Gilbert Sun News 08/06/2023

Inside This Week

‘A vicious circle of drama and instability’

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

Gilbert Councilman Chuck Bongiovanni hopes an outside mediator will help the mayor clean up her act and restore what he called a lack of trust in her leadership.

Bongiovanni last week failed to garner a council majority for a “no confidence” vote against Mayor Brigette Peterson and agreed instead to hire a mediator.

“I’m good with mediation for now,” Bongiovanni said the day after the Aug. 1 special meeting. “But I need to see immediate change or we’ll bring it right back to the dais and this time bring up the motion.”

What prompted the first-term councilman to put the proposal on the table can be seen in an ethics violation complaint he filed July 27 against Peterson. She did not respond to a request for comment.

Bongiovanni accused the mayor of breaking the town’s Code of Ethics by not being fair

and respectful and disclosing confidential information.

He said Peterson knew full well in filing an ethics complaint with the Town Clerk against Councilman Jim Torgeson on the night of July 13, a Thursday, that Town Hall would be closed until the following Monday. He said Peterson had an ethical duty to inform council members about her filing out of fairness and respect to them but instead she had the

see MAYOR page 9

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

Daniel Hilger has tilled the soil for over half a century, starting when he was old enough to carry a bucket of feed to the hogs.

And for over 30 years, the Nebraska farmer has used humic-based agricultural products on his crops, which improved soil conditions, yielding stronger plants.

“Once you have a healthy plant, the end product ends up tasting better and being healthier for people who are eating it,” said Hilger, owner of Hilger Agri/Natural Popcorn, in a 2019 podcast.

A company behind the science of improving higher crop yields with fruits and vegetables having longer shelf life and tasting better is Huma, near McQueen and Guadalupe roads, Gilbert.

Huma makes and sells an extensive product line wholesale to distributors throughout the United States and in 35 countries, including China, Israel, Italy and Mexico. The end users are farmers, such as Hilger.

Huma – founded by Dr. Jordan Smith, a plant physiologist, along with Don Organ and Delworth Stout – took root 50 years ago with

Former

Gilbert mom, gym owner help cystic fibrosis victims.

Lyndon Smith, president/CEO of Huma in Gilbert, watches as some liquid products move through the packaging line. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

CONTACT INFORMATION

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NEWS DEPARTMENT

Executive Editor: Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 pmaryniak@timeslocalmedia.com

Managing Editor: Cecilia Chan | 480-898-5613 cchan@timeslocalmedia.com

Reporters:

Ken Sain | 928-420-5341 ksain@timeslocalmedia.com

Get Out Editor:

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | 480-898-5631 christina@timeslocalmedia.com

Sports Editor: Zach Alvira | 480-898-5630 zalvira@timeslocalmedia.com

Photographer:

Dave Minton | dminton@timeslocalmedia.com

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Veronica Thurman | vthurman@timeslocalmedia.com

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Courtney Oldham | production@timeslocalmedia.com

Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | aaron@phoenix.org

Times Media acquires SoCal publications

Times Media Group President Steve Strickbine has announced that his company has acquired Picket Fence Media’s award-winning Southern California brands.

Times Media Group publishes the Gilbert Sun News, among numerous other weekly newspapers and monthly magazines in the Phoenix and Tucson markets.

Picket Fence Media publishes the weekly San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and the bi-weekly Capistrano Dispatch (covering San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Mission Viejo).

The group joins Times Media Group’s other Southern California community news properties, including the Pasadena Weekly, LA Downtown News, The Argonaut in Santa Monica and the Ventura County Reporter among others.

“We are very excited to expand our footprint into these thriving communities, providing news and information to readers as well as opportunities for ad-

HUMA from page 1

the purchase of a mountain.

“They started the company based on a mine in southwest Idaho in1973,” explained son Lyndon Smith, the CEO and president of Huma, which is 80%-employee owned.

After acquiring the mountain, Sunburst Mining Co. formed in Mesa and “started mining this raw material,” Smith said. “It was a unique material and when they would apply it at 40 to 50 pounds to an acre, it would make a huge difference in agriculture.

The raw material comprised humic substances, which are naturally organic biostimulants resulting from long-decayed plant and animal matter.

“It would stimulate growth, it would increase plant vigor, it would improve soil condition – characteristics like water-holding capacity and nutrient availability to the plant and it would increase yields as well,” Smith said. “Whenever you are healthy and strong you’re not as susceptible to disease and so the same thing goes for a plant, for a crop.”

vertisers with the same high standards of excellence Norb Garrett and his team have established over the past 17 years,” said Strickbine.

Media executive and entrepreneur Garrett founded Picket Fence in 2006.

The company consists of the newspapers, websites, social media channels, custom magazine publishing and e-newsletters.

Last year, The Dana Point Times earned the prestigious CNPA California Journalism Award for General Excellence for weekly newspapers.

PFM has been at the fore of great journalism in the SoCal area for most of its history, having earned nearly 100 editorial awards since the San Clemente Times, its original newspaper, launched in 2006.

PFM’s media products cover the desirable coastal and historic South Orange County communities of San Clemente, Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Mission Viejo.

“Steve and I share the same belief in

the power and importance of original, hyper-local community journalism,” said Garrett, who along with his wife and general manager, Alyssa, have operated PFM since its launch.

“By merging our businesses together and leveraging the deep resources of Times Media Group, I believe we’ve secured a bright future for The San Clemente Times, Dana Point Times and The Capistrano Dispatch. I believe we’ve found the perfect match for Picket Fence Media’s brand ambitions.”

Times Media Group will continue to operate the Picket Fence Media publications from PFM’s address in Capistrano Beach.

Times Media Group, founded in 1997 by Strickbine, owns and operates more than 35 publications throughout Arizona and Southern California, including more than 25 weekly community newspapers and companion websites.

TMG also owns and operates AZ Integrated Media, a media distribution and custom publishing company.

A secret technology

The secret behind Huma’s products is a proprietary blend called Micro Carbon Technology or MCT, which are concentrated tiny organic particles extracted from the humates in the Idaho mine.

Huma products with MCT allow nutrients to be delivered with extreme precision, improving a crop’s vigor, quality and yield, according to the company.

see HUMA page 16

Dr. Rich Lamar, senior director of humic research at Huma, prepares a test at one of the Gilbert company’s lab. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Road fatalities continue grim rise in state

The number of people dying in vehicle crashes in Arizona increased for the third straight year in 2022 with about three fatalities a day, according to the latest state report.

The 1,294 traffic fatalities across the state last year represented an increase of 8.6% over 2021, the Arizona Department of Transportation said.

Its annual Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, released last week, faulted speed as the continuing leading factor in fatal and serious crashes, causing 426 deaths and 20,069 injuries during 2022.

“We are seeing an increase in both traffic and fatal collisions,” said Maj. Jason Leonard, chief of staff of the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol Division.

“Most of these collisions are preventable if drivers do two things – avoid distractions and remain focused on the task of driving and be patient and drive within the law, especially relating to speed, passing and distracted driving.”

Overall, the 2022 traffic fatality total is the second-highest ever recorded in Arizona and only slightly behind the record 1,301 deaths recorded in 2006.

Maricopa County saw 660 fatal vehicle crashes in 2022, compared with 603 in 2021.

Phoenix, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale and Queen Creek each followed the state and county lead with more fatal crashes than in 2021.

For 2022, Phoenix reported 282 fatal crashes and 301 deaths; Chandler, 19 fatal crashes and 20 deaths; Mesa, 53 crashes and 55 deaths; Gilbert, 18 crashes and 19 deaths; Scottsdale, 16 crashes and 16 deaths and Queen Creek, four crashes and four deaths.

In 2021, Phoenix had 278 fatal crashes and 294 deaths; Chandler, 15 crashes and

16 deaths; Mesa, 43 crashes and 45 deaths; Gilbert, 15 crashes and 15 deaths; Scottsdale, 14 crashes and 14 deaths and Queen Creek with two crashes and two deaths.

Crashes with injuries in 2022 also went up for four of the East Valley communities from the previous year. Overall, injuries from crashes totaled 52,411 during 2022, a slight increase from 2021.

Chandler had 1,225 injury crashes, up from 942; Mesa, 1,996 up from 1,824; Gilbert, 569 up from 544 and Queen Creek, 131 up from 100.

However, the other two saw drops with Phoenix having 10,668 injury crashes in 2022 compared with 10,879 in 2021 and Scottsdale, 1,126 from a high of 1,207.

The state agency reported that inappropriate speed and speeding accounted for a greater share of deaths and injuries.

Alcohol also played a role in the crashes.

Five of the communities saw an increase in alcohol-related crashes and while Phoenix saw a 10% drop to 1,297, it saw an increase of people killed in these sorts of crashes.

Booze-fueled crashes claimed 51 lives in Phoenix compared with 49 in 2021, according to the report.

Among DUI-related crashes, Chandler and Gilbert similarly each saw five deaths compared with three the year prior; Scottsdale, five deaths, up from one and Queen Creek, one death compared with none in 2021.

Mesa, however, saw its alcohol-related crash deaths dropped to eight from the 11 reported in 2021.

Overall, alcohol-related crashes resulting in fatalities –223 – saw a slight decline during 2022 in the state.

And when it comes to the number of injuries caused by drunken drivers, Chandler, Mesa and Queen Creek saw an uptick while Gilbert, Phoenix and Scottsdale saw a slight decrease.

Injuries in crashes related to alcohol decreased slightly for the state with 3,538 such crashes in 2022 compared with 3,617 in 2021.

The report also looked at pedestrian, bicyclist and motorcyclist deaths, which all went up last year. The data did not drill down to individual communities.

During 2022, there were 302 pedestrian deaths in the state, a 16.2% increase from 260 in 2021. For the same year 48 bicyclists died in crashes compared with 45 in 21, the report said, adding that bicycle-related fatalities have risen each year since 2018.

There also were 228 motorcyclist deaths in crashes, a 36.5% increase from 167 during 2021. The report stated that in 42% of the deaths in which authorities could determine helmet use involved riders and passengers who weren’t wearing helmets.

Although the total number crashes in Arizona for 2022 dropped 1.25% to 119,991

from 121,506 in 2021, the total fatality increased by 8.5% to 1,294 from 1,192.

Injuries from all crashes totaled 35,878 in 2022.

The report also said that the peak month for all crashes was generally in March and for fatal crashes the peak month was in October.

Also, the peak day for all crashes are Fridays and the peak day for fatal crashes, Saturday with the peak hour for fatal crashes occurring between 7-8 p.m.

Motorcycle crashes occurred more frequently between the hours of 4-5 p.m.; pedestrian involved crashes, 7-8 p.m. and bicycle crashes, 4-5 p.m. The peak hour for alcohol-related crashes was 2-3 a.m.

According to the report, children 14 and younger accounted for 42 fatalities and 2,789 injuries from vehicle crashes last year.

Also, vehicle crashes resulted in $21.3 billion in economic losses in Arizona.

GSN

Council to study tighter conflict of interest rules

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

ATown Council subcommittee will reconvene to look at possibly tightening the rules on elected offi cials who do business with the Town of Gilbert in order to avoid public perception of confl icts of interest.

Some issues that the Subcommittee on Code of Ethics will address include a potential ban on town contracts with companies where an elected offi cial has a 20% interest and rules on non-fi nancial confl icts of interest.

Th e subcommittee also will see what other municipalities and agencies have in place. A date for the next meeting has not been set.

“Currently there is nothing wrong with any council member doing business with the town in a certain way,” Councilwoman Bobbi Buchli said at the Aug. 1 study session.

“I do feel that it’s kind of a confl ict of interest and that we should somehow tighten that up and maybe make it where it’s not an impropriety. I do think we can look at this policy and make it

better.”

Council’s direction last week comes on the heels of a citizen’s ethics complaint against Councilwoman Yung Koprowski because her engineering fi rm has received town contracts.

Vice Mayor Kathy Tilque said if the intent is to go beyond the state statute on the confl ict of interest, Town Council will need to be careful on any policy’s language. Tilque sits on the subcommittee with members Scott Anderson and Jim Torgeson.

“Th e devil’s in the details,” said Tilque, a retired chamber of commerce CEO. “I’ve been involved in writing lots of policies over the years and you really have to be looking at what are the unintended consequences if you write it wrong. We have to be conscious on that.”

Mayor Brigette Peterson advised against a policy including town boards and commissions. She said she’s looked at the applicants applying for the new Public Works Advisory Board and “there are companies that do business in the Town of Gilbert.”

“I think we could fi nd ourselves lim-

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The town contracts awarded to Councilwoman Yung Koprowski’s company prompted Councilman Jim Torgeson to seek tighter rules for officials whose firms seek business from Gilbert. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

iting our pool of candidates for boards and commissions and limiting the pool of candidates for future council seats if we get too strict on this,” Peterson said. “So I think there’s a point of being careful and transparent but there is a point of going too far.”

Torgeson, who put the item on the agenda with the support of Buchli and Councilman Chuck Bongiovanni, liked the idea of having the subcommittee work on a measure.

“We could come up with the idea there’s nothing we really can do and that’s an option, too,” Torgeson said.

Toegeson, who owns a sign company, said he could do business with the town but chooses not to because of the optics. He wanted something that would go beyond certain levels of disclosure to give the public confi dence that their elected offi cials are acting above board.

“It’s not to be punitive per se,” Torgeson added “But it does need to be something where the people in this town feel, know, trust that their elect of-

fi cials aren’t self-dealing in some way.

“Whether they are right or wrong in feeling that isn’t the point. Th e point is it’s an option they have and I’d like to shine a light there so that accusations don’t go further than one person speaking.”

Bongiovanni, a business owner, said it’s a matter of perception.

“Our state and town policies have loopholes that create situations where council members can follow the rules, do everything that the state statutes require, receive a contract from the town and still have the appearance of impropriety,” he said. “Th is is wrong. I don’t ever want to see someone who follows the rules be questioned.

“With that said, I believe that the Town of Gilbert policy on this needs to be stronger then the state’s so these things can’t happen.

“The only way I believe this can happen is if we develop language that states a sitting council member who owns more than 20% of a business cannot do business directly with the town.”

Bongiovanni also raised an issue of

THROWBACK REPLICA JERSEY

a confl ict of interest in voting on the annual budget for a council member wanting to do work with Gilbert.

Although the council member may recuse himself or herself from voting on a contract, the conflict of interest doesn’t stop there, according to Bongiovanni.

“You recused yourself from a vote, it gets passed, you receive the contract,” he said. “But yet you’re also voting for the budget. Th ere’s a problem there I see because what you are voting on is actually paying you.”

Koprowski said she was in full support of “continuous improvements and re-looking at certain polices.”

“Th e confl icts of interest that I have as a business owner have been properly identifi ed, disclosed and disqualifi ed,” she said. “But I’m committed to continue serving in the best interest of the public in making decisions that benefi t the community as a whole and not for personal gain.

“I also support improvements to the council’s conflict of interest policies and procedures in ensuring greater transparency and accountability.”

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Pharmacies report rising drug shortages

BY ERIN MURPHY Cronkite News

WASHINGTON – The number of drugs in short supply in the U.S. is now the highest in a decade, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, with one official calling the shortage of chemotherapy drugs particularly concerning.

“It’s detrimental to the outcome of patients not to be able to provide them the first-line treatment for cancer,” said Michael Ganio, ASHP senior director of pharmacy practice and quality.

“There are multiple drugs in a chemotherapy regimen … so with one drug (unavailable), that regimen is not available.”

ASHP said that 309 medications, including 25 chemotherapy treatments, were reported to be in short supply as of June 30. That’s the most since 2014, when

the number of drugs on the list was a record-high 320.

That problem was echoed by a Senate report in March, which said drug shortages had increased by 30% between 2021 and 2022. The report by Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee said the number of unavailable drugs hit 295 at the end of last year.

Chemotherapy drugs were not the only ones in short supply: Both ASHP and the Food and Drug Administration included common antibiotics, injections for diabetes treatment and for weight loss, and essential hospital supplies used to fight life-threatening conditions on their lists.

Ganio said the shortage of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications is also a key concern as it can often “take months for a practitioner to find

document leaked to some media that published a story on July 14.

Bongiovanni added that the mayor’s complaint was not in the town’s best interest and was self-serving as she has had issues with Torgeson.

Peterson in her complaint alleged Torgeson bad-mouthed her in a personal phone message he left for a resident.

“I believe the mayor has trampled public trust and the trust of the Town Council for her lust of power,” Bongiovanni’s complaint states. “Her personal agenda to get re-elected has clouded her judgment to act in the best interest of the Town. She has absolutely destroyed any trust within the council and has done nothing to ensure unity of the council in any way, shape or form.

“I personally have no confidence in her ability to fulfill her duties as mayor of the Town of Gilbert.”

Peterson, who took office in January 2021, also has been hit –and was cleared –by nine ethics violation complaints and is the subject of a federal and a state lawsuit.

A vote of no-confidence has no legal standing but rather indicates the level of council support for the mayor.

Bongiovanni told the mayor that his proposal was not a reflection of her as a person but rather on her actions.

He said Peterson’s love for Gilbert has never been in question but that “what is in question is whether you love the Town enough to make the changes that are needed to achieve unity and restore trust to this council and the general public.”

He told Peterson that as the town’s leader, she had the responsibility to take that first step.

see MAYOR page 10

Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson had little to say in the wake of strong criticism by council members and citizens. (David Minton/ Staff Photographer)

Councilman Chuck Bongiovanni unsuccessfully tried to push council for a no confidence vote against Mayor Brigette Peterson. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Vice Mayor Kathy Tilque warned that the “vicious circle of drama and instability” on council would hurt the town and its business community for years to come. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

MAYOR from page 9

“I’ll be extremely disappointed tonight to hear you say, ‘he hates me,’ ‘they hate me,’ ‘there’s a group of citizens against me’ because those are excuses,” he continued. “And excuses should never be part of the language of a leader.”

He added that he is bound by state law and the town’s ethics code from divulging what he’s seen, heard and dealt with “that has brought us to the breaking point tonight.”

He said that everyone on council knows what’s been going on behind the scenes for the past six months and asked if they were willing to do anything about it.

He acknowledged that his peers may fear making the town look bad by voting no confidence.

“I urge you to ask yourself what the town would look like if a motion doesn’t pass and the behaviors continued,” he told his colleagues, “because they will.”

He told the mayor that if his proposal passes, he hoped it “would open your eyes to those of us who work closely with you and how they feel about your leadership style and will force you to take a deep look within yourself and make those changes that are needed to unite and build trust in this council so we can get back to work.”

Councilwoman Bobbi Buchli said she agreed with Bongiovanni and Torgesonand thanked him for taking on an “ugly subject.”

“Whatever this vote comes out tonight, I would like to see us have a meeting together – all of us,” Buchli said. “And maybe try and talk to each person to see what their concern is and how they feel about certain things that have transpired and happened. I think that’s very necessary to do no matter what happens here to night.”

Vice Mayor Kathy Tilque, who presided over the meeting because Peterson was not allowed to participate except to respond to criticism, noted the proposed action was unprecedented in Gilbert.

Tilque also said that there needs to be a clear understanding what behavior rises to the level that warranted a no confidence vote.

“I’m interested in finding a long-term solution to eliminate the underlying issues that are driving us to work against one another and to publicly chastise one

another, which is viewed by the outside world as a dysfunctional and retaliatory environment,” said Tilque, who suggested the mediator.

“This is a vicious circle of drama and instability,” Tilque said.

“This type of environment will have long-lasting impact as businesses decided to not move here or move out because of the impression of instability of its leaders. This is not who we are.”

Councilman Scott Anderson said the town was at a point where contention “is something that is going to destroy rather than build up this community.”

Anderson said Council needs to focus on more important matters at hand as Gilbert reaches build-out. He also mentioned his concerns with the number of ethics complaints filed recently – especially the one that name the mayor and all six council members.

Former council member Bill Spence filed the ethics complaint July 27 saying one or more council member had knowledge that a “violation of laws or the Code of Ethics” occurred but failed to report them. He said he wasn’t going to divulge which council member he believed violated the ethics code but that an investigation was needed to ferret that out.

Koprowski said she agreed with the proposal for a mediator and that the reason for a no confidence vote was not clear.

“I’m going to chose not to make a statement tonight and ask that we move forward,” Peterson said. “I think I’m a little lost as to what we are discussing this evening. I know that you’ve said everybody knows but I don’t feel like I do so I think it takes us getting together in another forum.”

The mayor may not have had a clue to the behavior Bongiovanni was referring to but before the special meeting, residents gave her an earful about it.

“Since Brigette took office there’s been at least nine ethics complaints maybe 12,” Daniel Strazza said. “If anyone else conducting themselves in the way the mayor has they would have been relieved of their duties and responsibilities immediately. So why do we still have a mayor that is destroying this beautiful city?”

He said the mayor’s conduct has “been see MAYOR page 11

Expires 8/31/23.

a complete embarrassment to the Town and frankly going to end up being a huge waste of tax dollars.”

“As a Gilbert taxpayer I certainly don’t want my hard-earned money being used to defend a mayor whose actions don’t align with the values of this Town,” Strazza said. “We need a mayor to lead, not shut down people, not kick people out of meetings, not violate people’s rights but hear people and understand people.”

Lonnie Chizen said the current perception of Gilbert’s dysfunction has been clearly displayed in numerous news articles and has become a major hindrance to the town’s health and wellbeing.

“The leadership within this body representation is doing harm to the value of Gilbert,” Chizen said.

Ryan Handelsman and Dr. Brandon Ryff both asked the mayor to resign.

The two men are suing the mayor and Town for violating their First Amendment rights when Peterson ordered police to remove them from a council meeting last September when they silently held up signs reading “Stop Lying” and “Don’t Mesa My Gilbert.”

Ryff told the mayor that she lacked “the judgment, the emotional maturity and character” to lead the town.

“Although this dais has been riddled lately with sophomoric behavior the manifestation again starts with you Brigette,” Handelsman said. “I’m curious if you can even explain how any of your

conduct demonstrates leadership.

“You go to ribbon-cuttings, you go to lemonade stands. That is all fine and good but that does not constitute a leader.”

Handelsman cited examples of what he called Peterson’s “bullyish behavior” toward others on council.

“You also literally walked out of a council meeting to go grab a Diet Coke while a citizen was addressing the council during communications…that’s leadership?” he said. “You had me forcibly removed amongst others because I was sitting in the back of a room holding a sign that said ‘Stop Lying.’ And after you kicked me out all I asked for was an apology.

“You failed to respond. You ignored it but unlike others I don’t succumb to bullies and since the only thing that seems to attract your attention is drama, we slapped a $1 million lawsuit on it to get your attention and that is leadership, I guess.”

He brought up the independent investigator’s findings of the noted sign incident that absolved the mayor. He said the investigator relied on Peterson’s version of what had happened but didn’t bother to interview him, Ryff or another person who was thrown out.

“So you as a leader received that report…and felt that was a fair, outside investigation?” he said. “That’s not a leader. You are unfit to be the mayor of this town. Your tactics are predictable.

“You’re probably going to give us some sort of speech at the end of all this and maybe even muster up a few tears. We’re not fooled. Please step down.”

Sandwich shop opening in Gilbert

GSN NEWS STAFF

Apopular sandwich shops is coming to Gilbert and has several giveaways planned for its grand opening on Wednesday, Aug. 9.

Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, a chain that started in 2007 in San Francisco is opening at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Crossroads Towne Center at 3765 S. Gil-

bert Road, near Starbucks and Panda Express.

Among the giveaways are free tshirts and sandwiches to the first 50 people in line, a chance to win free sandwiches for a year and several specials.

The restaurant boasts a commitment to working with nonprofits on fundraisers and donations.

Information: ikessandwiches.com

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The only way to effectively treat chronic pain and/or peripheral neuropathy is by targeting the source, which is the result of nerve damage owing to inadequate blood flow to the nerves in the hands and feet. This often causes weakness and numbness.

As displayed in figure 1 above, the nerves are surrounded by diseased, withered blood vessels. A lack of sufficient nutrients means the nerves cannot survive, and thus, slowly die. This leads to those painful and frustrating consequences we were talking about earlier, like weakness, numbness, tingling, balance issues, and perhaps even a burning sensation.

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Tax vote bill means good, bad news for Gilbert

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

Gov. Katie Hobbs signed legislation last week to allow Maricopa County voters to decide on extending a half-cent sales tax for transportation projects, setting the stage for the fight to come at the ballot box.

And that brings some potential good news and definite bad news for Gilbert.

On the plus side, it will give voters a chance to extend for 20 years a tax that could help with future road projects – and it bans spending any money on light rail expansion, something local opponents of the system likely will cheer.

On the other hand, to get most Republican legislators to approve the measure, Hobbs agreed to sign a separate bill that prevents municipalities from imposing a tax on rent, beginning in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

That ban will cost the town about $6.3 in rent tax revenue, according to the state Rev-

enue Department, though Mayor Brigette Peterson put that figure at $7.6 million.

Peterson praised the compromise that spared a vote next year on the tax, but conceded the elimination of rent tax “directly impacts the revenue funds available for the services the town provides, and that our residents have come to depend on.

“Without any offset options for this lost revenue, there will be difficult discussions and decisions coming related to the services Gilbert provides,” she added in her statement.

“Gilbert, like most municipalities, believes in self-governance and the ability to make decisions that affect our town based on what we believe is best for our community,” Peterson said. “We remain concerned any time the state pre-empts local governance, no different than when the state takes issue with the federal government making decisions that limit a state’s ability to make decisions.”

While stressing that “Gilbert was not involved in those discussions and views

them as two separate policy issues,” Peterson also said the town “is grateful for the passage” of the tax vote legidslation, stating ““A strong, balanced transportation framework impacts the entire region through economic development, commerce, employment options and overall quality of life.”

guide us,” Lewis said.

In a prepared statement, Hobbs said the levy “will secure our economic future and give every Arizonan an opportunity to succeed in our thriving economy.’’

She also crowed about the fact that the measure gained bipartisan approval, attracting over half the Republican lawmakers and all Democrats but one.

But all that the key provision of the legislation actually does is authorize county supervisors to call a special election, presumably in 2024, to give voters the last word on extending the levy 20 years, to 2045. So now the fight moves from the halls of the Legislature to the streets.

“Gilbert was proud to collaborate with other Maricopa County cities as members of the Maricopa Association of Governments to develop an updated long-term transportation plan that met each of our communities’ respective transportation priorities while also addressing the region’s most pressing needs and continued growth and development,” the mayor said. noting:

“This legislation gives the voters the power to approve and implement a plan that will expand, refine, and maintain the regional transportation system for the next 20 years.”

Former Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, now president/CEO of the PHX East Valley Partnership, a strong proponent of the transportation tax extension, said the compromise showed “courageous leadership on the part of many.”

“No one ended up receiving what they originally wanted, but leaders knew that with our growth, we needed funds to build for the future and a Transportation Plan to

Proponents have characterized the measure as simply giving voters the opportunity to keep in place the half-cent tax first approved 1985.

State lawmakers approved a new vote just last year, only to have it vetoed by thenGov. Doug Ducey, sending the measure back to a new Legislature that is more fiscally conservative.

Negotiations resulted in the bill that Hobbs signed but that includes some significant curbs on how the money could be used.

And to get enough Republican votes,

see TAX page 13

A poll found strong support among Maricopa County voters for another extension of the half-cent sales tax to support transportation projects. (Noble Predictive Insights)

Hobbs agreed to sign a GOP-sponsored bill eliminating the ability of municipalities to impose a tax on rent.

That move, which won’t go into effect until the new fiscal year begins next July 1, will take away more than $230 million a year in revenue that most of the state’s 91 cities and towns collect, according to a lobbyist for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.

“The 75 cities that are going to be directly impacted by this, they’re only got two options should this bill be signed,’’ the League’s Tom Savage said. “They’re going to have to either cut services, or they’re going to have to increase local taxes to make up for this loss.’’

Rebuffed in its bid for a veto, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns now wants lawmakers and the governor to essentially reimburse them for the revenues they will be losing.

But they are likely to face hostility from the Republicans who control the Legislature who have championed the repeal.

R-Lake Havasu City, put it most succinctly: He responded to a query about the League’s request with a one-icon response of a thumb down.

Senate Republicans called a news conference to crow about the rental bill, saying cities were flush with cash and criticizing them for not voluntarily eliminating the rental tax.

And they said they wanted to help low-income renters during a period of high inflation by getting rid of the tax, which is levied on top of rents, at rates that average 2.4%.

“This is (money) to help people put food on the table, give them an extra tank of gas in the car,’’ said Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert. “And we are ready to provide relief.”

The transportation tax bill caps mass transit spending at 37% of the estimated $20 billion the tax will raise over 20 years and bars MAG from using any of that cash to extend the light rail system.

Scot Mussi, president and executive director of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, said that was still a “setback.’’

cal plans like road diets,’’ essentially changes in street construction or layout to slow traffic –and from the perspective of foes, program designed to force people out of their personal vehicles.

But the big issue has been how much goes to projects other than new or improved roads, what Mussi called “failed transit projects that seemingly only enrich consultants and special interests.’’

A poll by OH Predictive Insights said that 56% of those questioned support a renewed half-cent tax, with 17% opposed and 26% undecided. Pollster Mike Noble said even among Republicans there was a plurality, with 47% in favor and 30% against.

And in a separate question, Noble said he found that 54% believe the current light rail system should be expanded, with only 6% saying there should be no light rail.

Rep. Alexander Kolodin, R-Scottsdale, who voted against allowing this plan to go to voters, sniffed at the results.

fought bifurcation,’’ he said.

That refers to the failed effort by conservatives to have two votes, one for roads and one for mass transit.

In vetoing that plan, the governor accused backers of “playing politics’’ and “holding Arizona’s economy hostage.’’

Kolodin, however, said he believes voters are willing to listen to arguments why this new plan is unacceptable.

“The messaging has to be we’re growing at a rapid pace, we’ve got to have our transportation funding dedicated to the roads that will allow us not to turn into L.A.,’’ he said. “We can’t have 40% of it siphoned off for public transit that services less than a percent of the population.’’

And Kolodin said if voters reject this plan it will send a message to lawmakers to approve a different formula.

Senate Majority Leader Sonny Borrelli,

Mussi and his organization contend that, even with the changes, it still allows “radi-

“And the reason I doubt the accuracy of the polling is, if it were true that spending (nearly) 40% of this new tax on public transportation funding was something the voters wanted, nobody would ever have

But not all Republican agree, with even Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, issuing a press release calling what lawmakers approved the “most conservative Prop 400 plan in Arizona history.’’

He cited the elimination of funding from

see TAX page 14 TAX

TAX from page 13

the levy for light rail expansion and the 63% earmarked for roads and freeways. And Petersen said it also ties the hands of the Maricopa Association of Governments, the agency made up of local community leaders that decides and funds the projects.

“No longer can dollars be shifted unilaterally after taxpayers have approved the measure,’’ he said.

For decades the city and surrounding communities poured billions into building more and more freeways based on the belief that would ease congestion.

That didn’t happen. And it is only more recently that the area has invested in rail and other mass transit.

But Kolodin said that funding hasn’t helped.

The lone Democrat to oppose the plan was Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales of Tucson. But unlike the Republicans who voted “no,’’ her objection was the fact that the measure probibits the state from imposing limits like California on what percentage of vehicles sold could be powered with fossil fuels.

the right dose for a patient.”

“Those products have been out for over a year,” Ganio said of ADHD medications. “They’ve been problematic for patients because it’s not an easy fix to just switch a patient from one drug to another in those situations … So those shortages have been extremely disruptive to patients.”

Unlike other medications, Ganio said ADHD drugs can only be prescribed for a month at a time, making it difficult for patients to secure a consistent supply.

A similar issue is arising with some prescription pain medications, specifically pills that contain opioids like oxycodone.

When it comes to chemotherapy, Ganio said health care professionals are now facing critical decisions surrounding treatment rationing. In instances where an intravenous treatment can be substituted with an oral solution, the impact on patient care is minimal.

But for those receiving chemotherapy treatments, Ganio said there are no clear alternatives.

“The 20 injectable chemotherapy drugs

“Those products have been out for over a year,” Ganio said of ADHD medications. “They’ve been problematic for patients because it’s not an easy fix to just switch a patient from one drug to another in those situations … So those shortages have been extremely disruptive to patients.”

in shortage, at the same time, is just extremely concerning for any cancer practitioner and especially for the patients and those worried about their outcomes,” Ganio said.

Dr. Ajay Bhatnagar, an oncologist in Casa Grande, agreed the situation is “highly concerning” and he fears that the shortages will have a devastating influence on patient mortality if not swiftly reversed.

“Hopefully, it can be rectified soon, but currently it’s a concern of how we figure out how to formulate an adequate treatment for these patients without having to ration or delay treatment,” Bhatnagar said.

But Ganio said he expects shortages to remain “for a couple of months, or even longer than that. It’s not something that I

expect to resolve immediately.”

He said an ASHP survey that will be published later this month shows there has already been a notable increase in the number of doctors nationwide who said they have altered treatment plans to cope with the shortages.

“Whether we reach a new high or not, we’re still in very dire condition as far as the status of shortages in the U.S,” Ganio said.

He said there needs to be a call to action over this “20-year problem,” but as the shortages reach new highs, the issue is starting to gain the attention it needs.

“The only silver lining to the severity of current shortages is that there’s a lot of interest in Capitol Hill, there’s a White House task force and so, it’s getting the attention it needs,” Ganio said.

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“There is no one who has the Micro Carbon Technology,” said Smith, who took over the company’s helm in November 1994. “That was developed by my dad and the founders of the company.”

Smith isn’t a scientist. The Mesa resident earned an undergraduate degree in finance and a law degree, though he says he knows more about agriculture than the law.

Continuing in that research began by the company founders is a team of scientists.

“We try to find the best humic researchers in the world and hire them,” Smith said. “That’s what we are doing because we want to know everything about humic. So we have the best.”

The senior director of research is Dr. Richard Lamar, who oversees a team of four other employees with doctorates. During a company tour, he extolled the benefits of humic substances, such as in enhancing the fine roots in plants.

“If you enhance the fine roots the plant is effectively able to exploit an increase volume of soil,” Lamar explained. “If you got two roots you can only exploit so much.

If you got 10 roots you can exploit more right?

“So that’s a big thing and we are also finding that our products are enhancing photosynthetic efficiency. So we got an increased efficiency in the roots and increased ability to capture Co2 and fix it into carbon so we have more plant biomass and hopefully that relates to increases in productivity because that’s the bottom line.”

He said that farmers applying Huma products to their crops want to see that return in their investment, such as increased bushels of corn per acre.

Humic also helps with stress response in plants, according to Lamar.

“With global warming there’s a lot more stress on plants on agricultural crops these days,” he noted. “We stress them just a little bit to make them stronger.”

According to Lamar, triggering a modified stress response in plants primes them to handle stress down the road brought on by conditions such as a drought or too much rain.

“I like to tease that it’s like going to the gym and exercising,” Smith interjected.

“You break down your muscles and that makes you stronger in the future.”

The company’s Idaho mine won’t run out of its key ingredient anytime soon. “In terms of the material from Idaho it’s a whole mountain and we don’t harvest very much,” Smith said. “It’s been years since we mined it.”

In fact, a pile of ordinary-looking dirt brought over from the Chandler location during the 1978 move has at least 20 years’ worth of supply of humates, according to Smith.

The company also mines humic material from a mountain in New Mexico, where it is under contract for the reserves for over 20 years. The raw material there is regularly mined and sold to manufacturers for the productions of their own humic-based products, Smith said.

Proven results

According to Smith. crops grown with Huma products save water.

“Approximately it’s 30% on the average saving on water, which is huge with Arizona ag,” he said.

Increased crop yields of between 10 and 20% also can be seen but more importantly quality is where the Huma products really shine, Smith said.

“We can enhance the shelf stability of that crop,” he said. “We’ve shown that peppers for example grown on our product can last a whole nother week on the

shelf in the store and in the fridge for the consumer.

“We’ve shown that that same pepper has more magnesium, more nutrients in it than a conventional grown pepper. That makes it fun for us.”

And, “you can definitely taste the difference,” Smith said.

“It tastes sweeter. It increases what you call the Brix, a term for sugar measurement that you can do that we do all the time to demonstrate our products are working.”

Five years after the company set up in Mesa, it moved to Chandler in 1978. In 2011, it relocated to Gilbert to much larger digs on 4.5 acres, allowing for expansion.

Huma’s current roster includes 55 in Arizona, 25 in New Mexico, 14 in Mexico and six in Brazil.

The company in June celebrated its 50th anniversary and announced a name change to Huma from Bio Huma Netics. It also consolidated its six brands under the Huma brand name and unveiled a new tagline, “Humic Solutions with a Human Touch.”

But despite its patented technology, the company is still a small player in the $130-billion fertilizer industry, according to Smith, who added that Huma needed to do a better job telling its story.

He said that for several years the company was selling its products more outside

Containers of Huma liquid micronutrient roll along the through the packaging line. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

the United States and now sales are divided almost evenly between domestic and foreign markets.

But he said he’s having a tough sell with Arizona farmers, who see Huma’s products as “snake oil.” Instead, they are sticking with the conventional fertilizers.

Arizona is the fourth largest vegetable grower in the country and Yuma County is one of the largest producers of winter vegetables.

“The reality is we are real,” Smith said. “We’ve been around for 50 years, so you’d think they’d wake up to, ‘oh, there must be something to that.’”

The Nebraska farmer Hilger said when he first applied Huma’s biostimulant product on his corn, he thought, “Geez whiz, that really seem like it made better corn that year.”

Hilger also visited with a number of farmers in Washington, Oregon and Idaho who were using Huma products and the common theme was that “their plants were so much healthier and more insect resistant and they didn’t need as many of the chemicals” that he had been using.

Smith said that combining MCT with the nutrients make them “so much more efficient.”

“So, we are seeing up to 10 times more efficient and our least efficient product is a nitrogen and that is only two times more efficient,” Smith said. “But everyone in agriculture is talking about a 25%-efficiency ratio and we’re talking about a 100% efficiency ratio so that’s more efficient than conventional fertilizer.”

The product that the company sells the most is the competitor to NPK fertilizers –nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

“Our typical application is somewhere between a quart and a gallon per acre,” Smith said. “So, a very small amount –compared with conventional fertilizer that takes a ton of fertilizer per acre.”

The product is diluted with water and dispersed through a ground sprayer or drip irrigation and in many parts of the world through aerial application using a plane.

“The price is about the same with conventional as an exchange,” Smith said. “Now we are going to apply a whole lot less but in terms of cost per acre it’s about the same.”

Eye to the future

Almost a year ago, Huma purchased a 40,000-square-foot building, south of the Arizona State University campus in Tempe.

“We’re right on the railroad so we will have rail lines,” said Smith, who added that the company has been waiting six

months so far for the city to sign off on its hazardous material authorization in order to occupy the building.

“Our intention is to slowly transfer over our blending and packaging to that facility from here,” he said.

The majority of the company’s packaging is done in 2.5-gallon jugs. Liquid product sent overseas are contained in 1,000-liter totes for packaging at their destinations.

The Gilbert site will be the base for product development and improvement, product quality assurance and humic research.

The company’s goal is to be the global leader in humic products and technologies, according to Smith.

“We want to provide solutions to ag-

riculture as we know it today,” he said; “the challenges that face agriculture today. And those are over-applying chemicals, using salt-based fertilizers, and just not being environmentally friendly.

“When we combined our technology with other nutrients, we make them more available so our environmental impact is much less. It’s really a sustainable, regenerative ag.”

Smith said that Huma is a heavy player in the biostimulant movement in the United States and in Europe that’s been going on for the last couple of years.

“There’s been a shift in agriculture where farmers are striving to be more environmentally conscious,” Smith said. “They know that some of the stuff they’ve been applying is not good, particularly as the older generation is dying out.

“They’re dying from lung problem or other problems associated with the chemicals they’ve been applying for all those years. We think that this movement will have a great opportunity for the future, making things better.”

Smith is big on sustainability.

The company even purchased a label printer to cut down on waste and it recycles all its junk like cardboard and unused plastics.

“I pinch myself as a guy from Arizona,” Smith said. “This company has taken me around the world and it’s been amazing. The benefits we are seeing with our products and the effect in agriculture, making things better.”

Micro Tom Tomato plants used to test products in the lab at Huma, . (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Gilbert mom, gym team up for cystic brosis help

GSN NEWS STAFF

There’s a reason that Kylie Bowyer likes gyms for her fundraising events to help families and children confronting cystic brosis.

e Gilbert woman, whose group, e Bowyer Battle, provides nancial support wants supporters to think about what life would be like if they su ered from the genetic disorder that severely damages the lungs and other organs and a ects the cells that produce mucus, sweat and digestive juices.

“Cystic brosis causes people to ght for their breath every minute of their life,” explained Bowyer, whose 6-yearold son Knox su ers from the disease.

“What better way to show our support and dedication to the cause than by ghting for our breathes?” she continued. “We are using this slogan: CF patients ght for their breath every day, we’re asking you to ght for yours for 45 minutes.”

at’s the purpose behind her next fundraiser 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 19 at a Gilbert gym appropriately named Suffer City at 263. E. Warner Road.

Bowyer and gym owner Jason Franch have scheduled a unique fundraiser, similar to one she held in Scottsdale, in which people can sign up for “Sweat for

the Cause.”

People can sign up for one of 24 slots held at three di erent times that day – 1 p.m., 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. – and help raise money and awareness of cystic brosis. anks in part to sponsors BTG Real Estate, Ananda Salon, Xendurance and Cadence Running Company, participants will receive a swag bag loaded with items.

ose who don’t feel like exerting can attend to and mingle with other supporters as well as families with loved ones su ering from CF.

Bowyer noted that even supporters who don’t particularly relish the notion of a vigorous workout will have plenty to do.

“We will have a spectator area so that friends and family can come together and cheer on the participants,” she said. “ ere will be ra e items, merchandise tables, snacks and lots of comradery.”

Basha siblings both score JROTC scholarships

BY KEN SAIN GSN Sta Writer

Older sister Lillian Sackett was celebrating with sibling Kate when the phone rang again –minutes after a call informed Kate she had won a $1,000 scholarship.

“The probability that both of us could get it … I guess it could happen,” Lillian said. “I was just excited for her.

“Then I got the phone call, and I was like freaking out. The person on the other end was a little confused.”

Both Lillian and Kate, who attend Basha High School, were awarded scholarships.

Four others from their Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps (JROTC)

class at Basha also earned scholarships.

“I was shocked,” said Col. Clifford B. Stansell, who leads the JROTC program at Basha. “We’ve had cadets receive awards in previous years, usually one in a year. I would have been happy to get two, but six was a bit of a surprise.”

The Better Business Bureau Serving the Pacific Southwest, the Salt River Project and Phoenix Military and Veterans Commission Foundation awarded 12 scholarships to 12 JROTC cadets across the Valley. Half of them went to Basha students.

Joining the Sackett sisters from Ba-

Gilbert mom Kylie Bowyer and Suffer City owner Jason French are holding a fundraiser at his Gilbert gym to benefit her group, which helps families confronting cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that afflicts her own 6-year-old son. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Basha High School AFJROTC cadets and sisters Lillian, left, and Kate Sackett both won scholarships for their performance in the corps. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

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Bowyer has been running fundraisers to bene t CF research for several years and create the Bowyer Battle blog (thebowyerbattle.org) to raise awareness as well as raise money to help families burden by the high cost of care.

She has raised over $500,000 and her pockets don’t see a dime despite the fact care for a child with CF can run about $15,000.

“Cystic brosis is an ever-changing plan of care,” Bowyer explained. “Patient care and medical expenses only increase with time and age.

“I wouldn’t say that in ation has affected me personally with Knox’s medical care or expenses but we have absolutely felt it impact our annual donations to the organization.

“When asking local businesses to get involved with our events over the past year or so it’s been harder to obtain larger donations and involvement due to businesses being hit by the economic changes.”

France, who co-founded Su er City four years ago with Brian Butson, gladly welcomed a chance to help Bowyer’s campaign, stating, “We couldn’t resist the chance to open our doors and in-

sha are Lorilynn Kehaulani Nixon, Kristina Lynn Mountz, Ryann Terrell and Taylani Tran. Each cadet gets a $1,000 scholarship.

e school also bene ts, with the program receiving $1,000 for each cadet who was honored. Basha will get $6,000.

“ e $6,000 scholarship donated to our JROTC program will go toward providing unique opportunities for cadets to experience leadership and aerospace opportunities outside of the classroom,” Stansell said.

“ is includes eld trips and equipment to expand their horizons in both the military and civilian aerospace worlds.”

The other six cadets honored are Corey Brewer of Tolleson Union; Ramiro Felix from Avondale Westview; Jake Johnson from Mesa Skyline; Michael Shin from Hamilton; Ryan Tran from Tolleson Union; and Jayden Anthony Wingarten from Queen Creek.

They were honored as part of the Better Business Bureau’s Ethical Cadet Scholarship Program.

Each cadet had to submit an essay and the winners were chosen because of their leadership, character, commitment to service, and actions that go beyond the call of duty.

“I was really interested in middle school in space, and aerospace, and all the features of the curriculum this program has,” Lillian, a senior, said on

vest our energy in support of the foundation.”

His gym boasts “unrivaled performance and physique results, a curiously supportive community and, above

her reason for joining JROTC. “I immediately fell in love with it.”

“I joined because she was in it,” said Kate, who is a sophomore. “I had two years of her just talking about … ‘Oh my God, you have to join ROTC. It’s so fun. It’s great.’ I really enjoyed the class, so I came back for a second year.”

The sisters say they have a lot in common, but they also have their differences. Lillian is happy working on a computer. Kate prefers doing more hands-on projects and creating something.

One thing they do enjoy doing together is singing. Both are members of the school choir. Lillian was once asked to perform the National Anthem

all, a mindset training component that derives from a gami ed, team-based training experience that is heavy on accountability.”

France saw Bowyer’s Battle as something that met Su er City’s goal of enriching lives.

“While we’re able to enrich the lives of our members everyday by being the best part of their day, it’s important that we reach out beyond our membership base and give back to positively impact those who need it most,” France said.

“Two years ago, we raised over $60,000 for four separate charities with a 24-our endurance challenge inside our training center, and when Kylie Bowyer considered Su er City for their Sweat for the Cause event,” he added.

At the event, France said each heat involves a series of speed, strength and training exercises and there will be a winning team from each session as well as one for the entire day.

Registration for a heat is $100 and people who cannot attend and want to help can do so at eBowyerBattle.org.

at an event. The siblings later performed as a duet.

Now they make regular appearances together.

“That’s just another really cool opportunity that we’ve gotten to embrace,” Lillian said.

Lillian says she will probably not join the military after graduating from Basha in the spring. She plans to go to college in Arizona but has not made up her mind where yet.

Kate says she has not ruled out a path that might include military service. But it’s still early and, just like most sophomores across America, she has time to figure out what she wants.

“I have no idea what I’m going to do,” Kate said.

Jason French, owner of Suffer City Gym in Gilbert, believes participants in “Sweat for a Cause” will get a good workout while they give back to the community. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

Love for dogs leads couple to a training business

BY PAUL MARYNIAK GSN Executive Editor

When Josh and Kristen Gerzewski moved to Arizona a year ago from Pennsylvania, they wanted to buy into a franchise that matched their passion and talent.

It’s not all that as surprising that the Gilbert couple settled on a rapidly growing national dog-training chain called Zoom Room.

Yesterday, Aug. 5, the Gerzewskis opened Zoom Room Chandler at 4991 S. Alma School Road, Suite 6, Chandler.

Zoom Room founder Mark Van Wye has seen an explosive growth in the franchise that he started in 2009, then reinvigorated 12 years later with a curriculum “that you can do for your entire life with your dog,” according to a September 2022 interview he gave to entrepreneur.com .

He also focused on signi cant upgrades in his marketing and technology, creating

Zoom Room Chandler co-owner Josh Gerzewski of Gilbert was a police officer in Pennsylvania before moving last August to Arizona. He and his wife Kristen opened the dog-training facility this weekend. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

exible scheduling and keeping his prices a ordable.

His retooling of the franchise has generated 84 Zoom Rooms either in operation or about to open – including Zoom Room Chandler.

“We didn’t change the fundamental nature of Zoom Room,” he told entrepreneur. com, “which is that we do dog training with an emphasis on socialization.”

e Gerzewskis mirror Van Wye’s ideal in a franchise owner: “You’ve got to be led

by something, whether it’s purpose-driven or mission-driven.”

Josh Gerzewski knows all about mission and purpose. He was a police o cer and SWAT team member. Kristen’s background in sales and marketing t the tools Van Wye created to grow business.

And both love dogs.

“We decided to buy into the franchise because we love dogs,” Josh explained. “We wanted the best vehicle to make a positive impact on the relationship between dog and owner. rough Zoom Room, we can grow that bond to help with less dogs being abandoned or surrendered to the animal shelters.”

Josh knows about that, too. As a police o cer, he came across a dog abandoned in a dumpster during a snowstorm.

“He was extremely skinny, scared, and cold,” Josh recalled. “We decided to adopt him and he changed our lives. Dogs have

Fynes Audiology celebrates 20-year anniversary

BY ALISON STANTON GSN Contributor

Twenty years ago, Dr. Cassandra Fynes founded Fynes Audiology LLC in Mesa.

While there have been a few sta changes over the past two decades, Fynes said the overall goals and mission of the practice have remained the same.

“We started with a collaboration with ear, nose and throat doctors, but for about the last eight years we have been completely on our own,” Fynes said, adding that 13 years ago, audiologist Roger Knighton joined Fynes Audiology LLC.

“ at has been a successful venture. Roger and I merged two great practices and work together to help our clients,” she said.

While the medical professionals she works with have changed over the years, Fynes said she remains devoted to maintaining and o ering a small practice feel in the full service audiology clinic.

“We treat our patients like family, while keeping the professionalism needed to assist our clients with the best possible care,” she said. “I really enjoy the relationships I have with my clients.”

Fynes Audiology o ers a variety of modern-day hearing aid options for clients that feature technology like Bluetooth connectivity, streaming from other devices, rechargeable batteries and an app that allows wearers to make small adjustments to the device.

In addition, Fynes and Knighton con-

Dr. Cassandra Fynes and audiologist Roger Knighton enjoy hearing how their patients’ hearing has improved with their help. (File photo)

a magical power; to make you forget all of your troubles because they have unconditional love and loyalty.

“Because of our experience with our dog, we wanted to share that with everyone and help them realize the potential that exists with their own.”

Zoom Room Chandler’s indoor dog training gym o ers small group classes in agility, obedience, puppy and socialization classes with the best dog trainers. Private one-on-one classes are also available.

e couple – who own a pit bull named Koda and two black cats, Emerson and Watson – believe Zoom Room sets itself apart from the competition in a number of ways.

“First, our motto is ‘We don’t train dogs. We train the people that love them,’” Josh explained. “We teach the owners how to teach their dog so that the dog learns

and listens to them. We accomplish this through positive reinforcement.

“In the most basic terms, this means that we give lots of treats and lots of love to the dogs and we do not use physical or verbal punishment to achieve those ends.”

Zoom Room Chandler also o ers Wye’s exible scheduling for a variety of classes that include obedience, agility, tricks classes, puppy classes, and events. All classes are held at di erent times during the week.

And they all provide the answers to the questions Josh poses theoretically:

“Dogs just want to make their owners happy, so why can’t we do the same? Why can’t we persuade the dog to want to do what we ask them to instead of forcing them to?”

Zoom Room Chandler

4991 S. Alma School Road, Chandler. 480-420-6166

zoomroom.com/location/chandler

well as taking a holistic approach to their hearing.

duct comprehensive hearing diagnostic tests for hearing loss and tinnitus, and they also o er custom earplugs and earbuds.

Unlike some other audiology clinics that work with speci c companies, Fynes said her practice is not owned by a manufacturer of hearing aids.

“We don’t just focus on hearing, we focus on improving the entire person through better hearing,” she said.

She added that she and Knighton truly look forward to learning how they have improved a patient’s hearing in time for the next family function or other occasion.

“Because we are a small private practice, we have the freedom to work with any type of hearing aid, as long as it is what is best for the client,” she said.

Fynes said she and Knighton enjoy taking the time to get to know their clients, as

“I like it when I see their faces light up when they are hearing better.”

Fynes Audiology is located at 2058 S. Dobson Road, Suite 9, Mesa. For more information, call 480-456-0176 or visit fynesaudiology.com.

ZOOM from page 21

Murphy, a year-old golden retriever, checks out the agility course weave poles for the first time at Zoom Room Chandler. (David Minton/Staff Photographer)

FYNES from page 21

Fancy cars carry brutal nancial load

BY HAROLD WONG GSN Guest Writer

For the last two years, a 40-year-high in ation rate has been the main concern of most Americans.

In a Nov. 21, 2022, study found in Motley Fool by Jack Caporal, there are some disturbing statistics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2021, the average household income was $78,743 and average household total expenses were $5,577 per month.

e three largest components of monthly household spending were: $1,885 for housing (34% of total expenses); $913 for transportation (16% of total expenses); and $691 for food (12% of total expenses).

In contrast, $10 a month was spent on reading and this partly explains why so many Americans struggle with their nances.

According to an April 2 nance.yahoo. com article by Bethan Moorcraft, a record 16% of American consumers are paying at

least $1,000 per month in car payments.

“ e percentage of borrowers at least 60 days late on their car payments is higher today than it was during the peak of the Great Recession in 2009,” Moorcraft reported.

Auto loans are the third largest debt category with Americans owing $1.52 trillion in auto loans. e percentage of subprime auto borrowers who were at least 60 days late hit 5.67% in December, 2022. at exceeded the 5.04% late payment rate in January 2009 at the peak of the Great Recession, according to the credit rating agency Fitch Ratings.

Besides the skyrocketing cost of new and used cars over the last three years, gas prices have doubled and insurance rates have increased substantially.

Major insurance companies have recently stated they will no longer insure certain Kia or Hyundai models because the cars are too easy to steal.

Let’s examine why Americans spend so much of their after-tax income on cars. e rst reason is that folks want more luxury now than their parents or grandparents

were willing to accept.

I remember the agony of riding in my parents’ black Ford Fairlane in 1961 in the Mohave Desert when we lived in California. ere was no air conditioning in the car and driving long distances was miserable.

A second reason men want to own an expensive, cool car to drive is to get the hot dates. I remember back in high school in 1965, when Ford launched the new Mustang, my classmate bought one and was always surrounded by girls who wanted a ride in his car.

is urge is not restricted to high school students. A stockbroker friend of mine used to host monthly soirees at upscale Scottsdale nightclubs. Most of the guys who attended were over 60 years old and drove very expensive cars that seemed to always attract beautiful women who were 20-30 years younger than they were.

I drove a beat-up 1987 Volvo 240DL that I bought used for $3,100 when it had 110,000 miles and drove it over 255,000 miles. As expected, no women rushed over to meet

me. Because they never bothered to talk to me, they had no idea how successful I was.

People have no idea how many really rich men drive modest cars. Je Bezos, founder of Amazon, drives a Honda Accord. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, drives a Honda Fit. Before he died at 91 with a net worth of $58 billion, Ingvar Kamprad, founder of Ikea, for many decades drove a 1993 Volvo 240GL.

Perhaps these multi-billionaires have a strong self-image and don’t have to “show o ” by driving an expensive car. Not spending a fortune on new cars that depreciate the moment you drive them o the lot could also be why they are rich.

To RSVP for future seminars in September or schedule a free consultation to save taxes or increase retirement income, contact Dr. Harold Wong at 480-706-0177 or harold_wong@hotmail.com. His website is.drharoldwong.com. He earned his Ph.D. ineEconomics at University of California/ Berkeley and has appeared on over 400 TV/ radio programs.

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53 Samovar

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