Gilbert Sun News 09-15-2019 by Times Media Group

INSIDE

Gilbert real estate section FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF GILBERT) | GilbertSunNews.com

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

Sunday, September 15, 2019

GPS busing improves, but cost remains high

INSIDE

This Week

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

NEWS..................................

Indicted EVIT chief keeping job.

BUSINESS........................

Desert Ridge student band honors military PAGE 24

New Gilbert clinic focuses on autism

fter six years of driving a bus for Gilbert Public Schools, Conrad Stucky is finally seeing improvements for student transportation. “It’s more orderly,” Stucky said. “The way they do it is more efficient.” With bell times and other changes at the start of this school year, the district went from 66 percent of all elementary buses running late daily to 3 percent, according to Paul Novak, GPS interim transportation director. For years the district struggled with chronically late buses or no-shows with stranded students.

Every school day bus drivers are tasked with moving 10,000 students in 70 minutes. The district is taking a number of steps to overhaul how it transports students – primarily implementing the new bell schedule. Most recently, the GPS Governing Board gave pay raises and bonuses to bus drivers in hopes of improving retention rates. They district purchased new transportation routing software prior to the first day of school. “Students are arriving on time,” board President Reed Carr said at last week’s board meeting. “We’re freeing up resources, being more efficient so we can put those resources into the classroom, where they belong.” Instead of nine different start-and-end times at 40 campuses, there is now only

three – one each for high schools, junior highs and elementary schools. Novak acknowledged problems in the first week of school included late pickups and overcrowded buses. One student reportedly was dropped off at the wrong stop. “The start of the school year was anything but smooth,” Novak said. “But we’ve been able to quickly make corrections to improve morning arrival times, afternoon dismissals, high-load counts with required overflow bus services and various other shortcomings we experienced at the beginning.” He said the global positioning system the board approved 18 months ago performs better than expected and helps staff to de-

Gilbert small businesses get Ready for play break on health insurance

see BUSES page 11

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

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ric Reber opened his large-format printing studio near McQueen and Guadalupe roads in Gilbert seven years ago. The Mesa resident has grown SpeedPro from two to four employees but the thing that has remained elusive is his ability to offer health benefits to his workers. “It’s absolutely definitely an issue that we can’t do that or offer it low enough for people,” said Reber, who is on his wife’s insurance plan through Gilbert Public Schools. “It’s difficult to find employees unless they had a spouse or are young enough to be on their parents’ plan. I’ve lost out on opportunities to hire people because of that fact.” Reber isn’t the only small-business owner in this predicament.

see CHAMBER page 6

The first phase of Gilbert's long-awaited regional park will be opening with fanfare next Saturday. Though only 30 acres of the 272-acre park will be ready, there will be plenty of things for kids to do - such as the longest slide in Arizona. For the full rundown and a look at opening festivities, see page 3. (Kimberly Carrillo/GSN Staff Photographerr)

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GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

Finally, part of Gilbert’s biggest park to open

An edition of the East Valley Tribune Gilbert Sun News is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Gilbert. To find out where you can pick up a free copy of Gilbert Sun News, please visit www.EastValleyTribune.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Main number: 480-898-6500 | Advertising: 480-898-5624 Circulation service: 480-898-5641 Publisher:

Steve T. Strickbine

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Michael Hiatt

ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT

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Cecilia Chan | 480-898-5613 |cchan@timespublications.com Reporters:

Jim Walsh | 480-898-5639 | jwalsh@timespublications.com Kevin Reagan | 480-898-5638 | kreagan@timespublications.com Get Out Editor:

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski | 480-641-4518 | christina@timespublications.com Photographer:

Kimberly Carrillo | kcarillo@timespublications.com Pablo Robles | probles@timespublications.com Design:

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Aaron Kolodny | 480-898-5641 | customercare@evtrib.com Sports Editor: Zach Alvira | 480-898-5630 | zalvira@timespublications.com Gilbert Sun News is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation service company owned by Times Media Group. The public is permitted one copy per reader. For further information regarding the circulation of this publication or others in the Times Media Group family of publications, and for subscription information, please contact AZ Integrated Media at circ@ azintegratedmedia.com or 480-898-5641. For circulation services please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@azintegatedmedia.com.

BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

he initial phase of Gilbert’s largest and newest park – which includes the longest slide in Arizona – opens Saturday, promising to ultimately become one of the East Valley’s biggest family destinations. The first 30 acres of the 272-acre regional park will a 17-foot-tall iconic playground equipped with three levels of climbing features, a zip-line and a 4,000-square-foot splash pad with 57 interactive water features. Other amenities in Phase 1A include a 200-space parking lot, ramadas and restrooms. The park has been years in the making with the town entering into an agreement in 2015 with Maricopa County Flood Control District to use the Chandler Heights Basin Area for the south Gilbert park. It’s projected when Gilbert reaches build-out in 2030, approximately 421,468 residents will be within the15minute drive time service area of the regional park. After the grand opening, Gilbert is expected to begin work on Phase 1B. Scheduled for completion in late summer next year, that phase will include a 7-acre lake, a 10-acre event lawn, amphitheater, 16 pickleball courts, six tennis courts, two basketball courts and six sand-volleyball courts. The construction cost for Phase 1A is $14.4 million but with design and other project-related costs, the total is $18.3 million, according to town spokeswoman Jennifer Harrison. Cost figures for Phase 1B will not be available until its budget goes to Council on Sept. 19, Harrison said. The first phase is funded with system development fees, which are collected at the time a building permit is issued for residential, commercial and other nonresidential development. Although the estimated total budget for the park has been reported at $100 million, the figure can change. “The full park has not been designed yet so we do not have a current estimate for the total cost of the park,” Harrison said. Town officials broke ground for the park near Queen Creek and Higley roads in May 2018. The regional park is being built in three phases, though a timeline has not

A splash pad with interactive features, a zip-line and other playground attractions await to be tried out starting next Saturday at Gilbert's newest and largest park. The park is part of the town's efforts to provide south Gilbert residents with more amenities. (Kimberly Carrillo./GSN Staff)

been established for them. The second phase on 75 acres could include a disc golf course, skate park, bike park, mountain bike skills park, ropes course, dog park and basketball courts, according to recommendations made in a town master plan for the park. Funding could come from sale of townland and possible park bonds. Phase 3 on 150 acres includes more playing fields, close to 2,000 parking spots, trails, armadas and multi-use paths. Funding for phase 3 has not yet been identified. Adjacent to the mega-park is a $60 million state-of-the-art recreational water complex under construction. The Strand @Gilbert, which is expected to open next summer, sits on 25 of 47 acres the town owns in the area and has set aside for private-public recreation developments. Most recently the developer of the water park also expressed interest in a hotel project on 10 acres there.

Park grand opening events

Gilbert Regional Park, Phase 1A opens, 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road.

Town Council members will give opening address at 8:30 a.m. • Beach Party: 8-10 a.m. • Beach giveaways from The Strand @ Gilbert (while supplies last) • Event swag from Gilbert Parks and Recreation Foundation • Bubble fun with Bubble Mania • Otter Pops with the Gilbert Police Department • Food vendors • Laser and Glow Party: 6- 9 p.m. • DJ and Glow Party • Beach giveaways from The Strand @ Gilbert (while supplies last) • Bubble Mania’s bubble glow wall • Lighted foam sticks from Gilbert Fire and Rescue • Food vendors • Laser light show finale Information: gilbertaz.gov/gilbertregionalpark

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

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GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

NEWS

Gilbert remembers them

Gilbert first responders, town officials and residents paid solemn tribute to the people who died during the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the 18th anniversary of the tragedy last Wednesday. Among those whop participated was Gilbert Fire and Rescue as well as Deputy Fire Chief Mark Justus, holding a ceremonial axe. Town officials years ago drove to New York City to retrieve an 8-foot piece of a girder from the North Tower of the World Trade Center that was incorporated into a permanent memorial at Town Hall in tribute to the victimns. The Desert Ridge High School band also participated in the ceremony. (Kimberly Carrillo/GSN Staff Photographer)

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GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

from page 1

Over 2.7 million small and medium businesses in the country do not offer health insurance due to cost, according to PeopleKeep, which develops employee health benefits software. But things are looking up for East Valley businesses. The East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance announced last week it has launched a health insurance pool for small businesses. Seven Valley chambers make up the advocacy Alliance, which represents 5,000 local businesses with 200,000 employees in Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Apache Junction Queen Creek and Cave Creek. The health insurance affinity discount plan is in partnership with Lifestyle Health Plans, based out of Wichita, Kansas. “The partnership will help East Valley employers save money on healthcare premiums and provide a robust wellness plan and quality care to their employees,” said John Hetrick, EVCCA chairman at the news conference in at the State Capitol. “Lifestyle Health Plans has a record of saving 5 to 15 percent through a chamber membership discount nationally,” he said. “In fact, we have members who have saved upwards of 35 percent in their premiums.” Lifestyle Health Plans representative Joseph Herren said this offering is new to Arizona and exclusive for the Alliance and that plans will cover as few as a two-person, husband-andwife group. “What we are able to do is offer largegroup benefits down to small employers,” Herren said. He said there are 16 standard plan designs to meet the needs of employers such as a high-deductible, no-copay plan or a low-deductible with a co-pay for everything plan. “Out of 16 plans there are lots of options for employers to choose from,” he said. All the level-funded plans are compliant with the Affordable Care Act and include the 10 essential health services such as hospitalization, mental health and prescription drug coverage, according to Herren. “Many sole proprietors have been struggling with rising health insurance costs,” said state Sen. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix, who represents

State Sens. Nancy Barto and Kate Brophy McGee, second and third from the left respectively, listen to Gilbert Chamber of Commerce CEO Kathy Tilque discuss the new health insurance plans for small business members during a press conference last week at the State Capitol. (Cecilia Chan/GSN Managing Editor)

Legislative District 28. “The loss of private insurance or being forced onto the Exchange has rendered many smallbusiness owners either uninsured or functionally uninsured.” She sponsored the two Senate bills – SB 1217 and SB 1035 – signed by Gov. Doug Ducey that capitalize on a new federal rule allowing for business associations to pool their memberships to negotiate lower health insurance rates. The two-term senator said the issue was brought to her by a constituent, who retired from a Fortune 500 company and was operating as an LLC. She said the man lost his private insurance and had to buy from the Health Insurance Marketplace – an expensive plan with a high premium and high deductible that was only good in Arizona. Now groups such as EVCCA, the Arizona Technology Council and the Arizona Small Business Association have the same purchasing power as a large company and buy more coverage for less money, Brophy Owner Eric Reeber and emploee Melissa Dudding, sales and marketing manager at SpeedPro, (Kimberly Carrillo/GSN Staff Photographer) McGee said. Gilbert ChamOne of those Chamber members is ber of Commerce has 813 members and more than half Reber. “I’m looking forward to seeing exactwill likely take a good look at the plans, according to Kathy Tilque, Gilbert ly what we can do as far as savings,” he Chamber and CEO and one of the Alli- said. “This may be a great benefit I can ance founders. supply my employees.”

Gilbert business leader Eric Reber, owner of the SpeedPro large-format printing studio in town, is happy that the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance has found a way for small business owners to find affordable health insurance. (Kimberly Carrillo/GSN Staff)

WHO TO CALL

To find out more about the Lifestyle Health Plans: • Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce – 480-982-3141 • Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce – 480-488-3381 • Gilbert Chamber of Commerce – 480- 892-0056 • Mesa Chamber of Commerce – 480-969.1307 • Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce – 480-888-1709 • Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce – 480-355-2700 • Tempe Chamber of Commerce – 480-967-7891

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GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

Forum will teach people how to run for office GPS NEWS STAFF

alley residents considering a run for local political office face a number of challenges, from gaining name recognition with voters to navigating complex campaign finance laws. That is why civic organization Scottsdale Coalition of Today and Tomorrow, or SCOTT, partnered with local Realtor groups to host a non-partisan regional Community Candidate Orientation & Development program on Sept. 24. The event is open to all residents interested in the political process, from those considering entering an election down the road to incumbents running for reelection. “This will give them a real good taste of what they need to do to prepare and be ready for that should they decide to jump into a race somewhere,” SCOTT Executive Director Don Henninger

Mike Hutchinson said. Henninger said the forum will be geared to those considering a run for local office such as city councils or school boards “but there’d be value there also for anybody running for the

legislature and other statewide offices, like corporation commission and things like that.” The forum will feature national speakers brought covering campaign basics, Henninger said. They will talk on a range of topics, including running for office, campaign planning and budgeting, research and targeting, fundraising, voter contact, online communications and how to get out the vote. The event will also have a panel entitled “I’ve been elected, what’s next?” featuring local experts and former Valley elected officials. The panelists include former Mesa City Manager Mike Hutchinson, former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson, former Phoenix Councilmember Maria Baier, and Chuck Couglin, president of HighGround. SCOTT initially partnered with the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors, or SARR, to create a Scottsdale-

only forum, but decided to expand the event Valleywide SARR recruited its sister organizations in the Phoenix Metro to open the forum to all Valley residents. Southeast Valley Regional Association of Realtors and Phoenix Association of Realtors are also participating in the event along with the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce. There will still be a special breakfast focused on Scottsdale issues before the forum begins, Henninger said. The breakfast will include presentations to help potential candidates learn more about the city from several local organizations, including the Scottsdale Chamber, Scottsdale Arts, Experience Scottsdale, McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and others. The program is open to the public and will take place on September 24 at ASU’s SkySong campus in Scottsdale. Admission is $40 and individuals can register at www.srltr.org/CCTA19.

Town may extend opening date for its first cemetery BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

ilbert is giving Bunker Family Funeral Homes & Cremation more time to build the town’s first cemetery, which has seen its debut delayed a couple of times. “Our team is working with the Bunker Family to extend their completion deadline until early December,” town spokeswoman Jennifer Harrison said. Bryce Bunker, president of the family business, acknowledged the extension but said he still hopes to open Gilbert Memorial Park next month near the corner of Queen Creek Road and 156th Street. “We are still in the final stages of construction,” he said. “We are still hoping to be opened in the month of October.” The cemetery broke ground in July 2018 and was expected to be completed by May 17, according to the lease agreement between Bunker and the town. Earlier this April, the two sides worked on pushing out the cemetery’s deadline with Town Council in May approving an amendment to the agreement extending the project’s completion date to Aug. 15. In correspondence with the town ear-

This is a rendering of the interior of the memorial chapel that Bunker is building on the grounds of Gilbert's first cemetery, which the funeral home still hopes to open in October, though the town is prepared to give the home an extension until December.

lier this year, Blake Bunker indicated they would not make the Aug. 15 deadline. “We are leaning very hard on our contractor right now to expedite the completion and requiring laser focus on the schedule with the subcontractors,” he wrote, adding: “Some of the specialty items in the cemetery construction (particularly the cremation memorialization project and

its intricacies that aren’t done often) have caused the installation to lag.” Bryce Bunker said the most recent delay is due to a shortage of construction workers. “All the contractors are extremely busy and the subcontractors are extremely busy,” he said. “It’s not one thing that has necessarily held (the cemetery) up. It’s a very complicated project with moving

pieces. “We are more concern about doing it right than doing it quickly.” The Mesa-based business and Gilbert inked a 99-year lease agreement in October 2016 for Bunker to build and own the 22-acre cemetery on townland. Bunker will pay Gilbert rent on the land and share revenue from the operation of the cemetery, under the agreement. Gilbert anticipated it will receive between $100,000 and $200,000 annually in rent and revenue sharing over the course of the lease, according to town documents. According to town estimates, the project is expected to generate over $13 million in revenue for Gilbert over the course of the lease, well above the $2.3 million the town paid for the land in 1999. When finished, the cemetery will include a 10,000-square-foot funeral home with a chapel, a banquet facility and kitchen, private family estates for both burial and cremations, a cremation garden, a pond and an indoor glass-front cremation niche on 10 acres. To be on the list for updates on Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 E. Queen Creek Road, go to gilbertmemorialpark.com

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

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GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

Chandler-Gilbert College food program praised GSN NEWS STAFF

handler-Gilbert Community College has won an award for its food waste recycling program. The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education gave the college its 2019 award for outstanding achievements in sustainability based on overall impact, innovation, stakeholder involvement and clarity. “We are honored,” said college President Greg Patterson. “Our food waste recycling project not only exemplifies our commitment to sustainability. It also showcases our emphasis on collaboration across disciplines.” Crediting “an outstanding team of students, faculty and staff” for launching and growing the program, Patterson said, “The entire Chandler-Gilbert community will benefit from their dedication.” The project is a grant-funded campuswide initiative that the college says “offers deep, cross-disciplinary, experiential student learning via an innovative solution for CGCC’s food and green waste.” Students and faculty worked to-

This unique organic waste digester turns food waste into liquid fertilizer on the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Campus and was built and designed by students and faculty. (Special to GSN)

gether to establish a three-receptacle system that facilitates the separation of food waste generated on campus. A group of biology and engineering students, with guidance from faculty, designed an organic waste digester machine to recycle food and green waste

into a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer, which will be used to maintain campus grounds. In addition, biology, art, English and communications projects, students have started a marketing campaign that promotes a “sustainability mindset. It’s aimed at “changing the behavior

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of how the campus community handles their waste through increasing awareness of what happens to our food after we dispose of it,” the college said. Chandler-Gilbert students “play an integral role throughout this project, which offers a unique opportunity to practice translational science, bringing innovative ideas to the public while fostering critical thinking and confidence in their innovative potential,” the association noted. The project “highlights both the research and implementation strategies and methods at Chandler-Gilbert and addresses the global need for sustainable waste management,” said CGCC Dean of Instruction Gabriela Rosu. She called the association’s award “a huge honor that will help raise awareness for this innovative solution to one of the world’s most significant challenges.” Association Director Meghan Fay Zahniser said Chandler-Gilbert Community College and the other award winners “demonstrate an inspiring passion for solving some of the world’s most complex challenges.” “They are truly pioneering the campus sustainability movement,” she said. The association is devoted to making two-year colleges and four-year universities and colleges “change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation.” The college in May reported on the program and said: “to bring a project of this size to life requires many areas of expertise and participation by full time and adjunct faculty and staff from a wide variety of departments.” “A main facet of this program is to provide students with a unique opportunity for collaborative, experiential, theoretical and practical learning opportunities through tasks associated with the program,” the report said, adding that it “has already become well integrated into campus life.” It also noted that the “aerobic digester machine to recycle food and landscaping waste is not being utilized in Arizona,” and said the students have put the college “at the forefront of sustainable innovation.” Project organizers foresee the project going beyond the campus in that the liquid fertilizer they produce could be distributed to farmers and other agricultural businesses, “essentially replacing or reducing their reliance on conventional chemical fertilizers.”

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

BUSES

from page 1

velop better logistical strategies. They can verify on-time, late and delayed buses in real time. Novak reports the transportation department’s two-way radio communication is enhanced and dispatching protocols refined to make things smoother to avoid missing students or mechanical delays. Last week’s action to increase wages to $15 an hour from $14.18 an hour and to offer a retention bonus of an additional $1 an hour for hours worked will cost the district about $390,000. The district has 21 routes without assigned drivers, according to Bonnie Betz, assistant superintendent of business services. Mechanics are filling in those vacancies, according to officials. “Queen Creek Unified, Chandler, as well as Higley are making some fast moves on increasing compensation for their bus drivers,” Betz said, adding that Higley – GPS’ biggest competitor for drivers – Higley is offering slightly over $15 an hour. Betz says the job is part-time, and many drivers do not earn benefits which makes the hourly pay hike more attractive. The bonus adds up to be about

$400 to $500 extra each semester. To pay for the compensation increases, Betts said the district will rely on a bonus of sorts from the state. She explained that the state recalculates the student headcount at the end of each school year and that resulted in a $550,000 carryover from last year to the current fiscal year. “So, arguably that hopefully will be ongoing money to be able to easily support the 82 cents an hour in the future,” she said. The new software, which will replace an obsolete one the district is using, will cost $200,000 as well as $42,000 in maintenance costs for the first year. Should the district exercise the option to renew for four additional years through fiscal year 2024, the total cost would sum $440,000. “We anticipate that we will easily be able to offload the overtime to pay that ongoing cost associated with the maintenance of this new software,” Betz said. “I anticipate that we’d even be able to recoup the onetime cost in about seven years.” Novak said the district spends “millions and millions and millions of dollars every year to move students.” “We need to trim some of those costs,”

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Several former Valley leaders, including former Mesa City Manager Mike Hutchinson, will speak at the regional Community Candidate Orientation & Development program at SkySong on September 24. (GSN file photo)

he said. “And the only way to do it is to have the latest and greatest software. This is about $40 over five years per student or $8 a year per student that rides the bus. “If it’s $8 per student per year, it’s

probably money well spent. We got to buy something and I wouldn’t cut corners on something that’s important.” Overall, the district’s funding for trans-

see BUSES page 14

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

East Valley-Tucson freeway route chosen BY GARY NELSON GSN Contributor

n alternative to the crowded and dangerous trip on Interstate 10 to Tucson is on the horizon for East Valley drivers. The Arizona Department of Transportation has identified a proposed route for what it calls the North-South Corridor, a freeway that would run 55 miles from the East Valley through Pinal County. The agency also released a draft environmental impact statement that, after public comment, is expected to be finalized next year. The freeway’s northern terminus would be in Apache Junction, where the freeway portion of the U.S. 60 currently ends. A few miles south of there, it would intersect in Queen Creek with a future leg of State Route 24, the first leg of which already exists between Loop 202 and Ellsworth Road in Mesa. The new freeway then runs almost directly south, passing between Coolidge and Florence. It would merge with Interstate 10 near Picacho Peak. ADOT said the route was chosen because it would have fewer adverse ef-

fects on the built and natural environments than other alternatives. It would be operational by 2040. The route runs directly through 275 square miles of state-owned land called Superstition Vistas in Pinal County. Planners believe that in the coming decades the Vistas will be developed as the state sells the property, and are seeking ways to ensure its sustainability. Beyond that, there are projections that by 2050 the entire corridor that includes Phoenix and Tucson will develop into a “megapolitan” area with more than eight million people. Pinal County itself is expected to nearly double in population by 2040, with a 178 percent increase in jobs. Other than I-10, Pinal County is currently served only by rural roads, most of the two-lane. State Route 79 does provide a link to Tucson, passing directly through Florence, but it also is mostly a two-lane route. The corridor for the proposed northsouth freeway is currently 1,500 wide, about a third of a mile. The final route will be about 400 feet wide within that corridor. ADOT expects other major road proj-

see FREEWAY page 14

The Arizona Department of Transportation released this map showing the preferred north-south corridor that could provide a link between Tucson and the East Valley. (ADOT)

Hearing on widening last 4-lane segment of I-10 BY KEVIN REAGAN GSN Staff Writer

tate officials are seeking public input on plans to possibly expand the section of Interstate 10 that runs adjacent to Chandler. The Arizona Department of Transportation is partnering with the Gila River Indian Community to host a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19, in Sacaton, where attendees can offer their opinion regarding the freeway. The portion of I-10 running between Phoenix and Casa Grande has earned a notorious reputation for being routinely congested with traffic and the site of numerous collisions. This 26-mile stretch of freeway is the only part of I-10, which passes through Tucson and Phoenix, that has not yet expanded from two lanes to three in each

This is the last four-lane segment of I-10 and the Arizona Department of Transportation hopes to work with the county and the Gila River Indian Reservation to widen it to three lanes in each direction. (ADOT)

direction, ADOT said. ADOT announced last year it was working with GRIC on a study to examine the feasibility of widening I-10. The purpose of Thursday’s meeting is to deliver an overview of the I-10 study and gather feedback on concerns related to the study area. Because the freeway runs through tribal land, GRIC would have to be involved with any plans to improve I-10. The tribe has previously taken ADOT to

court over disputes with expanding the Loop 202 freeway. A federal judge ruled against GRIC, allowing the state to proceed with its $1.7-billion project. Years ago, the tribal community rejected a chance to have the South Mountain Freeway corridor built on reservation land/ If the tribe and ADOT manage to work out a more agreeable deal regarding I-10, the state must still find a way to pay for it. ADOT says it has already allocated $50 million in improvements to I-10 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, but expansion will likely cost significantly more. Widening just four miles of I-10 between Eloy and Picacho recently cost ADOT about $72 million.

see HIGHWAY page 14

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

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NEWS

BUSES

from page 11

portation is $9.3 million though the actual cost is $11.6 million when field and athletics trips are included, according to Betz. “We have overspent our revenue by about $2.3 million,” she said She said that compared with the district’s peers like Chandler, Higley, Mesa and Queen Creek, GPS’ per- student transportation cost is on the high end. Board member Jill Humpherys asked wondered if the district should encourage more bus ridership since many parents drive their kids to school. “How do we address the high cost per rider?” she asked. Betz said the costs are pretty much set and that the district’s geographic size impacts them. She said when the district next school year redefines the special-needs boundaries, the overall cost likely will be reduced. “As an example, your typical cost per regular-ed student for a year’s worth of transportation is somewhere between $300 and $400,” Betz said. “For a specialneeds student, it’s $3,500 for each child.” That’s because, she added, “you have two adults on the bus versus one, you have smaller buses and you have maybe a load of six or seven students. Well, that’s inefficient but it is how you do business.” With undefined boundaries, in some cases the special-ed buses are driving 11 miles with two to three students versus a regular-education bus that drives two

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

to three miles with 50 students, Betz said. Novak added that developing specialneeds boundaries will vastly improve on time and cost-effective delivery of student transportation services. “I spoke with a parent just this afternoon who expressed a concern about the lengthy ride time for her specialneeds son,” he said. “We discussed how having boundaries next school year will solve the issue for her son and all of the other students in the district. Novak said the changes have greatly improved the morale of the department’s 250 employees. “I can’t say that everyone’s happy with the changes that we’re implementing, but if I told you 100 percent of them were happy, I probably wouldn’t be doing my job,” he said. “We have instituted no less than a dozen procedural and process changes, which help us align with industry standards. We’re using key performance indicators for the first time to measure ourselves against comparative districts,” he continued, adding: “We want the state auditor general to come back one day and show that we are in line with other districts and state averages for spending for our student transportation operations.” Bus driver Stucky applauded the wage increase, saying it will help. He credited Novak for turning the department around for the better but added “there’s still lot of work to be done.”

Tune In To Your Community

HIGHWAY

from page 12

The Maricopa Association of Governments has reserved $112 million in funds collected through a half-cent sales tax to improve the part of I-10 running through Maricopa County. Before launching its study last year, the state made attempts to make I-10 more enjoyable for motorists. ADOT designated it a “safety corridor” in 2016, which increased law enforcement presence around Chandler and Casa Grande.

Despite these efforts, elected officials have routinely called out ADOT to make I-10 a greater priority. Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland has repeatedly called I-10 “dangerous” and often advocates for it to expand. The Pinal County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution last year, demanding ADOT identify ways to make the freeway safer. Nearly 5,000 crashes were reported on the section of I-10 running through Pinal County between 2007 and 2016. The ADOT study will also explore the options of expanding the freeway’s highway occupancy vehicle lane or not building anything at all. It’s not expected to be done until August 2020.

IF YOU GO

What: Interstate 10 public scoping meeting When: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19. Where: Sacaton Boys and Girls Club, 116 South Holly St., Sacaton. Info: People who cannot attend can send their comments to ADOT at i10wildhorsepasscorridor@hdrinc.com or: I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor Study Team c/o HDR, Inc. 20 E. Thomas Road, Suite 2500 Phoenix, AZ 85012

www.GilbertSunNews.com Check us out and like the Gilbert Sun News on Facebook and follow @gilbertsunnews on Twitter.

FREEWAY

from page 12

ects within the general study area, although timetables are uncertain: Widen State Route 287, also known as the Florence-Coolidge Highway, to four lanes. Widen Hunt Highway to six lanes from SR79 to west of Coolidge. Continue widening I-10 to six lanes. Widen U.S. 60 to eight lanes west of Ironwood Drive and six lanes east of there. Numerous governments and agencies have been involved in the freeway study so far. They include Mesa, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Pinal County and the Gila River Indian Community. Several federal agencies also are participating. While planners contemplate the new highway, they also are studying a possible passenger rail connection between the East Valley and Tucson. In 2017 the Federal Railroad Administration identified a route that runs along existing tracks in Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert, through Queen Creek and San Tan Valley and then south to a point where the tracks would parallel I-10 into Tucson. At present, however, no funding exists for further development of the passenger line.

Your Chance To Comment

A copy of the draft environmental impact statement for the proposed freeway from the East Valley to Tucson is available at azdot.gov/northsouthstudy. The Arizona Department of Transportation will hold public meetings to discuss the proposal: Oct. 1, Florence High School, 1000 S. Main St., Florence. Oct. 10, Eloy City Hall, 595 N. C Street, Eloy. Oct. 15, Poston Butte High School, 32375 N. Gantzel Road, San Tan Valley. Each meeting will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. Residents also can comment via the aforementioned website, by e-mail to northsouth@azdot.gov, and by bilingual phone a 855-712-8530. Mailed comments may be sent to: North-South Tier 1 EIS Study Team, c/o ADOT communications, 1655 W. Jackson St., Mail Drop 126F, Phoenix 85007. Printed copies of the environmental study are available at the Apache Junction and Queen Creek public libraries. The deadline for comment is Oct. 29.

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

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NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

3-pronged temple-area project rolls along

BY JIM WALSH GSN Staff Writer

ast Valley residents will soon get a glimpse into what the Residences at Mesa and Main project will look like, now that crews have completed the core structure of a massive parking garage. The City Creek Reserve redevelopment project – timed to coincide with the massive renovation of the iconic Mesa Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – has been hidden for months behind a construction fence while workers dug a giant hole for the 450-space garage. Now the garage construction is well underway, crews will start focusing on the rest of the mixed-use community of 240 apartments, 12 townhomes, 1.6 acres of open landscaped space and approximately 12,000 square feet of ground floor retail. Crews are working on a third element in the overhaul of Mesa’s “temple block’’ – the restoration of First Avenue, which is lined by 1920s vintage bungalows, into the grand entrance of the temple. A project which was first envisioned when the temple opened in 1927. The design for the First Avenue facelift is targeted for completion in October. It includes lush landscaping, underground utilities, a raised median from Mesa Drive to Lesueur, a narrower roadway and parallel parking replacing the decades-old angled parking. City officials said previous bond issues approved by voters for transportation, water and sewer is paying for basic improvements while City Creek Reserve will design and maintain a lusher level of landscaping. Jeff McVay, Mesa’s director of downtown transformation, said the price for the facelift will not be determined until the design is completed. The project is anticipated to be finished by fall 2020. Some residents support the redesign while others oppose it, he said. Opponents seem focused on present conditions which likely will be corrected by the renovations. The council was briefed on the plan at a June study session and voted last week to hire Hayton Construction Co. for $1.1 million to manage the reconstruction project, ensuring that the work is done properly and any cost increases kept to a minimum. “At the end of the day, I think this will be a great landscape design for the neighbors,’’ Vice Mayor Mark Freeman said in June.

Historic preservationists mourned the loss of a piece of Mesa’s past, with the homes along Udall Street considered an early example of suburbanization beyond the city’s original town square. In the end, however, there was nothing they could do to the stop the houses’ removal after a moratorium period expired. With that chapter closed, a new one is about to start as workers begin framing the series of three- and four-story buildings that are part Crews have scalped the land immediately around the iconic Mesa Arizona Temple as they prepare to add a lush landscape to the campus. of the project. In recent (City Creek Reserve) weeks, some concrete block staircases and trash shuts have emerged above ground. “That’s when you will get the most dramatic. The next couple of months will be fun to watch,’’ Duke said. “The framing is the part I am most excited about.’’ The Residences at Main also includes a Family Discovery Center linked to the renovated temple. This new facility along Main Street, near a Metro light rail station, replaces the old Visitor’s Center that was torn down because it blocked the view of the temple from Main Street. “We would like to have much of our work done by the time the temple opens,’’ Duke said. He said the project is on time and should be completed in January 2021. The renovation of the temple grounds, combined the construction of a new Visitors Center for the Church of The Mesa temple, the cornerstone of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a big residential-retail complex, is radically altering the look of downtown church life in the East Valley for decades, Mesa's eastern half. (Tom anfilippo/InsideOutAerial) is undergoing its most extensive renovations in more than 40 years as both the Councilmember Jen Duff, who repre- plunging 22 feet below the surface and interior and the grounds are being oversents the district, said she is pleased there removing about 130,000 cubic yards of hauled. is no exchange of money between the city soil at the southeast corner of Main Street Porter Brothers Construction Co. of Giland City Creek and each party’s responsi- and Mesa Drive. bert posted some photos on Facebook of “We are at a bit of a milestone,’’ Duke the project, including an aerial tour. bilities are clear. “They are going to take what we have said. “I think anytime you go underThe photos and video show rows of ground, there’s a lot of uncertainty. It ac- palm trees being planted on the site and and go over and above that,’’ Duff said. Carl Duke, vice president of City Creek tually went pretty smoothly.’’ the construction of a reflecting pool. The City Creek chose a difficult and expen- photos do not depict the work inside the Reserve, said the enhanced view of the temple looking east from Mesa Drive will sive option in building the one-story ga- temple, which was closed in May 2018 for benefit both his company’s project and rage. the project. The goal was to reduce the need for surthe temple renovation. “The Mesa Arizona Temple renova“I think the view looking at the temple face parking and to improve traffic flow. tion is progressing nicely. The landscape But it also came with a controversial installation continues with walls, sideis extremely important to the success of complication. The excavation required walks, reflecting pools, and trees. We have the temple block,’’ Duke said. Duke said that City Creek Reserve’s the destruction of 13 World War II-era refurbished the exterior terracotta and excavation project for the underground homes owned by the church to create garage was challenging, with crews room. see TEMPLE page 17

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

Ducey changes tune somewhat on climate change BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

ov. Doug Ducey has finally come around to what a majority of Arizonans believe: human activity is affecting the climate. “I imagine it’s a combination of things,’’ the governor said when he was asked by Capitol Media Services. Ducey said it only makes sense that people – and what they do – are having an impact. “Humans are part of the earth, the environment and the ecosystem,’’ he said. That acknowledgment comes four years after Ducey, just months after being sworn into office, had a decidedly different take. Then, the governor said – after being briefed by experts – he was convinced that the climate is changing but balked at the reasons why. “It’s going to get warmer here,’’ he said. “What I am skeptical about is what human activity has to do with it,’’ he said at the time. And now? “The skepticism isn’t so much around causes,’’ he said. “It’s around suggested remedies.’’ Ducey’s comments come on the heels of a release of a statewide survey of 600 likely voters by OH Predictive Insights. Pollster Mike Noble found that 72 percent of those asked believe the cli-

TEMPLE

Gov. Doug Ducey now concedes that people are impacting the world's climate, but still questions some of the suggested remedies to slow the adverse impact of climate change. (GSN file photo)

mate is changing, with just 20 percent disagreeing. Even among Republicans the figure who say there is change was 55 percent. But Noble also found that 62 percent of those in the survey said that change is caused by human activity. While Ducey’s conclusion that what humans do affects the climate puts him with the majority, it actually puts him out of step with members of his own Republican Party. Only 34 percent of those registered with the GOP see a link between human activity and climate change, versus 85 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of

political independents. The issue, Ducey said, is particularly important here. “Nobody knows better than the governor of a state like Arizona that has such an arid climate and has had to make so many plans and sacrifices to have the rich and abundant water resources that we have that we have to pay attention to our environment,’’ he said. But Ducey showed no interest in taking specific actions, at least at the state level, to deal with any of that, saying Arizona meets or exceeds what’s required under federal law. “You really are talking about a discus-

sion that you’re going to have nationally,’’ he said. More to the point, Ducey said it can’t only be this country moving in that direction. “If the United States decides to do something, other nations that are large emitters like India and China have to come along,’’ he said. There are things that states can and have done. California, in particular, has its own set of vehicle emission standards which are tougher than those required under federal law. And while they originally were instituted to fight smog, the newest ones, negotiated with several automobile manufacturers, are designed to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions, including of greenhouse gases. Asked about the California proposals, Ducey said they’re not necessary here. “I think we can have a balance in these reforms,’’ he said. “I think you can have a growing economy and an improving environment,’’ the governor continued. “That’s what we’re having in Arizona versus what California’s having, which is a mass exodus.’’ Still, Ducey was not dismissing the idea of changing emissions standards entirely. “We should continually improve,’’ he said. The telephonic survey was conducted last month using a combination of live interviews and automated responses. It has a margin of error of 4 percent.

from page 16

replaced the roof,’’ said church spokesman Daniel Woodruff. “On the interior, we have installed new pipes, ducts, and electrical systems. Many areas have been framed and drywalled and we are beginning finishes in some areas,” he said. When plans for the renovations were announced in May 2018, a church press release said the renovations also include a new air conditioning system and that the renovations would focus on upgrading the physical plant while maintaining the 75,000 square foot building’s historic character. The church said historic murals would be protected and would be complimented by new murals. It also added that the public would be invited to tour the historic building before its re-opens, a rarity usually reserved for when new temples open. A church spokeswoman said a date for reopening the temple has not been determined. She said the popular Christmas lights display and Easter pageant would resume when the renovations are completed. Last year church officials said they were hoping to have it reopened late in late 2020 – in time for the resumption of their popular Christmas lights display and caroling program.

When the temple renovation is done, likely late next year, it will offer a magnificent campus that will include a reflecting pool and be more in keeping with the original design of the temple. (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

EVIT board keeping indicted chief on the job BY JIM WALSH GSN Staff Writer

he East Valley Institute of Technology’s new superintendent last Tuesday was indicted by a grand jury for allegedly mishandling public money while serving as Apache Junction’s superintendent. But instead of getting suspended or even fired, Dr. Chad Wilson two days later received an extraordinary vote of confidence from the EVIT Governing Board and immediately started hugging staff members who had spoken in his defense. After a lengthy executive session, the board last Thursday, Sept. 12, voted to keep Wilson, who will handle all educational functions. The board also adopted additional financial safeguards by bringing in the chief financial officer of a Tucson technical school to handle business functions, according Dave Lane, the board’s chairman. Lane said Tina Norton, associate superintendent and CFO on the Pima Joint Technical Education District, will be on loan to EVIT while Wilson addresses his legal problems. JTED is a Tucson school serving a similar mission to EVIT’s. “It keeps a continuity of instruction,’’ Lane said, adding that EVIT has been off

EVIT Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson was indicted by a state grand jury on Tuesday but won a strong show of support from the governing board, which is keeping him in his job. (Special to GSN)

Former EVIT uperintendent Sally Downey was replaced by Wilson earlier this year. (Special to GSN)

to a good start in the school year, with a “significant improvement’’ in teacher retention from last year after Wilson replaced former Superintendent Sally Downey. Hired as interim superintendent, he was promoted in July to superintendent. “Most students will not be aware that anything happened,’’ Lane said. A series of teachers and other staff

members spoke in Wilson’s defense and cheered when the board announced its decision at a special meeting on Thursday night. “He’s a joy to work with,’’ Kelley Grantham said. “He treats people with dignity and respect. That’s a new thing for the superintendent’s office at EVIT.’’ Charlotte Foret, an admissions specialist at the east campus, also praised Wil-

son’s uplifting, professional demeanor. “I think he’s one of the best things that have happened to EVIT. I think it would be tragic if he was not our superintendent,’’ she said. Wilson left Apache Junction schools under a cloud, pushed out through a buyout in June 2017. He was still hired almost immediately by Downey in July 2017, and was named interim superintendent in January 2018 when Downey was forced out after she too signed a settlement agreement. An investigation by an attorney hired by the EVIT Governing Board culminated in accusations earlier this year that Downey had violated state procurement and hiring laws. Downey was praised by her supporters for building the school’s reputation and relationships with corporations over 19 years, but her detractors cited the fear and intimidation tactics she used in dealing with employees. The reasons for Wilson’s ouster in Apache Junction in 2017 emerged last week when he was indicted on four felony counts of theft and misuse of public money for allegedly making unauthorized payments to his administrators. The allegations against Wilson center

see EVIT page 19

Electric chargers at Grand Canyon reduce anxiety BY CHELSEA HOFMANN Cronkite News

lectric vehicle owners can now drive to Grand Canyon National Park without worrying about dead batteries, thanks to new charging stations on the South Rim that opened to the public in late August. Park visitors can now charge their EVs at six stations located around the park, including Yavapai Lodge, Canyon Village Market and Maswik North, the National Park Service said in a recent news release. In addition, NPS said, five charging stations were installed at the Grand Hotel in the gateway community of Tusayan and at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams. The project – a joint effort by BMW of North America, which donated the charging stations, the Department of Energy, the NPS and the National Park Foundation – adds to a growing network

Electric charging stations at the Grand Canyon now give tourists in electric cars a level of comfort that they might not have had before. (Cronkite Newst)

of EV stations across northern Arizona. “The automobile has long been central to the great American vacation in national parks,” P. Daniel Smith, deputy director of the National Park Service, said in the same release. “While our treasured landscapes offer familiar vistas time after time, the automobile has changed greatly, and parks want to meet the needs of our visitors who use electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. … Electric vehicle drivers will have more places to charge the car while recharging themselves with nature and parks.” David Perkins, the sustainability director for Xanterra Travel Collection Grand Canyon, which operates restaurants, hotels and lodges in the park, said a number of factors were taken into account when deciding site locations, such as accessibility, number of visitors and the opportunity to get people to the park

see CANYON page 19

NEWS

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

EVIT

from page 18

on $133,223 in payments to Apache Junction administrators from 2012 to 2016. A state audit said the payments not only were unauthorized but were made at a time the cash-strapped district was cutting programs and ultimately instituting a four-day class week to cut costs. The money included $126,000 in “performance payments’’ that went to 11 to 15 administrators; $3,880 for “professional development instruction,’’ and $2,550 that went to three administrators to attend athletic events on Friday nights. Wilson himself received $480 in unauthorized payments, according to the state Auditor General’s report. The audit noted the district had been under “moderate financial pressure,’’ absorbing a $2.7 million budget cut after a decline in enrollment and voted rejection of a budget override. The district went to a four-day a week schedule to save money after the latest override defeat in 2015. Voters also rejected overrides in 2007, 2010 and 2014. The district is seeking an override again in the Nov. 5 election. Unaware of Wilson’s payments, the old Apache Junction board in 2016 renewed Wilson’s contract after an evaluation. But after a school board election in November 2016, Wilson submitted his resignation and worked out a severance agreement with the out-going board. The old board had persuaded him to stay until June 2017, and agreed to pay him $107,000 – about or 90 percent of his base salary of $119,000. No details were made public as to why Wilson abruptly submitted a resignation

CANYON

from page 18

from travel hubs, including Phoenix. “So they (BMW of North America) said they couldn’t do the in-park stations without also having en route going on,” Perkins said, adding: “So I think that was a factor, you know, how well they could build the infrastructure, leading to the parks also.” Perkins said one drawback to owning an electric vehicle is finding places to recharge. Visitors’ feedback has been positive, he said, adding that he recently spoke with a Xanterra hotel guest who was considering purchasing an electric vehicle and had rented a Tesla to visit the Canyon. “He was really grateful for a place to plugin, and said that if he’s going to be an electric vehicle driver in the future,

after the 2016 election. But the new board in 2017 reduced his severance to $41,000 – representing unused sick time and vacation time shortly before he left Apache Junction. Christa Ricci, a newly-elected board member at the time, wrote in a guest column to The Independent that the new board learned Wilson had mishandled funds and re-negotiated the new agreement. Rizzi revealed in her column last week that she reported Wilson’s actions to state Sen. Dave Farnsworth, R-Mesa. She declined further comment, referring a Progress reporter to her column in The Independent. Farnsworth said he forwarded Rizzi’s tip to the state Auditor General, the state Attorney General and the Pinal County Attorney. “It was a team effort,’’ he said. “We’re happy to see the results of our efforts.’’ Rizzi said in her column that she felt a moral obligation to report Wilson’s conduct, even though she enjoyed talking to him during his time on the board. “Once there was factual information that Mr. Wilson had mishandled funds and that a possible crime had been committed, I felt I had an obligation as a public servant to report it. I was met with much dissension and attempts to be stifled,’’ Rizzi wrote. The Apache Junction District last week released a statement saying that it has taken steps to improve accounting and personnel management so that no unauthorized payments can be made to staff. It has specifically barred payments for professional development and attending athletic events.

then he’s hoping that more entities will try to do what’s happening in the park and add infrastructure for charging,” Perkins said. The partnership, which began in 2017, intends to install 100 EV charging stations in and around 13 national parks across the United States, according to NPS. Along with the BMW charging stations in Williams, travelers can also utilize a number of Tesla charging stations on their way to the Grand Canyon and around the Flagstaff area. The Courtyard Marriott in Flagstaff houses 12 Tesla Superchargers, which can charge a Tesla up to 80% capacity in about 30 minutes. The catch is that unlike Tesla Destination Chargers, which can charge other EVs with an adapter, the Superchargers only charge Tesla vehicles.

“Working in a transparent, ethical and honest manner and serving as good stewards of public funds is of the utmost importance to the current administration and governing board of the Apache Junction Unified School District,’’ the district’s statement said, adding: “We are glad this chapter has been resolved so we can move forward with being the best educators for the students of our district.’’ The district said it has cooperated fully with the Auditor General’s investigation since it started in April 2017. Melanie Chesney, a spokeswoman with the Auditor General’s Office, said the audit results were sent to the Attorney General. The Attorney General’s Office presented the case to a grand jury in late August and obtained the indictment. Ben Smith, a staunch supporter of Downey and former president of the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board, said he asked Downey why she hired Wilson. Smith said that Downey told him that she had reservations, but she eventually capitulated to three “very insistent’’ EVIT board members who advocated strongly for Wilson. All three of these EVIT board members also supported Downey and later lost their re-election bids last fall, creating a change that ultimately cost Downey her job. “She had heard rumblings from within the Apache Junction District. She had reports from Apache Junction that he was not aligned with the culture at EVIT,’’ Smith said. Smith said Downey also was concerned

Jennifer Reyes, general manager of the Courtyard Marriott Flagstaff, said the goal is to reduce the hotel’s environmental impact as well as the popularity of the location, near the junction of Interstates 17 and 40. “You can get to pretty much any state from our location,” Reyes said. Reyes noted that regardless of whether people are driving from the west or the east "you pretty much have to come through this area, and then with Route 66 and everything that Flagstaff has to offer, it just kind of makes sense.” Ken Sweat, a principal lecturer at Arizona State University who has studied environmental science, endangered species and plant biology, said the transportation sector is one of the largest sources of heat-trapping greenhouse gases. “Let’s be honest, we’re not giving up our cars, but we can have cars with all

that Wilson had no experience in vocational education. After the hiring, Downey and Wilson clashed and he eventually agreed to resign from EVIT in October 2018, Smith said. Minutes from the Nov. 5, 2018 EVIT board meeting list Wilson as resigning, effective June 30, 2019. But Smith said the results of this meeting were nullified when it was determined that officials had failed to follow the state’s Open Meeting Law by not posting it 24 hours in advance. It was the last meeting of the previous board, which supported Downey. Later, the new board selected Wilson as superintendent on July 22. Smith said the present EVIT board went after Downey and tried to find financial crimes – only to replace her with someone who was criminally charged with financial wrongdoing. “I am deeply disappointed that this happened. My concern is for the success of the school as a former EVIT student,’’ he said. Among Wilson’s initiatives early into his EVIT career was to launch a “Changing Lives’’ blog highlighting EVIT’s role as a regional technical school and crowed by the school’s record enrollment of 4,800 students. Wilson recently submitted an editorial page column – which has not been published – in which he wrote of his son and how he attends Chaparral High School and takes automotive classes at EVIT. He said the benefits of career technical education are “too great to pigeonholed into stereotypes and old stigmas about who should go to college and who should get a job.’’

the horsepower and all the things we want, that don’t burn fossil fuels,” Sweat said, adding: . “And making them easier for people to use with things like chargers at the Grand Canyon and access to that kind of infrastructure is going to increase the acceptance of that technology by other people.” Perkins said Xanterra plans for more than half of its vehicle fleet to be either hybrid or electric by the end of 2021, and it’s also expecting more requests for charging stations. “I know that in our build of Maswik South, the new hotel, that we’re allowing for infrastructure to be in places that it will be easy for us to install charging stations in the future, as the demand increases,” Perkins said. “So we’re prepared for the likelihood that it will occur.”

COMMUNITY

Community

GilbertSunNews.com |

@GilbertSunNews

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

For more community news visit gilbertsunnews.com

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Desert Ridge band marched for history BY JORDAN HOUSTON GSN Staff Writer

esert Ridge High School senior Brock Schmeltz had never been to Europe before this last summer. In June, he traveled to Normandy, France for a “once in a lifetime experience” as he performed alongside the rest of his high school marching band in front of people lining the streets of the historic city. The Desert Ridge band was the only band in Arizona invited to participate in the Historic Programs’ 75th D-Day Anniversary commemoration ceremonies. Historic Programs is a Mesa-based nonprofit oganization providing conDesert Ridge High School band, which has a tradition of playing at ceremonies honoring America’s military heroes, played last certs, festivals and parades as part of The Wednesday at Gilbert’s annual ceremony honoring the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. official historic commemorations (Kimberly Carrillo/GSN Staff Photographer) and celebrations. It invited Desert Ridge’s ensemble across the country to perform in the city France and the rest of Europe from Gerand 11 other high school bands from where Allied forces began liberating man occupation during World War II.

“It was great to experience a different culture and see how the invasion on Normandy impacted the world and how we, as Americans, impacted that invasion,” said Schmeltz, 17, the band’s drum major. “We were also performing with bands three or four times our size,” he continued. “It was intimidating going into.” Desert Ridge had the chance to march in the D-Day Memorial Parade in the town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, as well as perform in musical salutes at Normandy American Cemetery and Brittany American Cemetery. Band Director Stephanie Campbell said she was overwhelmed by the experience. “I have never been involved in a parade situation where the whole community comes out and comes into the streets,” she said. “They

see BAND page 23

MOMnation readies 3rd annual ‘Prom for Parents’

Out of this anxiety, Lambert created MOMnation. The Arizona group has approximately 7,300 members. Over the n upcoming “Prom for Parlast five years, MOMnation has ents” in Tempe aims to take grown to nine states, and Lambert East Valley parents back in hopes it will be nationwide one day. time where they can dance the night MOMnation also has sponsored away dressed up in their fanciest events like a speed dating night for attire and maybe even be crowned moms to find their “soul moms,” a prom king or queen. pancake breakfast with Santa and The prom, on Sept. 28 at Embasplenty of nights out at local restausy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe rants. starts at 7 p.m. and will last until 11 “This is a non-judgmental zone. p.m. This is an annual event orgaWe’re all going through the same nized by MOMnation, a group that thing; everybody wants to meet new helps moms connect and develop people and mingle. There’s no ‘Mean friendships. Girls’ type mentality,” Lambert said. This is the third year for the prom, Though only one of many activities whose theme is “The Enchanted Af- Prom for Parents gives moms a chance to get out for a fancy evening on the town and meet new friends. Last year’s theme was “MasMOMnation holds throughout the ter Party.” Parents can attend alone, querade” and it drew nearly 90 people to the event, the second prom sponsored by MOMnation. (Special to GSN) year, the prom is particularly special. with their partner or with friends. “It’s a night that parents can go “It has brought together so many out – or relive their prom that they people that have had so many enjoyAfter the birth of her son in 2014, Lam- especially those without children. able moments. Friendships blossom and bert experienced what she said many “Moms have this weird social anxiety. wished they would’ve had but didn’t get relationships blossom from this,” said Ka- first-time mothers experience – feelings For some reason, we have a kid and then tie Halle Lambert, founder of MOMnation. of anxiety and isolation from her friends, we think everybody’s judging us,” she said. see PROM page 22 BY HALEY LORENZEN GSN Staff Writer

COMMUNITY

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

Lifelong Learning program slates open house GSN NEWS STAFF

etirees and other adults looking to expand their intellectual, cultural or social horizons will have a chance this Friday to check out an East Valley organization that does all of that and more. New Frontiers for Lifelong Learning will hold its fall open house 1-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, in Room 145 of the library on Mesa Community College’s main campus, Dobson Road and Southern Avenue, Mesa. New Frontiers is a peer-led, self-directed organization of over 400 members operating under the sponsorship of Mesa Community College. It sponsors classes on a wide variety of subjects that meet once for no more than two-and-a-half hours. Classes meet at various MCC campuses and other community locations. Participants can teach ot even be part of Lifelong Learning’s speakers bureau, which helps numerous organizations find speakers for luncheons, meetings and other occasions. It sponsors social opportunities such

assist in outreach programs within community college’s community. “With our association to Mesa Community College, many volunteer hours are focused on the needs of the school,” its website says. “Members routinely volunteer with college programs such as Empty Bowls, Learning Across the Generations, Human Library and Connect for Success.” The group also supports a scholarship program for needy students. The scholarship began years ago with modest awards of $250 to $500, but most recently it helped four students with $1,000 each. Members also receive an MCC Mesa Community College and its partnership with New Frontiers for Lifelong Learning enables participants to participate in numerous recreational and cultural activities and sharpen their skills or develop new interests. (Andy Silvas/New Frontiers) student ID card providing discounts on campus and in the community. as tours, lunches, traveling, concert, out- ing states on its website, noting that 133 Fees are $80 a year or $60 for each members volunteered over 7,600 hours door hiking and theatre production. The group also facilitates volunteer last year to support the curriculum, semester. After enrolling at the open membership, social, communications, house, members can register for as opportunities that benefit the program. many classes as they want. Registration “The life-blood of our organization is volunteers and the NFLL Council. Along with the volunteer opportuni- begins Sept. 24 at newfrontiers.mesacc. based on volunteers that give of their time, energies and skills,” Lifelong Learn- ties within the organization, members edu. People can call 480-461-7497.

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REAL ESTATE

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

Valley housing supply continues to shrink GSN NEWS STAFF

he Valley’s September housing market is continuing an “obviously hot and remarkably unbalanced” trend, according to a leading residential real estate analytical website. The Cromford Report last week said the market continued to heavily favor sellers – fueled largely by a low supply of available homes for sale. “Demand is some 8 percent above normal, which is strong but not too unusual,” the report said. “What is unusu-

Fee t a Fl

al is that supply is 43 percent below normal. We have had supply below normal ever since May 2011, but the weak flow of new listings has exacerbated the situation.” The report said no area in the Valley, nor any type of housing has gone unscathed. Compared to 2018, September listings are down 16.1 percent according to the Cromford

see SUPPLY page 6

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REAL ESTATE

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

Gilbert market is hot – and likely to remain that way BY MINDY JONES NEVAREZ GSN Guest Writer

ith the Gilbert Regional Park opening next weekend and temperatures finally within just a few degrees north (but preferably south) of the 100-degree mark, you can bet calendars are getting filled up with weekend activities. There’s the Movies in the Park with the Gilbert Community Center, the Gilbert Off the Street Festival and – before you know it – turkey carving, tree lighting and fireworks ringing in the New Year. It’s no surprise that with all of this activity in Gilbert, the housing market has followed suit with low inventory, excited buyers and appreciating sales prices indicative of a strong market fueled by the energy we know and love in this town. With nearly 20 percent less inventory in Gilbert than there was just a year ago, the average sales price in Gilbert has

Meritage Homes

shot up over $380,000. Homes are selling for more than 99 percent of list price – which means you’ve got to get out there quickly and know how to write a competitive offer. We expect demand to be less between the months of July and January – in part due to all of those amazing community events and reasons to take advantage of the weather that makes the rest of the country swoon. But we’re hoping that even a slight increase in inventory in the third hottest market in the Valley will be a nice reprieve for buyers on the move in the fourth quarter. With demand for housing settling somewhere around 7 percent above what is considered normal for this time of year and the expectation that we should see some more inventory on the market between now and Turkey Day, we might be able to hold off explosive price increases for a few more months. Buyers can continue to expect difficulty in finding properties under $250,000, given the average sales price in Gilbert.

There is less than a handful currently available and most of those are townhomes under about 1,200 square feet. That won’t work for many first-time home buyers. Sellers, on the other hand, may be tempted by billboards and radio ads offering fast, convenient sales. But remember: that it won’t come without a price. If you are situated in a popular neighborhood of Gilbert (did we mention we are the third hottest city IN THE VALLEY?!) and are priced and marketed appropriately, a fast sale should be a given even in the fourth quarter. But don’t think it’s as easy as sticking a for sale by owner sign in the yard. Cancellation rates are exceptionally high between failed negotiations over inspection issues and buyer cancellations over multiple offers. You need back-up plan – and an expert to help you navigate even the best of markets. So, what’s on the horizon? Continued low inventory provides opportunities

SPOTLIGHT TLIGHT home

This nearly new Meritage Homes two-story sits on a premium cul-de-sac lot with no neighbors behind you and recently installed landscaping in the backyard with new grass, sprinkler system, and desert plants and trees. With 3,690sf of interior living space this home offers a downstairs guest bedroom and bath perfect for home office or in-law suite, formal dining spaces and a gourmet kitchen with butler’s pantry, and four additional bedrooms upstairs including a master with private ensuite bath and laundry pass through, a guest bedroom with ensuite bath perfect for older teens, and two additional guest bedrooms with a jack-and-jill bath around the family-sized loft with game room. With exceptional curb appeal in the front including the stone paver drive around the three car garage and interior upgrades including granite counters and staggered cabinetry in the kitchen, an extra office nook off of the greatroom, and convenient builder’s warranties on the major components of the home - why wait to build new when you can have it all on this premium homesite. Across from a grassy area, within walking distance to the neighborhood parks with splash pads, lakes, basketball courts, and recreation areas, Bridges Elementary and the coming soon Gilbert Regional Park & Strand Waterpark - you are not going to want to miss this one!

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for buyers and sellers to earn money on one of the largest purchases they’ll ever make. Gilbert is inching towards its 100th birthday in 2020 and Mayor Jenn Daniels challenging the community to anticipate change, create solutions and help people and our businesses. So, we don’t expect prices to decrease, the market to slow down or homes to become more readily available in 2020. Whether you are in the camp that believes a recession is imminent or at least know that economic adjustments are inevitable, it’s important to understand that they do not always bring housing crises. In fact, five of the last six recessions didn’t. Gilbert is on a growth trajectory and housing is going to continue to be hot. It’s a great place to live and that’s a good “problem” to have. Mindy Jones Nevarez, a Gilbert Realtor and owner of the Amy Jones Group at Keller Williams Integrity First, can be reached at 602-451-4975, Mindy@AmyJonesGroup.com or AmyJonesGroup.com

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

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REAL ESTATE GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE re4

| SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

Maracay opens new gated community GSN NEWS STAFF

aracay has unveiled a 38-home community in Gilbert called Copper Bend. The developer has opened two model homes in the new community, northeast of the Hunt Highway and Higley Road. And while its ZIP code may read Queen Creek, the developer is being pretty adamant about Copper Bend’s location, stating in a news release: “While these homes have a Queen Creek mailing address, they are located in the Town of Gilbert, receive Gilbert services and have access to high-performing schools in the Chandler Unified School District, including Basha High School.” Maracay is boasting that future owners will see “stunning panoramas of San Tan Mountain Regional Park and the surrounding mountains all from the comfort of their yards or at one of nine nearby, breathtaking hiking trails.” It’s also banking on the development’s proximity to some of the best of three worlds – Horseshoe Park and Equestrian

Centre in Queen Creek, Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center in Chandler and Gilbert’s Seville Golf & Country Club. The gated community’s homes will be located on quarter-acre lots, which Maracay said will provide not only big backyards but “generous distances between homesites. Priced in the mid to high $400,000, the homes are being offered in four designs with Maracay’s “flex design” floor plans, which enable the developer to tailor space to the buyers’ preferences. Ranging from 2,963 to 3,474 square feet, the floor plans can be designed to include an extended master bedroom, a butler’s pantry, a bigger kitchen or related amenities. A Maracay representative told the Gilbert Planning Commission last year that the community, originally called Highland Vistas, will sit on nearly 20 acres. He said the homes will come in the three architectural styles – Rural Mediterranean, Spanish and Desert Prairie – and 12 different color schemes. Maracay can build the homes with any-

B where between one and four garages. At the May 2018 meeting, several planning commissioners praised the color schemes and the designs and the panel approved the plan unanimously. The houses also will be LEED-certified

with features that reduce energy consumption by has much as 50 percent, Maracay said. That includes features such as tankless water heaters, Energy Star appliances and other efficiency-related technology.

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FHA eases mortgage rules for condos

GSN NEWS SERVICES

The homes in Copper Bend will come in three different styles with 12 different color schemes. When the plan came before the Gilbert Planning Commission, it drew raves from members. (Maracay)

REAL ESTATE

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

uyers are about to have an easier time scoring a mortgage to purchase a condo, Realtor.com reports. A new policy announced last month “should significantly expand the number of individual condo units as well as condo developments eligible for Federal Housing Administration financing,” it said. The government-backed mortgages are popular with first-time buyers because they require as little as 3.5 percent as a down payment, in many cases. But the vast majority of condos have not been eligible for FHA financing, which has been heavily restricted in the wake of the housing crisis that began in 2006. The new rules, which are expected to extend eligibility to 20,000 to 60,000 additional condo units, go into effect on Oct. 15. Condos tend to be popular with firsttime buyers and retirees looking to downsize from single-family homes and their maintenance, as well as folks living in urban areas with limited space. They also tend to be cheaper than sin-

gle-family homes. Nationally, condos and co-ops cost a median $260,100 in June – 11 percent less than the median $288,900 price for single-family residences, according to the most recent National Association of Realtors data available. The data included only existing homes and not new construction, which tends to cost more. “Condominiums have increasingly become a source of affordable, sustainable homeownership for many families,” U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said. Despite the significance of condos to a large portion of buyers, after the hous-

ing bust it was seen as riskier to make loans for purchases of condos than for single-family homes. So in 2009, tough restrictions were put in place. Under the revised rules, buyers who bought a condo that didn’t receive FHA approval will now be able to get FHA mortgage insurance. Currently, only about 6.5 percent of the nation’s roughly

150,000 condo projects are approved for the insurance program. The new rules will “put the American dream within reach for thousands of additional families,” NAR President John Smaby said. Calling condos “often the most affordable option for first-time home buyers, small families, and those in urban areas.”

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Gilbert Real Estate Snapshot Provided by the Amy Jones Group Your Local Real Estate Team (480) 250-3857 | www.amyjonesgroup.com

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• Average Days on Market: 44 days Up from 48 Days Last Month

• Active Listings: 627 Down from 685 Listings Last Month

• Monthly Sales: 452 Down from 493 Sales Last Month

• Listings Under Contract: 552 Down from 551 Listings Under Contract Last Month

• Average Sales Price: $390,231 Down from $405,290 Last Month

• Monthly Supply of Inventory: 1.4 Same as 1.4 Monthly Supply Last Month

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REAL ESTATE

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

SUPPLY from page 1

7-figure home deal

This single-story, 5,000-square-foot home in the 6500 block of S. Marin Drive, Gilbert, recently sold for $1.28 million and was the only seven-figure deal recorded in the last month or so, although another home came close after it sold for $990,000. This home has five bedrooms and five baths with an open-floor plan that includes a formal living room with a fireplace and formal dining room.The gourmet kitchen has a huge island with breakfast bar, two sinks and a butler's pantry. Outside offers a resort-style backyard with a pool, built-in barbecue island, gas firepit and even artifical grass for kids to play on. (Special to GSN)

Report. “Active listings widened the gap compared to last year but declined much less in August than they did in July,” Cromford said. “Normally active listings grow each year between Aug. 1 and Sept. 1, so even though the decline was gentle it is not good news for buyers.” Cromford noted the market has entered a period where demand usually subsides until after the holidays since potential buyers and sellers are too busy with other things in their lives. But come February, it warned, buyers can “expect a mad scramble” if a sharp increase in demand occurs. “We will probably look back on (the third quarter of 2019) and wonder how prices managed to stay so low,” it said, suggesting a sharp increase in prices is likely. Indeed, it said, “Based on existing data, the Cromford Report expects a strong upward trend in closed pricing between Octo-

ber 2019 and June 2020.” “The overall picture remains that of a very strong seller’s market with demand above average and supply far below normal,” it said, noting that few Valley cities were showing any sign of cooling off. “The market is suffering a severe shortage of inventory,” according to the report, which means the housing market fell significantly in every price range, except homes priced over $1 million. Supply was down 50 percent in the $250,000-$300,000 range, over 40 percent in the ranges of $200,000-$250,000 and $300,000-$400,000 and down 28 percent I the $400,000$600,000 range, according to Cromford. “A normal figure for months of supply would be between four and five, so 2018 was already quite tight,” it said. “Supply remains relatively plentiful above $1 million, depending more on how picky the buyer is willing to be.”

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Looking for a great location? Check. Like a light, bright and open floor plan? Check. Prefer a pool? Check. Need space for your RV and no HOA? Check, check, check. Nicely remodeled, 3 BR/2.5 BA, featuring a separate formal living and family room, laminate wood flooring and ceramic tile throughout downstairs and upstairs hall, new carpet in bedrooms, and two-tone paint. Large kitchen with granite slab counter tops and stainless steel appliances opens to family room with fireplace. Spacious master suite, updated master bath with over sized walk-in shower and vanity. Relax in your private backyard with fenced pebble tec pool and enough space to entertain guests. Conveniently located close to shopping, dining and freeway, this one won’t last long!

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GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

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PROM

COMMUNITY

from page 20

the chance to,” said Jessica Nelson, one of the prom planners. Nelson, a mom of four, has helped plan the last two proms, after first getting involved with MOMnation about five years ago. Her first interaction with the group was photographing a movie night they hosted. She soon began taking pictures at future events before becoming a member herself. “My favorite part is the friends that I’ve made along the way. We have a group that our families have all connected well. We now come together for Fourth of July, Halloween, we’ll go to kids’ birthdays,” she said. “We got really close.” The prom isn’t just a night of dancing. Outside, attendees can play beer pong, corn hole, and yard Jenga, all while connecting and socializing with other parents. A tarot card reader will be making the rounds at the prom, as well as a photographer, and each attendee will receive a free professional photo. Plenty of other photo opportunities will be available, including a giant moving tree which Lambert said will be great

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

added with a laugh, “Rumor has it that I might be on stage.” Although still two weeks away, 120 tickets have already been sold. Last year, Lambert said, 88 total tickets were sold. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to Lily’s Pad, an indoor playground planned by the Arizona Cancer Foundation that will be accessible for children with cancer and other immune system issues. The playground will include handicap-accessible equipment and a specialized cleaning procedure that will protect children with weakened immune systems. The prom’s doors will open MOMnation provided plenty of opportunities for photographs at last year’s Prom for Parents and the organization will be doing the at 7 p.m., and the appetizers, same this year. (Special to GSN) drinks, music and activities will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 and can Appetizers and drinks, both alcoholic for selfies. be purchased at eventbrite.com/e/ Parents can also enter the raffle, which and non-alcoholic, will be available as well. momnationaz-presents-prom2019-tick“The entertainment this year is going will include prizes that will be given away throughout the night, such as a Ring 2 to be like nothing we’ve ever had before,” ets-61415064110 said Lambert, a professional singer, who Doorbell, a Kindle, and a Nest thermostat.

Area hospice patient was a baseball star

BY LIN SUE COONEY GSN Guest Writer

hese days, we’re used to seeing women excel in sports. But imagine what it was like 75 years ago for the intrepid females who paved the way. I was humbled to meet one such dynamo and hear her fascinating story. Helen Nicol is a 99-year-old Hospice of the Valley patient who was in the right place at the right time – with a wicked right arm. She was just 13 when a professional men’s baseball coach asked her to pitch for the senior ladies’ team. The 5-foot-3 powerhouse struck them all out and earned herself a spot on the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which gave 600 women athletes the chance to make sports history and play pro ball from 1943 through 1952. Today, Helen reminisces fondly about her audition at Wrigley Field and making the cut. “I just love the game,” she gushes. “It taught me a lesson that if I put my mind to it and I try hard, I can survive. And I played 10 years professional.” The league was created by Major League Baseball executives who wanted

Helen Nicol is 99 now, but as a girl and young woman, she was a baseball hotshot pitcher. Here she’s getting a hug from Lin Sue Cooney, community engagement director for Hospice of the Valley. (Hospice of the Valley)

to keep the game alive while the country’s able-bodied men served in World War II. Helen Nicol, also known as Nickie Fox, became one of the league’s greatest pitchers – holding several all-time records, including 163 wins and 1,076 strikeouts. She played for the most successful

team, the Rockford Peaches, which Hollywood captured on the big screen in the 1992 blockbuster “A League of Their Own.” Helen and her teammates were serious athletes, marketed as a feminine ideal – an image that meant tightly belted uniforms with short flared skirts. “When we first saw those outfits, we

just nearly died!” she giggled. And then, there was mandatory charm school, taught by legendary cosmetic entrepreneur Helena Rubinstein. Her rules were strict – no drinking, no smoking, no short hair and, at all times, wear lipstick. “We refused to wear mascara, though,” Helen said, “because it would run into our eyes and burn.” They were also required to have perfect posture. “Helena taught us how to sit. How to walk with a stupid book on our head,” Helen scoffed. “And if it fell, we weren’t walking right, so she made us go back and do it again.” But the girls all did it because they had a burning passion to play ball. They good-naturedly balanced being a jock and a lady. They worked extremely hard and were paid very little. They followed all the rules, but shattered stereotypes. They didn’t know it at the time, but they laid the groundwork for generations of women to come. Before I left, I handed Helen a rubber ball and asked her if she could still throw it. She gave me a big grin, wound up, best as she could in her wheelchair, and let it fly straight at my head.

-Lin Sue Cooney is the director of community engagement for Hospice of the Valley. Information: hov.org

COMMUNITY

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

Historic Programs invited the band because students were unable to raise enough money to perform in the nonprofit’s annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade last year. “We had gone to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in the past, so the organization knew about us,” Campbell said. “Due to our dedication to our veterans and knowing how we feel about them, they invited us to France.” The Desert Ridge High School Band provided a patriotic background sound to Gilbert’s 9/11 Memorial Ceremony last Wednesday. Aside from re(Kimberly Carrillo/GSN Staff Photographer) hearsing sheet music and marching Don Raye’s “This Is My Country.” BAND from page 20 Schmeltz told the East Valley Tribune he formations, the students raised around were almost on top of us because they felt “awe-inspired” to have the opportu- $4,000 each to make the international trip were so excited.” nity to play the patriotic songs in front of possible. Some fundraisers included silent auc“People were hanging out of windows actual WWII veterans. from second and third story buildings, “Everyone was energetic and we had tions and cookbook sales, explained the cheering with flags,” she added. “it was people pilling over into the band,” he said. band director. “The retirement communities got beunbelievable.” “They were wearing American flags and The band played everything from were so friendly toward us – it was won- hind us because they have a lot of veterans living there.” “Hymn to the Fallen” by John Williams to derful.”

In total, 40 students from the 70-something marching band packed up their bags for France. Historic Programs have held a D-Day Memorial Parade since the invasion’s 70th anniversary. Campbell said it’s important for her students to learn about these historic events through their musical opportunities. “Something I personally feel is very important is to honor our veterans,” she said. “When situations come up, we try our best to find opportunities to do memorial services or parades.” “I feel it is part of my job as a teacher to educate these students about the past, what was given to us, and give back through our musical performances,” she added. The Desert Ridge High School band has participated in numerous ceremonies at veteran cemeteries as well as the Pearl Harbor Parade.

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New autism clinic opening in Gilbert BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor

specialized learning center is opening its newest location this will and will teach children with autism the necessary skills for school – from communication and behavior to making friends. Autism Spectrum Therapies, or AST, based out of California, currently has centers in Tempe and Tucson, where they use applied behavior analysis treatment. Six of its 12 board-certified behavior specialists will be at the Gilbert center. Gilbert resident and Clinical Director Jessica Belokas explains she, “saw a need and a demand in Gilbert,” for this center. “There’s a great need in the East Valley for autism services.” According to Belokas, “There are lots of families” with autistic children in Gilbert;

Easton Belokas is sandwiched between Autism Spectrum Therapies behavior analysts Michele Vail, left, and Christina Ricciardelli. (Kimberly Carrillo/GSN Staff Photographer)

which has experienced steady increases of autism diagnosis’ over the last 10 years.

Belokas attributed the increase to a combination of better prescreening by pe-

diatricians and a better understanding of developmental disabilities. Last week, the staff added finishing touches to the center’s five therapy rooms. Autism spectrum disorder, which can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges, affects about 1 in 59 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The total estimated annual costs for autism treatments in the United States is between $11.5 billion – $60.9 billion, according to the most recent CDC survey. Additionally, families with ASD children and adolescents on average spend $4,110–$6,200 more per year on medical expenditures than those without ASD. Because there is no medical test, doctors are able to diagnose autism by looking at a child’s behavior and development. ASD

see

AUTISM page 26

EV chef brings haute cuisine to local homes

BY COTY DOLORES MIRANDA GSN Contributor

here was a time when only the wealthy employed housekeepers or landscapers, yet now they’re the staple for many working families. Chef Noon, of Chandler-based Chef Noon Culinary Services, believes having a personal chef is a new trend. “We’ve set our prices so families can afford to have a personal chef,” said Chef Noon, an Army veteran who saw action in Iraq before mustering out in 2010. The Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts graduate, whose given name is Rafael Colon — “Noon” is a childhood nickname — has been in the personal chef business for three years. He and his co-owner, wife Jenny Colon, reside in Chandler with their 9-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son. The couple believes busy families who eat out several times a week can probably spend less procuring a personal chef. They say the additional benefit is eating nutritious meals, made with quality

ingredients, based on client tastes and dietary needs. Moreover, the personal chef grocery shops for the ingredients needed and prepares the dishes in the client’s home — and even cleans up! Besides convenience, it’s the nutritional and taste-packed varied meals clients value. Many of whom require special diets like gluten-free or dairy-free. “We customize menus for our various clients’ wants and needs; we even have paleo or keto clients. If anyone in the family has allergies, we prepare safe meals for them,” explained Colon. “We see more people are discovering food is fuel for the body, and they want to eat mindfully. All our foods are made from fresh ingredients, there are no additives,” he added. A unique aspects of his company is they are partnering with other personal chefs, said Colon. “We’re an anomaly in the personal chef business because we partner with other chefs,” she said. But they don’t come aboard just be-

Rafael “Chef Noon” Colon takes all the drudgery out of making dinners by visiting homes and making them himself. (Pablo Robles/GSN Staff Photographer)

cause they want to join Chef Noon Culinary Services. “We have a proven process in selecting our chefs,” Colon said. “This consists of us inviting potential candidates to cook

for us — a chef tryout. We give them a menu and production list which is made up of a basic service.” The candidates prepare a chicken dish, seafood dish and one with red meat. “This allows us to work together and get to know the chefs better. It gives us a view of their knowledge of food safety, handling, timing, efficiency and of course, the overall food quality, taste and presentation,” he said. His three current chefs — Chef Katarina (Kat) O’Shaughnessy, Chef Dean Artman and Chef Mark Hughes — like Colon, they are members of the United States Professional Chef Association and are covered by a liability insurance policy. “This offers our clients peace of mind when inviting a trained professional into their home,” Colon said. The culinary service begins with meal planning with mother of three and Ahwatukee resident Kasey Croxton, client relations manager for the company.

see

CHEF page 27

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

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AUTISM from page 24

can sometimes be detected at 18 months or younger. There is currently no cure but research shows early intervention services can improve a child’s development. “We focus on early intervention and have clients as young as 18 months, who may not be accessing the public-school system yet,” Belokas said. “Our purpose is to get them early and teach them communication skills, behavior management skills, social skills and other executive functioning skills so they can access the typical educational environment when they enter pre and kindergarten at age 3, 4, 5,” she added. AST, founded in 2001 by two doctors, is based on the principles of teaching in the natural environment with a focus on the family and centering on building functional skills that foster independence, according to the company website. Clinicians conduct an extensive evaluation of a child’s present levels to determine appropriate goals and intervention strategies. Programs are then tailored to the child’s unique interests and strengths and sessions are often incorporated into

Easton Belokas gets some cooking tips from his mother, AST Clinical Director Jessica Belokas. (Kimberly Carrillo/Staff Photographer)

typically occurring family routines. “Our services are home-based, as well as in the clinic and community,” Belokas said. “They can receive therapy service wherever it’s deemed appropriate.” She said for service at schools, most of the clinic’s partnerships are with private and charter schools. The clinic serves children to young adults with all levels of autism.

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“We have families waiting for our doors to open,” Belokas said. “We have a waiting list as well.” The clinic can immediately accommodate families who request services before 3 p.m. but there is an 18-month waiting list for those requesting services after 3 p.m., she said. Depending on a child’s needs, the clinic may recommend anywhere from a mini-

Coming October 27th!

mum of 10 hours of services a week to 30 hours a week, she added. Gilbert mom Katie Hurstwicker, whose two sons received ABA therapy at the Tempe location, plans to switch over to the Gilbert clinic. “I have been driving 30 minutes to Tempe,” she said. “So I’m ecstatic that they will have an office so close to me now.” When her oldest son, who is 7, was first diagnosed two years ago with autism, Hurstwicker said she felt overwhelmed, helpless and hopeless. Although there are hundreds of treatment options, the psychologist who saw her son recommended AST, Hurstwicker said, adding ABA therapy is the only treatment endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder and is backed by years of scientific research. “AST has given my son, myself and my family the tools to be tackle autism spectrum disorder,” she said. “AST gave me the knowledge, support and confidence to best support my son.”

see

AUTISM page 27

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GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

AUTISM from page 26

She said the staff is involved in every aspect of her son’s life to where he has made positive and meaningful strides, emotionally, socially and behaviorally. “When my 2-year-old son was diagnosed on the autism spectrum 10 months ago, AST was my first call to get him started with their treatment team,”

CHEF from page 24

She assists chefs in customizing menus to meet the client’s dietary needs and preferences. The client’s preferences are paramount, Croxton explains. Menus are sent for review and approval a few days before the in-home preparation. Seasonal items and fresh ingredients are used in the planning process. The personal chef then arrives every week on the day and time agreed upon, bringing all ingredients needed. Each of the meals is prepared in disposable cookware and can be packaged family-style or by individual servings. Heating instructions are included. “We reserve the same day and time

she said. “After 10 months of ABA therapy through AST, my almost 3-year-son is now almost indistinguishable from his neurotypical peers.” AST has plans for more locations in the Valley with an eye on Glendale for sometime next year. “As soon as we are up and running, we will start looking at the end of September, October for appropriate space,” Be-

each week, as well as the same chef, for our clients,” said Colon. Ahwatukee clients Andrew and Jessica Gattuso are well satisfied with their weekly service by Chef Noon Culinary Services. “Andrew and I have lived in Ahwatukee for 17 years and both have full-time careers as a lawyer and an engineer,” said Jessica Gattuso. “We’ve been using Chef Noon for six months, and with two kids, ages 7 and 9, the service allows us as parents to spend more quality time with our kids. “We no longer have to spend the weekend meal planning and prepping. And during the week we have more quality time as a family.” After three years in the U.S. Army and

lokas said. Though other companies offer similar services, Belokas said there’s a lot that sets AST apart from them. “We are family-centered and like to individualize our program to the families and individuals we serve,” she said. “We have a vast network of very experienced professionals and we value evidencebased practices and top-service.”

four in the Army Reserve, Chef Noon said he was ready for quality time with his family; his business allows him the freedom to choose when and where to work. It is the same for his wife, who spent 18 years in the high-pressure marketing field, working for big-name corporations headquartered in Chicago, where the pair met. When Noon was deployed to El Paso before heading for Iraq, Colon relocated to be with him. Their daughter was born two weeks before he shipped out. Living and working together was their priority upon moving to Arizona in 2012. Initially they started a business producing all-natural dog and cat treats they sold at area farmer’s markets and

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What: Autism Spectrum Therapies When: 2-4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19 Where: 2730 S. Val Vista Drive, Building 10, Suite 161 Information: autismtherapies.com festivals. It was successful, but they wanted a more solid business. After Noon graduated with honors from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, the couple knew they were ready to launch their chef business. Besides the in-home personal meal prep, Chef Noon Culinary Services also hosts private in-home dinners, either family-style or fancy, multicourse seated dinners for two to 10 people, complete with servers. “We also offer gift cards,” Colon smiled. Chef Noon Culinary Services currently serves all of the East County and much of Greater Phoenix. Information: ChefNoonCS.com, or find them on Facebook.

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Fitzgerald stands tall even though his team doesn’t BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ GSN Columnist

t was one picture posted on social media, a muscled man with braided hair holding a microphone and speaking to a group of school kids seated on the gymnasium floor. The photograph was not professionally taken. Indeed, no press release had been issued and no news photographers invited, which was the point made by the journalist who posted the image. This is how Larry Fitzgerald spends his weekday hours away from the gridiron – giving back, connecting with his community. Last week – not too long after logging eight receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown in the Arizona Cardinals’ improbable comeback tie versus the Detroit Lions – Fitzgerald could be found down on Durango Street south of downtown, spending time with the students of Academia Del Pueblo, donating tablets, in-

spiring. Though I was not in attendance, I was moved enough to spend some time thinking about the graceful, beloved superstar this Valley has come to call Fitz. Here’s the question I have been pondering for days: Has there ever been a professional athlete less fortunate than Larry Fitzgerald when it comes to spending an entire career with one of pro sports’ worst franchises? Who, I ask you? Who has had it worse than Fitz all these years? Who in the history of sport has toiled longer for one comically awful team without a championship or a ring to show for such Herculean efforts and loyalty? You could perhaps make a case for Dan Marino, who toiled 17 years with the Miami Dolphins and never won a title. Like Fitz, Marino made it to a single Super Bowl, losing 38-16 to the San Francisco 49ers in 1985. Marino, however, made it to the playoffs in 10 seasons to Fitz’s paltry four.

And Marino quarterbacked his teams to 155 wins, a .601 winning percentage. Larry Fitzgerald’s Cardinals, by contrast, have lost 121 times in his career against 112 wins and a pair of ties. One of those two ties came in the 2019 season opener and served to underscore the supreme waste of talent we have witnessed since the Cardinals drafted Fitzgerald in 2004. Fitzgerald’s new quarterback, the rookie Kyler Murray, played three of the worst quarters of football imaginable, only to be hailed as the next Unitas by some fans and pundits for playing 15 minutes lights out. Fitz? He’s played out of his mind for 16 years now, beset by quarterbacks as nondescript as John Skelton, Kevin Kolb, John Navarre and Max Hall. Do you know how many wide receivers have caught more passes than Larry Fitzgerald in the history of the game? One. And Jerry Rice had two Hall of Famers – Joe Montana and Steve Young – quarterbacking him for the vast majority of his

career. Now at age 36, Fitzgerald has an unproven rookie, who may revolutionize the game or who be yet another Cardinals’ bust, and a new head coach in Kliff Kingsbury, who may be Vince Lombardi in Wayfarer sunglasses or a slimmer Buddy Ryan. My guess? This is the Arizona Cardinals, who every season like clockwork find a way to dash the dreams of their unreasonably faithful fans. We all know how this story ends. Come late season, we likely will be treated to another round of chatter about trading Fitz to a contender and giving him a chance to go out competing for a Super Bowl. I hope it happens, truth be told, because Larry Fitzgerald deserves far better than what the sports gods have dealt him. Sure, he’s earned more than $160 million on the field since 2004. But has there ever been a more cruel and unusual punishment than serving life as an Arizona Cardinal?

ages 15 to 24. Approximately 36 students in the East Valley have died by suicide in the past two years. Sadly, teenagers aren’t the only ones plagued by the side effects of bullying: Nationally, as many as one in five elementary school children have reported being bullied. Have his or her eating and sleeping habits changed? Has your child become increasingly isolated, not wanting to go to school, interact with friends or do other routine activities? Have their grades begun to slip? Have you noticed any self-destructive behaviors or talking about death? Potential red flags related to your child’s use of electronic device include: Being secretive about online activities, abruptly changing screens or turning off their computer when an adult enters the room Being obsessive about or becoming angry when online privileges are revoked is

a tell-tale sign of bullying. Other troublesome signs include, receiving or making phone calls to unknown people or texting with agitation When it comes to monitoring children’s use of cell-phones and computers, parents often grapple with how much privacy they should give. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, because no child is the same. But these suggestions may help: • Discuss and establish clear rules before your child begins using a smartphone or computer. • Talk honestly about the benefits and perils of the Internet, the existence of bullies, sexual predators and other harmful people. • Check out a free app, unGlue, an Internet balance tool developed by two California dads who felt helpless about their kids’ online habits. You can use unGlue to turn off your child’s phone during school and at bedtime, to pause the Internet, even

to schedule chore times. Look on your child’s devices. Discuss the dangers of such apps, and delete them. • Communicate with your child’s teacher, because he or she may know best what’s happening with bullies. • First and foremost, strive every day to create and maintain a healthy, open relationship with your child where the lines of communication are wide open. Be consistent, be brave, be loving. If you suspect someone is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255.

Giving parents opportunities to safeguard their kids BY DR. COURTNEY GAINES GSN Guest Writer

ur children are back in school and for many, it’s a pressure cooker. Comparisons on their social media – about appearances, friends, classes, activities, you-name-it – ramp up this time of year. For every positive feature of the Internet, a dangerous element lurks, too. The brains of adolescents aren’t developed fully enough for them to make good choices and protect themselves from online bullies, predators or others who would harm them, intentionally or not. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, an opportunity to shed light on the once-taboo topic. According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention teen suicide rates rose between 2010 and 2015 after declining for nearly two decades. It is the second leading cause of death among Americans

•

Dr. Courtney Gaines is a psychiatric mental health nurse at Terros Health, a nonprofit, integrated health care provider specializing in trauma-informed mental and physical health, and addiction recovery and wellness interventions.

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Desert Ridge duo manning the trenches BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

ost football coaches at any level will admit a game is won in the trenches. Without a solid offensive line, an offense will usually stall. Without a stout defensive front, opposing teams can score with ease. Offensive and defensive lines don’t typically receive the recognition due to them when their team wins a game. But their playing doesn’t go unnoticed. That is the case for Desert Ridge High coach Jeremy Hathcock, who benefits from having one of the best defensive players in the state with senior Joquarri Price, as well as two-way junior Dante Smith. “If you put those two on the same side, you tell me who you’re going to block,” Hathcock said. “I don’t care who you are,

Desert Ridge senior defensive end Joquarri Price, a San Diego State commit, is one-half of a dynamic duo on the Jaguars’ defensive line along with junior tackle Dante Smith. (Zach Alvira/Eric Newman/GSN Staff)

you aren’t going to run to that side.” Price, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive end, continues to be a mainstay on the Desert Ridge defense since he advanced to varsity as a sophomore. His progression both on the field and in the weight room helps him gain interest from Division I college programs, including Rice, Montana State, San Diego State and Iowa State. On Aug. 3, just three weeks before the start of his senior season, Price committed to San Diego State. “The location is close, it just felt like home,” Price said. “I had time to think about it while we were at camp in Winslow. I just wanted to get it off my chest and commit before my senior season. “I’m glad I got it done.” Price confided in his parents and Ha-

see DUO page 32

Chandler Bears gearing up for title run BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

he Chandler Bears have spent the last seven years dominating the youth football circuit in Arizona and the nation, winning several state titles and three at the national level. Founded in 2012 by Chad Hubler, the Bears originated with the same color scheme and logo as Basha High School in Chandler, as they had hoped to develop a relationship with the school. But, after a few coaching changes at Basha, Hubler rebranded his youth team and changed its colors to vibrant lime green and black. He also swapped the Bear head logo to a claw. Since the change, the Bears

The Chandler Bears 10U youth football team is gearing up for another run at the national title. Since it was founded in 2012, the Bears organization has won three national championships. (Photo courtesy Kacey and Monica Allen)

have become one of the most recognizable teams in the nation. “The lime green is definitely fun to wear,” current Bears coach Kacey Allen said. “It really pops and is recognizable anywhere we go.” Allen began coaching the Bears in 2015 when his son, Kacey Allen Jr., began playing tackle football. It was that same year the Hubler led his 12U team to the national title game in Orlando, Fla. The Bears fell in the championship game in 2015 but got redemption the following year and were crowned national champions.

see BEARS page 32

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

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from page 30

thcock to make his decision. However, they all left it up to him. “I told him he has to go where he is loved,” Hathcock said. “I knew San Diego State was high on him and it’s so close. He and his family just felt good about it.” Price was one of the 6A leaders in sacks last season, ending with 12. He forced 19 quarterback hurries and had 77 total tackles coming off the edge. So far this season, he’s accounted for 14 total tackles and two quarterback hurries. Price aims to exceed his season totals from last season, but he admits becoming a leader the rest of his teammates can look up to is more important. He wants to set an example for all of the younger players coming through the program. Price has even taken some players, including Smith, under his wing. “Just working with him, he motivates me and our team to work harder,” Smith said. “He’s helped me get stronger and overall better on the field. It feels good to have him looking after me.” Having Price to look up to helped Smith with his overall progression and understanding of the game. Smith played flag football when he was younger with several other players on Desert Ridge’s varsity roster today. As kids, they tried to encourage him to play tackle football with them, but Smith’s mother was hesitant.

BEARS

from page 30

The team captured its second national title in 2017. Last year, with Allen at the helm of the 9U team, the Bears organization captured its second national title. With the entire team returning for the 10U season in 2019, they are gearing up for yet another run at the title. But unlike last season, they are getting their finances in order sooner rather than later. “Now we know what we have and what we can do,” Allen said. “We knew we were good last year, but you never know at the national stage, so we were hesitant to go. But this year we know it’s something we

Desert Ridge junior Dante Smith, a two-way starter on the offensive and defensive lines, has been mentored by senior Joquarri Price since his first year on varsity as a sophomore. (Eric Newman/GSN Staff)

He didn’t hit his growth spurt until he was a freshman at Desert Ridge, where he played tackle football for the first time. But despite being inexperienced, it was clear he had a natural talent for the game. “He’s a football player,” Hathcock said. “I’m telling you, he’s going to be a

are going to do, and we want to give the boys that opportunity.” The Bears began fundraising for the trip to Orlando last year just 30 days before the start of the national tournament. While all players were able to make the trip, several parents were left behind. Allen hopes that won’t be the case this season, as he and the rest of the organization have already begun fundraising in several different ways. From t-shirts to cases of water bottles with the Bears’ logo, there are several merchandise items for sale on the team’s website to help with funds. They’ve also implemented a donation campaign for each player, where family and friends can compete to see who raises the most

20-offer kid. He’s a wrestler so he can go both ways and never get tired.” Hathcock compares Smith to former Desert Ridge defensive tackle Alex Barrett, who went on to play at San Diego State before having stints in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and most recently the Oakland Raiders.

money for a specific player. However, all funds still go toward the entire team. Individuals who donate also get put into a drawing to win an authentic Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson jersey. Additionally, the Bears will be serving breakfast at the Applebees located on Gilbert and Baseline roads in Mesa on Oct. 6. The entire restaurant is reserved for the Bears, as parents and coaches will cook pancakes while the players serve in uniform. “It will be a cool event,” Allen said. “We are just doing everything we can to make sure our boys have a great experience.” Allen has high expectations for his team, as he hopes to implement a more

Hathcock believes they have the same type of aggressive and physical play style. Smith was limited to five games last season due to a sprained MCL. He tried to come back for the Jaguars’ firstround playoff game against Pinnacle but Hathcock sat him to not risk any further damage in his knee. Now 6-foot-2, 290 pounds and healthy, Smith is ready to wreak havoc on opposing offensive and defensive lines alongside Price. “We can be very dangerous,” Smith said. “It’s something I look forward to, but I know I need to keep working hard. Just watch, we are going to be some dogs.” Price and Smith are focused on helping lead Desert Ridge back to a winning season and beyond this year after finishing 3-10 in 2018. They have plenty of talent from last year’s team around them, including Cal-Berkeley commit Aidan Lee ad wideout and Iowa Statecommit Koby Hathcock playing multiple positions on both sides of the ball. They both aim to make it a special year for the senior class and will do what it takes to be remembered as the team that turned the program back in the right direction. “We want to be remembered as being tough and committed to this program,” Price said. “I want to get everything perfect so I can perform at my very best to help my team on Friday nights.” complex offense that will further take advantage of their athletic ability. But with each player being honored by the AYF last season as a Scholar Baller, an award given to players who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, he’s confident they will be able to pick up the new schemes with ease. “They are all smart,” Allen said. “I think that also has a lot to do with how coachable they are. That, along with them being together for years now. It really helps.” The Bears kicked off their 2019 season in the new American Youth Football Unlimited on Saturday, Sept. 14. To make a donation or attend one of the Chandler Bears’ upcoming events, visit ChandlerBears.com.

Gilbert/Higley prep football coverage Friday and Saturday: eastvalleytribune.com/VarsityXtra and Twitter @VarsityXtra.

GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

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Gilbert drummer relishes ‘homecoming’ BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GET OUT Editor

ilbert High School graduate Ricky Woolstenhulme Jr. could be his hometown’s biggest fan. The drummer for the multiplatinum band Lifehouse spent years away from the East Valley, living in California, until recently when he returned to Gilbert after 20 years in Los Angeles. “It’s super-awesome,” Woolstenhulme said during an interview at Coffee Rush in Gilbert. “I’m a fan. I live a mile from my high school.” Woolstenhulme and his bandmates – singer/guitarist Jason Wade and bassist/vocalist Bryce Soderberg – are coming to the Valley on Friday, September 20, to Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa. The tour supports 2017’s “Lifehouse: Greatest Hits.” The album includes a variety of hits, “You and Me,” “First Time,” “Halfway Gone,” “Hurricane” and “Hanging by a Moment.” Since 2000, Lifehouse

Gilbert High School graduate Ricky Woolstenhulme Jr. enjoys his role in the band Lifehouse. (Special to GSN)

has released seven albums together, selling 15 million units around the world. Lifehouse’s musicians are focusing time on their side projects. Woolstenhulme is working with John Alagia. Wade releases singles frequently.

When Woolstenhulme returned to Gilbert, he built a studio in his basement so he can record solo tracks. “I record my stuff all the time at home, but a lot of the time, I get an idea or two and I can never finish them. It’s frustrat-

ing,” he said. “I’m a drummer by trade, so I have some amazing drum tracks and then a couple of ideas on my Fender Rhodes.” Still, he can’t believe Lifehouse is still going strong. “I never imagined I’d be here, with the same guys for 20 years and we don’t hate each other. We all still get along,” he said. “Jason and I have been together in the band for 20 years almost and we still love each other.” Growing up, Woolstenhulme played baseball, football and participated in theater. When Woolstenhulme was 8, his parents bought his brother a drum kit. He said one day he “just started playing it, even before my brother did. That was pretty much it.” After graduating Gilbert High in the late 1990s, Woolstenhulme moved west for the Los Angeles Music Academy. That’s where he met Wade and Sergio

see LIFEHOUSE page 36

Lenny Kravitz keeps busy with music, acting BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GET OUT Editor

enny Kravitz likes to look forward. On tour and hitting the Comerica Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 18, Kravitz will perform hits like “Let Love Rule” and “Mama Said.” But part of his two-and-a-half-hour set will be dedicated to tracks from his 2018 critically acclaimed album “Raise Vibration.” “We’ve been enjoying playing as much of the repertoire as we can,” Kravitz said. “I’m also playing a substantial amount of new music, which has been going over well. It’s encouraging. “We’ve been playing three or four numbers of ‘Raise Vibration.’ The shows have been powerful for us and the audience. It’s been an exercise in community and unity and that’s what it’s really about—playing the songs, being there, playing a show and the connection between all of us.”

Kravitz elevates the union of rock, funk, blues and soul on his 11th full-length album. The rocker felt like he was reborn during the recording process. “It was beautiful,” he said. “It was exactly what I needed. It was exactly what was given to me. I was given this whole album in a succession of dreams. “You can always have ideas about what you think you want to do. I play everything and write it. I play lots of different styles. There are a lot of different colors I can use and places I can go to. Sometimes it can make a differ-

Musician Lenny Kravitz will be playing hits and a lot of tunes from his critically acclaimed 208 album. (Special to the Tribune)

ence to know where I want to go. In the beginning, I was not sure where I wanted to go. After driving the whole thing and putting my head into it, I walked away from the studio, closed the door and a couple of weeks later, I was dreaming this music.” One of those dreams brought the single “It’s Enough,” a powerful take on the tense, decisive rumination on the global state of affairs. “People are standing up. I’ve had enough of racism. I’ve had enough of war. I’ve had enough of the destruction of the environment and the greed and dishonesty of world leaders,” Kravitz said. “We’ve got to get back on track toward moving forward through higher understanding.” Reveling in the soul, rock and funk influences of the ’60s and ’70s, Kravitz is

see KRAVITZ page 37

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GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

LIFEHOUSE from page 35

Andrade, the original bass player. Soon, they were on the road with Pearl Jam. “We all grew up loving Pearl Jam. “We were so young. ‘Hanging by a Moment’ was just barely on the radio.” “We’ve been making records and touring the world since. And we’re still able to do it currently.” Woolstenhulme admitted he’s amazed at his band’s success. He loves to hear stories from fans about how Lifehouse’s songs have moved them, or that “You and Me” was their wedding song. “The goal is to be able to make music that somehow connects with people,” he said. “Luckily, we have a handful of songs that make that thing happen. We’re very, very fortunate and happy that we do this for a living. It’s a blast and we’re having a great time doing it.” Woolstenhulme has thought about life beyond Lifehouse, however. His wife, Jen Hagio, is a musician who cowrote songs on Michelle Branch’s “The Spirit Room” album. A former Sedona resident, Branch introduced the two at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood before the two acts toured together. “She (Michelle Branch) opened for

us on our first headlining club tour,” he said. “My wife was out on the road with us for three or four months. “She and my wife were best friends since they were little. There was a time when my wife was more successful than I was in the beginning. She’s always been supportive.” She’s also into his plans to open a cocktail bar with a small menu in Gilbert. “Gilbert is my favorite,” he adds. “I was so surprised when I moved back. When I left, it was all farmland. When I moved back, I was like, ‘Wow.’ Downtown Gilbert has transformed, and so many cool things are going on.” When he’s not on tour, he’s honing his F&B chops with James Johnston at Fire & Brimstone at Barnone. “I figured if I was going to open a spot, I should learn from the best,” he said. “Just being a cook at home is one thing, but doing it on a grand scale is different. It’s an amazing experience. James is great for letting this rock drummer come in and cut stuff.” Woolstenhulme said a new Lifehouse album may be on the horizon. “It’s like gold mining,” he said. “You could write 50 songs and record 50

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Lifehouse will be performing at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa. (Special to GSN)

songs and still not have what you think what you have is great.” Woolstenhulme sees the Harrah’s AkChin Casino show as a homecoming. “I’ve reconnected with a whole bunch of people from high school,” he said. “So, I’m sure a lot of people will end up in my house after that. That’s fun, though.”

IF YOU GO

What: Lifehouse Where: Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, 15406 N. Maricopa Road, Maricopa When: 8 p.m. Sept. 20. Tickets: Start at $34.50 Info: caesars.com/harrahs/ak-chin.

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GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

KRAVITZ from page 35

known as a writer, producer and multi-instrumentalist who won Grammy Awards and set the record for the most wins in the Best Male Rock Performance category. In addition to his 10 studio albums, which have sold 40 million worldwide, Kravitz segued into film, appearing as Cinna in the box-office hits, “The Hunger

Games” and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Kravitz can also be seen in the critically acclaimed films “Precious” and “The Butler.” His creative firm Kravitz Design Inc. has lent its talents to hotel properties, condo projects, private residences and brands like Rolex, Leica and Dom Perignon. Kravitz is modest about his success. “When you remove your ideas—not

that you can’t use your ideas—you remove all that and say, ‘OK, give me what I’m supposed to have, and remove ego and everything from it, it’s a beautiful experience,” he said. “Things come when they are meant to come. That’s the way it’s always worked, from my first album to now. Things come as they come. It may be different than what you thought would come.”

IF YOU GO

What: An Evening with Lenny Kravitz Where: Comerica Theatre, 400 W. Washington St., Phoenix. When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 Tickets: Start at $58.50 Info: 602-379-2800, comericatheatre.com

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But these gorgeous That’s areseasonings, oftentasty brinedcarne or marinated lengthwise. and flavorful chiles, make some quesadillas. like. 6160 Morning moisture Tear to bits 5253DOWN Frost 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and will always be a southwestern favorite! you’re looking for a sharable family-style 2-3 teaspoons milk, or more for thinner consistency 1/2 teaspoon baking powder Birthright barterer After reviewing Julia Child’s macaron recipe, I and tasty gems are well worth the effort. Caramel Peach Cobbler aheadIngredients: of time. 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Ingredients: DOWN 32tablespoons melted butter 6 tablespoons packed lightred sugar French 1 egg cups powdered sugar “SportsCenter” airernationor tablespoons olive oil ¼½the teaspoon crushed pepper derful savory flavors happen while the tenderloin is when tenderloin is done. For the Peach Filling: 56 “Yesterday, ” “Today” Just fill Tips: 2 Mideastern gently foldground mixture untilneed almond powder and 3 43“Wichita 4.5 oz. almond floursugar: or almond powder 1 Smartphone download Lineman” singer 60 sec. For the cinnamon 1 large egg 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon 2-3 tablespoons milk (may more to thin out Immoderate 1 medium yellow onion, chopped fine 3 large eggs cooking. It your has many ofmedium the ingredients youjust arebrush used it For This try a little tenderloin! Batter: 1 cupGet brown sugar skillet hot, and e egg athe cweek, h whites 32“Tomorrow” Ox of India are fully incorporated. Mixture is 4 4Leading (approx. 1vanilla cup plus 3 tablespoons) Carne Asada Marseilles monarch 1/2 cup brown sugar Provides 1 teaspoon For the cream cheese drizzle man in the theater? glaze enough to drizzle) 5 Neighborhood 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup WHOLE MILK ricotta cheese cups 4lightly tablespoons to with a pork tenderloin like garlic, Dijon soy 1 ½o done n eflour oil.butter You don’t soggymustard, quesadillas. 43 One-eyed beast when it is butter smooth, shiny and slightly DOWN 8 oz. with powdered sugarwant cups) Huge--” thrower tablespoons softened game Ingredients: 5 65Thick Norse hammer 1Directions: pound lean ground beef (2 orlike turkey 1 cup Mozzarella, shredded, divided “OHorseback Sole 24teaspoons baking powder Pinch of saltlove slice If you grilled veggies red onion, chiles with cheese Wrap log up in twistDo the edges to 1 DOWN 5 Grazing ground runny (like a plastic cake wrap; batter). not mix 4.5 oz. egg whites, room temperature (4 For the cinnamon 21/4 tablespoons softened creamchopped cheese 4Woman’ Pretty much 2and lbs. skirt steak ororflank steak sweet yellow onion, finedivided (plus ½ pound sweet hotswirl Italian skin removed 1 cup cup grated Parmesan cheese, 6Melody Valhalla VIP teaspoon salt 1/4 cup 7-Up or water smoney two-piece? peppers, just slice them all up, place them fixings. 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Mexican entree Step 4.fold Place mixture in athem piping with 84 398Strap And others (Abbr.) egg, buttermilk vanilla, well enough to cut pinwheel slices ½that inch thick. 1/8 teaspoon saltroastand case 86Needle Suave hanger steak salad Dry rub: Ingredients: 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1charred. corn starch 7 Prophets 9 “Rebecca” setting You can add a little olive oil, but the dryer They’re easier to get into the pan, easier to flip an approximate quarter of an inch opening 2tablespoon oz. fine granulated sugar Place cookies on parchment paper or silicone mat 95 410Boutonnière combine. Breakfast chain acronym Relocate Directions: but don’t buy 9Look, -- long way Directions: site 1 without teaspoon salt 1Marinade: (approx. 2.5 lb.) pork tenderloin 3 tablespoons orange juice for the tip. Pipe about a nickel size of mixture 8 Resold for big profits the veggies, the better for non-greasy quesadillas. losing any filling and makes cutting them 10 Bluenose about 2-inches apart. Return to fridge for 15 minutes. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, 11 Practice boxing Carvey or Delany Preheatpancake oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9” x 3” cakepered pan bag. or deep dish pie pan with cooking spray or olive 10 Directions: 10 Varnish ingredient 5 Fairway bend Prepare batter: 6 Ram’s mate cupgarlic Worcestershire sauce 1 ateaspoon pepper 41/2 large cloves, sliced in half lengthwise teaspoons fresh rosemary on at a 350 baking sheet lined with parchment Directions: Don’t stack your tortillas on topYou of each other. breeze. Corporate symbolgoddess Bake degrees for 10until minutes. should 11 61311Abba mixing well until soft dough forms. Place dough a 2aNext, Cup-bearing (Spring form pan works best). can use casserole Turkish title Greek of Israel In a orange saucepan, melt brown saltalso and water. 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Eggnog sprinkling cup limeofpowder juice (about 3 large limes) Simmer teaspoon smoked paprikaSet baking sheet on 8 20-Across greeting loser IMPORTANT! and powdered sugar and 2¼1almond tablespoons Dijon mustard ¼1teaspoon salt make the cream cheese frosting orcharred, the sugarseeded glaze. In ashredded small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar. 11 Safecracker firm to the touch). Drain pasta, reserving ½ cup pasta water. Do not rinse pasta. Set aside. 20 Man-mouse link cup sharp cheddar cheese 2-3 large Hatch chiles (green chiles) Melt 1 stick of butter (8 tablespoons) and pour into the bottom of an 8”x 8” or Weep 19Ambulance Bowling alley inits. pancake for with 1/3 cup batter, spreading itatoutroom 19 If makingtopancake batter from powder. scratch, Sift into a Make a series 820Seventh org. counter minutes obtain a fine as aoftone 31blend tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon pepper For the creaminabout cheeseoil30 frosting: cream 9 21Vary, Set a skillet, medium-high sauté chopped onion and garlic olive until softcombine and translucent. 16 Historic boy king cup Jack cheese for 30heat, diced 9”Inaside. xshredded 13” baking dish. Den 22 A little lower? Melt the butterover insifting. microwave seconds. toand form a circle. 21 Colors Directions: 20 Put into words temperature until a slight crust develops 9 Mob boss bowl. Repeat 10 22 Freudian concept cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and milk. When dough iscombine firm, combine 2 tablespoons ofpepper Add ground beef or turkey, Italian sausage, salt, and crushed red pepper. Stir to incorporate and 4Place (10-inch) flour tortillas Optional garnishes: Coarsely chopped fresh cilan20 Listener In a mixing bowl, flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, milk and vanilla. Lotion additive 23Unclear all marinade a bowl. Whisk. overbaking steak in Reduce aBake glass casserole dish. heat to medium low. Snipora small opening In aStep medium bowl, together flour,Pour sugar, “Meet Me ----Louis” over macarons. 2.2 tablespoons In ainmix mixing bowl with electric 21 22“Neither Leer atBerate image Directions: uncovered formix 45together minutes until internal For the glaze: powdered sugar flour and ofchicken powdered Gensnow ...” cook until browned. (Drain any excessofsugar. grease.) Add marinara sauce and stir topancake combine. Cook for 5 and min- 11 10 23 2beater, cups shredded, rotisserie tro, pico de5.bag. gallo ordry salsa, guacamole, sour cream. Mix inuntil fully combine. 21 Lummox Required Place the refrigerator for a minimum 2 hours. Mix together spices for rub. 25 Emanation in the piping When the begins to form powder and salt. Step Bake at 325 degrees (use standard whisk egg whites until foamy, about 23 “Try -see” 22 Chaplain temperature reaches 145-150 degrees. Baste occaPreheat your oven to 350 degrees. 11 Go down erously flour a work surface. (If you don’t have milk until desired consistency is achieved. When 19 24 Pimple utes. Setpour aside to cool. Gently mixture overvanilla, melted butter. Do not stir. bubbles, Ethereal Heat grill orbutter, grill pan. the steak marinade. (Discard leftover marinade.) bakeTransfer element and not for milk, egg and stirring tofrom combine. make a the pinwheel withconvection) the driz-about 23 Channel 2622 Gator’ s cousin 1Add minute. Add pinch cream of tartar Passes furtively Place tenderloin injust aRemove 9use xof13flour.) baking dish. Use aandsionally. tenderloin to acinnamon large cutting Competent 2025Toss Ticket-holders’ winnings Directions: powdered sugar, Working quickly, cookies are done and stillParmesan warm, spread either the In a large bowl, stir together the eggs, ricotta, ½ cup mozzarella, ½ cup and parsley. Add 21 inSnatched Carefully spoon peaches on top of batter. Do not stir. 15 minutes. Allow baking sheets to cool and Season steak on both sides with dry rub. salt. Whisk until meringue begins to thicken. 23 Dine on Set aside. zle, starting at the center of the pancake. Cook the 27 26 Pod group 26 Duel tool sharp knife to make 8 slices, about a half inch deep board and let rest for 8-10 minutes before slicing. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat until hot, about three minutes. remove dough from bag and roll out into a 12 X 9 cream cheese frosting over cookies or drizzle with 25 Layer 22 Japanese-Americans the cooked spaghetti meat sauce, gently totemperature fullyrises incorporate ingredients. Spoon into 23 Grassy plain Bake at add 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes, orstirring the batter that the top is before golden brown. maracons to harden lifting mixture them away Slowly fine granulated sugar, auntil little at Grill about 3 of minutes perand side. Don’t overcook! Internal should read about degrees. Has Perlman permission Prepare cinnamon swirl: pancake 2 tochiles. 3over minutes. 2827 Partition Basketball’ s Jeremy along thea tortilla topabout tenderloin. Slice theand tenderloin andmozzarella transfer toand a125-130 serving dishcheese. Actress Place ingently the pan andcream! sprinkle with cheese, chicken Fold tortilla over. rectangle 1/4-inch thick with a floured rollingTop glaze. 242727 “Crazy” singer Patsy prepared pan, pressing spaghetti into pan. with the remaining Parmesan 26 Marshmallow toaster Serve warm with vanilla ice from baking sheet. When cool, fill with icing a time. Whisk on high until egg whites have 24 French city Remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes. In a medium bowl, stir together the butter, brown Cinnamon mixture will bubble up around the edges 29 Fine 29 Of natural dimensions Give asfever an example Insert a half ofsurface a garlic clove into with each hole. Make orisfold plates. Make another one with cheese on the opposite side, over inand the opposite direction and cook them or 27252928 Commotions Place cookies in anlike airtight container to store. pin. Brush theabout of dough melted butter. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese bubbling golden brown. Small salamander Chills and Tip for skinning peaches: of your choice butter cream icing texture of shaving foam with soft peaks. Slice in strips against the grain. Serve as tacos (with queso fresco, avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro or your 25 Some conifers of the pancake. sugar and cinnamon. Spoon into piping or zippered 30 Hideaway 30 State with Listen sauce. Spoon the sauce over the for sliced tenderloin. side by the side. Together, the tortillas should lookto like a full circle. until golden brown. with the 28263129 Note: make homemade buttermilk, combine Sprinkle brown over dough Pen fillerto certainty Let sit for 5sugar minutes so can set up. Spoon a Cook couple tablespoons of Repeat reserved marinara Beer cousin ganache. Score bottom ofalso acinnamon peach inbut amixture 2-inch crisscross. Place the peach inTopancake boiling water 2-3cook minutes. Remove Decays Step 3.should Add sifted almond mixture the favorite fixings.) Can bespaghetti served aspie a Carne Asada Steak Salad withofsliced tomatoes, avocados and 26 Hexagonal state bag. (Swirl not be runny, have structure.) Carefully flip over and an additional 31 “The Bridge on the River --” 31Kampala’ Some Inpeach apress bowl addplate. soyslightly. sauce, mustard, honey, If1/3 you athe thicker sauce, sauce intobest ajuice. remaining ingredients to spaghetti make the rest of orange the quesadillas. Predicament cupprefer milkofwill and 1 sauce. tablespoon vinegar or lemon and down Flour yourinpie hands and then sauce onto Slice wedges, on top Spoon more sauce over top 30273331Verdon s evergreens country the from the water and place a into bowl with ice place water. The skin peel right off. pour This tip works Fish eggs or Stefani greens. 2-3 minutes. Repeat with remaining pancake mix. Prepare cream cheese glaze: 27 Macadamize juice, rosemary, oliveripe. oil, saltParmesan and pepper. Whisk tofresh small saucepan andmy simmer three four minutes or intoroll wedges. Top or serve with optional Stir for 10visit seconds then let sitto 15 minutes. quickly dough lengthwise into agreat tight log. if desired. Sprinkle with cheese andgarnishes. parsley. For more recipes and videos, website atfor ifSlice are 33 Carelessness? Servesauce withthickens. maple syrup or make a pinwheel on top Inpeaches a bowl,Pour mixfairly together butter, cream cheese, pow- until 28 Make absolutely plain combine. the sauce over the tenderloin. PUZZLE ANSWERS on page jandatri.com/jans-recipe/one-minute-kitchen. PUZZLE ANSWERS on page PUZZLE ANSWERS on page PUZZLE ANSWERS on page 9 Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe PUZZLE ANSWERS on page 132626 Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe PUZZLE ANSWERS on page 1526 Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe ANSWERS on page 1421 PUZZLE ANSWERS on page Watch how-to video: PUZZLE ANSWERS page dered sugar and vanilla. Spoon intomy piping or zipofjandatri.com/recipe pancake stack with cream cheese glaze. PUZZLE ANSWERS onon page 141421 Watch my how-to video: jandatri.com/recipe PUZZLE ANSWERS on page 26

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Nothing says ‘Italian’ like Follow tips for With greens or tacos, Carne Pork tenderloin with citrus These cousins the cinnamon This end-of-season You’ll bethese on aof(cinnamon) tasty, quesadillas baked spaghetti Asada iscrispy Southwest gem soy glaze you apie step roll cost aasaves less dough cobbler islot peachy keen roll with these flapjacks

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GILBERT SUN NEWS AN EDITION OF THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 15, 2019

24th Annual Gilbert Community Excellence Awards and Gilbert’s Culinary Showcase Presented By:

September 24, 2019 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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