The Chandler Arizonian - 12.26.2021 by Times Media Group

COVID CLAIMS TEACHER, OFFICER

INSIDE TODAY: REAL ESTATE

PAGES 2 & 4

PAGE 21

From Uptown to Downtown, covering Chandler like the sun.

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

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December 26, 2021

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 INSIDE

This Week

2021 in Chandler: Hope, joy and tragedy BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

NEWS ............................. 17

Kyrene board member questions cops on campuses.

COMMUNITY...........

Chandler native plumbs ocean's depths.

GETOUT ...................... 36

Chandler exhibit presents stories on quilts. NEWS ..........................................................2 REAL ESTATE ...........................................21 COMMUNITY .......................................24 BUSINESS ............................................... 27 OPINION ............................................... 32 SPORTS ...................................................34 GET OUT ............................................... 36 CLASSIFIEDS ..........................................38

handler saw both tragedy and reasons to celebrate in 2021. Here is a countdown of 12 top events in Chandler in 2021.

12. Field of Honor veterans memorial. Chandler officially opened its new memorial to military service members on Veterans Day. The large space at Veterans Oasis Park uses the U.S. flag as

see REVIEW page 8

Some Chandler faces of 2021 include, from left, Frank Narducci, Chandler Uniﬁed's ﬁrst new superintendent in 25 years; Officer Christopher Farrar, killed in the line of duty; and new City Manager Joshua Wright. (Arizonan file photos)

Chandler opts into $10M Bartlett Dam study

BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

handler has joined nearly two dozen communities that are beginning to look at climate change’s impact on future water availability in their backyards. “We are on the cusp of the first-ever Colorado River shortage,” said Ron Klawitter, the principal of water system projects for Salt River Project. “We need to look at alternative supplies.” City Council voted to join a $10 million, four-year study looking at increasing the

water capacity at Bartlett Lake, which is on the Verde River north of Phoenix. Half of the cost of the study would be paid for with federal funds while the balance will be split between 21 entities if everyone agrees to participate. Chandler’s cost for a seat at the table is $100,000 a year. “There’s an old saying, if you’re not at the dinner table, you’re usually dinner,” Councilmember Matt Orlando said. “So let’s make sure we’re not dinner.” The Salt River Project, founded in 1903, operates six dams on the Salt and Verde riv-

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ers, making up the Salt and Verde Reservoir System with a combined storage capacity of about approximately 2.3 million acre-feet of water. An acre food equals about 326,000 gallons of water. One of those dams is the Horseshoe Dam on the Verde River northeast of Phoenix, an earthen structure about 58 miles northeast of Phoenix that is 202 feet high and has a reservoir capacity of 131,500 acre-feet. Klawitter said there are two issues at play in considering this study.

see DAM page 6

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

COVID claims life of beloved Seton teacher, 42 BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

ife was looking up for Vanessa Lopez Delgado. She had just bought a new home for her family and landed what she called her “dream job,” teaching dance at Seton Catholic Preparatory. The 42-year-old woman died on Dec. 9, one of more than 23,000 in Arizona to succumb to COVID-19. “Dance was a way for her to express herself,” said Jessica Morel, Delgado’s cousin. “She had a passion for dance for many, many, many years.” Morel said Delgado wanted to get the vaccine to protect herself, but was unable to because of a lung condition. That condition was made worse after she moved into a new home. After moving into the home and moving her refrigerator, she discovered mold that had not been disclosed during

“

Vanessa Lopez Delgado “Everyone’s still in shock,” said Victor Serna, the principal at Seton Catholic. “We’re going through the mourning process and doing the best we can to support our students and staff. We pray for

Everyone’s still in shock, we’re going through the mourning process and doing the best we can to support our students and staff. We pray for her soul and her family, especially her two young daughters.

”

– Victor Serna

the purchase of the home. They checked with the previous occupants and owners and learned that they knew about the mold, but did not disclose it. “That aggravated her health condition,” Morel said. “It makes us frustrated and angry knowing it might have been a contributing factor.” Delgado began feeling sick a week before Thanksgiving. She checked into a hospital the Monday before Thanksgiving. She went on a ventilator on Thanksgiving Day. “That was the last time any of us talked to her,” Morel said. Delgado was in her first year at Seton Catholic. Before that she had taught English at Gilbert High School, where she had graduated from. Before that she worked in the Tempe Union High School District. She also taught dance at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and was a graduate of Arizona State University.

her soul and her family, especially her two young daughters.” Serna said they could tell Delgado was a special person right from the start. “After a couple of interviews, we could tell that she would not only be a great fine arts instructor for us, but also a future leader on campus. That’s why we made her a department chair. “This is going to be a tremendous loss for the community and her family,” Serna said. Delgado had a long-lasting impact in her time at Gilbert. She founded the school’s hip-hop dancing team, The 1101. She also led the drive to change the name of the road next to the high school to Gilbert Tiger Drive. Delgado also started her own business, a graphic design company. Morel said they do not know how she contracted COVID, saying her cousin was always very careful. “As the oldest of seven siblings, she

made sure everyone was taking this seriously,” Morel said. Delgado is survived by her two daughters, ages 13 and 11. A GoFundMe page has been set up by Morel to help with the funeral costs and create a trust fund for the two children. Her daughters are now living with their father in Gilbert. A celebration of Delgado’s life is planned for Dec. 27 in Mesa. Morel said Delgado loved to dance and tried to share that passion with others. She volunteered to work at senior centers, helping them get up and move. Delgado’s cousin said she was self-taught. That’s why it was important for her to make sure others had a chance to dance. “She thought it was an ageless way to express yourself,” Morel said.

How to help

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Vanessa Lopez Delgado’s two children. Visit GoFundMe.com and search for her name.

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

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NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 | pmaryniak@chandlernews.com Reporter Ken Sain | 480-898-6825 | ksain@timespublications.com Photographer David Minton | dmonton@timespublications.com Design Jay Banbury | jbanbury@chandlernews.com Production Coordinator Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@chandlernews.com Circulation Director Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@chandlernews.com The Chandler Arizonan is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, and for subscription information, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@ azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegatedmedia.com.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

2nd Chandler officer this year dies of COVID BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

23-year veteran of the Chandler Police Department has died from COVID-19. Chandler Police tweeted Jeremy Wilkins died on Dec. 17. He is survived by his wife and five children. He is at least the second Chandler police officer to die because of the virus. Tyler Britt, who had been with Chandler Police for 19 years, died at the start of 2021. He is survived by his wife and son. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family pay for Wilkins’ fu-

Jeremy Wilkins

neral. It says the virus and death came about fairly quickly. Messages for comment from the family were not immediately returned. Chandler does not mandate that all city employees get vaccinated against COVID-19. City officials said 226 employees who had COVID diagnoses that required sick leave between April 2020 and Nov. 19 of this year, only 18 required medical treatment. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, more than 460 American law enforcement officers have died from COVID infections tied to their work since the start of the pandemic, making the coronavirus the most common cause of

duty-related deaths. It is unclear whether the two fallen Chandler officers’ infections were tied to their jobs. The New York Times in October reported that “there is no comprehensive accounting of how many American police officers have been sickened by the virus, but departments across the country have reported large outbreaks in the ranks.” There have been more than 23,700 COVID-related deaths in Arizona. About 13,500 of those have been in Maricopa County. More than 808,000 have died in America. The global death toll from COVID-19 is more than 5.3 million.

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

DAM from page 1

The first is that sediment has built up behind Horseshoe Dam, robbing it of about a third of its capacity. The second is the rising threat of climate change. “Climate change is a critical component to what we’re planning on,” he said. “Droughts and flood periods are going to increase and we have to prepare for that.” In previous studies, SRP and the federal Bureau of Reclamation decided the best solution was to raise the height of Bartlett Dam – about 10 miles south of Horseshoe Dam – thereby increasing the capacity of that reservoir. SRP could then continue using Horseshoe Dam to manage the sediment. Other solutions Klawitter said were looked at but dismissed included: forest restoration to keep sediment from getting into the river; building a new dam; and removing sediment from behind Horseshoe Dam. “Horseshoe Dam was built as part of the war-time effort,” Klawitter said. “It was built safely, but quickly. The goal was to keep mining copper for the war. It’s very effective capturing water, but, unfortunately, also sediment.” Klawitter said dredging behind Horseshoe Dam would cost $1 billion and would only be a temporary fix, calling it a band-aid. There are two proposals for raising Bartlett Dam’s height – one by 62 feet, which would expand the capacity by 100,000 acrefeet; or raising it by 97 feet and expanding capacity by 300,000 acre-feet. Raising it 62 feet would basically replace the lost capacity behind Horseshoe Dam. Going to 97 feet would increase total supply to deal with future water needs. Also, raising it that much would fill the canyons between Horseshoe and Bartlett dams completely, creating one giant reservoir. The study would look at the environmental and financial implications of both options. Asked why it will cost millions, Klawitter said the study is very detailed technically and includes engineering, detailed design, and cost estimates of each alternative, as well as an analysis of both options’ environmental effects. He said the cost also reflects the level of detail and effort that will go into the study, including public engagement and input, so SRP can fully vet the options before making a recommendation to the federal government. He said SRP and Phoenix have agreed

Sediment has been steadily piling up at the Horseshoe Dam in Rio Verde, causing a domino effect that threatens water capacity on the Verde River, the source of up to 15 percent of Scottsdale’s water. (Courtesy SRP) to pay a larger share than their partners because of an existing stake in the Verde reservoir system. Klawitter said to stop sediment from continuing to build, SRP could try to flush it out during floods when it needs release a lot of water. That would also increase capacity. He said the Valley tends to go through 25-year cycles and is nearing the end of a dry cycle. He said older Valley residents

will recall 100-year and 500-year floods happening often in their youth and that that cycle is coming soon. By increasing capacity, SRP would be able to hold on to more of that water than simply releasing it. “We will be hotter and dryer in general,” Klawitter said. “We suspect to see under climate change … the Salt and Verde watershed will look similar. What we want

to do is to capture those big flood events.” Chandler officials said they want to have a role in deciding how to divide any additional water supply that may come from the project, and that’s why they agreed to be part of the study. “This should help us manage future water shortages,” Klawitter said. “They won’t go away. We’re trying to figure out the best use of our central Arizona supply.”

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

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CITY NEWS

REVIEW from page 1

inspiration, with light boxes taking the place of stars and stripes. Hundreds turned out for the opening and most were impressed. In addition to the light boxes, there are 13 stations that pay tribute to Chandler-area veterans and their stories. Also, the Korean War-era Sabre Dog plane that has been part of the city’s history since 1961 was moved to be an anchor at the park.

11. Voters approve bond, override requests. In Novem-

ber, voters again backed the city’s bond request and both Chandler Unified and Kyrene school districts’ requests for a budget override. Committees of dozens of citizens recommended five bond proposals totaling about $272 million. Voters approved all five with 66 percent or more voting in favor. The five areas getting the money are parks and recreation, police, fire, transit and facilities. It was the first time that city officials asked voters for money to maintain their existing buildings. One of the priorities for the fire department is rebuilding Station 2, which is the busiest in the city. The police plan to add a crime lab with their money. CUSD has been given an override to exceed the state’s spending limit by 15 percent for three decades. This year’s authorization passed with 56 percent support. Kyrene’s override passed by more than 60 percent.

10. Council considers nondiscrimination ordinance.

Chandler is the largest city in Arizona without a non-discrimination ordinance that protects LGBTQ people. In an early vote, five council members appeared to be against adopting such an ordinance and only two in favor. Chandler is resisting where other cities have already adopted one. Mesa approved one in March, Scottsdale in April, Glendale in May. Council members OD Harris and Matt Orlando signaled they were ready to do the same, but their five colleagues opposed. Instead, they wanted to back a proclamation that could not be enforced. For now, the city has commissioned a study, postponing that fight until 2022.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

to emergencies. Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins said his department takes the concerns they’ve raised seriously, but contended that those concerns either do not match the facts or have been addressed. Meanwhile, the city updated its master plan for the airport’s future develIntel CEO Patrick P. Gelsinger in March unveiled his company's opment as officials $20 billion plan to expand the Ocotillo campus, bringing thouintensified efforts to sands of jobs to Chandler. (Arizonan file photo) make it more of an economic engine in the region. The city also named a man9. Change at City Hall. City ager of the airport to help make that Manager Marsha Reed kicked off the dream a reality. new year by announcing she would step down only a week into 2021. By March, 6. CUSD confronts COVshe was gone. She had been the top executive in Chandler since 2016 and had ID-19. The Chandler Unified School worked in public service for nearly four District was one of the first to reopen classrooms, starting classes on Jan. 19. decades. City Council concluded its five-month It was a controversial decision as most search for a replacement by naming people were still not vaccinated and Joshua Wright to the position in July. He many teachers showed up to protest the was the assistant city manager and had decision. The Governing Board voted 3-2 been running the city in the interim af- to reopen schools. That was the same ter Reed’s resignation. He has worked in vote that opposed a mask mandate for Chandler since 2017 and served previ- CUSD schools when they reopened to ously as the town manager in Wicken- start this school year. Both decisions led to angry remarks at burg for five years. board’s meetings from both sides of the issue.

8. New leadership at CUSD. 5. Housing market soars. Camille Casteel had led Chandler Unified School District for so long she even had a high school named in her honor. She was the district’s superintendent for 25 of her 50 years working at CUSD. The CUSD Governing Board announced this month it has selected Frank Narducci to replace her through at least the 2023-24 school year.

7. Chandler Airport good news, bad news. Tragedy struck

when a new father and a young flight instructor were killed when their helicopter collided with a small plane mid-air at the airport. Around that same time, a retired Chandler Fire captain and a flight controller echoed earlier concerns by a pilot about safety issues, including the department’s ability to respond quickly

Chandler’s housing market was in turmoil for buyers, who were frustrated by double-digit price increases while sellers stayed in the catbird seat with multiple offers on properties – many exceeding list price. Adding to buyers’ frustration was a dearth of inventory of re-sale homes while homebuilders grappled with supply-chain disruptions that made it difficult to keep up with high demand.

4. Intel $20 billion expansion. Semiconductor giant Intel made

good in September on its promise to spend $20 billion to expand its Ocotillo campus. It began work to add two more factories, which they call fabs, to their existing four as one way of addressing the

worldwide chip shortage. The expansion will bring thousands more high-paying jobs to the city. It is the largest private investment in Arizona history. Officials said they would need to hire between 3,000 and 5,000 for construction. The company then plans to hire 3,000 more to join its workforce of 12,000 already working at the plant.

3. Gas explosion injures four. Brothers Andrew and Dillon Ryan

were working at their Chandler business, Platinum Printing, at Ray and Kyrene roads with their friend Parker Milldebrandt the morning of Aug. 26 when a massive gas explosion injured them. Glenn Jordan was working at his shop two stores down from Platinum Printing during the explosion. He was also injured in the blast. The type of natural gas pipe used near the business was misidentified by Southwest Gas personnel, according to a spokesman for the utility. The misidentification exempted the pipe from remediation efforts made by the company to replace or abandon any pipe sections that were at risk. To date, more than $250,000 has been raised through GoFundMe to help cover the medical costs for the four men.

2. Chandler officer fatally shoots teen. Soon after the new

year began a Chandler police officer shot a 17-year-old boy who was trying to flee. The shooting came months after the summer of protests over police shootings. Anthony Cano rode his bicycle across both lanes of traffic with no headlight on Jan. 2. Police officer Chase Bebak-Miller turned on his car’s lights to make a traffic stop. Cano fled on foot running toward Gazelle Meadows Park. While running, Cano is seen on body cam footage tossing a gun away from himself. Bebak-Miller fired two shots, the second one when the teen was face down on the ground. The video footage does not show Cano turning and aiming the gun at the officer. The teen died three weeks after the shooting. The city agreed to pay Cano’s parents $1.1 million. The shooting led to community protests and calls for Bebak-Miller’s termination and prosecution. The Maricopa

see REVIEW page 10

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

1. Chandler officer killed by fleeing suspect. Christopher

old was the first Chandler police officer killed in the line of duty in seven years. The suspect, 25-year-old Jonathan Altland of Tolleson, led officers on a chase from Eloy to Gilbert before it ended at a car

dealership. He is accused of using a vehicle to injure four officers, including Farrar. Altland has been charged with murder and prosecutors have announced they intend to seek the death penalty.

Empire itself has invested $1.9 billion in build-to-rent market, according to Schnepfs “to develop the vision for a published reports. build-for-rent community that incorpo“Build-to-rent homes are created sperates the farm’s attributes and history.” cifically to be professionally managed The Scottsdale-based developer is a communities, often providing a residenleader in mixed-use high-rise and build- tial experience with upscale amenities, for-rent projects in Arizona and a leader in much like a typical apartment complex a growing trend in new-home construction. that’s targeted at young professionals in As of 2021, build-to-rent properties urban areas,” PropertyShark said. make up only 5% of properties, but they Since the market crash of 2008, when are currently on the rise, according to the government provided big incentives Real Estate Magazine. for investors to buy up thousands of foreIt reported that 50,000 build-to-rent closed properties, it said the return on homes were constructed from Septem- rental homes has become an increasingly ber MIS79170 2019 to September contrast 19.11 PRM Tax2020 CreditinAD - SanTanattractive Sun News investment 10 x 6. 6 that the pandemic to a 40-year average of 31,000 annually. has fueled because of its “speed and scale.” The website called Sun “Since thexxonset 19.11 MIS79170 MIS79170 PRMPropertyShark Tax Credit Credit AD AD -- SanTan SanTan News 10 10 6. 6 6 of COVID, working from 19.11 PRM Tax Sun News 6. build-to-rent a “turbocharged” trend, home has become normalized,” it noted. noting large institutional investors in the “As a result, millions of city-dwellers have next 18 months are lining up to shell out relocated to suburban areas, and coupled $40 billion on constructing such homes. with record price growth, demand for

single family rentals is skyrocketing.” Empire said the Village at Schnepf Farms will comprose one-, two- and three-story homes with smart technology and private landscaped backyards. “Interior design and architecture will incorporate modern farmhouse elements to honor the history of the farm and its surrounding area,” it said. “For more than 50 years, Schnepf Farms has been hosting visitors almost daily for produce picking and its famous annual peach harvest. Residents of the Village at Schnepf farms will enjoy picking their own fresh produce, living within walking distance from the garden and the farm’s many other amenities and entertainment,” stated Shelby Duplessis, president of land development for Empire Group. In addition to walking paths and a neighborhood dog park, the community will feature a resort-style pool and club-

house with a fully equipped fitness center. Other amenities include covered parking, electric car charging stations, a dog wash salon and barbecue and lawn game area. “Queen Creek is a rapidly growing area with limited options for renters. We expect the Village at Schnepf farms to appeal to employees of Schnepf Farms and people looking to move to the area. It’s situated in a beautiful setting and includes incredible community amenities,” added Richard Felker, founding partner of Empire Group. Village at Schnepf Farms marks the seventh build-for-rent community in Maricopa County for the developer in the past 18 months. Felker founded the Scottsdale-based company in the early 1970s. Under his direction, the company has built its reputation as a leading developer of Class A mixed-use highrise projects and luxury build-for-rent communities throughout Arizona.

REVIEW from page 8

County Attorney’s office has not made a determination if they will pursue charges against Bebak-Miller or not.

SCHNEPF from page 4

Farrar, an 18-year veteran of the Chandler Police Department, was killed after a suspect chase on April 29. The 50-year-

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

Sunset Library working toward full reopening BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

our months ago today, a gas explosion at a Chandler strip mall forced the Sunset Branch Library to close. It has yet to fully reopen. Library Manager Rachelle Kuzyk says it should be open soon, most likely in January and by no later than February.

“There was an entire wall in the building that had to be taken down,” Kuzyk said. “A water main broke in the building because of the explosion directly next door, so we lost, $20-to-$30,000 worth of material because it was just completely saturated from the one wall that abutted against that shared driving space of the building that blew up.” The wall has been rebuilt and painted.

Chandler Public Library Sunset Branch Manager Sue Van Horne shows some of the books and other items displaced within the library by an explosion in August next door. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Library employees still had to put the shelving back up and then put all the materials back in place as of Dec. 15. In addition to the wall, Kuzyk said a lot of work had to be done on the building’s roof. The impact of the explosion caused the suspended lights inside the building to become twisted. The t-bar ceiling also had to be re-

“When you consider … use by square foot, Sunset is our busiest library,” she said. “It’s a much smaller building than [the main library], but it rivals the activity that we see here.” One regular patron of the library said she feels the staff has done an excellent job despite the hardship. “The library feels like it’s been open

crossed, we’re a month-ish out from “Fingers the library being able to reopen. ”

– Rachelle Kuzyk

placed. That’s the false ceiling found in many office buildings that hides pipes and ducts that run under the roof. Crews also needed to dry out the carpet after the pipe burst and had to replace some areas that were damaged. “It’s just kind of a little bit of a lot of work over the last few weeks,” Kuzyk said. The Sunset Library was damaged Aug. 26 when a gas line exploded at the Platinum Printing shop in the neighboring strip mall. Four men were injured in the blast and the eastern half of the mall was destroyed. Kuzyk said Sunset was one of their busiest locations before the explosion so the closure has been a hardship for the residents who rely on that branch.

because I can still reserve anything that I want,” said Connie Dunham of Tempe. “They have a variety of things you can go through and check out. I found an audio book that sounds like it will be fun.” To help fill the gap because of the closure, the library has been offering lobby service to residents since about two weeks after the blast. People can place a hold on whatever item they want to check out, then pick it up between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. six days a week. It’s the same service they offered when the pandemic forced the library to shut down. “Fingers crossed, we’re a month-ish out from the library being able to reopen,” Kuzyk said.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

State will help parents’ challenges to quarantines to the COVID virus. Most East Valley school districts, including Kyrene and Tempe Union, have had those same quarantine rules since students returned for in-person learning. “There’s a lot of angry parents out there,’’ Townsend told Capitol Media Services. She said a kid would go home for 10 days as ordered. “And they’d immediately get turned around and go home again for another

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

f your child is sent home to quarantine when school resumes because of possible exposure to COVID, you have the right to challenge that in court. And the state will even pay for your lawyer. That bit of information comes because state Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, decided to ask Attorney General Mark Brnovich about a section of the state Health Code that gives state and county health officials various powers during a state of emergency. And one of them specifically allows those agencies to “require isolation or quarantine of any person.’’ Townsend has never been a fan of those powers. What got Townsend’s attention is that county health departments were delegating the power to quarantine to individual school districts. And she said that has been happening with schools sending children home to quarantine if they believe the youngsters have been exposed

They had kids missing large swaths of school “ from an arbitrary, random, unknown exposure that

they didn’t establish,’’ Townsend said. “And now the child is missing a large amount of education.

’’

– State Sen. Kelly Townsend

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were using fitted masks or if the exposed student is vaccinated or has previously tested positive within the prior 90 days. Brnovich said Arizona law requires health officials to seek a court order within 10 days after imposing the quarantine, with the agency required to prove that the isolation or quarantine is “reasonably necessary to protect the public health.’’ But the attorney general’s opinion said those affected don’t have to wait that long.

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10 days because a different kid was in the classroom,’’ Townsend continued. “And they wouldn’t tell them which child they had been exposed to, just ‘Your child’s been exposed.’ ‘’ In some cases, she said, schools would allow for online learning. But not always. “They had kids missing large swaths of school from an arbitrary, random, unknown exposure that they didn’t establish,’’ Townsend said. “And now the child is missing a large amount of education.’’ Hence, her request to Brnovich to find out what parents can do about it. As it turns out, they can fight it, with the state picking up the legal tab. Brnovich, a new formal legal opinion, said there is a provision in the law that does allow for immediate quarantine or isolation without a court order when “any delay... would pose an immediate and serious threat to the public health.’’ What is at issue is that local health departments are authorizing schools to issue isolation orders. In Maricopa County, for example, Brnovich said the health officials told schools that students who come into “close contact’’ with an individual who tests positive for the virus are required to quarantine at home for 10 days. That phrase is defined as being within six feet of someone with COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes over a 24-hour period. There are exceptions if both students

He pointed out that anyone who is ordered isolated or quarantined can go to court to demand to be released from the restrictions. And Brnovich said the court must hold a hearing within 24 hours and issue a decision within 48 hours. There also are provisions in law for those ordered quarantined to seek a court order protesting the conditions imposed. Brnovich said anyone who seeks judicial relief is entitled to have a lawyer appointed, with the state picking up the tab. And that legal representation “continues throughout the duration of the isolation or quarantine of the person.’’ Townsend said she believes Ducey overreacted with the restrictions he put in place due to the pandemic, like closing down all bars and restaurants simply because some establishment had acted recklessly and allowed unmasked customers to pack the facilities. ■

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

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CITY NEWS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

Kyrene, TU take separate paths on mask mandates

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

mid a surge in a new COVID-19 variant, Kyrene and Tempe Union school districts so far plan to take opposite approaches on mandatory masks on campuses. With both districts now on a two-week winter break, Kyrene on Dec. 15 reiterated its plan for an optional masks policy for all students except preschoolers – who will be required to wear face coverings – while Tempe Union two days later announced its mask mandate will remain in effect when classes resume Jan. 3. Masks will still be required for all students using school buses in both districts because they are under a federal mandate. “As we first shared with you in November, the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccination for children ages five and older marks a significant milestone in the fight against the pandemic. It provides an off ramp for some of Kyrene’s most restric-

tive safety protocols, including face covering requirements,” Kyrene Superintendent Laura Toenjes wrote in a letter to parents and the general community. “Just as we waited to reopen schools until all teachers and staff had an opportunity to be vaccinated, we have waited for this opportunity for our students before reviewing current protocols.” Toenjes also encouraged parents to monitor the district’s website throughout the winter break for “any significant updates.” Officials during the Dec. 14 Kyrene Governing Board meeting also stressed that the district recommends students wear a mask, especially if they are not vaccinated. Tempe Union cited three main reasons for keeping its mask mandate in place, noting the latest county health department data showed 236 virus cases per 100,000 and an 11.4 percent positivity rate among new test results and stating only 37 percent of all students are fully vaccinated. The district’s third reason involved so-

cial distancing and a desire to minimize campus disruptions. “If indoor masking is removed at this time, the distance is increased to six feet which would result in more students being required to isolate/quarantine and stay home when exposed, as contact tracing is conducted,” it said. “Our priority is to maintain a continuity of programming for all instruction and activities.” Kyrene’s return to a voluntary mask policy did not sit well with some people who addressed or wrote to the board during the public comment portion while others applauded it – reflecting the debate that has been played out in comment periods in almost every board meeting since summer. Dawn Penich-Thacker, one of the leaders of the Save Our Schools nonprofit, scolded board members for opting for a voluntary mask policy, stating a mask requirement “is recommended by every legitimate doctor and scientist as well as the CDC, as well as the Maricopa County Department of Health.

“That is within your control,” she continued. “Even distancing isn’t within your control because you can’t build us new buildings on our campuses. But you can make sure that every kiddo everyone in these buildings is wearing that mask which is proven to keep us safer.” On the other hand, a parent urged the district to keep masks optional, stating “with masks, it doesn’t allow your brain oxygen” and that “if you deprive them of oxygen, you’re just dumbing them down.” A fourth grader also spoke, urging a mandatory mask policy because “I don’t feel comfortable with people in my class that are not vaccinated and will not get vaccinated. Adding “I probably won’t be affected that much” if she got infected, she said, “Other people could get it because I could spread it to them.” Later in the meeting, Toenjes reiterated that the district’s safety and virusmitigation strategies “continue to be

see MASK page 17

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MASK from page 16

based on evolving public guidance, current federal and state laws and orders and Kyrene’s direct experience delivering education and safe environments throughout this pandemic.” Damien Nichols, Kyrene’s director of

17 CITY NEWS

emergency management and technology, said the district’s plan once school resumes is more streamlined and replaces a “mitigation level” plan that called for certain strategies to take effect when virus levels had reached various thresholds. “It’s important to understand that Kyrene will continue to implement layered

safety measures that include, but are not limited to, our HEPA filtration and washing, physical distancing, testing among and many other strategies,” Nichols said. “This is in addition to the expectation that many of our students and staff will opt to vaccinate and continue masking.” That the debate over masks and the

uncertain trajectory of the virus concerned board members was reflected in a remark by Governing Board President Kevin Walsh, who said he and his colleagues are “getting a lot of email.” “I think every one of us here recognizes the trepidation that we all feel about making this decision,” Walsh said.

nation were on edge as they issued warnings and some increased patrols on campuses. Echoing similar statements by Tempe Union and Mesa Public Schools, Tempe Union on Dec. 16 issued an alert about the TikTok “challenge” and said, “We are working closely with Tempe PD to monitor these threats, and review and investigate appropriate leads. At this time, there do not appear to be any credible

campuses “only upon a demonstrated threat to the safety of students and staff and faculty.” She said the American Bar Association has urged district to “eliminate police becoming involved in routine disciplinary matters that result in criminalizing adolescents.” “The reality is that I do know from our statistics that our schools here in Kyrene – from what I’ve seen so far – suspen-

ticipating in student-discipline matters at the school site.” “So they’re not going to be criminalizing things that are school disciplinary learning already, though they’ll only be brought in when it’s referred in a criminal matter,” she continued, adding the role of an SRO in high schools “is significantly different than the role of an SRO in middle school.” Stressing the “significant difference of being an SRO on a campus with 700 or 800 students versus an SRO on a campus with 3,000 or more students,” Furedy also said, “I have to say our SROs in Kyrene tend to become very beloved members of the community.” Still, Kolomyjec said, “I’d like to learn more from some of our marginalized communities, some of our LGBTQ, some of our folks of color, some of our special needs kids and see what their feedback is about it, see if they’re seeing it the same way that you are.” Margaret Pratt said that in her first year as a board member, she met an SRO during a tour of Kyrene schools and said “it was very eye-opening for me.” “I found myself really grateful for the education they provided students to help them make good choices and avoid potentially negative paths,” Pratt said. Board member Michelle Fahy said she thought “it’s important for our community to have an opportunity to learn more” and suggested a study session about SROs. Fahy said it was important to hear from students “as we move forward with our equity work” and that “I want to really understand, are there legislative decisions that maybe shouldn’t be made that are leading to some of these times where we are using SROs where maybe it could be done with other roles? “And so I really want to get to the heart of the problem,” she added.

Now, SRO debate emerging in Kyrene District BY PAUL MARYNIAK Arizonan Executive Editor

he debate over school resource officers – which has split the Tempe Union High School District community – may now be coming to Kyrene. Prior to the board’s unanimous approval of an update to a contract with the City of Phoenix for SROs at Altadena, Centennial and Akimel A-al middle schools at a total cost of $388,210, Kyrene board member Wanda Kolomyjec voiced concerns about uniformed officers on campuses that echoed some of the sentiments of SRO opponents in Tempe Union. Kolomyjec said that while SROs “could be advantageous in situations,” there was a flip side “where we’re involving police officers in things that perhaps would be better served by other types of professionals.” She said that in the U.S., trends show “that members of populations that are marginalized students of color, students who have disabilities, LGBTQ, the national trends …have a lot more interactions with police officers in schools with bad results. And so they end up potentially ending up in what they call this school-to-prison pipeline and that’s a real thing, statistically a real thing.” The discussion came during a week when numerous school districts across the country, including Tempe Union, issued letters to parents and the broader community about another disruptive trend allegedly encouraged on the social media platform TikTok that urged students to threaten bombings and shootings in schools. The Chinese company that owns the website said it found no videos encouraging such threats and while there was no evidence of impending attacks, school officials across Arizona and the

reality is that I do know from our statistics “The that our schools here in Kyrene – from what I’ve seen so far – suspensions and disciplinary actions largely disproportionately affect our students of color.

”

– Wanda Kolomyjec

threats to any of our schools. However, we continue to monitor that situation closely and police presence on campus will be elevated if appropriate. Tempe PD will continue to investigate any reports received.” It urged parents to talk to their children about “appropriate and responsible use of social media” and that they remind them “the ramifications of bad choices in today’s social media environment can have a serious impact.” Kolomyjec’s comments also came after Damien Nichols, Kyrene’s emergency management director, told the board, “We have seen an increase in the need to contact our local law enforcement.” He stressed, however, that “it may not be daily at each middle school.” Kolomyjec also noted that last June a coalition of judges, prosecutors and juvenile justice advocates voted 333-0 that schools have uniformed officers on

sions and disciplinary actions largely disproportionately affect our students of color,” Kolomyjec said, acknowledging that the money being spent on the three Kyrene middle schools is covered by a state grant. “That can lead to, down the line, students dropping out of school because they get behind and they have a bad feeling about school, etc., etc., etc.,” Kolomyjec continued. “I’m sort of mashing together, you know, national statistics and these advisory groups that are looking at a problem nationally,” she added, “and I don’t want to necessarily paint Kyrene with that brush and I really do want to understand more, but I will say I’m concerned.” Carrie Furedy, executive director of School Effectiveness, said in the intergovernmental agreement between Kyrene and Phoenix Police, “the SRO explicitly in the IGA is prohibited from par-

CITY NEWS

Corporation Commission approves SRP/Intel project

The last hurdle needed for work to begin on bringing more power to Intel’s Ocotillo campus has been cleared. The Arizona Corporation Commission approved the High-Tech Interconnection Project (HIP) with a unanimous vote on Dec. 16. That clears the way for Salt River Project to build a substation on the Ocotillo campus and connect it to two other substation. Intel needs the additional power to use after it’s done expanding its manufacturing facility. The project is expected to cost Intel $20 billion. Construction is scheduled to start this month.

Chandler nursing home gets new executive director

Desert Cove Nursing Center, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Chandler, has a new executive director. Brianne Schmitz previously was an administrator for two years at North Chandler Place and before that was executive director at Mariposa Point of Gilbert. She has 10 years of experience in senior care, starting in activities. “Brianne has served the East Valley for a number of years and is known for being a leader in the community due to her commitment to her patients, families and staff,” said Kristin Shambro, vice president of the Mesquite Region for Desert Cove’s managing company, Life Care Centers of America. “I love being able to lead a strong team, and we have a strong team here at Desert Cove,” said Schmitz. “I love making a difference in the lives of our seniors and getting to be a part of their home.” Originally from Illinois, Schmitz has a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in music therapy. She currently resides in Mesa with her husband, Eric, and their daughter, Sydney. Desert Cove Nursing Center, located at

t? o G ws Ne

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

Around Chandler 1750 W. Frye Road, is one of 10 skilled nursing and rehab facilities in Arizona managed by Life Care Centers of America. Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company. With headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee, Life Care manages more than 200 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit lcca.com.

Scholarships for college’s law enforcement program

Chandler-Gilbert Community College has partnered with the Jaxon Foundation to provide financial support for students entering its Law Enforcement Training Academy in January. The Jaxon Foundation was established in January 2020 to recognized the life and goals of Chandler teen Jaxon Fairchild, who died at age 18 last year. When presented with the question of what wish would he like to realize by the Arizona Make-A-Wish granters, he chose to have a scholarship for students to pursue careers in law enforcement LETA Director Jon Terpay noted that his program is not eligible for financial aid, “so this partnership will ease the financial burden for all of our recruits. With the assistance from the Jaxon Foundation, it will not only fulfill Jaxon’s dreams, but it will carry on to each and every recruit throughout their careers. LETA is a training program students who are seeking employment as a peace officer in Arizona. The program has partnered with police departments across the East Valley and more than 97 percent of all students who graduate from LETA are currently working as officers across Arizona. “The program is emotionally, academically and physically challenging and includes instruction in physical criminal law, traffic law, search and seizure, rules of evidence, patrol and observation, domestic violence, cultural awareness, crime scene investigation, crowd control

and death investigations,” the college said in a release. The 800+ hour program meets Tuesday and Wednesday nights and all-day Saturday for 11 months. Information: 480-988-8756 or jonathan.terpay@cgc.edu.

Phoenix man charged in Chandler cop’s aerosol assault

A Phoenix man has been accused of spraying a Chandler police officer during a traffic stop that left the patrolman temporarily blind and gasping for air. Frank Zamora was accused of spraying the unidentified officer after he was stopped around noon Dec. 3 near Gilbert and Riggs road. Chandler police said that when the officer asked Zamora for his license and registration, he reached over to the passenger seat and “sprayed him in the face with a substance similar to pepper spray. The officer was temporarily blinded, had difficulty breathing and a burning sensation on his face.” Zamora fled but later was arrested while with a passenger at the time. Police learned that when the assaulted officer had stopped Zamora, he was unaware that the suspect had just stolen a case of beer from a nearby supermarket. Zamora, who has a history of shoplifting was charged with a number of felonies and misdemeanors.

New preschool opens in south Chandler, enrolling kids

Crème de la Crème, a national operator of early education and child care centers has opened a new center in Chandler at 2105 W. Germann Road and is enrolling children. The 21,000-square-foot state-of-theart facility opens next month and will serve children ages 6 weeks-12 years and be open Monday through Friday. Crème de la Crème offers all-inclusive programs for its age groups, flexible hours and days and enrichment classes such as coding and robotics, Spanish and

Mandarin, culinary, art music and digital education. Outdoor amenities that include ageappropriate playgrounds, a soccer field, baseball diamond, basketball court, tennis court and splash pad. Information: Cremedelacreme.com/ locations/chandler-az or 800-374-5715.

Alleged career burglar caught by Chandler police

Charles Payne has been arrested by Chandler Police on multiple counts of commercial burglary for the second time in a month, leading the department to accuse him of being a “career burglar.” On Nov. 10, Payne was arrested for five burglary counts but was released on his own recognizance the next day. “Within 15 days, he began victimizing businesses in Chandler again,” police said. Chandler Police began looking into a spree of commercial burglaries off Arizona Avenue from Pecos Road to Ocotillo Road between Nov. 26 and Dec. 1. Detectives positively identified Payne as the suspect in all the break-ins through video surveillance and evidence left at the scene. On Nov. 26, police said, Payne entered a restaurant, in the early morning hours, at Arizona Avenue and Ocotillo, damaging cash registers and stealing currency. Four days later at night, he allegedly broke the front window of a restaurant at Arizona Avenue and Pecos, entering the business and damaging cash registers and stealing currency. On Dec. 1, Payne allegedly broke the front window of a coffee shop at Arizona Avenue and Willis, entering the business. Payne located no currency and he left the business. Within minutes of that burglary, he allegedly broke the front window of a small grocery store in the same complex, entering the business, damaging cash registers, and stealing currency. On Dec. 8 Chandler detectives arrested Payne. He was later booked into the Maricopa County Jail on four new burglary counts and held on no-bond status.

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

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

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Scholarships available for East Valley women

ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

oung women who apply to colleges or universities and need help paying for tuition and related expenses might want to turn to the American Association of University Women of East Mesa Branch, which awards scholarships to deserving applicants. Violet Larney, the branch’s first president, endowed the group through her estate, providing money to fund women scholars from the Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Apache Junction to attend Arizona colleges within the Phoenix metropolitan area. “Starting with five scholars, we have now expanded our program to 12 scholars working on degrees with majors ranging from elementary education and public policy to chemical and mechanical engineering,” a spokeswoman for AAUW said. Each scholar is matched with a mentor from the branch membership who advises, supports and guides each scholar

throughout her college years. “This program has been highly successful with the majority of women completing their education and either transitioning into the workforce or going on to complete advanced degrees,”

GPA of 3.0 or higher for four-year college students. Each scholar is required to have a mentor from the AAUW of East Mesa Branch. Each applicant must demonstrate a financial need, and new scholar appli-

This program has been highly successful with the “majority of women completing their education and either transitioning into the workforce or going on to complete advanced degrees.

”

– AAUW Spokeswoman

the spokeswoman said. Scholarships cover tuition, lab fees, books and other expenses. Some requirements for the scholarships: GPA of 2.5 or higher for associate degree students and high school seniors;

cants are required to be full-time students. Applicants may be graduating high school seniors, associate degree students, undergraduate students at a four-year college or adult re-entry students. Students who are active partici-

pants in school and community activities are preferred. The scholarships may be renewed annually if the criteria are met. Applications for the East Mesa AAUW scholarships are available at the Arizona Community Foundation website: azfoundation.org/Scholarships – AAUW of East Mesa [AZ] Branch Scholarships Applications can be submitted from Jan. 1- March 31. “The ACF website provides excellent information and resources to guide students in the application process,” the spokeswoman said. Applicants are notified of the scholarship awards in April and need to respond to the Arizona Community Foundation by June 15. “We encourage women to apply for our scholarships, and look forward to getting to know women who will be successful future leaders,” the spokeswoman added. Information: ybbord13@icloud.com.

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21 REAL ESTATE

From Uptown to Downtown, we cover Chandler like the sun

Camelot’s remodel division surges in pandemic BY DAVID M. BROWN Arizonan Contributor

bout five years ago, third-generation Scottsdale homebuilder Cammie Hancock Beckert led an extensive renovation of a McCormick Ranch home built in the 1970s by her family’s Camelot Homes. Founded by her grandparents, JW and Maggie Hancock, more than a half-century ago, the company has built thousands of Valley homes, including $3–$5 million customs in luxury golf communities such as Grayhawk, Desert Mountain and Silverleaf, all in north Scottsdale. “The home had never had been updated; everything was original,” said Beckert, who lives in Silverleaf with her family. “A friend of a friend asked if we would be interested in remodeling the home. She liked the idea that we were the original builder and was familiar with our current work.

“We took the house down to the studs, rearranged spaces, took down a wall to open up the kitchen, added on in a few places and completely updated the interior finishes,” she added. “The before/ after photos were dramatic and something I was proud to be a part of.” Owners Valerie and David Blanco were enthusiastic. “You helped us get our home to where it is. It feels brand new, and we love the design and interior finishes,” Valerie told Beckert. Their redo was perfectly timed. During a management retreat, Camelot Homes had discussed the possibility of adding a division that would offer $350,000-plus remodels of its homes and those built by others. In 2019, company completed another renovation in Grayhawk. “So our team said, ‘Let’s get serious about this,’ and we began marketing our Custom & Remodel Division to previous Camelot owners in Grayhawk.”

Then in 2020, the pandemic changed homebuilding. Beckert and others thought the Arizona real estate industry, including new-builds and re-builds, would collapse. “Well, I said, ‘There goes that,’” she recalled with a smile. “But it ended up just the opposite. “The pandemic intensified the need for this service.” People felt imprisoned in four walls and couldn’t escape, even by traveling. “I think just having to sit in our homes during the pandemic caused a lot of people to focus on aspects of their homes that had been bothering them, but they hadn’t made a priority to fix,” she said. ”We can do that tomorrow.” Since then, clients of the remodeling division have been requesting open floorplans, removing walls and interiorfinish makeovers. Other common requests are adding casitas, or separate living quarters, for visiting family and friends; updated workout rooms and of-

fices; dedicated homework spaces; teen rooms; and wine walls or other type of wine storage, she explained. “A lot of these existing homes might have an open kitchen, but that could be accompanied by a more formal dining room that goes mostly unused, so this space could be repurposed,” she said. “Or, they want to update their bathroom’s once-popular ornate fixtures and curving ‘snail’ style showers with a sleeker, symmetrical modern look that brings an open, airy feel to even the most intimate of spaces.” “With 60 percent of homeowners now saying that having outdoor space is more valuable than indoor square footage, many want seamless connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. Our clients love that they can open up the living room to the outside with the flip of switch thanks to roll away pocket walls

through rental income than a traditional lease, and (2) increased demand by guests who prefer to rent out a house for a few days rather than stay at traditional lodging such as a hotel. In Arizona and elsewhere, short-term rentals are controversial and the debate surrounding short-term rentals tends to be polarized. On one end of the spectrum are people who strongly favor shortterm rentals. These people are typically investors and favor short-term rentals because they are more profitable for the owner of the property. Also, people tend to like short-term rentals because they offer an innovative approach to lodging. On the other end of the spectrum are people who strongly dislike short-term rentals. From their perspective, shortterm rentals cause nuisance-like issues

that include (1) excessive noise, (2) excessive litter and garbage, and (3) lowering of overall neighborhood reputation. While Arizona state law prohibits cities and towns from prohibiting shortterm rentals from operating, homeowner associations can prohibit short-term rentals through the governing documents (i.e., covenants, conditions & restrictions or CC&Rs that encumber the HOA properties. This can be accomplished through an amendment to the CC&Rs that unequivocally prohibits leasing HOA properties for a short duration. While the current law appears to provide clarity on the issue, a common question that arises is how a court might resolve the scenario where a purchaser purchases property in a HOA and begins utilizing the property as a short-term rental. At the time

of purchase, the governing documents do not prohibit short- term rentals. Later, however, the community passes a lawful amendment, amending the governing documents to outlaw short-term rentals. The question becomes, can the short-term rental operator continue to operate the property as a short-term rental since it was lawful at the time it purchased the property? Under Arizona law, an amendment may not be imposed if it unreasonably alters the nature of the governing documents. If the original governing documents contain limits or regulations on renting property in the community, the purchaser is arguably put on notice that rentals were subject to regulation in the com-

see CAMELOT page 23

Short-term rentals and grandfathered rights in HOAs BY BEN GOTTLIEB Arizonan Guest Writer

rizona is known as a business-friendly state. A few years back, Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law state legislation prohibiting towns and cities from enacting codes or ordinances that prohibit a property owner from operating a short-term rental. This law is viewed favorably by investors who wish to purchase property and utilize the property as a short-term rental. Over the past decade, short-term rentals (properties that house guests rent for very short periods of time) have soared in popularity in Arizona. The reasons for the surge include (1) the potential ability for investors to make more money

see GOTTLIEB page 23

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23 REAL ESTATE

CAMELOT from page 21

Many requests come from existing Camelot homeowners who love the location and quality of their aging homes and want to update them to fit their changing lifestyles. About half request space additions, depending on their lot sizes. Often, people who have visited the company’s models ask if the company can build one of the designs on their property, which the company can do through its Custom division. Or they ask if the company can replicate one of the model home kitchens in their existing homes or provide indoor-outdoor living space. John and Sandra Moses liked their Camelot Home in the Firenze neighborhood at Grayhawk but needed more space for entertaining; they were con-

sidering moving. Then, they visited Camelot’s luxury White Horse models in Scottsdale. “We loved the open floorplan and engaged Camelot’s remodel division to help in reconfiguring our space and updating our interior finishes,” Sandra said. “We recently hosted a large dinner party, and everyone loved our new and improved home. We are thrilled with the finished product.” Beckert is very much at home with her professional role. From youth, her grandmother Maggi and mother, Julie, taught her the value of the woman’s viewpoint in home building, she explained. After graduating from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in

communications, she worked at NBC affiliate KPNX, The Meyers Group and Nathan and Associates. About 15 years ago, she returned to the family business, first as a sales associate, then marketing manager and today managing director of the Custom & Remodel Division. For years, people have been regularly calling the company regarding renovations. “But the answer was always, ‘Sorry, we don’t do custom or remodels,’” she said. “We always knew the demand was there, but we just had to figure out how to offer the same design quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail before we were willing to put the Camelot name on it.” Information: camelothomes.com/custom-remodeling.

GOTTLIEB from page 21

term rental property could be regulated through a subsequent amendment to the governing documents, and that the purchaser could have anticipated further restrictions within the scope of the governing document’s regulations. In other words, the new short-term rental prohibition will apply to the purchaser and the purchaser will not have “grand-

fathered” short-term rental rights. On the other hand, to the extent the amendment unreasonably alters the nature of the governing documents, the purchaser arguably will have “grandfathered” rights and be able to continue to operate the short-term rental. This conclusion is even more strong if the original governing documents did not reasonably put the pur-

chaser on notice that a subsequent amendment could prohibit short-term rentals. In all cases, it is important to review the HOA’s governing documents prior to purchase property in a HOA to fully understand one’s legal rights and obligations. If you have any questions, you can contact Ben Gottlieb at ben@mandglawgroup.com or call 602-533-2840.

or quickly change an open space into a private home office that keeps the kids, and their noise, out,” said Beckert, who expects the division to triple its business in the next few years. New technology has helped her team. This includes 3D cameras that accurately measure a client’s living spaces and HGTV-style renderings provide them with a virtual walk-through of their planned space or allow them to explore different layouts, finishes and fixtures. Her clients vary from younger professionals wanting to expand their homes to empty nesters, whose space needs have changed.

munity. Further, to the extent that the governing documents contain amendment procedures, the purchaser is also aware the governing documents could be amended at a future date. If these facts are present, the purchaser is arguably on notice that the short-

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

Restaurateur pens inspirational book BY GERI KOEPPEL Arizonan Contributor

andy Walters has been many things in his 68 years: hospital corpsman, painter, restaurateur and minister among them. Now, he’s added another line to his resume: Author. He drew upon a decade of running restaurants in Chandler to write a book titled “Hamburgers, Hot Dogs & Hugs: Real stories of faith, kindness, caring, hope, and humor served up at a small diner with a plate of comfort food and a side of unconditional love,” published by Me Youniversity Publishing. During his years helming Pittsburgh Willy’s in the Merchant Square antiques mall from 2008-13 and then Wimpy’s Paradise in downtown Chandler from 2013-18, Walters said many people told

Randy Walters said his new book aims to inspire readers on making a difference. (Courtesy Randy Walters)

him he should write a book. “I hope people will read these stories and understand any of us can make a dif-

ference in somebody’s life,” he said. He calls love and kindness a “superpower” that everyone has and can use. The chapters detail interactions Walters had with customers and lessons he’s learned in life. The stories burst with optimism and hope, something that any of his 1,600 or so Facebook friends or his former customers won’t be surprised to hear. Kim Schulz of Chandler recalls going frequently to Wimpy’s Paradise both for the award-winning burgers and dogs and his famous free hugs. “It’s one of those really good hugs,” she said, “the kind that when you’re having a bad day and you want a hug, you know exactly where to get it.” Schulz continued, “He had this chalkboard outside the restaurant and would write kind and inspiring things. Even if you didn’t stop in the restaurant, you’d

still be inspired to do better in the world.” She added, “We need more people like that in the world to spread the love and make everybody feel wanted and valued.” Walters shares tales of welcoming customers experiencing homelessness and how he learned to provide not just food, but dignity. He writes about making Muslim friends through his restaurant and then hosting a “Muffins with Muslims” chat for people who wanted to learn more about a religion often vilified in the media. Speaking of media, Walters relates in his book how he learned early on how to promote his business with no advertising or marketing budget. He capitalized on Super Bowl XLIII, when his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers played the Arizona Cardinals. He sold hot dogs for $1.22 when the

�ee WALTERS page 26

Chandler native now explores the world’s oceans BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

handler native Mattie Rodrigue says she’s seen more than a few raised eyebrows when she tells them a kid from the desert is now a marine biologist. “They say, ‘What?!’” Rodrigue said. “More often than not I get questions from people … ‘Ah, I wanted to do that when I was a kid, and then I decided to go somewhere else. So my goal is to make sure any kid that wants to be a marine biologist, knows that it’s a possibility.” Now, Rodrigue spends most of the year on the OceanX ship as its science program lead. OceanX is a global nonprofit ocean exploration organization. Rodrigue returned to Chandler earlier this month to visit with family. While here, she made an appearance at the OceanX Adventure exhibit currently being displayed at the Crayola Experience in Chandler Fashion Center. She credited her teachers while she was growing up in Chandler for helping her

Chandler native Mattie Rodrigue leads a discussion about OceanX at the Crayola Experience at Chandler Fashion Center. She’s the science program lead on board the exploration ship. (Ken Sain/Staff) reach the bottom of the ocean where she has discovered new species. Rodrigue went

to Dobson High School and graduated from Arizona State University. When she’s not on

the ship, which she is about 8-to-10 months a year, she calls New York home. “Mattie actually had a couple of weeks break, and because she is local here in Chandler, OceanX had reached out to us,” said Casey Santoro, the general manager at Crayola Experience. “We thought, what a great partnership, we already had the OceanX display going on here, so it just fit perfectly for everybody.” Rodrigue said she loved to explore the desert when she was growing up. “I want to know what is out there, I want to find new things, I want to discover and explore,” Rodrigue said. “But ultimately I’m passionate about the future of the oceans.” Rodrigue said it was on a trip to California when she was in the fourth grade that her mother suggested she talk to a marine biologist. That’s how a kid from the desert who grew up hundreds of miles away from any ocean became interested in marine biology.

�ee OCEANS page 25

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

25 COMMUNITY

At 97, Sun Lakes author pens novel on flamboyant opera icon BY SRIANTHI PERERA Arizonan Contributor

any biographies have been written about Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, but none read like a thriller. Sun Lakes playwright, teacher and novelist Mel Weiser’s “Viva Puccini,” a new historical biography in novel form, fills in the gap. Weiser captures the essence of the composer’s life: adversity, love, tragedy, death and sexual conquest – qualities found in the great master’s operas – and weaves a compelling tale. “There is anger in it, there is some mystery, there is a tremendous conflict in it,” said Weiser, who at 97 has four other published books and nine produced stage plays to his credit. “There is excitement in terms of how the mystery is revealed or the mysteries of his life are revealed and how, ultimately, they lead to the inevitable conclusion, his death.” Why Puccini? It seems that Puccini chose Weiser as much as Weiser chose him. Years ago, Weiser read a book on the composer and was so fascinated by him that he scribbled notes on the margins. “One day, I was sitting in the bedroom where the bookshelves were and across the room from them – this is almost mystical – I’m looking at the bookshelf, and one book from all those books in the shelf, for no reason that I can understand, seemed to jump out at me,” he said. “I kept staring at it and – I couldn’t read the title of it or anything – so I got out of my chair and I walked over and pulled this book out and it was the Puccini book.” Weiser leafed through it, read his own comments and said to himself: "There’s a book in this." To research Puccini’s remarkable life further, Weiser bought and read eight different biographies about him. He browsed online for more tidbits. He listened to his popular operas – “La Bo-

OCEANS from page 24

Now she dives in their underwater vehicles to depths of 3,000 feet below the surface. She also has sent robots down as far as 18,000 feet to explore. That has allowed her to meet new spe-

Sun Lakes author Mel Weiser has published a page-turner on Italian composer Puccini. (Courtesy of Mel Weiser) heme,” “Tosca,” “Madame Butterfly” and “Turandot” – and cultivated a deep understanding and appreciation of them. He read analysis of the compositions. Then, he began writing the novel. “I had great fun writing about Puccini,” Weiser said. While a biography has to be factual, a novel gets more latitude, he noted. “One sticks to the facts of his life but one embroiders those with imagination,” Weiser explained. “For example, if in a biography it says that he spent a lot of time trying to find time to write his music, that’s very vague.” “The writer of a novel has considerable latitude and I use that latitude to create situations to indicate how he didn’t have time, what was he doing in those times that he didn’t have time,” he added. “Or, if it says great conflict with his wife Rivera, now I want to know what those conflicts were like and in biographies you can’t get full details like that but they tell you they had great conflict,” he said. “What was said actually between them: that’s where the novelist comes in, in order to make that moment memorable and understandable.”

cies on a regular basis. How often? “Pretty often,” she said. “I don’t have the exact count for you, but we have an amazing resource in the vessel. We get a lot of eyes underwater, a lot of eyes on the surface, and a lot of eyes up in the air. … Utilizing the capacity that we have on

Weiser was fascinated by Puccini’s life for several reasons. Forced into a music career at an early age, Puccini resisted every effort to shape his future. He preferred to loaf, to pursue women and to cavort with like-minded friends. However, fate decreed that he was to carry on his family’s musical tradition. Puccini became one of the greatest opera composers of all time. But, along with success, he experienced disappointment and pain. One reason Weiser was captivated by Puccini pertained to his relationships with women. His wife, Elvira, was dominating, but she was also the mother of his only child. So, he didn’t leave them. He loved women and had many affairs. He used to go away from home very often and on those trips, he invariably found some women or some woman found him, Weiser said. One such affair was scandalous. While on a train journey, a woman introduced herself to him and he found her fascinating. “She in turn found him very fascinating. He invited her to dinner. That night after dinner they found themselves in bed together,” he said. “He developed a very strong love for her and was even ready to leave his wife for her and proposed to this woman.” Puccini soon became very careless and used to parade around with her on his arm. “Eventually, the word reached his family and Elvira, and there was madness, threats and everything else,” Weiser said. The family decided to investigate the woman and discovered that she was a prostitute who had sought him out in the same manner she frequently sought other men. The family made his life miserable. “He had to separate himself from her and the separation was dramatic and painful,” Weiser said. Weiser’s own life is not without drama. He started writing at 19, aboard a WWII aircraft carrier. It didn’t go down too well because he was suffering from acute seasickness and unable to perform his duties. He managed to read a book, The Adventures of Cortez, which inspired him to learn how to write well.

board, helps us see in those places at the right time where we’re able to discover something great.” Rodrigue said she enjoys a chance to tell children about OceanX’s mission. “I haven’t done one in person in a while, obviously,” Rodrigue said. “But

“I remember putting the book on my chest and saying to myself, ‘If I could write like this, I could be happy for the rest of my life,’” he said. He tried to write on board the ship, but he knew nothing about writing and didn’t have much to draw from life experiences. “Nothing came out and that’s when the decision was made, you had to go and learn what this is all about and how it works,” he said. The native New Yorker enrolled in college, and went on to teach English, first in the school system and later in college. He taught for more than 30 years, until he found it was “enough.” At age 55, about the time he retired, he wrote and published his first book. He had the good fortune to have a friend who knew an agent, who sold the manuscript without any trouble. “That was a fluke. That never happened again. After that, it was a struggle as I was learning how to do this,” he said. Weiser developed his playwriting and directing career alongside teaching. He has been a stage director of more than 25 professional productions in regional theaters, and once on Broadway. His last book, On 174th Street: The World of Willie Mittleman, is a delightful family story set in 1930s New York. His next book, The Crown Of Sammuramat, will be a mystery-thriller linked to the fabled and ancient Assyrian empire. Creativity keeps Weiser writing and publishing at 97 and enhances his life. His book shelves are filled with manuscripts awaiting his attention. “If one is creative, one has to do what that force demands of him. It’s the same with a painter, it’s the same with a sculptor,” he said. “When one learns how to do something and to do it well, and I’m pleased to say I think I do it well, there’s enormous satisfaction in doing it. “I just can’t stop.” “Viva Puccini” is available at amazon. com and barnes&noble.com for $23.95. especially coming to my hometown, and especially getting to talk to kids who are just like me when I was little, and interested and curious but maybe not sure what the next step is. Or how to get involved in what they’re curious and excited about. Anything I can do is just incredible.”

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

Skate team, moving firm team up to help Hopi tribe BY KEN SAIN Arizonan Staff Writer

igure skating is not an inexpensive sport. Most young people who participate come from families that can afford it. “They have a lot of stuff, they’re very fortunate,” said Jaime Kalnicky, the coach of the Ice Denettes Synchronized Skating Team based in Chandler. “Sometimes it’s easy to overlook that when you haven’t seen true need.” Kalnicky decided to lead a toy drive to help members of the Hopi tribe. “I had already like made contact with the elders, and really kind of felt passionate about it, because they are a nongaming tribe, so they don’t have income like most of the tribes do from gaming.” The Hopi tribe was the last in Arizona to sign on to gambling, doing so in late 2017. Its members had twice rejected allowing gambling before that. They finally agreed after a coal mine on their lands was shut down. Hopi land is far from main population centers and tourist attractions, being near Tuba City. Kalnicky chose a group of six villages, many of which do not have running water or electricity. Kalnicky said the unemployment rate is 60 percent or higher. She asked her 60-member team if they

WALTERS from page 24

temperature hit 122, reeling in multiple local news stations for coverage. “I got people lined up out my front door that had seen my segments live, and that’s when it hit me: Media is powerful,” he said. When Walters was transitioning from Merchant Square to downtown Chandler, his original plan was to open two distinct restaurants: Pittsburgh Willy’s for hot dogs and Wimpy’s Paradise for hamburgers, named after a diner his father ran before Walters was born. However, he suffered a heart attack and decided one location would be enough. He later had another heart attack, and in November 2020, lost his son-on-law suddenly to diabetes. Just after that, his wife, Cyndee, was diagnosed with cancer. And in January 2021, Walters was hos-

The Ice Denettes Synchronized Skating Team helped children in the Hopi tribe have a happier Christmas by collecting toys. (David Minton/Staff Photographer) were willing to help, and the answer was a resounding yes. “We just thought it would be a good idea to do something for other people, because we have a lot of stuff that we don’t really use anymore,” Katelyn Brotherton of Scottsdale said. The members of the team are from all parts of the East Valley and as far away as Casa Grande to train at Chandler’s Ice Den. “As figure skaters, we come from families who can afford a sport like this, so it feels

pitalized for 20 days with COVID-19 and almost didn’t make it, which he writes about. He chronicled his battle in real time via Facebook posts and videos, saying, “I wanted to share it with everyone so they knew what really happened during that process.” At one point, he admitted, “The pain was so bad that I said to God, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’” But then he recalled his granddaughter Kara’s battle with Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)—a condition that affects blood flow—and how she nearly died three times and made it. About a year before his hospital stay, she was on a ventilator for about a week. “The day she came off the ventilator, I reached over and she couldn’t talk well, and I kissed her forehead, and I said, ‘Baby, it’s the third time now, you were at death’s door and fought and came back.’

good to give,” said Emily Christian of Tempe. Kalnicky said she had never tried to organize something like this before, and realized she would need some help getting all the toys to the reservation. She contacted Chad Olsen of Camelback Moving and was surprised by how much help he was willing to offer. “When Jaime reached out to us last week about the toy drive, it was perfect timing,” Olsen said. “The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is pretty

And she looked up at me and smiled and said, ‘Papa, I’m hard to kill.’” That’s when he realized he couldn’t give up. When asked how he keeps a positive attitude in the face of so many heartbreaks and setbacks, Walters recounted the story of a marine he knew who had lost both legs, most of both arms and his vision to a landmine explosion in Vietnam. Walters recalled saying, “It was an honor and privilege to know you, but can I ask you something? You have every reason to be angry and bitter, but every day you laugh and joke and lift our spirits. How do you do it?” The marine told him to come in close and he put his lips to Walter’s ears and said, “I came home.” Walters teared up as he stated, “Those three words changed my life. I never felt sorry for myself ever again the rest of my life because there are always people

slow in the moving industry. It allows us to devote resources to a good cause. It’s our favorite time of the year.” Olsen offered trucks to take the toys and other goods to the reservation. He also put the word out on his mailing list to ask for donations, and he provided storage space for all the toys that came in. After five days, the skaters and the moving company had collected more than 7,000 pounds of goods. Kalnicky said she suspects they will be over 12,000 pounds by the time they drive them up to the reservation. The donations include cash, toys, clothing and other goods. Kalnicky said she recently spoke with one of the elders to coordinate delivery, and they teared up, saying “It’s been a really, really sad winter.” In addition to dealing with COVID and losing many jobs with the coal plant closing, many tribe members used to rely on that coal to heat their homes. Now, they have to purchase it for $40 for a four-day supply. And many can’t afford that, so they have turned to wood for heat. However, the nearest forest is 75 miles away. “It’s heartbreaking, which I didn’t really know,” Kalnicky said. “This kind of happened, and I’m really glad it did. It’s probably the thing I felt best about in a long time.”

who are worse off.” Walters, however, still battles with health issues. “I lost my spleen to COVID and 30 percent of my right lung to COVID pneumonia. And I can’t walk more than about 60 steps without having to rest. But I keep thinking back to that marine. There are people who can’t walk 60 steps. I can walk 60 steps, so I’ll take it.” So when you see someone park in an ADA spot and walk into a grocery store, or someone is rude to you at work or makes an unprovoked attack on social media, Walters urges people to pull out their superpowers. “Everybody’s going through something,” he said. “Be kind. You don’t know.” “Hamburgers, Hot Dogs & Hugs” is available now on Amazon as a paperback and on Kindle. Walters can be reached for speaking engagements at damillhunk22@yahoo.com.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

27 BUSINESS

EV plumbing firm’s business plan includes charity BY MELODY BIRKETT Arizonan Contributor

ome people might think Wayne Decker’s business plan makes no sense. But Decker, president of PlumbSmart Heating and Air, says it not only makes sense but a lot of cents. “We charge less than the big players and we still do very well,” he said. “Our profit margins are still very good. Our guys have every benefit you can imagine and have high compensation. There’s no downside to having this philosophy. They all (other plumbing companies) could have it, but they choose not to because they want to have much greater margins.” To top it off, charity is a big part of Decker’s business plan: Since the pandemic began, his company has done at least 200 jobs for free for people in need. Decker started his residential repair

Wayne Decker, president of PlumbSmart Heating and Air in Mesa, find his business plan of charity and lower prices has yielded growth and strong profit margins.

(David Mionton/Staff Writer)

plumbing business in 2006 and previously was in the service business, serving homeowners for more than 40 years. He started his company exactly for the reasons it lives by. “It was more of an answer to the prevailing attitude which exists today – that plumbing companies are just way too expensive and they charge too much.” For example, he said a lot of companies charge $400-$1,000 to unclog a toilet that takes about 20-30 minutes. “If you make $20 an hour, that’s going to be about a week’s take-home pay to unclog a toilet.” While costs have gone up for parts or items like hot water heaters, PlumbSmart hasn’t raised its labor prices. “We’re so confident about our prices that even if a customer doesn’t want to

see PLUMB page 29

Chandler flooring specialist sees uptick in business ARIZONAN NEWS STAFF

att GiIstrap’s business gives him the chance to demonstrate his passion and skill for remodeling and designing. The Oregon native last year moved to Chandler and also opened Footprints Floors – a business that makes it easy for people to buy flooring and accent walls without ever leaving their home. “I have always had a passion for remodel and design,” Gilstrap said. “I love learning about the customers’ vision for the project and working together so see it come to life. I was drawn to flooring because there are so many choices and it makes such an impact. It’s the foundation to any great remodel.” Gilstrap specializes in installing luxury vinyl plank flooring, laminate, tile flooring, tile showers, backsplash and accent walls Though he has no storefront, he said, “We offer products using our mobile showroom that we bring to you or cus-

Matt GiIstrap

tomers can use our ‘visualizer’ tool on our website to shop from home. Not surprisingly, he hardly skipped a beat during the worst of the pandemic – particularly as people stayed home and got to pay more attention to their surroundings and where they might spruce things up. “When the shutdowns first happened, we saw a little slow down but it didn’t last long,” Gilstrap said. “Once customers were confident in our safety precautions and we could go back into homes, business picked back up. “Between the real estate boom, people relocating, and people spending more time working and learning from home, they began tackling projects and reinvesting money back into their homes. We haven’t slowed down since. Year over year, we’ve seen an increase in revenue.” And one of the areas in their homes that people tend to notice quickly is the condition of their floors, he said. “As people continue to work and learn from home, it’s easier to notice the projects

you’ve overlooked or improvements you’ve been putting off. Because floors are such an integral part of rooms, floors are one of the first places people start,” Gilstrap said. Yet, the pandemic-driven supply chain disruptions have taken a toll. “Right now there is a national shortage of glue, which is affecting some of our installs,” he said, “but we work with great vendors and partners that make sure our customers get their new flooring even if a little delayed.” While he said “I’m looking forward to expanding my territory, giving back to the Chandler community, and hiring a production manager,” Gilstrap also saves time for other priorities in his life. “As many business owners will tell you,” the challenge of running your own shop is “maintaining a good work life balance.” “The business is obviously a huge priority, but so is making enough time for my family, friends and hobbies.” Information: footprintsfloors.com/ chandler.

BUSINESS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

Firm uses gaming to improve employee morale BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE Arizonan Contributor

eepWOL (Keep Wondering Out Loud), a developer of immersive learning and development solutions, recently launched a talent development gaming platform designed to maximize workplace cultural intelligence and minimize turnover. As the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Kansas’ Aerospace Engineering Department, Lauren Fitzpatrick Shanks of Gilbert, founder and CEO of KeepWOL, knows what it’s like to be the only minority and formed her company to help others who feel that way. When she entered corporate America, she thought that things would change – but they didn’t. She still felt like an outsider. After over a decade of experience working at five different Fortune 500 companies in technology, Shanks witnessed other employees, and even herself at times, suffer and grow complacent at work. “When you feel unsupported, you provide less than optimal output,” she said, adding

that the drive to excel can wither and die. “Companies had promises about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, but all of them were more so for vanity metrics purposes,” Shanks said. “None of the programs were geared around retention or ensuring the success of those diverse hires,” she contineud. “On top of that, managers didn’t receive training on how to manage, lead, motivate and communicate with people of all different walks of life, of different identities that are not of their own.” Shanks saw what was lacking in the workplace and noticed employees quitting or losing their drive because of it. So, she came up with a solution to keep employees supported, engaged and wanting to stay at a company. “The lack of resources and support for managers and teams to have those complex and non-combative conversations that provide the context, detail and learning you need to really understand where each individual employee is coming from, what they need to be the most successful, and how you can sup-

Frustrated by your big bank?

port them in being the most successful – that’s really what led me to creating KeepWOL,” she said. KeepWOL’s on-demand SaaS platform offers a digital library of live multiplayer psychology-based games that cultivate employee development in various areas. The impact of each session is tracked by data collected within the platform providing accountability and measurable change. The games are designed to help enterprises build tight-knit inclusive, highperforming teams by embracing differences and normalizing interpersonal skills such as communication, empathy and connection at work. KeepWOL has 10 games available in its current library with six more on the way that the company has been working with Mayo Clinic on, Shanks said. “The games are geared around all different kinds of things that will help you to become the most successful version of you in your personal life and professional life,” she said. By using KeepWOL with teams on a recurring basis, organizations should see a more engaged workforce, better team

dynamics, a boost in collaboration and innovation, and more, Shanks said. “With all of our games, we’re looking to humanize everyone,” she added. “We want to elevate the human experience to unlock that productivity within people.” Unlike traditional platforms, KeepWOL doesn’t rely on teaching methods like panels, surveys and pre-recorded videos as these strategies often don’t change employee behavior, mainly because they occur as one-offs and don’t focus on the ins-and-outs of everyday work life. Instead, KeepWOL enables recurring guided immersive team experiences that are powered by software but driven by humans to revitalize corporate culture. The goal is to take diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging from passive awareness to an actionable experience for all employees. “People aren’t leaving companies, they’re leaving environments,” Shanks said. “Putting that human factor first and realizing that if you want to keep

see MORALE page 29

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PLUMB from page 27

use us, they can still call us…and ask for a price,” said Decker. “A lot of companies will spend $50,000$100,000 sending you to a course to establish you as one of the finest sales people you can be. You know what to say. You know how to manipulate. You have financing available.’” “When you have that attitude, it’s not about what is normal profit because that’s hard to say,” explained Decker, who has about 50 employees. “It’s very subjective. It’s about how much profit do you want to make? PlumbSmart is very profitable at about half of what our bigname competitors charge.” Decker said his focus is on relationships with homeowners, not chasing dollars. “And the beauty of that is when you have the philosophy the more you give the more you get, your growth is almost unmanageable. You don’t have people who are upset, questioning you, or who have buyer’s remorse. You still grow and

MORALE from page 28

employees longer you have to build relationships first.

make more money.” During the pandemic, PlumbSmart grew 40 percent in 2020 and about another 40 percent in 2021. Its TV commercials told people the company would fix a plumbing or A/C emergency for free for those who’d fallen on tough financial times. “A majority of companies would say, ‘You’re absolutely nuts. You’ll be inundated with customers calling to get something for free,’” said Decker. He said it’s one of the first premises they’re wrong about. “Approximately 3 percent of all customers may bend the rules to get something over on you. They may lie and cheat and try to get something for free. For those three percent, we can say, ‘God bless you. Give me a big hug. I hope you enjoyed cheating me.’ “And it would not make a difference on our business, our profitability and how we do business. Ninety-seven percent are honest people. When you think of that offer, the humility of having to call a

Relationships are built on trust, they’re built on transparency, they’re built on vulnerability. That’s what KeepWOL enables people to do in an easy way.”

29 BUSINESS

company and take advantage of an offer like that, typically is going to mean they really do need it and they’ve humbled themselves to say, ‘Please come out and help us. We don’t have the money.’” It’s leads to an additional fringe benefit for his employees that money can’t buy, Decker added. “Our guys were so blessed to have people crying, hugging them, thanking them, that I can’t put a value on what it meant to their lives, let alone the people we were serving,” said Decker. “For us to absorb a couple of hundred or more jobs to help people who really needed it, it was so worth it. Let alone the value – though not intended – of what the general public heard from those ads. “Our internet communication was blown up by people saying, ‘I don’t need anything for free but any company that has that kind of offer, I want you to be my plumber.’ It was tremendous. It goes along those lines of if you give more, whether you like it or not, you’re going

KeepWOL is designed for SMBs with at least 10 employees and enterprise organizations looking to build or shift corporate culture. Monthly subscriptions start

to be blessed, you’re going to get more. When you chase dollars…in the big picture, I don’t think it helps you.” In fact, technicians are told by the company to look for “benevolent opportunities, opportunities of compassion to help people,” said Decker. He recalled getting a call about a woman with a medical disability who had had no hot water for months. A PlumbSmart technician determined she needed a new heater. “One of my techs took the initiative on understanding what her dire need was,” explained Decker. “This gentleman/tech, on his own, called our office and said, ‘Hey, I have a customer who can’t afford a water heater. She’s an elderly woman and disabled. Can we do this for her for free?’” Two days later, a tech installed a new hot water heater at no charge. “At PlumbSmart, that’s the way we do business,” said Decker, adding that techs are still paid for comp jobs. Information: itsjustplumbsmart.com 480-654-8865 at $10 per user, with certification available and required for those employees interested in becoming KeepWOL facilitators. Information: keepwol.com.

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

AZ residents scramble to get last Walking Liberty Rolls ARIZONA - Once Arizona residents got wind that Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls filled with Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s were being handed over, there was a mad dash to get them. That’s because some of these U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins are already worth hundreds in collector value. “It’s like a run on the banks. The phones are ringing off the hook. That’s because everyone is trying to get them before they’re all gone,” according to officials at the National Mint and Treasury who say they can barely keep up with all the orders. In fact, they had to impose a strict limit of 4 Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls. So, if you get the chance to get your hands on these State Restricted Bank Rolls you better hurry because hundreds of Arizona residents already have and you don’t want to miss out. You see, the U.S. Gov’t stopped minting

these Silver Walking Liberties in 1947 and there can never be any more which makes them extremely collectible. And here’s the best part. The rolls are unsearched so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value. That’s why at just the $39 state minimum set by National Mint and Treasury it’s a deal too good to pass up. But you better hurry because these Arizona State Restricted Bank Rolls are the only ones known to exist and Arizona residents are grabbing them up as fast as they can. That’s because they make amazing gifts for children, grandchildren and loved ones. Just imagine the look on their face when you hand them one of the State Restricted Rolls — they’ll tell everyone they know what you did for them.

■ GOT ‘EM: Residents all across Arizona who get their hands on these State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls are definitely showing them off. That’s because they are the only ones known to exist. And here’s the best part, these Bank Rolls are loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty coins some dating back to the early 1900’s and worth up to 100 times their face value so everyone wants them.

Last State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls go to Arizona residents

Arizona residents get first dibs on last remaining Bank Rolls loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for the next 2 days

STATE DISTRIBUTION: A strict limit of 4 State Restricted Bank Rolls per AZ resident has been imposed

ARIZONA - “It’s a miracle these State Restricted Bank Rolls even exist. That’s why Hotline Operators are bracing for the flood of calls,” said Laura Lynne, U.S. Coin and Currency Director for the National Mint and Treasury. For the next 2 days the last remaining State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties are actually being handed over to Arizona residents who call the State Toll-Free Hotlines listed in today’s newspaper publication. “National Mint and Treasury recently spoke with its Chief Professional Numismatist who said ‘Very few people have ever actually seen one of these rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties issued by the U.S. Gov’t back in the early 1900’s. But to actually find them sealed away in State Restricted Bank Rolls is like finding buried treasure. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Bank Rolls had better hold on to them,’” Lynne said. “Now that the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls are being offered up we

(Continued on next page)

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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

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31 SPECIAL ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

(Continued from previous page)

won’t be surprised if thousands of Arizona residents claim the maximum limit allowed of 4 Bank Rolls per resident before they’re all gone,” said Lynne. “That’s because after the Bank Rolls were loaded with 15 rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties, each verified to meet a minimum collector grade of very good or above, the dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars sealed away inside the State of Arizona Restricted Bank Rolls have never been searched. But, we do know that some of these coins date clear back to the early 1900’s and are worth up to 100 times their face value, so there is no telling what Arizona residents will find until they sort through all the coins,” Lynne went on to say. And here’s the best part. If you are a resident of the state of Arizona you cover only the $39 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, that’s fifteen rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties worth up to 100 times their face value for just $585 which is a real steal because non state residents must pay $118 per coin which totals $1,770 if any coins remain after the 2-day deadline. The only thing Arizona residents need to do is call the State Toll-Free Hotlines printed in today’s newspaper publication before the 2-day order deadline ends. “Rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins like these are highly sought after, but we’ve never seen anything like this before. According to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins many Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars are now worth $40 - $825 each in collector value,” Lynne said. “We’re guessing thousands of Arizona residents will be taking the maximum limit of 4 Bank Rolls because they make such amazing gifts for any occasion for children, parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones,” Lynne continued. “We know the phones will be ringing off the hook. That’s why hundreds of Hotline Operators are standing by to answer the phones beginning at 8:30 am this morning. We’re going to do our best, but with just 2 days to answer all the calls it won’t be easy. So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best to answer them all.” Lynne said. The only thing readers of today’s newspaper publication need to do is make sure they are a resident of the state of Arizona and call the National Toll-Free Hotlines before the 2-day deadline ends midnight tomorrow. ■

HOW TO CLAIM THE LAST STATE RESTRICTED BANK ROLLS FACTS:

If you are a Arizona State Resident read the important information below about claiming the State Silver Bank Rolls, then call the State Toll-Free Hotline at 8:30 am: 1-800-979-3771 EXT: RWB3465

Are these Silver Walking Liberties worth more than other half dollars:

Yes. These U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties were minted in the early 1900’s and will never be minted again. That makes them extremely collectible. The vast majority of half dollars minted after 1970 have no silver content at all and these Walking Liberties were one of the last silver coins minted for circulation. That’s why many of them now command hundreds in collector value so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

How much are State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls worth:

It’s impossible to say, but some of these U.S Gov’t issued Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s are worth up to 100 times the face value and there are 15 in each Bank Roll so you better hurry if you want to get your hands on them. Collector values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees. But we do know they are the only Arizona State Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and Walking Liberties are highly collectible so anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Silver Bank Rolls should hold onto them because there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

Why are so many Arizona residents claiming them:

Because they are the only State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and everyone wants their share. Each Bank Roll contains a whopping 15 Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value. Best of all Arizona residents are guaranteed to get them for the state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury of just $39 per Silver Walking Liberty for the next two days.

How do I get the State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls:

Arizona residents are authorized to claim up to the limit of 4 State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls by calling the State Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-979-3771 Ext. RWB3465 starting at precisely 8:30 am this morning. Everyone who does is getting the only State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls known to exist. That’s a full Bank Roll containing 15 Silver Walking Liberties from the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for just the state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury of just $39 per Silver Walking Liberty, which is just $585 for the full Bank Rolls and that’s a real steal because non state residents are not permitted to call before 5 pm tomorrow and must pay $1,770 for each Arizona State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Roll if any remain.

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NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, PO BOX 35609, CANTON, OH 44735 ©2021 NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY.

OPINION

Opinion

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

How Intel is building an inclusive, diverse and well-trained workforce BY SMRITI SHAKARGAYE Arizonan Guest Writer

uring the pandemic, thousands of Arizonans left the workforce to care for their families when schools and other childcare facilities remained closed. It was a sudden shift that reflected a growing trend where capable, committed, and ambitious professionals take a break from their careers for several reasons such as starting or raising a family, caring for a family member, military service/spouse, teaching, community service/volunteer work, or continuing education. Today, many of those workers want to re- enter the workforce but get overlooked due to their age or career gap. This has created challenges for our state’s technology industry that is rapidly growing with emerging startups and international powerhouses that need a stable workforce, like Intel in Arizona, where the focus is on how to grow and progress talent by giving them the right training. As a global company that values experience, Intel wants to normalize career breaks and help bring these professionals back to workforce.

Recently, the company launched a paid, 16-week returnship program that will train participants to work on projects matching their expertise, abilities, and interests, and by the end of the program they even might gain a full-time employment at Intel. This is a perfect opportunity for job seekers with career gaps to update their skills and develop new ones. With two new semiconductor chip manufacturing plants under construction, Intel is working to develop a pipeline of potential talent that can fill new high-tech, high-wage jobs while supporting an estimated 15,000 additional indirect jobs in the community. Currently, the company has 300 plus open positions across all levels and is paving the way to fill them up with suitable candidates through trainings and specialized programs focused on different sections of the community. And for those young adults who are just embarking on their career journeys, or are still in school, Intel is partnering with the YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix Arizona Equity in STEAM initiative to boost the number of women and people of color in Arizona across STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) careers. This partnership will fund twenty

grants to nonprofit organizations, public or charter schools, or colleges across Arizona to help develop interest in STEAMrelated careers. It’s not just a financial award. The winning organizations will also be part of the first YWCA Equity Leadership Learning series to discuss ways in which students from diverse backgrounds can be brought together to explore various STEAM career pathways. Intel’s Arizona RISE Report explains the company’s aims and goals towards increasing the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in leadership and technical positions worldwide. Under the direction of CEO Pat Gelsinger, Intel promotes an inclusive culture that welcomes all perspectives and is critical for attracting, retaining, and progressing top talent. His team is committed to providing a work environment where employees from all backgrounds are valued, respected, challenged, acknowledged, and rewarded so they can achieve their full potential. They have successfully brought more women and underrepresented minorities into senior leadership roles and has a goal to continue this in the future.

Recently, Intel’s commitment to investing in the future of Arizona was recognized at 2021 Governor’s Celebration of Innovation where Intel was awarded with the Ed Denison Business Leader of the Year for contributing to Arizona’s technology industry through relentless community involvement, leadership, visibility, and excellence in economic activity. Arizona Manufacturers Council’s Awards named Intel as the Economic Driver of the Year for making significant positive contributions to economy through their high-skill and high-paying jobs. Arizona’s Hispanic Chamber of Commerce welcomed Intel into the AZ 2021 Million Dollar Circle of Excellence for its inclusivity and diversity focus. The company was also recognized for its community impact at Phoenix Business Journal’s Corporate Philanthropy Awards. Intel has a long track record of supporting the community and the people who live here since entering Arizona in 1979. With two new semiconductor facilities under construction and plans to hire 3,000 people, the company and the community can benefit from all measures to build a more inclusive future for all Arizonans.

ucts, starting with the iPhone 12 and 13 lineups and its new Macs. This program will presumably grow to include newer smartphone models and Mac computers. This is a complete U-turn for one of America’s favorite gadget makers. For years, Apple’s lobbyists told lawmakers that sharing access to parts, service tools, and manuals would result in safety, security, and intellectual property risks. When an iPhone’s battery died, or its screen cracked, Apple insisted that only an Apple-authorized repairperson could fix it. But independent repair specialists knew that these “concerns” were overblown. In addition to the rising chorus of people who just wanted to fix their own stuff, or choose where to have it fixed, this fall, Apple faced pressure in the boardroom. And Apple, previously defiant and combative, made an

about-face, announcing newly minted support for independent repair. To be fair, Apple is far from the only company with a history of hostility toward competition in its repair market. John Deere won’t sell farmers the software tools they need to fix their tractors. Hospital repair technicians trying to focus on COVID-19 patient care say medical device manufacturers have created hurdles to them fixing equipment needed to save lives. A PIRG study from earlier in 2021 found that repairing more products and using them longer would save Americans $40 billion per year, or $330 per family. And repair not only helps consumers, but repair helps prevent waste. When people find it inconvenient to fix a product, they’re more likely to give up and buy a new one – especially when

it comes to continuously, incrementally updated products such as smartphones. Empowering more independent repair options would extend the lifespan of products, reducing the material drain of manufacturing, and reducing the electronic waste heading to landfills. The right to repair issue goes far beyond phones. Arizonans want to be able to fix their products but too often run into roadblocks erected by manufacturers who want to control the repair process. Companies should ensure that their products are built to be easy to fix – and, better yet, built to last. But if they don’t, policy makers should. Diane E. Brown is the executive director of the Arizona Public Interest Research Group (Arizona PIRG), a statewide public interest advocacy organization.

Companies’ competition for repairs hurts consumers BY DIANE E. BROWN Arizonan Guest Writer

ot a lot of companies inspire the brand loyalty that Apple does. After all, the maker of Macs since 1984 and iPhones since 2007 did put the world in our pockets. But while Apple generally garners accolades, one of the company’s core business practices has been rotten to consumers. For years, Apple has monopolized product repair by withholding the parts and tools that customers and independent repair shops need to fix broken products. That’s finally changing. Recently, Apple announced that it will begin sharing with the public more than 200 parts and tools for its prod-

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HJCAC providing opportunity for football players BY SAM STERN Arizonan Contributor

hen one hears the words, “junior college athletics,” they tend to underestimate the impact this transitional level of competition can have on a student athlete on and off the field. For the Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference, commonly known as HJCAC, coaches have made it an utmost priority to sculpt their players into not only well-rounded athletes, but also respectable members of society. In 2019, the league was founded by former community college coaches, Doug Madoski and executive director, Steven Weiss. A year prior, the Maricopa Community Colleges decided to drop junior college football due to financial reasons stemming from the Arizona legislature eliminating state funding. After hearing the news, Madoski and Weiss hopped over to the drawing board and figured out a way to provide a collaborative experience that focused on academic and athletic growth. “We looked at it like, just because the current community college structure wasn’t interested in maintaining opportunities for those student athletes, didn’t mean that those opportunities had to go away,” Weiss said. “So, we did what we could to get creative to find a way that maintains those opportunities and continues to offer an advancement for young people’s academic future.” The two of them planted the seed and have watched it grow into a conference that currently consists of five teams including the Maricopa Mustangs, Salt River Scorpions, Gila River Hawks, Papago Pumas and the Sonoran Sidewinders. They launched with four total teams across the East and West Valley and have since expanded all the way to Tucson to incorporate the Sidewinders into the fold. All five head coaches have not only led football teams in the past, but some have taken the junior college route them-

The Papago Pumas, coached by Brandon Payne, are one of five teams in the HJCAC providing opportunities for players who may not have qualified out of high school, who may need more time to develop or are Division I bounce backs looking for their next opportunity. (Courtesy Liebrock Photography) selves and have that unique perspective to instill in their players. Brandon Payne, head coach of the Papago Pumas, is just one of many coaches that has walked the junior college path and knows what it takes to make it to the next level. A Texas native, Payne started his playing career at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas. As a dominant cornerback, he led the team in interceptions before going on to play at the University of New Mexico. Now, he’s hoping to help players have a similar path he did. “This is my passion to see these guys grind because Juco football is one of the most grinding levels of football that you can coach,” Payne said. “My biggest reward and these guys biggest reward is to get them to the next level.” These players come from a variation of backgrounds, and each player’s reasoning for playing in the conference is vastly different. Some did not have the grades to play at a four-year university. Others struggled financially to compete at the next level without scholarships. A select few players are using the league as a segway from one university to the other. For former Salt River Scorpions quarterback Ty Perry, his path to the junior college league was unlike most players.

As a 5-foot-10 quarterback out of high school, he was not recruited as highly as he expected. Perry was a consistent 4.0 student and looked at the Hohokam Conference as a perfect way to improve on his playing ability while also gaining more traction on the recruiting front. The pandemic fell right into his recruiting window, and the hope was to spend a year playing junior college football while waiting on pins and needles for that opportunity to arise. Though that was not the exact path he envisioned, the experience was not just gratifying on the athletic side of things, but it gave him a new perspective on life. “For a kid like me, I think this is probably the greatest experience I’ve ever had just because I’m around kids I’ve never been around before,” Perry said. “I come from a nice part of Arizona. "There’s not anybody asking for money on the corner of my street, but I go out there to south Phoenix and I’m with kids from downtown Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. They’ve got some stories, like there’s kids on the team that have like some crazy things they have endured, but it’s just cool. When it comes to academics, grades and overall education is just as important as the players lacing up the cleats and going to battle on the field. Of course, a vast majority of these players

are playing with hopes of reaching the next level. But building these student athletes into well-rounded contributors to society is key to their strategy. The league has made a deal with Snow College out of Ephraim, Utah. It provides the players with another opportunity to receive a low-cost education that ties into the payment to play. Even if players choose not to attend Snow, they still have eligibility to attend a local Maricopa Community College if they choose to go that route. Alec Horne, the associate head coach of the Salt River Scorpions, knows how crucial the partnership is with Snow College, and having that backing of a school is a major part of the endless academic opportunities that these players are taking advantage of. “I’ve kind of seen how it’s evolved and getting that Snow College deal done was an amazing thing for the league,” Horne said. “The fact you have a school backing you with academic support is huge. We’ve had counselors come down here to get kids registered for their classes. We also had counselors come out here in the middle of the season to have one on one meetings with players and check in on their progress. “So, they’re making huge leaps and bounds to make this program successful.” The conference has blossomed into a well-oiled machine that has been able to recruit many student athletes. It has also allowed for maximum exposure by streaming games on The Varsity Sports Show. Horne said the positive impact on players has been rewarding for him and other coaches. “I wanted to help because I’ve coached players that maybe didn’t have the size or the grades, or they just weren’t ready maturity wise,” Horne said. “I like seeing the kids come in and when they leave being completely turned around and wanting to go back to where they’re from to encourage other people to join in and build a better community.”

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Chandler show celebrates quilts’ story magic BY SRIANTHI PERERA Arizonan Contributor

inda McCurry’s art quilt depicts adversity. Years ago, her Gilbert home caught �ire around the chimney; the �ire burnt downstairs near the �ireplace and upstairs through the master bedroom. Her koi �ish died in her pond due to �ire�ighters putting a �lame retardant in it. In �laming red, orange, brown and yellow, she traces the story in her quilt titled “From the Ashes.” “There was a lot of restoration to do,” McCurry said. “You could say from the ashes we rose and came back as strong as we could.” Stories such as this are what exhibit curator and judge Ellen M. Blalock sought when she was invited to assemble the City of Chandler’s annual art quilt show. Art Quilts XXVI: Stitching Stories, featur-

In her story quilt titled “Seeking Center/ Finding Balance,” Shelly White creates a visual snapshot of her goal of “calm” as she navigates competing concerns, an overload of information and confusion. The layered colors of nature, repetitive patterns and topographic lines help chart a path to peace, order, and beauty,” she said. (Courtesy of Shelly White.)

ing 64 story quilts made by 53 artists from across the country, runs through Jan. 8 at Vision Gallery and CCA Gallery. A resident of Syracuse, New York, Blalock is passionate about story quilts. “I know that quilters work and artists work in all kinds of different ways and I wanted to be inclusive of a lot of people’s voices because not everybody does �igurative work,” she noted. “What is also important to me is the story behind the quilt and not just a story the quilt is telling. Somebody may be having the story of why they made the quilt and or it could even be the process,” she added. Blalock herself is a narrative artist documentarian who works in photography, video, drawing and �iber. Most of her creations come in series form, such as the 32-piece Family Quilt Project; Not Crazy, which looks at mental illness in the African American community; and

the one on feminism. In addition to creating picturesque fabric art, Chandler artist-novelist Laurie Fagen often portrays causes important to her. For this show, Fagen chose to highlight a photograph her brother, a nurse practitioner, sent of himself: gowned, gloved and masked for work in the COVID ward. “I don’t typically manipulate photos in Photoshop for my �iber art, but this one I speci�ically did because it was the year of the pandemic, he was frazzled and the world was frazzled,” she said. “So, I changed the colors, I left threads attached to it, I just made it as frazzled as possible.” Fagen, who also authors crime �iction novels and creates polymer clay jewelry, imparts texture and dimension to her work. Her recent line of �iber art involves

�ee QUILTS page 37

Chandler, EV ring in New Year with music BY SARAH HABER Arizonan Contributor

he Chandler Center for the Arts will be saying farewell to 2021 with a special New Year’s Eve show featuring four powerhouse vocalists and a 10-piece orchestra presenting the hits of Broadway shows. With Musical Director JR McAlexander, vocals will be provided by Jamie Parnell, Kristen Drathman, Kaitlynn Kleinman Bluth And Jordan Bluth. They will be performing the big bold music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Rodgers & Hammerstein, as well as songs from “Mamma Mia!,” “Jersey Boys,” Carole King’s “Beautiful” and more. There will be a champagne toast and party favors as well as a photo booth for

�ee NYE page 37

Music fills the air on New Year’s Eve New Year’s Eve at Mesa Arts Center. (Special to The Arizonan)

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QUILTS from page 36

taking photos, printing them on the fabric and thread painting with a few miles of thread. “I embellish the art quilt with thread, give it texture and dimension. That’s my basic technique that I’ve been doing recently. Oftentimes they’re embellished with other things – charms, yarn, ribbon, surface designs, foiling techniques and adding paint,” she said. “I love the tactile feel of the fabric and being able to take any fabric and work with them is always just something that’s very satisfying to me,” she said, adding “everything from the design to the creation to the actual manipulation of the fabric, I enjoy the whole process.” Annemarie Comes of Mesa works in a similar process to weave photography to fabric. Her quilt titled “Branching Out” is a cyanotype of one of her photographs. “My image was printed in my dark room in black and white, then turned into a large-scale transparency which was exposed overtop of chemically coated fabric,” she said. “Our Arizona sun was then

NYE from page 36

complimentary photos and a special souvenir from the evening for all attendees. JR McAlexander is the owner, executive producer and genius behind local stage company Showtune Productions. A 25year veteran of the professional theatre, he has overseen the music direction of more than 375 productions throughout the United States and Canada, including numerous national touring Broadway companies. Chandler Center for the Arts Showtime Series also features productions created by Showtune Productions and JR McAlexander. Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, 8 p.m. Dec. 31, Tickets $26 to $46, chandlercenter.org Straight No Chaser singer Jasper Smith predicts the group’s a cappella New Year’s Eve performance at the Mesa Arts Center will be extraordinary. “This is the last show in our tour, so we are going to pull out all of the stops,” Smith said. Founded at Indiana University, Straight No Chaser has spent the year on its “Back in the High Life Tour,” push-

Left: Annemarie Comes of Mesa created her art quilt “Branching Out” by “weaving” into fabric a cyanotype of a photograph of tree trunks. (Courtesy of Annemarie Comes) Center: Laurie Fagen of Chandler created “Frazzled,” a story quilt portraying her nurse practitioner brother outfitted to work in the COVID ward. (Courtesy of Laurie Fagen) Right: Linda McCurry’s “From the Ashes” depicts a story about her Gilbert home catching on fire. (Courtesy of Linda McCurry) used to transfer the image onto the fabric.” “As an Arizona-based photographer, I try to capture special moments in time – a lot of sunsets – so others can enjoy the beauty, as well,” she added.

ing the deluxe edition of the album “Social Christmasing,” which features “Celebrate Me Home” with Kenny Loggins and “Christmas Show.” The newest member of Straight No Chaser, Smith describes the shows as “having a little bit of something for everyone. There are all kinds of genres from ’40s, ’50s all the way to Dua Lipa.” The performances are just as special for Straight No Chaser as they are for fans. In mid-November, a Texas audience member shouted, “I missed you!” “(The concerts) speak to the connection we have with the fans,” he said. Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa, 8 p.m., tickets start at $90, mesaartscenter.com Straight No Chaser is among several entertainers ushering in the New Year around the Valley. Here are other ways to celebrate the end of 2021 and what’s to come in 2022.

Linger Longer Lounge

Uptown Phoenix’s Linger Longer Lounge is offering a block party-style evening with two performance areas featuring Meet the Sun, Citrus Clouds and Bee Bohannon. DJs include Layton, Jules Quimby and Jake Stellarwell. The evening will end with a complimentary

After isolating for much of the past months due to the pandemic, Comes relishes the freedom to create art. “It was wonderful to revisit fabrics/ quilting and the cyanotype process in

champagne toast at midnight. 6522 N. 16th St., Suite 6, Phoenix, 8 p.m., $24 before December 14, $35 between December 15 and December 31, lingerlongerlounge.com

Phoenix Symphony New Year’s Special with Leslie Odom Jr.

Tony and Grammy Award winner, Leslie Odom Jr., lends his pipes to the Phoenix Symphony. Best known for his role as Aaron Burr in “Hamilton,” he will blend classics, pops and surprises to keep attendees glued to their seats. Symphony Hall, 75 N. Second St., Phoenix, 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $44, phoenixsymphony.org

Sublime with Rome

Reggae rockers Sublime with Rome hits the Marquee stage for two nights, including December 31, to ring in 2022. Special guests include Phoenix’s Katastro and The Irie on December 30, and Katastro and Spray Allen on December 31. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe, 8:30 p.m., tickets start at $50, luckymanonline.com

the past year. It’s so wonderful to allow others to enjoy my image in a quilted form once again,” she said. Details: visiongallery.org/event/artquilts-xxvi-stitching-stories/

Decadence Arizona

Relentless Beats and Global Dance present Decadence Arizona, also for two nights, December 30 and December 31. The epic lineup is Alesso, Alison Wonderland, BIJOU, Chris Lake, DJ Snake, Gem & Tauri, Kaskade, Madeon (DJ set), Martin Ikin, Nora En Pure, Purple Disco Machine and Seven Lions on Dec. 30; Alan Walker, Destructo, Diesel aka Shaquille O’Neal, Dillon Francis, Excision, Fisher, Gordo, Lost Kings, Loud Luxury, Marshmello, Sonny Fodera and TV Boo on NYE. Rawhide Western Town & Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, 5 p.m., tickets start at $200, relentlessbeats.com

“My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & The Therapy Continues”

Comedian Peter Fogel brings his one-man show to the Herberger Theater Center from December 29 to January 30, including New Year’s Eve. On stage, Fogel shares crazy holiday memories while bringing to life a multitude of hilariously eccentric characters. Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix, 8 p.m., tickets start at $69.50, herbergertheater.org

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Joan was born in 1947 in Seattle, Washington. She and her husband moved to Arizona where she received her degree in chemistry from Arizona State University. Joan was active in revitalizing the San Tan Regional Park. She died December 14, 2021 at the home of her eldest son. Joan is survived by two sons: William Joseph Perry III and Christopher Perry, and two grandchildren, William Perry IV and Alexandra Perry. Funeral services will be held January 7, 2022 at Valley of the Sun Mortuary at noon.

Obituaries - Death NOtices iN MeMOriaM We are here to make this difficult time easier for you. Our 24 hour online service is easy to use and will walk you through the steps of placing a paid obituary in the East Valley Tribune or a free death notice online. Visit: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

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Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens rk Since 1999 Wo y alit Qu e, abl ord Aff ✔ Bathrooms BSMALLMAN@Q.COM 2010, 2011 9 199 rk Since 2012, “No 2013, Job Too Affordable, Quality Wo And More! 2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 2012, 2013, 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor 1999 Since Ahwatukee Resident / References Affordable, Quality Work 2010, 2011 class@timespublications.com 2012, 2013, Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor Insured / Not aCall Licensed Contractor 2014 Bruce at 602.670.7038

Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 480.898.6465 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

• 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!

Hauling

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

• Old Paint & Chems. • Yard Waste • Concrete Slab • Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

CLASSIFIEDS

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

Home Improvement

Landscape/Maintenance

General Contracting, Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198

One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766 Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists 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!

Juan Hernandez

TREE

SPRINKLER Drip/Install/Repair & Tune ups!

TRIMMING 25 Years exp (480) 720-3840

Not a licensed contractor

25 years exp. Call Now (480) 720-3840

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

Irrigation

CALL US TODAY!

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

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

NTY

480.654.5600 Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

Landscape/Maintenance Insured/Bonded Free Estimates

ALL Pro

T R E E

S E R V I C E

Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

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

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

— Call Jason —

(602) 502-1655

SHARE WITH THE WORLD! Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today! Call us for details. class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM

Painting

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

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ROC 3297740

Pool Service / Repair

Juan Hernandez

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

10% OFF

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

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Call Juan at

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We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality

Not a licensed contractor.

Free Estimates! Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

Rooﬁng

480-688-4770

Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

L L C

Prepare for Winter Season!

480-354-5802

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING

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SEWER CABLE COMPREHENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE PLUMBING COMPANY

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

Painting

5-YEAR WARRA

HYDROJETTING

Voted #1

ROC# 256752

azirrigation.com

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

Irrigation Repair Services Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Plumbing

www.eastvalleypainters.com Family Owned & Operated Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Now Accepting all major credit cards

ROC#309706

Plumbing

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

Serving All Types Clean, Prompt, Friendly and Professional Service of Roofing: • • • •

FREE ESTIMATES

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

602-471-2346

10% OFF

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

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099

Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

Rooﬁng

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

Rooﬁng

Public Notices

PHILLIPS

OUT WITH THE OLD, CHIP RETURN

Hearing Notice: A petition for guardianship and conservatorship was filed regarding Jeffrie Janoe. The hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 31, 2022 at 10:45 am MST with the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. This hearing is scheduled by be held virtually. For further information contact the Clerk of the Court. Published: Gilbert Sun News/East Valley Tribune Dec 19, 26, 2021 and Jan 2, 9, 2022 / 43480

ROOFING LLC COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

Family Owned and Operated 43 Years Experience in Arizona

MonsoonRooﬁngInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561

43 CLASSIFIEDS

623-873-1626 Free Estimates Monday through Saturday Licensed 2006 ROC 223367 Bonded Insured

PhillipsRoofing.org PhillipsRoofing@cox.net Rooﬁng

aOver 30 Years of Experience

aFamily Operated by 3 Generations of Roofers! Premier Tile, Shingle & Foam Roofer!

Spencer 4 HIRE ROOFING Valley Wide Service

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

RETURN YOUR TABLE GAMES CASINO CHIPS AT HARRAH’S AK-CHIN BEFORE THEY EXPIRE! If you have Table Games Casino chips received before July 7, 2021, please redeem them at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino cashier cage no later than March 31, 2022 for a full refund. Disclaimer: Any discontinued Table Games chips not returned by March 31, 2022 will be void and hold no cash value. Redemption must take place at the Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino cashier cage in person. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is not responsible for any unreturned Table Games chips.

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TO: Xavier Martinez, M.D. 2323 E. Flower #124-B Phoenix, AZ 85016 The State Medical Board of Ohio 30 E. Broad Street, 3 rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 In the Matter of: Xavier Martinez, M.D. Case No. 21-CRF-0045 On October 14, 2021, the State Medical Board of Ohio mailed an Order of Permanent Revocation to Xavier Martinez, M.D. via certified mail, return receipt requested, at his last known address of record, 2323 E. Flower #124-B, Phoenix, AZ 85016. The Notice was returned to the Board from the postal service marked “return to sender, not deliverable as addressed, unable to forward.” A copy of the order is available on the Board’s website at www.elicense.ohio.gov. Dr. Martinez may be entitled to an appeal. Such an appeal must be commenced by the filing of a Notice of Appeal with the State Medical Board and the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The Notice of Appeal must set forth the Order appealed from and state that the State Medical Board’s Order is not supported by reliable, probative, and substantive evidence and is not in accordance with law. The Notice of Appeal may, but is not required to, set forth the specific grounds of the appeal. Any such appeal must be filed within fifteen (15) days after the last date of publication in accordance with the requirements of Section 119.12, Ohio Revised Code. Please contact the undersigned to ascertain the last date of publication.

INVITATION TO BID: East Valley Men’s Center, 2345 N. COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE, MESA, ARIZONA 85201. The owner will receive Bids for the bathroom renovation project. This project is federally funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Federal labor standards, Davis-Bacon prevailing wages, and Equal Employment Opportunity regulations apply of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 for Employment and Contracting Opportunities. Small, minority and/ or women owned businesses are encouraged to submit bids. Sealed Bids will be received until 12:00PM (noon) Arizona Time, on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at A New Leaf, 868 E University Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85203. Bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at 12:15 PM on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at A New Leaf conference room, 868 E. University Drive, Mesa Arizona 85203. Bidding documents, including specifications to the proposed work and instructions to Bidders may be obtained via email. Contact Keon Montgomery, Director of Real Estate at: kmontgomery@turnanewleaf.org, Tel 480-7333063, ext. 4311. All bids must be on a lump-sum basis. A schedule of values will be provided by the Contractor at the time of contract. A New Leaf, Inc., reserves the right to reject any and all bids. A Mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 10:00AM Thursday, January 13, 2022, at the project site, East Valley Men’s Center, 2345 N. Country Club Drive, Mesa, Arizona 85201, at which time the Architect and Owner will be available to answer questions. Bidders are required to attend. Unless provided in writing, verbal authorizations or acknowledgments by anyone present will not be binding.

“Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising” - Mark Twain

Any questions or correspondence should be addressed to: Jackie Moore Case Control Office 30 E. Broad Street, 3 rd Floor Columbus, OH 43215-6127 Jackie.Moore@med.ohio.gov Publication: East Valley Tribune, Dec 19, 26, 2021 / 43373

480.898.6465

class@timespublications.com

THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | DECEMBER 26, 2021

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

Award-winning Arizona builder for over 40 years. Blandford Homes specializes in building master planned environments with a variety of amenities, parks, and charm. You’ll find the perfect community to fit your lifestyle. A STRATFORD NOW SELLING B C D E F G

A Dramatic New Gated Community in Gilbert Vintage Collection • From the mid $500’s • 480-895-2800 Craftsman Collection • From the high $600’s • 480-988-2400 PALMA BRISA – In Ahwatukee Foothills NOW SELLING A Dramatic New Gated Community Vintage Collection • From the low $600’s • 480-641-1800 Craftsman Collection • From the high $700’s • 480-641-1800 BELMONT AT SOMERSET – Prime Gilbert Location NOW SELLING Luxury estate homes and timeless architecture • From the low $1,000,000’s • 480-895-6300 MONTELUNA – Brand New Gated Community B in the Foothills of Northeast Mesa NOW SELLING McKellips Rd just east of the Red Mountain 202 Fwy • From the $600’s RESERVE AT RED ROCK – New Upscale Resort Community in the Foothills of Northeast Mesa COMING IN 2022 Stunning views of Red Mountain • From the $600’s ESTATES AT MANDARIN GROVE – In the Citrus Groves of NE Mesa CLOSEOUT 11 luxury single-level estate homes with 3- to 6-car garages plus optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the mid $1,000,000’s • 480-750-3000 ESTATES AT HERMOSA RANCH – In the Citrus Groves of NE Mesa CLOSEOUT 12 single-level homes on extra large homesites with 5- to 6-car garages plus optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the mid $1,000,000’s • 480-750-3000

G F

C GERMANN

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

The Chandler Arizonian - 12.26.2021

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