Gilbert Sun News - 2.13.2022 by Times Media Group

$4M sought from Gilbert

Have a beery weekend

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An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS................................3 CUSD teacher thought sex ed law applied to these.

BUSINESS................ 23 Schnepf Farm developer discusses built-to-rent.

Arete Prep’s McClelland builds on legacy.

COMMUNITY....................................... 18 BUSINESS.............................................23

SPORTS..................................................28 GETOUT................................................ 30

CLASSIFIEDS....................................... 35

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Economist: Housing crisis threatens us all BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

ilbert and the rest of the Phoenix Metro area must build their way out of the current housing deficit quickly or face economic catastrophe down the road, a noted Valley economist is warning local officials. The housing shortage is just not dire in Arizona but throughout the country, economist Elliott Pollack told Gilbert Town Council as part of a presentation he is giving to a wide group of municipal bodies in the Valley. “Affordability is falling but it’s about to plummet,” Pollack said. “There’s virtually no vacancy or available units. Supply has

not kept paced with demand and our success as a community in attracting jobs and people has not been matched by a sufficient increase in the housing supply for those new employees and a continued shortage of housing is going to drive up costs and threaten economic development efforts. “Virtually nobody is going to get a free pass on not having to deal with this.” Pollack belongs to Home Arizona, a group comprising former politicians and industry insiders that is trying to get the word out on the supply-demand crisis confronting the region. The group analyzed housing in 11 Valley municipalities –including Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdale – and came up with

Higley to seek OK for lower bond issue

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

SPORTS...................... 28

FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF GILBERT) | GilbertSunNews.com

igley Unified School District plans for a $77.2-million bond election in November to pay for safety and security, technology, major maintenance and major projects over the next five years. The district, however, is dropping funding for buying land and for paying off a middle-school lease, which were included in the $95-million bond that failed in November. District staff used feedback

from a voter survey in determining the spending categories for the proposed bond that would maintain current classroom conditions and address growth over the next five years. “There’s a misunderstanding of the lease,” Chief Financial Officer Tyler Moore told the Governing Board last Wednesday. “Knowing it’s hurting the district fiscally, at this time we just don’t feel it’s the right time to include in this proposal.”

see BOND page 11

a series of alarming statistics. “The first decade of this century, we overbuilt in both single-family homes and apartments,” Pollack said. “The second decade of this century we way underbuilt and we are now at a situation where the vacancy rates for both single-family housing and for apartments are as low as they have ever been.” For the first decade, the Greater Phoenix area saw 487,000 new housing units and that number fell to 240,000 units in the second decade of this century. At the same time, 880,000 new residents will be moving here this decade. “Phoenix employment is growing rapidly

Helping teachers

see HOUSING page 6

Teachers have helped Basha High School student Jadyn Ocampo learn and now she’s trying to help them pay their bills. She started the Al and Laurie Ocampo Scholarship, in honor of her grandparents, to help them pay down their college loan debt. Read how she’s helped on page 18. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

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NEWS

Parents, teachers rip new state, CUSD sex ed BY KEN SAIN GSN Staff Writer

ore than a dozen students, teachers and parents admonished the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board Feb. 9 over its rollout of a new policy that requires parents to opt into any classwork that includes sexuality. A couple of the 16 people who spoke became emotional as they told the board the district went even further than the state law requires, calling it discriminatory in how it treats LGBTQ+ people. “I personally had to sign a permission slip for my ninth-grader to read ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ of all things,” Krista McKinney said. “Parents also had to sign permission slips for their children to participate in a cooking class about chicken breasts.” The comments came during the time the public is allowed to address the governing board. Each speaker was limited to two minutes for their comments and board members are forbidden by law from responding to those comments during the meeting under most circumstances. Most of the speakers met afterward with a district official. The CUSD Governing Board revised its Parental Involvement in Education policy in December to conform with the new state law that made Arizona the fifth state in the country requiring parents to opt into sex education for their kids. The policy has been referred to as the “KB Policy” because it was sections K and B that were revised. District spokesman Terry Locke confirmed that a permission slip was sent in January to parents of students in a cooking class because the subject involved chicken breasts but stressed that “simply it was a misinterpretation of the legislative statute” and “was corrected and did not apply to the context or content.” He said the “administration and teacher resolved and communicated the correction.” A couple speakers said the revisions burden teachers, forcing them to track who has returned signed permission slips and who has not and then having to

During last week’s Chandler Unified Governing Board meeting, students, teachers and parents ripped the state’s new “opt-in” policy for sex education and CUSD’s revisions of its own policies made to conform with that state law. (YouTube) create an alternative lesson for the children of parents who did not opt in. Several teachers and high school students also ripped the policy, noting the rising suicide rate among young people in the LGBTQ community and warning the new policy would further marginalize them. “When I first heard this I thought, alright, no problem, I don’t teach sexuality,” said Caroline Sheridan, a teacher at Chandler High School. “I teach English and I teach criminal justice. … Somehow I found out I need permission slips before I can teach, “Of Mice and Men,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Othello,” “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I can’t teach about Emmett Till without a permission slip. Of course, this makes no sense.” Sheridan said she was told she would need permission slips to teach any subject material if the author was a member of the LGBTQ+ community. District officials immediately said that was incorrect. Sheridan said she also received notice in a district email that she would need a permission slip if any character in a work is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. “Imagine how it would feel to be a student and feel … people need permission slips to hear about someone like me,” Sheridan said. “It’s horrifying, it’s offensive and it’s tragic.”

Diane Mendel of Gilbert asked the board what it and the district did to ask students and parents for input when it was formulating the policy. District officials denied that the policy suppressed all teaching about the LGBTQ community. “At no point, I can tell you, that when we were deciding how to address this policy, which is based on legislation, at no time was it that we should not be addressing or learning about LGBTQ in our community,” said Dr. Craig Gilbert, the assistant superintendent of secondary education. Gilbert told the speakers if they have concerns now, they should check out what the Legislature is working on this year because he said they are looking to build on what they passed last year. “We’re not asking our teachers to stop teaching what they are teaching,” Gilbert said. “The issue with this policy has to do with the permission slip, not to stop teaching. … We have to put in policy because of the legislation.” Superintendent Frank Narducci said the public needs to pay attention to what the Legislature is passing because they have little choice but to follow the law once it becomes statute. “It doesn’t matter who writes a book, if it’s great literature, it will be read,” Nar-

see SEXED page 12

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

Reporter, TV station want $4M from town

25 and continued to do so last week, Gilbert Police said. The suspect Jonathon J. Altland, Jr. faces the death penalty. More than 30 charges, including murder are pending against him. Cortes was wearing a Univision shirt and “was found to have knowingly trespassed onto the real property of a closed business and crossing a clearly marked

crime scene line that states ‘Do not Cross’ after having already been told he was not to be on the property,” a police report said. Police had staged an area at the west end of the crime scene for the media to assemble. According to the report, Cortes admitted to officers “he knew he was in the wrong and offered to delete the photographs he had taken.” “He tried to excuse his behavior by stating that he was taught to get the best photographs he could,” the police report stated. Cortes was arrested for knowingly delaying officers from investigating a homicide in order to deal with him and refusing a prior warning not to enter the crime scene, according to police. Cortes was fingerprinted, photographed and released with a citation, police said. Police also seized Cortes’ cell phone as evidence. “The arrest and seizure of the cell phone of Gonzalez Cortes while he was peacefully engaged in newsgathering raise grave concerns regarding the violations of our clients’ constitutional, statutory and civic rights by the Town of Gilbert Police Department,” Kokanovich wrote in the claim. He also accused the Town of continuing to refuse to comply with disclosure rules, which interfered with Cortes’ ability to

defend himself and prevented the defense counsel from interviewing witnesses and police officers. Kokanovich also claimed that a Gilbert sergeant “derisively used the word ‘compadre’ when speaking with Gonzalez Cortez about the newsgathering work he and the Univision photographer were doing at the scene.” He said although there were other journalists present, Gilbert police “arrested, handcuffed transported, fingerprinted and charged Gonzalez Cortes.” The seized cell phone contains both personal information and journalist work product, the majority of which is unrelated to the April 29 event, the attorney said, adding that all the newsgathering information on the phone is protected by the Privacy Protection Act of 1980, the Arizona Constitution, Arizona Shield Law and the Arizona Media Subpoena Law. Cortes’ arrest and the seizure of his cell phone were “retaliatory for engaging in constitutionally protected newsgathering activities,” the attorney said. Cortes also has filed suit in June to get his cell phone returned, stating the confiscation was unreasonable and a violation of the Fourth Amendment, which protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. A bench trial on the charges against Cortes was scheduled for March 14 in Gilbert Municipal Court.

any “critical force incident’’ involving officers – including the use or intended use of deadly force. Police and sheriff’s departments would not be required to use DPS. Instead, they could turn the inquiry over to a regional law enforcement task force or any other agency. But the key, said House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, is that the probe could not be done in-house. “It is my hope this legislation will affirm and reaffirm public trust in our law enforcement,’’ he said. “That is critical,’’ Bowers continued.

“And it will also increase accountability across the state.’’ Soelberg said, “On behalf of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP), we fully support HB2650. The proposed legislation will further increase public support for law enforcement and continue to provide transparency into the investigative process for deadly force investigations throughout the State of Arizona. “This legislation focuses on the criminal investigations for deadly force encounters involving law enforcement agencies in Arizona. This legislation does not modify or restrict internal adminis-

trative investigations or any existing, or future, community oversight into the use of deadly force. The proposed legislation was further supported by the recent survey findings of the ASU Morrison Institute for Public Safety.” The proposal, approved by the House Committee on Military Affairs and Public Safety, comes from a working group of police chiefs and sheriffs. “It is our belief collectively that if there’s going to be legislation written regarding law enforcement, that law en-

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

Spanish television station and its reporter are seeking a total $4 million in damages from Gilbert, claiming town police officers violated their “constitutional, statutory and civil rights” while covering an incident last April that involved the death of a Chandler officer and left a Gilbert officer seriously injured. Gilbert Police arrested Univision anchor/reporter Leon Felipe Gonzalez Cortes in April for entering a crime scene and taking photographs. Police also seized his cell phone. The two claims, each asking for $2 million, are under investigation and there have been no lawsuits or settlements, according to town spokeswoman Jennifer Harrison last week. Attorney Mark Kokanovich, who filed the claims in late October on behalf of Univision and Cortes, did not respond to a request for comment. Cortes and journalists from various media outlets showed up at the scene hours after police cornered a stolen vehicle suspect at the SanTan Motorplex. The suspect allegedly slammed into Chandler Officer Christopher Farrar, who died, and critically injured Gilbert Officer Rico Aranda on April 29. Aranda returned to modified duty Aug.

Univision anchor/reporter Leon Felipe Gonzalez Cortes and his employer have filed claims totaling $4 million over his arrest while covering a homicide in Gilbert. (Special

to GSN)

Gilbert chief likes internal investigations bill BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

ilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg joined other law enforcement leaders Feb. 7 at a press confidence at the State Capitol in support of legislation that would require police agencies to farm out some criminal investigations of their own to others – but not all incidents and not just yet. HB 2650, would create a “major incident division’’ within the Arizona Department of Public Safety that would be available beginning July 1, 2025, to investigate

see POLICE page 12

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

HOUSING from page 1

not only as we re-employ people who were laid off during the pandemic but all the economic development agencies in the Valley have done an extremely good job and there are lot of very large manufacturers and home offices and the number of companies relocating here is essentially greater than I’ve ever seen,” Pollack said. “So, employment growth is going to be high and that’s going to bring lot of new employees. Population growth will be just under 20 percent but that is close to 90,000 new people a year.” And, demographically the largest adult cohort worldwide is millennials, 27-32 years old, who are now in their prime home-buying age, Pollack said. “On top of that there is a lot of other pent-up demand,” Pollack said. “Oddly enough there are more people living with mommy and daddy who are 18-29 – literally more than any other time than the end of the Great Depression in 1940. “Sooner or later their parents are going to kick them out of the house and they are going to have to basically create their own housing unit. That is even more demand on top of everything else.” The housing supply can’t keep up with the demand. “You are down to about a 23-day supply,” Pollack said. “If any of you have friends or kids who are out buying a house, you know what it’s like. That is down from a 70-day supply normally.” And, if buyers are looking for a house priced $350,000 and lower, there’s only a 10-day supply, according to Pollack. “In addition, you know most homebuilders: when they build a subdivision have homes that people can move into right away,” he said. “Well, 18 months ago there were 1,600 of those. You are now down to 500 of those, so there is essentially very little supply.” He said shrinking affordability threatens to price once-secure wage earners out of homes and apartments. “They’ll buy less expensive smaller homes,” Pollack said. “At some point, they will have to stay in rental units and that keeps on going down. And then people on the bottom really have nowhere to go and that’s going to be a big issue.” He pointed out that in 2015, 73% of

Economist Elliott Pollack analyzed home and rental prices in 11 cities and found that between 2020 and 2021, more groups of wage earners were priced out of affordable housing. It’s only going to get worse this year, he predicted. (Courtesy Elliott D. Pollack & Company)

Total population in the Valley is expected to bring 800,000 new residents this decade. (Courtesy Elliott D. Pollack & Company)

the families in the Phoenix area could afford a median-priced home. Today, that affordability has dropped to 51% and “it’s going to be somewhere at 45% by the end of this year.” That assumes average mortgage rates stay at 3.5% interest rate. Affordability will shrink further still if the rate increases to 4%, Pollack said. He said based on data crunched out to

2025, less than 30% of people would be able to afford a median-price home. “That is something that Phoenix has never faced before because it has always been an affordable market relative to our competition,” he said. “Housing prices since 2000 has gone up roughly 188% in Phoenix.” For those renting, the apartment inventory also is low and becoming less

affordable. “If you want to basically dig your way out of the hole, a shortage, to get vacancy rate in apartments back to the historic norm you need an additional 15,000 apartments on top of what you need for your annual population flows,” Pollack said. “So, you’ll need probably about 16,000 apartment units for the next five years to get things back to normal.” Right now, there will probably be about 14,000 new apartment units opening this year, he said. “There’s more than that in the pipeline but we don’t have the labor to build them,” he added. “So, we’re behind the eight ball. We are not getting to the point we need to be at.” Area rents have shot up 29.5% over last year and single-family resales increased by 28.5%, according to Pollack. A person will need to earn $72,680 a year to afford a median-priced apartment rental by the end of 2025, Pollack

see HOUSING page 9

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

HOUSING from page 6

predicted. “If you keep on getting these rapid rate increases because of the supply-demand imbalance, you are going to need $90,000,” he said. “It’s going to be a real problem.” And that leads to the question of where will the people needed to run a community live – nurses, cops, firefighters, teachers, chefs, the guy who works for Circle K, according to Pollack. He presented a chart that showed none of those groups of workers could even afford to buy a home in Gilbert in 2020 and those on a nursing or police salary could only afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment in town while firefighters, high-school teachers and chefs can only afford a one-bedroom apartment. The others such as middle-school and elementary-school teachers, construction workers and retail workers could afford neither in Gilbert. Move forward a year to 2021 and the picture is bleaker: nurses and police officers remain able to afford to rent a two-bedroom and all the other worker groups are priced out of Gilbert. “Your essential workers along with people coming in earning those salaries in other jobs and private-sector jobs are just going to have difficulties,” he said. “And this is a reality you are going to have to face over the next several years.” Pollack emphasized that in the current shortage, all types of housing in all price levels and all income levels are

This chart shows the continuing gap between the number of apartments needed in the Valley and the number that are or are projected to be available. (Courtesy Elliott D. Pollack & Company)

needed. “We are at the bottom of the norm of affordability at the moment,” Pollack said. “We’re about to fall off a cliff in terms of affordability. It becomes very difficult especially as interest rates go up. “There is not a group that is being spared difficulty right now. Obviously, it hurts worst at the bottom because you have fewer and fewer choices.” If housing stock remains low, Pollack said municipalities can expect to see families doubling up, millennials and Gen Z generations trying to live with their parents or face homelessness. “And, it’s a very bad economic-development picture because affordable housing is one of the things that’s always made us a draw,” Pollack said. “There’s going to be upward pressure on wages

The current shortage in homes and rental units is shrinking the availability of housing. This chart shows what home prices and rent would be if the shortage could be addressed and what they are likely to become if it is not. (Courtesy Elliott D. Pollack & Company)

Valley economist Elliott D. Pollack spoke to Gilbert Town Council about the Valley’s housing crisis and is slated to make similar presentations to other municipal councils over the coming months. (YouTube) and city budgets and slower growth for the economy as a whole – which means less real-income growth and that’s what bothers me most.” He reiterated what municipalities such as Gilbert could do to address the problem – build more housing units of all types across all ranges of income. “Normally you’d need 20,000 to 25,000 for-sale units and about 15,000 rental units, you’d need another 2,000 to 25,000 new home inventory and you

need some replacements,” he said. “But, basically we have to build in total to get out of this thing over the next five years almost 42,000 housing units a year that’s total housing units.” He said meeting that need is made more difficult with labor shortages and supply chain issues. “I know the Gilbert team makes every effort as shorthanded as they are to work with our developers and have encouraged higher density in commercial areas,” Mayor Brigette Peterson said. “And we allow for accessory dwelling units and other factors.” She added that the Town a few years ago created a new zoning category called multifamily high to allow for additional height and density for multifamily projects. “We have seen multifamily developments coming to our community with about 5,000 multifamily units planned that are not yet developed,” she said. Vice Mayor Aimee Yentes asked how to frame the issue to residents in the community who don’t believe that it’s an issue. “How would you explain it in a way that makes them want to care and I say it like that because the other side of the coin is people have a motivation to protect the values of their home,” Yentes said. “And so they see kind of the ability to close as…a good thing.” Housing developments and especially apartment projects in town often attract opponents who complain about density, traffic and potential impact to their property values. It’s a difficult situation because people who oppose growth make a lot of noise, Pollack responded. “The question is are there people on the other end who don’t make noise? Who will now start make noise to help you understand that most people don’t want their city to have reduced levels of real income,” he said. “They want jobs, they want places for their kids to live and you are not going to get any of that unless you do some things that maybe in a perfect world you would not do but the world is not pre-

see HOUSING page 12

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

BOND from page 1

Moore said the survey results showed it’s clear this was a sticking point in the 2021 bond proposal with only 41% strongly supporting this category. He added there was a lot of public confusion and frustration with the leases. Roughly 900 of the 60,000 voters in the district responded to the survey, which asked six questions gauging their support for a 2022 bond measure. HUSD under then-Superintendent Denise Birdwell executed two lease agreements in 2012 with a third-party for the use of two new buildings to house the Cooley and Sossaman middle schools, the district’s first and only ones. It was during a time the district was seeing a big uptick in student enrollment. The total cost of the two leases over their lifetime is nearly $160 million. Each year, HUSD directs $4.4 million of its capital funding to the two payments and has paid to date approximately $44 million. It has 31 more years of payments remaining, totaling approximately $168 million. A grand jury last July indicted Birdwell for alleged bid rigging and payoffs while at HUSD. Three others also were indicted. A trial date for the four is scheduled for April. Moore pointed out that just because there is no support now for retiring the leases, the district can issue a bond for it in five years. “We’re still trying to breach and get out of the Birdwell era,” Moore said. “I was hired now over a year ago. I knew about these leases. In fact, it was and still is a well-known example of what not to do regarding public leases for either constructing buildings and or purchasing buildings.” Moore said the district also has the option to put the school lease as a second bond question in November, and he will discuss that possibility along with its tax implications at the next board meeting Feb. 23. The board is anticipated on March 9 to call for the bond election. He also said that the district was working with the owner of the leases, JMF-Higley, “to move these leases under the district, which would then save millions in regarding to fee savings as well as enabling the district as well as enabling the

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Higley Chief Financial Officer Tyler Moore, seen here in an earlier photo, discussed the possibility of seeking voter approval again for a bond issue. (GSN file photo) district to then refinance those current bonds also potentially saving millions or more money on interest earnings.” “As a reminder, those were taken out in 2012 so interest rates are not the same as they are in today’s market,” he said. Because there was a lack of strong support – 39.79% in the survey – for a land purchase, staff is looking at a land swap instead, Moore said. “We know that the northern part of our district is going to see the most growth in the next five to eight years,” he said. “The district currently owns a piece of land… and we’re currently looking at researching a land swap to better utilize internal resources that we have available to us. “More information will come on this as we continue to research what both our current land will appraise for and if it’s possible to land swap to a more advantageous piece of land that would be better suited for an elementary school or a new school build.” The survey results showed that over 60% of the respondents supported the proposed 2021 bond spending for major projects like new construction, 62%; technology, 69% and major maintenance, 67.10%. The district anticipates the need for a new school within five years to accommodate the growth at its northern boundary. The survey support for the 2022 bond proposal came in at 66% for technology, 63% for safety and security, 61% for

see BOND page 12

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

POLICE from page 4

forcement leaders must be at the table, not because we expect that it is our wishes that should be carried out, but it’s our expertise that must be heard,’’ Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said. He said it will provide “transparency and accountability to investigate our own.’’ The move comes as police across the nation are under increased scrutiny for their interactions with civilians. That includes not just incidents that result in death or injuries of those who come into contact with police but allegations that there are racial elements in how police do their jobs. Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams, whose own agency is facing a Department of Justice inquiry into its use of deadly force, praised the move. “My law enforcement colleagues as well as the speaker as well as our representatives have heard the voices of the

BOND from page 11

As House Speaker Rusty Bowers looked on, Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg spoke at a press conference at the State Capitol Feb. 7 on a bill that would require police agencies to farm out sone investigations of their own. (Howard Fischer/Capitol Media

Services)

community mention and say ‘We want independent investigations of our critical incidents,’ ‘’ she said. What HB 2650 does not include is any sort of civilian input into these reviews. Bowers defended that decision, saying this is only about criminal investigations of use or intended use of deadly force. He said most civilians are not in a position to decide such issues, saying these investigations should be done “by professional people.’’ Penzone said there are good reasons to limit who is involved. “During the investigation we shouldn’t have any outside forces influencing how investigators seek facts, interview witnesses, any of the elements of the investigation,’’ he said.

And Williams said nothing in the legislation precludes the kid of oversight created by Phoenix Cioty Council last year with the Office of Accountability and Transparency. But that would come later. Penzone said while he considers this “a significant first step,’’ he acknowledged that what also will not fall under the measure are other activities by police that might violate laws or the civil rights of individuals. “It doesn’t mean that we’ve solved the world’s problems,’’ he said. “It doesn’t mean we’ve solved the problem of racism ... that aren’t just an issue in law enforcement,’’ Penzone said. “They’re a social issue in the world.’’ And he said these issues have to be addressed “one step at a time.’’ The measure still needs approval of the full House.

major maintenance and 56% for major projects. The November bond proposes spending 58%, or $45 million, for major projects; 25%, or $19 million, for technology; 14%, or $10.7 million, for major maintenance; and 3%, or $2.5 million, for safety and security. According to Moore, the proposed $77 million bond debt won’t increase the tax rate. “I can confidently say there will be no increase in the tax rate as our assessed

valuation has increased,” Moore said. Board members also addressed how to increase transparency, going beyond the annual public presentation on how the district spends its bond monies. Board member Kristina Reese said that even though the lease is being removed from the bond funding, the public needs to be educated on “how it prevents us from doing many other things that from M&O or capital because we have this additional cost” and that no other school district has this burden.

“So when people try and compare what we pay our teachers, what we pay for our maintenance, just operating costs and different things, no other district has this expense that we do that has to come off the top. And so we start less than what we would have to offer,” Reese said, adding: “Our community approved a 40-year lease but they didn’t approve the financing and here we are with this and it is a financial burden for us.” Marty Bender was the only citizen to speak about the proposed bond.

“Last year I was against the bond,” he said. “I thought it was too large. I thought the spending plan was too nebulous because resources are limited. “I wished that the survey would have been done in such a way to have asked respondents to prioritize spending versus saying what’s very important, somewhat important. Everything seems important but we all understand that we’re in a universe where we’re limited. “I’m requesting that if possible we whittle it down a little bit more,” he said.

ducci said. “We are not going to destroy classics. There was some confusion … if we went past what needed to happen. We definitely need to look at the impacts and that we do not put ultra-burdens on our teachers. We take that seriously all the time.” Katie Nash, the president of the Chandler Education Association that represents teachers in the district, said the

communication for the rollout of this new policy could have been better. “Unfortunately, I think the district … the communication, the roll out of it, the delivery of it, wasn’t well done,” Nash said. “There probably should have been a staff meeting to explain to people what it is and how to implement it in their classes. Unfortunately, it was sent as an email with attachments saying please use this permission slip.” Nash said that some teachers may have gone too far in implementing the policy to “cover their butts.”

fect,” Pollack said. “The reality is not everybody is up here in income and even those people are going to be living down here because it’s so expensive for a house that they used to afford and if you wait for the trouble to occur, if you wait for the homelessness, if you wait for companies not locating here because housing was too expensive…it’s too late. Take a look at California.” Council at its regular meeting following the study session approved without comment Higley Apartments with 261 units on 8.34 acres north of Baseline

Road and east of Highly Road. The former commercial-zoned site is in close proximity to the 60-acre Banner Gateway Medical Center complex and is located within the Baseline Medical Growth Area. The oddly shaped site lacks access and visibility and has a deed restriction prohibiting any medical-office-type uses. And, last week, Tri Pointe Homes announced the acquisition of 468 homesites on 137 acres in Gilbert for the third and final phase of the Waterston planned community.

SEXED from page 3

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HOUSING from page 9

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

State Senate poised to expand school voucher program BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

epublican lawmakers took the first steps last week to approve what would be the largest-ever increase in who can get a voucher of state funds to attend private and parochial schools. On a party-line 5-3 vote, members of the Senate Education Committee agreed to vastly expand a program first created a decade ago as providing opportunities for students with special needs. Since that time lawmakers have expanded that to include children of active duty military, children in foster care, residents of Indian reservations, and students attending schools rated D and F. About 10,000 students now get these vouchers, formally known as “empowerment scholarship accounts.’’ SB 1657, crafted by Sen. Paul Boyer, R-Glendale, would make vouchers available to all children of veterans and fulltime health professionals who provide direct health care. Even broader, it would allow any student living in the boundaries of a Title I school– those serving a large percentage of low-income children – also would qualify, regardless of their

Mesa state Sen.Tyler Pace compared public schools’ need for money to the computer game Tetris, saying, “You can never win.” (Pace fo AZ Senate Campaign) own financial status. An analysis of a similar proposal by Boyer last year by legislative budget analysts concluded it would make more than 830,000 of the 1.1 million students now in public schools eligible for the state vouchers. But Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Phoenix,

said even that figure is misleading. She pointed out SB 1657 also would make vouchers available to any student in a school district that is seeking state funds for a new building based on enrollment growth. And all students in any district that spends more in local revenues than the

tuition and fees charged Arizona residents at public universities – about $11,000 a year – also would qualify for a voucher. Boyer said he thinks most of those students will stay put where they are, regardless of voucher availability. He puts the number of additional vouchers SB 1657 would create at only about 25,000. The vouchers provide about $7,000 to eligible parents, more for students with special needs or learning disabilities. These funds can be used not only for private and parochial school tuition but also costs of home schooling and “microschools.’’ Much of the debate surrounded whether lawmakers should be putting more money into the public-school system rather than diverting cash to provide alternatives. Boyer said, though, it’s unfair to tell students who are not getting their needs met now in public schools that they have to wait until some yet-to-bedetermined additional cash is provided. Drew Anderson, pastor of Legacy Christian Center Church in South Phoenix, said the financial aspects of kids

see VOUCHER page 15

Gilbert man motivated for Arizona AIDS Walk SPECIAL TO GSN

ince Lorenzo Garza of Gilbert participated in his first AIDS Walk nearly 20 years ago in San Antonio. So much has changed, both for him and for society’s acceptance and understanding of the impact of HIV and AIDS. What hasn’t changed, and what continues to motivate him in his inaugural Arizona AIDS Walk & 5K Fun Run on Saturday, Feb. 19, at Tempe Beach Park is the memory of his brother David. “My brother died of AIDS in 1989 at the height of the pandemic and he’s who I think about,” Garza said. “He died a week before is 23rd birthday. I was a 17-year-old junior in high school and it had a significant impact.” Not just in the heartbreaking loss of his brother, but in coming to grips with a fact in his life that so many young men and women still battle with. “I’m a gay male and his death pushed me deeper into the closet because I was afraid of what my potential fate would be because

see AIDS page 16

Lorenzo Garza, above, is motivated for Saturday’s Arizona AIDS Walk because his older brother, David, left, died of the disease. (Special to GSN)

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

VOUCHER from page 14

trapped in public schools must be put not getting the education they need in in perspective, stating, “Here we are in public schools. But he said that putting 2022 and we have school districts that more dollars into vouchers is not the andon’t want to let those Black bodies go swer. because there’s money attached to those “I’m a firm believer in funding the 93% Black bodies.’’ of our students, of our kids, that go to Anderson brushed aside questions public education,’’ Kitchell said. about the lack of accountability in the “So instead of taking money out of our use of these public funds as there is no public education system, why not, as requirement for students in these pro- Sen. Marsh suggested, invest where the grams to take the same achievement real problem is, and that is poverty?’’ he tests as students in public schools. He continued, citing links between students said the only thing that counts is that stu- who come from low-income homes and dents are graduating from high school academic achievement. And Kitchell said and, for many, getting the opportunity to that could be accomplished by giving go on to college. schools more money based on the numRon Johnson who lobbies on behalf of ber of poor students they have the state’s three Catholic bishops, also The idea of more funding drew quesspoke in support, speaking of the 23 tions from Sen. Rick Gray, R-Sun City. He Catholic schools in the Tucson diocese said that Utah students do better acaand 35 in the Phoenix diocese. “This demically and with fewer dollars. And will help many more children attend the Gray suggested to Kitchell that he needs school that best addresses their needs,’’ to think more like the businessman he is. he said. Kitchell said he can’t tell lawmakers COLOR: Right click Jim Swanson, CEO of the Kitchell Corp., how much it would takeswatch, to properly and fund did not dispute that some students are public schools.

“But I do know we have 2,000 vacant teaching positions,’’ he said, with people not wanting to become teachers and others leaving the classroom. “So that tells me you’re not giving people a job they want.’’ That question of how much public-school funding is enough also bothered Sen. Tyler Pace, R-Mesa, comparing it to the computer game of Tetris where colored blocks keep coming. “You can never win,’’ he said, saying that whatever lawmakers allocate is never enough. Pace said that vouchers, while not for everyone, can and should be used “prudently.’’ Beth Lewis, co-founder of Save Our Schools Arizona, said lawmakers were ignoring what Arizonans want. She cited 2017 legislation that could have made all students eligible for voucher programs. But when her organization referred it to the ballot in 2018 it was rejected by a margin of nearly 2-1. find replace with correct Theand measure now needs approval of the full Senate.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

For Gateway Airport, the pandemic is over BY JOSH ORTEGA GSN Staff Writer

wo years after the pandemic hit Arizona, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has returned to normal including a first in airport history. Gateway Airport Executive Director J. Brian O’Neill’s January report said more than 641,000 passengers came through its terminals so far this fiscal year and that they are on pace to match their 2019 total of 1.7 million people. For the first time in airport history, passengers briefly filled all 2,809 spaces in its largest parking lot, the Ray Road Economy Parking Lot, over the Christmas holiday. “We’ve officially recovered from the pandemic,” airport spokesman Ryan Smith declared. In November, 147,285 passengers passed through the airport’s gates – an 8% increase over the previous record set two years prior, according to a release. The airport’s largest carrier, Allegiant, contributed to much of this increase with flights twice weekly to places such as Orange County, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. The airport’s master plan update in June 2020 predicted the airport will have

1.2 million passenger enplanements and 369,000 total aircraft operations annually by 2038. A major hurdle to make this possible remains the opening of the new $30 million air traffic control tower that’s slated for completion this summer. The 190-foot tower is 60 feet taller than the old tower built in 1970 and will provide greater space and unobstructed views of the airspace for air traffic controllers. Airport improvements will continue afterward with work on the $5 billion terminal modernization project.

Officials look to replace Gates 1-4, which currently sit in temporary buildings that were built approximately 13 years ago. The terminal modernization project will add new permanent gates that will allow the airport to operate five gates simultaneously, add more space for social distancing, and improve ADA-compliance. All these changes have already helped the airport add $1.8 billion in total output toward the local economy, according to the 2021 Arizona Aviation Economic Impact Study conducted by the Arizona Department of Transportation. The study also found that the airport

of that,” he said. Garza pushed through that closet door just before turning 30. That door is now permanently closed. “I just knew I wasn’t being myself,” he said. “I was at a point where I needed to be my authentic true self, whatever that meant, whatever the consequences.” The first hurdle was telling his parents. “I was so terrified of that, but once they knew and once they came to terms with it, I moved forward.” That forward motion will serve him well as he negotiates the 5K run at this year’s event. Proceeds from the 2022 AIDS Walk & 5K Fun Run will directly benefit Aunt Rita’s Foundation’s 14 partner agencies providing critical HIV services including testing, treatment, be-

havioral health, housing and prevention, among others. Garza carries an even stronger connection this year as his employer, Carvana, is a major sponsor. Garza, 49, is Carvana’s senior manager for vendor relationships. “I could not be prouder that our company is participating,” he said. “We want people to know that Carvana cares about everyone, including those impacted by HIV and AIDS.” Even with the progress in preventing and addressing HIV, Garza said, “I don’t want people to forget that this is a moment in history to continue to fight until HIV is cured. I’m so happy that it is no longer a death sentence for many people. “Looking back at videos, documentaries and pictures, it was a terrible time.

Today, it’s a different story. I know many people living with HIV and I stay involved because knowledge is power and people need to know.” AIDS Walk Arizona and 5K Fun Run is the largest gathering in Arizona to support people living with HIV and raise community awareness. The AIDS Walk registration tent and the vendor village open at 1 p.m. The walk and run will start at 3 p.m. Information and registration forms can be found at aidswalkaz. org. Co-chairs are Regina Gazelle Wells, who overcame serious struggles with substance abuse to become a committed trans activist and advocate for trans individuals affected by homelessness, substance abuse and HIV, and Elijah Palles,

AIDS from page 14

Tourists are returning in droves to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. (Josh Ortega/GSN Staff)

employs 10,224 people earning approximately $524 million in annual wages and benefits. Passengers won’t be the only ones taken care of, as the runway is under repairs that will allow nearly any size plane to land at the airport, even a 747. “There’s not an airplane that hasn’t or can’t land here,” Smith said as he explained what makes the airport a “convenient alternative” in the Valley. With this increased activity comes the increase in noise O’Neill’s report also acknowledged with 59 airport noise calls, up from 46 in 2021. The executive director’s report also said general aviation flight numbers were slightly down but this could certainly change with the completion of the Executive Airpark’s 183,000 square-foot hangar complex planned for completion this summer. Smith said each of the three hangars will have the capability to house a Boeing 737 as part of the facilities maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations. All these projects have been made possible by $5 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Biden in November. The money will be

see AIRPORT page 17

whose drag stage name is Eddie Broadway. He is Mr. Trans USA 2020. Registration fees are $20 for students, $35 for individual walkers, $35 for virtual walkers and $45 for runners. Fees include an AIDS Walk shirt and sponsor swag. Registration for PAWS for the Cause for walkers bringing their dogs, is $10 and includes a PAWS for the Cause bandana. KIDS for the Cause (12 and under) can participate for free, but registration is required and they must be accompanied by an adult. Registration includes and AIDS Walk shirt and Kids for the Cause swag from the AIDS Walk vendor village. Information on Aunt Rita’s Foundation: auntritas.org.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

AIRPORT from page 16

spent over five years to further upgrade the airport. One project already underway is SkyBridge Arizona, a venture with commercial partners that will add industrial buildings, hangars and a hotel to the airport property This project will allow commerce to be easily processed and shipped between the U.S. and Mexico with the Unified Cargo Processing Program. A joint venture between both nation’s customs agencies will allow shipments to fly from Gateway to anywhere in Mexico without additional processing in Mexico City. The 360-acre, $230 million project is projected to add 14,000 jobs to the area and have 10,000 cargo flights per year by 2036. In November, Gulfstream announced it will construct a 225,000-square-foot maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility, part of a $70 million investment by the private jet company into the airport. “The arrival of Gulfstream is further proof that Gateway Airport is one of the best locations in North America for MRO and other aerospace facilities,” Mesa Mayor and Airport Authority Chairman John Giles, said. “The hundreds of high-wage jobs and educational partnerships that will be generated with this facility will have a profound impact on the entire region.” Smith said the distant future holds an even bigger goal of building a new terminal dubbed Gateway East that will also include 400 acres of retail and industrial

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A major improvement at Gateway Airport is the construction of a long-delayed new flight control tower, which is being built near the antiquated tower. The new tower is scheduled to open later this year. (Josh Ortega/GSN Staff)

businesses. But for now, Smith said the airport is focusing on what the airport believes could be their busiest spring season in a long time. “We are looking forward to one of the busiest spring travel seasons in the airport’s history,” he said.

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Gilbert man’s historical mystery set in Gilbert 1918 BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE GSN Contributor

magine going for a run, yet suddenly traveling back in time – to Gilbert 1918. This is the plot of Gilbert resident Jason Cvancara’s first novel, “Zona Investigations: The 918 Files: Case 000317Gilbert,” which was published last month. The historical mystery novel follows Harry, a man who was found lying in the street covered in bruises and scratches after time slipping into Gilbert 1918. Rather than being in the wrong place, wrong time, Harry was in the right place, wrong era. Set 30 years into the future, Cvancara’s “The 918 Files” book series revolves around an investigator being put into a

Gilbert resident Jason Cvancara, a private detective in real life with an office in Mesa, has just written his first novel in which a private detective agency plays a major role. (Special to GSN)

nursing home because he has an early onset of dementia. While he’s clearing out his office with his grandson, his grandson finds the 918 case files and asks what they are. So, he pulls out one of the files, the first being the Gilbert case, and tells the story of what happened. “Each file is going to be a book, so we have four or five already lined up,” Cvancara said. “They are all going to be based off of the private investigator from Zona Investigations who works out of Arizona. It’s going to be weird stuff, but I’m going to keep it as real as possible.” For the protagonist, Harry, the phenomenon of “time slipping” becomes his reality. “Time slipping” involves traveling through time by unknown means

see AUTHOR page 19

Gilbert teen giving scholarships to teachers BY KEN SAIN GSN Staff Writer

Gilbert resident and Basha High School senior says her biggest worry when she decided to give scholarships to teachers was not trying to raise the money, but would anyone apply? “For me, the more intimidating thing was like, ‘I don’t know if anyone’s going to apply. I was praying just like one person, please apply so I can actually like do the project.” There was no reason for Jadyn Ocampo to fret. She left the application window open for two weeks and 34 Chandler Unified School District teachers applied for the Al and Laurie Ocampo Scholarship. Jadyn said she wanted to raise money for teachers for her senior project

Basha High senior and Gilbert resident Jadyn Ocampo said her parents are both teachers and both have college debt, so she started a scholarship fund for Chandler Unified School District to help them out. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

because she has seen how the student loans teachers take out to get their degrees can take decades to pay off. Both her parents are teachers. “One day it just kind of clicked,” Jadyn said. “My mom faces student debt. I lived with her in Flagstaff when she was in grad school at NAU, and I see her 10 years later still paying for that degree. I know that affects a lot of educators.” Jadyn was hoping to raise $1,000 to give to one teacher when she first started the project. She ended up raising more than $4,000 on a GoFundMe page. She decided to award three $1,000 scholarships and four $300 scholarships. “I was moved by all the stories,” Jadyn said. “There are three stories that really stood out to me.” Jadyn said she knows that with the

see OCAMPO page 22

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

AUTHOR from page 18

and with no control. After Harry realized he had slipped into 1918, he tries to get anyone to believe him, but no one does. That is, until he met Charles G. William, owner of private detective agency, Zona Investigations. Zona Investigations takes direct inspiration from Cvancara’s own private detective agency of the same name located in Mesa. In Cvancara’s book, Zona Investigations was developed for people desperate to find answers. The agency attracts people with unusual requests and takes cases that are so strange, no one believes them. Charles helps Harry in his search for the truth – much like how Cvancara says he provides investigative services to clients. “I’ve always been the type of person that if you tell me something, I’m not going to discredit you,” the Gilbert resident said. “I’m going to hear you out.” Cvancara discovered his love for law enforcement as a Security Forces

member in the Air Force. After more than 20 years of military service (active and reserves), Cvancara worked in civilian law enforcement for over a decade. The former Phoenix Police officer then started a security guard business, Silbar, Security of Phoenix, and has owned Zona Investigations for about three years now. Cvancara said his stint in the Air Force as well as his experience as a police officer and private eye have helped him see things from a unique, law enforcement perspective. “I wanted to do something different where I could combine my experience in law enforcement, security and everything else with my creative brain that comes up with weird stuff and put it into a fiction book that would entertain people,” he said. “The 918 Files” offers a mixture of reality and fiction with unexplained cases featuring interactions with historical people, places and events.

“The storyline flows with what I’ve experienced over the years dealing with weird stuff and just kind of the process of how an investigator works cases,” Cvancara said. “There are different parts in the book where the police interact with people and they interact in the same way I would have.” Cvancara credits his mother, who passed away last August, as the person he inherited his creative genes from. She was always open to different, weird ideas and helped him a lot with the book, he said. If Cvancara was ever stuck, his mother would help him find a creative way to move the story along. Another family member who the book takes influence from is Cvancara’s great grandfather, William, whom the investigator is named after. To be as historically accurate as possible as Harry walks toward Old Town Gilbert in 1918, Cvancara went to the Gilbert Museum and tried to find as much information as he could on Gil-

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bert during that period. He did research online as well to learn about what Arizona looked like at the time, what law enforcement was like and what kinds of communication were available. “Another goal is to get people interested in history and make people realize just how fast Gilbert has grown,” Cvancara said. “It hasn’t always been like this. At one point in time, Gilbert was just dirt roads and a couple of buildings.” The number “918” wasn’t chosen randomly for his book series, Cvancara said. In reality, 918 is the radio code in Phoenix for mental illness. “At the beginning of the book, it’s dedicated to those thought to be crazy,” he said. “Sometimes people experience weird things and they’re actually telling the truth. So that’s what all these stories are going to be based on. Someone has experienced something and people are

see AUTHOR page 22

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OCAMPO from page 18

money she awards, the teachers won’t pay off their student loans, but she hopes it will help them make at least one payment. Those three teachers were Yolanda Jones of Navarette Elementary, Hunter Wilkes of CTA Independence and Eric Bealer at Hamilton High School. Jadyn said Jones’ story touched her because she’s a full-time teacher who heads home each day before she goes to her second job at Chick-fil-A. On top of that, she’s a graduate student who hopes one day to be a principal at a Navajo school. She said she identified with Wilkes because they are both athletes. Jadyn plays tennis and Wilkes came within an inch of qualifying for the Olympics in the pole vault. To train for a shot at the Olympics, she spent an extra

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

year at her university, which just added to the debt she had already amassed. Bealer has six children – the same number as Jadyn’s grandparents, after whom she named her scholarship fund. Two of Bealer’s children have medical needs. “I guess the key thing with all those teachers, is despite their hard things, they’re still so excited to go to work,” Jadyn said. Getting the $300 scholarships were Anna Zepada of San Marcos, Vanessa Randall of Hamilton, Amber Lugo of Conley and Andrew Pezzuto of Santan. After a local TV station broadcast this story, more donations came in on Ocampo’s GoFundMe page. She now has enough to hand out about six more $300 scholarships. She said she may have to wait until March to do that,

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because she’s already missed too much school on this project. Jadyn said when she first started trying to decide which teachers to award the scholarships to, she made an initial cut to 15. From there, she picked the seven that ultimately got money. Jadyn said she will look at the eight she didn’t choose from that initial cut to find the next six. And she hopes to keep this going. “I really feel like I can go somewhere with this,” Jadyn said. “I would love to start a foundation. I mean, I’m 17 and I have to worry about paying for college right now. But I would love to do this again next year.”

TO HELP To donate to the Al and Laurie Ocampo Scholarship, search GoFundMe.com by “Ocampo Scholarship.”

AUTHOR from page 19

going to think they’re out of their mind but in reality, they’re not.” Cvancara soon plans to start writing his next book, which will most likely be set in Prescott. If his first book does well, he anticipates his second to be released this fall. Cvancara also hopes that “The 918 Files” could be turned into a television series in the future. “Think of it like ‘The X-Files’ where it seems real, but kind of not,” he said. “You’re always guessing whether or not it’s a true story.” “Zona Investigations: The 918 Files: Case 000317Gilbert” can be purchased through Amazon. To keep up with the latest “The 918 Files” updates follow the series’ Instagram page @the_918_files or its Facebook and Twitter page, both @ The918Files. To shop “The 918 Files” merchandise or to read about other Arizona-based cases visit the918files. com.

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

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Schnepf Farms home developer has eye on the future BY PAUL MARYNIAK GSN Executive Editor

ichard Felker keeps one eye on the ground and the other on the future. If that seems like an exaggeration, consider his track record. From managing and owning two family businesses in Milwaukee in the 1970s – one that sold furniture and the other that ran coin-operated washers and dryers – Felker started signing up university dormitories and apartment buildings for the latter. “I would call on apartment developers to get them to sign a lease with me put my laundry equipment into their buildings,” he recalled. “And that led me to say to myself, ‘Well, why don’t I try and get involved in real estate? So I became an entrepreneur who said, ‘well, let’s build a couple of buildings and see how it goes.’”

How it went is this: Felker sits atop The Empire Group, a Scottsdale company that over 40 years has accumulated more than $1.5 billion in assets and built a legacy of commercial, single family and multifamily residential and industrial development. Now, he is riding the wave of a multi-billion trend that experts say will radically change the single-family housing landscape forever. Empire’s announcement in December that it will build 144 single-family rental homes on 14 acres Developer Richard Felker has a firm footing in a growing of Schnepf Farms – the trend in new-home construction: building houses not to sell celebrated Queen Creek them but to rent them. (Courtesy of Empire Group) agrotainment venue best

known for its peach festivals and annual October Pumpkin and Chili Party – was just the latest in a series of build-to-rent communities Empire has on the drawing board, already is building or has finished. The company’s first was the Village at Harvard, a nearly fully occupied 184home community in Goodyear. Then there’s the 208-home Village at Olive Marketplace in Glendale that’s 65% leased and 50% occupied. A 194-home community is rising at Camelback Road and 107th Street, as is a 180-home development in Avondale along with the 272-home Village at Paseo de Le Luces in Tolleson. The Village at Schnepf Farms is the company’s seventh in the Valley and one of 21 projects in a market area stretching from Casa Grande to Prescott. And it’s hardly the last as Felker eyes

see FELKER page 24

Gilbert cinema programmer aims for the unique BY KEN SAIN GSN Staff Writer

he owners of Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grill are mapping a strategy aimed at meeting the challenges movie theaters face today. In addition to the impact of the pandemic and government-ordered shutdowns during the last two years, movie theaters also have to worry about competition from streaming – especially as some studios are now releasing films for streaming at the same time they go up on the big screen. Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grill hired Andrea Canales to bring innovative programming to its venues in Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe. “You have to stand out, you have to be

Andrea Canales is the programmer for Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grills, which has venues in Chandler, Gilbert and Tempe.

unique,” Canales said. “We pride ourselves on offering a really fun, unique experience for people. We want to make great memories happen at our locations. We find that the easiest way to do that is to play up to nostalgia, things that people really enjoy doing.” Canales, who assumed her new role earlier this month, has been doing programming for a number of independent movie houses in the state for years. “We are very excited to welcome Andrea to our Majestic family,” said Craig Paschich, Majestic’s CEO. “She has deep ties to the Valley’s film community, ranging from her academic relationships to connections with everyday cinephiles, and she truly respects and can accommo-

see MAJESTIC page 24

BUSINESS

FELKER from page 23

not only further expansion of build-torent single-family homes in Arizona but in other states by the end of 2022. That expansion is extending a footprint that Felker began making in the Phoenix region not long after he came to the Valley for a vacation in the 1970s. By the 1980s, he had become “the land guy” to homebuilder Geoffrey Edmonds and Associates and together, “We built $700 million or $800 million worth of homes in Gainey Ranch and Scottsdale Ranch,” Felker said. Over time, Empire has become just that – an empire of almost every conceivable kind of development you can imagine, even including self-storage facilities. “I try to be on the cutting edge of something new,” he said, crediting the company’s growth as well to his two partners, Geoffrey Jacobs and Randy Grudzinski.

MAJESTIC from page 23

date the varied interests of our cinema guests.” All three theaters feature food and drinks delivered to your seat from their grill and bar. The first major event she is planning for Majestic’s three theaters is a Valentine’s Day special with showings of “The Wedding Singer” and “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.” She said the food will be tied to the movie to enhance the overall experience. One option also will be a “Gal-entine’s Day” screening of “Magic Mike” for single women and their friends. Canales said she still needs to get a handle on what type of programming will play well in Chandler and Gilbert. She said they rely on the people who work at each location for some ideas, but also get a lot of ideas from patrons themselves through Majestic’s social media platforms. “It’s really listening to people on what they want,” Canales said. “Watching trends and patterns, and being a really keen observer of society and culture.” Since she’s only been on the job a few weeks, she said she doesn’t quite know what those audiences are looking for. “In Chandler and Gilbert, we’re doing

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

That cutting edge includes several high-rise apartment buildings that helped to reinvent downtown Phoenix in much the same way that Marquette University reinvented downtown Milwaukee more than two decades ago, Felker said. “I had seen what Marquette University did to downtown Milwaukee over a 20-year period and it just blossomed because of the university,” said Felker, who added to that blossom a 27-story apartment building overlooking Lake Michigan. “With ASU and the bio stuff downtown,” he said, “I just figured it was going to be the same kind of thing happening here. And so, we went ahead and we took a bunch of risks to do those couple of downtown projects.”

see FELKER page 26

Besides rental homes, Empire Group also has built hi-rise apartment buildings, including the 312-unit, 19-story Phoenix building called The Stewart, located on the former site of the Stewart Motor Company, which was built in the 1940’s as Phoenix’s original Studebaker dealership. (Special to GSN)

You have to stand out, “ you have to be unique, we pride ourselves on offering a really fun, unique experience for people. We want to make great memories happen at our locations. We find that the easiest way to do that is to play up to nostalgia, things that people really enjoy doing.

”

– Andrea Canales

a little experimenting to find out what is going to be the next consistent series for these locations,” she said. “We know there are movie lovers out here, we just have to find out what they want to see.” Majestic to a degree has the Tempe audience figured out. One popular program Majestic has at its Tempe venue is

The lobby of Majestic’s Chandler venue creates a welcoming atmosphere for patrons. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

a themed scary movie night. On Feb. 2, they planned a night of original sequels for the date 2-2-22. So Majestic will show the second film in a series such as “Friday the 13th” or “Halloween.” Canales said if Majestic continues to focus on giving people something

unique, the owners won’t have to worry about competition. “People aren’t always looking for convenience,” she said. “They want to make memories, they want to have great experiences. We firmly believe you’ll never be able to replace that.”

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FELKER from page 24

He added that Jacobs “was really responsible for seeing the high-rise opportunity in downtown Phoenix.” Felker stressed that kind of risktaking isn’t just a matter of having that rare vision that builders possess. And it explains why he’s jumped into the buildto-rent market with both feet. “It does come kind of naturally and intuitively. But it’s all based on data that you gain with being around in this industry for a long time. In the downturn, we bought houses and rented them. In this market and in many other markets, we’re just trying to stay ahead and this asset class of these single-family buildto-rent homes just appeals to everyone. “If you look at our rental base of people who move into this kind of product, they’re in their 20s, their 30s, their 40s, their 50s, their 60s, their 70s. Our first project had three or four 80-year-olds and two 90-year-old people. It appeals to everybody because there’s nobody living next to you, nobody living above you or below you. It’s your own space. And you have a little back yard.” And it comes maintenance-free as the people who move into one of those build-to-rent homes simply call the on-site maintenance crew if there’s a problem – no different from calling the custodian in an apartment building. Florida-based housing economist Brad Hunter said build-to-rent not only appeals to consumers who desire a “lock-and-leave” lifestyle in their home base but also to investors. “Investors seeking yield are having difficulty finding enough built homes to buy,” Hunter says on his website. “So, they are shifting more attention to ‘ground-up’ development of brand-new rental homes.” He told the Wall Street Journal last June that by the end of 2022, investors already will have ponied up $40 billion in that trend. His analysis of eight markets across the country showed that the Phoenix area is possibly ground zero for that growth, with 3,920 build-to-rent houses

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

of its build-for-rent communities with the same care and attention to detail and a traditional homebuilder would bring to the table. With the Queen Creek development, for example, owners Mark and Carrie Schnepf “kind of interviewed” Felker about his vision before signing a deal with Empire, recalling how they told him, “’We don’t want something that doesn’t look good’” because of their popular and widely-visited agrotainment Empire Group’s The Village at Schnepf Farms will offer 144 rental attractions. homes on 14 acres of the iconic Queen Creek farm known for its “We actually did agrotainment. (GSN file foto) some charrettes and completed in 2020 and another 4,259 spent a lot of time with Mark and his coming on board last year. The next wife on coming up with what the archibiggest isn’t that close: In Dallas/Fort tecture looks like, what the fencing looks Worth, Hunter reported, 2,580 rental like around the outside, and what the homes were built in 2020 and 2,906 last landscaping looks like,” Felker recalled, year. “because they were very concerned In a five-year production forecast, about what was being built next to their Hunter predicts that even as the number family treasure.” of new BTR houses hits 180,000 units Now, Felker said, “we’re going to be nationally by 2025, “overall demand for really proud of that one as it comes out rental homes still exceeds production.” of the ground and finishes.” Hunter believes that the number of He said the community will “have a build-to-rent houses will account for little bit of that farm feel to it.” 12 percent of all new houses by 2024. “It’s going to be a little different from Taylor Morrison, the nation’s fifth- the rest of ours,” Felker continued, largest homebuilder, says that per- “because that’s how the Schnepfs felt centage eventually could reach half of all comfortable selling it to somebody new single-family homes. who’s going to develop it.” And the commercial real estate finance He anticipates it will take about eight company Walker & Dunlop notes, “The months to lay the community’s infrarapidly growing BFR market will con- structure and that “I’m thinking we’re tinue expanding as more residents going to start leasing probably 18 to 20 prefer to rent single-family homes with months from now.” yards and upscale amenities on a longPeering into the future with the same term basis.” vision that has guided the growth of Empire approaches the construction Empire for four decades, Felker said the

only thing that could stop new build-torent housing in the immediate vicinity of Phoenix is a shortage of land. “It’s a kind of a new asset class but it is so well accepted by every age demographic,” he said of build-to-rent. “It does require more land. So, the more urban the city becomes, the less you’re going to see this type of thing. But we are going to be in other markets as well.” “Places like Casa Grande are going to be the recipient of a lot more rental construction,” he said. “Once you go into the San Tan Valley, we’ve got two or three developments that are going to be in those areas. So yes, it is expanding.” And his biggest worry has nothing to do with the availability of water but that for the average household, “costs keep escalating.” “In the Phoenix market, we’ve been really low for a long time in terms of the percentage of our income that people can spend on housing. It’s been 25%, 26%, 27%. In San Francisco and other California places, people are spending 43% or 45% of their income and we are gradually bumping up against that.” He estimates that people in the Phoenix area are spending at least 31% or 32% of their annual income on housing and that with soaring appreciation in non-rental single-family homes and 15 percent annual increases in rent, places farther away from Phoenix will become far more favorable to homebuyers and renters. As a result, what might be broadly considered the Phoenix metro area will be not much different from how people view Los Angeles. And Empire gives every indication that it will continue to be a major player in that expanding megalopolis, especially with build-to-rent. “I’ve been around, obviously, a long time and done a lot of different things,” Felker said. “But we’ve gone very deep in this space…It takes a lot for me to get excited, and I’m very excited about this space and what we’re doing in it.”

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McClelland cementing his Arete legacy BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

atthew McClelland’s legacy at Arete Prep in Gilbert began being built when he first stepped foot on the small campus as an eighth grader. He didn’t know it at the time, but he would later go on to shatter records and create new ones at the school while becoming a three-sport athlete along the way. Now a senior, McClelland is taking it all in before his time at the school runs out. “Coming in, I was considering going to a bigger school, but I decided to go to Arete,” McClelland said. “I’m just so glad I made that decision. My coaches, my teachers and all my friends, I’m glad I got to grow up with them instead of being lost in a big crowd.” McClelland began cementing his legacy at Arete as a sub-6-foot freshman that he admits probably didn’t weigh much over 160 pounds on a good day. The football helmet and shoulder pads he was given appeared to be too big for him at just 14 years old. But they weren’t too big for who he went on to become at a young age. That year, in just its second season since putting a pause on the program for two years due to a lack of participation, McClelland led the Chargers to a 7-3 campaign as their quarterback. He completed 150 of his 272 pass attempts for an astonishing 2,559 yards and 31 touchdowns. He led the country at times through the year with the most passing yards. And he only got better as his career went along. “I knew he would be starting for us as a freshman because I knew he could put a football wherever he wanted,” Arete Prep football coach Cord Smith said. “I

seasons — one of which he only played in six games due to COVID — McClelland passed for 3,980 yards and rushed for 2,026. He scored 63 total touchdowns for the Chargers. He also earned the trust from Smith, who said he would let McClelMatthew McClelland began making an immediate impact in foot- land call his own ball, basketball and baseball the day he stepped foot on the cam- plays at times. pus of Arete Prep as a freshman. Now a senior, he hopes to “I trusted him and cherish his final months at the school he believes helped him we knew he could grow into a Division I football player. (Dave Minton/GSN Staff) do it,” Smith said. As a senior he battled injuries that limited his production. But in the two seasons prior he began to dabble with the safety position on defense. He quickly became one of the more feared defensive players in the 2A Conference, delivering hit after hit that often drew ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ McClelland’s growth as an athlete was immediately visible, but from the crowd. so was his growth as a person. Arete Prep basketball coach Mike Playing safety Caviness said seeing him grow into a humble and genuine person also gave him a fuwas a great experience. (Dave Minton/GSN Staff) ture in football beyond high school. told him he wasn’t allowed to run be- Despite passing for 7,147 total yards, cause he was so tiny as a freshman. I’ll rushing for 2,711 and scoring 113 tonever forget the day. Spring right before tal touchdowns over the course of four his sophomore year he took off like a seasons, he began earning scholarship racehorse. He had a little more muscle offers for his play on defense. on him, and I looked at the other coach On Wednesday, Feb. 2, McClelland beand I go, ‘he’s going to be a dual-threat.’ came the first-ever football player from Over the course of the next two Arete Prep to sign to a Division I football

program in Morehead State University. “I could not be more excited,” McClelland said. “I just hope people look up to me and see that no matter how small you are or what school you come from, you can make an impact wherever you go. If you put in the hard work and truly believe in yourself, you can do whatever you want.” His legacy at Arete doesn’t end with football. Like many student-athletes at the 2A level, McClelland is a three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and baseball for the Chargers. And just like he did on the gridiron, he’s made a dramatic impact on the hardwood. McClelland became a member of the 1,000 career points club this season as a senior. He also recorded the school’s first-ever dunk and scored 46 points in a game against Madison Prep — also a school record. Head basketball coach Mike Caviness said McClelland was the heart and soul of the team as a senior and in year’s past. It became a common occurrence for him to not leave the floor except during timeouts, halftime or during the waning moments with the outcome decided. But that was for good reason. His 6-foot-2 frame provides size not often seen at the 2A level. He has a unique ability to drive to the hoop and draw contact while also able to pull up from anywhere on the court for a jumper. He became an all-around athlete during his time at Arete Prep and brought recognition to a school that is often overlooked athletically. On top of that, he grew into a genuine human being. “The biggest thing I’ve seen from him is his desire to put the team first,” Caviness said. “Obviously, he’s a standout

see

MCCLELLAND page 29

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

MCCLELLAND from page 28

player. But he’s such a humble young man. I’ve seen the maturity in him. Some kids may have gone the egotistical route but that’s just not who he is. That’s what impressed me from day one.” While his time on Arete’s football field and basketball court has come to an end, McClelland looks forward to the baseball season set to begin March 1 at Cactus Yards against Tempe Prep. The pitcher and utility hopes to make

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the most of his final few months at Arete Prep. Maybe more accolades on the diamond will come along with it. But when it’s all said and done and he walks across the stage for graduation in May, his legacy will forever be engraved inside the halls, fields and court at Arete Prep. “I wouldn’t trade my time at Arete for anything in the world,” McClelland said. “I love it with all my heart. I know part of me will always be here.”

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Beer fest an endless keg of samples and fun BY ALLISON BROWN GetOut Contributor

rom lagers to IPAs to seltzers, there’s a lot of beer to try at the Arizona Strong Beer Festival. Complete beginners and connoisseurs will find what they’re looking for, whether it’s a starting place or a new go-to ale. The festival will boast 300 to 450 samples. The festival returns for its 21st year on Saturday, Feb.19, after a pandemic break. Rob Fullmer, executive director of the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, who sponsors and produces the event, said the Arizona Strong Beer Festival is coming back strong and he, vendors and customers are excited to get back to it. “We can’t wait to get back to beer fests,” Fullmer said. “It’s been a long two years for everyone and we are thrilled to be hosting the Arizona Strong Beer Festival at a new, state of the art location.” Tickets to the festival start at $60 and can be purchased online. A ticket includes 30 tasting tickets and a commemorative glass. The festival spans 24 acres of the Mesa’s new Bell Bank Park, the largest sports complex in North America. Part of it will be transformed into a miniature city of breweries and other vendors to make up the state’s most comprehensive beer festival. There will also be live music, games and food trucks. The festival got its name for promoting beers 8.5% and above, with a strong alcohol content. However, now that the beer industry and technology have advanced, Fullmer said there are ways to get a bolder flavor without having to add more alcohol. Now, they keep the name and characterize it as beers “strong in flavor, strong in character and strong in tradition.”

The Arizona Strong Beer Festival and Bell Bank Park in Mesa promises to be a fun time for fans of the sudsy beverage.(Special to GetOut) According to Fullmer, the Arizona Strong Beer Festival started with 25 vendors in a parking lot and has now grown to have as many as 10,000 people attend. “I think it’s one of the most fun beer festivals,” said Nicholas Rana, owner of State 48 Brewery, who will attend the festival for the sixth year. “It is the Strong Beer Fest, so a lot of people get pretty intoxicated, and it’s definitely one of the busiest festivals. It’s about as central as can be in Arizona, so you get to see people from all over the state that go to it. You get to meet everybody, it’s good advertising and it’s just a fun festival to be at.” Because it is the premier beer event in the state, the festival will host product and brand launches. Drew Pool, co-founder of Wren House Brewing Company, said it has been part of the festival since it opened in 2015. Pool wants to show off its new barrel-aged projects they have been working on. Strong Beer Festival allows his staff to

see what’s trending or what drinkers seek. Fullmer said beer and breweries have a way of bringing people together. Breweries often serve as a comfortable, laid back third space for people to gather. He said it’s different than a coffee shop or restaurant in that it’s more acceptable to walk up to a stranger and strike up a friendly conversation, whether it’s asking what they’re drinking or where the best pizza place is nearby. With about 60% of the vendors being from within Arizona – and Rana said instead of a feeling of competition between the breweries –it’s more of a feeling of community and togetherness. Laura Hansen, owner of Saddle Mountain Brewing Company, said her company has been involved for the past seven years and, while it’s fun to be recognized, the best part is the people. “We’ve won a few different metals over the years for different beers, which is always a fun thing, but the most enjoyable part is honestly the people,

both the other breweries and the customer base,” Hansen said. “Getting to talk to them about craft beer and just enjoying a lovely sunny afternoon with some outstanding craft beers.” In the spirit of community, Fullmer said the event is family friendly, and patrons even have picnics there. For those who don’t really like beer, there will also be mead, cider, seltzers and nonalcoholic drinks available. Those under 21 or serving as a designated driver are still welcome to enter the festival for a reduced cost but will not be permitted to drink. When it comes to the 30 tasting tickets, Fullmer said there are a couple different strategies to maximize the experience without ending up with a killer headache the next day. “Do what everyone else is not doing,” he suggests. “I don’t stand in the lines, but I do ask people why they’re standing in line to understand what’s there. Definitely hydrate and take opportunities to check out the food trucks.” Guests wanting to analyze the differences in the breweries to find a favorite should stick with one category, like sours, to better compare and contrast. Most likely, there will be brewers there who can discuss their particular version. The Arizona Craft Brewers Guild represents nearly 100 operating breweries, breweries in the planning state, craft beer bars and distributors across Arizona.

IF YOU GO...

What: Arizona Strong Beer Festival Where: Bell Bank Park, 1 Legacy Drive, Mesa When: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19 Cost: $60 for general admission Info: strongbeerfest.com/

GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

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ANSWERS TO PUZZLE AND SUDUKO ON PAGE 32

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Lynnette Pepera Alberts Riutta Dunn reOn January 13th in turned to her heavenly Tucson, Pandora Rodrighome on January 31 st, uez passed away unex2022. She was born in pectedly with her loving Kalamazoo, MI and is canine "Puppy Love" be- survived by her daughter Cindy Clifton side her. and son in law David, her grandsons Pandora was born in Jonathan (Oceana) Clifton and Will Missouri but settled in Arizona. She was (Desi) Bueti, her brothers Michael (Sue) the 8th of 10 children by Joann and Wil- Pepera and Charlie (Karen) Pepera, and bur Van Dine.Creatively gifted, Pandora her sister Roberta Perry. She is prohad a passion for writing & shared it with ceeded in death by her husbands Bill, her children during bedtime stories about John, and Tom as well as her parents the Adventures of the Rodriguez's. These Billy F. Walton Joseph and Marvel Pepera. Services were stories are her grandchildren's legacy. Bill Walton, 68, of Gilbert,Methodist Arizona, passed held at Velda Rose Church, Pandora had a generous heart, and pen- away unexpectedly on February 3rd.to Bill was Mesa. She was a blessing everyone to Bill and Eloise Walton, Sr. chant for living life in the fast lane. She is bornshe met, and nobody was a stranger. survived by her children Melanie, Paul, & After leaving the Air Force, Bill graduated Savannah, 8 siblings, and 8 grandchildren. for Ohio Institute Billy F. Walton of Technology andJr. went on August 8, 1963 - January 13, 2022 to become an engineer for Rockwell Bill Walton, 68, of Gilbert, Arizona, International. In 1990 Bill moved toonGilbert, passed away unexpectedly February Deadline for obituaries is Wednesday Arizona, where he met the love of his life, 3rd. Bill was born to Bill and Eloise at 5pm for Sunday. All obituaries will Joanne Meyers Walton, and worked for Intel be approved by our staff prior to being andWalton, Gilbert Jr. Sr. High. activated. Be aware there may be early After leaving the Air deadlines around holidays. In his time, Billfrom Force, Billspare graduated loved to playof video Call 480-898-6465 Mon-Fri 8:30-5 Ohio Institute Technogames, talking politics, if you have questions. logy and went onto become listening to music, Visit: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com an especially engineerrock for &Rockwell roll, 1990 moved to GilandInternational. wood-workings.InBill had Bill a fierce passion for bert, his family, faith he in met God,theand Arizona,hiswhere lovehisof his country. life,Joanne Meyers Walton, and worked Bill was predeceased by his Father, Bill Sr., for Intel and Gilbert Jr. High. In his spare brother, Fred Allen. Bill leaves behind mother, time,hisBill loved to of play video daughter games, talk Eloise, wife, Joanne 29 years, politics, listen to music, especially rock & Yvonne (Patrick) Wilson, sons William (Mary) Shepard, Matthew Romario, William and roll, and wood-workings. Patrick, Allee,for Brandon, BillHis hadgrandchildren, a fierce passion his family, Michael, April and Liam. his faith in God, and his country. Bill was hishonoring father, Bill Bill will Sr.; be brothApredeceased celebration ofbylife EVERLASTING MONUMENT Co. held er,atFred 1 PMAllen. on March 27th, 2022 at Faith Church, 11530 E. Queen Creek Rd, his Bill leaves behind mother, Eloise, “Memories cut in Stone” Family Chandler, 85286.of The wife, AZ Joanne 29 family years;requests daughter, donations in lieu of floralWilson; tributes tosons, be sent to • MONUMENTS Yvonne (Patrick) William Faith Family Church in Bill's memory. (Mary)Sign Shepard, Matthew Romario, Willi• GRANITE & BRONZE the Guestbook at: am and Patrick; grandchildren: Allee, obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com • CEMETERY LETTERING Brandon, Michael, April and Liam. • CUSTOM DESIGNS A celebration of life honoring Bill will beheld at 1 PM on March 27th, 2022 at FaithFamily Church, 11530 E. Queen 75 W. Baseline Rd. Ste. A-8 Creek Rd, Chandler, AZ 85286. The famGilbert, AZ 85233 ily requests donations in lieu of floral tribwww.everlastingmonumentco.com utes to be sent toFaith Family Church in Bill's memory. info@everlastingmonument.phxcoxmail.com Sign the Guestbook at: Make your choice Everlasting obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

Life Events

Employ

Employment General

ment

AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC, an Amazon.com company - Tempe, Arizona: Data Engineer II: Design, develop, implement, test, document, & operate large-scale, high-volume, high-performance data structures for business intelligence analytics. (AMZ6128). Multiple job openings. Apply online: www.amazon.jobs – search by AMZ6128. EOE.

Employment General Holly & Piper 2022 As the years go by you would think it would be hard to come up with things to say for all these ads, but it's not. I'm just as much in love with you Holly, my gorgeous wife & best friend as the day we met. Piper, I can't believe you are 15 already! I am so proud of the choices you are making as you grow into an amazing, beautiful young lady. You both continue to make me the happiest husband & father there is. My relationships with you both are unmatched and my greatest gifts from God. I love u! Dad

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Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Senior Solution Specialist in Gilbert, AZ & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to drive software development & implementation services to address manufacturing, financial, human resources, customer relationship management, supply chain, & other business needs, utilizing SAP products. 15% travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0122GIL8201 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/veterans. Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Senior Solution Specialist in Gilbert, AZ & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to drive Oracle software advisory & implementation services to help companies unlock the value of big technology investments as discrete services or comprehensive solutions in the Insurance, Financial Services, Healthcare, State & Local Government, Telecommunications, & Retail industries. 15% travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0122GIL786 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/veterans. Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Senior Solution Specialist in Gilbert, AZ & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to drive software testing and implementation services to help companies unlock the value of big technology investments, ranging from requirements to architecture, design to development, testing to deployment, and beyond as discrete services or comprehensive solutions in the insurance, financial services, healthcare, state and local government, telecom, and retail industries. 15 % travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0122GIL7390 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/veterans.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

Plumbing

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Public Notices

Rooﬁng

OUT WITH THE OLD, CHIP RETURN

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RETURN YOUR TABLE GAMES CASINO CHIPS AT HARRAH’S AK-CHIN BEFORE THEY EXPIRE!

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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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PHILLIPS

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.

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aOver 30 Years of Experience

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GILBERT SUN NEWS | FEBRUARY 13, 2022

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Gilbert Sun News - 2.13.2022

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