Gilbert Sun News 07/16/2023

Gilbert o ering cash for grass-less yards

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

Gilbert is o ering up to $800 to homeowners willing to uproot their water-guzzling lawns and replace them with drought-tolerant plants and trees.

According to the Town, which just launched the rebate program, converting to water-wise landscaping can reduce a household’s outdoor water use by half or more.

Town o cials made an initial allocation of $60,000 for residential grass removal projects and $15,000 for non-residential grass removal projects, according to spokeswoman Kelsey Perry. All projects must receive pre-approval before beginning to qualify for a rebate consideration.

Businesses, HOAs and other non-residential customers could receive up to $3,000 for removing their turf.

Residents on social media for the most part welcomed the program.

But some did not, including one man who wrote, “Maybe stop building massive apartment complexes, putting 40 houses on an acre of land and approving all of the tech-based businesses that require thousands of gallons of water a day to cool their servers.”

On average, each Arizona resident uses about 146 gallons of water each day, the state Department of Water Resources says. e bulk, or 70%, of a household’s water use goes for outdoor activities such as watering plants, swimming pools

$31M Guadalupe Road re-do coming soon

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

For the past ve years, Gilbert has been working to revitalize its largest and oldest employment area in the northwest corridor and one of the steps toward doing that is a roadway project anticipated to start as early as this month.

e $31-million project calls for improving Guadalupe Road from Arizo-

na Avenue to McQueen Road.

It includes Obispo Avenue and Colorado Street as well as a major overhaul of the Guadalupe and McQueen roads intersection. e original estimated cost was $21.3 million, according to Public Works Director Jessica Marlow.

“In ation is certainly a large part of the cost increases, in addition to re nements in scope and other un-

see ROAD page 10

and washing cars, the state agency says.

Gilbert’s voluntary measure to save water is far less draconian than what city leaders in Scottsdale instituted – a ban on front-yard grass in new single-family homes built or permitted after Aug. 15.

Gilbert’s rebate program is the latest step in Stage 1 of its four-stage water management plan, which it rolled out in summer 2022.

Fit to be tie-dyed

Elliot Colgan, 10, concentrated on making a cool color pattern during tie dye class at the McQueen Park Activity Center on June 12. To see how some of his classmates fared, see page 12. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

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Revised downtown mixed-use project returning

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

Two years ago, the Brundrett Family pitched a 68-foot-tall, mixed-use building that included restaurants, o ces and a rooftop patio/bar but was shot down because it was too tall for the Heritage District.

e family is scheduled to come back before the Town this week with the same proposal – though this time with a proposed building that meets the 55-foot downtown height limit.

e Redevelopment Commission will hear the revised in ll proposal at its study session July 19.

e family, which owns Norwood Furniture in the Heritage District, proposes its project for vacant land south of the southwest corner of Gilbert Road and Page Avenue, between the furniture store and the Farmhouse Restaurant.

e proposed building is four stories tall with the rst oor reserved for restaurants, bars and cafés, the second and third oors for o ce use and the fourth oor being a rooftop patio/bar with a portion of the roof being enclosed to protect against inclement weather, according to a sta report.

e rear of the building would include a patio area surrounded by a screen wall at the ground oor, which would be used as an outdoor seating area.

e ground oor also would include an external pedestrian connection on the south side of the property that would connect patrons from Gilbert Road to the alley at the rear of the site, towards Water Tower Plaza.

e landscaping plan includes shrubs and trees for the two second- oor balconies – one facing Gilbert Road and the other facing Water Tower Plaza – as well as for the top and fourth oor.

“ e vision of this building is to act as an extension of Water Tower Plaza,” according to planner Kristen Devine. “ e applicant is leaning heavily on transparency and 360-degree views of the surrounding downtown Gilbert area.”

According to the building designer Circle West Architects, the proposed mixedused building would o er high-quality

food and drink venues, that would act as a magnet to the Town’s iconic Water Tower while using innovative o ce space to support downtown’s economic viability.

e Redevelopment Commission voted 3-2 in support of the original project but the Planning Commission voted 6-1 to recommend the council deny the project.

Commissioners objected to the proposed height, which would exceed the limit set for the downtown by 13 feet.

e tallest building in the immediate area on Gilbert Road is Building 313, which has a rooftop restaurant and bar, at 55 feet tall and three stories.

e two buildings that exceed the height limit in the Heritage District are the townowned university building at 68 feet and 8 inches tall and the Collab building at 64 feet tall but they are both o the Gilbert corridor.

During the public hearings, nearby business owners spoke against the proj-

ect, noting the importance of adhering to the Redevelopment Plan and the Heritage District design guidelines, which govern development in the area.

e project architect at the time explained that the reason for requesting a taller building was that higher ceilings were needed in order to attract Class A ofce tenants on the second and third oors.  He had also assured the Town that the proposed building would not block the view of the 130-foot-tall Water Tower although nearby property owners were skeptical of that assertion.

If you go

What: Gilbert Redevelopment Commission

When: 6 p.m., July 19

Where: Council Chambers, 50 E. Civic Center Drive.

The Brundrett Family’s revised project for an empty lot in the Heritage District now conforms with downtown height limits. (Town of Gilbert)

The vision for this building “is to act as an extension of Water Tower Plaza,” a town planner said in a staff report. (Town of Gilbert)

Stage 1 focuses on education and calls on the public to voluntarily conserve while the town increases its e orts to reduce municipal water use.

e Town also initiated a smart irrigation control rebate program last September that gives up to $250 to households that install a smart controller and up to $400 for non-residential water customers. e budget for that rebate program was $45,000.

e program “has been very successful since its launch,” Perry said. “As of July 11, Gilbert has approved 194 smart irrigation controller rebates – 192 for residential customers and two for non-residential customers.”

She said the reason why few requests for rebates come from non-residential customers is that many HOAs in town already use smart controllers and that the program requires all new non-residential developments to install a smart irrigation controller.

O cials have budgeted $120,000 for all its rebate programs, Perry said, adding that the funding for each program may change year to year, based on their popularity.

Some of the other conservation resources for the public include a free commercial water e ciency check-up, a landscape water budgeting program and an E-newsletter with tips. Perry said 315 sites currently are participating in the water budget program and that the Town has completed 358 free check-ups for its commercial customers.

And as of July 11, the Town has 2,168 subscribers to its water conservation e-newsletter, according to Perry.

e Town also is doing its part to save water.

Perry said Gilbert has removed 220,925 square feet of grass so far at a number of locations ,such as Freestone Park.

“ e Town has identi ed approximately 500,000 square feet of grass at eight other

parks and facilities for potential removal,” she said. “ e Town has instituted several water-saving measures at Gilbert’s parks and facilities.

“ ere has been no overseeding for Gilbert’s parks and facilities since the winter of 2022. In addition, all of the Town’s parks and facilities have smart irrigation controllers installed and are in the Water uence Water Wise Gilbert program.”

She added that the Town completes water audits at all its parks and facilities throughout the year to ensure they are as water e cient as possible, with recommendations made if there are any areas that could be improved.

Conservation e orts in Gilbert in 2022 have saved 225 million gallons of water– 21 million from residential customers; 54 million from the town; 126 million from HOAs and apartments; 44 million from businesses, churches and schools and 27 million from new developments.

e Town also has an agreement in place since June with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to forego up to 1,200-acre feet of its share of Colorado River water in Lake Mead each year through 2025. According to Perry, Gilbert has long-term contracts and leases that amount to 27,041 acre-feet of Colorado River water each year.    In return Gilbert is receiving $400 per

acre-foot for up to $480,000 per year, which it will use to help o set the cost of alternative renewable water supplies and the increasing cost of raw water supplies.

According to the Town, Gilbert has a diverse and resilient water resources portfolio consisting of surface water, reclaimed water, and groundwater – 29% of Colorado River water delivered through the Central Arizona Project, 29% SRP water; 23% groundwater, 15% reclaimed water and 4% comprising surface water.

e Town’s conservation e orts are in response to the Colorado River drying up.

Since 2000 extreme drought and climate change have dropped the river to a dangerous level. Nearly 40 million Americans rely on the Colorado River system for drinking water and to support livelihoods ranging from farming to recreation, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

In May following intense negotiations, Arizona, California and Nevada agreed to take less water from the Colorado River –cut 3 million acre-feet of water through 2026. An acre-foot is the approximate volume of water needed to serve two homes in Gilbert per year.

Stage 2 of the town plan could include measures such as citing customers for excessive waste of water, further expansion of conservation programs and limiting municipal non-essential landscape watering.

“ e activation of Stage 2 of Gilbert’s Water Supply Reduction Plan will depend on the level of cuts that the Bureau of Reclamation declares for 2024,” Perry said, adding that the o cial declaration typically occurs in August.

Perry said that the current projection indicated that the feds will likely declare a Tier 1 shortage on the Colorado River system for 2024.

“ e river is currently operating in a Tier 2A shortage for 2023,” she said, noting. “A Tier 1 shortage will not trigger the conditions for recommending activation of Stage 2 of our local water supply reduction plan.”

Learn more

For more information on the grass removal rebate program, go to gilbertaz. gov/departments/public-works/water/ water-conservation/rebates/residential-grass-removal-rebate

Gilbert has a diverse water portfolio, relying on multiple sources to meet the community’s needs. (Town of Gilbert)

Gilbert is in the first stage of its water supply reduction management plan. (Town of Gilbert)

Aldi supermarkets proposed 257 apartments

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

German discount grocer Aldi is proposing a four-story, 257-unit apartment complex near the southeast corner of Arizona Avenue and Desert Lane that will o er a number of amenities, including pickleball courts, a 2,500-square-foot swimming pool and outdoor game areas.

Planning Commission gave a thumbsup last week to Aldi Commons’ site plan. Council in December unanimously approved a minor General Plan amendment, allowing for the development to proceed.

“I think it’s a pretty cool-looking project,” acting Chairman Brian Andersen said at the July 12 study session. “Everything looks great at our end.”

e subject site is 10 acres and Aldi Commons will be built on the eastern 4.91 acres while an Aldi store will be built on the west half along Arizona Avenue at a future date, according to senior planner Keith Newman.

Newman later said that that no date has been set yet for formal action by the commission as sta is still nishing up the second review of the multifamily proposal.

“As far as the Aldi grocery store is

concerned, they have not yet submitted a Design Review application so we really have no idea as to when they plan on building the store,” he said.

At the study session, Newman said a ve-level garage with 489 parking spaces will wrap around the apartment units, allowing tenants to access their residences from the garage.

e seven surface parking spaces at the northwest corner of the property will be used mainly for the leasing o ce for prospective tenants, he added.

e multifamily project will include a mix of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Aldi plans for a courtyard at the heart of the development with a resort-style pool and spa, a variety of lawn and outdoor games, barbeques and lounge-style seating.

On the west side of the building will be a public plaza with landscaping, benches, hammocks and a re pit. Other amenities include a state-of-the-art tness center, a club house with a co ee bar, social gathering rooms and seating areas.

Additionally, two pickleball courts with removable nets and arti cial turf are proposed in the re lane, which will be gated at both ends with KnoxBoxes to allow re trucks access.

The complex would be built on half of a 10-acre site at Arizona Avenue and Desert Lane and eventually include an Aldi’s supermarket. (Curtesy of Aldi)

Newman said sta was still waiting for sign-o from the re department.

“We like the design,” Newman told commissioners. “It’s a pretty good design.”

Commissioner Lisa Gage had a number of questions about the project, including concerns with the pickleball courts.

“I just want to make sure it’s being done right and I know that re is reviewing it,” she said. “But what if the nets get left up and then those poles that are holding up the nets is that enough room for the re trucks to safety drive through?”

Newman responded that sta did not have a lot of information on that proposed amenity yet but will have that information for the public hearing.

Gage also noted the lack of a dog park and areas for tenants to walk their pets in the development.

“ ere is no dog park,” Newman said. “I don’t know where people would be walking their dogs.

“I don’t think they are going to have access to the re lane unless they are

playing pickleball, so maybe in that plaza in the west they could walk dogs or obviously maybe out along the sidewalk along Desert Lane.”

Other than that, there really isn’t a place to be able to walk a dog, Newman said.

“It seems like a lot of people have dogs,” Gage said. “And this will eventually be a problem for the residents.”

She also asked if there was anything to stop shoppers from the future Aldi grocery story from walking over to the apartment complex and using the hammocks.

Newman said there will be no wall separating the store from the multifamily development because sta wanted the two sites to be integrated.

“So yeah, someone shopping at Aldi’s could easily go over there and hang out and chill on a hammock or do whatever they want to do over there,” he said.

Gage concluded that she was still trying to wrap her mind around the pickleball courts, the re lane and “allowing that

A five-story garage 489 parking spaces would wrap around the apartment units, allowing tenants to access their residences from the garage. (Courtesy of Aldi)

State dental review board bares few teeth

BY ALBERT SERNA JR., CAITLIN THOMPSON AND MORGAN CASEY Howard Center for Investigative Journalism

Zion Gastelum was 2 when he died days after receiving root canals on his baby teeth during a visit to a dentist in Yuma in 2017.

Lizeth Lares was 4 when she died after getting a tooth pulled a year prior at the same dental o ce.

And two more people died after visiting that same dentist this year, meeting minutes of the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners show.

Yet, Arizonans would have a hard time learning about these cases from the state dental board, the 110-year old agency that regulates the dental industry, licenses dental professionals and investigates complaints against them.

Details about problem dentists are hidden under layers of bureaucracy, a tangled complaint system and a virtually unnavigable website, an investigation by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism found.

And in rare instances when patients die or are seriously injured during a procedure, the board does little to hold dentists accountable, the investigation found.

State audits chronicle similar failures stretching back nearly half a century.

“ is is the worst-run agency I’ve been on,” Ryan Edmonson, the board’s executive director, told the Howard Center.

State laws that protect dentists and limit public disclosure of misconduct govern some of the board’s actions. But the board has leeway to develop best

regulatory oversight, then I don’t know what would.”

In 2017, Zion was placed under anesthesia for his root canals. He never regained consciousness. e oxygen tanks meant to supplement his breathing were empty or not working properly, the dental board found, according to its records.

At the hospital, he was diagnosed as brain dead and he died four days later.

e board faulted Dr. Aaron Roberts, Zion’s anesthesiologist, for failing to follow proper procedures, and gave him three years of probation that still let him practice under the supervision of another licensed anesthesiologist.

Zion’s dentist, Stephen Montoya, signed a non-disciplinary consent agreement with the board that required him to take 10 hours of continuing education.

Veronica Gastelum, Zion’s mother, said she was expecting harsher consequences.

“ is was a child,” she said.

board to ensure their syllabi meet the consent agreement requirements. According to the board’s policy, it’s meant to help dental professionals understand the current best practices for procedures and treatments.

But requiring continuing education is the board’s default punishment, said Craigg Voightmann, a dental malpractice attorney who has handled hundreds of lawsuits over 15 years of practice.

“Dentists have this perception that the board’s going to come out and hammer them, and I think it rarely happens,” said Voightmann. “Really, what’s happening is they’re just getting a public reprimand by a letter in their le and continuing education.”

whole

considered open space.”

e site is located in the Northwest Corridor, one of the oldest and densest employment areas in Gilbert that the Town is in the process of revitalizing.

e Urban Land Institute took a look at the corridor a few years ago and one of the recommendations included more multifamily development to support employees working there.

Aldi was approved for two locations in

The Arizona State Dental Board of Examiners is charged with licensing dentists. One dental malpractice attorney told the Howard Center that the board’s sanctions do little to deter bad dentistry. “It’s open season,” he said. (Morgan Casey/The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism) see

In another case, a dentist wrote prescriptions for controlled substances for his wife, his dental assistant and his dental assistant’s daughter for over a year, according to decision from a judge at the

practices.

It comprises 11 people appointed by the governor: six dentists, two dental hygienists, two members of the public and one business member. ey are each allowed to serve two consecutive four-year terms.

e board’s preponderance of dental professionals leads to decisions that help dentists learn from their mistakes, but can outrage patients’ families.

“You can’t have a much worse consequence than a dead baby,” said Mike Poli, who settled a malpractice lawsuit against the dentists and dental o ce on behalf of Zion’s family. “If that doesn’t motivate (the board) to get busy with

Gilbert

2018. e rst location opened in February 2021 near Pecos Road and Val Vista Drive.

Pairing an Aldi supermarket with apartments is not new.

Similar projects have developed in communities, including Washington, D.C. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fort Myers, Florida and Chanhassen, Minnesota.

Aldi is reportedly the nation’s third largest grocery retailer, behind Kroger and Walmart. It has 2,293 stores around the country.

All courses must be approved by the

known factors that are identi ed as we progress through the design process,” Marlow said.

e project was originally scheduled to begin in fall 2022 but was held up by a well.

Marlow explained that during the design for the intersection and determining what improvements would be needed, engineers identi ed a SRP well site that had to be relocated.

“We’ve been working with SRP to nd a new well site location and complete the land acquisition and design for this well site relocation,” she said. “ is additional coordination caused the schedule to be pushed back to what it is today.”

Improvements along Guadalupe include upgrading sidewalk ramps and driveways to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, installing a new tra c signal at McQueen and Guadalupe and street lighting, replacing an aging waterline, burying the overhead electric power lines and converting turf areas to low-water use landscaping.

Obispo also will be restriped in segments to provide future on-street parking.

Marlow said she didn’t have detailed tra c volumes, other than Guadalupe east of McQueen sees between 20,000 to 25,000 vehicle trips per day. at is expected to increase to between 25,000 and 30,000 vehicles daily by 2040.

“West of McQueen, Guadalupe is al-

ready over 30,000 vehicles per day, and McQueen north and south of Guadalupe is over 30,000 in both directions,” Marlow said. “ e intersection in this case is the bottleneck.”

When completed, the intersection will have dual left-turns and dedicated rightturn lanes at all approaches, which will improve safety, increase capacity and accommodate future tra c demands, according to the Town.

“Based on the recently adopted Transportation Master Plan, the intersection is currently operating at a level of service E, which is already failing,” Marlow said.

“Projections in 2040 indicate that the level of service will be F – even worse failure – based on increases in tra c.”

Construction will move from west to east along Guadalupe with the widening and rebuilding of the Guadalupe and McQueen roads intersection to follow.

During construction, the roadways are expected to remain open with lane reductions in place and tra c shifted away

from the work zone.

People will still be able to access residences and businesses.

e work will take place mostly during daytime hours, weekdays, with some weekend work possible if needed.

e entire construction is currently expected to take about 12-14 months to complete.

Marlow didn’t anticipate supply-chain issues extending out the construction timeline.

“Tra c signal poles and underground piping are both long lead items that take additional time to procure,” she noted. “ is should not a ect the overall schedule for the project.”

Gilbert says it’s focusing on the northwest corridor to improve the area for existing properties and draw in opportunities for future development.

e boundary for the corridor, home to heavyweights like GoDaddy and Lockheed Martin, essentially runs from Baseline Road south

to Elliott Road and from Arizona Avenue east to Cooper Road.

It contains 20.7 percent of the town’s jobs and is home to 2.3 percent of its residents, or about 7,500 people, according to o cials.

During the council’s strategic retreat in May, sta received direction to continue e orts this scal year towards establishing a Redevelopment Area for that northwest part of Gilbert.

A redevelopment designation provides local government with tools such as funding options to revitalize blighted areas within its jurisdiction.

e designation also would improve the quality of life for residents and visitors in the area by attracting in new development, stopping conditions that are creating decline and encouraging reinvestment, according to Town o cials.

is will not be Gilbert’s rst Redevelopment Area as the Heritage District was designated as such in 1989, allowing for more exible zoning, enabling properties to build up to their lot lines and having shared parking.

Since then, it’s been a success story for the downtown with its mix of retail, ofce, education, and housing use.

Hotline

For questions regarding the two projects call the project hotline at 480-898-4090 or email teresa@makprosvc.com

The Guadalupe Road reconstruction between McQueen Road and Arizona Avenue is aimed partly at continuing the restoration of the town’s largest employment center. (Town of Gilbert)

Work on Guadalupe Road will disrupt traffic but not bring it to a grinding halt. But the number of pieces to the p[project means it will take over a year to complete. (Town of Gilbert)

O ce of Administrative Hearings, which sometimes reviews cases from the board.

It took the dentist almost three years to comply with the board’s order to receive an in-patient evaluation for substance abuse.

During that time, the dentist removed 13 teeth from a patient without reason and gave another local anesthesia that “exceeded the maximum dosage,” according to OAH documents.

He kept his license before the board revoked it after his failure to receive treatment.

Dr. Anthony Caputo, chair of the board’s investigations committee, defended some of the board’s decisions.

Although he was not on the board when it gave Zion’s anesthesiologist probation, he advised the board on best practices and policy. Later, Caputo supervised the anesthesiologist while on probation.

He said he believed it would have been unfair to revoke the anesthesiologist’s license because he considered the dental company the anesthesiologist worked for to be at greater fault.

Board members are concerned about the damage a serious consequence can do to a dentist’s career, Caputo said, explaining its reluctance to give harsh punishments.

“We’re sort of regulating ourselves,” he said.

e most common consequence resulting from lawsuits are restitution payments, which require the dentist to pay back their patient the money for their botched procedure, Voightmann said. Unlike the board, lawsuits can’t revoke licenses to practice.

“It’s open season,” said Voightmann. “ e only consequence is really going to be a letter, a public reprimand or something.”

State auditors have criticized the board for not following important procedures such as ensuring dentists meet licensing requirements, processing complaints within 180 days of their submission, and providing information to the public.

e main function of the board is to issue and renew dental licenses, requiring applicants to meet Arizona’s require-

ments. But the board has repeatedly failed to ensure people practicing in the state are licensed, according to a 2022 state audit.

e board does little to warn the public about dentists, putting the onus on Arizonans to search for information about whether a dentist holds a valid license or has complaints against them.

e websites for Texas’ and California’s boards prominently display where the public can access a list of dental professionals who are facing complaints, are on probation or have had their licenses suspended.

In Arizona, a similar public list of dentists facing disciplinary action doesn’t exist.

e information the board does list only goes back ve years. State law speci es the board is only required to maintain online public records of complaints or disciplinary action for ve years. After that, someone seeking details about a dentist needs to request it from the board.

“It’s a dumb statute,” said Edmonson. “It’s not protecting (the public). It does exactly the opposite of what a board is supposed to do.”

Because of the ve-year limit, the public could learn that one Arizona dental surgeon Victor Trujillo was the subject of four complaints, but not the subject of 22 others.

Even the board doesn’t always know problems in a dentist’s past, Edmonson said.

Board members can’t access the board’s database to see a dentist’s complaint history or any subsequent action. During board meetings, Edmonson said he cannot provide information of pending or previous complaints against a dentist unless a member asks.

Of the 11 seats on the board, ve were vacant as of March 2023, so monthly board meetings sometimes lack a quorum for business. When that happens, meetings are canceled, complaints pile up and all agenda items are moved to the following month.

In 2022, complaints were tabled or carried over 140 times.

Cases are supposed to be resolved

see DENTAL page 13

Expires 7/31/23.

Mesa to start work on 10-mile pipeline

BY SCOTT SHUMAKER GSN Sta Writer

On the eve of Independence Day celebrations, Mesa City Council members met brie y and passed over 30 items on the consent agenda without discussion.

ough clocking in at just 8 minutes, the agenda included important business, including $13 million for the rst phase of underground work on the $171 million Central Mesa Reuse Pipeline.

e project is likely to snarl tra c as crews install 10 miles of pipe between the Quentin Drive north of McDowell Road in Mesa to an area near Houston Avenue near Green eld Road in Gilbert. e work will largely involve Val Vista Drive and Green eld Road.

e July 3 meeting was also the rst meeting of the new scal year, and the city got o and running on spending its newly adopted budget with the approval of roughly $95 million in expenditures ranging from $180,000 for faux trees to cover cell towers to a $33 million contract with Valley Metro for bus service.

But the highlight of the agenda was probably approval of the contract with Garney Companies to install the rst 2 miles of pipes for the Central Mesa Reuse Pipeline, beginning at Greeneld Road and Southern Avenue and then heading north.

Engineering Director Beth Huning called this the “o cial start” of pipeline construction and said crews would begin installing the 16-inch pipe on July 24. A tentative schedule has construction in this section running through next February.

A sta report said there will be tra c control restrictions on Green eld during construction, and that potential impacts would include left turn restrictions, lane closures and other temporary tra c hassles.

e Central Mesa Reuse Pipeline will bolster the city’s water supplies by increasing the amount of reclaimed water it can deliver to the Gila River Indian Community to trade for raw Colorado River water.

Under the deal, Mesa will get credits for raw water equivalent to 80% of the water it delivers to GRIC, which the city says will ultimately cost it less than it would cost to purchase Colorado River water o the market.

Mesa has placed a high priority on starting this project in the midst of extended drought and the likelihood of permanent cuts to its share of Colorado River water, which currently accounts for about half of the city’s portfolio,

City leaders see the pipeline as so important, that it hardly blinked when project costs ballooned from an estimated $72 million in 2021 to $183 million in 2022 due to in ation.

Since 2022, city engineers managed to shave more than $10 million from the nal tab with cost-saving measures.

Tie dye express

The Gilbert Parks & Recreation Department invited kids to come to MacQueen Park Activity Center for a “leap into the world of creativity with this super-fast and easy way to make your own tie-dyed tees.” Among the children who accepted the invite were 1) Noah Stevenson, 2) Amelia Colgan, 3) Jack Weissberg, and 4) Lola Anderson.

e next phase of construction is slated to begin in November and will impact Green eld Road between Broadway and Brown roads.

One of the other large expenditures

Mesa City Council on July 3 approved construction of the first phase of a 10-mile pipeline that will run mostly along Greenfield Road. Work is likely to start this month and snarl traffic for months. (City of Mesa) see PIPELINE page 13

2 4 3

Photos by David Minton/Sta Photographer

within 180 days but the vast majority are not, the Arizona Auditor General found. One case took over 650 days to resolve or receive a formal hearing with the O ce of Administrative Hearings.

People caught in the board’s backlog have little insight into how their complaints are progressing. ey do not know the status of the case until its conclusion, which may be months or even years, and sometimes beyond the required 180-day timeline for resolution.

Edmonson attributed some of the backlog to the number of people the board contracts to investigate complaints. When Edmonson took his position in 2018, only one person was contracted to investigate complaints.

“When you average 350 complaints a year, one person is not a whole lot,” he said.

e board’s problems have been the target of the Arizona State Auditor General for over 40 years.

A 1979 audit rst identi ed the board’s failure to protect the public, its biases in

dealing with the Arizona Dental Association, a slow complaint processing system and nontransparent meeting rules and regulations.

Audits from 1981, 1999, 2014 and 2022 list similar issues, such as the board’s continued failure to inform the public of its meetings and to ensure dental professionals are held accountable when ful lling continuing education requirements.

e 2022 audit addressed the slow complaint process. e report found that the board did not resolve 32 of 35 complaints within the 180-day requirement.

Voightmann said the board is better than it used to be, but still must do more to protect the public.

“ ere’s a lot of bad dentistry in Arizona,” said Voightmann. “ ey’re not stopping anybody.”

The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is an initiative of the Scripps Howard Foundation in honor of the late Roy W. Howard.

approved last week was the $7.3 million purchase of 13 heavy-duty garbage trucks powered by compressed natural gas.

Ten of the trucks are replacements and three represent an expansion of the eet.

e city is buying the trucks from Rush Truck Center Phoenix through a competitively bid State of Arizona cooperative contract.

A sta report said Mesa currently services 350,000 trash barrels in the city using a eet of 57 side-loader trucks. e report said the city has been gradually replacing diesel trucks in the solid waste eet with natural gas powered trucks to support the city’s Climate Action Plan.

Not all of the money approved last week was outbound.

e council also accepted $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds from Maricopa County to help pay the $7.4 million purchase price of the 70-room Grand Inn Hotel on Main Street and Power Road for Mesa’s O the Streets homeless program.

e zoning change requests approved

by council also included two multi-family residential developments totaling more than 500 units.

e four-story, 416-unit Residences at Dobson and Cubs Way received the green light and may add dense, high-end apartments to the Riverview area.

An attorney for the project touted the apartment complex as a higher standard in apartment buildings than Mesa typically sees, with an elevated walkway and concealed parking garage.

e council also approved 54 new studios and one-bedroom units for seniors at La Mesita Apartments, a low-income housing development operated by nonpro t A New Leaf near Main St. and Dobson Road.

e new units represent the fourth phase of the complex, which currently has 110 units ranging from studio to four-bedroom apartments.

According to La Mesita’s website, 50 affordable housing units are earmarked for households at or below 60% of the area median income, and 58 units serve households at or below 30% of the area median income.

Women Who Care helps Assistance League of EV

BY ANGIE RAMIREZ GSN Contributor

In the blink of an eye, the new school year is upon us.

It is tradition for most families to go “back to school” shopping to buy school supplies and new clothes.

However, for many parents purchasing new clothing is not in their budget. Assistance League of East Valley steps in to help.

Assistance League of East Valley provides a program called Operation School Bell that includes three components: uniforms, store dressings, and homeless teens.

In 2021, it provided uniforms to 5,577 elementary students, served 1,466 elementary students in non-uniform schools, and served 338 students

identified as transitional (homeless) or Youth on Their Own by the districts.

This program makes it possible for children to have the required uniforms, if attending uniform schools, and gives students in non-uniform schools and homeless youth a feeling of being like the others and that leads to greater confidence.

In addition to Operation School Bell, Assistance League of East Valley has a program called Assault Survivor Kits that supplies 10 community crisis organizations with clothing, snacks, and other items not in their normal budget.

The ASK program helps people in crisis situations such as fires, accidents, and assaults. Frequently, the victims need clothing to wear home

Gilbert native follows family tradition in the Navy

GSN NEWS STAFF

AGilbert native who recently joined the Navy has no regrets about his decision – partly because he’s continuing a family tradition.

Airman James Hoy, a 2012 graduate of Highland High School, signed up only seven months ago and is now serving aboard the USS Constitution as an aviation structural mechanic.

“I joined the Navy to learn a new skill, to get experience and to follow in the footsteps of my grandfathers, who were both sailors,” said Hoy.

Skills and values similar to those found in Gilbert are important to succeed in the military, he said.

“I learned from my dad to do whatever it takes to get the job, and

to work hard but have fun while I am at it,” said Hoy. “ ere is a lot required of you when you are a sailor.

“It’s important to give it your all and really do your best, however, it’s also important that you have a good time while you are doing it.”

USS Constitution is the U.S. Navy’s oldest commissioned warship, and the crew is hand-picked to promote naval history and maritime heritage while raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence.

e ship earned the nickname Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 after British cannonballs were seen bouncing o the ship’s wooden hull. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and captured or destroyed 33 enemy vessels.

With 90% of global commerce

traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea ber optic cables, Navy o cials consider Hoy part of its e ort to preserve the nation’s prosperity.

“Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on war ghting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level,” said Adm. Mike Gilday, chief of Naval Operations. “ is is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy.”

“As a member of the Navy, Hoy is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening

Celebrating a generous gift to the Assistance League of the East Valley form 100+ Women Who Care Valley of the Sun chapter are, from lefty: Sarah Auffret, Janifer Gorney, Katherine Katz, Judy Brown, Kara Medlock, Ibis Valles, Maria Hesse, Crissy Haidos and Kathy Stevens. (Courtesy of 100+ Women Who Care of the East Valley)

Navy Airman James Hoy is a 2012 Highland High grad. (U.S. Navy)

partnerships, increasing competitive war ghting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy,” he said.

Added Hoy: “ e Navy protects freedom of the seas and trade and maintains a forward presence which deters adversaries. It’s interesting to see that is where the USS Constitution started and how we are still performing the same operations today.”

“I didn’t get to know my grandfathers since they passed away when I was young, so my service is a way of connecting with them,” said Hoy.

“Serving in the Navy also makes me feel like I am doing something meaningful with my life.”

Hoy is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

“I would like to thank my parents and family for being supportive in my decision to join the Navy and my cousin, Robby, who was also a sailor and a resource to me when I enlisted,” he said. NAVY

Gilbert girl, 12, wins recycled art contest

GSN NEWS STAFF

Demonstrating both her artistic talent and her awareness of the importance of recycling, 12-year-old Emma Dahl of Gilbert is one of five winners of the Conservation Art Challenge sponsored by OdySea Aquarium near Scottsdale.

Open to children under 12, Odysea’s contest asked kids to make a work of art in the form of an animal, preferably an endangered species, using recyclable materials.

Emma showcased her talent and dedication to the environment by creating a stunning work of art called “Ocean in a Bottle,” highlighting sharks by using a two-liter plastic bottle, tin foil, cardboard, markers, and paint.

While all 587 children who entered the contest received a free ticket to the aquarium, Emma and the other winners were invited to a special pri-

vate celebration with their families.

They also received a painting created by an OdySea Aquarium cownose stingray using a special apparatus that allows them to paint on canvas.

“The painting gives the stingrays a form of enrichment which encourages the animals to exercise control and choice in their environment, enhancing their overall well-being,” an aquarium spokeswoman said.

The winners also met Sedona, a female African penguin.The winners continued a tradition of imaginative entries in the contest, said Jess Tammen, manager of dive operations and conservation.

“Year after year, it seems like it’s really catching on in the community and we have a bunch of repeat artists.”

Emma also earned kudos from the judges, who commended “her understanding of the significance of keeping the environment and wildlife safe.”

Emma Dahl of Gilbert shows off her “Ocean in a Bottle” work of art that won a contest at the Odysea Aquarium near Scottsdale. (Courtesy of Odysea Aquarium)

from page 14

and have short-term food needs.

Assistance League of East Valley also gives two-year college scholarships to qualified East Valley Institute of Technology graduates who will be attending an accredited institution of higher learning in Arizona.

Students receive $1,700 a year for two years as long as they are enrolled full-time and maintain their grades.

These scholarships are based on financial need along with ability, aptitude, and determination to complete their education. In 2022-23, the Assistance League of East Valley awarded scholarships to 14 outstanding young adults.

Another program the organization will restart this fall is Adult Day Care Socials.

Monthly celebrations are held at Tempe Adult Day Health Services. Members of the Assistance League visit with participants, providing fellowship, refreshments, decorations, live entertainment, and a small gift

for those celebrating birthdays each month.

Forty percent of the funding for Assistance League of East Valley comes from its thrift shop in Chandler.

This is no ordinary thrift store; it’s beautifully arranged and created with a loving touch.

All donated clothing is steamed, donated items are cleaned, and racks and shelves are meticulously laid out. Swing by and check out their lovely selection of clothing, household items, toys, books and more. Or, donate your gently used treasures.

Your donations will benefit the East Valley community through the many programs the Assistance League of

essentials that people need so that we can make a difference. The fact that you trust us to be good stewards of your donations really touches our hearts, and we appreciate it so much,” said Janifer Gorney, former president of the Assistance League.

100+ Women Who Care is a group of women that meets quarterly to learn about local charitable organizations. The members of the group vote to decide which organization will receive their quarterly donation.

Each member of the group donates $100 to the chosen charity. The members have donated over $1 million to charities since their inception in 2015.

Back to School

GPS schools chief: Welcome back, students

BY DR. SHANE MCCORD

Dear Community and GPS Family,

We are excited to be back to school on Tuesday, July 25, ready to learn!

Gilbert Public Schools has been educating the children of Gilbert and Mesa for over 100 years, and this school year we will continue to focus on what is best for our students, delivering academic excellence,

with support from the very best educators, in supportive and safe learning environments. Our students and families will continue to have access to an extensive range of educational choices, preschool through 12th grade, so that everyone can nd the right choice for their child’s education, within our district.

I invite you to visit our website to learn all about our incredible schools and what

we o er!

ere you will also nd all the information you need for back to school at gilbertschools.net/families.

It has been a busy summer and I would like to thank our incredible employees who have been working hard to ensure our campuses are in great shape and that we are all well prepared for an exciting new year of learning and growth.

GPS is a great place to learn and work because we have the very best students, teachers, support sta , administrators

and families.

And, we appreciate the strong support we receive from our community. When we all work together to support the education and growth of our students great things happen, and it is an honor to witness this every day in our classrooms and out in our community.

ank you for ongoing support of Gilbert Public Schools and for being an important part of our GPS Family.

Dr. Shane McCord is the superintendent of Gilbert Public Schools.

4 Gilbert schools welcome new principals

Four new principals will be opening the new school year for Gilbert Public Schools.

Ames Singley is the new principal of Pioneer Elementary while Wendy Norburg will lead Mesquite Elementary and Shawn Lynch will serve as interim principal at Mesquite High School.

Andrea Emerick is taking the word “inteirm” of her principal’s title at Settler’s Point Elementary.

Here’s a look at the new school leaders.

Ames Singley

A 24 year educator with eight years of experience as a school administrator, Ames Singley “is committed to making sure all Pioneer students and families feel welcome and valued,” the district said. He considers it an honor and a privi-

lege Pioneer’s new leader and top champion and said he is looking forward to joining the school community this year.

Wendy Norburg

Wendy Norburg has been with the district since 1999 and started as a student teacher at the school she will now lead as principal.

She went on to serve as an instructional coach and dean of students in the district. She said she “is grateful for the opportunity and to give back to the Mesquite community.”

Shawn Lynch

As the new interim principal of Mesquite High School, Shawn Lynch isn’t totally unfamiliar with the campus: he has served as an instructional coach and head boys basketball coach at Mesquite High.

He began his career in education over

three decades ago, working as a high school science teacher and becoming a principal in 2010 at two high schools in the East Valley.

He retired from school administration and went on to work in various capacities at the high school and university levels.

Andrea Emerick

A member of Gilbert Public Schools for 19 years. Andrea Emerick has been

a teacher and administrator at several district elementary and secondary schools.

She was assistant principal at Canyon Rim and Ashland Ranch elementary schools and joined Settler’s Point Elementary as interim principal last school year. She is looking forward to continuing in the role of principal this school year and beyond, the district said.

GilbertSunNews.com

Dr. Shane McCord

Ames Singley Wendy Norburg Shawn Lynch Andrea Emerick

GSN NEWS STAFF

Learn to navigate the world of student loans

BY STATEPOINT

More American families are borrowing for college. At the same time, merit aid and the use of personal income and savings is falling.

at’s according to an annual College Ave Student Loans survey of college students at four-year universities, conducted with Barnes & Noble College Insights.

e survey also found college a ordability is top-of-mind for the majority of students (57%). Despite nancial concerns, 81% of students report that a college degree is crucial for their future.

“ e mix of methods that families use to pay for college has shifted, however one thing remains consistent: students and families value the investment in higher education,” says Angela Colatriano, chief marketing o cer of College Ave.

To borrow smart for college this fall, consider these tips and insights:

Exhaust all options. Before turning to

private student loans, rst exhaust other sources of nancial aid. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to be considered for grants, scholarships, work-study programs and federal student loans.

If your selected school is one of the 400 institutions that requires the CSS pro le, submit that too to qualify for institutional aid.

Finally, search for private scholarships o ered by companies and nonpro ts. One easy one to apply for is the College Ave $1,000 monthly scholarship sweepstakes.

If you do need to borrow, turn to federal student loans in the student’s name rst, which generally o er the lowest rates and come with additional bene ts.

ey don’t depend on credit scores, and o er longer deferments and forbearances, income-driven repayment plans and student loan forgiveness.

Private loans. Federal student loans have annual and aggregate loan limits. If

you nd yourself needing to borrow parent or private loans to cover remaining costs, consider these factors:

• Costs: Compare costs of di erent loans by looking at the actual interest rate you’ll be charged, not the lowest advertised rate. Understand the di erence between variable and xed interest rates, and be aware of any fees and available discounts, such as those o ered for using autopay.

• Cosigners: A creditworthy cosigner doesn’t just increase the odds of loan approval, even if the student can qualify on their own, cosigning may yield a lower interest rate, reducing the overall cost of the loan.

• Total debt: Borrow only what you need. With private loans, you can usually borrow up to the total cost of attendance. However, borrowing less than the maximum can help you save over time. A simple rule of thumb you can use to determine how much student loan debt you can a ord: If total student loan debt

at graduation, including federal and private loans, is less than the student’s annual starting salary, you can likely repay the loans in 10 years or less.

• Repayment: Look for repayment exibility to match your needs.

For example, College Ave Student Loans o ers ve-, eight-, 10- and 15year repayment options, along with the choice of deferring payments until after graduation or beginning payments right away. No matter what option you select, understand the terms.

For more resources, including an online student loan calculator, and to learn more about paying for college, visit CollegeAve.com.

Private loans for college can play an important role in nancing your education. By researching your nancial aid options, applying for scholarships and comparing private student loan options, you can minimize college costs, so you can better manage your nances after you graduate.

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Gilbert restaurateurs bank on friendly service

BY GRACE BERRY GSN Sta Writer

For father-son duo John Sr. and John Gabaldon, New Mexican roots and an ambitious spirit paved the way for their prospering tequila bar and restaurants in Gilbert and Chandler.

As the owners of La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen, the duo, along with younger John’s wife Andrea and a band of loyal employees, have experienced abundant success during their 10 years of service.

Although the younger John recalls always being interested in the restaurant world, his professional background is originally in something other than the restaurant business.

Both he and his wife attended Northern

Arizona University and graduated with degrees in business. Only when he sought his MBA did he decide to jump into restaurant management.

As part of his MBA program, John created a capstone project that emulated starting a business from scratch.

He knew this would be a valuable opportunity to leap into the restaurant world while simultaneously being guided by the leadership of business professors.

“I got a bit of a wild hair to do something. In partnership with my father, my wife and I started doing demographic studies into the Gilbert area and realized there was a market there that could bene t from the restaurant,” he recalled.

Gilbert chef becomes a Valley home staple

Chef William Turner specializes in being a private chef for small weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, anniversary dinners, and many other types of special occasions in private homes across the Valley.

In the past ve years, the Gilbert kitchen maestro has quickly become one of the most sought-after, in-demand private chefs in the Valley.

Not only does he cook a wide variety of food styles for his many clients and celebrity friends but he is also known as a highly skilled barbecue master.

“I’ll cook you the best steak you’ve ever had in your life,” he boasts.

When Turner prepares and serves an elegant steak dinner inside a client’s private home, he changes the thought of ever dining out at a steakhouse restaurant forever.

“Turner proves repeatedly that dining in for special occasions can be so much more exciting, memorable, and fun than dining out,” one fan said.

Known for a warm and friendly demeanor, Southern charm and the black baseball cap he often wears backwards on his head, Turner has been named the “Top Private Chef” in Arizona three times by one magazine.

e Andrews, South Carolina, native’s rapid rise in Arizona’s private chef industry began when he moved to Gilbert in 2018 without having any business contacts in the Valley.

Turner had been travelling around the country working as a seasonal chef in some of the nation’s most beautiful parks and resorts. When he eventually arrived in Arizona, he said, he immediately fell in love with its beauty and the warmth of the people.

He decided he wanted to start a whole new life and business here.

“I chose to bet on myself and nally pursue my dream of becoming a private chef,” he said.

He started with virtually nothing back in 2018 – not even a car.

In the beginning, Turner did all the cooking inside the beautiful kitchens of his clients’ homes, mostly in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

Five years and thousands of cooking gigs later, Turner, 44, has now added a small group of experienced, talented chefs to his growing culinary team.

ey do all the gourmet cooking out of a large, professional kitchen in north Chandler.

Turner also now works with a large group of servers, bartenders, and event coordinators and he has an o ce location headquartered in Scottsdale where he’s able to meet with clients.

John and Andrea Gabaldon are marking a decade for their La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen in Gilbert. They have since opened a second restaurant in Chandler. (Instagram)

Gilbert Chef William Turner gets jazzed whipping up dinners for private in-home parties. (ISpecial to GSN)

GSN NEWS STAFF

Your time will be freed up & your life will be teed up ... for success.

LARISTRA from page 27

“ ere are a lot of New Mexicans that live in the vicinity that migrated from New Mexico.”

It was not all smooth sailing in the initial stages, as the building’s original owner doubted John’s lack of knowledge of the restaurant industry.

“My wife and I did some shopping around to nd locations for the restaurant, and we found one in Gilbert on Lindsay and Warner roads,” he said.

“ e owner of the building was very hesitant – as many were – because I hadn’t previously owned restaurants. He told me that restaurants have the highest failure rates of any business and questioned why he should trust me.”

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• Modern private residences with spacious floor plans with up to 1,500 square feet

• Three chef-prepared meals a day

After presenting his business plan to the owner, he was highly impressed. John was “given a shot” at starting his culinary endeavor in 2013.

With a deep love for his New Mexican heritage at the core of his entrepreneurial vision, John started what has now become a staple of Gilbert’s food scene.

“In the beginning, we put everything we had into it,” he said. “We worked our butts o for the rst few years, and we are still doing the same to this day.

“No one knew who we were originally, so we had to start building from the ground up and gain recognition.”

One of the restaurant’s secret ingredients for success has been cultivating an environment in which all patrons feel welcome.

“Back then, we treated every single customer like they were family when they came in, and now we still have some of the same customers we had 10 years ago,” John said.

In line with the restaurant’s homelike feel, patrons are welcome to join La Ristra’s tequila club. Customers are given a personally engraved glass with their name to

keep in the restaurant.

Each time they come in, they are served in the glass and receive a 20% discount on their order.

Determination, coupled with a little bit of faith and a lot of authentic New Mexican are, have transformed the family’s vision from a dream to a reality.

“Mexican cuisine runs deep in my family, and I had a lot of inspiration from the cooking my family did as I was growing up,” John said. “My grandfather and I would spend afternoons peeling and roasting hatch chilies. I have a lot of memories, and I love the culture.”

“ e best compliment we get is, ‘ is reminds me of my grandmother’s food.’ We want to make people feel like they are returning home whenever they come in.” e family’s achievement led them to open another location in Chandler in the summer of 2020.

On June 24, La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen celebrated 10 years of operation.

Patrons enjoyed shots and mixed drinks containing some of the 100+ tequilas the restaurant stocks. e star of the event was the special edition Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila, which the restaurant partnered with Maestro Dobel to craft.

After the celebration, John wanted patrons and Gilbert in general to know how grateful he is.

“We want to personally thank everyone for all your support over the last decade,” he posted on social media. “We hope that you have enjoyed dining with us as much as we have serving you.”

La Ristra New Mexican Kitchen

638 E. Warner Road, Gilbert, 480-545-2880

140 N. Arizona Ave, Chandler: 480-590-0002

laristraaz.com

bachelorette parties.

e numerous private parties that Turner cooks for include casual and formal brunches, lunches, and dinner parties, milestone birthday parties, small weddings, baby showers, anniversary celebrations, corporate dinners, guys-only gol ng trips, and – what’s made him especially most sought-after in the Scottsdale-area –

e Scottsdale-area bachelorette parties have become an enormous part of Turner’s expanding business.

Large groups of women from all over the world book ights to Scottsdale and specifically hire Turner to be their exclusive private chef for an entire weekend.

Rising home prices pose new challenge

BY MINDY JONES GSN Columnist

The market continues to stabilize, representing a bit of a standstill in the war over interest rates and rising prices.

In spite of a rapid decline in buyer demand, prices have continued to increase, recording another 2% increase in sales prices in the last month alone.

In fact, looking back year over year, we are just 4% from last summer’s peak in pricing – meaning that while last year’s prices were rapidly declining in the second half, 2023 has made up for most of that in just the rst half of the year.

With continued price appreciation expected through the end of the year – in spite of consumer instinct that interest rates should be suppressing them – low inventory continues to be an important driver of market behavior in the East Valley.

e biggest barrier to making a move for Gilbert residents seems to be those high interest rates and low inventory.

But most people ARE looking for ways to leverage their equity and most people do not want to wait until prices increase to do it.

And he noted, “When I’m hired to cook for a special event in a client’s home, closing time is always up to them.”

“My dinners are very wide-ranging in scope and price point and although I love bringing the formal Southern ne dining experience to Valley homes, I also enjoy setting up casual, poolside barbecues where formalities and formal attire go right out the window and great food and fun are the focus of the night,” said Turner.

“My goal is to provide my clients with whatever type of dinner party they want to have. I’m extremely exible. For example, if a client wants to incorporate a cooking lesson while I’m cooking and setting up for the event, I’m more than happy to do that. My clients love to watch me cook in their

e active listing count has dropped 27% since spring, leaving us with nearly half the inventory we had just a year ago in the town.

It’s nearing 2021 inventory levels, which were virtually non-existent.

e major di erence between the sellers market Gilbert is experiencing today and that of 2021 is that our average days on market are more than double what they were when homes were selling for 2% more as compared to their listed prices.

is has massively a ected our perception of the health of the market,

While we know that you can re nance a loan for a lower rate at some point, you cannot turn back time on your purchase price.

at makes prices increases that have occurred – and those to come – of greater concern than timing the fall in interest rates.

With seller-paid closing costs at their lowest level amount since January, buyers are seeing the e ects of low inventory on their negotiating power and are seeking out solutions to buy before they sell.

An increased focus on unlocking inventory has revamped a plethora of programs

kitchen and I always welcome that.”

Turner is actually so comfortable having people watch him cook that he has been featured numerous times on local and national TV stations doing instructional and entertaining cooking segments.

e chef’s price range begins at $75 per person and goes up from there, depending on the menu and level of service.

Turner is also available for “destination needs,” meaning that he’s willing to travel and cook on location when needed anywhere in the U.S.

“ is is de nitely a people-pleasing business, and you can’t be successful at it unless you love people,” he said. “For me, my rst love is people, and food is the way I express that love in a tangible way.”

Information: chefwilliamturner.com

that were originally launched in 2020 to address these same concerns.

But they have become more accessible as the equity position of Gilbert residents has grown.

With rental prices back on the rise at about $1.27 per square foot in Gilbert –and with luxury apartment complexes signi cantly higher – purchasing is of interest to many renters who nd themselves at risk as landlords look to the cooler months to put their rentals on the market.

Similar to the vulnerability that many renters felt as prices were skyrocketing and landlords knew they could cash in during the frenzied markets of 2020 and 2021, we’re seeing many landlords giving tenants notice.

at way, they’re preparing to put their homes on the market when interest rates drop, knowing the surge in demand that is expected to bring.

As unsure of the market as many are, its stability is based on an exceptionally low supply.

With year-over-year data painting a more accurate picture of our market, the further away we get from the anomalies of the pandemic years, the pent-up demand to right-size or use equity is getting closer to being released.

Interest rates are blocking the ood gates, but it’s possible that there’s more opportunity in the current market than we’ll ever see when the interest rates drop.

e question is: do you want to be a home shopper or a homeowner when that happens?

And do you want to be in a house that will serve you for a while or in one that has already served its purpose when things heat up ?

Gilbert residents are asking themselves not whether it is a good time to make a move but how to get it done.

Mindy Jones, a Gilbert Realtor and owner of the Amy Jones Group brokered by EXP Realty, can be reached at 480-250-3857, Mindy@AmyJonesGroup.com or AmyJonesGroup.com.

CHEF from page 28

EV artist to launch a special book in Gilbert

BY CODY DOLORES MIRANDA GSN Contributor

It all began on Sandra Marshall’s birthday in 2022.

e East Valley artist and author and her children were still grieving the passing of their pet of 13 years, a Chihuahua named Jojo.

Yet when her daughter Lena asked if they could get another dog, Marshall shot back: “We will not be getting another dog unless one shows up on our doorstep with a tiny suitcase.”

Little did she know that what happened next would lead to a special coloring book she’s debuting in Gilbert.

ree days later, she was rattled by the sound of a loud, deep and singular bark outside their front door.

“Sitting like a stone statue was a giant dog who was scratched up and looking fully sad and defeated. I was scared at rst because he was just starring forward and not moving,” she said. “I thought for sure he had to be somebody’s lost dog.”

Try as she might over the next few weeks, she couldn’t locate his owner – or an open space at an animal shelter.

“I knew we weren’t keeping him so we just called him ‘big dog,’” Marshall explained. “I tried calling rescue groups to see if they could help and all of the shelters and rescues were full.

“I was told if we brought him in, there was a good chance he would be put down. ere was no way I would let that happen,” she said.

Still Big Dog stayed, even though her family wasn’t ready to transition from a lapdog to a good-sized pitbull mix.

Because he tended to be “rowdy,” Marshall had Big Dog neutered – which greatly improved his deportment and his acceptance in the Marshall household.

whole family eventually fell in love with him. With his story and how he came to be, I know he is meant to do great things.”

“As a professional artist, I felt like I was meant to help him. I started drawing pictures of eodore’s adventures, posted them on Facebook and we had such an amazing following.”

From that reaction, Marshall decided to start a series of coloring books titled “Color em Home,” with eodore as a central gure.

Marshall will launch her intricately drawn book at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at the appropriately dog-friendly co ee/ wine/beer tap house ‘Hair of the Dog’ in Gilbert.

A share of the proceeds from sales will bene t One Love Arizona, a nonpro t foster-based rescue founded in 2014.

Dana Klose, the nonpro t’s CEO/executive director said everyone is invited to attend the book launch and coloring party. Marshall is enthusiastic about the effects “Color em Home” can have on many levels.

“People loved his story and every day looked forward to his adventures. I would color the pages and so many people asked for them so I started thinking about it, and that’s how this whole movement came to be,” said Marshall, whose FB account, SandraMarshallArt, has 62,000 followers.

“One day, after I knew I loved this dog and would have a hard time rehoming him, I decided to look up what ‘ eodore’ meant,” she continued.

“I said to myself ‘if this name means something special, maybe it’s meant to be.’ When I looked up his name I actually cried. e name ‘ eodore’ means ‘a divine gift from God.’ And I remembered he showed up on my birthday. is is the

“One day my daughter said, ‘He needs a name. I’m going to call him eodore. He looks like a eodore,’” Marshall said. “I still wouldn’t call him ‘ eodore’ because I didn’t want to get attached to him.”

moment when I knew he was meant to be a part of our family.”

Although Marshall had planned to travel for business after the second of her vegetable/fruit artbooks, “ e Razzle Berry Wackadoodle Garden” continued to garner accolades – as had her award-winning “One Hot Night at the Veggie Bar,” published in 2016.

But eodore changed all that.

“Fast-forward a year and eodore has been my best buddy,” Marshall said. “My

“ is ‘movement,’ as I call it, is a way for people to become aware of the crisis going on in our animal shelters and rescues. I had truly no idea! Last time I checked there were over 800 dogs in Maricopa County shelters alone,” she said.

“ is coloring book of eodore’s adventures will be a way to help dogs and cats in shelters and rescues. ‘Color em Home’ coloring books will raise funds, create awareness and help build a community of people who want to help make the lives better for animals looking for their

“The name ‘Theodore’ means ‘a divine gift from God’ and I remember he showed up on my birthday,” explained Sandra Marshall. “This is the moment when I knew he was meant to be a part of our family.”

forever homes.”

“And it’s not just a coloring book; it’s a way to bring the community together for a beautiful cause through art and creating together. We’re teaming up locally and supporting restaurants and businesses with coloring parties, and doing virtual coloring parties for my Facebook followers across the world.”

“Could you imagine if we could nd homes for lots of dogs and be able to get supplies from proceeds from this adult coloring book?” she wondered.

“With ‘Coloring em Home’ we’re helping dog and cat rescues and shelters. We’re building community and helping local businesses by supporting them. It’s a win for everyone.”

She said she plans to host events “all around the Valley” to introduce the book while raising funds to help animals.

Marshall has been an artist since early childhood in New York, and credits her parents, Elaine and Rich-

ard Davis, for encouraging her.

She owned and operated Be An Artist, a brick and mortar art studio from 2014-19, leaving that business to focus on hosting large painting events with her two Mini Mobile Art Studios.

She expanded her online teaching when the pandemic struck and grew her website with Zoom classes. It was not unusual to have hundreds of people join her online.

“A lot of people followed my Facebook page because of my food art,” she said.

“I’m the author of two books and I was starting my journey across the country doing presentations in schools using my children’s food art book to promote healthy eating and a secret way through the eyes of an artist. is was my big plan before eodore showed up.”

Now her art and travels are eodore-centric.

“Color Me Home” is printed on 9 x 12 acid-free artist paper appropriate for markers or colored pencils. Spiral

bound at the top, it has 22 pages of exquisitely-rendered Sandra Marshall artworks.

e books are priced at $19.99 plus tax and are available by contacting Marshall through Instagram or Facebook messaging, or attending one of her coloring events.

She is seeking sponsorship so that she might take the books and coloring-together programs into schools and retirement homes.

“My goal is to nd sponsors who can provide books for each classroom,” she explained.

“I will personally visit each school and engage with the kids during presentations, just as I do with my food art books. We aim to include various grade levels because it bene ts individuals of all ages. Additionally, it would be wonderful to introduce the coloring book to nursing homes, as it promotes mental well-being. It’s something for all ages to enjoy and for a good cause.”

Information: SandraMarshallArt. com and OneLoveAZ.org

Marshall is launching her coloring book of Theodore’s adventures to help dogs and cats in shelters and rescues.

(Courtesy Sandra Marshall)

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21

Stop PAD: The Silent Killer

“PAD is often called the silent killer because you may have it and not even know,” says Dr. Joel Rainwater, chief medical officer of Comprehensive Integrated Care (CiC). The reason it’s sometimes missed is because people dismiss the symptoms of this dangerous disease as ‘just a sign of getting older’. But it’s not. “It’s not normal to have difficulty walking to your mailbox, it’s not normal to have constant leg pain or cramping,” says Rainwater, “That’s not normal aging, it could be a sign of PAD.”

PAD (peripheral artery disease) is a circulation disorder and those with it are at a much higher risk of heart problems and death from heart attack or stroke. “If there’s poor blood flow to your legs and feet, you’ll have pain, cramping or wounds that won’t heal,” explains Rainwater. “If you ignore these signs, it may lead to an amputation. If you get an amputation because you have PAD, your life expectancy is worse than if you had breast cancer or lymphoma. PAD is no joke.”In some cases, people have been diagnosed with neuropathy. The symptoms of neuropathy and PAD are very similar and include difficulty walking without taking a break, burning, tingling, numbness and/or pain. “When I see a patient who has been told they have neuropathy and they’ve been maximized on medication that’s not working, I know there may be something else causing it and one of the big, notorious offenders in that scenario is PAD,” says Rainwater.

PAD is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries. This buildup occurs gradually over time and

Tell neuropathy pain, “later alligator.”

hardens into plaque inside the artery. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. Sometimes, it’s called “hardening of the arteries.” No matter what you call it, this plaque causes a narrowing of the passageway, restricting the amount of blood that flows throughout the body.

Without an adequate blood supply, your body can’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to maintain healthy legs, feet and toes. “This is something we can fix,” explains Rainwater. “The good news about PAD, is that there’s hope. There is treatment and it’s excellent, it’s been one of the biggest success stories in all of medicine.” Patients are able to get back on their feet and everyday living with almost no downtime, no stitches and no overnight hospital stay. Medicare as well as most insurance plans will cover treatment.

Dr. Rainwater’s focus is on teaching people to recognize PAD and take action. “I’m here to tell patients that there are options, all they have to do is ask. They might have to ask a different doctor, but they don’t have to live with the idea that they’re going to suffer for the rest of their life,” says Rainwater. His best advice, “Go look for answers.”

If traditional neuropathy treatments haven’t given you the pain relief you’ve been seeking, it’s time to start asking questions.

YES / NO

Could I have been misdiagnosed with neuropathy?

If I do have neuropathy, is poor circulation making my symptoms worse?

Is medication the only option to treat neuropathy pain?

If you don’t know the answer to these questions it’s time to start asking the doctors at CiC questions about how we can treat your symptoms in the comfort of one of our Valley wide locations.

Call CiC today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

PAD is caused by the buildup of fatty material inside the arteries, limiting blood flow.