The Chandler Arizonan - 12.13.2020 by Times Media Group

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DECEMBER 13, 2020

Chandler school superintendent to retire in June BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

handler Unified School District Superintendent Camille Casteel will retire at the end of this school year, marking an end to a 50-year career in public education. Casteel, one of the district’s longest-serving superintendents, announced last week in a letter to families, ““While this is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make, after 50 years in CUSD, I feel the time is right.” Having started her teaching career at Erie Elementary in 1971, Casteel amassed

Camille Casteel

decades of experience working in various schools across Chandler and gradually climbed up the administrative ranks until she reached the district’s top job in 1996. Her retirement comes in the middle of a tumultuous school year that has presented a slew of challenges that Casteel and her fellow superintendents and Chandler colleagues have never had to face before as a result of the pandemic. Casteel predicted the district should begin to recover from the stress of those challenges over the next few months as COVID-19 vaccines become more widely avail-

see CASTEEL page 22

Kyrene's new chief ready for the COVID-19 Challenge BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

wo master’s degrees and 26 years in education never prepared Laura Toenjes for what she’s gone through the last nine months. Pandemics will do that to anyone. And when she takes over as Kyrene School District’s new superintendent Jan. 1, she’ll need the on-the-job training she’s been getting since March as the architect of the district’s COVID-19 mitigation strategies. That’s because along with all the other tasks and duties awaiting anyone in her position – like building new relationships in the community, including with the newest two of her five bosses – the pandemic is handing Toenjes a host of challenges that most of her predecessors in the job probably could never have imagined. Those challenges include the pandemic’s deepening impact on district finances, continuing Kyrene’s successful ability to withstand the virus’ withering effect on staff

Laura Toenjes has been assistant superintendent of Kyrene School District since 2016 and will take over the top job Jan. 1. (Courtesy of

Kyrene School District)

retention and – most important of all – ensuring a quality education for more than 16,700 children who may or may not see the inside of a classroom again in 2020-21. Toenjes is bracing for a wild ride after the Governing Board Nov. 24 unanimously approved a 30-month contract and officially named her to replace Superintendent Dr. Jan Vesely, who is retiring at the end of the month. Toenjes is determined to approach those challenges with a lemonade-from-lemons philosophy. “I am very much trying to look for the opportunities or the positive in what’s happening to us at the moment,” she said, though she readily admits the pandemic has tested her fortitude on that score. “I’m not going to lie,” she told AFN in an interview. “It’s been hard. It’s been exhausting.” Looking back on the spring break that, because of COVID-19, never ended until Kyrene’s “rolling return” to classrooms began

see KYRENE page 3

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

KYRENE from page 1

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in mid-September, Toenjes added: “It was pretty exhausting and sometimes disheartening, to be honest. I mean, we would think we’d have something figured out. We were super excited and then the state would give us some other guidance or there was other information out there. It was hard for us as a leadership team and really hard for me.” She recalled how the district’s leadership team grappled with a strategy for dealing with the pandemic’s relentless curve balls. “We’d be super excited and then literally we’d be pivoting again within 24 hours and we’d be pulling them back to a meeting. And so, for me that was hard because I felt a little ineffective, if you will, when I was used to being really effective with our school leaders and helping them. I just felt like I couldn’t provide that level of support that they needed. But again, we have a very collaborative team. “I think one of the things we did that was most important is we kept them in the process all along the way. Our school leaders and our district leaders have been very involved in all the decisions we’re making and we were getting their feedback on how what decision to make impacts them. I think that’s why we’ve been able to get through it like we have.” A Gilbert native who lives in Chandler, Toenjes is the mother of two adult sons – one a wildfire firefighter and the other a U.S. Marine. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications, a master’s degree in elementary education and a dual master’s degree in administration/supervision and cur-

Retiring Superintendent Jan Vesely, seen here at a Kyrene night at the ballpark last year, was as much a cheerleader for the community as a leader. (Special to Arizonan) riculum/instruction. Before becoming Kyrene’s assistant superintendent in 2016, shortly after Vesely became superintendent, Toenjes was a classroom teacher, a principal and held positions in the Office of Maricopa County School Superintendent and state Department of Education. Vesely, with whom Toenjes worked in two different agencies, including Tucson’s Sunnyside Unified School District – both educators’ last stop before Kyrene – praised her successor in a release. “I have had the great pleasure of working with Laura Toenjes in two school districts and have seen firsthand that she is a gifted and accomplished educational leader,” said Vesely. “Laura cares deeply for the students and staff of Kyrene School District and it is with great pride that I see her step into this well-deserved role.” Toenjes said Vesely has helped lay the groundwork for her new role, augmenting the familiarity she herself has developed in the last four years with district personnel and the community at large.

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Laura Toenjes won’t be stepping blindly into her new role as Kyrene’s superintendent, as she has worked closely with the woman she is replacing. (ﬁle photo)

“I am very fortunate in that one of her strengths is building the capacity of those around her,” Toenjes said. “She has put us in situations that we’ve stepped into that would be things she would normally do and has given us opportunities.” One significant legacy Vesely has left involves stability among the district’s staff, particularly among Kyrene’s teaching staff. After approving Toenjes’ contract Nov. 24, the board heard a brief but encouraging report on Kyrene’s teacher retention – one of public education’s greatest problems both in Arizona and the nation. That report showed: • For the coming school year, 92 percent of Kyrene’s teaching staff – 887 out of 969 teachers – are returning. A 2019 report – the most recent available – found that 16 percent of all teachers nationwide leave their districts. • When the current school year began, Arizona had more than 1,700 unfilled teaching positions – over a quarter of all teaching positions in the state’s public school districts and charter schools. Kyrene has two unfilled positions. • Only a few months ago, 554 teachers across the state obtained a release from their contracts and another 56 simply quit. In Kyrene, 29 teachers sought a release from their contracts and one just walked away. Despite the glowing results of Vesely’s work, Toenjes said, “Obviously we’re not going to have big buckets of teachers applying that we’ve always had and we’re going to have to be very strategic” in future recruitment. A more immediate problem – which is becoming more dire in many districts, especially in Maricopa County – is finding enough substitute teachers. Scottsdale Unified two days ago closed five schools

see KYRENE page 4

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

KYRENE from page 3

because it had no substitutes. But even with its highest teacher-retention rate in five years, Kyrene faces enormous pandemic-driven challenges when it comes to meeting students’ academic and social-emotional needs. As COVID-19 surges in the district and across Arizona, it’s impossible to tell when – or even if – students will return to classrooms in the 2020-21 school year, especially amid fears of virus super-spreader holiday celebrations that started last weekend. That possibility is never far from Toenjes’ thoughts. “I feel like we almost have to have two strategic plans – that short-term plan of how we continue to manage through this pandemic without losing sight of all the other things that we have going on, that we don’t want to let go of, and stay focused on.” She said she knows the district’s strategic plan intimately and is happy she won’t have to worry about developing a new one immediately since it lasts two more years. “Once I get to have opportunity to hear from some of the stakeholders,” she said, her job will be to “really hone in on those key initiatives that are in our plan, that

we can’t let go of even while we’re in the pandemic.” “I’m very hopeful that we get to start next school year not in a pandemic situation,” she added, but warned, “We don’t know that.” That means “at least getting through this school year and kind of monitoring and watching and if it looks like it’s going to go on longer, then getting our plan ready for next year as quickly as we can.” But she admitted that two concerns “weigh heavily on me” when it comes to the students. “Obviously, they’re not able to get into the same level of content that they would get in person when it comes to the standards and what we’re able to do in a normal school year with kids,” Toenjes said. “So trying to make sure that there’s not so many gaps, that at least students are not too far behind – that for me weighs heavy…because the further kids start to get behind, the longer that goes on, that creates long-term issues. “And the social-emotional piece weighs really heavy on me. I’ve watched just my own nieces and nephews and what isolation in some ways can do.” “Even if we get them back next year,” she said, “they’re going to be coming back with some things that we’ve probably

AFTER

state and our six percent of decline in enrollment pretty much mirrors what the state is seeing.” The enrollment issue is particularly severe among kindergarteners. Arizona is seeing as much as a 10 percent decline in kindergarten enrollment this school year as many parents simply opted to keep their children at home over fears of COVID-19. “I think that the state is going to have to again step in and help districts,” Toenjes said, adding that as a onetime teacher of kindergarten and Pre-K students, she is confident that Kyrene will be able to identify and fill the developmental gaps in what they’ve missed once they start first grade. “Teachers are masterful at this and they spend a lot of time identifying where the gaps are pretty quickly in the year early on with kids, especially at those younger grades when you’re learning to read and with some of those foundational skills,” she said. “They’ll spend time first identifying where are the gaps and then really plan for how to fill those gaps. I think we’re going to have to be very strategic in the content that we’re getting in front of kids and make sure that we’re not sending them on without those foundational skills that they have to have.” 

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never dealt with.” She is encouraged by the district’s success with its SPARKS program at Manitas Elementary in Tempe because students there have remained engaged in their studies remotely. So, she and staff will look at how to incorporate elements of that program throughout the district. Then there is the chronic problem facing all Arizona superintendents and governing boards, one that has been worsened by the pandemic – namely, money. While most of the pronouncements from the incoming Legislature recently have dwelled on trying to reverse the Trump defeat in Arizona, there is a growing problem of the disparity between districts’ reimbursement for in-class students versus those learning online. Asked about the prospects of lawmakers focusing on this issue, Toenjes replied, “I’m very concerned.” “They did offer some support in the enrollment stability grants. I think it’s going to be critical. I don’t think this is just a one-year solution. I think we’re going to have to really advocate as school leaders for them to do that again next year because the enrollment impact has been significant across the

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Chandler High swim team devastated by 2nd COVID-19 death BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

s Chandler High School’s staff and students assembled Dec. 5 to honor a swim coach who died from the COVID-19 virus earlier this year, the school’s swimming community was recovering from the recent news of another tragedy caused by the pandemic. Tony Vasquez, president of the swim team’s booster club, died from complications related to COVID-19 on Dec. 2 after being admitted to the hospital a few days prior. A day later, Vasquez’s wife, Lisa, also succumbed to the coronavirus. The couple leave behind a 17-year-old daughter, Brisa, who’s a member of Chandler High’s swim team. “It’s devastating,” said Shannon Moxley, the school’s assistant swim coach. “This is nothing anybody could have been prepared for.” Vasquez’s health began to decline suddenly after he tested positive for COVID-19 a couple weeks ago. After he and

and Human Services. The Vasquezes’ sudden absence has been a shock to Chandler’s swim community, Moxley said, and the couple will be terribly missed by Brisa’s teammates. “They just gave limitlessly and made really strong connections with others,” she added. Chandler High student Brisa Vasquez lost her parents within “People with hearts of a day of each other to COVID-19. (Special to the Arizonan) gold and really humble.” Moxley is running an his wife were admitted into an intensive online fundraiser to collect donations for care unit, doctors attempted to keep their covering the couple’s funeral expenses oxygen levels steady with ventilators. and medical bills. But their condition progressively Any leftover funds will be placed in a worsened and never reversed. On the financial trust for Vasquez’s daughter, same day of Vasquez’s death, 16 other Moxley said. Arizonans reportedly died from COVIDThe loss of Vasquez and his wife feels related illnesses. all the more tragic because they had Nearly 7,000 residents in the state been striving to make this year’s swim have died from the virus since it first season extra special for the students, started spreading back in March, accordMoxley said. ing to the Arizona Department of Health “He wanted this year to be the best –

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especially because he felt the kids had been through so much,” she said. Chandler High School was touched by tragedy earlier this year after Kerry Croswhite, the school’s longtime swim coach, died from the virus in July. Students held candlelight vigils, made t-shirts bearing Croswhite’s name and opened their season with a bag pipes player – an instrument played often by their deceased coach. The school board voted to honor Croswhite further by renaming its aquatic center after the coach and hosted a dedication ceremony on Dec. 5, a couple days after the team was notified of Vasquez’s death. Students and parents donned face masks and spread out six feet apart across the school’s aquatic center as they tearfully paid tribute to a coach and a friend both taken away too soon. “Because of (Croswhite’s) leadership and example, countless students have learned the value of camaraderie, perseverance and teamwork,” Superintendent

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Chandler Police Officer West checks out a body camera worn by his department's officers. (Twitter)

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ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

handler Police have spent $2.5 million to equip more of its officers with body cameras. A contract with Axon Enterprise, the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading manufacturer for cameras utilized by law enforcement, was authorized by the City Council last month for 334 new cameras for the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s officers. The contract will be paid out over a five-year period. Chandler first started equipping officers with body cameras in 2015 after several civil protests erupted across the country that demanded for more accountability from law enforcement. Chief Sean Duggan said body cameras have proven useful over the last five years and many officers have been requesting an expansion of the program. The city initially purchased 260 cameras for patrol officers to record their daily interactions with civilians. The extra cameras obtained through the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new contract will allow all officers to have access to the technology, Duggan said. The cameras have helped officers gather evidence related to criminal investigations, the chief said, and assisted in resolving civilian complaints made against personnel.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not only are we acting more efficiently but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also being more accountable and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re demonstrating to our public that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re holding ourselves to highest practices in policing,â&#x20AC;? Duggan said. Body cameras have protected the city from potential lawsuits, the chief added, with their ability to record footage in real time and verify the testimony of officers. But the cameras have also helped the agency police itself by capturing moments of officers not always upholding Chandlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professional standards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In a few instances, our officers have responded and acted inappropriately and in those incidents those officers were held accountable,â&#x20AC;? Duggan added. The city has a panel of 15 civilians that regularly reviews body-camera footage and advises the agency on use-of-force incidents involving officers. During the panelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s September meeting, civilians probed investigators about an incident where an officerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camera hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been turned on when a suspect attempted to evade custody by slipping off their handcuffs. Chandler Police explained the officer didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough time to reactivate their camera after placing the suspect in

see CAMERAS page 12

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

tune up your smile with the doc that rocks! This rendering shows how one of the options for widening a stretch of I-10 that runs through Chandler would look. (Arizona Department of Transportation)

ADOT has 2 options for I-10 widening in Chandler BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

he Arizona Department of Transportation has proposed a number of infrastructure improvements to the section of Interstate 10 running through Chandler. After studying the busy freeway and collecting public input for the last year, ADOT officials have several options for reducing congestion and improving safety along that stretch of the highway. The 26-mile stretch of freeway running between Phoenix and Casa Grande is notorious for being the site of several deadly accidents and backed up traffic. ADOT launched a study last summer to examine the feasibility of widening I-10 by a couple lanes and refurbishing several overpass bridges. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The purpose of this study is to increase the capacity of Interstate 10 to meet the projected travel demand and decrease congestion,â&#x20AC;? said Carlos Lopez, the studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manager. The agency has narrowed its options to: not building any additions, adding two lanes in each direction near the median or adding two lanes on the outer edges of the existing freeway. The third option could be the most expensive, noisy and adversely impact archaeological resources. A no-build option would generate a negative impact on the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s air quality due to growing amounts of traffic, the agency said. If ADOT made no changes to the freeway, then the agency believes it will take drivers an extra eight minutes to travel from Casa Grande to Chandler by 2040. Adding lanes closer to the median appears to pose the most neutral impact

on the surrounding environment while still achieving the overall objectives of reducing congestion and improving safety. ADOT recently finished gathering public input on the options and is drafting its recommendations. The public will be able to review and comment on the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s final recommendation once itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s released in late 2021. If the state ultimately decides to widen the interstate, ADOT projects it would probably start the project in 2024 by focusing on the 6-mile section of I-10 located between the Loop 202 and Riggs Road. The rest of the project would get built out in chunks, depending on when funding becomes available. No cost estimates were released on each option. The agency previously committed at least $50 million to the project and the federal government could potentially offer additional aid. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are federal grant opportunities this project could apply to,â&#x20AC;? Lopez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s some existing funding along the corridor, but not the entire corridor.â&#x20AC;? The study has additionally offered options for redeveloping overpasses and crossroads located at Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Queen Creek Road, Riggs Road, Nelson Road, Casa Blanca Road, and Dirk Lay Road. ADOT has crafted four options for redesigning the Riggs Road overpass that involve adding shoulders and sidewalks on the bridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edges. One option requires removing the existing bridge and shifting it further south. The Queen Creek overpass could be

see ADOT page 13

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

Chandler mother pleads to drowning her baby in tub roads. She claimed the man approached her Chandler mother has pleaded from behind and covered her face with a guilty to drowning her infant son plastic bag, warning her he’d kill Rainer in a bathtub. if she removed the covering. Jenna Folwell, 21, pleaded guilty last Chandler investigators started searchmonth in Superior Court to the seconding for Folwell’s missing baby and obdegree murder of her son, Rainer, whose tained permission from her father to body was found stuffed in a duffle bag search the family’s apartment. Rainer and hidden inside a cabinet of the defenwas found wrapped in wet blankets indant’s Chandler apartment. side a duffle bag. According to Folwell’s plea agreeFolwell then changed her story, claimment, the defendant has agreed to serve ing Rainer had accidentally drowned at least 14 years in the prison. The agafter she fainted in the bathtub and she gravated maximum prison sentence for conjured up the kidnapping ploy to prosecond-degree murder is 25 years. tect herself. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors Court records show Folwell changed dismissed other criminal charges, inher story again after Chandler Police cluding child abuse and false reporting confronted the defendant with incrimito law enforcement. nating evidence recovered from her cell 19.11 MIS79170 PRM Tax Credit AD - SanTan Sun News 10 x 6. 6 Folwell Jenna Chandler Police arrested Folwell in Ocphone. tober 2018 after she confessed to harm- on this way because she did not want to Before Rainer’s death, Folwell made 19.11 MIS79170 MIS79170 PRM PRM Tax Tax Credit Credit AD AD -- SanTan SanTan Sun Sun News News 10 10 xx 6. 6. 6 6 19.11 ing her month-old son. numerous searches on her phone for hear her baby cry.’’ “Folwell admitted to getting into the “ways to die instantly” and “missing Folwell initially told Chandler Police bathtub with her son and then letting her son was abducted by an unknown baby cases.” Officers reviewed more him go,’’ Chandler investigators wrote in man at a park near Dobson and Warner than 100 searches for information on court documents. “Jenna said she settled women, andchildren children and how long whymen, parents kill YES, I want to help feed homeless and hungry ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

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it takes for babies to drown. Folwell admitted to intentionally placing her son in the bathtub and letting him go for up to a minute. She told investigators she immediately regretted her decision and attempted to revive the baby by performing CPR. At the time of her arrest, Chandler Police said Folwell did not offer a motive for why she let her son drown. Eric Canku Jr., the child’s father, told the press he was willing to take care of Rainer if Folwell had told him she couldn’t handle motherhood. Folwell had no criminal history prior to her arrest. She will be formally sentenced Dec. 14.

VASQUEZ from page 6

Camille Casteel said during Saturday’s ceremony. Moxley said the school’s students are hurting from this latest tragedy and are frequently checking in with each other. The students are attempting to live by standards set by Croswhite and Vasquez, Moxley added, and trying not to dwell on their deaths. “I think both Kerry and Tony shared the same philosophy of ‘You just keep going, just keep swimming,’” she said. The school’s swim season has been drastically reduced this year due to restrictions put in place to protect swimmers from contracting COVID-19. Face masks are mandatory before entering the water, the number of swimmers in a pool has been lowered, and few spectators are allowed to watch tournaments. The team’s participated in far fewer swim meets this year, Moxley said, so swimmers haven’t had as many opportunities to compete. But the students don’t seem to be too discouraged, Moxley said, because they know swimming has come to represent something greater than tournaments and medals. “Our swim team is so special and these kids are such wonderful human beings,” she added. “They’re kind to each other and they love their sport.” To donate to the gofundme.com drive: gf.me/v/c/gfm/medical-expenses-forthe-vasquez-family.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

Former Chandler court commissioner threatens suit BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

former commissioner of Chandler Municipal Court is seeking $2.5 million in damages from the city after claiming to be the victim of retaliation and discrimination. Nicole Countryman, who resigned from the city court in September, filed a notice of claim earlier this month listing out a series of allegations against her former boss, City Magistrate David Fuller. Such notices are a precursor to a lawsuit. Countryman accused Fuller of treating her unfairly after she filed a complaint against another court employee and mistreating her in front of her colleagues. James Woods, an attorney representing Countryman, described Fuller as having a “Jekyll-and-Hyde” personality who allegedly singled out Countryman by belittling her in group emails and forcing her to work on weekends. “This highly offensive behavior had a serious impact on the psychological

well-being of Ms. Countryman,” Woods wrote in his legal claim, “and continues to cause her severe emotional distress.” A city spokesman said the city could not comment on Countryman’s allegations due to a current investigation into its court employees. Countryman was hired as one of Chandler’s court commissioners in 2019 and was responsible for helping the magistrate preside over the many traffic tickets and petty crimes that are brought before municipal court each year. According to Countryman’s claim, the former commissioner first started having problems with Fuller in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Countryman accused Fuller of not taking any action to protect court staff during the first two months of the pandemic. “Court leadership maintained the position that this was merely the flu and put in zero protocols to protect their employees,” Countryman’s claim states. Countryman claimed she started wearing a face mask in April even

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though most of her colleagues opted not to wear one. After the Arizona Supreme Court required all the state’s judicial employees to start wearing masks in June, one of Countryman’s colleagues went around the office offering masks. Countryman claimed this colleague came into her office holding a bunch of whitecolored masks and one black-colored mask. Countryman, who is African-American, claimed the coworker offered her the black mask and Countryman declined. The court’s two other African-American employees were only offered black face masks as well, according to Countryman’s complaint. Countryman felt the way masks were distributed in the office was “racially offensive” and “inappropriate” – prompting her to file a complaint with the city’s human resources department. The city ruled Countryman’s complaint about the mask situation could not be substantiated. Afterwards, Countryman claimed Judge Fuller started retaliating against her and stopped speaking to her in-person. She accused Fuller of forcing her to work weekends and forfeit vacation time after she was unable to gain access to a cell phone for a few hours while working remotely from home. In September, Countryman wrote a discharge letter to the city indicating she could no longer tolerate Fuller’s “abuse.” Countryman tried rescinding her letter after the city informed her an independent investigation into complaints against Fuller had begun. According to the claim, Fuller emailed Countryman the city had “no authority”

CAMERAS from page 7

a patrol car. The Axon contract will also permit clerks and forensic technicians to have access to the evidence databases where digital files are uploaded from cameras. Officers upload their video footage at the end of each shift and Axon’s database allows for the agency to securely share files with other agencies. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office routinely watches the city’s body-camera footage when prosecutors make decisions about

to rescind her resignation letter. Countryman is now seeking punitive damages for her lost income and emotional distress that she endured for the last few months. “Ms. Countryman has had insomnia, severe anxiety and depression, and sought medical treatment,” Countryman’s attorney wrote in the claim. “She continues to experience emotional discomfort.” The portrayal of Fuller in Countryman’s claim is a stark contrast to the community-minded professional the magistrate presented when he joined the city court last year. Fuller was appointed to preside over the Chandler court in June 2019 after serving as assistant director of Phoenix’s Office of Court Appointed Attorneys and working as an assistant prosecutor for the Town of Gilbert. Aside from his legal career, Fuller has volunteered for Chandler American Little League, the Special Olympics of America, the East Valley Regional Veterans Court, and a local dog rescue organization. “I think my background is ideal for it and I’m entirely invested in our community,” Fuller said after his court appointment. “I have nothing but love for Chandler. I wanna keep us going in the right direction.” The Arizona Bar Association does not list any disciplinary actions taken against Fuller. Countryman has recently filed a separate complaint against Chandler’s court staff with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Countryman’s attorney said she’s willing to forgo litigation against the city if she is reinstated to her former position.

charging suspects. The city said contracting with Axon to house its digital footage has helped Chandler save money from providing the infrastructure needed to catalog thousands of video files. A new feature of the Axon contract allows officers to give civilians access for uploading pictures and videos into the Axon database that may be related to an investigation. Duggan said this new facet will curb the time officers spend traveling back and forth to a witness’s home to collect digital evidence.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

13 CITY NEWS

Tempe Union officials praised, damned for closing campuses BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor

s letters ripped and praised Tempe Union High School District’s campus closures amid the COVID-19 surge, a departing Governing Board member on Dec. 3 raised questions about its all-for-one-and-one-forall” approach to shutting down classrooms and the inclusion of data from ZIP codes outside district boundaries in making those decisions. For months, the board has tacitly or openly supported Superintendent Dr. Kevin Mendivil’s policy to have the same learning format for all seven Tempe Union campuses, saying that the principals want that approach and that to do it differently would create logistical problems. The district also has incorporated data from ZIP codes where a number of out-ofdistrict students live and often those areas have shown higher levels of virus spread than some within district boundaries. But board member Sandy Lowe, who lost her bid for a third term, noted that district officials have looked at 18 ZIP codes to base their decisions on closing and that only six showed levels of virus spread that met the board-approved criteria for shutting classrooms down. Two of those ZIP codes are in Laveen. Citing numerous letters from parents that excoriated officials for closing campuses, Lowe said, “I believe statistically you should be weighing these students that are not in our district, but surrounding (ZIP codes) because they shouldn’t count in each of our schools equally. “I feel I’m at a huge disadvantage as a board member because we are being

ADOT from page 9

turned into a diverging diamond interchange or a displaced left-turn interchange. The former option could have a greater negative impact on the project’s construction costs. The Casa Blanca overpass has six options for infrastructure improvements that could include roundabouts, adding turn lanes, a split diamond interchange, or replacing the existing bridge. Lopez said the overpass options will

spanked by many tonight for following science, following metrics, following the medical community and we have not met this and we chose to close the schools almost two weeks ago.” Lowe also said she was “disillusioned” by Mendivil’s revelation that the district has been relying on data from Arizona State University researchers that have not been shared with board members or parents. Mendivil and Assistant Superintendent

virus spread that includes three benchmarks – COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people, the percentage of new tests with positive results for the virus, and the percentage of hospital visits with COVID-like symptoms. Now, data released Dec. 10 showed that for the week of Nov. 29 – the latest available – there were 382 cases per 100,000, an indication of substantial spread. The percentage of positive new

I’m at a huge disadvantage as a board mem“berI feel because we are being spanked by many tonight

for following science, following metrics, following the medical community and we have not met this and we chose to close the schools almost two weeks ago.

”

– Sandy Lowe

Sean McDonald said they have an agreement with ASU not to share the data. McDonald also noted that two out-ofdistrict ZIP codes were home to more than 800 Tempe Union students and that there was a sound reason for including them in the district’s assessment of the virus threat. Board President Berdetta Hodge conceded that some nearby unified school districts – including Chandler, Higley and Mesa – are taking a school-by-school approach to closing campuses when a severe virus outbreak occurs. But she said her research shows that high school and elementary districts are doing the same thing Tempe Union is doing. The board’s lengthy discussion on Dec. 2 came the day before the county health department released its weekly data on be selected based on whether ADOT recommends widening the freeway. “As we look to narrow down to a recommended build alternative,” he stated, “it will be a combination of one of the mainline alternatives combined with one of the options from each of the crossroads.” The issue of expanding I-10 has been a recurring topic among residents for several years, yet state officials were hesitant to study the project until the Gila River Indian Community agreed to participate in the process. Since the freeway cuts through the

test results also entered the substantial spread category at 10. 7 percent and hospital visits with COVID-like symptoms had a percentage very close to that. The data for Chandler's three northern ZIP codes also showed COVID-19 surging. Cases per 100,000 were solidly in the substantial spread category with 446 in 85224, with positive tests at 13.7 and hospital visits nearly in the substantial range as well. In 85225, cases were at 488 while positivity and hospital visits essentially mirrored readings for 85224. In 85226, cases per 100,000 were at 363, though positivity and hospital visits with COVID-like symptoms were slightly lower than the other two ZIP codes. tribe’s reservation, Gila River has legal jurisdiction over the land surrounding I-10 and would have to be involved in any infrastructure additions ADOT would want to make in the future. The tribe’s support had been in question at first since Gila River has not always been welcoming to freeway projects taking place on its land. Gila River previously took the state to court in an attempt to stop the South Mountain Freeway project from getting built between Chandler and west Phoenix. The tribe’s lawsuit failed with the

Overall, the city had two of three benchmarks in the substantial spread category, with 479 cases, 12.4 percent positive new tests and 9.1 percent hospital visits with COVID-like symptoms. Neither the data not the administration’s defense of its approach to campus openings were likely to assuage parents and students whose letters were largely critical of the closure of campuses for at least the rest of this year – and possibly longer. Chandler parent Lori Bastian, who came in fourth in the race for three board seats last month, ripped what she called the district’s “mission to close schools to students, further relegating them to an online-learning abyss” and ignoring a number of scientists who say schools may be the safest place for students in the pandemic. “Every other industry and segment of society has mitigation measures to carry on,” Bastian wrote. “Are kids not worth the effort and creativity to figure this out? I am utterly disgusted that selfish adults are disregarding the needs of our children. Our schools are here to serve kids not adults. How can you tell parents you put students first when vulnerable children are suffering?” Some students echoed the remark about their suffering through online learning, expressing frustration and fear for their grades as they prepare for college. However, not all parents were critical. Parent Ruth Lindsey praised the district for going to all-virtual learning and “acting in the common good.” “I have seen teachers work magic online, but I’m aware that this magic only happens because they are devoting hours to learning new methods and new technology,” she wrote.  court ruling in favor of the state. Gila River Indian Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis expressed support for the I-10 study early on and continues to remain involved in the project’s process. “This project will benefit the community and our members in a number of ways,” Lewis said, “and provide better access to the community’s businesses and attractions that generate revenue to support our government and members.” More information on the ADOT project can be found at i10wildhorsepasscorridor.com. 

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

Parents question validity of CUSD virus data BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

andace Ditzler was surprised when she called the Chandler Unified School District to report her 9-year-old daughter had recently tested positive for COVID-19. While speaking to someone from the district’s health office, she said, Ditzler was informed that her daughter, a fourth grader at Jacobson Elementary School, would likely not be counted in the district’s public data of COVID-19 cases. CUSD started publishing numbers of COVID-19 cases at each of its 46 campuses after it returned to in-person teaching in September. The data are updated daily and show how many students and staff at each school have been infected thus far. Ditzler said she was shocked to learn the district’s data does not represent every student who tests positive for the virus. She said CUSD told her that students who were not infected on campus do not get included in the data dashboard. Because Ditzler had cautiously taken her daughter out of school a few days before getting her tested, the mother discovered her daughter’s case wasn’t considered a school-related infection. “I was really upset at that point,” Ditzler recalled. It didn’t make sense to Ditzler because she couldn’t understand how CUSD could conclude definitively her daughter was not infected on campus and would omit her from the district dashboard. “That to me seems really shady because if a kid’s positive, a kid’s positive,” she said. On Thursday, the district issued an email to parents that stresseed, "It is important to note that if a student or staff who have a confirmed positive COVID-19 test but did not participate in any on-campus activities during their infectious period are currently NOT reported on the dashboard." It said the dashboard is meant to "communicate the active confirmed cases" and that officials are "developing a process to communicate confirmed non-campus exposure cases on the dashboard – an addition that would be

Candace Ditzler, seen here with her daughter Tatum, questions the validity of Chandler Unified’s COVID-19 dashboard because her daughter was not counted because school officials said she had not contracted COVID-19 on Jacobson Elementary’s campus. (Special to the Arizonan) implemented next month. Ditzler’s situation demonstrates the complexity that goes with trying to manage and track a pandemic within a district of more than 50,000 students and employees. It also comes as COVID-19 is surging in Chandler and across Arizona. Data the county health department released Dec. 10 – the latest available – show both cases per 100,000 people and the percentage of positive tests have steadily risen district-wide. The data show that for the week of Nov. 29 show that for CUSD, cases per 100,000 had ballooned to 528 and positive new test results were at 13.6 percent – both indicating substantial virus spread. The percentage of hospital visits with COVID-like symptoms was 7.1 percent, an indication of moderate spread. The district's cases per 100,000 figure is higher than Maricopa County's. As the metrics have risen, CUSD administrators and board members have been the subject of intense scrutiny by parents looking closely at how they will handle educating hordes of children amid the pandemic. Hundreds of emails have been sent to the

district’s leaders – some demanding schools be kept open and others they be closed. CUSD officials have repeatedly found themselves making decisions that can’t satisfy both groups. Ditzler said the divisiveness among the community’s reaction to the pandemic is starting to make her lose trust in how the district is managing it. “I feel like it just keeps getting more and more political and it keeps getting to where it’s not about the children’s health anymore, it’s about making themselves look good,” she said. When the district shut down back in March, Ditzler said she went to great lengths to protect her daughter from catching COVID-19 while at home. The family rarely left the house, wore masks regularly, and limited face-to-face contact with friends. Ditzler said she had to be extra careful about avoiding COVID-19 because her mother is a cancer patient and she worries about exposing her to the virus. But within a month of Ditzler’s daughter returning to school, the fourth grader had tested positive for the virus. Ditzler said she was alerted by the district on Nov. 6 that someone in her daughter’s class had contracted the virus. The letter indicated her daughter was ruled out as someone who had close contact with the infected individual and so did not need to stay at home for two weeks. More than 1,800 students in the district have already had to go into quarantine since September. Ditzler said she questioned whether her daughter was exposed to the infected classmate and decided to take her out of school. By Nov. 15, test results came back and showed Ditzler’s daughter had caught the virus. Her daughter has been experiencing the virus’ classic symptoms for the last couple weeks, Ditzler said, and feels guilty about possibly catching the virus from one of her classmates. Now, she has been left to struggle with deciding when to send her daughter back to Jacobson Elementary. Since situations like her daughter’s might not get counted in the district’s data, Ditzler is suspicious about trusting the dashboard as a resource for helping her in that decision.

“There’s a lot of us questioning the dashboard and trying to figure out what in the world they’re doing,” Ditzler said. Kat McIntosh, who has two children attending CUSD schools, said she thinks the district’s dashboard is “misleading” and might not give the most accurate picture of the virus’ presence in classrooms. Maricopa County lists CUSD as having “substantial” risk for COVID-19 exposure on its website, she noted, yet the district uses its data to justify keeping its schools open. Last month, the district adopted new guidelines outlining when it would shut down individual schools and return to virtual learning. These guidelines are based on the rate of infection at each campus. McIntosh, a former Hamilton High School teacher, regularly tracks the number of COVID-19 cases reported at her daughter’s school, Willis Junior High, and recently noticed a change in the data that caught her attention. CUSD listed Willis as having zero active cases and three resolved cases of COVID-19 – meaning the infected students were cleared to return to school. The next day, McIntosh noticed Willis had listed four resolved cases. McIntosh was alarmed by the change since Willis had not listed any new active cases before adding another resolved case to its numbers. “There is something wonky about the reporting,” she said. “It’s just really weird.” CUSD says its numbers are based on information from the Maricopa County Public Health Department and cases voluntarily reported by families with sick children. McIntosh, a cancer survivor, has decided to have her daughter attend school once every nine days in order to limit her exposure to the virus. The district can only disenroll a student if they miss 10 consecutive days of school, she noted. McIntosh hopes CUSD will offer a virtual teaching option that will allow her daughter to receive more instruction from teachers remotely. The district’s online school is too textbased, she said, and doesn’t work for students who need more teacher instruction. “I just wish they would exercise some leadership skills and get creative,” McIntosh added.

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

Chandler restricts recreational pot sales BY KEVIN REAGAN Arizonan Staff Writer

handler City Council has passed an ordinance limiting how recreational marijuana can be sold and consumed within the city limits. In response to the passage of Proposition 207, which allows adults over 21 to possess small amounts of recreational marijuana, Council followed the lead of other neighboring municipalities in curbing how many facilities can sell the drug. In a 5-2 vote, Council authorized an ordinance on Dec. 7 that prohibits standalone dispensaries from solely selling recreational marijuana. The city will only permit licensed medical-marijuana dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana in Chandler if they obtain a special dual certification from the state. Prop 207 forbids cities from stopping such an expansion of sales. The ordinance also forbids smoking marijuana on city property and outlaws

marijuana testing facilities from operating in Chandler. Any resident found to be in violation of Chandler’s ordinance could be subject to a civil citation and fee. Council members Mark Stewart and Jeremy McClymonds voted against the regulations because they thought the rules unfairly benefited the single medical dispensary operating in Chandler. “We need to prevent the monopoly,” Stewart said. Chandler presently has one medicalmarijuana dispensary located within the city limits and a couple more stationed on county land surrounding the city. According to the ordinance, Chandler would only permit these types of medical dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana. Chandler’s ordinance is similar to regulations recently introduced in Mesa, Gilbert and Scottsdale in preventing the proliferation of recreational marijuana facilities. Chandler City Attorney Kelly Schwab

said Prop 207 allows municipalities to decide how they want to regulate the delivery, marketing or sale of recreational pot. Cities have the option to limit the number of recreational dispensaries or outright ban them. Prop. 207 further empowers municipalities to restrict these dispensaries to specific regions within the city. “The thing the city cannot do is prevent a medical-marijuana dispensary that has a dual license from selling recreational,” Schwab said, adding that Chandler’s ordinance “complies 100 percent with the initiative as approved by the voters.” If Chandler had not passed its ordinance, Schwab said recreational dispensaries could essentially open up in any retail space across the city. The state has yet to issue regulations for selling recreational weed and likely won’t until April. Chandler’s zoning codes only account for medical dispensaries, she explained, and don’t address recreational dispensa-

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Nov. 28 – Jan. 3 Downtown’s Chandler Sugarland Downtown Chandler

Nov. 28-Dec. 22

Nov. 28 – Jan. 3 Downtown Chandler Holiday Lights

Chandler Museum

Dec. 5 | 2-8 p.m. Chandler Fire Department Toy Drive Chandler Fashion Center

Dec. 5 | 6 p.m. Tumbleweed Tree Lighting: A Re-Imagined Tradition

Downtown Chandler

Nov. 29 | 1-5 p.m. Chandler Museum Store Sunday

Dec. 5 – Jan. 3 Lit Tumbleweed Tree

Dec. 1 - 22 Tis the Season for Giving: Food Drive Various Drop-Off Locations

Dec. 4-20 S’more Holiday Fun

Chandler Fashion Center

chandleraz.gov/ChandlerForTheHolidays

Dec. 5 – Jan. 10 Tumbleweed Tree: A Very Chandler Christmas

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ries. An amendment to the city’s zoning code takes longer than passing an ordinance, Schwab said, so an ordinance was the most efficient method for responding to the passage of Prop 207 last month. “This is very new to the state of Arizona,” the city attorney added. “We have not seen any regulations from the Department of Health Services yet.” Once the state rolls out new regulations, Schwab said Council could revisit its ordinance. “Right now, we really don’t know what the Department of Health Services is going to do on regulating this,” she said. Prop 207 specifically instructs the Department of Health to issue up to 36 licenses for new recreational dispensaries in parts of Arizona that have been negatively impacted by the criminalization of marijuana consumption. “The purpose of this program is to is-

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see WEED page 19

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

First virus vaccine doses expected here this week BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

rizonans in the highest priority categories of risk or need could get their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine this week. But they won’t be risk-free for weeks after that. And it won’t be until summer or early fall before everyone who wants to get inoculated will be able to do so. Pima and Maricopa counties will divide up Arizona’s first allocation of COVID-19 vaccines while rural areas will have to wait a little while longer. Steve Elliott, spokesman for the state Department of Health Services, said it’s not a question of deciding that urban residents are entitled to a higher priority. He said it’s a matter of practicality. The first vaccine set to arrive will be from Pfizer, which has to be kept at -70 degrees Celsius – or about 94 degrees below zero on the Fahrenheit scale. That requires access to special equipment. And then there’s the requirement that

shipments come in minimum doses of 975. “The big lots and handling requirements of the Pfizer vaccine make it better suited to places where many people can be vaccinated in one place in a finite

period,’’ Elliot said. Maricopa County will get 46,800 doses by the end of December, with 11,700 for Pima. The vaccine developed by Moderna. That needs to be kept only at minus 20

Celsius, or about minus 4 Fahrenheit, more like a regular freezer. Moderna will ship out the vaccine in lots of a minimum of just 100. State health officials report that 593 health care providers have completed the approval process and are certified to start administering the vaccine when it arrives. Another more than 1,200 are in the pipeline. They also reported that every skilled nursing facility in Arizona has opted to participate in a program by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide vaccinations to all residents and staff. Both of the vaccines require a second dose, within 21 or 28 days, to be fully effective. Under the state plan, the top priority for immunization will be health care workers, particularly those working directly with patients. Also in the first group will be home health aides, nursing assistants and medical assistants. After them come residents of skilled

see VACCINES page 17

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VACCINES from page 16

nursing facilities and independent and assisted living centers. The second-priority people include adults with high-risk medical conditions living in shelters or other congregate living settings. Then there are the teachers, about 146,000 of them, along with police, corrections officers and other emergency response workers. This group also includes others who work at schools including bus drivers, cafeteria workers and front-office staff that deal with children. After that come workers for utility companies and then people in food industries including those at grocery stores and restaurants, transportation

workers like those who drive trucks and buses as well as gas station employees. Also, in that second group are other “essential workers” which the state says includes everything from financial services to funeral home employees. The next priority would be nearly 2.3 million Arizonans with underlying medical conditions like obesity, heart diseases and chronic lung disease. Then there are more than 1.2 million Arizonans older than 65 not in high-priority groups. This category also includes those confined to prisons and jails. But Christ said that inmates who have underlying medical conditions may, on an individual basis, be moved into a higher category. That leaves everyone else as supplies become available – and as people choose to get vaccinated.

17 CITY NEWS

State health director Dr. Cara Christ said that even with a public relations campaign aimed at those who appear most hesitant, she knows there will be those who refuse. All this assumes that the system of delivering and administering the vaccine works as planned. “So, it’s really important that everyone continue taking precautions even after being vaccinated to ensure that everyone is protected,’’ Christ said. She said procedures are being set up to ensure that people come back for the second dose. Even after everyone who wants to be inoculated is served, that doesn’t end the matter. “What we don’t know is how long that immunity lasts,’’ Christ said.

She said it could end up being a situation like the flu, where people have to get revaccinated on a regular basis, or whether it will be like the measles where there is a need for a “booster’’ after a certain period of time. “Those kinds of studies will still be ongoing,’’ Christ said. Christ said the state has no plans to force the shots on anyone. But she said that employers, particularly those whose workers deal with the public – and especially those who are vulnerable – are free to impose such a requirement. The government is providing the vaccine without cost to those who agree to administer it. And she said that insurance companies have agreed to waive any outof-network deductibles as to what providers charge for giving the shots.

Study shows erratic nature of COVID-19 spread BY ANTHONY J. WALLACE Cronkite News

esearch from Arizona and beyond suggests the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can spread erratically, making some infected people “superspreaders” and others dead ends for transmission. This can create clusters or “microhotspots” – neighborhoods, schools, towns or other small geographic areas where the virus runs rampant – even while communities next door remain relatively unscathed. These concentrated outbreaks aren’t included in the Arizona Department of Health Service’s COVID-19 data dashboard, which breaks down cases by county. Dr. Peter Plantes, an internal medicine specialist, works with hc1, a health care data analysis company that recently launched a COVID-19 dashboard explaining the dynamics of the pandemic in new detail. The company partners with more than 20,000 labs across the U.S. that quickly share the results of COVID-19 tests, along with the patient’s address. The firm then calculates the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests by city and, in some cases, neighborhood. Plantes said the patient information they receive from labs is subject to privacy laws.

Efrem Lim, a virologist with Arizona State University, said research indicates that it is possible that some people may shed more virus than others, but an undoubtedly important factor is the choices an infected person makes. (Special to the Arizonan) For example, the platform’s Maryvale east zone in Phoenix, showed a percent positivity of more than 29 percent – nearly double the recent positivity rate for Maricopa County and is second only to the Yuma zone for highest in the state. Conversely, the Tempe north zone just 10 miles away had a positivity rate of about 11 percent over the same time period – the lowest of all zones across Arizona.

“I often think of it like radar in weather,” Plantes said. “A weather front can go through a town, and a tornado, thunderstorm or hailstorm can be happening in one part of the county and yet the other part of the county has sunshine.” Plantes’ dashboard uses data from about 1.1 million COVID-19 tests administered in Arizona – or about 42 percent of the total reported by the Department of

Health Services. Will Humble, former director of the department who now is executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, said this kind of data is particularly useful for those making policy decisions regarding smaller geographic areas, such as school districts. The virus can crop up in clusters, he suggested, because it can pass so easily from one person to another, especially in certain environments. “It is distinguished from influenza, for example. What you see with influenza is a more sporadic type of situation,” Humble said. “This virus is more contagious than influenza … especially with certain environments like bars and nightclubs.” According to data compiled by hc1, the COVID-19 positivity rate for those 20-29 years old in Scottsdale was 24 percent in May, when hordes of young people were seen at local bars and clubs. In August, after bars were closed most of the month under an executive order from Gov. Doug Ducey, the percent positive for that age group in Scottsdale dropped to 8 percent. Research from around the world supports the idea that transmission of the virus can be feast or famine.

see SPREAD page 18

CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

spread from page 17

In one notable case from Washington state in March, one sick member of a choir sang in a room with 60 other people for two and a half hours. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found that 87 percent of the people there got sick; three were hospitalized and two died. On the other hand, stories abound about people living in close contact with an infected person for weeks without getting sick. With COVID-19, it appears that a small number of infected people often are responsible for widespread transmission. Efrem Lim is a virologist with Arizona State University who leads his institution’s collaboration with the Arizona COVID-19 Genomics Union, an alliance of researchers from across the state that collects viral samples, sequences their genomes and shares the findings. What they’ve found is the virus is constantly mutating, albeit usually in a way that doesn’t make it more or less dangerous to humans, Lim said. These tiny changes, however, do cause it to leave a paper trail in its genetic code as it spreads from person to person. If

someone has an identical version of the virus as another, they likely contracted it from that person, or at least the chain of transmission between the two is short. The researchers have examined more than 3,000 positive samples and recently

published an analysis of their data in the American Society for Microbiology journal mBio. They found that the virus started circulating in Arizona in February and these first instances of community spread were

imported from the outbreak in Washington state. Lim’s group determined that the state’s first COVID-19 case – a member of the ASU community who had recently returned from China – resulted in no additional cases. “So that was the opposite of a superspreader, someone who was very compliant, followed the rules, isolated, and there you go,” Lim said. “You see evidence of it completely shutting down the chain of transmission.” Their data also showed where one infection resulted in many others, whether through a single superspreader event or through a chain of transmission. This quality of the virus – that some can give it to no one and others to many – does not have to do with its genetics, Lim said. For various reasons, he added, it is possible that some people may shed more virus than others, but an undoubtedly important factor is the choices an infected person makes. “A lot of it is actually driven by human behavior, which is why it’s important that people should still keep wearing a mask,” Lim said. 

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

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Man arrested in missing Chandler woman’s slaying ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

olice have arrested a man in connection with the slaying of a Chandler woman who initially was reported missing in October. Timothy Sullivan, 61, was arrested in Tempe a few days after Chandler Police identified him as a person of interest in the slaying of Amy “Ruby” Leagans. Leagans’ family reported her missing Oct. 27 after they had not heard from her in a week. Police Department found her remains Nov. 17 near a river bottom at 3100 South Central Avenue. Chandler Police said when they arrested Sullivan around Mill Avenue and Base-

WEED from page 15

sue recreational dispensary licenses to people who come from communities that have historically been adversely affected by marijuana-related law enforcement policies,” public records state. Arizona first legalized medical marijuana in 2010 and nearly 280,000 residents currently have state-issued cards to obtain medical marijuana at one of the 120 dispensaries located throughout the state. Chandler has been known in the past for strictly regulating when and where medical dispensaries can set up shop.

line Road, they discovered he had tried to change his appearance by shaving his head. Chandler Police said the homicide occurred at 1320 N. McQueen Road but provided no additional details. The affidavit of probable cause for Sullivan’s arrest was sealed under court order. However, one report based on the affidavit before it was sealed said Sullivan strangled the victim because he "lost it," buried her first in Scottsdale, then exhumed the body and dismembered it. Police records show Sullivan has convictions for domestic violence, DUI, assault and other charges. He was booked into the county jail on a second-degree murder charge.

In 2011, Council denied an application for what would have been its first marijuana dispensary because it was too close to residential neighborhoods and Chandler Regional Medical Center. The city’s new ordinance won’t interfere with a resident’s ability to legally obtain recreational marijuana, said Councilman Terry Roe, because they will still have several retail options across the Valley. “It will be available,” Roe said. “So, no one is being deprived and it was passed by the voters,” Roe said. “But we do have a process and I don’t think anybody is going to go without.”

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

Samauri Comics opening Chandler location BY JASON PETERS Arizonan Contributor

rizona’s Samurai Comics, which already has locations in Phoenix, Mesa and Glendale, is expanding to Chandler. Owners Mike and Moryha Banks confirmed to the Nerdvana blog that the new Samurai Comics location will be at 1994 N. Alma School Road, in the Warner Plaza neighborhood shopping center. “2020 continues to be crazy,” he said. “In April I was wondering if we would have to close down one or more of the stores and here we are in December with all three stores doing well and working on opening a fourth.” Samurai, also at 1120 S. Country Club Drive in Mesa, found an “absolutely perfect” site in Chandler, Banks said. “I was there today for a little while and people kept walking by and stopping and looking in. I feel really good about it,”

see SAMAURI page 21

Samauri Comics owners Mike and Moryha Banks, seen here with their children, are excited bout their new Chandler location. (Jayson

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21 CITY NEWS

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SAMAURI from page 20

Banks said. “Of all of our various locations, this one offers the most foot traffic of all.” Mike Banks credits Moryha’s initiative and hustle for securing the location, just as she did when launching the business in Mesa when Atomic Comics closed up shop back in 2011. “We’ve always subscribed to the idea of comic shops being ‘destination locations’ – you build it and the fans will come,” he said. “And I do believe that is true. Paying high rent rates to be in next to some big anchor store never made sense to me. “Our Phoenix store is our top earner, and our only neighboring business is a small sandwich place, Luke’s of Chicago. That store has great visibility though, which helps our walk-in business.” At a time when most small businesses are struggling, Mike Banks recognizes that Samurai Comics – which has faced its own struggles in the pandemic – is fortunate to be expanding its footprint. “We didn’t really have any intention of opening another store – especially not now,” he said. “That being said, I’m always scouting out new locations for possible store moves, new stores, etc. “In this case, the lease on our Mesa store ends the middle of next year. We wanted to do our due diligence and see what was open in the area just in case. My daughter had a cross country meet in Chandler, and due to COVID concerns parents weren’t allowed to be spectators,” he continued. “Most of the parents dropped their kids off and went to get breakfast, Me? I drove around the area scouting possible comic shop locations.” The Bankses looked at several shopping centers and developed a new ap-

preciation for Chandler. “We live in the heart of central Phoenix and other than going to our Mesa store, are rarely in the East Valley,” Mike Banks said. “I was impressed with the energy of the area. So many great schools and neighborhoods – a key component for us since we’ve worked so hard to be a family-oriented business.” Even better? The new storefront is pretty much ready to go. “Every single store we have built has involved a LOT of work— tearing down walls, putting up walls, new floors, slat wall, the list goes on,” he explained. “This spot though already had slat wall throughout and a counter area ready to go — a total pop-up store opportunity.” The surrounding businesses are a good fit as well, Banks said. “There is a lot of synergy there with our business and some of the neighbors, like Sweeties, an AMAZING huge store filled with every type of candy you can imagine, from nostalgic favorites, to cool specialty candy with pop culture relevance. There is a great coffee shop — SoZo. Some great eateries like Zorba’s Greek Cafe …” Banks said making this move in the middle of a pandemic and the associated economic uncertainty reminds him of when the couple moved their original store during the 2008 recession housing market collapse. “We were on the ropes, trying to figure out what we were going to do if we had to close our business. Our lease was coming up, and instead of doing the sensible thing and renegotiating for less rent and staying put, we moved the store to a spot twice as big for a little more rent … “That turned out to be one of the best moves we ever made.”

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CASTEEL from page 1

able. She also expressed optimism at the prospect of leaving CUSD in a stable place for her successor. “We have a great deal to accomplish over the next several months – all while staying true to our core values,” she wrote. Casteel gave no public indication during Wednesday’s public board meeting that she was planning to retire. That meeting was dominated by a complicated debate over the district’s virtual instruction options. Students have had a choice between enrolling in the Chandler Online Academy or learning in classrooms, but some parents have demanded a virtual model that would allow students to remotely participate in an in-person class through digital applications like Google Classrooms. On Wednesday, the board voted 4-0 to direct district staff to come up with a new plan that allows the district’s junior and high school students to learn from home virtually for the first two weeks of January. Permitting students to learn virtually for the whole spring semester was not considered sustainable due to the additional work it might generate for teachers. The decision was considered a temporary compromise between those students and parents concerned about a continuing surge in COVID-19 over the holidays and those who want uninterrupted in-person classes. Not all the details of this possible learning option were revealed Wednesday since the board only voted for administrators to come up with a plan. Board member David Evans said he saw a need for a third choice that allows some students to continue learning with their designated teacher and classmates without anxiety over coming on campus. Board member Lindsay Love, who abstained from voting, said she wanted staff to present a full plan for virtual learning options. “Why even put this on the agenda if there was no plan?” Love asked. “I don’t

know what we’re talking about.” Love said she expected more from CUSD – especially since the district is about to recess for the holidays and two new members will be joining the board next month. “We don’t even really have a plan. It’s just us kicking the can down the road again.” she said. CUSD teachers asked the district the day after the meeting to go to all-virtual learning and some were organizing a sick-out at the district's high schools Friday, although it was unclear at the Arizonan's deadline whether that would materialize. Casteel acknowledged the lack of consistency CUSD has demonstrated since the pandemic began, but argued her administration has had to rapidly adapt to circumstances that keep changing from week to week. The decisions made by CUSD have caused divisions within the district, Casteel said, and administrators have had varying opinions on how the district should respond to the pandemic. “We don’t all agree with each other,” the superintendent said. “There is not consensus but I know we’re all well-intentioned.” Casteel apologized to any families angered by the district’s choices over the last few months and insisted the pandemic forced CUSD into a series of “nowin” predicaments. “I’m sorry that we’ve disappointed some of our staff and families,” Casteel said during Wednesday’s meeting. “It’s not like we wake up in the morning and say, ‘Well how can we upset people today?’” Casteel’s tenure at CUSD may be ending during one of the district’s more turbulent periods, but the superintendent has helped it navigate through many years of growth and expansion. When she was appointed superintendent in 1996, the district had about 15,000 students and 17 campuses. CUSD currently has over 44,000 students and recently opened its 47th campus this year.

GOT NEWS?

Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timespublications.com

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

23 COMMUNITY

Former Chandler man plans grueling fundraiser ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

o a couch potato, Keith Eckert may seem like a glutton for punishment. The former Chandler resident and 2009 Hamilton High grad has run two 200-mile races where one was 243 miles; four 100-mile races with one finished in 23 hours and 40 minutes; swam 16 miles, which took him nine hours; and has run another 350-mile marathon in the freezing temperatures of Alaska. He doesn’t do it just for fun. Rather, Eckert and three active Navy SEALS are doing this for the SEAL Future Foundation, which helps former SEALS transition to civilian life. And for that cause, he is now training for another Alaskan run that is nearly three times longer than the one he ran earlier this year.

Former Chandler resident Keith Eckert is pushing his body to the limit as he prepares for a 350-mile marathon in freezing temperatures in the Alaska wilderness. (Courtesy of Keither Eckert)

He’ll be running in the Iditarod Trail Invitational 1000, the world’s longest running winter ultra-marathon that takes participants through the far reaches of the Alaskan wilderness to the famed burled arch in Nome, where the famed dog sled race ends. Participants have 30 days to finish 1,000 miles across some of the world’s most treacherous terrain and brutal conditions, where the weather quickly changes and slams participants from -50F to 35F temperatures, gale force winds, rain, blizzards, waist-deep snow, mud, glare ice and bright sunny skies – often in the same day. Though he is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy who joined the highly competitive process of becoming a SEAL, a training accident not only disqualified

see IDITEROD page 25

Chandler teacher honored for innovative approach BY KEVIN REAGAN Staff Writer

achna Nath, a biology teacher at Arizona College Prep-Erie, has been named Arizona Technology Council Teacher of the Year. Nath was selected by the council from a group of applicants as the state’s top educator because of her commitment to encouraging students to think innovatively and creatively about their education. Her students have already been recognized for their advanced projects aiming to solve relatable issues involving the environment, technology and health care. They have invented products, marketed them, and attempted to sell them on the open market. Four provisional patents have been obtained by Nath’s science students over

Rachna Nath

the last couple years and two more are pending, she said. Though she is not sure who nominated her for the council’s award, Nath said she’s thankful to be recognized for work that she genuinely enjoys. “That is something that is really fulfilling because you know that someone in the community really appreciates you for what you do for their kids,” she said. Nath earned a $1,500 award that she plans to spend on supplies for her students to carry out their future projects. In addition to teaching several science courses, Nath oversees several of Erie’s after-school clubs that allow students to study topics not commonly covered in the standard curriculum like biophysics, fossils and nutrition. Nath’s research club instructs pupils how to develop entrepreneurial ventures, collect their own data, and apply

for grant funding. She said it’s easy motivating her students to come up with innovative ideas once they understand the long-term impact a successful project could have on their professional careers. “I do what I do not for the recognition but to see the kids’ faces when they make something, establish a company, apply for a patent,” Nath said. Nath’s own education journey is a testament to her tenacity and strength of character. After earning a master’s degree in entomology and immigrating to the United States from India, Nath attempted to enroll in a doctoral program to continue her studies. But she struggled to find a program willing to take her on and her career be-

see TEACHER page 24

COMMUNITY

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

Chandler Girl Scout earns Gold Award

community, with 60 percent of former Girl Scouts currently involved in volunteer work, community service or public office. Bozik soon realized that working towards this goal did not come without some challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic which created a challenge of its own. “My original plan was to create signs as permanent public fixtures in a park,” Bozik said. “But due to city building codes that wasn’t something I could do and then COVID-19 happened, which really impacted my motivation to continue

the project.” While fighting through the extra stress of COVID-19, Bozik revised the original Gold Award plan to instead create a website “Stigma Ends Here,” found at : : robinontheinternet.wixsite.com/stigmaendshere. It provides information on mental health issues, offers tips for people to counter stigma when they see it and experience it in their own lives and provides external resources for further education as well as research and downloadable educational content. While becoming a Gold Award Girl Scout, Bozik has learned two valuable lessons along the way: “I struggle with being a perfectionist which made me apprehensive to release my project because even though it was done, I felt there were more ways to perfect it,” Bozik said. “I had to learn that you can’t carry the world alone but to be content with doing my absolute best. I also learned that it is ok to ask for help and to trust those that you ask to help you.” By doing research for free alternatives for elements that Bozik wanted on the website, the project and website were both executed at no cost. “After COVID-19 hit, I knew I wanted to make sure my project was accessible to as many people as possible,” says Bozik. “I was able to share my website through

an email forum at MIT to reach both current students and alumni and share it with Girl Scouts around the country.” Since its launch in August 2020, Bozik’s website as reached almost 300 unique visitors. “My Gold Award project and experience in Girl Scouts made me the person that I am today,” Bozik said. “As a non-binary person, I found acceptance within the Girl Scouts and through the years I have learned how to advocate for myself, do what is right, and not let fear hold me back.” Bozik is currently a freshman at Clark University in Massachusetts, double majoring in biology and English with plans to attend graduate school for biology and pursue a career in genetic counseling. “I was scared that going across the country for college would be too much for me, but I had the strength because of Girl Scouts,” Bozik said. “Through the years, Girl Scouts provided me with the foundation to take a risk and because of that, I am having a great college experience.” In the future, Bozik also looks forward to being a role model to both trans and non-binary people in Girl Scouts. “There are great opportunities in Girl Scouts and people that will support who you are, even if the socialized norm of female identity doesn’t apply to you,” Bozik said.

a job at ACP-Erie in 2017. Her life hasn’t been the same since she started teaching in Chandler, she said. The rapport Nath’s developed with her students is extraordinary, she said, and her classroom has become a safe place for students to explore their scientific imagination. “They see me as a person whom they can trust – whom they can carry the torch forward for.” Nath’s innovation journey started a couple of years ago after stumbling upon an email in her spam folder advertising a grant opportunity from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She encouraged her students to con-

sider entering the contest by coming up with a scientific project they were passionate about. Her students didn’t win the grant, but Nath said the experience pushed her to seek out any opportunity she could find that could help her students win grant funding. Since then, Nath’s been praised by Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke by her ability to push her students to their greatest potential. Her students have attracted publicity for inventions that can monitor a patient’s body temperature in real time, purify water and boost WiFi signals, among others.

Even if a project or invention doesn’t turn out as expected, Nath said she’s quick to remind her students to never give up and to keep trying. “I feel that I’m just creating people who are not afraid of failure, who are not afraid to make mistakes, who are not afraid to go the extra mile to make their dreams come true,” Nath added. And despite her successes, Nath said she doesn’t think of herself as doing anything beyond what any other teacher would do for their students. “I consider myself a very normal teacher who just tries to help the kids as much as they want,” she said.

BY AUTUMN JARRETT Contributor

fter Chandler resident Robin Bozik, a Girl Scout with the Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, faced discrimination related to mental illness first-hand and witnessed it among friends, Bozik knew it was decided something needed to be done. Bozik wanted to develop a tool to educate others about mental illness in hopes of reducing the stigma. “What I saw was that my friends and classmates weren’t able to achieve everything that they were capable of because people saw their mental illness first and then limited them because of that,” said Bozik. “It’s the stigma that limits them, not the illness,” Bozik explained. “And this inspired me to do something to help reduce the stigma with my Gold Award.” The Gold Award is the highest honor available to high-school-aged Girl Scouts, requiring a minimum of 80 hours of work on a project that creates a sustainable solution to a problem that they have identified in their communities. After spending nearly 10 years as a Girl Scout, the Gold Award is something that Bozik dreamed of achieving since her early years of Scouting. Historically, many Gold Award recipients go on to become leaders in their

TEACHER from page 23

gan to flounder. She accepted an adjunct teaching position at Mesa Community College and worked her way into Arizona State University’s honey bee lab by handing out her resume to unsuspecting professors. One of them took a chance and let Nath volunteer her time studying honey bees in an attempt to potentially earn a doctoral degree. But Nath’s plan was interrupted when her advisor relocated to Germany before she could finish her degree. Not one to feel discouraged, Nath decided to return to teaching by accepting

Robin Bozik

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

25 COMMUNITY

IDITEROD from page 23

him but ended his Naval career after three years in 2017. His parents, siblings and nephews all live in Chandler, Mesa and Gilbert and he stays in touch with numerous friends from his high school days, including Chandler Councilman Matt Orlando. Back when he attended Hamilton, Eckert was on the wrestling team. He and his three SEAL friends have an ambitious goal for the Iditarod Trail Invitational 1000, which will be held next February. Indeed, training seems as exhausting as the actual event, including legstrengthening exercises and running a minimum 60 miles a week. “The idea is to train only enough to where we do not injure ourself leading up to the race,” he said. He puts his body through such a punishing pace because of his belief in the SEAL Future Foundation. “It’s an outstanding organization that has personally helped a dear friend of mine and former Navy SEAL diagnosed

Keith Eckert is participating in the Itarod Trail Invitational to support a group that helps former Navy Seals. (Courtesy of Keith Eckert)

with multiple sclerosis,” Eckert said. “The right cause is one worth fighting and struggling for. This race will no doubt test our physical and mental fortitude. That is why we are doing it. Who knows, maybe we will inspire others to test their physical and mental limits.” The group has expanded its mission to provide wellness, mental health and family well-being services. “Initially our focus was on scholarships, jobs searches, placement and mentoring,” co-founder Jonathan Wilson says on the group’s website. “We were the destination to ensure SEALs a successful personal and professional transition, but we also wanted to help them

live a life of purpose and fulfillment within their communities.” Last year’s Alaskan marathon was grueling, Eckert said. “The weather would drop to -50 at its lowest,” he recalled. “I would walk 35 miles a day dragging my 60-pound sled behind me. It took me 10 days to complete the 350 miles. “The biggest challenge was keeping my drinking water from freezing and eating my frozen solid food. As soon as I finished, I wondered if completing 1000 miles in those conditions was possible, that is what is bringing me back to Alaska.” He figures the 1,000-mile venture will take all 30 days allotted for competitors. “What I will change from last year’s race is have a warmer sleeping bag,” he said. “My old sleeping bag was rated from -20 degrees, so sleeping in it at night was miserable. I will also change how I carried water. Not being able to drink much was terrible.” Eckert is hoping his East Valley friends will help support him. To sign up as a donor: sealff.org/iditarod-trailinvitational.

Chandler family helps hospice families BY LIN SUE COONEY Guest Writer

or the past four years, Amber Kovarik of Chandler has donated dozens of Thanksgiving meals to Hospice of the Valley patients and families impacted by cancer. She says it’s a gift of gratitude in memory of her sister Shannon, who received such compassionate care at the agency’s Dobson Home in 2017. After Shannon’s death at age 32, Kovarik started Shannon’s Giving, a foundation to help families who recently lost a loved one to cancer or have someone so sick that the thought of putting on a Thanksgiving dinner is completely overwhelming. “I know how tough life can be when you have a loved one in hospice and my hope with Shannon’s Giving is to be able to shed some light on a dark time,” said Kovarik, a branch manager and loan officer for Guild Mortgage in Chandler. On Thanksgiving eve, 90 Thanksgiving

Chandler resident Amer Kovarik enlisted her dad, Dave, and her daughters Jade, left, and Tatum to deliver meals to Hospice of the Valley patients on Thanksgiving Eve. (Courtesy

of Hospice of the Valley)

meals from a Whole Foods store in Chandler were delivered to families under Hospice of the Valley care in Maricopa and Pinal counties, and to inpatient care homes including Dobson Home in Mesa,

Lund Home in Gilbert and Eckstein Center in Scottsdale. “It is such an honor to be able to do this and it would not be possible without the support from Hospice of the Valley,”

Kovarik said. “It is so important for me to give back to HOV and their patients because HOV gave so much to me. The passing of my sister was the hardest and most emotional experience of my life,” she continued. “The way our HOV caregivers handled this extremely trying time was incredible. They coached us through it and felt like family to us.” This was the fourth year of Shannon’s Giving with Hospice of the Valley, which identified the patients and families receiving the meals and assisted with deliveries. But it was the first year for her father, who flew in from Florida. Her husband and daughters, 7-yearold Tatum and 5-year-old Jade, also got involved. “It was incredibly special to have all of them with me helping deliver meals and spread love to over 100 families!” she said. Lin Sue Cooney is community engagement director for Hospice of the Valley. For information on services and programs, visit hov.org or call 602-530-6900.

BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

Chandler apparel company launches foundation ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

tate Forty Eight in Chandler has prided itself on selling pride. Founders-owners Stephen and Nick Polando and Mike Spangenberg explain on their website that their apparel “represents a lifestyle, a sense of community and is an expression of pride” that they are all about “redefining the status-quo and inspiring others to rise up and stand for something they believe.” So it’s not surprising that the sevenyear-old firm launched a foundation this month, starting with a virtual fundraiser last week. “It has always been the prerogative of State Forty Eight to do good by empowering others to do good,” the company said in a release, noting its past and current partnerships with local organizations and causes. Those alliances have “always been at the forefront of their business model,” it said, adding that State Forty Eight has donated more than $100,000 in cash and in-kind services to local charities. In 2019, State Forty Eight began an initiative called Community Impact, which was dedicated to “community outreach, engagement and connected the State Forty Eight fan base with local causes, events, or volunteer opportunities.” “Upon seeing the incredible support that we received for our Community Impact efforts, we were inspired to initiate our very own 501c3,” said CEO Michael Spangenberg. “We are excited to increase our footprint in Arizona through the work we do in the foundation.” The company‘s blog explained that it wanted to “inspire actionable giving that will contribute to wellbeing of our community and create a platform for local organizations to be seen, heard and supported. “We were blown away by the support,” it added. “In our first year, we managed

In creating a foundation, State Forty Eight is hoping to create more community efforts like the event it sponsored in 2019, enlisting 250 volunteers to pack emergency food bags for United Food Bank to give to needy families. (State Forty Eight)

to draw out more than 250 volunteers and donate more than $21,000 to local charities and nonprofit organizations.” The State Forty Eight Foundation defines its mission by saying it intends “to enrich and strengthen Arizona through thoughtful partnerships, inspired community action, and investment in the changemakers of tomorrow.” It envisions listing community support “to launch and build out programming, such as volunteer events, youth mentorship and entrepreneur development, that will benefit Arizonans for years to come.” “Through fundraising efforts and volunteer-driven events, we aim to be a catalyst for change and unification across

Arizona by bringing together nonprofit organizations, public agencies, businesses, and individuals with common goals and hopeful resolutions for the community,” the company said in a blog, which continued: “Through mentorship, workshops, and with the help of our community partners, we offer supportive programming for Arizona youth that teaches them valuable and practical life skills, but also promotes a positive self-esteem and strong leadership skills." The foundation also plans to partner with incubator organizations and help start-ups. The fundraiser was hosted by author and foundation Director Zach Hall and

Cardinals team reporter Lisa Matthews and featured “inspiring conversations with four Arizona leaders and community movers and shakers. Guest speakers included: Debbie Castaldo, Diamondbacks leader of corporate and community impact; Thomas Barr, executive director of Local First Arizona; Jake Arians, son of NFL Coach Bruce Arians and president of the Arians Family Foundation; and Lady La, TV personality and founder of Mahalo Made. Though the fundraiser is over, people can still help the foundation. Donations can be made to StateFortyEightFoundation.org. Information: statefortyeight.com.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

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SPORTS

Sports

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

Hamilton offensive coach a gladiator, firefighter BY TALIA MASSI Cronkite News

ark Tucker never wanted to be just some average kid from Los Angeles. Today, the Hamilton High School offensive line coach has a long list of accomplishments. He is a mentor, role model and protector for many, and embodies the spirit of Hamilton High. He has given much to each and every community that has been a part of his life. To understand Tucker’s extraordinary influence, it’s best to start at the beginning of his extraordinary story. Tucker grew up in a single-parent home with his mom, Merceil, in Los Angeles. They were on public assistance, but his mom worked under-the-table jobs to make ends meet. She would tell him, “I didn’t get my education, but I am going to make sure that you get yours.”

Hamilton High School’s Mark Tucker enjoys coaching the school’s offensive lineman. (Photo courtesy Mark Tucker)

Tucker ended up at Banning High School in Wilmington, California. He didn’t want to be just some average kid, so he decided to play football. It turned into an opportunity for him to get a higher education. Banning was a football powerhouse in the 1970s and 80s. Tucker was an offensive lineman and was named to the AllState Underclass team as a junior and the South Bay Lineman of the Year as a senior. His persistence and athletic excellence gave him a full-ride scholarship to the University of Southern California, where he was a four-year starter at offensive guard. He was All Pac-10 as a sophomore and senior, second team as a junior and first team All-American as a senior. USC went 35-12-2 when Tucker was there and went to three Rose Bowls. When Tucker was in college, the goto major was public administration. He didn’t even know what it meant at the

see TUCKER page 29

Chandler therapy dog part of the pack

BY ZACH ALVIRA Sports Editor

fter every home game, Chandler head football coach Rick Garretson meets his wife, Wendy, and his kids at the north end zone at Austin Field. It’s there he greets his family and takes the leash of his German Shepherd, Jax, who is a certified therapy dog. The two then walk toward the team huddle where Jax is met with boisterous cheers and many pats and scratches. “The boys love him,” said Wendy, who brought Jax and the Garretson’s other German Shepherd, 2-year-old Gracie, to Chandler’s Thanksgiving morning walkthrough practice. “When they come out, they all notice

Jax, Chandler head coach Rick Garretson’s certified therapy dog, is part of the pack with the football program, often referred to as “50-point Jax.” (JJ Digos/Contributor)

him right away. And he just feeds off their energy and loves being out here.” Often referred to as “50-point Jax,” he has established himself as a good luck charm of sorts for the Wolves. Wendy first brought him to a Chandler football game when the team was in California playing Corona Centennial. Chandler, already an established powerhouse, scored 49 points in a close loss to the out-of-state power. The nickname, and legend of luck Jax brings to the program, carried on from there. Since that first win, the Wolves have gone 59-4, winning four straight championships and are two wins away from their fifth. “He’s not a wolf but he kind of looks like

see THERAPY page 29

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

SPORTS 29

TUCKER from page 28

TV, Tucker was at a crossroads trying to find his purpose. He was drawn to being a teacher. He started off helping out at a Juvenile Corrections Facility. He became a mentor to at-risk youth at Arizona Boys Ranch. Three years came and went, and Tucker started to develop fatigue from being a mentor to some difficult “students.” He made the switch to teach children in a more positive and motivating environment at Hamilton. Tucker started out as a substitute, but the demands on teachers increased and the paycheck didn’t. Tucker had to provide for his family, so he became a Phoenix fireman. He loved to work out and the training was very similar to being an athlete. “It’s a natural fit for guys that are athletes. It just further carries on that aspect of your life you lose as an athlete, you pick up as a firefighter,” Tucker said. He was recently promoted to engineer with E11 “C” Shift: “The guy who gets to drive the big red truck,” he joked. He spends 24 hours every third day down at the station. His “team” is his family. “The fire station is like a big locker room. We hang out, we cook together, we work out together,” Tucker added. The longest and most current of all Tucker’s endeavors is being the offen-

sive line coach at Hamilton. He started at the school when it first opened in 1998, and the rest is history. “Coach Tuck is Hamilton football,” coach Mike Zdebski said. Tucker loves Hamilton because he has never felt more accepted by his colleagues and he simply loves being around the kids. He is driven by his ability to shape his players and prepare them for real-world problems and situations. And after more than two decades, Tucker still feels right at home. “It’s the people, it’s the kids, it’s not the building, but it’s everything about this building,” Tucker said. It’s not just the football program that is successful, but as a whole, the school excels at almost everything they do. The founding principal Fred DePrez had a vision and saw it though. He wanted to develop a school that was the best in both academics and athletics. Everything is held at a very high standard. Hamilton’s football program is central to the school as a whole and has full administration support. DePrez found that “magic formula.” With Hamilton, Tucker has seven state championships and is looking to grow that collection. He describes his coaching style as “abrasive,” but “you got to love them up

once you tear them down.” “He preaches hard work, accountability and responsibility. We are fortunate to have the best line coach in Arizona,” Zdebski said. Despite how long he has been at Hamilton, Tucker has no desire to become a head coach. “A head coach of high school football now … they are not even coaches, they are CEOs … because they are involved in so much of the fundraising and dealing with the booster club. They are managing everything … they oversee the entire program, and to me that would take away what I bring to the table and how I connect to kids,” Tucker said. At Hamilton, Tucker’s offensive line is referred to as Tuck’s Tanks and they are the foundation of what makes Hamilton football great. “I know for a fact that I have built a solid reputation on this side of town being here as a substitute, a football coach, a mentor and an influence,” Tucker added. “As an offensive lineman you are a protector of your quarterback and your running backs and … it branched off into these aspects of my life,” he said. “I guess you can say I like protecting people and the whole thing of protecting people, paying it forward, being a mentor and providing guidance to young people.”

THERAPY from page 28

and showed patience around young children when they approached to pet him. One day while at a training event at Freestone Park in Gilbert, the instructor told Wendy Jax’s personality would make for a great certified therapy dog. After rigorous training, which included several tests and the ability to climb up and down ladders, Jax was certified. It was at that point Wendy began taking him to local hospitals, leading him into rooms of patients who agreed to have him come in. Once inside, Jax bonds with the patient, often standing at their bed side and allowing them to pet him. Wendy said energy Jax gives off when with a patient is calming, and the heart rate monitors often show them relax in Jax’s presence. He and Wendy will also make stops at the nurse’s station. Just like the patients, nurses and doctors often need the same type of calming energy. Wendy said she also takes Jax into waiting areas of the hospital, where families gather when a loved one is in

surgery or the emergency room. “His job is to let the patients, the nurses and doctors and families pull the calming energy from him,” Wendy said. “They can be a bit hesitant at first because they see an 85-pound German Shepherd, but they warm up to him pretty quick.” Part of Jax’s training helps him recognize when certain situations call for a calmer approach to a patient. Wendy and Jax went into a room at a local hospital where a mom, her daughter and son awaited. The boy, sitting on the floor reading a book, immediately caught Jax’s attention. He got down on all fours and slowly crawled to the boy, head low to the ground and ears pinned back. He then laid his head on the boy’s lap, who proceeded to smile and pet him. “I turned to the mother and I said, ‘I think my dog is sensing something with your son,’” Wendy said. “She told me he was autistic. Jax recognized the boy was autistic and knew not to approach him in the manner he normally would. It’s

amazing what he is able to sense.” Whether it be the Chandler football program or patients in the hospital, Jax has been able to make some sort of impact on the lives he comes across. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions set forth by hospitals against visitors, Jax has not been able to make his routes there since March. Wendy said they hope to go back into hospitals and local libraries soon, as long as it is safe. So, for now, Jax will continue making his impact on the Chandler football team. Which means more excitement every Friday when the bright lights of Austin Field come into view. Once the pandemic subsides, Jax will return to comforting those in need the most and making even the slightest difference on their lives. “It feels great because he’s making a difference in the community,” Rick said. “It’s hard getting certified as a therapy dog, but Wendy has done a great job. The kids absolutely love him and I’m glad he can make a difference.”

time, but he did know that he wasn’t going to be like everyone else. “I wanted to show that I was just more than a jock, so I majored in political science, because I was on the fence about going to law school,” Tucker said. Tucker eventually wanted to get into entertainment law. But instead of law school, Tucker was drafted in the seventh round by the Atlanta Falcons in 1991. During his NFL career, he hopped around from team to team. “I was still able to live a nice, comfortable lifestyle,” he said, adding, “it was kind of unfulfilling because I didn’t attain the goal that I set out to.” He was approached about being on “American Gladiator,” a popular TV show. Tucker appeared in about seven shows. He was excited to be a part of TV history. “It was the most fun I think I have ever had in my life. You know I played football for a long time and I have had some great moments, but that was the most unexpected experience I have ever had in my life,” Tucker said. He moved on to the Arena Football League with the Arizona Rattlers as a player and then a coach. But after all the fame and glory of being a professional athlete and being on a wolf,” Rick said. “The standard rumor is whenever he comes to a game, we put 50 points on the board, which is pretty much true. He comes to the passing league tournaments and big man challenges, all of those things. The kids, whether they’re high school kids, little kids or the kids in the hospital, they all love him.” Jax was adopted into the Garretson family as a puppy by Wendy and Rick’s son, Darrell, who at the time was the quarterback at Utah State University. Darrell and Wendy went to look at German Shepherd puppies after a game and the two knew right when they saw Jax, he was the one. However, a problem arose later as Darrell’s landlord did not allow dogs in the home. That led to Rick making the 16hour car ride from the family’s home in the East Valley to Logan, Utah to pick up Jax and bring him to Arizona. “He hasn’t been back to Utah since,” Wendy said. Jax always had a mellow personality

GET OUT

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

All aboard: These restaurants’ charcuteries make the cut and dried fruits; and step four choose the type of bread or crackers to stack everything on top of. Mingle + Graze, 48 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, 480-726-2264, mingleandgraze. com, $10-$32.

BY ANNIKA TOMLIN GetOut Staff Writer

ost people think of a meat and cheese plate as a last-minute buy at the grocery store for an upcoming party. However, charcuterie boards put together way more than just your average deli meat and cheese. Styled with fruit, flowers and other accompaniments to go along with the array of meat and cheese choices, charcuterie boards are picture worthy restaurant items that the whole table can enjoy. The following restaurants put the cute in charcuterie.

B Gastrobar

Formerly known as Cuisine & Wine Bistro-Gilbert, B Gastrobar is renovated and rebranded and still serving delicious made from scratch food. It offers three different boards—mixed board with two cheeses, two meats, grilled bread, fruit, nuts and pickles; fried brie board served with garlic bread and raspberry jam; and burrata board with fig jam, roasted pistachios and grilled bread. B Gastrobar, 1422 W. Warner Road, Gilbert, 480-497-1422, bgastrobar.com, $15-$18.

Copper and Logs

Owned by the Buschtetz family who also owns B Gastrobar, Copper and Logs offers its rendition of a charcuterie board. The C&L Board features an assortment of cheese and cured meats served with addition condiments like jam and fruit and nuts. Copper and Logs, 832 S. Green�ield Road, Suite 101, Gilbert, 480-590-4260, copperandlogs.com, $16.95.

Humble Pie

There is more to Humble Pie than just great pizza. They have a board literally called the Smorgasboard, which is their antipasto extravaganza of charcuterie with cheese, hummus, artichokes, wild mushrooms, crispy Brussels sprouts and their very own forno bread.

North Italia

Copper & Logs in Gilbert is one of many area restaurants with delectable boards. (Special to the Arizonan)

Humble Pie, 6149 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale; 480-556-9900, humblepieusa. com, $17.

Merkin Vineyards

Markin’s guests can pick and choose what locally produced meat and cheeses they would like on their charcuterie boards that come with a chef’s selection of housemade accompaniments. Cheeses from Rovey Dairy in Glendale include pecorino, gouda and cheddar, along with goat cheese from Crow’s Dairy in Buckeye. Wagyu summer sausage is available from Rovey Farms in Glendale as well as bundnerfleisch, schinken and blutwurst from German Sausage Co. in Phoenix. Merkin Vineyards, 7133 E. Stetson Drive, Suite 4, Scottsdale, 480-912-1027, merkinoldtownscottsdale.com, $11-$52.

The single Chef’s Board at North Italia really packs a punch. It is comprised of prosciutto di parma, spicy coppa, pecorino stagionato, crescenza, grilled piquillo pepper, Castelvetrano olive, marcona almond, fig mostarda and grilled bread. The board serves two to four people. North Italia, 15024 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-948-2055, northitalia.com, $17.

Peacock Wine Bar

Peacock Wine Bar offers three boards to accompany wine. The Peacock’s Choice Board is an assortment of meats and cheeses and accompaniments that the chef chooses for you. Or your own with three meats ranging from calabrese salami and Iberico chorizo along with three cheeses like manchego or port wine derby finished off with three accompani-

ments such as spicy pickled asparagus or fig spread. There is also a cheese board that includes four cheeses of choice and three accompaniments. All boards come with almonds, crackers and naan. Peacock Wine Bar, 1525 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, 480-590-1586, peacockwinebar. com, $20-$25.

Pedal Haus Brewery

Each of the two Pedal Haus Brewery restaurants offers a separate shareable board. The Chandler location has a meat and cheese board including prosciutto, soppressata, Irish cheddar, smoked gouda, cherry balsamic onions, Marcona almonds, olives and crostini. The Tempe location serves a sausage and charcuterie board with andouille sausage, beer braised brat, prosciutto di parma, soppressata, Irish cheddar, balsamic and cherry onions, Marcona almonds, house marinated olives, crostini and haus mustard. Pedal Haus Brewery, 730 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, 480-314-2337; 95 W. Boston Street, Chandler, 480-656-1639, pedalhausbrewery.com, $16.

�ee BOARDS page 31

Mingle + Graze

Part of the fun of charcuterie boards is picking out what you want on the board. Mingle and Graze lets customers do exactly that with a build-your-own board broken down in four steps—step one, pick between two, three or four cheeses; step two choose meats including prosciutto and Mortadella; step three choose accompaniments such as artisan jams or fresh

Gilbert’s Peacock Wine Bar near the Mesa border has a board brimming with hearty munchies. (Special to the Arizonan)

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

BOARDS from page 30

Postino

Postino offers four charcuterie boards. The Bounty has crispy cauliflower, market vegetables, guindilla pepper, spicy Marcona almond, herb cucumber cream and smoked almond hummus. The cheese board dishes up an artisan cheese trio, assorted nuts, quince jam and toasted bread. The Butcher’s Block brings together artisan meats and cheeses, smoked almond hummus, asparagus, olives, assorted nuts and crostini. Lastly, the Pub Board ties in soft pretzel, Schreiner’s chorizo, cornichon, aged cheddar and Peruvian corn nuts. Postino, 302 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, 480-632-6363, postinowinecafe. com, $14.25-$15.50.

Queen Creek Olive Mill

Queen Creek Olive Mill offers more than just olives at its restaurant. It has an antipasto board that includes artisan meats and cheeses, chardonnay herb mascarpone, roasted vegetables, Sonoran spicy beans, Cerreta dark chocolate, salted roasted nuts, del Piero olive mix and ciabatta from Noble Bread. Also on the menu is a cheese board with artisan cheeses, chardonnay herb mascarpone, roasted vegetables, sonoran spicy beans, seasonal fruit, del Piero olive mix and ciabatta from Noble Bread. Queen Creek Olive Mill, 25062 S. Meridian Road, Queen Creek, 480-888-9290, queencreekolivemill.com, $15-$17.

The Sicilian Butcher

This restaurant puts together four options of charcuterie boards, one of which is served on a 5-foot-long board. The Sicilian in Strada priced at $15 per person is a signature family favorite topped with Sicilian eats like panelle fritters, potato croquettes, arancini, craft meatballs with creamy polenta, artisanal meats and cheeses, pickled condiments and jams, and traditional bruschetta. They also serve the mozzarella board, polenta board and the cured meat and cheese board. The Sicilian Butcher, 3151 W. Frye Road, Chandler, 480-573-8550, thesicilianbutcher.com, $14-$16.

The Vig

This might only be a starter, but it can surely stand alone. The Chef’s Board at The Vig consists of a selection of meats and cheeses, grilled noble bread, pickles, fruit paste and beer mustard. The Vig, 6015 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, for additional locations see website, 602.633.1187, thevig.us, $19.

Va Bene

The antipasto misto is an Italian platter with prosciutto, spicy soppressata and Genoa salami, roasted bell peppers, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, fresh mozzarella, parmesan and milk mozzarella and serves two. But on Tuesday and Wednesday there is a $30 special for a chef choice board and a bottle of red or white wine. The items of the board are different each time. Va Bene, 4647 E. Chandler Blvd., Ahwatukee, 480-706-4070, vabeneaz.com, $14.95-$30.

Obituaries Donna Briglovich

Obituaries Dale Morgan Porter, Jr.

Dale Morgan Porter, Jr., 77 of Chandler, AZ, went to be with his loved ones on November 30, 2020. Dale was born to Dale Morgan Porter Sr. and Violet Leah Porter on November 1, 1943 in Beloit, WI. He is survived by wife; Linda Ellen Porter, sisters; Patsy Leah Jones and Carol Marie Porter Floyd, daughters; Tamara Kay Zaleski, Angela Dawn Wood, sons; Aaron Joseph Porter and Dale M Porter III, as well 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his Father, Dale Morgan Porter Sr., and Mother, Violet Leah Porter. Services to be held Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7900 E Main St, Mesa AZ 85207. Visitation at 10 am with family prayer at 10:45/10:50. Funeral Service at 11 am. Mausoleum service to follow funeral, 12 noon.

Obituaries H E A D STO N E S

Queen Creek Olive Mill’s charcuterie board has an array of different olives as well as other appetizers. (Special to the Arizonan)

Kennard Eric Boice

Kennard Eric Boice, 70 years old, died in Gilbert, Arizona, November 29, 2020 of complications of alcoholism. Kennard was born May 27, 1950 in Farmington, New Mexico. He is survived by his parents Delbert Ronald Boice and Nora Boice, his sister Roxanne Link, brother-in-law David Link, son Eric Boice, 3 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Kennard served in the US Army from 19691971, during the Viet Nam War. He and his new wife Lola Lambeth Boice were stationed in Anchorage, Alaska and Colorado for most of his service. He will be laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona. Gilbert Memorial Park is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation to the Group Home that took care of him the past 13 months. Klara’s Adult Care Home. 1934 E. Smoke Tree Road, Gilbert, AZ 85296.

Need help writing an obituary?

Zinqué

Zinqué is the place to be when looking for a French-inspired charcuterie board paired with a hip low-key ambiance and a globally inspired wine program. Selected cheeses and bread imported from the famous Poilâne Bakery in France make up some of the delicacies in its four boards. Euro-style boards include the burrata and San Daniele prosciutto board with toasted baguette, a classic charcuterie plate, a vegetarian cheese board and a beef carpaccio board with arugula and Parmigiano Reggiano. Zinqué, 4712 N. Goldwater Boulevard, Suite 110, Scottsdale, 623.745.9616, lezinque.com, $17-$19. 

Donna Briglovich (nee Merlene), age 86, of New Hope, MN and formerly of Ashtabula, OH passed away on December 6, 2020. Preceded in death by husband, William Clint; and grandson, Ryan Clint. Survived by children, Deborah (Vincent) LaCroix, Kevin Clint, Larry (Julie) Clint; and grandchildren, Renee & Michele LaCroix, and Blair Clint. A celebration of Donna’s life will take place in the summer of 2021

EVERLASTING MONUMENT Co.

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

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

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

Make your choice Everlasting

We have articles that will help guide you through the process. Deadline for obituaries is Wednesday at 5pm for Sunday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays.

Call 480-898-6465 Mon-Fri 8:30-5 if you have questions. Visit: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

The Chandler Arizonan

1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway #219 • Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465 class@timespublications.com

Deadlines

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

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | ChandlerNews.com

Employ ment Employment General IntraEdge has multiple openings for Software Engineer (SE) positions in Chandler, AZ. SE candidates req US Masters degree/foreign equiv or bachelors degree + 5 yrs exp, w/ skills in C,SQL,Oracle,J2EE,SA P,JAVA,JSP,UNIX to analyze/dsgn/dev/ implement/test systems & applics. Email resume to jobs@intraedge.com w/ ref no 2021-19 for SE directly on resume/cover & ref ad in EVT

Employment General

Quadriplegic Seeks personal care attendant for weekday 11a-3p and some weekend shifts 11a-3p and some overnight shifts. 12-18 hours per week. $15.75 P/Hr. Job involves running errands, care, transfers, Must be responsible and honest. Call Craig 480-966-2059 (leave a message, it's a land line) or email ernest99@ centurylink.net

IntraEdge has multiple openings for Sr. Programmer Analyst II in Chandler, AZ. Reqs US Bachelor degree/foreign (3 or 4 yr degree) equiv in Commerce/BusAdm/STEM field. Will accept combination of IT training/education/experience for equiv to ed req. Analyze/resolve/test/report on IT related projects using skills in EMC/MS/SQL/Excel/ Java/C. Email resume to jobs@intraedge.com w/ ref no 2021-25 directly on resume & ref ad in EVT

Car for Sale?

Advertise It Here!

Call 480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Employment General Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Solution Specialist, Enterprise Performance, SAP in Gilbert, Arizona and various unanticipated Deloitte office locations and client sites nationally to provide SAP software advisory and implementation services. 15 % travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted.? To apply visit https://jobs2.deloitte.com/us/en. Enter XBAL21FC1120GIL578 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/veterans. One Certified Public Accountant (CPA)Tempe, AZ. Qualified applicants must be of the Catholic Faith and have a BS in Accounting, Auditing or Finance, and experience as a CPA, with Canadian Tax Code and with Uniform Prudent Management of Industrial Funds Act. The Job will require you to oversee the yearly budget of the Catholic Community Foundation, maintain the records according to State and Federal Requirements and ensure timely filing of government reports, Advise clients and donors about their donation options and how the US or Canadian Tax Codes will affect them, Analyze accounting practices and advise on best practices to management, Oversee the Finance and Investment Committee and manage the investment policies of the foundation, make presentations as needed to clients, donors and management. Send Resume to James Carabajal, Catholic Community Foundation, 4500 Lakeshore Dr., Suite 650, Tempe, AZ 85252 or email jcarabajal@ccfphx.org

Sell Your Stuff! Call Classifieds Today!

480.898.6465

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Merch

ments andise Prayer Announcements Thank You St. Jude For Prayers Answered - JRH

Announcements

Anyone know the whereabouts of Kacey Evans, age 42, please have her contact her father 918-705-1289.

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Announcements

Wanted to Buy WANTED BY COLLECTOR OLDER MODEL 22 CALIBER RIFLES AND HANDGUNS IN NICE CONDITION CONSIDER OTHERS I DO NOT SELL GUNS. CALL WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. LEE 602-448-6487

Manufactured Homes BRAND NEW NEVER LIVED IN 2 BED / 2 BATH HOMES $58,900 Financing Available 55+ Mobile Home Park in Great Chandler Loc. Call Kim 480-233-2035

Real Estate

For Rent Apartments APACHE TRAIL & IRONWOOD Secluded Cute Studio, A/C $650/Month Bad Credit ok No Deposit. Water/Trash Inc. (602) 339-1555 ALMA SCH & MAIN 1b 1 bath duplex Income verified UTILITIES INCLUDED Bad Credit OK. No Deposit Close to Lightrail $700 (602) 339-1555

HOME FOR RENT? Place it here! 81% of our readers, read the Classifieds!

Call Classifieds 480-898-6465

Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship Furnace / AC Tune Up - $69 New 3-Ton AC Units - now $3,995 New Trane Air Conditioners NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 MONTHS!

‘A’ RATED AC REPAIR FREE ESTIMATE SAME DAY SERVICE

Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252

480-405-7588

ItsJustPlumbSmart.com Appliance Repairs

Appliance Repair Now

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

480-659-1400 Licensed & Insured

Thursday Dec. 17th at 9am for the Dec. 27th edition

Email your legal notice to: legals@timespublications.com

QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE!

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

Legal Advertising Holiday Deadlines:

of the Mesa Tribune, Gilbert Sun News, Chandler Arizonan, and Scottsdale Progress

Air Conditioning/Heating

Concrete & Masonry

Family Owned & Operated

Block Fence * Gates

Three Phase Mechanical

480-671-0833

www.3phasemech.com Sales, Service & Installation

Your newspaper. Your community. Your planet.

NO TRIP CHARGE • NOT COMMISSION BASED

Please recycle me.

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

ACCREDITED BUSINESS

ROC# 247803 Bonded • Insured

602-789-6929 Roc #057163 Lowest Prices * 30 Yrs Exp Serving Entire Valley

YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST!

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

Concrete & Masonry

Garage/Doors

Glass/Mirror

DESERT ROCK

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS

CONCRETE & MASONRY BLOCKWALL CONCRETE RETAINING WALL BLOCK FENCE PLANTER BBQ

FOUNDATION DRIVEWAY SIDEWALK PATIO

PAVER • CONCRETE REMOVAL • HARDSCAPE BONDED & INSURED • ROC#321648 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! FREE ESTIMATES • 16 YEARS EXPERIENCE RESIDENTIAL CALL JOHN: 480.797.2985 COMMERCIAL

Drywall

JOSE DOMINGUEZ DRYWALL & PAINTING House Painting, Drywall, Intall Doors, Baseboards, Crown Molding Reliable, Dependable, Honest! QUICK RESPONSE TO YOUR CALL! 15 Years Experience • Free Estimates

East Valley/ Ahwatukee

Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you. QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices. FREE Estimates

Broken Springs Replaced Nights/Weekends Bonded/Insured 480-251-8610

Not a licensed contractor

Handyman HANDYMAN 37 years experience. Drywall, framing, plumbing, painting, electrical, roofing and more. Stan, 602-434-6057

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Call 480-306-5113

Classifieds 480-898-6465

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! Painting • Flooring • Electrical Handyman Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Decks • Tile • More!

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs! Marks the Spot for ALL•Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting Flooring • Electrical 480.266.4589 “No Job Too ✔Small Flooring Painting • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Man!” josedominguez0224@gmail.com Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More! Not a licensed contractor. Quality Work Since 1999 Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 ✔ Drywall Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job ✔ Carpentry Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too Electrical Services ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry

Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens ✔ Bathrooms 2010, 2011 2012, “No 2013, Job Too And More! 2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 and Repairs 2012, 2013, 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor 1999 Since Ahwatukee Resident / References • Installation of Affordable, Quality Work 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ a Licensed Contractor Insured / Not aCall Licensed Contractor 2014 Ceiling Fans Insured/ Not Bruce at 602.670.7038

33 CLASSIFIEDS

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

• Serving Arizona Since 2005 •

ALL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL Call Jim Endres 480.282.7932

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

Hauling

LLC

Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198

Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists

FIND THE BEST TALENT. EASILY POST JOBS. COMPETITIVE PRICING AND EXPOSURE

All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers, Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, Stucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs.

Free Estimates with Pride & Prompt Service!

Irrigation

More info: 480-898-6465 or email jobposting@evtrib.com

J BS. EASTVALLEY TRIBUNE.COM

Most jobs also appear on Indeed.com

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Place your ad online! Call 480-898-6465

• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service

NTY

5-YEAR WARRA

480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

Sprinkler & Drip Systems

TNT Exteriors LLC

Family owned & operated company specializing in: • Residential & Commercial Garage Doors • Rooﬁng • Rain Gutters

Repairs • Modifications • Installs

WE WILL MATCH OR BEAT ANY WRITTEN QUOTE FROM A LICENSED COMPANY!

Over 28 Years Experience • ROC #246019 Bonded/Insured

Handyman

General Contacting, Inc.

Home Improvement

rk Since 1999 Affordable, Quality Wo 1999 SinceBSMALLMAN@Q.COM rk Wo y alit • Panel Changes Qu e, abl Afford

• Switches/Outlets • Home Remodel

Home Improvement

One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766

Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!! Classifieds 480-898-6465

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY

Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

OUR JOB BOARD HAS THE TALENT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR.

• Old Paint & Chems.

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

TNTExteriors2018@gmail.com CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 480-532-5606

ROC# CR326937 #CR322178 #CR321443

• Yard Waste • Concrete Slab

ACTION CONTRACTING INC.

• Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

WE DO IT ALL!

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

All Estimates are Free • Call:

520.508.1420

www.husbands2go.com

Licensed, Bonded & Insured • ROC#317949 Ask me about FREE water testing!

Meetings/Events?

Get Free notices in the Classifieds!

Submit to ecota@timespublications.com

Bath & Kitchen Remodels • Car-Port to Garage Conversion Drywall & Stucco Repairs • Plumbing • Electrical • Can Lights Windows • Doors • Cabinets • Painting • Block Fences Wrought Iron Gates • Remodeling • Additions • Patios Tenant Improvements

East Valley

480-833-7353 - Office 480-430-7737 - Cell A+

LIC/BONDED/INSURED Res/Comm’l ROC#218802

aaaActionContractingInc.com

-S

E NC

• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

Landscape/Maintenance

Painting

Superstition Landscape Maintenance

Jose Dominguez Painting & Drywall SEE OUR AD IN DRYWALL! Quick Response to your Call! 15 Years Exp 480-266-4589

Junk Removal PLUS House Cleaning

Not a licensed contractor

Call or Text Adrian 480•376•9803 or 480•925•1418

Honest & Reliable

Plumbing

FREE Estimates

Public Notices

HYDROJETTING

480-477-8842

SEWER CABLE COMPREHENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE PLUMBING COMPANY

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM

East Valley PAINTERS

20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED ROC 3297740

Pool Service / Repair

Irrigation Repair Services Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured Technician

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

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

10% OFF

Call Lance White

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

ROC# 256752 Insured/Bonded Free Estimates

ALL Pro

T R E E

S E R V I C E

Voted #1

L L C

Prepare for Winter Season! LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

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

480-354-5802 Painting

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Free Estimates! Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

480-338-4011

ROC#309706

showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

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

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

Family Owned & Operated Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Misc. household goods, personal items, furniture, clothing, toys and/or business fixtures and items belonging to the following: Tenant Name Unit # Ceo Jr. Ray 200 Marcos Cortez 648 Christina Juarez 603 Louis Burgess 801 Maryorie Martinez 204 William Daley 704 Angel Ortiz 311 Monique Jenkins 204 Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party. Items sold “as is”, CASH ONLY, and Buyer must pay a security deposit and broom sweep/clean the unit. Go to www.storagetreasures.com to bid on unit(s). Published: East Valley Tribune, Dec. 13, 20, 2020 / 34992

NOTICE:

www.eastvalleypainters.com

Most service advertisers have an ROC# or "Not a licensed contractor" in their ad, this is in accordance to the AZ state law.

Now Accepting all major credit cards

Plumbing

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC): The advertising requirements of the statute does not prevent anyone from placing an ad in the yellow pages, on business cards, or on flyers.

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH!

What it does require under A.R.S. §32-1121A14(c) <http://www.azleg.gov/ars/32/01165.htm> , is that the advertising party, if not properly licensed as a contractor, disclose that fact on any form of advertising to the public by including the words "not a licensed contractor" in the advertisement.

Beat Any Price By 10% • Lifetime Warranty Water Heaters Installed - $799 Unclog Drains - $49 FREE RO UNIT w/Any WATER SOFTENER INSTALL NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 Months!! ‘A’ RATED PLUMBING REPAIR Free Estimates • Same Day Service

Again, this requirement is intended to make sure that the consumer is made aware of the unlicensed status of the individual or company.

Roofing

MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE! www.ChandlerNews.com

Contractors who advertise and do not disclose their unlicensed status are not eligible for the handyman's exception. Reference: (http://www.azroc.gov/invest/licensed_by_law.html) As a consumer, being aware of the law is for your protection. You can check a businesses ROC status at: http://www.azroc.gov/

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR

480-688-4770

480-405-7099 ItsJustPlumbSmart.com

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

Juan Hernandez Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

Advertisement of Sale NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to the Arizona Self-Service Storage Act, Arizona Statutes 33-1704, Section H, Enforcement of Lien. The Undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on or after December 23, 2020 at 9:00am using an online auction at www.storagetreasures.com, said property has been stored and located at US60 Self Storage, 1661 S Alma School Rd, Ste 105, Mesa, AZ 85210. Property to be sold as follows:

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

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

Honey Do List Too Long? Check out the Handyman Section!

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

NOW OPEN

HAPPY HOUR

Every Day 2pm-6pm and 10pm-CLOSE • $2 OFF ALL Draft Beer • $4 House Wine • $2 Well Drinks

• $4 Titos, Bacardi, Tanqueray, Herradura Silver, Jack Daniels

ALL DAY SPECIALS MONDAY $10 Burgers WEDNESDAY $10 Wraps

FRIDAY $9 Fish & Chips and Fishy Wrap

TUESDAY BUY ONE, GET ONE ALL APPETIZERS

SATURDAY $10 Pizzas SUNDAY $10 Pastas

THURSDAY BUY ONE, GET ONE WINGS & TENDERS

The location is formerly Majerle’s Sports Grill at Fashion Center in Chandler

3095 W Chandler Blvd Chandler AZ 85226 www.howlerssportsbar.com

480-899-7999

REGULAR HOURS DAILY 11AM - 12AM

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 13, 2020

WE BLANKET THE AREA.

Odgen

CHEYENNE

West Valley SALT LAKE CITY City

Reno CARSON CITY

MENTO

NEBRASKA

NEVADA

UTAH

DENVER

COLORADO A

Colorado Springs

KANSAS

Fresno

ALIFORNIA

OKLAHOMA

Las Vegas

SANTA FE

F Fl Fla Flagstaff

geles

ARIZONA PHOENIX

ands San Diego Yuma

MEXICO

What’s more comforting than having one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation nearby? Knowing Albuquerque Phoenix Children’s is close to where you live, blanketing the area with a network of more than 1,100 expert primary care doctors and specialists in over two dozen NEW MEXICO convenient locations. TEXAS So if you’re looking for top-notch care right in your community, Las Cruces you can rest easy. Visit us at phoenixchildrens.org or call 602-933-KIDS (5437)