly over the last decade. Officer numbers slightly declined during the Great Recession and rose to

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pre-recession levels but Duggan said that’s not enough for the amount of work needing done today. The police department has reassigned up to 15 positions to the patrol division, which has strengthened the city’s first line of defense for responding to 911 calls. But other divisions have had to operate without additional support. “What we didn’t do is that we have not really adequately addressed – for over a decade – the needs throughout the rest of the department,” Chief Duggan said. Chandler’s officers are additionally reacting to circumstances that didn’t exist a decade ago; a growing amount of cybercrimes, civil unrest over police brutality and a greater reliance on police for answering cases where people are in mental crisis. Duggan said the number of court petitions his agency receives to detain a mentally ill resident has grown by 65 percent. “It’s increasing exponentially year after year,” he said. “This is an issue not being addressed throughout society and it falls into the lap of police.” Chandler also has had cohorts of protestors on the sidewalks along Arizona Avenue at various times throughout the year. Some protests targeted Chandler Police after an officer fatally shot a 17-year-old boy in January during a traffic stop near Gazelle Meadows Park. Duggan said the recurring frequency of protests impacts resources. “Our policing model is not set up for protests,” Duggan said. “These events

require significant overtime, changing schedules and major disruptions to people’s lives.” The overall climate for local policing has now prompted representatives from Chandler’s police unions to call upon the city’s leaders for additional support before more officers get burned out. Michael Collins, president of the Chandler Law Enforcement Association, said the city’s officers need to know there’s a “light at the end of the tunnel” after they’ve been forced to endure a turbulent year. “Our people are exhausted,” Collins said. “They have been asked to do more with less for a very long time.” Sgt. Tom Lovejoy, president of the Chandler Lieutenants and Sergeants Association, said the city should have done something years ago to make Chandler more competitive in the hiring market for new officers. He claims he made a presentation before the city’s leaders back in 2018 about staffing problems and didn’t see much of a response afterwards. “You heard me pleading back then for help and nothing happened,” Lovejoy said. Acting City Manager Joshua Wright said conversations have been happening on a daily basis regarding the police personnel needs and that officials have been looking for new strategies to address them in the near future. “We’re going to look at this challenge holistically,” Wright said. “There are things that we can do involving all aspects of our organization to free up capacity for our officers.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Chandler man pleads to extorting business BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

A Chandler man has pleaded guilty in federal court to using his YouTube channel to threaten and extort a private business. Austin Steinbart, 30, was sentenced to time served after spending several months in custody following his arrest last year. The long-time Arizona resident, who has been associated with the controversial QAnon political movement, got caught up in an online firestorm last March after he used his social media presence to attack a business that wouldn’t heed to his demands. According to court records, Steinbart hacked into a California-based medical facility’s records and obtained private information on a number of celebrity patients. The defendant then posted a video on his YouTube channel, detailing his hacking operation to his 10,000 followers. Once the medical facility became aware of Steinbart’s video, they reached out and asked him to delete it. Steinbart refused and threatened to leak additional information. “You have no idea what patient data I possess or what my next move is,” Steinbard wrote the company. “All you know for certain is that I have thousands of highly-engaged followers ready

Austin Steinbart, right, posed last year with Jake Angeli, a familiar face at pro-Trump rallies in Arizona and a purported QAnon conspiracy theorist who was arrested for his role in the Jan/. 6 insurrection at the nation’s Capitol. (Special to the Arizonan)

to propagate any leaks far and wide across the global internet at a moment’s notice.” On March 19, 2020, FBI agents visited the defendant’s Chandler home and asked him to take down videos containing private information. He again refused. Two days later, Steinbart posted another video and directed his followers

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to contact a Connecticut-based data security company that had suspended Steinbart’s account for copyright and privacy infringements, court records show. If the company did not restore access to his account, Steinbart warned he and his followers would “start flooding their phone lines and their email billing system” until the company could no longer conduct their day-to-day business. Steinbart additionally provided instructions to his YouTube followers on how to contact the company and what to say to them. The data company claims it received thousands of emails shortly after Steinbart posted his video. Steinbart posted more videos in the following days with new instructions on how to flood the company’s emergency tech support line, court records show. The attack campaign escalated to Steinbart sending a threatening message to the company’s CEO on Twitter, where he claimed to be running a military intelligence operation called “Qanon” on behalf of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency. “You are impeding my operation and threatening our national security with your unconstitutional censorship,” Steinbart wrote the CEO. Federal prosecutors claim Steinbart is not associated with the DIA in any

capacity. In recent years, QAnon has become a umbrella term for the followers of conspiracy theories that perpetuate beliefs in underground sex-trafficking rings and plots against former President Donald Trump. Steinbart has publicly described QAnon as being a series of online back channels designed to circulate information that circumvents the “mainstream media.” But federal authorities claim the QAnon identifier could have some more sinister associations. In 2019, the FBI field office in Phoenix wrote a memo that described QAnon-driven extremists as a “domestic terrorism threat” and believed the conspiracies propagated by followers could result in the execution of various violent acts. Many followers of QAnon beliefs were allegedly involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection of the U.S. Capitol building and could be seen walking through the halls of Congress wearing shirts with “Q” symbols. After the insurrection, Facebook and Twitter suspended more than 70,000 accounts that were promoting QAnon-related content. YouTube and Twitter have suspended Steinbart’s accounts for violating company policies. But the defendant See

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Around Chandler Jeremiah’s Italian Ice honoring teachers, healthcare workers

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice in south Chandler has a double-dip treat for education workers and first responders on its menu. Jeremiah’s, at 4050 S. Alma School will observe Teacher Appreciation Day May 4 with a free treat for teachers between 11:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. Jeremiah’s will follow that up with Healthcare Appreciation Day May 6 from 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. A spokeswoman said Jeremiah’s wants to show its “appreciation for all their hard work and dedication, caring for the community.” Jeremiah’s serves more than 40 rotating flavors of Italian Ice and house-made vanilla and chocolate soft serve ice cream, which when combined with any Italian Ice flavor creates Jeremiah’s signature gelati. Education staff and healthcare employees must bring workplace ID to enjoy a dessert. Information: jeremiahsice.com/locations/chandler-az.

New vascular surgery practice opens in Chandler

American Vascular Specialists has opened a second East Valley clinic at 4921 S Alma School Road, Chandler. A vascular and endovascular surgery practice that has been serving Mesa for over five years, the clinic’s experienced medical care team offers comprehensive vascular and endovascular care, including treatment for abdominal aortic

aneurysm, vascular disease care, carotid artery disease, aneurysm repair, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, dialysis access and stent placement. American Vascular Specialists’ team includes two expert physicians who specialize in vascular and endovascular care. The practice offers minimally invasive procedures and uses the most conservative and most effective treatment possible to minimize prolonged recoveries. Currently, American Vascular Specialists is accepting new patients. Patients who have pain in their legs, a wound that will not heal, pale or bluish skin, maybe a candidate to see a vascular surgeon. Information: 480-750-1986 or amvascular.com.

2 facing multiple charges after Chandler home invasion arrest

Two men have been arrested on multiple charges for breaking into an elderly couple’s home early April 12 and terrorizing the occupants at gunpoint. Police said the victims in a home in the 900 block of East Knox Road said the two suspects – Roger Chavez Gil, 24, of Phoenix, and Christopher Gross, 23, of Mesa – entered the home through the garage after the garage door had been inadvertently left open. The husband and wife were sleeping when the suspects woke them up at gunpoint. The suspects ordered them to turn over all their valuables, money, and car keys. The suspects then fled the residence by stealing the victims’ vehicle.

With the assistance of the Phoenix and Glendale police, Chandler Detectives were able to locate and apprehend the suspects in the victims’ stolen vehicle in the area of 55th Avenue and Glendale Avenue. Chavez Gil was booked in Maricopa County Jail on numerous felony charges, including armed robbery, a class 2 felony, aggravated assault-deadly weapon, a class 3 felony, kidnapping, a class 4 felony, burglary-1st degree, a class 2 felony, and theft of means of transportation, a class 3 felony Gross was booked in Maricopa County Jail on numerous felony charges, including armed robbery, a class 2 felony, aggravated assault-deadly weapon, a class 3 felony, kidnapping, a class 4 felony, burglary-1st degree, a class 2 felony, theft of means of transportation, a class 3 felony, and possession of dangerous drugs, a class 4 felony.

Chandler Ford dealer part of company-wide bottled water drive

Earnhardt Ford, 7300 W. Orchid Lane, Chandler, is part of a bottled water drive May 7-23 that also involves Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Phoenix and Dunkin’ on behalf of the Salvation Army. The ninth annual Fill an F-150 Bottled Water Drive helps the Salvation Army and its Emergency Disaster Services program provide hydration as well as respite and safety information to those in need at heat relief stations in the Valley on days with excessive heat warnings. According to Maricopa Coun-

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ty Public Health, there were a record 207 confirmed heat-associated deaths in Maricopa County in 2020, with more cases still under investigation. Maj. David Yardley, Salvation Army Metro Phoenix program coordinator said, “This water drive is just one of the many amazing ways Ford has supported the Army over the years, and we are also grateful to Hurricane Harbor and Dunkin’ for joining the cause this year. Tens of thousands of people will receive life-saving hydration because of this partnership.” Hurricane Harbor Phoenix will provide a half-off any day general admission coupon (good for up to six admissions and redeemable online) to each person who donates at least one case of water at any metro Phoenix-area Ford dealership. The discounted daily admission coupons are redeemable during the 2021 season. In addition, Dunkin’ will provide a coupon for one free medium coffee and one free classic donut redeemable through June 2021. Ford’s goal is to collect 150,000 bottles of water during the water drive in support of The Salvation Army. To date, the Ford Fill an F-150 water drive has collected approximately 750,000 bottles of water for The Salvation Army. Ford will jumpstart the drive with a $20,000 grant in support of the water drive and other Salvation Army programs courtesy of Ford’s Operation Better World Phoenix program.

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Councilman Terry Roe has a similar opinion, believing talks about an ordinance are a “distraction” and irrelevant to the actual community. “Chandler is diverse and inclusive,” Roe said. “Most people who live in this community feel that very way.” The Mesa City Council passed an ordinance last month that prohibits discrimination in employment and housing on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, age, or religion. Violators of the law could be charged with civil fees that range between $300 and $2,500. Scottsdale City Council last week passed a similar ordinance after years of effort. Mesa’s ordinance has come under attack by some residents who feel its language is too vague and opponents are forcing it to a referendum, delaying the law from taking effect, Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson, and Flagstaff have all passed non-discrimination ordinances. Chandler’s leaders all seem support introducing some kind of legislation that condemns discrimination, but most are reluctant to commit to an ordinance that would open the door for punishing those who violate it. The practicalities over who would investigate complaints of discrimination and who decides whether someone is guilty are issues that some raised about an ordinance.

“It can be as broad as you want it or as narrow as you want it,” Schwab explained. Council has recently directed staff to draft some language for a potential resolution that can be reviewed and possibly approved at a later date. Even if Council ultimately decides to pass a resolution, Harris said he hopes Chandler will still consider introducing an ordinance at some point in the future. The issue appears to be an important one for the new councilman, who has often spoke out on matters involving racial injustice and discrimination. Not long after the guilty verdict in Derek Chauvin’s trial was announced in MinneapChandler Councilman OD Harris is pushing for a nondiscrimination ordinance but some of his cololis last week, Harris made a leagues prefer a resolution, which would have no enforcement behind it. (YouTube) statement solidifying his commitment to forming a more petitive disadvantage,” Orlando said. Councilman Matt Orlando is one of perfect union in Chandler. State and federal laws already prothe few council members who thinks “As an Army veteran, I swore an oath tect certain populations from unwantChandler should consider drafting an to defend our constitution and our ed discrimination or harassment, but ordinance rather than a resolution or way of life,” Harris stated. “However, these laws are not always applicable to proclamation. as a Black man in America, at times, some members of the LGBTQ commuIf so many other municipalities in that constitution and way of life have Arizona are passing ordinances, he said, nity and other groups. not been favorable towards me or my Chandler City Attorney Kelly Schwab then Chandler would stand out as the community.” said the city could fill in any gaps that city afraid to commit to prohibiting Harris added that he was “commitaren’t currently covered by federal laws discrimination. ted to making sure policing policies are and has the discretion to define the poli- fair, transparent, and just for all com“For us to say we’re not going to put in an ordinance, to me puts us at a com- cy’s language however Chandler sees fit. munity members.”

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Mesnard lashes out a critics of early ballot changes BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Two Republican senators lashed out last week at businesses and the media, accusing them of mischaracterizing what is in changes they are proposing to state election laws. Michelle Ugenti-Rita of Scottsdale and J.D. Mesnard of Chandler said their measures simply add necessary layers of security to the election process. They said the terms of both bills and their motives have been distorted in news coverage. But the pair, at a press conference backed by other GOP legislators, saved their harshest criticism for Greater Phoenix Leadership, an association of CEOs in business, education and philanthropy. Some of their members sent an open letter to legislators saying three bills – including the two Mesnard and Ugenti-Rita are sponsoring – “seek to disenfranchise voters.’’ “They are attempts at voter suppression cloaked as reform – plain and simple,’’ the letter states. “If you disagree with my bill or any of the bills these other members represent in the name of election integrity, that’s fine,’’ Ugenti-Rita said. “But you don’t get to mischaracterize and lie about it.’’ “But you don’t get to label everybody who may support it as racist,’’ Ugenti-Rita said. “We’re not going to be intimidated.’’ There was no immediate response from GPL. The pair also are trying to pressure House GOP leadership to put the measures, both of which have cleared the Senate, up for a vote. Both proposals deal with early voting. Arizona has some of the simplest laws, with individuals allowed to be

Republican Senators Michelle Ugenti-Rita of Scottsdale and J.D. Mesnard of Chandler held a press conference to counter criticism of voter law changes now winding their way through the Legislature. (Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services)

placed on a “permanent early voting list’’ and be guaranteed to get a ballot in the mail ahead of each election. That ballot can be mailed back or dropped off at a polling site. Every early ballot is reviewed by county election workers to see if the signature on the outside matches what they have on file. If there is a discrepancy, a call is made to the voter to determine the ballot’s veracity. The result of all this is about 80 percent of Arizonans now use early ballots. Mesnard’s SB 1713 would require anyone sending in an early ballot to also provide a date of birth as well as either a driver’s license number or a county-issued voter ID number. That has raised concerns for people who do not drive, as few people are aware of their ID number.

He did not dispute that there is no evidence of widespread fraud in the process in Arizona. But Mesnard said that’s irrelevant. “What is undebatable is that people have a lot of concerns about it,’’ Mesnard said. “That, by itself, is a threat.’’ And he specifically rejected that the reason for voter doubt is that Donald Trump spread rumors for months before the 2020 election that early ballots are inherently untrustworthy. Mesnard said, “The response is not just to dismiss them because he claimed there was fraud and we didn’t have some sort of level of evidence that meets somebody’s standard that we’re not going to do anything. We’re not going to ignore those problems.’’ Ugenti-Rita’s SB 1485 spells out that if someone does not return an early ballot in at least one of four prior elec-

tions – meaning a primary and a general election in two successive years – the person is dropped from what would no longer be called the permanent early voting list. They could still sign up again to get early ballots and they could still go directly to the polls on Election Day. Foes contend this would have a disparate negative impact on minority voters who may be less inclined to vote in every election but still want the option of getting that ballot for the years they are interested in casting an early ballot. It also means that political independents, who usually do not cast ballots in partisan primaries, have just two chances to comply versus four for partisan voters. Ugenti-Rita said she is going to make “small, meaningful tweaks’’ to the measure but declined to provide details. The issue of what the business community thinks about the bills became more crucial following the decision of Major League Baseball to move the All-Star Game out of Atlanta after the Georgia Legislature enacted several measure that were perceived to be attacks on minority voting. Arizona has some potential risks in that area, with the state scheduled to host the 2023 Super Bowl, the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2024 and the Women’s Final Four two years later. Sports leagues have shown themselves to be averse to political controversy, particularly on issues like race and gender. There’s also the question of whether businesses might decide to locate elsewhere to avoid being linked to negative publicity about Arizona voting laws. Ugenti-Rita made it clear she didn’t care. “That’s their choice,’’ she said. “And I would say, don’t let the door hit you where the good Lord split you.’’

Chandler, other keyboard musicians in 2-day concert SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Freestone Park in Gilbert will be filled with the sound of music from Chandler young people next weekend as 326 musicians ages 4 to 18 gather for a keyboard concert. The performances – 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, and 1-6 p.m. the following day – will be held at the amphitheater, 1045 E. Juniper Ave. The students attend the East Valley Yamaha Music School at 3160 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler and another in North Phoenix and have not had a chance to perform before a live audience for more than a year because of the pan-

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quickly found other platforms to post his opinions on the investigation into his actions. In a video posted on Instagram last June, Steinbart called the FBI and CIA “corrupt” agencies and said he was on a mission to expose their so-called hypocrisy. “They made up ridiculous lies about things I have said to make me look crazy

demic’s social distancing constraints, spokeswoman Rachel Grimes. “We are so excited for our students to experience the joy of live performance again after a year of virtual recitals,” said Grimes. To keep everyone safe, the musicians will be playing in ensembles. “There will never be more than four groups performing at any one time and there are no more than 10 in a group,” Grimes said. Naturally, the performers will be wearing masks. And the same musicians won’t be playing all day as there will be sets lasting about 40 minutes, though Grimes added that “it will pretty much be continuous music”

since the musicians will quickly trade seats with the next group of performers. Until now, the children and teens have been performing a bit online and some performances were taped and sent to area retirement homes, Grimes said. The students have been practicing all month and for some, next weekend’s gig will be the first time they’re performing for a live audience. Older students vie for coveted backstage volunteer positions to fulfill their community service hours for school and enjoy picking their own costumes to fit the difficult arrangements of popular songs that they have perfected in class over the past two months, Grimes said.

This year, students will perform their ensembles outdoors for the first time under a big tent. Seating and spacing is provided for audience and attendance is free. East Valley and North Phoenix Yamaha Music Schools use the long-established Yamaha Curriculum, an international standard method of teaching children the language of music through keyboard, singing, theory, composition, and group classroom engagement. Children at East Valley Yamaha Music School have performed all over the world: in Toronto, Hong Kong, and Tokyo with their original songs. Information: rachel.evyms@gmail. com or call 480-926-4441.

so they could keep me locked up until trial,” Steinbart said in the video. “The FBI will rest in the ash heap of history where they belong.” A couple months after Steinbart posted that video, he was arrested for violating his pretrial release conditions after he failed a drug test. Court records show Steinbart had attempted to pass the drug screening by filling a prosthetic penis up with clean urine. Steinbart admitted to possessing

the prosthetic device, but denied trying to use it. Regardless, a federal judge ordered the defendant back into custody and he remained there for several months. Steinbart pleaded guilty in March to one count of extortion and was sentenced to one year of probation. Prosecutors agreed to dismiss several charges of wire fraud and identity theft. In various videos posted online, Steinbart has indicated he plans to produce a documentary about himself

and has recently filed papers in Arizona to form a nonprofit media company. He additionally is on a mission to establish an “Internet Bill of Rights” that would prevent social media companies from censoring their users. “I have an army of patriots behind me and we are taking this fight to the max,” Steinbard said in an online video. “We will never surrender and we will restore the constitutional rights of all Americans.”

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

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Kelly Jorn Cook’s dentistry has 3 decades of service ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

Kelly Jorn Cook, D.D.S., offers a wide range of dentistry services to suit almost any dental need. Located at 3800 W. Ray Road, Chandler, his practice includes the most recent dental technologies to make a patient’s visit safe, convenient, painless and positive. “We offer full-service dentistry, including dental implants, Invisalign, and cosmetic restorations,” Cook said. “The entire team strives to provide the highest quality personalized dental care for patients of all ages in a stress-free, fun environment. My unique approach to dentistry is in the office atmosphere.” While providing “the highest quality of dentistry,” he said he creates an environment of more fun and less fear. Cook balances “being the

doc that rocks and with keeping it simple” and is continually upgrading his ability and knowledge through continuing dental education and encourages and supports his staff to do the same. “What you see is what you get: great dentistry and a really good time,” he said. When not practicing dentistry, he is golfing with his wife or hanging out with their 12 dogs. “The health and well-being of our patients and team members continues to be our top priority,” Cook added. “We practice all COVID-19 safety protocols and are seeing patients by appointment only. Many of these safeguards have always been a part of our practice, but we have taken additional precautions to ensure your protection for your appointment.” Information: kellyjorncook.com

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COMMUNITY NEWS

CITY OF CHANDLER INSIDER

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Chandler is proactive in protecting water supply BY THE CITY OF CHANDLER

We live in a desert. Obviously, this isn’t a surprise. Whether you were born here, or have moved here from other locations, you understand the concept of the dry heat and climate unique to the Sonoran Desert in which Chandler is located. It also isn’t a surprise that since we live in a desert, we must be prepared for dry desert conditions and take measures to ensure that there is an adequate supply of water, now and in the future. Chandler has done just that. The City has planned, prepared and proactively enacted innovative measures that guarantee it can provide water to residents and businesses not only for today, but for the next 100 years. Chris Connor, the city’s utility regulatory affairs manager, described the 100year mark as the water supply requirement mandated by the State of Arizona. “Water is a limited resource and it takes all of us working together in Arizona to manage supplies and make sure that it isn’t wasted,” Connor says. Several key factors ensure our water supplies will adequately provide water, even as our population increases and new businesses call Chandler home. First and foremost is planning. The City has established extensive water allocation policies. “By setting policies more than thirty years ago, the City ensured that the amount of demand is sufficiently met by the supply,” Connor said. “People might be surprised to learn that our demand for water has actually decreased since Chandler’s early days when agriculture and farming were predominant. “Even though our population has increased and industries have moved onto former cropland, the measures that we put in place early on have worked to reduce usage.” Projections are prepared to anticipate the water usage needs, and usage is closely monitored to ensure that the projections are accurate. This becomes even more important as new developments or expansions are planned; it assures that when develop-

Above: Chandler irrigates with reclaimed water to save its drinking water supplies. Right: Chandler has 1,231 miles of pipes underground to deliver water to Chandler homes and businesses. (City of Chandler)

ment opportunities present themselves, we are prepared to meet the needs. Also, as systems age, the infrastructure that transports Chandler’s water supply to its users is critical. Chandler has proactively instituted a pipe replacement program, to prevent water waste due to breaks or leaks. In addition, Chandler performs an annual audit of the water distribution system to further reduce waste. Another key factor in Chandler’s preparation that sets the city apart is our access to a diverse water supply. In Chandler our water supply comes from three sources: surface water, ground water and reclaimed water. Surface water comes from rain and snowmelt and collects in lakes and reservoirs. It makes its way to us via streams, rivers and canals. Water comes from a variety of sources including the Salt River, Verde River and even the Colorado River and Central Arizona Project (CAP) Canal, nearly 1,500 miles away. Because it comes from a variety of

sources, even if one source experiences a shortage, the impact isn’t felt as significantly. Groundwater is the purest water, pumped from deep in the ground via underground wells. The geology of the ground allows water to collect in underground beds of saturated soil or rock, called aquifers, that yield significant quantities of water. You can think of these as Chandler’s water savings accounts. Early planners in the mid-1900s had the foresight to design the entire City as a retention basin that can handle extensive rain, and to harvest it throughout the City. When we do get significant rainfall in Chandler, it recharges the aquifers. Finally, in Chandler every drop of water is used twice due to our extensive reclaimed water system. Waste water is collected, treated and recycled to be used on golf courses, landscapes and industry. You’ve probably seen the purple

pipes. The treated reclaimed water is processed through a separate system, with nearly 300 customers currently using it regularly. Chandler is a leader in this technology, and the first in the Valley to institute this type of system. Essentially, the City has invested in the needed resources to effectively manage the limited resource of water in the desert. It does so in order to provide the best value back to the City and its residents through improved quality of life and opportunities for growth, development and employment opportunities. Water is a finite resource, and none of it should be wasted. It’s up to us to use our water supply wisely and efficiently, so it will last for the future. But rest assured that we have the water supplies we need for now, and for the generations of the future.

What you can do to help It takes only small changes to help save significant amounts of water. Here are some easy, inexpensive, everyday things you can do: Get on a smart schedule. Don’t water your landscape every day. Only apply the amount of water that your plants really need depending on the season. Residents who install a WaterSense approved smart controller to help manage a smarter watering schedule can qualify for a rebate, too. Timing is everything. Water your lawn early in the morning or late in the evening. Midday watering results in fast evaporation, and scorches your lawn and plants.

Control your controller. Know how to operate your in-ground sprinkler system controller. Check sprinkler systems frequently for directional aim and broken heads to prevent watering driveways, sidewalks and streets. If it has rained, you may be able to skip a cycle or two. Slow the flow. Use low-flow sprinkler heads to water your grass, and become familiar with the “cycle and soak” setting on your controller. Use a drip system instead of sprinklers to water trees, shrubs and flower or vegetable beds more efficiently. Mow better. Raise your lawnmower blade and cut grass areas to a height

of 3 inches. This shades the soil, which reduces evaporation and allows roots to grow deeper. Be soil-savvy. Use a 2 - 3 inch layer of inorganic mulch like ½” minus decomposed granite on top of your soil. Better yet, try a three inch layer or organic mulch (compost, finely shredded bark/wood). This helps retain moisture, prevents weeds and releases nutrients back into the soil as it decomposes. Grow native. Plant trees to create shade, and choose colorful, drought-tolerant or native groundcovers, shrubs and perennials. Ask your local nursery or landscape profes-

sional for advice, or browse the free, full-color booklet Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert. Plug the leaks! Check for leaks in taps, toilets, pipes and your sprinkler system. Fixing leaks is a simple way to save water. One slow drip can waste 20 gallons of water daily (7,000 gallons per year). It might not seem like much, but every time you practice one of these tips, you’re not only using water more wisely and efficiently, but also saving water for our future. Sign up for a variety of classes offered throughout the year for even more tips to reduce water usage. Find more resources at chandleraz.gov/water.

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Chandler tutor indicted for hiding seamy past SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A Chandler man, who has been arrested up to 10 times in other states for inappropriately touching children, has been indicted by a state grand jury for trying to fraudulently conceal his history of transgressions. Brett James Smith, 38, became the subject of an investigation last year after he attempted to legally change his name in Maricopa County Superior Court and find work as a tutor around the East Valley. Smith, who has used several aliases, advertised his services online and quickly found some clients in the Chandler area. But his past soon came back to haunt him once parents started digging into Smith’s criminal history and sounding the alarm to local authorities. Nine months after a group of parents in Chandler discovered Smith’s sketchy past, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office has obtained an indictment that charges Smith with 15 counts of fraud and forgery. Smith is accused of purposefully omitting or falsifying several facts about his past when he attempted to change his name. Public records show Smith has been arrested at least 10 times in Indiana between 2002 and 2015 for various crimes involving children. He has been convict-

The school district “ reported that Smith was persistent about being allowed to put ﬂyers in the backpacks and became upset that he was unable to do so.

”

Brett James Smith ed at least three times for misdemeanor offenses and spent some time in jail. The offenses typically involved Smith sliding his hand under a child’s shirt and rubbing their back. Smith was additionally accused of creating fake identity badges and teaching certificates. Smith eventually relocated to Arizona and attempted to restart his teaching career by obtaining a fingerprint clearance card, which would have allowed him to work in the state’s public schools.

As Smith was awaiting a decision from the Arizona Fingerprinting Board, the state’s law enforcement agencies intervened by filing a lengthy complaint detailing Smith’s prior arrests in Indiana. Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Heston Silbert told the board it would have been a mistake to clear Smith for teaching in the state’s schools due to the applicant’s pattern of troubling behavior. “Smith has engaged in a prolonged series of inappropriate acts against children — even twice violating his probation conditions,” Silbert wrote in his complaint. According to Silbert’s complaint, local authorities were first tipped off about Smith in 2018 after some Chandler residents reported his suspicious behavior.

One mother told Chandler Police she discovered Smith’s tutoring ads appeared to publicize false information about his work history. The Chandler Chamber of Commerce informed local police something seemed “not right” about Smith when he interacted with the Chamber’s staff. He allegedly seemed “pushy” about having the Chamber introduce Smith to local businesses and school administrators. Chandler Unified School District officials additionally told authorities Smith had asked for permission to place flyers advertising his tutoring service in the backpacks of the district’s students. “The school district reported that Smith was persistent about being allowed to put flyers in the backpacks and became upset that he was unable to do so,” Silbert’s complaint states. Once Silbert’s complaint went public last summer, parents around Chandler immediately discontinued Smith’s tutoring services and the defendant’s online advertisements were hastily removed. Although some local parents claim there may have been some inappropriate behavior between Smith and their children, none of the charges contained in the defendant’s indictment accuse him of abusing juveniles in Arizona. Smith was taken into custody on April 13.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

CUSD continues mask mandate indoors BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Chandler Unified School District will continue requiring students to wear face masks inside classrooms for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year. Shortly after Gov. Doug Ducey rescinded his statewide mask mandate in public schools but let local districts decide whether to keep it, the CUSD Governing Board met on April 21 and voted to partially continue the district’s mask requirement until at least May 31. In a 3-2 vote, the board decided to maintain mask mandates for indoor activities and give students the option to not wear masks outside during recess or physical education classes. Board member Jason Olive came up with the plan as a compromise to appease the parents who wanted to continue the mask requirement and those who wished to end it. There are only a few weeks left in the current semester, he noted, and it doesn’t seem advisable to completely disrupt a routine that has been in place for a whole year. “If everybody can have a little bit more patience,” Olive said, “I think we’re going to be good after the summer.” Some parents in the community have been lobbying for CUSD to lift its mask requirements altogether and a group of them staged a small protest outside the district’s offices earlier this month, demanding masks be made optional at all times. “This is about freedom of choice,” one parent told the school board on April 14. “I just want to make masks a choice for our kids. This is more than a mandate; this is about control.” So far, Mesa Public Schools, Tempe Union and Scottsdale Unified have also kept their mask mandates in place. Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board was to discuss the issue on Thursday, after the SanTan Sun News deadline, and Higley Unified was to discuss masks on Monday, April 26. In lifting his statewide order earlier last week, Ducey said, “Teachers, families and students have acted responsibly to mitigate the spread of the virus and protect one another, and

ARSON

from page 2

she found out from her brother-in-law who was wakened by police. “Apparently ex-boyfriend was upset with breakup and threw at ex gf house…unbelievable.” She posted a picture of the house, where it seemed the fire damage was limited to the garages. Gilbert Police remained tight-lipped last week if a bomb was used or what the motive was behind the fire. Jones has been a firefighter with Chandler since February 2007, according to city spokesman Matt Burdick. Burdick said Jones is on leave. Carrasco said Gilbert Fire and Rescue and the Gilbert Police Department

The Chandler Unified Governing Board wasn't all on-board with continuing the mask policy only until May 31, as members Lara Bruner, middle of the right column, and Lindsay Love, bottom of the middle column, wanted the mandate extension indefinitely. (YouTube)

our school leaders are ready to decide if masks should be required on their campuses.” The Governor’s Office claimed its decision was in alignment with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the

back from parents, both for and against continuing Chandler’s mask policy. Some felt ending the mandate now was premature and felt the timing for making a sudden change in protocol was not appropriate, considering that students are about to take their final

This is about freedom of choice. I just want to “ make masks a choice for our kids. This is more than a mandate; this is about control. ”

– Concerned Parent

federal agency’s website appears to tell a different story. The CDC plan on school safety currently states that “all schools should implement and layer prevention strategies and should prioritize universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing.” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman condemned the governor’s mask-mandate retraction, calling the decision “abrupt” and encouraged school districts to make evidence-based choices to maintain school safety. Before Wednesday’s meeting, CUSD received an extensive amount of feed-

responded to the house fire in The Islands neighborhood located just west of Warner and Cooper roads. Gilbert Police and Fire departments released few details of the incident. Fire Deputy Chief Mark Justus said both departments were conducting their own investigations into the fire “believe to be arson-related.” “This is all of the information we have available at this time,” Justus said in an email. Gilbert Police’s probable cause statement for the arrest was sealed, according to a Superior Court spokesman, who directed further questions to the County Attorney’s Office. The spokeswoman there ignored multiple requests for information. Jones had a scheduled court date on April 26.

exams. Other parents thought kids couldn’t afford to keep wearing masks any longer, for the sake of protecting their mental health. The May 31 deadline leaves open the possibility that summer school students will not have to wear masks at all – a possibility that drew no votes from board members Lindsay Love and Lara Bruner. The board has given Superintendent Camille Casteel the discretion to make adjustments to its mask protocol in the coming weeks, if the community experiences a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases.

Bruner noted that the future trend of the virus still feels so unpredictable. “I really don’t feel comfortable projecting out,” Bruner said. “Just to set a deadline for things when we don’t know what’s going to happen with numbers or recommendations, I don’t feel comfortable with that.” Love said it is important to maintain mitigation strategies because many parents sent their kids back to school with the expectation that everyone would be required to wear a mask. “We did make a promise to parents,” Love added. “It doesn’t seem fair to change course.” The board’s recent decision on masks does not impact other mitigation measures – like social distancing and quarantining infected students. CUSD presently only has about 20 active cases of COVID-19 on its campuses and the district’s infection rates have remained low for several weeks. But board President Barbara Mozdzen said she has seen COVID-19 case numbers slowly start to increase in the district’s zip codes, suggesting to her that CUSD students are still at risk of contracting the virus out in the community. “I have trouble saying the data justifies us being able to remove masks and say people shouldn’t be utilizing masks in school,” she said.

Damage from the fire at a Gilbert home linked to a Chandler firefighter appeared limited to its two garages. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Neo-Nazi leader arrested in Chandler for assault SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

A leader of a neo-Nazi organization was arrested outside a Chandler hotel April 19 after he allegedly threatened a group of African-American men by a pointing a loaded firearm at them. Burt Colucci is facing charges of aggravated assault after witnesses reported hearing him shout racial slurs at four men sitting in a vehicle parked outside Home2 Suites, 2490 W. Queen Creek Road. Colucci admitted to confronting the group, claiming he saw the men toss garbage out of their car. He proceeded to pepper-spray the group, but Colucci insisted his firearm was not used to intimidate anyone. “Burt said he never pointed the gun at anybody and it was pointed down the entire time,” a police report stated. The Florida man is a commander of the National Socialist Movement, one of the country’s largest white supremacist groups, and had traveled to Arizona last week for a rally in downtown Phoenix.

t? o G ws Ne

Burt Colucci The Southern Poverty Law Center has described the NSM as a “hate group” known for regularly espousing violent, anti-Semitic rhetoric. NSM members were involved in the 2017 “Unite the Right” riot near Charlottesville, Virginia, in which a neo-Nazi

motorist driving through a crowd of protestors and killed a woman. In 2019, Colucci reportedly moved up in the organization’s leadership ranks after its former director left. Colucci has described the organization as a “white civil rights group.” According to Chandler Police, the altercation involving Colucci began at about 8 a.m. as the suspect and a friend were pulling into the hotel’s parking lot. “Burt went over and picked up some of the garbage, put it on their car, and told them they forgot some of their garbage,” a police report states. The group threw the garbage back at Colucci and the two groups began yelling racial slurs at each other. Someone threw a water bottle at Colucci, who responded by pepper-spraying the group’s vehicle as they drove out of the parking lot. Chandler Police chose not to make any arrests since they couldn’t locate and interview the group of African-Americans. A couple hours later, some of the African-American men returned and

another altercation broke out in the hotel’s parking lot with Colucci. The African-American men claimed Colucci made deadly threats. One witness told investigators they saw Colucci point his gun in an “aggressive” fashion. During the investigation, Chandler Police reportedly had to keep the two groups physically separated because members of Colucci’s posse tried antagonizing the African-American men by yelling slurs and flashing offensive gestures. “At one point, one of the males demonstrated the open-handed salute associated with the Nazi Party,” a police officer wrote. Colucci warned investigators his arrest could result in an uprising from his devoted followers and claimed Chandler could become “ground zero” for the NSM movement. The defendant was transported to the Chandler-Gilbert municipal jail and booked on felony charges of aggravated assault.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Chandler lawmaker defends free sports bets within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, approving the new gambling compacts that already Gov. Doug Ducey and the two have been approved lawmakers who ushered through a by 21 of the state’s 23 new state gaming law are defending a gaming tribes. provision that has the state effectively All that should be financing free games to entice people in place by around to gamble. the second week of The legislation, signed by the goverAugust – just about nor two weeks ago, allows the sports when the Cardinals franchises that are being given the have their preseason licenses to take bets on professional opener. and college games to give away free But Arizonans samples. They or the outside firms they won’t be limited to hire to run their gaming operations wagering on footcan provide free bets or promotional ball, or even just the credits. Cardinals. The new law But the law also says that these means placing bets on operations can reduce what they report anything sporting. in adjusted gross receipts – the amount Golf or tennis more used to compute what they owe the your speed? Sure. state – by up to 20 percent for each Some of the “how’’ of the next two years to compensate details have yet to be them for those free bets. Gov. Doug Ducey signed the gambling legislation two weeks ago as state Rep. Jeff Weninger, to Ducey's worked out. That drops to 15 percent on the third right, looked on. (Capitol Media Services) What’s clear is that year of gaming and 10 percent in years every professional four and five. Only after that are write“taste’’ of gambling can feed into somefied “problem gamblers’’ to voluntarily sporting franchise is enoffs not allowed. one’s potential addiction problems. exclude themselves from the new type titled to a license to take bets on their The provision was even though the “It’s customer acquisition that helps of wagering on professional, college premises. legislation acknowledges that gambling introduce them to the product,’’ he and fantasy sports that the new law will So, someone at Chase Field could can be addictive for some. The new told Capitol Media Services. allow. not just watch the Diamondbacks but law even has a whole section of what “There’s a cost to going out there Rep. Jeff Weninger, R-Chandler, who place some money on a soccer game gaming operations have to do, from and acquiring customers,’’ Weninger was the sponsor of the House version going on elsewhere. providing the phone number and web continued. “And this is one of the esof the legislation, rejected any suggesThe PGA plans to have a sports book site information for where people can sentially marketing tools that’s used.’’ open by early 2023 at TPC, home of the get help to actually allowing self-identi- tion that providing this kind of free And what of problem gamblers? Phoenix Open in Scottsdale. “This is no different than what tribes In fact, wagering is even allowed are allowed to do on a limited basis on college games of all types across as well through customer acquisition the country. But there’s a very specific to the casinos,’’ he said. “You’ll get restriction. things through the mail saying a certain Gamblers will be able to place “prop amount of dollars of free slots and bets’’ on professional games. stuff.’’ Short for “proposition bets,’’ this Weninger said he has no issue with involves wagers on something other the cost of those promotions being than the ultimate outcome. That could borne by the state in the form of rebe yardage per game or the number of duced payments because more gaming strike-outs by a given player. eventually will increase state dollars. How fast could any of this occur? As The governor, for his part, brushed fast as the app on your phone, said Staaside questions about the propriety of cie Stern, government affairs director giving credits against money owed to for Fan Duel. the state to get people to gamble. Her firm already handles sports “It was a compromise,’’ he said. “It wagering for other states and could end was put together with everybody at the up being under contract with any of the table.’’ teams here to do the same for them. The new law provides: “Let’s assume with the new 5G CASH • Fans of keno will be able to visit their 00 technology that you’re able to send and local fraternal or veterans club to get receive information quickly, you should their gaming fix there; be able to sit in a stadium and do in• The Arizona Lottery is getting pergame betting, just like you at home mission to run hourly online numbers where you would presumably have a games of its own, allowing people good internet connection,’’ Stern said. to essentially buy lottery tickets by But Arizona lawmakers have made phone; such prop bets off limits in collegiate • Would-be general managers will be games. able not just to “draft’’ their own playWagering also will be available at ers and join fantasy league but also up to 10 remote sites across the state. win or lose money on how well their The idea is they likely would co-locate “teams’’ performed; in bars and restaurants where there • There will be new ways to gamble already is off-track betting on horse away cash at tribal casinos, including races. roulette and, for those who have And Arizonans could go to the horse watched too many James Bond movtrack and place bets there on profesies, baccarat. sional sports. And this kind of wagerPretty much all of this is linked to ing also could be conducted at tribal the federal Office of Indian Gaming DR. HAROLD WONG casinos.

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

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COMMUNITY NEWS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Lawmakers concerned about school funding inequity SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The funding nightmare confronting Kyrene and other school districts has not escaped the attention of some lawmakers. Mesa Rep. Michelle Udall head of the House Education Committee earlier this month asked the state Department of Education to turn loose $85 million to help forestall anticipated teacher layoffs in some districts while in a Chandler Chamber of Commerce forum April 9, Legislative District 18 Rep. Mitzi Epstein said some lawmakers are working on a proposal that would address the very problem confronting Kyrene. Chandler Chamber was to join Chandler Unified School District and an undetermined number of other districts in lobbying the governor and the Legislature for more funding. At issue are the federal regulations governing the distribution of pandemic relief funds approved by Congress in December and the American Rescue Plan signed by President Biden in March. Funding in the December measure favors school districts that have a large number of students from low-income households. The American Rescue Plan will pour $2.6 billion into Arizona for K-12 help and while Epstein said the U.S. Treasury has not yet issued guidelines for how that money can be distributed, Epstein said it appears targeting the same kind of districts as the December bill “That’s a good place to put that money, but it leaves our schools such as Chandler and Kyrene in a bit of a world of hurt wondering ‘what are we going to do?’” Epstein said. “And they are actually facing potential staff cuts. And the last thing we need is to have fewer teachers available to take care of our kids and possibly fewer counselors to take care of our kids at a time when our children need this emotional support more than ever.”

During a Chandler Chamber forum April 9, Hilen Cruz of SRP< lower left, hosted LD18 Rep. Jennifer Jermaine, upper left, Sen. Sean Bowie and Rep. Mitzi Epstein. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

Epstein said Udall “has a great proposal to balance that out – that the state would fill in where the federal government is leaving a gap for our local Chandler schools. And that’s something that I hope we can figure out in the budget.” That may depend on a different issue raised by Ahwatukee Sen. Sean Bowie during the same Chandler Chamber forum – a move among Republican lawmakers toward major tax cuts and possibly even a flat tax. Noting that the state income tax funds 40 percent of state expenditures, Bowie said the flat tax would favor wealthy Arizonans at the expense of programs aimed at middle-class and low-income residents. Bowie said proponents cited Arizona’s share of federal pandemic relief funds for cutting taxes even though that relief is a one-time funding. Although he said such a measure would create a $10 million hit for the City of Chandler, Bowie did not address its impact on K-12 public education.

Meanwhile, Udall cited Gilbert’s recently announced plan to terminate 152 teachers’ contracts for the coming school year and told state Superintendent of Public Education Kathy Hoffman other districts also have announced impending teacher layoffs for fear that they won’t have the state aid to pay their salaries. That’s because aid is directly linked to the number of students enrolled, and the most recent figures show that more than 55,000 children have disappeared from district schools this year – about 5 percent of total enrollment, a figure that translates out to hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Udall said districts have to make decisions now whether to offer contracts for the coming school year. “The problem is, if you fire those teachers and the kids do come back, you’ve suddenly got overcrowded classrooms,’’ she told Capitol Media Services. Udall said it may be impossible for schools that were hardest hit by

declines to rehire those same teachers: Given the teacher shortage statewide, they may by that point have found gainful employment elsewhere. What that leaves, she said, is schools hiring long-term substitutes who are not certified as regular teachers. In her letter to Hoffman, Udall she said the Education Department is “for some reason holding onto nearly $85 million of discretionary money’’ from its initial $1.5 billion allocation of federal COVID relief dollars. And she questioned the agency’s need for $7 million to administer that $1.5 billion allotment –the maximum allowed – when there are other more pressing needs. Udall said she expects at least part of the fund problem to be resolved when lawmakers adopt the state budget. Some of that, she said, will include eliminating that differential between what schools get for teaching students in person versus those who are learning online. The state funds the latter at just 95 percent despite indications of additional costs for such programs. In a response to Udall, Hoffman acknowledged the need “to provide schools with budget stability and avoid unnecessary layoffs.’’ She said money from discretionary funds already is being distributed, though Udall told Capitol Media Services that “there’s still a lot left.’’ Hoffman said some of the blame for what schools are now facing financially can be traced directly to Gov. Doug Ducey. He promised last year that schools would have at least 98 percent of the state aid they were getting in the prior year, regardless of attendance. Only thing is, Ducey provided just $370 million for that based on federal dollars he got. Hoffman said the actual cost of missing students was close to $620 million.

Chandler Museum slates programs, exhibits SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler is offering a variety of free programs this month. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Mondays. Information: 480782-2717 or chandlermuseum.org.

EXHIBITS

Bigger than Boxing: Zora Folley and the 1967 Heavyweight Title Till Aug. 29 On March 22, 1967, The Heavyweight Championship of the World pitted Muhammad Ali against Challenger from Chandler, Zora Folley. “Bigger than Boxing” features the stories of these two boxers, the circumstances that weighed heavy on each man, and the fight that was a turning point in both of their careers. Once Upon a Playground Till May 25 The classic metal and wood structures that have populated play-

grounds for most of the twentieth century—towering metal slides, giant jungle gyms, whirling merry-go-rounds, bouncing seesaws—have become beloved artifacts of childhood. Once Upon a Playground offers a visual tribute to these vanishing playgrounds of our past.

PROGRAMS

#ChandlerAtPlay Day 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. May 1, Free Vision Gallery and Chandler Museum will have spaces to view play-themed exhibitions and participate in a series of silly activities to earn a goodie bag. All ages welcome, prizes available while supplies last. Instructions for Play: START at either Vision Gallery or Chandler Museum and pick up a punch card. Follow the steps for different kinds of fun—appropriate for all ages. Go to the next venue and repeat Step 2. Players who have at least four activities completed will receive a goodie bag. Zora Folley’s Birthday

10 a.m-5 p.m. May 27, Free Stop by the Museum to celebrate Chandler boxer Zora Folley with a boxing themed to-go birthday goody bag. Decorate your own championship belt and enjoy a packaged treat.

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Dive into culture, history, and art at home with a themed activity box. Each Chandler Museum in a Box includes instructions and supplies for three-five activities. Museum in a Box is available for sale in the Museum Store. Family Edition: Build It! Frank Lloyd Wright in Chandler Explore architecture with a Frank Lloyd Wright themed activity box. Design a city, test your building skills with edible construction supplies, and review shapes hidden within authentic Wright drawings. Contains all needed supplies for three activities, stories about Wright’s time in Chandler, and the book Who Was Frank Lloyd Wright from the popular Who Was? series. $18, Great for ages 7-10, includes enough

supplies for two users. W is for Whirligig: Historic Toys Hop and skip down memory lane and enjoy some good, old fashioned fun! This box includes three wooden toys from yesteryear, a peek into historic games & rhymes, and chalk to create various hopscotch designs. Good for families with younger children. $13, Great for Ages 3-8, Includes three different toys, one game booklet and chalk. Date Night Edition: Sweat and Spar: Boxing Fun for Two Round 1: Duke it out with your partner in a series of jump rope challenges. Round 2: Find out who can talk the talk. Round 3: Weigh in on issues that matter with conversation cards centered on the exhibition Bigger than Boxing: Zora Folley and the 1967 Heavyweight Title. Round 4: Take a breather by expressing your artistic side, boxing style. This box also includes movie suggestions, drink recipes, and a sweet treat. $24, Designed for adults

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Demand, not supply issues, driving home prices BY PAUL MARYNIAK Executive Editor

The cost of lumber may have risen 260 percent since last April, but one of the Valley’s major trackers of the Valley housing market says that’s not what’s driving home prices through the roof. “New home developers do not set home prices based on the cost of building a home,” the Cromford Report said last week. “They price it based on the competitive alternatives available to home buyers. The most important one is the price of a similar re-sale home. “Obviously, the price of building materials has absolutely no relevance to the market price of a re-sale. The laws of supply versus demand control re-sale pricing. It therefore follows that the laws of supply and demand also drive new-home pricing.” In some ways, the lack of ready availability of lumber and other supplies has created more of a headache for developers than price increases have. Earlier this month, Fulton Homes gave customers who had plunked down a down payment for a new home a oneweek info to get a full refund, telling them because of lumber, window and roofing shortages, it was impossible to give a completing time for construction. Cromford noted that re-sale home prices are rising so fast that new home prices appear too cheap, so developers up the prices of their homes “repeatedly to avoid selling homes too cheaply.” “Builders also have to pay more for their supplies, but this presents little problem when their headline prices are rising even faster,” Cromford added. “If homes were easy to find, the high cost of building supplies would squeeze gross margins for builders and their profitability would suffer,” it added. It noted that buyers are so desperate that there are even lotteries when new tranches of lots are released. Cromford noted that broken supply chains stretch the completion times for homes and consequently create a

This 5,551-square-foot home on S. Clubhouse Drive in Chandler is one of the most expensive on the market in the city. Priced at $2.5 million, the ﬁve-bedroom, six-bath home in Ocotillo’s Crown Point community has a fully equipped casita and high-end amenities.

greater imbalance between supply and demand in the market. “And of course, when the cost of building supplies comes down again, will house prices go down as a result?” Cromford rhetorically asked. “Don’t be silly.” Cromford also called attention to the overall “craziness” in the Phoenix Metro housing market. To wit: A house in Scottsdale that was bought for $825,000 in 2013 and resold six years later for $1.3 million was listed recently at 1.5 million and sold for $1.7 million – in cash! “So it rose by $412,500 in just 16 months, or almost $26,000 a month,”

Cromford said. “It also went under contract after just three days.” A home in Peoria purchased a year ago for $520,000 sold for $810,000. It was built in 2014 at an original listing of $379,275. A property “coming soon” at $565,000 went under contract within 24 hours at $620,000 with a fully waived appraisal. Looking at all three transactions, Cromford remarked, “These things would have been unbelievable just six months ago, but are becoming commonplace today.” Ironically, Cromford said, demand is not much above average.

“It is the supply situation that is extraordinary,” it said, noting “increasing supply can take a long time unless huge numbers of homes are already vacant, as was the case in 2005. “Homes lying vacant in Greater Phoenix are unusual today, so any increases in supply are likely to be gradual.” Cromford also noted a new trend in recent sales. According to its review of Maricopa County transactions in March, sales of homes overall were up 29.3 percent – but there was a difference between See

MARKET on page 27

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REAL ESTATE

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

A trust is not the only way to transfer property BY BEN GOTTLIEB Guest Writer

Can someone transfer real property to a beneficiary without using a trust? In short, yes. One vehicle to accomplish this result is through a standard will. This is the traditional means of transferring real property. A will, however, has its downsides – one of which is that a will in general must be “probated” through the court system. This means that a probate attorney

will need to file court paperwork with the probate court to validate the will. A person can avoid probate by forming a revocable living trust and titling the real property in the trust. The person can then designate in the trust the beneficiary who would obtain the property upon the person’s death. But this would require using the trust as a vehicle to transfer the real property. There is also a statutory mechanism under Arizona law where a grantor can transfer real property without using a trust or a will. This is generally accomplished through what is called a beneficiary deed. Essentially, the grantor

conveys an interest in real property to a grantee beneficiary designated by the grantor. The deed must state that it is effective on the death of the grantor owner and comply with the beneficiary deed statute. The beneficiary deed may designate multiple grantees, and unless otherwise stated, the interest granted is the separate property of the named grantee. A beneficiary deed is valid only if it is executed before a notary public and recorded with the local county recorder’s office. A beneficiary deed may be revoked but the revocation must be executed before a notary public and recorded with the local county recorder’s office before the death of the owner who executed the revocation. Importantly, there are many benefits to using a beneficiary deed and many people utilize them. First, although forming a revocable living trust avoids many of the costs associated with probating a will through

the court system, a beneficiary deed also avoids probate and tends to save costs by avoiding trust- related fees. Further, the beneficiary deed is quick and simple and operates as an automatic transfer of the property to the stated beneficiary. Further, as stated above, the beneficiary deed is revocable during the lifetime of the grantor. So, the grantor can continue to control the property as the grantor wishes during the grantor’s lifetime and can then revoke the beneficiary deed at any time if the grantor changes his or her mind on the beneficiary designation. There may be tax implications associated with using a beneficiary deed and a tax and estate attorney or other professional should be consulted prior to using one. Chandler attorney Ben Gottlieb and Ahwatukee attorney Patrick MacQueen are founders of MacQueen & Gottlieb PLC, one of the state’s top real estate law firms. If you have questions, you can contact Ben Gottlieb at ben@mandglawgroup.com or call 602533-2840.

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REAL ESTATE

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Homebuilders offer different amenity selection processes SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Two Valley homeowners are taking different approaches to expanding the process for picking options for new homes. Fulton Homes has brought back its biweekly Browse Nights at the Fulton Homes Design Center while Shea Homes’ Designers’ “Roomored” virtual platform enables their customers to do something similar online. Browse Nights was created so that new and prospective buyers to wander without sales pressure through Fulton Homes Design Center’ 13,000 square feet of 2,500 customizable options – including appliances, cabinets, flooring, doors, window coverings, lighting and other things. The Design Center also includes nine fully appointed kitchen vignettes, with design professionals available to answer any questions. “It’s very exciting to bring back our Browse Nights,” said Dennis Webb, Fulton Homes’ vice president of operations.

MARKET

from page 25

those representing primary residences and those involving rentals.

“As a local homebuilder, it’s one of our most legendary events that has grown organically in popularity over the years.” Browse Nights are held 5-8 p.m. every other Thursday at the center, 1241 W. Warner Road, Suite 106, Tempe. To reserve a spot for Browse Night, contact a Fulton Homes sales associate to schedule an appointment at the Fulton Homes Design Center. Masks will be required for these home options browsing events and two people per reservation are allowed to browse at a time. Information: fultonhomes.com/design-center. Meanwhile, Shea Homes says it helped 520 Arizona buyers personalize their new homes through Roomored, a design visualization platform, that enables people to visualize what different materials and color options will look like in their new home – and give the homebuilder a chance to learn and understand the buyers style and preferences. Noting that “the pandemic has shift-

ed the home search and customization process to almost entirely online, with virtual tours increasing by 408 percent since February 2020,” Shea Homes said customers “seek an accurate, visual experience for new home design, and most want the option to do it virtually.” Roomored’s 3D virtual modeling technology provides what Shea Homes calls “an immersive experience” that lets customers find “designer-curated solutions in the selection of a broad array of products including flooring, cabinet finishes, kitchen countertops and related interior items.” “Personalizing the space in your new home is more important than ever. When buyers come into the studio, they are very excited to take the time and virtually explore the many selections and combinations,” said Julie Gaskill, Shea Homes Design Studio Manager. “It gives them the opportunity to showcase their own style and how they want it reflected in their new home.”

Every Shea Homes’ purchaser can meet with a design expert at Shea’s Design Studio to discover new trends and select the finish materials that will personalize their exact floor plan. Design Studio appointments, which typically last anywhere from five to seven hours, are becoming more streamlined themselves. The design experts review buyer’s Roomored selections ahead of time, allowing them a more curated experience based on customer’s responses. By using Roomored, Shea Homes designers can see what buyers are looking at and which products are getting the most attention, also helping to influence offerings down the road. “We chose Roomored because it allows our buyers to virtually see what their selections will look like and not just rely on static renderings or samples in the showroom. Whether they’re designing their first-time home or their forever home, this experience should always be a meaningful one,” added Gaskill.

Sales of owner-occupied as a primary residence were up 12.7 percent but sales for use as a rental property were up 52.1 percent and sales for use as a second or vacation home were up 36.2 percent. “Far more sales are going to investors

and those buying second homes,” Cromford said. “The primary residence buyer seems to be the segment that is losing out.” Cromford also said competition remains steep and is getting steeper for re-sale homes.

“Every re-sale is effectively an auction with fervent bidding by desperate buyers,” it said. All of this prompted Cromford to remark, “We are living through an unusual period in housing history.”

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REAL ESTATE

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Biden budget seeks more affordable housing SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

President Joe Biden appears determined to make good on his campaign pledge to bolster the supply of affordable homes by directing more federal dollars toward housing. After four years of his predecessor’s attempts to take a hatchet to the budget of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Biden seeks to increase HUD’s funding by 15.1 percent, to $68.7 billion, in his first budget proposal. The money would go toward assisting low-income renters and increasing the availability of lower-cost homes. “President Biden’s [budget request] turns the page on years of inadequate and harmful spending requests and instead empowers HUD to meet the housing needs of families and communities across the country,” HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge said. While the president’s goals are ambitious, the $1.52 trillion partial budget must first receive congressional approval. The full budget is expected to be released later this spring. The HUD funding, if it comes through, would be in addition to the $27.4 billion that was in this year’s pandemic relief package. The president’s yet-to-be-approved infrastructure plan also sets aside $213 billion to preserve, retrofit and create more than 2 million affordable housing units for

housing that allows a family to move up the ladder is also sorely lacking.” Some housing experts are skeptical that this budget, even with the big funding boost, can tackle the severe shortage of housing and affordability issues that are plaguing each corner of the nation. “In the past when we’ve had similar efforts, how really successful have we been?” asked Jim Gaines, an economist at Texas A&M University’s Real Estate

people more choices is always a good “Giving idea, but it’s also important to make every neighborhood in the United States a neighborhood of opportunity. ”

– Pam Kisch

low- and middle-income Americans. “The increase in HUD’s budget represents a wish list of things the president wants to implement. It’s also an acknowledgement of the harsh realities facing America’s families today,” says realtor.com Senior Economist George Ratiu. “For today’s buyers, homeownership is moving further out of reach because of steep prices and rising mortgage rates,” Ratiu said. “Access to affordable

Research Center in College Station. He pointed out that only a relatively small number of people in the country stand to benefit from the budget increases. “But it sure beats not doing anything.” For years, the nation has suffered from a severe shortage of affordably priced housing, a problem that has worsened drastically during the pandemic. The president plans to address the issue by spending $1.9 billion, a $500

million increase, on constructing and rehabilitating more reasonably priced rental homes. This includes $180 million to put up 2,000 new units for affordable housing for the elderly and disabled. “That’s great,” said Gaines. “But when you get down the number of homes that are going to get the benefit of this and then spread it geographically across the United States, the impact is going to be on a relatively small number of housing units.” More low-income renters and the homeless would receive assistance The president hopes to offer housing vouchers to help an additional 200,000 low-income families pay rent. Priority would go to the homeless and victims of domestic violence. Currently, about 2.3 million renters rely on housing choice vouchers to afford a roof over their head. The budget calls for $30.4 billion to be added to the voucher program to fund those additional families. The president also plans to make it easier for lower-income families of color to move into neighborhoods that offer more opportunities, such as better schools or more access to public transportation and jobs. “Unfortunately, the ZIP code you’re born into has an impact on your life expectancy, the kind of education you’re going to get, the food that’s available

to you,” said Pam Kisch, executive director of the Fair Housing Center of Southeast & Mid Michigan. “Giving people more choices is always a good idea,” Kisch said. “But it’s also important to make every neighborhood in the United States a neighborhood of opportunity.” Biden would also attempt to lift more than 100,000 families out of homelessness. The president is aiming for a $500 million increase in homeless assistance grants to move people into stable housing as well as to help prevent homelessness. This would be in addition to the $5 billion set aside for emergency vouchers that help secure housing for folks who don’t have a place to stay or who are at immediate risk of homelessness. “The budget is a step to ensure government protections to many on the margins,” said Ratiu. The president’s budget sets aside $85 million to combat discrimination. The money would be distributed in grants to local fair housing organizations to fund enforcement. This means when someone is accused of something like refusing to rent, sell, or lend to a qualified applicant, the fair housing organizations can investigate. It would also provide additional education to housing entities to prevent discrimination from happening. “Housing discrimination and housing segregation color every aspect of our lives,” said fair housing advocate Kisch. “Fair housing centers have been woefully underfunded for decades. This is one step in the right direction.” About $900 million would go toward tribal communities to expand the supply of affordable housing, improve current housing stock and infrastructure, and provide additional economic opportunities. Native Americans are seven times more likely to live in overcrowded homes. This report was provided by Realtor. com.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Stone Creek celebrates 30 years as a leader BY KRISTINE CANNON Staff Writer

This year marks a milestone for Stone Creek Furniture: their 30th anniversary. And to celebrate, Stone Creek Furniture is skipping the big bash and instead will maintain that day-to-day grind they’ve mastered over the past three decades – the same grind that helped them not only to survive the pandemic but thrive during it. The pandemic spurred sales for two products: entertainment centers and home offices. “When people were coming to realize that this work-from-home was not a temporary situation, the need to invest in a nicer work environment in the home – and also ways to entertain the family at home – came forefront. Like, how do we make the best of this?” said Stone Creek Furniture President and Founder Ron Jones. Stone Creek Furniture has become a leader in the home furnishings industry with the quality of everything from furniture to kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. Its first order was for 80 chairs, and since then, Stone Creek has been committed to “time-honored craftsmanship.”

Ron Jones is the president and founder of Stone Creek Furniture, which has a showroom in the Airpark. (Stone Creek Furniture).

What also sets Stone Creek apart is they manufacture locally, at their 44,000-square-foot factory in Chandler. Their other showroom is located

in northern Scottsdale, just north of Scottsdale Quarter. “We’re not like other furniture stores,” Jones said. “They’re not man-

ufacturing; they’re buying from many factories around the world to provide the commodities that are in demand.” This allows them to provide beautifully crafted furniture directly to the public at a wholesale price. “We sell factory direct. So, that no-middleman concept is still alive and well here at Stone Creek,” Jones said. In fact, Stone Creek Furniture is the largest furniture manufacturer in the state. The company produces furniture and cabinetry using only the best selection of quality hardwoods and offers an extensive of selection of 35 fine finish colors among other features. But Stone Creek’s niche, Jones said, is in customizing cabinetry. In the midst of the pandemic, it saw strong sales during Q2 and Q3 of last year for media walls and entertainment centers, and home offices. “Scottsdale always been a vibrant customer base for us,” Jones said, adding that the Chandler factory “was well-equipped to handle more volume than we had been doing.” Stone Creek did, however, face their fair share of challenges keeping up with demand. One being interruptions in supply. See

FURNITURE on page 35

Sibley’s West owners closing iconic store, moving on SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

The owners of a downtown Chandler landmark shop are calling it quits. John and Michelle Wolfe are closing Sibley’s West The Chandler and Arizona Gift Shop, which they opened in 2010. “Michelle and I have a lot of travel planned for this summer and, fingers crossed, an international trip in 2022,” John told the SanTan Sun News. Longtime residents, the Wolfes thought downtown Chandler needed some additional retail outlets to complement its selection of restaurants and vibrant nightlife. They had just obtained masters degrees at Arizona State University and, according to Michelle, wanted something that sold local goods to support local business. “The idea of a gift shop had some potential,” they explain on their website. “Having visited many shops in Phoenix, including ones in the airport, the Wolfes were disappointed to find so many items and souvenirs made overseas.” But at some shops and local festivals, they found attractive gifts produced by Arizona craftsmen and artists and so they began identifying small and large manufacturers that call Arizona home, coming across firms like Original Dirt Shirts, Armadilla Wax Works and Cheri’s Desert Harvest. “Embracing a mantra of ‘From Arizo-

John and Michelle Wolfe are closing Sibley’s West in downtown Chandler after 11 years. (Courtesy of John Wolfe)

na,’” the Wolfes explained, they found a spot in downtown Chandler and opened their shop in December 2010. The store is named after a Rochester, New York, department store that John’s great-grandfather, Rufus Sibley, started in 1868. His son, John, took over

following Rufus’ death in 1928 and ran the company for 30 years. “Sibley’s was an institution in the community, combining fine service with fair pricing,” the Wolfes noted. It was purchased by Associated Dry Goods and later became part of the

May Co. Its name was changed in 1990 to Kaufmann’s, the name of a Pennsylvania family that also ran several department stores in the Pittsburgh area. The Wolfes decided to resurrect the name on a smaller scale to celebrate John’s heritage. The couple admit on their blog that they have had “a ton of successes and a few challenges” over the years. One of the most notable challenges, obviously, occurred about this time last year when the governor ordered all non-essential businesses closed for a month to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Wolfes cautiously reopened when the governor loosened restrictions, limiting the number of customers who could browse amid a bounty of unique artwork, gift items and local foods. “Although we anticipated retiring in the fall of 2021 at the end of our lease, we are making an early exit so the incoming business has the summer to build out the space for a fall opening,” the Wolfes said. The new tenant is no stranger to Chandler. It will be Ocotillo-based d’Vine Gourmet, d’Vine Gourmet, which was started by Denise McCreery in Tucson in 2003 and is dedicated to “a love of food and wine and a desire to share our culinary creations with others.” See

SIBLEYS on page 33

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Mountainside Fitness pickeball due in Ocotillo SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Sooner or later, it was bound to happen. Pickleball has made it to the gym – including one in Chandler. The senior sensation that has soared in popularity over the last decade to the point where East Valley and other cities have scrambled to build courts for the sport’s enthusiastic fans, can now be played on select days at three Mountainside Fitness facilities, including those at 1253 N. Greenfield Road in Mesa and 5320 E. Shea Blvd. in Scottsdale as well as one in Surprise. And Mountainside Fitness is gearing up to spread the cheer for pickleballers at some of its other facilities within a month or so – including its gym at 1920 S. Alma School Road, Ocotillo. Pickleball is a combination of several racket sports – badminton, tennis and ping-pong – that once was mainly a perk at RV parks. It was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, at the home of former legislator and lieutenant governor Joel Pritchard, who started using a Whiffle ball when he couldn’t find a tennis ball to bat around. Over time, the paddles have evolved from an unwieldy solid wood into a lightweight graphite, enhancing the sport’s popularity because it doesn’t require the physical stamina demanded by tennis. There’s a multi-pronged business strategy to Mountainside’s adoption of pickleball.

Mountainside Fitness CEPO Craig Cole and company founder Tom Hatten try their hand at pickleball at one of their three gyms where the popular game is offered at select times during the week. (Courtesy Mountainside Fitness)

First, Cote explained, the company can get some use out of its full-court basketball courts, which are usually vacant in the daytime, by repurposing part of them as pickleball courts from 8 a.m.2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 2-4 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m.-noon on Sundays. “We believe that each full-size court could handle three pickleball courts,” Cote said. “So, we went from one and will graduate to two in the next week and then we’ll likely backfill some of our other clubs that have half- court basketball courts. They will only accommodate one pickleball court, so that’s our next move.” Second, Mountainside has taken some the hassle out of getting court time – often a hassle at public parks’ courts, where players endure long lines waiting to get on the court. The Valley fitness giant gives mem-

bers an app through which they reserve, up to 24 hours ahead of time, a pickleball court for 45 minutes. Players also get three balls specially made for hardwood floors. Third, the fact the pickleball court is indoors has numerous advantages that Cote thinks will appeal to many ardent pickleballers. “Our locker rooms and restrooms are part of a private fitness facility,” Cote said. “So, they are well maintained, they’re air-conditioned and they’re also well-appointed with soaps, lotions, mouthwashes – things that a city park would never have.” And there’s no wind, which Cote said “makes for a nice stable game because we’ve all played pickleball when the winds pick up. “That ball doesn’t weigh much and

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the wind can really move that ball to at least one side’s favor because you don’t switch sides like you do in some racquet sports.” Cote said he, Mountainside founder Tom Hatten and most of the company’s executive management team picked up the game six or seven months ago. And they eventually got the idea for the partial repurposing of the basketball courts because they’re often not in use during the daytime. And “the cherry on top” for the inspiration came one Sunday in January when it was raining and “it was nice for my wife and another couple to be able to play outside of the rain. Nobody else was playing pickleball throughout all Phoenix on rainy Sunday,” he said. While pickleball is breaking age barriers, the game has been a near-obsession for many in the 50-and-over crowd. It’s not uncommon to find players in their 80s hitting the courts in some municipal parks. Mountainside’s adoption of pickleball might pique the interest of that demographic into joining. Cote noted that almost all Medicare plans now cover gym membership and Mountainside has extensive relationships with organizations, such as AARP, that serve an older demographic. Although Cote said Mountainside has not given any thought to offering lessons, “we have put a rule book in a three-ring binder hanging on the wall.” For information on the pickleball feature and other offerings: mountainsideﬁtness.com.

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Sibley’s West has maintained an iconic presence in downtown Chandler for 11 years. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

SIBLEYS

from page 31

The store prides itself on showcasing “the unique flavors of our great state in a refined, ‘foodie’ friendly way.” And carries a varied and award-winning line of jams, mustards, candies, snacks and spices. “We are self-proclaimed localvores and procure our raw materials and supplies locally as often as possible,” it says

on its website, noting it also sells fresh gourmet gifts and gift baskets. The Wolfes say they are “grateful to have met so many great people at Sibley’s West – our talented team members, hundreds of Arizona artists and business people, and, of course, our loyal guests, who made the store successful.” They anticipate a “retirement sale” and suggest bargain hunters keep checking sibleyswest.com for details.

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Preparing for the big celebration next month at John Allen’s Personal Training are, from left, Brandon Allen, Bebet Bancod, John Allen, Lee Ellison and Katy Rees. (Courtesy of John Allen)

Chandler gym planning big community fete SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

John Allen, owner of John Allen’s Personal Training, announces is marking 42 years in the fitness industry with a special raffle and community celebration next month. The community event, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 8 at the gym, 2915 S. Alma School Road, Chandler, will include “all things fitness, food and fun,” Allen promises. It will feature a free HIIT training class, body fat and blood pressure testing and children’s games. The gym will be open and available for tours.

Complimentary food will also be provided courtesy of Sandra Kazouh, owner of Cuisine Prive and longtime client at John Allen. Continuing to feature the businesses of his clients, Allen also has lined up raffle prizes up for grabs for attendees of the event. “I am so grateful that my clients were willing to donate these items and I’m excited that I’m able to help showcase their businesses at the event,” Allen said. See

ALLENS on page 35

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BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

SRP center evaluates items for energy efficiency DAVID M. BROWN Contributor

Power generation isn’t the only activity at SRP’s Santan Generating Station. Behind the gates, employees of the public-owned utility evaluate new technologies for use by customers. In this way, high-performing energy-saving products are generated. At the Innovation Test Center, Val Vista Drive and Warner Road in Gilbert, the SRP Customer Program Innovation group tests traditional against smart home appliances; battery efficiencies; electric vehicle charging stations; and new home automation. Tempe-based SRP is the Phoenix metropolitan area’s largest supplier of electricity and the state’s largest supplier of water. “We have installed a testing lab, a manufactured home, and a garage so that we can research, test and install these technologies,” said Max Burger, senior analyst for SRP Customer Program Innovation. “Our mission here is to help our customers potential save money and energy,” Burger explained. “The Innovation Test Center exists for the benefit of our customers and the communities we serve.” Michael Sanders, principal engineer for SRP Customer Program Innovation and a Mesa resident, explained that the work also helps SRP limit power plant

emissions, lower costs, manage current demand and continue to plan for future growth. The research and testing also facilitates progress toward the utility’s 2035 Sustainability Goals. In September 2017, SRP selected the location for the Innovation Test Center at the Santan Generating Station, which supplements base-load plants during high-demand periods and opened in phases from October 1974 through March 2006. Lab planning and building/area modifications started in February 2018 and the Innovation Test Center building was trailered to the site in August of that year. Since then, SRP has continued to modify the lab building and exterior grounds with upgraded electrical capabilities for testing purposes, Burger said. Pre-pandemic, seven authorized members of CPI worked at the Innovation Test Center. Now, because of COVID-19 safety precautions, SRP has restricted access even further to just CPI’s three engineers on a need-to basis for testing purposes. “In the test center, we try out many of the popular smart home automation products our customers use,” Sanders explained. These include smart thermostats, automated lights and smart plugs, which connect to smartphones for controllability at home receptacles.

Senior Analyst Max Burger tests some smart thermostats at SRP’s Innovation Test Center.

“We push these products to their limits to see how they perform in our harsh desert environment. This way, we can rule out options that aren’t a good fit and make the best product recommendations to customers,” he added. The test center reflects the environment of a typical SRP customer’s home, Sanders explained. “This allows us to test and fix common issues our customers may experience. Any problems that come up in a customer program can be recreated at the test center.” For example, some homeowners report radio frequency range issues that disrupt their TVs or phones. Others say

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some appliances have timing delays, and others want to know what can be done regarding indoor temperature variations, for example, between one room in the house and another. Testing and fixing these problems in the center allow SRP to respond to its customers faster regarding the latest energy-saving smart devices for homes, including thermostats, lighting and appliance controllers and irrigation controllers. “With this info, we can better adapt our energy programs around these devices and design plans that help customers save the most money and resources,” Burger said. The ITC is now working on a number of projects. These include EV charger testing, in particular, how to control/ manage load demand so that the unit can work at the most efficient and economical level for SRP and the customer, Sanders explained. “This is when the demand portion of the customer’s energy usage is set by a limit, therefore reducing potential energy spikes,” Sanders said. Two others are the effect of residential hot water heaters on customer’s power bills and the interaction of various home automation devices and their ability to save energy. The Innovation Test Center is only for SRP use and is not open to the public, but SRP customers can become involved by participating in the research and testing. “We are always looking for customers to join smaller pilot programs and try these new technologies at their homes,” Sanders noted. Homeowners can find these pilots at savewithsrp.com and other marketing publications. “Not only do the customers get to try out the latest and greatest tech devices and services, it also can help the customer save money and energy,” he added. Burger said: “The more energy that we can conserve together through these various programs means that SRP can use its power generation more efficiently for all our customers and delay or possibly eliminate the need for additional costly energy-generation resources.” Information: srpnet.com and srpmarketplace.com for recommended products.

BUSINESS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

FURNITURE

from page 31

“Some of the supplies that we would have in hardware are made in China. So, there were some interruptions in supply in that. We had to pay more, but we could still manage to get it. The raw materials have been going up in price, too,” Jones explained. Jones added that countertops also increased in price. “There was also an exodus of the countertops that were being made in China,” he said. “That became a little bit of a problem as those manufacturers tried to move their sourcing to other countries, and they got that done pretty rapidly, but there was quite a bit of price increase in the countertops.” Despite the minor setbacks, Stone Creek Furniture managed to not only keep up with demand but also retain their staff amid the pandemic. “We never laid off any employees,” Jones said proudly, adding that many of their employees have been with Stone Creek for more than seven years. Jones expects work-from-home will

ALLENS

from page 33

“Helping my clients succeed is my top priority both in the gym and in their daily lives,” he added. Raffle items include a facial/massage, skin tightening services, cryotherapy,

going to stay strong,” he added. According to a December 2020 report by Research and Markets, the global home office furniture market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of around 7.5 percent through 2026. Jones’ goal this year is to become the largest selection and largest manufacturer of home office and media walls in Arizona. “We’re putting a lot of focus again on those two commodities,” he said. “We’re extremely proud of the work we do here at Stone Creek,” Jones added. “We are not just selling cookie cutter furniture made in China; we are collaborating with each customer and design that Stone Creek Furniture saw strong sales during Q2 and Q3 last year for two products in particular: one-of-a-kind piece of entertainment centers and home offices.. (Stone Creek Furniture) furniture or cabinetry for their home.” “become very permanent” and that the “And I think the media wall enterInformation: stonecreekfurniture.com. home office market will “stay strong.” tainment center for the home is also haircuts, carpet cleaning and more. The grand prize will be a month of free personal training at John Allen’s, valued at $700. Allen has prided himself on his dedication to “providing top notch training to people of all ages” and figures that has helped him to continue to thrive as one

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of Arizona’s longest standing small gyms. Aside from one-on-one training, Allen and his team of experienced personal trainers also offer group training and nutrition counseling. “This isn’t just a celebration for me. It is a way for me to say thank you to all my clients, new and old, and to invite

all of the community to come see what we are all about. I want to keep changing lives,” explained John. The event is open to the public and new client enrollment and membership will be available. Information: 480-917-7270 or johnallensaz.com.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Martin siblings thriving for Hamilton football, track BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

Cole and Kori Martin can’t help but smile and break out into laughter when asked who the better athlete is between the two. It’s a question that has been asked all throughout their childhood and perhaps even more so now that the two are at the same high school. “Come on now, it’s me,” said Cole, a sophomore at Hamilton High School. Kori, a freshman, added her rebuttal. “I’m going to say it’s me,” Kori said. “I feel like I’m just really well-rounded in my sport. I can do it all.” The sibling duo has created what will likely become a pipeline of incredible athletic ability for the Martin family at Hamilton High School. One younger sibling, Quincee, is just a few years away from becoming a Husky But for now, all attention has fallen on Cole and Kori. Head Hamilton football and boys’ track coach Mike Zdebski said it’s for a good reason. “Cole brings leadership, work ethic and dependability. You can trust him,” Zdebski said. “Kori is a phenomenal athlete. When you look at her, she does not look like a freshman. If she wanted to play football, I would take her out there right now.” The question of which one may be the better athlete may very well become nullified by the time the two youngest Martin siblings reach the high school level. E.J. Martin, the Hamilton girls track and field coach who also

Cole and Kori Martin have established themselves as two of Hamilton’s best athletes in short order both on the football field and track. (Pablo Robles/Staff)

coached Cole, Kori and now their siblings in club track growing up, said they may take over the family as the best athletes. But until that time comes, both Cole and Kori continue to embrace the rivalry amongst one another that stemmed from their childhood in a family built around competition. “Our dad did a really good job raising us to become athletes,” Cole said. “As

soon as we were out of the womb I was training in football and she was out running. It was just how we were raised. Yeah, it comes from our genes but most of it is our upbringing.” The siblings spent most of their childhood moving from California to Washington then back to California before ending up in Arizona before Cole entered his freshman year at Hamilton. Their father, Demetrice Martin,

coached defensive backs at USC, Washington and UCLA before he was hired on the University of Arizona coaching staff under former coach Kevin Sumlin. A standout defensive back for Michigan State, Demetrice played professionally in Europe and in arena football before becoming a coach. He is currently the defensive backs coach at See

MARTIN on page 37

Chandler football mourns loss of former player K.J. Taylor BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

The Chandler High School football team is mourning the loss of Kelvin “K.J.” Taylor, who spent the 2020 season with the Wolves after transferring from West Virginia. According to the Charleston Gazette-Mail, Taylor was shot and killed Wednesday, April 7 in Charleston, West Virginia, where he returned after the Arizona football season to finish his senior year at Capital High School. Officials said he was transported to a local hospital shortly after the shooting but succumbed to his injuries. An investigation is underway. Taylor was 18 years old. “I thought, ‘how is that possible?’” said Chandler head coach Rick Garretson. “You never think anybody, a young person, is going to have that type of tragedy in their life. He was just a kid looking to enjoy his senior year. “It’s just a shock. Any time you lose a young person let alone someone you know, it’s shocking and its tragic.” Taylor starred for Capital on the basketball court and at wide receiver and

return specialist on the football team his first three years of high school, as he helped lead the Cougars to the playoffs every season. He was due for another breakout senior season on the field before fall sports were canceled in West Virginia as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seeking an opportunity, Taylor transferred to Chandler where he immediately became one of the Wolves’ return specialists on punts and kickoffs. He helped Former Chandler wide receiver Kelvin “K.J.” Taylor, who spent the 2020 season with the Wolves after transferring from West Virgin- contribute to ia, was shot and killed in Charleston, West Virginia on Wednesday, Chandler’s Open Division champiApril 7. He was 18 years old. (Courtesy Andy Silvas)

onship run, the second in as many years and fifth straight state title overall. Taylor’s accolades on the field helped him earn a scholarship offer to Concord University in his home state and a preferred walk-on offer to the West Virginia University. Chandler assistant head coach Eric Richardson and assistant coach Scott Russell broke the news of Taylor’s passing to players. An outpour of support for the Chandler football program and for Taylor’s family extended from Arizona to West Virginia, where members of his hometown gathered to remember him. Teachers at both Chandler and Capital high schools shared pictures of themselves wearing blue in honor of Taylor after his death. While only with the program for a short period of time, Taylor was immediately welcomed and loved by everyone involved. “He was really well-embraced by his fellow teammates coming from another state, one that is really far away,” Garretson said. “Any time something like this happens with young people, you just wonder how this could happen. It’s like it’s kind of not real.”

SPORTS & RECREATION

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

MARTIN

from page 36

the University of Colorado. Cole and Kori grew up on sidelines with their father and were introduced to a competitive atmosphere early on. They’ve both dreamt of being able to compete in their respective sports in at a high level since a young age. It didn’t take long for those opportunities to come for Cole on the football field. And it won’t be long for the same type of opportunities to present themselves for Kori on the track. “Every school in the nation is going to give my sister an offer,” Cole said. “She is already hitting milestones some juniors and seniors don’t get to in their entire careers. By her junior and senior years, her future is going to be so bright.” Cole was named a starter on the Huskies’ defense as a freshman that proved to be one of the top units in the state in 2019. Offers poured in as Cole grew as a player and overall leader on the field. Hamilton head football and boys’ track and field coach Mike Zdebski said both Cole He continued to improve throughand Kori bring natural athletic ability and leadership to the Husky track program. (Pablo out his sophomore season and helped Robles/Staff ) lead Hamilton to the Open Division championship. Cole finished with 39 seasons left to be played. Cole has also feel like I’m just waiting to shine.” total tackles in the shortened 10-game Cole’s freshman campaign on the set two personal records this season on season along with two interceptions. the track in the 100 and 200-meter and track was cut short due to the panHe also had 541 total yards as one of was part of the 4x100-meter relay team demic last spring. But this year has the best return specialists in the state. presented him with the unique opporthat placed first overall at the Nike His accolades also helped earn more Chandler Rotary, one of the state’s top tunity to run alongside Kori like they scholarship offers from major college used to in club. regular-season events. programs, including the likes of LSU, Like her older brother, Kori has “I came into the season wanting USC, Texas, Notre Dame and Oregon, quickly started to turn heads with her to go to state in the 100,” Cole said. among others. He currently has 26 athletic ability. “I’ve really tried to improve and get to total offers with two more high school She has competed with juniors and where I want to be this season. Now, I

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seniors in all of her events this season, placing consistently in the top four. She placed first overall in the 300-meter hurdles at the Red Mountain Rampage event on April 2. She also placed second third in the 100-meter hurdles and fourth in the 100-meter sprint at the same event. At the Chandler Rotary she placed second in the 100-meter hurdles and fourth in the 300 hurdles. She’s also been part of Hamilton’s 4x400-meter relay team and long jump. “I love getting better every day and seeing results,” Kori said of track. “Just to be able to do this with my brother, he’s like my best friend. I love competing against him and with him.” Both Cole and Kori aim to take their talents to the state meet at the end of the season. It’s there they hope to medal in their respective events and stand on the podium together. It’s a dream that isn’t too farfetched, especially given their standout performances so far this season. E.J. Martin, who ran track at Michigan State University before starting the Quicksilver Track Club and coaching at Hamilton, believes the two have what it takes to become elite athletes and leaders for Hamilton, a trait he believes will help continue to grow the program in the near future. “They’ve won together on the club scene and now them having the chance to do it for Hamilton, it’s something I look forward to,” Martin said. “(Zdebski) has the football program heading in the right direction and now we want to do that with the track program. We want it to be on the national map.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Chandler chef basks in national magazine spotlight BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

Don Royer has had a turbulent year. The restaurant he was working at in Paradise Valley closed suddenly due to a downturn in business caused by the pandemic. It was a disappointing blow to Royer, who had been preparing to buy the business before it shuttered. The professional chef managed to eventually find a new job last October at Chandler’s Ginger Monkey Gastropub. But a couple months into his new gig, Royer’s health was abruptly compromised after he contracted COVID-19. He spent several weeks in the hospital, believing the virus might bring him to the brink of death. “It crushed me,” he recalled. As Royer was recuperating, the Gulf War veteran was contacted by a national magazine that was interested in profiling his journey from the military into the culinary world. A couple of months later, Royer found himself on the cover of Veterans of Foreign Wars Magazine, a publication with a circulation of more than a million readers. The publicity has been overwhelmingly flattering and Royer said he’s appreciative of the many pieces of fan mail he’s already gotten from other veterans who were moved by his life story. “It’s been really overwhelming getting a lot of messages,” Royer said, “I’ve been getting a lot of love from veterans.”

He later earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Johnson & Wales University in North Carolina. Most civilians probably don’t know that the military has a robust culinary program, Royer said, that allows servicemen the opportunity to learn how to cook a wide variety of cuisines from all over the world. During his 11-year career in the military, Royer was deployed to Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, the international conflict that claimed the lives of 148 American soldiers in battle. Royer said his return home from the war was a lonely experience that left him feeling like no one in America seemed to care about his service. “When I came back from Desert Storm, there was no one there to greet me,” Royer recalled. After his retirement from the Air Force, Royer spent the following years working at assisted-living facilities, hotels and restaurants. Royer later found a communiDon Royer, an Air Force veteran who fought in the Gulf War, is the chef at Chandler’s Ginger ty in the VFW, which offered an outlet where Royer could connect Monkey restaurant. (Pablo Robles/Staff) with veterans who understood his that all became useful later in his proRoyer grew up in Iowa in an Italexperiences. fessional career. ian-German family that fostered his “You can go into those private orgaIn 1989, the then-teenager enlisted in interest in cooking at a young age. His nizations and you’re not judged if you’re the Air Force and began taking culinary grandparents taught the young Royer classes at Denver’s Lowry Air Force Base. how to garden, fish, and hunt – skills See on page 39

ROYER

Chandler dance school student publishes 2nd kids book SANTAN SUN NEWS

A student at the Elite Performance Academy in Chandler who also was Royal International Miss Arizona Preteen 2020 is now adding best-selling author to her resume. Ashley Nevison recently published her second children’s book and is donating all profits from her new book to her nonprofit, Sargeant’s Army, to supply hope bags to homeless and other needy people. The profits of one book will pay for one bag. Ashley, 14, titled her new book “We Are So Beautiful; Valuing the Differences Among Everyone.” It introduces young children to the concept of diversity and is her second in The Monster Bully Series with Gino and The Monster Bully. In the book, Gino and the monsters talk about their differences and learn to accept each other just the way they are. Ashley started Sargeant’s Army three years ago in honor of her cat, which died suddenly of cancer. The charity started out toys and blankets for cats waiting to be adopted and when the pandemic started, progressed into also providing hygiene hope bags for the Arizona homeless.

Since 2020, Sargeant’s Army has donated over 38,000 items in 7,200 hygiene Hope Bags to nine Arizona counties through twelve nonprofit organizations. Ashley’s goal is to reach 20,000 hope bags by the end of 2021. In addition, Sargeant’s Army also just committed to provide all of the consumables for the homeless shower program at the Human Services Campus in downtown Phoenix. This will be over 15,000 single use shampoo packages, combs, razors and bars of soap for the next six months. “It’s amazing how wonderful I feel when I deliver Hope Bags,” Ashley said. “The sense of helping others makes me full whole and grateful that I can provide some needed items for other Arizonans.” Ashley also started Sargeant’s Army Sparks, a Giving Tuesday Sparks Arizona chapter. Last fall, she organized an outerwear service project for Giving Tuesday Sparks. “I knew that the winter was coming and the others I had helped would need warm clothing,” she said. “I created an outerwear campaign with a goal to get at least one youth from every state to donate at least one outerwear item to See

ASHLEY on page 42

Ashley Nevison at age 14 has published her second childrfen’s book. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

NEIGHBORS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

ROYER

from page 38

having a bad day,” he said. “Every one of those guys have been in some war.” VFW was founded in 1899 by veterans of the Spanish-American War who banded together to lobby for better benefits from the government. VFW has since grown to include more than 6,000 posts throughout the country and a membership consisting of over a million veterans. VFW started publishing magazines in the 1910s and its monthly magazine is currently ranked as one of the top 60 publications in the country. Royer said he is honored to be profiled in the April edition, especially considering who else has appeared on the cover in recent months. February’s issue profiled professional basketball player David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs and champion wrestler Sally Roberts was featured in March. It’s good company to be in, Royer noted, since he sees himself as a humble chef from Arizona. It’s been a turbulent year for Don Royer, but he feels he’s found a home at Ginger Monkey. Royer said he hopes the magazine’s read- (Pablo Robles/Staff) ers will find some inspiration from reading about his journey from Iowa to Iraq and his Chandler and helping other chefs break a television series about professional penchant for entrepreneurship. ice sculpting. They recently shot a pilot into the culinary industry. It’s been cathartic sharing his exin Los Angeles, where Royer carved a Last year, Royer started a website periences publicly, he added, and has block of ice into a giant military tank. called “Chef Life,” which spotlights uphelped Royer come to terms with some and-coming chefs and advertises their Despite his recent successes, Royer is of the darker memories from his past. still recovering from the scars he has susresumes to local restaurants. “It’s a healing process still, but I just tained this past year. The coronavirus has Royer said he loves finding opporgot to keep moving every day,” Royer significantly diminished Royer’s breathtunities to coach and mentor aspiring said. ing capacity, prompting him to continuchefs who need some guidance honing Royer is now spending his days ously have an oxygen tank on standby in their skills. bouncing between two restaurants in case he starts to feel winded. He also is helping a friend develop

“My lungs are not 100 percent,” he said. “I have these long days and I get home and I need air.” But brighter days appear to be ahead in Royer’s future and he’s planning to carve out paths of opportunity for other culinary professionals. The goal has always been to develop a restaurant group that allows its employees to buy into the business and build a future for themselves, Royer said.

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Hamilton senior’s project wins award

BY CASEY FLANAGAN Staff Writer

A Gilbert high school student could have folded on his volunteer work when the pandemic hit, but instead he folded hundreds of origami cranes – and won a national award for it. Charles Zhang, a 17-year-old student at Hamilton High School, has volunteered at Hospice of the Valley since February 2019, the nonprofit’s teen volunteer coordinator Laurence Sinn said. When the pandemic hit last spring, “we couldn’t send any volunteers, adults and teen volunteers, into facilities” due to safety concerns, Sinn said. Not one to be stopped by this setback, Charles said he “really wanted to still become a part of this Hospice of the Valley community,” so he created the Wishing Crane Project. Charles said he “creates origami paper cranes for these hospice patients.” Once they’re created, he said, “family members can write these messages on the origami paper cranes, and then the hospice staff members deliver them to each of the locations, and then these hospice patients can see the messages from their loved ones.” Charles figures he has made over 1,500 cranes since he started the project last summer. He encouraged others to join as well. “Me and two other volunteers, we created this video in order to attract more teens who were willing to become

Gilbert teen Charles Zhang made more than 1,500 colorful paper cranes to cheer up Hospice of the Valley patients during the pandemic. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

part of this project,” Charles said. He said the video showed a “step to step process of how to fold an origami paper crane,” as well as how to “organize these cranes, in order to make it look as decorative as possible.” “These hospice patients really appreciated it since they were able to communicate with their family,” while visiting in-person has been prohibited, he said. Sinn said Charles’s work has been “so refreshing,” and has done wonders for the Hospice of the Valley teen program.

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“He saved the teen program because he pushed me to be motivated and come up with other stuff. And it’s been so successful, the teens have been more engaged than ever,” he said. Charles said he felt “really happy,” that he was “able to create a large change inside the community,” when he “initially thought that I wouldn’t be able to do any volunteering” when the pandemic began. For the Wishing Crane Project, Charles won the National World War II Museum’s Billy Michal Student Leadership Award. The annual award is presented “to one student from each state and the District of Columbia who demonstrates the American spirit in his or her community,” the museum website says. “I was really stoked when I found out I won this award since I was able to not only create an impact in the community, but also get recognized for what I’ve done to help other people,” Charles said. Charles’s volunteer efforts through the pandemic haven’t stopped with the Wishing Crane Project. Charles said last summer, when “cases in Navajo County, Arizona, were surging extremely high,” he used his position as the Hope Chinese School Student Council president to start a fundraiser for the county. It raised over $5,000 to provide personal protective equipment for Navajo

County, Charles said. Charles said his efforts didn’t end with raising the money and that “it took two or three more weeks of endlessly contacting and negotiating with these managers, and I was finally able to buy dozens of hand sanitizers and masks for these Navajo County people.” Charles said he helped create another fundraiser where “we raised over 100 books and games,” to entertain Navajo County children during a “three-day complete lockdown” due to the pandemic. Sinn said that before the pandemic, Charles was assigned to volunteer at the Enclave at Gilbert Senior Living Memory Care Center. Charles said he would help patients with dementia “with daily activities, such as card games, bingo, horse races,” among other things. Charles enjoys working with elderly patients because “I can learn a lot from them, while I also help them at the same time.” Charles said his main focus for volunteer work at the moment is the Wishing Crane Project, but he’s still brainstorming “a few more ideas of how I can create more volunteering opportunities for other kids, other teens to participate during this pandemic, since all these in-person volunteering opportunities are gone.” “I’m always inspired to help out the community since one of my dream jobs is to become a doctor,” Charles said. “I really like helping out people,” he added. “Whenever I help out people it makes me feel really happy, to be able to give back to the community and also see these other people’s lives improve.”

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Woman’s charity helping for kids’ caregivers SANTAN SUN NEWS

An Ahwatukee woman has launched a new nonprofit to support caregivers of children with disabilities. D.A.M.E.S Charities Inc. “aims to reduce caregiver burnout and build the resiliency of caregivers of children with disabilities by providing them with easy to access tools that focus on mindfulness, education, and community,” said founder Michele Thorne, who has assembled a board comprising professionals who work with disabled children – and in several cases are parents of special needs kids. It was out of her personal understanding of the challenges moms of special needs children face that Thorne – the mother of two autistic children – founded DAMES, an acronym for Differently-Able Mothers Empowerment Society. With a bachelor’s degree in genetics and a master’s in science, she had worked at the Translational Genomics Research Institute, or TGen, for five years until she felt driven to quit her career to be with her son and daughter. The acronym plays off the name of an honorific title given women in Britain and some other countries. “I was searching for a word that kind of encapsulates moms like me who are out there battling for their kids relentlessly day-in and day-out,” she explained. “These mothers are relentless

Michele Thorne, whose son Jackson and daughter Maria, were diagnosed autistic, thinks mothers of special needs children should get social, mental and and emotional support that they can’t find from groups that help the kids, so she started an organization to provide that support. (STSN file photo)

in their search for care and protection of their children.” Thorne is active in a number of region-wide organizations such as the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix, but she did not find a group filling the kind of needs she’s trying to meet with D.A.M.E.S “There’s nothing out there that

M ad i s o n aven u e

really takes care of the deeper self-care mothers really need,” she said. For example, she said, “It’s really hard for parents who have special needs children to get out and find somebody to watch their kids so they can go to a support group meeting.” So, she developed an elaborate website, damesusa.com, where they can

find the support online. Stating that “time is valuable to caregivers of children with disabilities,” Thorne said D.A.M.E.S Charities tries to ease caretakers’ burdens. “On the D.A.M.E.S Charities Inc. website, parents will find five roadmaps that will help them navigate Arizona’s systems of care, over 25 educational webinars, 20 tools to help them organize their child’s medical care and eightto 21-day fitness programs they can do at home, on their time,” she said. “By reducing caregiver stress and burnout, parents can cultivate a positive relationship with their children and help them get the care they need,” Thorne said, stating D.A.M.E.S Charities “offers a holistic approach that allows caregivers to connect socially, participate in selfcare, and access educational resources whenever it is most convenient.” As the CEO of D.A.M.E.S Charities Inc. Michele plans to continue creating programs, apps, events, and support groups to help parents who are raising children with different health care needs. A certified autism specialist, Thorne founded the Care for the Giver Conference and created After the Diagnosis. She graduated from the Pilot Parents of Southern Arizona Partners in the Leadership program. She has been trained as a Flourishing Families Practitioner, a Protective Factors Trainer, and as a Triple P See

THORNE on page 42

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ASHLEY

from page 38

their local charity.” Ashley’s project donated over 1,600 items with 87 youths participating in 5 countries and 33 states. “Next year I hope to get someone from all fifty states and at least ten countries to participate in my outerwear campaign for Giving Tuesday Sparks,” Ashley said. To encourage others to help any way they can, Ashley recently launched her own podcast, One World, One Future. “I want to engage others to become involved with their community in their own way and let others know that everyone can help out,” she said. “Together we can make a difference.” The series focuses on interviewing change makers around the world, their volunteering efforts and their advice on how to start giving back. Since starting the podcasts, 13 episodes have been recorded. You can hear Ashley’s podcasts by subscribing to One World One Future on Spotify, Amazon, iHeart Radio or Apple Podcast. For all her community volunteering efforts for both animals and people, Ashley has earned the Gold President Volunteer Service Award for the past two years and

THORNE

from page 41

Stepping Stones Practitioner. Michele also sits on the ALTCS advisory council, the ICC financial committee and the CPSD Leadership committee as a parent representative. Dr. Gabrielle Ficchi is chief operations officer for D.A.M.E.S. Charities. The Tucson associate counselor is a certified rehabilitation counselor and is the clinical director at Helping Everyday Youth, working with children to help provide community and school-based treatment programs that address the external behaviors of youth with the goal to help at-risk youth to succeed in everyday life. As a counselor at the non-profit DIRECT Center for Independence, she was able to establish a counseling program for individuals with disabilities and their families. Ficchi was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was a year old. “The revelations in her dissertation ‘What role does disability play?’ shapes how D.A.M.E.S. approaches helping parents see hope, possibility, and help them create an environment where children grow to have independent, fulfilling lives,” Thorne said. Illyssa Tussing of Gilbert, the board chair, is the mother of two special-needs boys and owner of a tech support company called Creative Tech AZ which provides tech support and web design to small businesses around the Valley. Her oldest son has autism and her second son has a rare disease, RYR-1. These differences allow her to see both sides of special needs children with

has been recognized as Daily Point of Light Award honoree #6,899. Founded by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, the Daily Points of Light award recognizes individuals who change the world through their everyday actions and words so that they may inspire and light the path for others and help each person make a difference in their own way. Besides being a Be Strong state student representative where she promotes spreading kindness, Ashley reads anti-bullying and diversity books to K-2nd grade students through her personal platform, Friends Stand Up. Over the last three years, she has read to over 1,800 children in the classrooms and over zoom. Her goal is to reach 5,000 children with her messages by year-end. Ashley is currently in a pre-professional ballet program and has danced competitively since she was five. She hopes to dance professionally and then attend medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. Navy. People who would like her to read to a class or be considered for a podcast, can reach Ashley at Ashley.nevison@ sargeantsarmy.org. Both her books are currently available on Amazon and 100 perfcent of the profits from her current book will be donated to buy Hope Bags.

mental disorders as well as children with physical disorders. This unique dynamic gives itself to many opportunities in the community and experiences which can help others, Thorne said. Courtney Deeren of Tucson is board secretary and is a licensed associate counselor with a background in child and family therapy and childhood trauma. In 2014, her son was born with a rare genetic disorder called Phelan-McDermid Syndrome and she became his fulltime caregiver. Despite her professional and educational background, she found herself lost in navigating complicated systems while also trying to manage her own health. It was hard to find anyone who truly understood what her family was going through and what they needed. Through this experience, she really began to appreciate the necessity of mental healthcare and community resources specifically for families of individuals with disabilities. Also on the board is Staci Neustadt of Scottsdale, a speech-language pathologist for 20 years who focuses on supporting the autistic community. As a certified autism specialist, she has led social groups, provided individual speech and language therapy for kids with a variety of disabilities. In 2007, she used her experience and research to assist in developing Alexicom Tech’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps to assist those with complex communication needs. Also on the board is Matt Wells of Renaissance Financial, who has been involved in a variety of charitable organizations. Information: damesusa.com and damescharities.org.

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Cinco De Chandler returns May 5 downtown DAVID M. BROWN Contributor

A celebration of independence and freedom, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French Empire at Puebla in 1862. On May 5 downtown, Cinco de Chandler celebrates Mexican food, drink, music, culture and camaraderie during springtime in the desert. Ghett’ Yo Tacos, 241 S. Oregon St., is hosting the fiesta, in its second year as a full participatory event. The restaurant is the colorful building behind the Perch restaurant with the spray-painted “Dia de Los Muertos” mural painted by Valley artist, Lalo Cota, known for murals and paintings focusing on Mexican culture, desert landscapes and politics. Cinco de Chandler begins at 10 a.m. and includes dancing to live bands, mariachis and DJs. The 4-year-old taqueria will offer its signature street tacos, a variety of cervezas and margaritas. For the children, Gilbert’s Christina Ranburger with Blushing Peach Art will offer face painting and Chandler’s Cheryl Tisland, co-owner of Burst of Butterflies, piñata-making 4-7 p.m. Yard games and prizes are also scheduled. For the adults, DJ Wyzeman will host a party from 6 p.m. until midnight.

Ghett’Yo Tacos at 241 S. Oregon St. will be party central May 5 as Cinco de Chandler roars into high gear with a full day of music and food. (Special to SanTan Sun News)

“Last year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we compromised by offering guests the chance to experience live music performances from local bands while they waited for their meals,” said Wally Ansari, who acquired Ghett’ Yo’

Tacos in 2018 a year after the restaurant opened. A sister property is Ghett’ Yo’ Pizza at 4747 E. Elliot Road in Ahwatukee. “But the first year we hosted the festival in 2019, we had more than 1,200

people come throughout the day,” he added. “We know it is something that the community enjoys taking part in, See

CINCO on page 45

Museum archivist keeps Chandler’s history alive BY PAULA SORIA Contributor

Nate Meyers is the guardian of Chandler’s past, acquiring, researching and taking care of all sorts of artifacts that tell the story of the city’s culture, history and art at the Chandler Museum. For 16 years he has been keeping the city’s history alive as coordinator and curator of collections at the museum. “I’m the one who gets to play with all of the stuff, all of the artifacts, all of the archives,” Meyers said. “So that means acquiring the objects, doing research on them, caring for them, figuring out how we’re going to display and use them.” The museum has numerous collections of photographs, artifacts, archives, and oral histories documenting Chandler’s evolution that help visitors understand and connect with the city’s culture, history and art. Meyers acquired an interest in history at a young age growing up in New York City. Rather than what he called a “Disneyland or Disney World vacation,” his family stuck to historical trips on the East Coast. Later in life he decided to follow this interest as a career path by obtaining a history degree. He began teaching but after a while

Nate Meyers is the Chandler Museum’s coordinator and curator of collections.

decided that he was not meant for the job. In 2008 Jody Crago, Chandler museum’s administrator, hired Meyers, who at the time was working with the

Chandler Historical Society. “I immediately worked with Nate to establish a strong collection policy,” Crago recalled. “This policy has then guided a rather significant growth in the museum collections. “The museum collections are probably five to 10 times larger than when we started working on them together in 2008.” Meyers’ knowledge and experience have contributed to different projects, including the book titled “Chandler,” which is part of the Images of America series. The project was developed as part of the city’s centennial celebration in collaboration with Crago and Mari Dresner. Through a series of historical photos and 75-word captions, the book captures key historical moments and locations of the city. “The deadline to create something in time for the Chandler Centennial was an extremely quick turn-a-round. However, we banded together and wrote the book in just a few weeks,” Crago said. “Overall, the process was a success and the Chandler book is still a popular seller today.” Meyers also contributes to the development of the Chandler Museum’s exhibits, which often require four to six

years preparation before they are on display. The exhibit subjects are driven by the museum’s mission to offer a multidimensional learning environment where the community comes together to share its history, preserve its cultural heritage and experience Chandler’s people and places. The museum is currently displaying their Bigger than Boxing: Zora Folley and the 1967 Heavyweight Title exhibit. This exhibit educates about the life of Chandler’s local boxer Zora Folley who fought against Muhammad Ali in 1967. Meyers said that between doing all of the research, acquiring objects and interviewing Ali’s children who still live in Chandler, making this exhibit come to life took about five years. “It takes so much time to do the research and like I said, acquire objects to put on display,” Meyers said. “Work with graphic designers and write the exhibit, that definitely takes some time.” Meyers finds the most rewarding part of his job is educating people who are interested in learning about the city’s rich history. “It’s really exciting for me to be one of the few people to not only find out that history but then share it with the community here at the museum,” Meyers said.

ARTS

THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Artists auctioning works to support land trust SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF

Support area artists and help the nonprofit Desert Foothills Land Trust protect land in the north Valley by taking part in the Spring 2021 Creative Connections Fine Art auction April 29 through May 10. This is DFLT’s seventh annual art exhibit and sale, following last year’s event which had to be shut down prematurely by the statewide COVID-19 orders. Selections for “Jurors Choice” have been made by jurors A.H. Smith, an Arizona Artist Guild member, painter and mixed media artist who taught locally for 32 years; and Tempe glass artist and painter Laurie Nessel, a member of the Arizona Glass Alliance. The public will have a chance to vote for “People’s Choice” during the preview days now through April 28. Bidding for the online auction opens at 6 a.m. Thursday, April 29 and closes at 8 p.m. Monday, May 10. “The past 12 months have brought many surprises, challenges and changes for us all,” said DFLT’s Mary Warren. “Desert Foothills Land Trust, like other nonprofits and businesses, has had to seek out creative ways to continue their work, engage the community and earn support. We’re excited to be selected as benefactor for the online auction.” Warren said the theme of celebrating the connection between art and the land will remain the same, as more than 50 artists have their 2D and 3D work

1: Desert” necklace of sterling, copper and brass by Marlene Sabatina. 2:“Two-Sided Tree Slice,” rose petals and leaves botanical mixed media composition on mahogany base by Kim Walker. 3: “Courtyard” acrylic painting by Tim Frazier. (Special to SanTan Sun

News)

available for “Protecting the Land We Love.” Included will be representational

Nancy Breiman, founder of Creative Connections, says they are happy to support DFLT, and has set a goal to raise at least $20,000 in total sales. “The auctions are a win-win for everyone,” she says. “As local artists, we cherish our beautiful protected lands, wildlife, and indigenous culture to both enjoy and paint. Giving back to those in need fills my soul.” In addition, several artists and collectors have donated a number of significant items for which DFLT will receive nearly 90 percent of the proceeds. They represent art inspired by the artists’ love of protected lands, use of natural materials and ancient techniques, the contemporary Southwest and honor indigenous peoples. They include “The Way” by acclaimed artist J.E. Knauf, valued at $3,500; a contemporary, colorful glass sculpture by Carole Perry valued at $4,500; a hand-woven “algodon” or cotton Peruvian textile valued at $5,000; and an oil painting of one of DFLT’s protected lands, “Galloway Wash,” by award-winning painter Michele Schuck, valued at $680, and more. DFLT is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission for meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. Founded in 1991, DFLT focuses conservation efforts in the communities of

art, contemporary art and craft and indigenous peoples.

See

AUCTION on page 45

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CINCO

p.m.; the Taide Pineda Band, 12–3 p.m., and The Conveyors, 3–6 p.m. A Gilbert resident, Ansari has grown Ghett’ Yo Taco with vibrant downtown

Chandler, which has become one of the Valley’s go-to areas for restaurants and meeting spots. “We’re an urban taqueria special-

izing in authentic street-style tacos, a fun and affordable spot for children and adults, family members, friends and colleagues,” he said. Ghett’ Yo Taco has 20 employees, mostly East Valley residents, including Stuart Shainberg of Gilbert, who is the operations manager for the restaurant, handling day-to-day responsibilities while Ansari coordinates the menu. “Our team members set us apart from other taquerias. All of them have a passion for having fun with each other and guests and serving outstanding food. We want the community who visit Ghett’ Yo to feel like they’re having a meal with close friends, instead of just stopping by to get a quick bite,” Ansari said. Cinco de Chandler, he explained, “is a great representation of our mission as a local restaurant and Mexican culture. And, it is fun for the whole family. With such a difficult year behind us, our goal is to put on a safe outdoor festival that everyone can enjoy!” Children 12 and under are free to the event. Adults may purchase tickets online before for $5 or at the door for $8. The restaurant also caters and hosts buy-out private parties. Information: ghettyotaco.com.

North Scottsdale. To date they have permanently conserved 850 acres on 27 sites. DFLT’s mission is to protect these lands cherished by the community and sources of inspiration for artists. For details, go to

dflt.org. Creative Connections Fine Art is dedicated to fostering the artist and collector community, established by fine art artist Nancy Breiman of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Information: creativeconnectionsﬁneart.com or email Breiman at CreativeConnectionsFineArt@gmail.com; To bid on the artwork, visit the Creative Connections Fine Art website at creativeconnectionsﬁneart.com.

from page 43

and we are excited to be back again this year. Please come out whenever you would like, day or night.” Mexican street tacos are smaller than traditional restaurant varieties, allowing someone purchasing from a street vendor, for example, to hold and eat them without dropping the fillings from the corn tortillas. The street tacos at Cinco de Chandler will include grilled chicken, carne asada, al pastor, jackfruit for the vegetarians and other varieties, Ansari explained. The venue’s popular sliders will also be available, which include the OG Angus beef, carnitas and fiery chicken. And just for Cinco de Chandler, Gett’ Yo Taco employees will be preparing whole roasted chickens on charcoal outside. “Our full bar will feature frozen margaritas in a variety of flavors and several Mexican beers to keep everyone cool and happy,” Ansari said, noting that the Corona, Dos XX and Corazon Tequila companies will be offering samples. During the day, three local bands will be playing: Johnny Gowans, 10 a.m. to 12

AUCTION

from page 44

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

Social media keeps Erin McLoughlin inspired BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Staff Writer

Erin McLoughlin was a little girl, growing up in Anthem, when she saw Norman Rockwell paintings for the first time. She admired his portraits with exaggerated emotions, she said. McLoughlin did her best to replicate his works and now the 2017 Boulder Creek High School graduate is a highly sought-after artist. “My mom and grandmother had a book by him laying around,” she says. “It was a gallery of all his work. I went through all the pages and tried to replicate them. It’s crazy. I can’t believe how it’s gone from there.” McLoughlin’s subjects have included Devin Booker; Tom Brady and golfer Rickie Fowler for the Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman; Golden State Warriors and ex-Phoenix Suns baller Kelly Oubre Jr.; Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. “Julian Edelman was a commissioned piece,” she says. “He saw it on Twitter, which was pretty cool. Kelly Oubre Jr.’s was auctioned for the Suns. He saw it and signed the painting. I’ve done a few Kobe paintings, too.” She painted Booker after her high school friend referred the basketball player’s personal chef to her. “He was looking for a Christmas present for him,” she says. “He had this photo of him, and he commissioned

Valley artist Erin McLoughlin painted this portrait of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant. (Courtesy of Erin McLoughlin)

me to do a painting for him. I never met him personally, but he has one of my paintings.” Since the day she was introduced to Rockwell’s paintings, she has been interested in realism. “I’ve always loved drawing portraits and people. I guess it’s just because everybody’s different. Every single painting I do is different. It keeps it en-

tertaining for me. I never get bored of it. That’s why I paint people. I enjoy the realism and I add little impressionism in it. That’s why you can see some brush strokes in there.” If Instagram says anything, McLoughlin has 43,300 followers on her artwork page, and 11,100 on her personal one. “I’m inspired by a lot of different people I see on social media,” she says.

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“I got on TikTok a lot and see artists on there. I started using these gold pieces in the background after seeing it on TikTok.” McLoughlin was born on Staten Island and moved to Arizona at 6 years old. She is a senior at the University of Arizona, where she is studying psychological science and public health. McLoughlin’s goal is to work as a physician’s assistant. “I’ve been drawn to art, though, since I was in the second grade,” she says. “I just started drawing and I’ve been doing it ever since. My senior year in high school I got into painting. I didn’t really take it seriously until college. I’ve been doing it on the side, all through college.” McLoughlin is approached so frequently for commissioned work that she can pick and choose what she wants to do. She charges “a few thousand,” depending on the size of the canvas and the image. “I charge a lot now that the demand’s kind of higher,” McLoughlin says. McLoughlin is getting ready to graduate from UA. She’s hoping to move to Scottsdale and further her studies in the Valley. “I hope I can get a place big enough to have a studio, so I can take it more seriously,” she says. “I want a room dedicated to art.” erinmcloughlinart.com

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THE SUNDAY SANTAN SUN NEWS | APRIL 25, 2021

For more community news visit SanTanSun.com

Make a future with past deeds, experiences RABBI IRWIN WIENER Columnist

As often as we are able, we gather to celebrate and commemorate milestones in our lives. There is sadness but there is also gladness. However, we seem to dwell on the misery and misfortune that occurs and forget too often the beautiful happenings that make us appreciate life such as continuity. Some of us concentrate on our ailments and forget how glorious the next day can be. To do that requires a combination of faith and determination. It is easy to become disillusioned and feel as though the world is crashing down on us. And, at times, it probably is. But those moments should soon disappear and perhaps find that as a new day dawns and we are able to move on to the next moment in our lives and realize their value and purpose. Most of us lived in neighborhoods that witnessed people being born, marrying and leaving this good earth, never having moved or seen the wider world around us. Now that the world is so small and we are so mobile, it seems to be inconceivable to even imagine. I recently watched a very interesting movie about a family who struggled

with the nuances of life. There are some who want desperately to hold onto the traditions of the past and still breathe the air of modernity. There are those who want only to journey into the realm of that which is proven. And there are those who want to abandon belief and substitute it with a faithless morality. And then there are the few who want to use the past to understand the future. I recently read an essay written by a granddaughter of our members, Dorothy and Emil Lopez Dias. Lauren Leonard is a teenager interested in her heritage. A product of an interfaith marriage, she expressed a great deal of interest in her Jewish roots. Reading her words brought memories of events that have been traumatic, to say the least, but also demonstrated the will to survive and remain an important part of the human experience. She recalls vividly the difficulties and destructive forces that engulfed the world during the darkest period in mankind’s history. She certainly is a gifted young woman filled with determination and an understanding of her place in this world that seems to have lost its way. Perhaps her experience can be the catalyst for returning us to normalcy and meaning. Sometimes we get so involved in

things that are insignificant that we lose sight of the beauty of what we have and, at times, what we have lost. I could not stop reading this remarkable summary of experiences that molds her life and has become an inspiration for her to continue learning, not only about her family but about all people who have been victimized and succeeded in resuming a normal life. A life that never forgets yesterday, but with an eye toward tomorrow. She writes: “Since childhood, I have admired the heroism of my grandfather and sympathized with the trauma he experienced during his youth. When I was young, he shared with me stories about his life during the war… Seventy-five years following the end of World War ll, religious persecution and acts of anti-Semitism are still prevalent… I have personally witnessed anti-Semitism. Students drawing swastikas on school desks, posting hate on social media, and simply speaking in derogatory terms about ‘Jews.’ …Witnessing this hateful ignorance has mobilized my passion to speak out in support of all marginalized communities… I have been forever shaped by my Jewish ancestry and background. It has taught me the importance of tolerance and acceptance in a world still obsessed with hatred and intolerance.”

God leaves us a witness in the stars BY LYNNE HARTKE Guest Writer

The mighty archer, Sagittarius, with weapon drawn, pointed his arrow at Scorpios above the southern horizon. Unperturbed, the arachnid swung his tail over the neighborhood streetlights illuminating my backyard at 4:30 a.m. The bright star, Arcturus, hung over the roofline while the faint outline of the Big Dipper bedazzled the tail of Ursa Major, the Big Bear, visible over the silhouettes of my neighbor’s trees. Jupiter and Saturn shone through the hazy gray light of evening before the dusk surrendered to a brilliant cobalt blue along the horizon. The one missing actor from the stage was the new moon, having tucked its shining side between the earth and sun during its monthly orbit.

Without the moon’s bright light for competition, the understudies received top billing like the stars they were. This past year, I made a point of noticing the rhythms of the night, of documenting the arrival of each new and full moon. Having spent hours of my life watching and photographing the rising and setting of the sun – arriving at picturesque locations with camera ready – I felt the nighttime skies deserved their turn. After all, God made a point of creating lights for both. Genesis 1:14 ESV records, and God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.” Perhaps the pandemic made me more aware of the need of rhythms, of paying attention to beginnings and endings. In a year when many hellos and goodbyes were taken from us, the night-

ly exchange in the heavens brought me comfort as I was reminded that seasons begin and someday seasons end. In March, my Uncle David died from cancer in Wisconsin. Unable to attend the funeral, I was thankful I could watch via Zoom. The pastor shared stories of my uncle who passed a legacy of adventure and love of the outdoors to his grandchildren. The pastor also emphasized the importance of the church in Uncle David’s legacy, with one special highlight as he “was the first person baptized in this sanctuary (in 1941).” Beginnings. Endings. As vaccinations become more widespread and restrictions are lifted, we will once again embrace the celebrations of graduations, birthdays, christenings, and weddings. And equally important, we will return to the compassionate farewells of funerals like my uncle’s. The mystery of moonlight proclaims this truth and each month when even

To me this represents the essence of what understanding the value and purpose of our place in this world and why it is important to find out who we are and why we are. Lauren’s search reached a higher plain that helps all of us learn how important it is not to attach labels but rather to make a future with deeds and experiences of the past. Words alone do not make us pious or worthy of divine consideration. Deeds that accompany the words are the two ingredients for a successful, fruitful life. When we do for others, we in turn do for ourselves. This is the cycle of connection and love that makes us acceptable in the eyes of God. Knowing who we are, where we came from, respecting the history, and finally adapting these lessons into deeds that will bring honor to the past is what is learned from her beautiful description of history. May we all be blessed with the beauty of life filled with satisfaction and contentment. May God continue to grant us good health and long life, but most of all, quality of life so that all that was created will bring us joy and happiness with all our memories of the past, but with a clear path to the future. Rabbi Irwin Wiener D.D. is spiritual leader of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation.

the moon forgets its lines and is silent, God leaves us a witness in the stars. In His wisdom, He knew the night needed more than one light source. The testimony goes out from the Great Bear and the Archer, and from more stars than we can even see or name. Peering up into the heavens, I watched the stars disappear one by one until only Arcturus still flickered above me. A mourning dove sang a final farewell as this last star slipped from view as the palest shade of honey appeared in the east. Returning inside, I knew the stars would return the next night in their rhythm of remembering. God, knowing our propensity to forgetfulness, set in motion a reminder every twenty-four hours: the day belongs to God, but so, also, does the night. Lynne Hartke is the author of “Under a Desert Sky” and the wife of pastor and Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke. She blogs at lynnehartke.com.

Preparing taxes might provide some spiritual thoughts BY MARVIN ARNPRIESTER Guest Writer

These insights from Bishop Steven Charleston involve some spiritual thoughts as you do your taxes:

Making money is not as important as making relationships. You may be able to buy the biggest house in town, but that house will be empty if there is no love to fill it. Your value as a person is not measured by what you accumulate, but by what you can give to others.

At the end of your life your memories will be far more precious to you than your bank account. There is a poverty level of the soul that you can live below even if you do so in a mansion. Spend more time with those you love than you spend money on them.

Let happiness be your success and integrity your inheritance. Be generous even if you do not have a dime. Wise words for us to ponder. Rev. Marvin Arnpriester is the senior pastor at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church.