Chandler Council takes stand against housing project
BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Managing Editor
The plan to build more than 500 affordable housing apartments in South Chandler may not be dead, but it suffered a serious blow this week during a City Council meeting last week.
The Council on Dec. 5 voted unanimously to back a resolution opposing the Landings at Ocotillo project that is expected to be considered by Maricopa County officials next month. The 7-0 vote puts pressure on Supervisor Jack Sellers, who represents the Chandler area on the board.
“We’re disappointed,” said Owen Metz,
the senior vice president and project partner for the Mountain West Region for Dominium, the developer hoping to build the Landings project.”
The Council Chamber was filled with a standing-room only crowd, most of them there to oppose the Landings project. Opponents claimed to have collected more than 3,000 signatures on a petition.
“We need to recalibrate,” Metz said. “We already went through the 14 sites and I feel like we’ve done our due diligence, and then ... he told me we didn’t do our due diligence, it’s frustrating. It’s too bad that they made the decision.”
Purple for Parents becoming school board force in EV
BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Managing Editor
Parental rights advocates in Arizona are celebrating huge gains, both in the Legislature and at the ballot box.
Purple for Parents, a parental rights organization, endorsed 38 candidates in November’s school board elections across Arizona and unofficial results show that 20 of them won seats – including two in Scottsdale, one each in Gilbert’s two main districts, one in Chandler and one in Mesa.
“We’re very happy,” said Michelle
Dillard, the president of Purple for Parents. “It’s great to have school board members elected that support parents’ rights and will promote academics in the classroom.”
The electoral victories follow success last spring, when the state Legislature passed and Gov. Doug Ducey signed the Parental Rights Bill. It further enhances the Parental Bill of Rights passed in 2010.
The newer legislation gives parents the rights to all written and electronic records from a school about their child. That includes
Metz said about half of the 14 sites city officials suggested as alternatives were 5 acres or less. The site they want to build on is 24 acres.
A couple of council members, Matt Orlando and Christine Ellis, criticized Dominium for not doing more to communicate with neighbors and work with the city. The 14 sites are alternative locations city officials suggested instead of building the Landings project on Ocotillo, just east of the railroad tracks near Arizona Avenue.
The city planning staff is already on re-
Light show with purpose
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Every year James Chalifoux of Chandler constructs an enormous Christmas light display with thousands of lights, vintage blow mold figures and synchronized music in front of his home at 1075 W. Mulberry Drive, near the intersection of Willis and Alma School Road. His “Fouxlights” runs nightly from 5:30–11 p.m. and he is asking visitors to bring nonperishable food items for the needy. See the story on page 3. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)
see LANDINGS page 10
see
NEWS ................................... 4
PURPLE page 6
Millions at stake for local districts in special session standoff.
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James Chalifoux of Chandler is big on Christmas lights – and on the work of AZCEND Chandler, a nonprofit that helps needy people. So he combined those two passions into a brilliant holiday lights display, inviting spectators to bring nonperishable food items for AZCEND. (David Minton/Arizonan Staff Photographer)
Massive budget cuts loom over area school districts
BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor and HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services
Kyrene School District stands to lose 66% of its spending power in the last three months of the current school year if the state Legislature doesn’t waive the Aggregate Expenditure Limit by March 1.
In laying out the impact of being unable to spend an $20.5 million Kyrene already, district Chief Financial Officer Chris Herrmann on Nov. 22 told the Governing Board he hopes Gov. Doug Ducey will call a special session of the Legislature this year.
But Ducey said he wants the session to deal with other issues – including adding more money for private school vouchers.
Kyrene is not alone, as all districts will face the same harsh cuts if the cap isn’t waived. Tempe Union stands to be frozen out of spending $17.1 million it already has and Chandler Unified a whopping $54 million, according to the state Department of Education.
Echoing Herrmann’s concerns are lawmakers from both parties – some of whom are leaving the Legislature after losing elections – who said two weeks ago they have the necessary two-thirds vote in both chambers to get the cap waived for the 2022-23 school year.
Ducey on Dec. 5 acknowledged that he had agreed to bring lawmakers back to the Capitol to waive the cap if he could be shown that the votes were there.
Hermann said the statewide total of money districts would be unable to spend is about $1.4 billion.
And bearing the brunt of that freeze will be employees – mainly teachers, administrators and support personnel.
“It’s impossible to make budget reductions of this size without talking about impacting those areas,” Hermann said, noting the freeze also would crimp the district’s ability to offer teacher contracts for the 2023-24 school year.
Ducey, whose term is up at the end of the month, said, ``There are things in addition to the AEL that I’d like to see get done.’’
Although he would not elaborate, Daniel Ruiz, his chief of staff, said providing
The gap in per-pupil school funding between Arizona and the national average has steadily grown in recent years by a wide margin, putting the state in the bottom three of the all states in the amount of money spent on elementary and secondary public education. (Kyrene School District)
even more state funds for vouchers for students to attend private and parochial schools is ``certainly a priority that’s been discussed.’’
“That’s not the deal,’’ said Sen. Sean Bowie, D-Chandler, one of the bipartisan group of lawmakers who hammered out the budget deal.
“The deal was we would pass this budget – which he signed and celebrated after we passed it –and we would get the special session on the AEL,’’ he said.
What changed, Bowie said, is that the November election didn’t turn out the way that Ducey wanted.
“I’m sure he would like to do other things, too, especially since he’s going to have a Democratic successor,’’ he said.
Both Senate President Karen Fann and House Speaker Rusty Bowers were sympathetic to the districts’ plight and persuaded enough of their GOP colleagues to join Democrats in waiving the limit earlier this year for the 2021-22 school year.
That may not be the case when the new session begins in January.
Senate President Gilbert Warren Petersen of Gilbert voted against the waiver as well as against the significant increase in overall public school funding passed in the bipartisan-approved state budget.
Ducey, constitutionally precluded
from seeking a third term, had backed fellow Republican Kari Lake but she lost to Democrat Katie Hobbs, who will have the ability to veto the priorities of the Legislature, which remains narrowly in Republican hands.
But Bowie said that’s irrelevant to what Ducey offered Democrats last spring.
“The deal was we pass the budget, we provide the votes for the budget that it needed to get across the finish line,’’ Bowie said. Ducey needed those Democratic votes as several GOP lawmakers refused to support the $15.6 billion state spending plan.
At least part of the reason schools are up against the spending cap is that budget immediately added $526 million to base education funding for K-12 schools, an 8.8% increase. And it provides a $50 million infusion in “opportunity’’’ funds, dollars earmarked to help students who come from low-income households.
Complicating matters is the cap is based on prior year enrollment. which dropped due to COVID.
Some lawmakers also want the governor to reconsider his veto earlier this year of a measure which would have allowed Maricopa County residents to decide whether to extend the half-cent
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see SPENDING page 5
sales tax which funds transportation projects. Absent legislative authorization for a vote, the levy ends in 2025.
And then there are vouchers. Formally known as “empowerment scholarship accounts,’’ they provide state dollars for private and parochial school tuition and costs.
Originally started more than a decade ago to help students with special needs, GOP lawmakers voted this year to make them available to any of the 1.1 million students in public schools.
Now, however, some supporters say the vouchers, which average around $7,000, are insufficient to entice parents to put their children in private schools because they often don’t cover the cost. So they want to pursue an increase now, which Ducey likely would sign and could easily meet a different fate under Hobbs.
Bowie said the push now by GOP lawmakers for something that wasn’t on the table when the deal was cut is no surprise.
“They kind of view it as their last opportunity to get some policy goals of
theirs passed that they haven’t been able to,’’ he said. “They intentionally want to hold the AEL hostage in exchange for that.’’
In discussing the looming fiscal crisis’ impact on Kyrene, Herrmann expressed frustration over Kyrene’s and other districts’ plight, noting the bipartisan budget for the current year included an $800 million overall increase in state support for public schools.
He added that Kyrene and other districts must see a waiver approved by March 1 even though the limits would not officially kick in for another month.
But waiting that long “is an extremely difficult challenge for us to be able to respond to,” Herrmann said.
He also said the limit must be considered in the context of Arizona’s history of funding public education – which has put the state consistently in the bottom three in the nation.
“Arizona has a constitutional requirement to reduce educational spending by $1.4 billion,” he explained “Yet we are at or near the bottom in the country when it comes to educational funding. Without a permanent fix to the Constitution
and (Aggregate Expenditure Limit), it’s almost impossible to see this trend ever reversing.”
The tight timetable for legislative action alarmed Kyrene board members.
“It feels like such a gamble with my child’s education,” said Margaret Wright, calling it “quite annoying.”
Outgoing member Margaret Pratt said, “I really hope our state Legislature passes this exemption because the impact is so great and so negative – it’s just bizarre to me that money is given and then there’s a restriction on it….It doesn’t make sense. I implore our state Legislature to please do the right thing.”
Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, who chairs the House Education Committee, said that Katie Ratlief, Ducey’s deputy chief of staff, claimed her boss committed to calling a special session only on two basic conditions.
First, a lawsuit challenging a voter-approved income tax hike for education needed to be resolved. That was done.
Udall said bumping the decision to the next legislative session would be inappropriate.
“This is the Legislature that approved
the money,’’ she said.
Bowers said he’s ready to bring lawmakers back to the Capitol to waive the spending cap and Fann said, “Personally, I’m OK with it.”
But Fann told Capitol Media Services that she first needs to see the measure.
Potentially more problematic, she said, is that some lawmakers argue that if there is to be a lame-duck special session, they want other issues addressed, ranging from adding some accountability for public schools to demands for changes in election laws.
Udall conceded that some of the people on the list she presented to the governor’s office also have other ideas. But she insisted that each has committed to vote to waive the spending cap if that is the lone issue in the session.
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Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5631 or pmaryniak@timeslocalmedia.com
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any counseling records, even notes taken during a conversation. Parents can sue school districts if a teacher does not comply.
“I think that enforcement is going to be something that all parents are going to have to be keeping an eye out, we’re going to have to be very diligent and making sure that they actually follow the laws,” Dillard said.
She pointed to a school board meeting she watched where the board members changed the policy to comply with state law, but said repeatedly they were not happy to do so.
That was the case in Kyrene School District, where Governing Board members in September lashed out at laws preventing any mandate requiring kids to get COVID or HPV shots, requiring greater parental access and longer review policies for new library books, giving parents the right to get a list of all library books checked out by their children.
But the Kyrene board members’ harshest criticism involved a ban on boys joining girls-only sports teams.
They initially planned to just amend the district’s policy on sports to say Kyrene conformed with Arizona law, until a board member prevailed on her colleagues to include the specific citation for the statute so that parents could find it more readily.
Critics of the parental rights law say it will have a chilling impact on students. For example, critics contend, a gay teen who knows his family will not accept his or her sexual orientation will not
be able to reach out to a trusted adult at school to talk about what they are going through because they risk their parents finding out and possibly kicked out of their home or forced to go to conversion therapy.
There were similar concerns about students who are struggling with their gender identity.
Dillard said that is part of the problem: There’s too much sex in schools.
“We don’t want the sexualization of our children to be continuing on this, I mean, it’s accelerated this upward trend,” she said. “The left, who has had control of our schools, wants comprehensive sex education. And I think they call it like age appropriate or whatever. Well, we have a disagreement with that.”
Purple for Parents started in 2018 as a reaction to the Red for Ed movement, in which teachers were demanding higher salaries and more funding for school districts.
Forest Moriarty, a Mesa husband to a teacher and father to two special needs students, is credited as the founder. He did not return a message seeking an interview.
Dillard said Purple for Parents has no ties to Patriot Movement AZ, which has been identified as a far-right hate group and was ordered by a federal judge in 2019 to stop harassing churches across the Valley, including Chandler, that were offering clothing and food to newly bussed migrants awaiting transportation to other parts of the country.
Dillard said it is true that some of the founding members were also members of PMAZ, but rejected they were tied together.
“There were members of Purple for Parents that were in PMAZ,” Dillard said. “I mean, they’re parents too. They have children in schools. And so you know, they were in the group, but they had no influence, nor did they found it. That’s been a blatant lie that local media has pushed from the beginning.”
Purple for Parents really picked up momentum in 2019 after Fox News’ Tucker Carlson highlighted the Chandler Unified School District’s attempt to improve its diversity training. Carlson criticized the Deep Equity program from the Corwin Company as indoctrination.
Angry parents began showing up at school board meetings in the Chandler and Kyrene school districts.
Stephanie Ingersoll, the executive director of marketing and communications for CUSD, said the district no longer uses the Deep Equity program. Instead, the district developed an Equity Advisory Board which is made up of staff, students, parents and community members.
Purple for Parents advocates for school choice and parental rights, and wants to keep Critical Race Theory (CRT) out of schools. That theory is a law school class that is not taught at K-12 schools in Arizona.
However, Dillard said it is used as a catchphrase for programs like Corwin’s Deep Equity because it’s a phrase people know, having heard it from former President Trump.
She said issues like that made it easy to find candidates willing to run in the 2022 election.
“I witnessed parents trying to stand up for their parental rights in education to be later ridiculed for doing so,” Heather Rooks wrote in an email about why she ran. She was elected to the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board.
“I heard from so many parents that their child was struggling and falling behind. I had heard from teachers who were afraid to speak up against the CRT ideology in the district,” Rooks said.
Parental rights issues were not the only reason for running.
“[I decided to run after] having witnessed the steady decline in merit-based academics, with test scores tanking and teachers leaving the district in droves,” wrote newly elected Scottsdale
6 THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 CITY NEWS
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Unified
PURPLE from page 1 see PURPLE page 8
Fox News host Tucker Carlson put his national focus on Chandler Unified School District’s Deep Equity program, which led to a number of protest at Governing Board meetings by parental rights supporters. (Fox News)
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Governing Board member Carine Werner.
“Even the 8-year age gap between my oldest and youngest has revealed stark differences in how our children are educated,” Werner said. “I couldn’t sit on the sidelines any longer.”
Chad Thompson, newly-elected member of the Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board, wrote:
“As a father of multiple children that attend GPS schools, I was very concerned about the decisions made by our board over the last few years. As our race developed, I became even more concerned about where our schools are headed.”
He campaigned against social emotional learning and any sex education in schools and said at a candidates’ town hall:
“I think we’ve let way too much stuff come into our school that are distractions from education. Parents are awake; they are seeing this stuff especially after the pandemic. It seems like our schools today want to teach just about every-
thing except for education, actual math, science and language.”
Thompson also said that students need to be taught accountability and responsibility.
Parental rights candidates won two seats in three different districts, Cave Creek, Dysart, and Scottsdale. Still, even with this success they will likely be in the minority when they are seated.
“It’s going to be frustrating for them to have to endure being in the minority,” Dillard said. “But I do think that in all of these districts, there’s a great group of parents … that will also be supportive.
“I think that they will have a voice on the board and so while they may not get certain items passed, or the votes aren’t going to land their way, at least they’ll have a voice and they can let the public and the community and the parents know that … it’s being voted on.”
Some candidates welcome the challenge of being in the minority on the board.
“School board members are non-partisan positions and parental rights are enshrined in state statute,” Anna Van Hock wrote. She won election in the Higley
Unified School District. “Politics should be set aside, and the law followed by all elected officials, administration and staff.”
“If I am in the minority, I will work to bring transparency on what is discussed and voted upon and perhaps why I am not in support or support of a motion,” wrote new Queen Creek Unified board member James Knox. “Too often, items in QCUSD are put into the consent vote when they are not consenting items.”
Said Amy Carney, the other new Scottsdale Unified board member: “I plan to work alongside the other board members to strengthen our school communities by supporting our students and educators and ensuring that parents feel heard and welcomed on our campuses.”
Purple for Parents was strategic in how its endorsed candidates ran for school board seats. Dillard said the group did not endorse any more candidates than there were seats available, so they wouldn’t split the vote.
In Chandler, she said they had their own caucus since there were multiple
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Densmore and Jennifer Drake, Dysart •
Reid and Libby Settle, Fountain Hills •
Thompson, Gilbert •
Higley •
Carlson, Marana •
Mesa •
Paradise Valley •
Peoria •
Queen Creek •
Sahuarita •
and Carine Werner, Scottsdale • Thomas Trask, Tanque Verde • Val Romero, Tucson see PURPLE page 9
Dawn
Madicyn
Chad
Anna Van Hock,
Tom
Rachel Walden,
Sandra Christensen,
Heather Rooks,
James Knox,
Raul Rodriguez,
Amy Carney
Kyrene Foundation pleads for Wonderland donations
ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF
These are hard times for low-income families with young children.
Just ask Rick Richardson, Kyrene Foundation vice president.
He saw how great a need exists just within the boundaries of the Kyrene School District shortly before Thanksgiving when families invited by the school district’s social workers appeared at the Kyrene Family Resource Center to gratefully accept gift cards that the foundation and Sun Valley Church had collected for their Turkey and Trimmings event.
They ran out of gift cards before the line ran out.
“The need exceeded our projections by about 30% - we gave out over 300 grocery gift cards,” Richardson said.
“I had to run out and buy 30 more grocery cards and the Resource Center had a huge donation of cards that saved our butts.”
Now the heat is on for the second phase of the foundation-Sun Valley Church effort to make the holidays a bit merrier for families who are barely getting by – if that.
“Winter Wonderland is less than two weeks away and we are under 25% of our goal,” Richardson said. “We need to make a big push this and next week.”
Talk to anyone in authority at Kyrene School District – be they administrators, school board members, teachers – and one thing you’ll hear more than anything else is how generous the community is.
Whether it’s helping the district secure a budget override or just to help a struggling kid or family, the Kyrene community has always pitched in, they say.
Now, with Winter Wonderland close at hand, the foundation is looking for those helping hands again.
The foundation hopes to provide each designated family with a co-branded foundation and Landings Credit Union VISA card for Winter Wonderland as well as gift cards for gifts and some gifts collected in previous years for each youngster.
In addition, organizers are sorting through toys collected from the previous live event and will be distributing those as well at Winter Wonderland.
“We anticipate the need to be much larger this year,” Richardson said.
People are asked for cash donations only as organizers are not collecting gift cards or items.
The 2021 donation drive “was a great success due to a tremendous outpouring of generosity from our community and partners,” Richardson said.
“The Kyrene Foundation, Sun Valley Church and the Kyrene District were able to ensure over 200 families and 700 children did not go without the simple joys of the holiday season.”
And last year preceded the record inflation of this year, as well as the full impact of soaring rents and fuel prices.
To donate, go to kyrenefoundation. org/winterwonderland. To reach the donation form: fundraise.givesmart. com/e/tCxMNQ?vid=vw5y9<
parental-rights candidates who wanted to run. She said each agreed to not run if they didn’t get enough support at the caucus.
Kurt Rohrs and Charlotte Golla ended up with the most support, so others stood down. Rohrs ended up with the most votes in his election. Golla finished third and did not win.
Dillard said she would like to see school board races become partisan, so
voters can determine their candidates in a primary election and give them a better shot at winning in the general.
She said parental-rights board members will want to put the focus back on academics when they take their seats.
“Especially coming off of the end of the pandemic,” she said. “There are kids suffering a lot of learning loss, and there are achievement gaps. And I do think that there could be different programs that the schools can have and focus on to help get our kids up to speed.”
THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 9 CITY NEWS
PURPLE from page 8
cord opposing the project. Council member Mark Stewart requested the resolution and vote to bring added pressure and in response to overwhelming calls from neighbors to do something more to oppose the project.
Metz said they looked at the 14 alternatives, and that even city officials recognized they would not work. City officials denied that assertion.
Metz said many were zoned industrial, like the land they are considering. Some owners of the land they offered were not willing to sell, or did not want to sell for an affordable housing project.
With Chandler approaching buildout (currently at about 93%), there are not many areas with 24 acres of available land left. So, Dominium has few options.
The Landings project would comprise 518 units of affordable housing, something the city has said it is in desperate need of. The price for the units would be set by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department. Metz said they were hoping it would be starting at about $1,000 a month.
Rent.com says the average price of a studio in Chandler is $1,345, a one-bedroom $1,589 and a two-bedroom $1,985. Metz said the typical residents would be teachers, firefighters and others who are being priced out of living in Chandler.
The Landings units would be split into two types, 182 for senior living,and 336 family units.
The leaders of the neighborhood group opposing the project say they don’t object to affordable housing. Their main issues are that it does not comply with the city’s master plan, or its airport plan and that it will increase traffic to an area that is already dealing with traffic problems.
Because this plot of land is an unincorporated area of Maricopa County, and not part of the city, the County Board of Supervisors has the final say. Still, if it is built the Landings would rely on city services for water and trash, so their opposition is expected to play a role in the final decision.
Metz admitted in an interview before the Dec. 5 meeting that their project would increase more traffic than an empty field generates. However, he said the traffic improvements their development would bring would likely be welcomed by the neighbors.
For example, anyone wanting to make
a left-hand turn onto Ocotillo could use a new traffic light installed to do so. They would also make road improvements designed to improve the flow of traffic.
And, he argued, at some point something will be built there. If it’s a warehouse there might be large 18-wheelers coming in and out of that location, which would also impact traffic.
Dominium Apartments is one of the largest developers of affordable housing units in the nation. The corporate headquarters are in Minnesota, but they have been operating in Arizona for years. They have built or have plans to build other complexes in Mesa, South Phoenix, Buckeye, Surprise and Chandler.
Two former Chandler seniors said it is needed in the city.
“I was a resident of Chandler for nine years, and I had to move out of Chandler a year ago when my rent went so high I couldn’t afford it,” said Ron Yoshimura. He said he was paying $800 a month for a two-bedroom apartment and his rent doubled. He said he moved into Dominium’s senior housing in Mesa and complimented them for giving him a great place to live at an affordable price.
“Most of the people that I spoke to in our complex, they’re saying that this is the last place they’re gonna live,” Yoshimura said. “When they leave, they’re gonna leave feet first. So that’s the way I feel.”
Judi Hahn said she was living near the Chandler Airport and was paying $1,800 a month for a one bedroom apartment with utilities included.
“I can no longer afford to live there,” Hahn told the Council. “My income, I’m
in a very fixed income. And we found [Dominium’s Mesa apartments]. They accepted me and I’ve lived there now for almost eight months. I’m one of those that will go out feet first. I will never leave. It is the greatest thing for somebody of our age.”
Orlando admonished the developer for a poor job of communication, saying he tried to reach them to do his due diligence and was still waiting on a return phone call.
Dominium’s backers promised to hold a neighborhood meeting to address the neighbors’ concerns before Christmas, something Orlando said should have happened already.
Ellis blasted Dominium for not doing more to work with the city, including taking a look at those 14 alternative locations offered.
Kevin Mayo, the city’s planning administrator, said it was not his staff that met with Dominium. He said he thought it was someone from the City Manager’s office that offered the 14 alternatives. An email trying to confirm that and Metz’s characterization that they agreed those 14 sites would not work was accurate has not been returned.
Metz said after the meeting they would honor the promise made during the meeting to hold a neighborhood conference before Christmas so they could address the concerns head on. No time or date has been set so far for that meeting.
The next official action is expected Jan. 12, when the County Planning & Zoning Commission considers the case.
Metz tried to address many of the con-
cerns of residents in an interview with the Arizonan before the Dec. 5 meeting.
“Our typical resident is a single parent with a kid or two. They’re working and can’t afford the higher rents,” Metz said. “We have a very thorough process that we have to do to qualify anyone who shows up to rent from us. It’s arguably more difficult than qualifying for a mortgage.”
He said that all residents must sign a pledge not to be involved in drugs or crime. One violation, and they’re out. Metz said because they are getting a discounted price on rent, and it will be almost impossible to find similar housing elsewhere, they rarely have problems with residents.
The city is in the process of increasing its public housing units, with hundreds on the way. A final number has not been determined. Many of the 300 current public housing units will be replaced, so some will just be moving from an older facility to a newer one.
Public housing is a program where residents who qualify pay up to 30% of their monthly income for their unit, with the federal government paying what’s left. Affordable housing differs in that residents pay the entire amount, but the price is capped by HUD.
Metz said the City of Chandler has not had any new affordable housing projects added in 21 years. He said the Landings project would be affordable housing.
Chandler Unified School District pointed to the lack of affordable housing as one of the reasons it is preparing for lower enrollments in the future. During a presentation earlier this year, they said younger families could no longer afford to live in the city and were moving to places like Avondale and Maricopa to find affordable housing.
Without young families, there will be fewer children to educate. The district has put together a commission to look at how they want to repurpose eight schools to prepare for declining enrollments.
Metz said everyone is in favor of affordable housing, but not in their backyards. The problem for developers like Dominium, is that they have to be built in someone’s backyard.
“At the end of the day you get them to say, ‘Yeah, I know we have a problem’” Metz said. “But then they say, ‘Well, can you just move it over there?’”
10 THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 CITY NEWS
LANDINGS from page 1
The Landings in Ocotillo would occupy about 25 acres east of Arizona Avenue for senior housing, and the other 336 units for families. (City of Chandler)
Coop ordinance opponents mount petition drive
BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Managing Editor
Even before the Chandler City Council made it official, residents announced they would mount a petition drive to overturn allowing backyard chickens in residential areas.
South Chandler resident Les Minkus told the Council they intended to force a referendum to give residents the ability to overturn Council’s decision, which became final with a 5-2 vote Dec. 5.
Organizers have 30 days, starting Dec. 6, to collect 5,619 valid signatures of Chandler voters to put the issue on the ballot.
That number is determined by being 10% of the total number of votes cast in the August Primary election.
“I’m not against people having chickens in their backyard, if the residents of Chandler decide that they want that, and the impact that it’s going to create,” Minkus told Councilman Matt Orlando during Council’s discussion last week. “I
am against it if the people of Chandler vote against it.”
The ordinance allowing chicken coops goes into effect in 30 days unless the petition drive succeeds. If organizers collect enough valid signatures, the ordinance will be put on hold until a vote. That vote would take place during the next regularly scheduled municipal election.
Minkus admitted this is a delaying strategy on his part. He said he’s hopeful the two incoming members will vote to overturn the chicken ordinance, based on comments they made during the campaign.
Angel Encinas and Jane Poston are scheduled to be sworn in on Jan. 12, replacing Vice Mayor Terry Roe and Rene Lopez. The two current members who voted against the chicken measure are OD Harris and Orlando.
If the petition drive fails or a referendum fails to overturn Council’s decision, then Chandler residents can begin own-
ing backyard chickens in a number of residential neighborhoods. Most homeowner associations have rules against owning wildlife, so many neighborhoods could not legally own chickens.
The ordinance allows residents to own as many as five hens. No roosters are allowed. Previously, only residents on large agricultural lots could own chickens.
Chandler is one of a handful of communities that did not allow most residents to own chickens. Lopez had made it one of his priorities to pass this ordinance before he leaves office next month.
In other Council action on Dec. 5, the non-discrimination ordinance is now official. It passed its final vote 6-1, with only Roe voting against it. He did not immediately return an email asking why he switched his vote from the preliminary yes to a final no.
Chandler had been the largest city in Arizona without an NDO. The movement
to add one took two years and the backing of many business leaders, including the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.
It protects residents and workers from discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, marital status or familial status.
It covers city employees, volunteers, contractors, vendors and consultants. It could mean that businesses lose their contracts with the city if they are found in violation.
City staff said during research on a NDO that most cases filed in neighboring communities were settled before reaching a final action phase.
The Council also votes to tentatively adopt new regulations governing data centers, and made final adoptions on a couple of rezoning cases, the Downtown District development at Pecos and Arizona and McQueen Live Work near McQueen and Warner.
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Hamilton names tennis complex after Phil Gonzales
BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor
Phil Gonzales’ motto he lived by as a teacher was simple: Respect everyone, try to help others and no matter what, have fun doing what you do. Those were the three characteristics he planned to have when he first decided he wanted to become an educator while in high school. His own teachers and coaches made an impact on him, and he wanted to do the same.
Now 35 years later, his teaching and coaching career has come to an end. He retired from Hamilton last year, just a few months after he was inducted into the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame. But his impact will always remain in Chandler and at Hamilton, and his legacy will forever be embedded on the school in the form of the Phil Gonzales Tennis Complex.
“I felt grateful, I felt very thankful and just humbled by the whole experience,” Gonzales said. “I’m grateful for Hamilton high school and the family I have here in CUSD. It’s a fantastic district to work for.”
The official resolution to rename Hamilton’s tennis complex after the school’s first-ever coach was brought to the district governing board in June by Superintendent Frank Narducci. It was passed with a unanimous vote.
On Wednesday, Nov. 23, the renamed complex was officially unveiled in front of a near standing room only crowd outside Hamilton High School.
Former players, colleagues, family and friends gathered at the tennis courts to honor Gonzales, who said he felt honored to have so many in attendance.
Hamilton Athletic Director Brett Palmer spoke highly of Gonzales. Principal Mike De La Torre, first-ever Principal Fred DePrez — who hired Gonzales 22 years ago, Narducci and District Athletic Director Shawn Rustad all echoed similar sentiments about Gonzales.
He was more than just a longtime Hamilton coach. He made tennis one of the most elite programs on campus and treated his players the same way the powerhouse football team is. To him, they were stars. And they took on that same identity with the rest of the student body because of Gonzales.
“What a great person for kids coming
to Hamilton High School,” De La Torre said. “In the classroom he is a dynamic teacher that is focused on positive relationships with students. On the court he’s committed to the process of supporting students as they take their journey into athletic competition.
“No doubt I know those students’ success are part of what he does to support them.”
Under Gonzales, the Hamilton boys won nine region titles, including in their first season in 1999, a monumental feat.
They made the semifinals six times and the finals twice, falling to Brophy in 2017 and 2019 5-3.
Gonzales also coached several high-level tennis players during his time, sending many off to play at the next level. But even with all of the accolades on the court, some of his best memories came off it.
Gonzales would frequently treat his players to dinner after matches. Win or lose, players could always count on him to treat them to meals that he believes
they deserved.
“The biggest thing I always remember was taking these kids to dinner after the match,” Gonzales said. “Listening to them talk and rehash the match. It was those times I got to have a meal with them and to talk to them and relate to them. That was one of my goals, to make them feel welcome and a part of a big family. I enjoy those memories.”
Just like other sports around campus, he expected the most out of them. He pushed them five, sometimes six, days a week to be the best.
He didn’t put them through countless hitting drills that stressed mechanics. He played games with them. He came up with fun drills that made them enjoy tennis. He said the mechanics came naturally with those fun drills.
Gonzales shared that he has been battling health issues the last year, which was one of the reasons he decided to step away from coaching and teaching.
While he declined to go into specifics, he said his health has improved.
He said he aims to return to coaching in some fashion. He knows he has a chance to do that at Hamilton with Justin Artis — a former player and current head junior varsity football coach — taking over. Having that opportunity is special for Gonzales. It’s one of the many ways Hamilton has treated him with immense respect over the course of his career.
He wanted to build the tennis program into something special. He takes pride in knowing he did that.
“I wanted this program to stand out like football and basketball and respected around the state,” Gonzales said. “Here in south Chandler, you have something you can rely on that is going to be a good program.”
12 THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 CITY NEWS
GOT NEWS? Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5631 or pmaryniak@ timeslocalmedia.com
Retired tennis head coach Phil Gonzales (above) at a ceremony as Hamilton High School names their tennis facilities after him, Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Phil Gonzales Tennis Complex in Chandler, Arizona. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)
THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 13 480-922-1968
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‘Big trains’ rolling into region for holidays
BY JOSH ORTEGA Arizonan Staff Writer
Model trains remind many people of Christmas as a child and for one local organization, that nostalgia lasts year-round.
The Arizona Big Trains Operators will hold its annual Christmas Open House tour 4-8 p.m. today, Dec. 11 and Dec. 17 and 18 with 14 homes across the Valley firing up their festive layouts that help keep the history of locomotives alive and keeps these grown adults kids at heart.
While their pastime can be expensive, the one thing these operators enjoy more than tinkering with the trains is the joy their displays bring to visitors.
“A lot of people still enjoy the history of railroads,” said Don Sorenson.
Sorenson joined the organization in 2006 but had an interest in trains long before that because his dad worked as a brakeman for Union-Pacific Railroad for five years.
He said some of the members have mechanical and engineering backgrounds and this keeps their minds occupied with something familiar.
Amtrak said it has seen a 5% decrease in its Arizona station usage between fiscal year 2018 and 2019.
have been on a train.”
That’s why sharing their hobby –especially with children – represents an integral part of the organization’s purpose “to promote and advance the interest in and educate the general public about Railroads and large-scale model railroading,” according to their bylaws.
Much to his surprise, Woolfolk said the nonprofit’s membership has seen an uptick in the last two years with 19 new members, bringing their Valley-wide total to 77.
Woolfolk joined the organization in 2013 and has served as its president for the last five years.
He said that while only half of their members have layouts, they all meet to help each other collaborate and build “extremely elaborate” holiday villages.
“It’s not like setting up on a card table when you were a kid,” Woolfolk said.
The individual cars measure approximately 4 1/2 inches tall by 24 inches long with a handful of cars connected that run on tracks up to 500 linear feet winding through a festive holiday village.
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“People don’t ride the trains anymore,” ABTO President Darrell Woolfolk said. “There’s not many of the youth that
The villages can take up a person’s entire backyard and some include railyards, tunnels, ponds, and functioning lights on the buildings with the appearance of snow throughout the setup for the holidays.
The layouts can have multiple zones and take anywhere from two to four weeks to get up and running, but prep work and layout begins as early as June.
Children will be fascinated and adults will be reminded of their own childhood when they visit Arizona Big Trains Operators member’s holiday displays the next two weekends. (Special to Arizonan)
14 THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 CITY NEWS
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TRAINS page 15
Around Chandler
City offering Golden Neighbors holiday event
The City of Chandler is planning a free holiday gathering for seniors at 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 15 at the Chandler Senior Center, 202 E. Boston St.
There will be entertainment, breakfast and raffle prizes.
To RSVP either call 480-782-4362 or email neighborhood.programs@chandleraz.gov.
ICAN honors Cardinals, board member
ICAN, the Chandler-based nonprofit, honored the Arizona Cardinals football team and a board member at its annual gala.
Shannon Clark, an attorney at Gallagher & Kennedy, was honored with the individual award for his efforts to find creative ways to support the nonprofit beyond his service as a board member and ambassador.
TRAINS from page 14
The nonprofit holds seven public events throughout the year including one in the spring, but the Christmas Open House is the group’s biggest.
Besides the two open houses, ABTO maintains train layouts at Banner Children’s at Desert and Hospice of the Valley at Ryan House.
Woolfolk said those layouts remain restricted to patients at the medical facilities due to COVID-19 protocols, but members will still maintains the tracks weekly for the patient’s enjoyment.
“With COVID, everything’s been pretty much locked down,” he said.
Woolfolk said Christmas event draws hundreds of people per weekend to member’s backyards to watch the layouts light up at night.
Woolfolk said trains have “gone by the wayside” with younger generations and the nonprofit helps rekindle that interest.
Sorenson said it’s an important part of our nation that young people should remember.
“I find that people are very enamored by railroad,” he said. “They’re part of our history.”
The Cardinals were given the business award for personally engaging with atrisk youth in programs designed to help them learn the life lessons needed to succeed.
There were more than 500 people in attendance at the annual gala and ICAN raised about a quarter of its annual budget at the event.
City starts annual citizens budget survey
Chandler is starting its budget process and encourages residents to provide their thoughts about the community and its future. Chandler residents may complete the survey at chandleraz.gov/ budget through Jan. 13.
City staff asks that residents answer at least the first seven general questions of the survey which should take about two minutes. The remaining questions allow
AROUND page 17
Here are the East Valley locations people can visit 4-8 p.m. today, Dec. 11 and Dec. 17 and 18.
Roger Crooks 1708 W. Dixon Circle, Mesa.
Terry and Adrienne Haas 1861 E. Fountain St., Mesa
Jim and Joanne Gardner 1355 E. Glenview Circle, Mesa
Don Sorensen 6130 E. Colby St., Mesa
Pam and Craig Morris 7214 E. Avesta Circle, Mesa
John and Janet Vogt 1341 E. Folley Place, Chandler
Danny and Amy Farrow
767 E. Ivanhoe St., Chandler
David Kitchin 9401 E. Jadecrest Drive, Sun Lakes
Steve and Judy Lewis 925 E. Saddelback Place, San Tan Valley
Wesley and Allison Schriver 1149 E. Saddleback Place, San Tan Valley
For closures due to weather and illness, or more info, visit:. azbigtrains.org.
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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 15 CITY NEWS WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL SALES • PARTS • SERVICE • LEASING www.A1GolfCarts.com
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Jacobson space program re-ignites for kids
BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Managing Editor
Jacobson Elementary School was able to shoot off hundreds of rockets just before the world was mostly shut down by the pandemic in March 2020.
The skies above the school have been mostly rocket-free since then as the school’s Space Explorers program was suspended.
That won’t be the case this spring. About 400 rockets will be blasting off to mark the return of Explorers.
“I started talking to Kira (Nunemaker) … and Nathan (Perry), who run this program,” said Liz Wolf, the principal at Jacobson. “I said, ‘I don’t want to let this go. This has a huge impact for our community.’”
For one school day each month, about 400 Jacobson students give up their play time during lunch to attend a Space Explorers meeting. The school has classes for each grade, with two volunteer parents teaching them about space.
The older classes get to learn from experts – volunteer engineers from Northop Grumman.
Eventually, after they learn the basics, each student in the program will get a rocket. They assemble it (with supervision) and get to name it. The older the student is, the bigger the rocket they get.
Then, with expert supervision, they get to launch their rockets to celebrate the end of the year for the program.
“We worked with volunteers at the
end of last year, and now this club has 400 kids again, and is stronger than ever, which is such a testimony to a good community school with a supportive community and wonderful volunteers,” Wolf said.
Nunemaker coordinates the parent volunteers. She’s a former teacher and also teaches some of the classes. Perry coordinates the Northrop Grumman volunteers, usually getting more than a dozen engineers to agree to come and teach a class.
The first meeting was in October and focused on gravity. In November, first graders got to experience what it’s like to work in space. They had to put on some garden gloves and then some la-
tex gloves over that. They were then instructed to try and pick up some tiny beads.
They also were able to put on a space helmet, then made their own helmets out of paper plates.
“It’s an amazing program,” Nunemaker said. “It’s a lot of work we’re working through. It has been dormant for years. So we’re trying to figure out what works with time during the kids’ lunch, how do you adjust the lesson to them eating and being able to watch and then also being able to take something home and do.”
Wolf said the program is popular, which is why more than half the 727 students enrolled at the school are in the program.
The principal said there is more interest among students in lower grades, and there is a drop-off as students get older. They develop other interests and the thrill of setting off a rocket loses some appeal when they’ve already done that a few times.
After the program started back up, some of those who hadn’t registered had a change of heart.
“After the first session, I had kids just wanting to come in who had just registered,” Nunemaker said. “I had parents reaching out. Like they’re missing outside time to do this and I’m loving it. I mean, it’s one day a month and they’d rather be in here doing activities and stuff.”
Chandler schools excel in first grading in 2 years
BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Managing Editor
Chandler-area district and charter schools scored very well in the letter grades handed out by the State Department of Education for the first time in two years, easily exceeding state averages.
If the state hadn’t changed the way they hand out the grades, some might have done even better.
Of the more than 1,700 public district and charter schools across Arizona that received preliminary grades, about 27%
were given “A;” 42% got “B;” 23% C; 5% D and 2% failed.
Most parents in Chandler are sending their kids to either A or B schools. No schools in the area received a D or F and only five were given a “C.”
More than half (52%) of Chandler Unified schools were awarded an A, and 39% were given a “B.” The district had saw 9% of its schools a “C.”
No Kyrene or Tempe Union schools located in the city scored less than a “B.”
The state did not award any letter grades the past two school years be-
cause of the campus disruptions created by pandemic-related closures.
Federal law requires states to measure schools’ performance using objective indicators, and since 2010, state law has required schools to receive a letter grade corresponding to those performance measures.
This year, the state made some changes to its models, giving schools more credit if their students show a lot of growth in kindergarten-through-eighth grade schools.
The letter grades are based on five
quantifiable factors – academic growth from year to year, proficiency on the statewide assessment, English language proficiency and growth, high school graduation rates and indicators showing if a student is accelerating and ready for success at the next level.
An “A” grade means excellent; “B,” highly performing; “C,” performing; “D,” minimally performing and “F,” failing.
Dr. Jessica Fletcher, CUSD executive director of assessment, accountability, and
16 THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 CITY NEWS
LEFT: First-grade students Michael Hakim, left, and Henry Amparano try to pick up beads with their hands in gloves, similar to how astronauts must work on board the International Space Station. Right: Conducting the same experiment are Kennedy Gaitan, Walker Padilla and Hannah Schuld. (JKen Sain/Managing Editor)
see GRADES page 18
specific feedback on any, or all, of the targeted topics, which are based on the six City Council strategic goals and five focus areas.
The budget survey results assist in the formulation of the City’s financial plan.
Paper copies are also available in either English, Spanish or Mandarin, and may be picked up at various city facilities, including libraries, community centers and the lobby of City Hall. Paper copies also may be downloaded from
the website. Completed paper surveys should be scanned and emailed to savana.martinez@chandleraz.gov or returned to City facilities in person or by mail sent to: City of Chandler, Budget Division – Citizen Surveys, Mail Stop 609, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler AZ 85244-4008. Information: 480-782-2254.
GOT NEWS?
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5631 or pmaryniak@timeslocalmedia.com
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AROUND from page 15
research, said there are too many variables to know if the change in the model meant some schools scored lower than they might have under the old model.
Of the 72 schools in the Chandler area – including charter schools and schools that are part of Mesa Public Schools, Tempe Union or Kyrene – 40 were recognized as “A” schools, 27 got a “B” and five a “C.”
“For us as a district, we don’t really focus … on letter grades, but we do use the data to drive how we’re going to support our students,” Fletcher said. “I know there are districts who focus strictly on letter grades.”
“For us, it’s not about the letter grade,” she added. “If we’re doing what we should be, the letter grade is a natural byproduct of us doing what we should be doing.”
Along with the grades, the state also releases the various scores that went into the grades, giving parents a chance to dig into the data to see where exactly schools performed better or worse. That data can be found at azsbe.az.gov/fschool-letter-grades.
Statewide, public school districts outperformed charter schools in many of the main categories. Districts had only 1% getting an F while 3% of charters flunked.
Statewide, 28% of district schools earned an “A: and 27% of charters got that grade. However, charters did better scoring at least a “B” with 47% compared to 42% of district schools.
In the Chandler area, only one charter school got a “C” snd the rest of charters got a higher grade.
The C schools in the Chandler area are Bologna Elementary, Champion Chandler, Galveston Elementary, Payne Junior High and San Marcos Elementary.
“We’re already having conversations with our schools who are ‘C’ letter grades, what do we need to focus on moving forward this year, so that we can improve our letter grades,” Fletcher said.
Rebecca Beebe, director of government affairs for Arizona School Administrators, told the state board before the Oct. 17 vote setting the cutoffs that school letter grades can be demoralizing for staff.
Arguing against an “arbitrary” 70/80/90 model for determining school grades, which the board rejected, Beebe said low grades could be “a huge blow to our educators who have consistently gone above and beyond to serve Arizona students.”
“That’s the last thing we need in a time like this – and it does not reflect the reality which is that schools are coming out of the COVID years and improving,” she said.
State board member Dr. Jacqui Clay echoed this sentiment.
“Regardless of what form of accountability we select, we will not and should not hold our schools hostage by data that does not take into consideration the whole-child approach,” Clay said.
“My concern is we have so many people who are not educators who are on the outside dictating and not really sitting down, listening, empathizing and understanding what’s going on in the schools,” Clay explained.
The State Board of Education encourages parents “to have letter grade conversations with their student’s school administrator and staff members.”
It cautioned that “qualitative measures, which will vary in importance from family to family, should also be considered. Some students thrive in a small school, while others seek the wide range of options a larger school offers.”
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from page 16
GRADES
Share your feedback through the Budget Survey Better roads, more bike lanes, improved walkability? These are just some suggestions residents might have for Chandler. The City has started its annual budget process and encourages you to provide thoughts about the community and its future. Complete the survey at chandleraz.gov/budget before Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. Paper copies are also available in either English, Spanish or Mandarin, and may be picked up at various City facilities, including libraries, community centers and the lobby of City Hall.
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Perry alum Brock Purdy taking over at QB for 49ers
BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor
It’s no secret Brock Purdy has thrived as an underdog throughout his football career.
He was overlooked at Perry High School until he was given a shot and led the Pumas to the championship game as a senior. He was overlooked by most universities until the conclusion of his high school career.
Even when he did sign with Iowa State, he was far down the depth chart. But he’s stayed patient and has made the most of every opportunity that has come his way, including being the last pick in last year’s NFL Draft., though he was dubbed by San Francisco media as “Mr. Irrelavant.”
Today, Dec. 11, Purdy makes his first NFL start for the San Francisco 49ers. “Mr. Irrelevant“ is irrelevant no more.
“It’s inspiring because it applies to life, period,” said Shawn Purdy, Brock’s father. “We knew the draft process was going to be like the recruiting process. We’re just grateful Brock is the kind of person that won’t give up and he’ll continue to do his best with his God given talent.
“It’s very inspiring to see him stay the course. He’s always believed in himself.”
Brock saw action this season as a rookie in the 49ers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in October. It brought back memories of the moment Shawn and his wife, Carrie, saw Brock’s name as the starter for Iowa State for the first time.
It’s hard for him to find words to describe the emotions they will be feeling when he is announced as the starter on the Jumbotron before kickoff Sunday. More than likely, those same emotions from before will be turned up a notch.
“We were blubbering idiots in college,” Shawn said. “We started crying at the Iowa State game when they announced who the starter was. So, I imagine we’ll all be a mess.”
Brock came in last week after starter Jimmy Garoppolo left the game with a foot injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan
said postgame he would likely miss the rest of the season. But reports Wednesday said he has a slim shot of coming back late in the postseason.
But the 49ers, who currently lead the division, still have to get there. And they’ll rely on Brock to do it.
Brock finished 25-of-37 for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the win over the Dolphins last week. He had some butterflies initially, but once he rolled out and felt contact for the first time, he settled down.
“I feel like there was the whole butterfly feeling like, ‘Alright man, we’re going in. Let’s do this,’” Brock said. “It wasn’t like I was shaking and like, ‘Oh shoot, what do I do? What’s my read?’ None of that. Every single week I act like I’m the starter, prepare like I’m the starter. My name was called, coach (Brian) Griese said, ‘Let’s roll,’ and I went out there thinking what I have to do on the first play.
“Once I got hit, I think it was on a roll out, it felt good to be like, ‘Alright, I got some contact in, now let’s roll and settle down a little bit.’”
In three years at the varsity level for Perry Brock threw for 8,932 yards and 107 touchdowns.
Despite his numerous accolades as a
high school player, including being named Gatorade Player of the Year in 2017, Brock wasn’t recruited until after his senior season. Then, the floodgates opened.
Alabama, Texas A&M and Iowa State, among others, pursued him. Once he signed with the Cyclones, he thought he would once again have to wait his turn, but injuries gave him a chance early on to take over as the starter.
He never gave up the starting job as he broke numerous records at Iowa State and led the Cyclones to a win over Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl in 2021.
Just like in college, former Perry coach Preston Jones thought Brock would have a year to adjust to the speed of the NFL game. If he hasn’t adjusted already, he will have to do so on the fly Sunday.
“It’s amazing. It’s just cool to see it happen to a guy that is such a great person,” Jones said. “I never experienced having someone that talented and that good. Just me being protective, I hoped he didn’t have to play. Just get a year to adjust.
“Here he is again. I’m confident he’ll do the same thing he did in high school and college.”
Brock’s first start won’t just be against any other quarterback or team in the league. It comes against Tom Brady, perhaps the greatest NFL quarterback of all time.
Shawn said he and Carrie had planned to either attend Brock’s game against the Dolphins last week or Sunday against the Buccaneers. Shawn grew up a Dan Marino fan. Brock wears No. 13 because of him.
They chose the Bucs to see Brady in action. It just so happens they will be watching their son play against him.
Purdy played three seasons at the varsity level at Perry. He led the Pumas to the semifinals as a junior and the championship his senior season. He has always bet on himself to be ready for any opportunity that comes his way in football. Sunday will be no different. (File Photo)
“It’s funny how in the past we would say jokingly, ‘Man, can you imagine if you end up playing against Tom Brady?’” Shawn said. “And now it’s really happening.”
Shawn believes Brock will be ready for the opportunity against the Bucs and Brady. He’s proven throughout his football career that no moment seems too big for him.
He’s always bet on himself to be the best on the field. He’s looked forward to this opportunity, so he plans to make the most of it.
“I played four years as a starter in college so in terms of 11-on-11 and speed and that kinda stuff, seeing the game, I’ve had that kind of experience,” Brock said. “To get in and play and now starting next week and what not, it’s something I’ve always looked forward to and I’ve honestly told myself it’s going to happen. Here we are.”
20 THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022
SPORTS
Sports
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, an East Valley native who played at Perry in Gilbert, is making his first NFL start as a rookie Sunday against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Courtesy Terrell Lloyd/49ers.com)
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Chandler teens prominent in ‘Les Mis’ production
BY KATY SPRINGER Arizonan Contributor
It’s been seen by more than 70 million people, performed in more than 40 countries and in 22 languages, and its music is some of the most celebrated in theatrical history.
And soon, Places! Productions will bring the epic musical to the East Valley with its staging of “Les Misérables School Edition.”
Producing a show of such magnitude and fame is no small undertaking – but Places! has assembled exactly the right team to pull it off.
The cast of 70 youth actors, which includes Chandler teens Olivia Haller and Coat McGraw, will perform Dec. 17-20 at East Valley High School, 7420 E. Main St. in Mesa, with a second run Jan. 20-22, 2023, at the Mesa Arts Center.
“Les Mis” focuses on the tumultuous world of Jean Valjean, a former convict who spends a lifetime seeking redemption.
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France and the aftermath of the
French Revolution, this timeless story of intertwined destinies reveals the power of compassion and the quiet evil of indifference to human suffering.
“Everyone in this production has such powerful voices that make you see fireworks light up around them, especially when they hold such beautiful notes,”
said Coat, a freshman at Perry High School.
Indeed, all of the passion and drama of the original Broadway production is replicated in the student version – especially with a cast like this one. Despite its deep storyline and weighty themes, the performers, most of whom are in high
school, pull it off with a maturity and talent that bely their youth.
Tim Mills of Chandler, the show’s assistant director, has been part of Places! – both as a director and as an actor – since the community theater company launched in 2016.
“This is probably the most talented cast we’ve ever assembled, and we’ve had some very talented casts in the past,” he said. “Even our most experienced actors are so willing to learn and interested in any direction we provide.
“There is an uncommon amount of heart and dedication in this group. They all want to create the best possible product and will do whatever it takes.”
Added Allison Houston, director and music director for “Les Mis” and founding artistic director of Places!, “I think audiences will be amazed by the emotion and voices of these young performers. I hope they will be moved by the message of this powerful piece.”
Olivia Haller, 14, a member of the en-
Chandler novelist busy on a number of fronts
ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF
Chandler artist, singer and novelist Laurie Fagen has been busy on several fronts these days.
She’s just completed an audiobook, is prepping for a singing engagement to help a nonprofit and is busy making plans for a new weekly podcast that will debut next month.
Fagen, who lives in Fox Crossing, has just completed a third audiobook of the latest of her three crime fiction mystery novels in her “Behind the Mic” series.
“Bleeder,” which she wrote and narrates, is available on Amazon and Audible as well as a variety of other sites where audiobooks are sold.
It’s the continuing story of young radio reporter Lisa Powers, who covers
the crime beat for her Chandler radio station; helps police solve cold cases; and who writes campy murder mystery podcasts in her spare time.
“The ‘podcast’ story in this book is called ‘Art of the Steal,’ about a dead gallery owner, a missing painting and plenty of suspects,” explained Fagen. “I brought five actors, including the comedic genius Dave Specht of Chandler, into my home studio this summer to record their voices for the audiobook.
“We had such a great time, and I think Dave voiced eight different characters,”
Other actors included Ann Videan of Mesa, Andrea Beaulieu of Phoenix and Leroy Timblin and Tess Jenkins from Glendale.
The print books are also available at
d’Vine Gourmet in Chandler as well as Changing Hands in Tempe.
Fagen, a long-time jazz singer, will also perform holiday songs at the “Living Legends of Broadcasting Holiday Concert,” a fundraiser for the nonprofit House of Broadcasting, Inc.
It will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 at Central Methodist United Church, 1875 North Central Ave. in Phoenix. Fagen will take the stage with Mike Chamberlin, Alice Tatum, Rita Davenport, Jan D’Atri, Pat McMahon, Buddy Owens, David Miller and Dave Munsey.
Tickets are $15 for adults, and children under 12 are free. For tickets and further information contact Mary Morrison at 602-944-1997or email pschu@q. com. For more details, visit www.hou-
seofbroadcasting.com.
“Murder in the Air Mystery Theatre” is the name of the weekly podcast Fagen is launching in January 2023. It will feature readings of short stories by mystery, suspense and thriller authors as well as episodes from the “podcast” portion of Fagen’s first two audiobooks, “Fade Out” and “Dead Air.”
The podcast will be available wherever podcasts are heard, including Spotify, Amazon Music and others.
“Since I published my first book in 2016 with a ‘podcast’ story in it, most people thought I had a real podcast,” Fagen said. “But it only lived in my protagonist’s story, until now. I’m excited to be
22 THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 COMMUNITY
see LES MIS page 23 see FAGEN page 24
A talented cast in authentic period clothing makes the Places! Productions’ presentation of “Les Misérables School Edition” an engaging work. (Courtesy of Samantha Held)
semble, also sings two solo parts in the scene that takes place after the deadly battle at the barricade.
A happy and upbeat girl in real life, she has worked hard to develop her character and evoke the sadness and emotion this scene requires.
“One of my solos is after everybody just died and we’re all mourning the losses,” said Olivia, a freshman at Learning Foundation for the Performing Arts. “It’s very hard for me to act sad. But that’s the thing, you kind of have to experiment with new ways of doing things. In this scene, I am acting sad and singing sad.”
Coat, 15, also is part of the show’s ensemble, which is particularly demanding in “Les Mis,” as nearly every word in the two-hour show is sung, every scene is carefully staged and every performer plays an important role in bringing the story together.
“The ensemble is fantastic, especially in this show, because you get to be so many other characters,” said Coat. “The chorus in any play brings the story alive right in front of your eyes. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Amid the hard work of learning their parts, the cast is having plenty of fun, too.
“The hardest part for me is not talking backstage,” laughed Olivia. “With all the friends I made, it’s hard not to want to talk to them.”
Added Mills, “These kids are so encouraging and supportive of one another. As a junior high teacher and a director of youth and teen performers, I’m very aware that the relationships they’ve built are incredibly special. It really comes through on stage.”
With music by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, “Les Mis” is famous the world over for its score. For Coat, it’s hard to pick a favorite song.
“My favorite solos are ‘Stars,’ ‘On My Own,’ ‘I Dreamed a Dream,’ ‘Bring Him Home” and ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables.’ They make me cry every time,” Coat said.
But “Les Mis” offers more than just a beloved score; the directing team’s keen attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the production, from the character development and costuming to the choreography and set design.
Said Houston, “We have spent a lot of time going back to the source material, the masterpiece that is Victor Hugo’s novel.
“We’ve discussed the characters in depth, including their stories not in the musical, and have a wonderful dramaturg, Kasey Ray. Many of the details you see in the costumes, props, set and staging are from the book.”
“The barricade is something that audiences always look forward to seeing in ‘Les Mis,’” added Mills. “I think people will be blown away by our barricade.”
As opening day draws near, the cast and directing team are putting the final touches on the production.
“The thing I’m enjoying most about this process is just seeing how everything comes together,” said Olivia. “It’s always so cool because sometimes we rehearse things separately and then you get to see everybody’s amazing solos later.”
Added Mills, “I’m hoping audiences will leave the show believing this was the best ‘Les Mis’ production they’ve ever seen.”
“Les Misérables School Edition” is specially adapted and licensed through Music Theatre International and Cameron Mackintosh (Overseas) LTD. It is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, mtishows.com.
Tickets for “Les Mis” are $15 and can be purchased at placesproductionsaz. com. The run includes both matinee and evening performances at East Valley High School and at the Mesa Arts Center. Discounts are available for teachers, seniors, veterans, first responders and students. Group discounts are also available.
If you go
Les Misérables School Edition
Presented by Places!
Productions
WHEN: Dec. 17-20
WHERE: East Valley High School, 7420 E. Main St.
WHEN: Jan. 20-22
WHERE: Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St.
INFO: placesproductionsaz.com
What’s The Real Value Of Hearing Aids?
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LES MIS from page 22
launching an actual podcast.”
She is working with her audio video content creator son, Devon Hancock, son of the late Geoff Hancock, former publisher of SanTan Sun News.
Devon is editing, mixing and mastering both her audiobooks and the upcoming podcast.
“It’s such a joy to work with my very talented son, who also composed original music for the podcast and the audiobooks,” Fagen said.
Fagen also is available to speak in person or via Zoom to book clubs, service organizations, critique groups or whomever wants to hear about her writing journey.
Topics include about writing mysteries, making the transition from journalist to novelist, writing strong female characters among other topics. Email her at Laurie@ReadLaurieFagen.com for her availability. Information: ReadLaurieFagen.com.
Laurie Fagen of Chandler has made an audiobook of her latest mystery novel and planning a weekly podcast series starting in January. (Special to Chandler Arizonan)
24 THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 COMMUNITY
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FAGEN from page 22
Data company buys Chandler building for $115M
ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF
ATexas data center company has shelled out $115 million for a nearly half-million-square-foot office building in the Continuum business park in Chandler
Aligned Adaptive Data Centers bought the 456,122-square-foot building at 2501 S. Price Road near Dobson Road as part of an effort to expand its Phoenix Metro footprint with two “mega campuses.”
Valley real estate tracker vizzda.com reported that 27-year-old building sites on 26 acres and that the sale also includes an 11,085-square-foot storage warehouse built in 1975 and another 17-acre parking lot.
The sale price represented a persquare-foot price of $252 and that no debt was recorded with the purchase from Southwest Value Partners, vizzda said.
Southwest Value Partners is a real estate development firm co-founded by Robert Sarver, the controversial owner
of the Phoenix Suns basketball team.
Sarver’s firm owns the 152-acre Continuum, which was a Motorola research site that was sold in 2009 to an Austin, Texas real estate investment firm that began transforming the property into a technology park with the backing of Chandler development officials, who felt
it was not being used to its full potential.
The city also in the early years of this century offered incentives to companies that wanted to build on the site and spent $10 million on infrastructure improvements that included new roads, water and sewer systems, landscaping and water features.
Sarver’s firm bought Continuum in February 2014 for $51.8 million.
Marketing materials supplied by vizzda show that Continuum is broken into nine other parcels besides the one purchased by Aligned. Those ranged in size from 3.8 to 34 acres with office buildings ranging between 20,000 square feet to 300,000 square feet, according to marketing materials.
The park is served by four cable companies and can tap into more than 100 million gallons of water provided annually by the city and Salt River Project, according to the marketing materials.
Aligned in a news release on its website did not name the Chandler or the other Valley site in announcing its expansion, which it said “will provide customers with essential capacity and scalability in one of the nation’s fastest-growing data center markets.”
Asked why the sites were not named, an Aligned spokeswoman said, “If the
East Valley now has state’s only e-commerce warehouse
The East Valley is home to the only warehouse in Arizona that current serves e-commerce sellers by providing flex warehouse space on a month-to-month basis.
Portal Warehousing’s 36,000-squarefoot facility at 2636 S. Wilson St., Tempe, has 36 units ranging in from 50 square feet to 1,500 square feet to accommodate a variety of business owners.
“Portal Warehousing is the perfect solution for e-commerce merchants and businesses with physical goods that are growing out of their starter space,” said company co-founder and CEO Alex Morrison. “We are excited to build a community that brings together like-minded entrepreneurs in a space that fosters problem-solving and business growth.”
The company also promises a
“high-quality warehousing experience for small companies with integrated logistics services like daily pickups, shipping and receiving and discounted rates.
“Each business owner will have their own warehouse space (small, medium, large or extra-large) where they can house and ship out products with ease. The warehouse is 100% air-conditioned to create a comfortable environment year-round,” it said.
The company has four locations outside Arizona and only started operating in July with its first facility in Salt Lake City.
Users must secure a membership that entitles them to high-speed internet, reception services, community events, shared common spaces for socializing and networking, direct-to-consumer
essentials such as dock high and grade level doors, enterprise-level equipment, shipping and receiving and conference spaces.
A community manager is on-site from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily but members can request 24/7 access.
Information: portal.com
THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 25 BUSINESS
ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF
see CONTINUUM page 26
The Continuum business park totals 152 acres and was the old Motorola campus in Chandler. (Chandler Arizonan)
Portal Warehousing opened Arizona’s first warehouse in Arizona for e-commerce retailers. (Courtesy Portal Warehousing)
information is not disclosed it is confidential.”
“Aligned is focused on meeting the capacity demands of our customers today, while constantly innovating across every aspect of our business to ensure their future data center requirements will be met long term,” said Aligned CEO Andrew Schaap.
“Our expansion in greater Phoenix is an example of Aligned’s power-first approach to asset procurement as well as strategic investments across our design and construction, supply chain and vendor managed inventory program, and team to deliver capacity at maximum speed and scale.”
The company also has operations in Chicago, Dallas, Maryland, northern Virginia and Salt Lake City.
In announcing its Arizona expansion,
Aligned said, “In addition to extensive fiber access and a diverse energy mix, the Phoenix market is also a viable alternative to California as a Western data center location due to its relatively inexpensive power cost and low disaster risk.
“Aligned Phoenix customers can also take advantage of its 20-year sales tax exemption on data center equipment.”
Aligned bills itself as “a leading technology infrastructure company offering innovative, sustainable, and adaptive scale data centers and build-to-scale solutions for global hyperscale and enterprise customers.”
“By reducing the energy, water and space needed to operate, our data center solutions, combined with our patented cooling technology, offer businesses a competitive advantage by improving sustainability, reliability, and their bottom line,” Aligned says.
26 THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 BUSINESS
CONTINUUM
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from
David Archuleta to perform at Chandler center
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor
David Archuleta has become known for his holiday tours. But when “David Archuleta: The More the Merrier Christmas Tour” comes to Arizona for two shows, the “American Idol” runner-up promises it will be more intimate.
“That’ll be interesting to see how that goes,” Archuleta says.
“I’m playing with the idea of just being me on stage. Usually, it’s a more of a grandiose kind of Christmas show experience.”
He’s playing Tucson for the first time on Dec. 22 at the Rialto Theatre, and the Chandler Center for the Arts on Dec.23.
“Being in a different place of life, instead of making it all big and epic and massive Christmas songs, I wanted it to feel more nostalgic,” he says.
“I want it to be like we’re reminiscing around the family room, just talking to each other. I want to reflect on the good times. I’m looking back on the wonder of Christmas from an adult perspective this time.”
Christmas is special for Archuleta. From spending time singing carols with
his family as a youngster to performing for them, he enjoys the holiday season.
“I feel like the Christmas tours that I’ve done have been a highlight,” he says about his holiday memories.
“My family comes to the shows and it’s fun to create a magical world for people to step into. For me, the shows get me into gear for Christmas Day. I’ve had time to really savor the Christmas spirit and magic. It’s like I’m celebrating it almost every night.”
Archuleta became a star when he was 16. In 2008, more than 30 million TV viewers watched him place second in season seven of “American Idol.”
Soon after, Archuleta’s single “Crush” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the track sold 166,000 downloads in its first week in the United States and subsequently more than 1.92 million digital copies to reach double platinum.
Three months later, his self-titled album went gold, selling more than 750,000 copies in the United States and more than 900,000 copies worldwide.
The Nashville resident is spending 2023 reflecting on his life. Recently, he publicly said he’s gay and he’s taking a break from the Church of Latter-day Saints.
“I think I’m going to do a little more self-discovery,” he says.
“I need to get some inspiration to create more music. I need to explore cul-
tures, tour, make new friends and visit other parts of the world. I need to pull from some sort of inspiration. I’ve been in a drought with creativity for the last year.”
Still, Archuleta is excited about coming to Arizona.
“It’s a great place,” he says. “It’s the neighbor of where I grew up in Utah. I’ve been able to go there a lot and make friends there. They’ve got some great restaurants in Arizona. It’ll be fun to go back.”
If you go
David Archuleta: The More the Merrier Christmas Tour
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22 WHERE: The Rialto Theater, 318 E. Congress St., Tucson COST: Tickets start at $59.90 INFO: rialtotheatre.com
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 WHERE: Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler COST: Tickets start at $39.90 INFO: chandlercenter.org, davidarchuleta.com
Robert Bartko a treat for George Michael fans
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor
Robert Bartko has George Michael’s look and sound down pat, complete with the tight jeans, black leather jacket and sunglasses.
He didn’t choose the tribute. In fact, it was the opposite; it chose him.
“From the time I was in high school, I looked like George Michael when he began to emerge on the scene,” said Bartko, who leads George Michael Reborn.
“In 1988, I went to his big show at the Orange Bowl in Miami. I thought I was going to lose my life that night,” Bartko said about the reaction to his look.
He spent the 1990s producing songs for rock acts like Korn and dance artist Stevie B.
In 2018, a booking agent called him to perform, and said, “‘Man, you look and sound just like George Michael. If you could put together a George Michael act, we could book it a lot more than we could book you on your own.’ Again, it chose me.”
Bartko, who recently played a gig for Dita Von Teese’s birthday, stages a retrospective of Wham! and Michael’s careers. He said he “nails” the whole “Faith” era.
“He’s a hard act to pull off,” he said.
If you go
Glitter & Glow New Year’s Eve
WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31; George Michael Reborn from 9:30 to 11 p.m.; Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience from 11:20 p.m. to 1 a.m.
WHERE: Talking Stick Resort, 9800 E. Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale COST: Tickets start at $150 INFO: 480-850-7777, talkingstickresort.com
Robert Bartko’s friends and family saw his uncanny vocal resemblance to the late singer George Michael. (Special to GetOut)
THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 11, 2022 27 GET OUT
David Archuleta will be performing at the Chandler Center for the Arts on Dec. 23. (File photo)
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C o o r d i n a t e , d v l p & m a n a g e e n g ’ g p r j c t s I n s p e c t prjct sites to monitor progress & ensure prjct scope , s ch ed u le, & b u d g et co mp lian ce U tilize co mp s f twr to help perform civil dsgn calculations & tasks, such a s g r a d i n g , d r a i n a g e , w a t e r , s e w e r , s t o r m , & g a s m a i n d s g n s , & p r e p a r i n g r e p o r t s f o r p r j c t s R e q ’ s a master’s degree in Civil Eng’g Please mail resumes t o H R a t , E n g i n e e r i n g A l l i a n c e i n c , 1 1 2 3 5 E S h e r i d a n A v e , M e s a , A r i z o n a , 8 5 2 1 2
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ation.
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In
the Programmatic Agreement, AT&T
modification of existing antenna
AZ
Please direct
Gavin
CRAN_RANM_PX1 20_016. 12/4, 12/11/22 CNS-3639724# EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE Published in the Mesa Tribune, Gilbert Sun News, Chandler Arizonan, Dec 4, 11, 2022 855-401-1184 ASK US HOW TO GET THE AMAZING iPHONE® 11 FOR $0 WHEN YOU SWITCH TO AT&T Find out how to get our most popular phones, call now! © 2020
accordance with Sec. 106 of
plans a
on rooftop of 1955 building at 951 S. CADY MALL, TEMPE,
85281.
comments to
L. at 818-898-4866 regarding site
AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
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NOTICE
The Arizona Board of Regents, for and on behalf of Northern Arizona University, is soliciting sealed Proposals from qualified firms or individuals for the purpose of selecting a firm or individual interested in providing Cardio and Weight Fitness Equipment Reference P23LB004 for Northern Arizona University.
Offers shall be delivered no later than 3:00 P.M., Arizona Time, January 5, 2023 to the office of the Vice President of Procurement on the campus of Northern Arizona University, 545 E. Pine Knoll Drive, Building 98B, PO Box 4124, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86011, (928) 523-4557.
To request a Proposal by E-mail contact Northern Arizona University Purchasing Services at the above phone number or by emailing NAU-Purchasing@ nau.edu. To download a copy from the Internet access https://nau.e du/Contracting-Purchasing-Services/Purc hasing/NAU-Bid-Board/
The Arizona Board of Regents reserves the right to reject any or all Offers, to waive or declare to waive irregularities in any Offer, or to withhold the award for any reason it shall determine and also reserves the right to hold any or all Offers for a period of ninety (90) days after the date of the opening thereof. No Offeror shall withdraw their Offer during this ninety (90) day period.
Published in the Mesa Tribune, Gilbert Sun News, Chandler Arizonan, Dec 11, 2022
In accordance with Sec. 106 of the Programmatic Agreement, AT&T plans a MODIFICATION OF EXISTING ANTENNA ON ROOFTOP OF 1964 BUILDING at 600 E. TYLER MALL, TEMPE, AZ 85281. Please direct comments to Gavin L. at 818-898-4866 regarding site CRAN_RANM_PX1 20_014.
12/4, 12/11/22
CNS-3639727#
EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE
Published in the Mesa Tribune, Gilbert Sun News, Chandler Arizonan, Dec 4, 11, 2022
In accordance with Sec. 106 of the Programmatic Agreement, AT&T plans NEW 75’ MONOPINE at 4040 SOUTH VAL VISTA DRIVE GILBERT, AZ 85297. Please direct comments to Gavin L. at 818-898-4866 regarding site AZL01672.
12/4, 12/11/22
CNS-3639433#
EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE
Published in the Mesa Tribune, Gilbert Sun News, Chandler Arizonan, Dec 4, 11, 2022
In accordance with Sec. 106 of the Programmatic Agreement, AT&T plans to upgrade an existing telecommunications facility at 1120 S. CADY MALL, TEMPE, AZ 85281. Please direct comments to Gavin L. at 818-898-4866 regarding site CRAN_RANM_ PX1 20_040.
12/4, 12/11/22
CNS-3638545#
EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE
Published in the Mesa Tribune, Gilbert Sun News, Chandler Arizonan, Dec 4, 11, 2022
In accordance with Sec. 106 of the Programmatic Agreement, AT&T plans a MODIFICATION OF EXISTING ANTENNA ON ROOFTOP OF 1964 BUILDING at 600 E. TYLER MALL, TEMPE, AZ 85281. Please direct comments to Gavin L. at 818-898-4866 regarding site CRAN_RANM_PX1 20_014.
12/4, 12/11/22
CNS-3639727#
EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE
Published in the Mesa Tribune, Gilbert Sun News, Chandler Arizonan, Dec 4, 11, 2022
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