The Mesa Tribune - Zone 2 - 9.26.2021

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Volleyball's new era / P. 26

Meet Bell Park / P. 6

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NEWS ...................... 4 "Momma Bird" leads Mesa school to glory.

Food truck mall battle looms in East Mesa

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor

O

n a Friday night, a stretch of North Power Road just south of East McKellips Road has a mini-county-fair vibe.

Stadium lights shine as kids run around, with parents getting cozy on lawn chairs around �ire pits. Recorded music blasts out of speakers, with the aromas of burgers, egg rolls, poutine and garlic fries, crepes and more wafting through in the air.

For an of�ice complex, you can’t beat the food and fun.

This isn’t actually an of�ice park, though that was the original, city-approved plan for a few acres here.

Then came Power Food Park, which – in addition to a few hundred visitors eating,

��� FOOD TRUCKS ���� 14

Halloween scares already ramping up COMMUNITY ............................... 18 BUSINESS ..................................... 22 OPINION .. ..................................... 24 SPORTS ........................................ 26 GET OUT ...................................... 29 PUZZLES ...................................... 31 CLASSIFIED ................................. 33 Zone 2

The Power Food Park has become a magnet for hundreds of people like Mercedes Manzanares, who bought lemonades from one of the vendors last weekend. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer)

‘COVID pill’ study launches in Mesa

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor

GETOUT .............. 29

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magine taking a pill that – even if you’re not vaccinated and even if someone you share space with has COVID-19 – would protect you from the coronavirus.

As one of 43 sites around the country in a clinical trial, a Mesa center is a key player in what many are dreaming about: The hypothetical “COVID pill.”

Arizona Clinical Trials is looking for people who live with someone who has COVID-19 and want to be – potentially, at least – part

of history.

In a modest south-central Mesa of�ice surrounded by insurance, weight loss and arthritis treatment providers, Dr. Anita Kohli meets potential volunteers to discuss a trial she hopes will be groundbreaking.

“As an individual citizen, I’m rooting for it like you wouldn’t believe,” said the upbeat, energetic Kohli. “As a scientist, I am always cautious, just look at the data.”

But when she sets her “just the facts” professional microscope aside, for the moment, she steps back to view a big picture that is almost staggering.

“We hope for all of humanity this works,” she said. “We hope to develop a simpler drug that can be in every pharmacy in America.

And the world.”

Last year, Kohli and Arizona Clinical Trials took part in a crucial trial that found Regeneron to be an effective treatment for COVID-19.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, Regeneron’s “combination of the monoclonal antibodies casirivimab and imdevimab, has been shown to markedly reduce the risk of hospitalization or death among

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

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NEWS

Mesa schools calmer after turbulent week

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor

A

sked if things quieted down after a turbulent week �illed with bomb threats and vandalism, Holly Williams last week rapped on her desk.

“Knock on my desk, but yeah,” Williams said, in a don’t-jinx-it stage whisper.

“It’s much more quiet with both the TikTok challenge and the threats,” said Williams, the associate superintendent of Mesa Public Schools.

Mesa High School and Red Mountain High were hit with back-to-back bomb threats Sept. 15 and 16.

Then, on Friday, Sept. 17, Mesa Police of�icers charged two students with making false threats at two separate Mesa schools.

According to police, a 14-year-old female student attending Red Mountain High School was charged with threats, after claiming she had an explosive device in her backpack this morning.

“Once the student was identi�ied, she was contacted and admitted to making the false threats,” Sgt. Charles Trapani said.

The same day, a 15-year-old male student attending Dobson High School was charged with posting a threat, leading to the lockdown of Dobson High School.

He was released to his legal guardian and charges were �iled through the Maricopa County Attorney, Juvenile Division, according to police.

“These are two isolated incidents and neither of these cases or suspects have been tied to any of the other threat cases that have occurred in Mesa recently.

Those investigations are still active and on-going,” Trapani said.

Williams said the string of hoaxes “doesn’t feel like they were related” to a series of vandalism acts inspired by a social media “challenge.”

The acts led to a stern warning posted by Dr. Andi Fourlis, the MPS superintendent: “We are aware of a challenge on the social media app TikTok that is prompting students to cause damage to our schools and schools across the nation.

The challenge encourages students to steal school property and post videos or photos of the stolen materials on social media,” Fourlis wrote.

“Please know that consequences for stealing or destroying school property are

3

because of their hijinks committed as part of the ‘devious licks’ trend, which involves stealing or vandalizing school property.”

The TikTok challenge spread across the country so fast — could it be called a virus?

“That’s an interesting thought,” Williams said. “I don’t think of it as a virus, social media has ability to do amazing thing and also be damaging “When you think back to the ice bucket challenge (used to raise money for ALS research), it shows the good that can happen. Then with TikTok, what we have now is (social media) being used for vandalism; I wish more people would do good.”

She said the drive for “likes” on social media pushed kids to A TikTok “challenge” spread across the country, inspir- do stupid things.

“I don’t think our students ing students to vandalize bathrooms from Mesa to New fully realized what can happen York. (Special to the Tribune) from their actions. There can be severe, and can include expulsion and po- discipline and police action … I don’t think lice involvement.” that crossed their minds when they think It was a frustrating week for MPS teach- they’re being funny. ers and staff, with many bathrooms closed “My message: vandalism is vandalism for repairs. Williams said some schools and a crime.” had staff outside bathrooms to monitor Ditto for threats, whether real or hoax. and deter vandalism.

“The threats we saw last week, people Williams has been with the district for need to know there are serious conse22 years. She said the bizarre, agonizing quences,” Williams said. week was not entirely unprecedented.

She said the two students who were “When I think about bomb threats... charged by the Mesa Police Department someone thinks it’s funny or cool, we’ve were suspended “in accordance with stuseen that happen before. There’s been dent guidelines.” copycats before,” she said.

During and after the disruption-�illed “When I think about vandalism, there’s with, school resource of�icers met with been nothing like the TikTok challeng- groups at high schools to discuss reperes, but we’ve had other things —senior cussions of actions. pranks when we get close to graduation.

“And we had some modi�ications of The TikTok thing was unique.” bathroom privileges,” Williams said.

She noted the district usually has �ive to “We had cases where sinks and toilets 10 reports of vandalism per month. were attempted to be stolen.”

The �irst two weeks of September, there Toilets? were 31 vandalism cases at MPS. “Yes – that’s really gross isn’t it?” Wil“We know it was a big problem last liams said, shaking her head in disbelief. week,” she said, Wednesday afternoon. “I She said various bathrooms around the know it slowed way down this week.” district were temporarily closed.

It should be noted the TikTok-inspired “We were not closing them as a prevenvandalism was hardly unique to Mesa. tive measure, we were closing them beAccording to a USA Today story, “Stu- cause they were damaged,” she said. “Wadents across the U.S. are being arrested ter has to be turned off.” ■

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor

education,” Baxter said.

She said the school emphasizes grammar, spelling, reading and writing – “and even penmanship.”

“We also have a lot of seasoned teachers. We have �ive teachers with at least 20 years (experience) and �ive more with more than a decade,” the principal noted.

A big focus here in central Mesa, a few blocks from Mesa High School, is on family: “Parent involvement has a direct connection to student success,” Baxter said.

“We are very connected to our families.

During the pandemic, we focused on connecting with families, being empathetic to what they were facing, whether it was loss of a job, people getting sick with COVID or passing.”

When classrooms were closed and students learning at home, Baxter took a call from a mother who was crying in frustration at not being able to get her child connected to the school system.

“She was about 3 minutes away, so I drove over, went to her home and got her logged on,” Baxter said.

“I didn’t go to everyone’s home, but where there’s a need, we just chip in.”

At the end of another long school day, Baxter was still revved up with energy.

“I knew in sixth grade I was meant to be in education,” she said with a laugh, when asked what keeps her going. “I’m an elementary school person. This is my hobby …God gave me a calling to serve in education: This is what I was made for.”

Baxter was born in Mesa, raised in Tucson, then moved back to the Valley 20 years ago. She was a principal in the Tempe Elementary School District before returning to her homeland.

The �irst week of November, Baxter will �ly to Washington D.C. to receive the award on behalf of Franklin East.

The biggest decision she faces: How to celebrate the honor with students in the midst of COVID restrictions?

“I stood outside recess today and got lots of hugs,” Baxter said. “Kids were saying, ‘Are we going to have a pizza party?’”

With that, Momma Bird chuckled, remembering the PA announcement through which she shared the news.

“I always make a bird sound at the end, ‘Ca-ca, ca-ca.’ Someone opened the of�ice door and I could hear the kids outside, ‘Caca, ca-ca!’” ■

4

‘Momma Bird’ leads Mesa school to big honor

A

t Franklin East Elementary School, Kacy Baxter is known by a name that’s a play on the school’s Firebirds mascot.

“I’m ‘Momma Bird.’ I mom everybody — doesn’t matter whether you’re 6 or 60,” she said.

She’s a hugger.

“I tell kids I love them every day,” she said.

It was no surprise when she ended a public address announcement this week with her usual signoff: “In a world where you can be anything, always be kind. And don’t forget your Momma Bird loves you and I always will.”

The big surprise was what she said before that: “Franklin East just won a National Blue Ribbon!”

Franklin East is the only school in the East Valley, one of only �ive schools in Arizona and among 325 across the country to be named a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education last week.

In announcing the winners, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said, “This year’s cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and af�irming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can �lourish.”

Baxter called the award “a tremendous honor that is re�lective of the commitment that the Franklin East community has made to excellence and each other.

“We are very honored,” the principal said. “It’s a great thing. We’re very proud.”

Baxter said she was informed via email in March that Arizona Superintendent Kathy Hoffman nominated Franklin East.

She was told “You’ll hear back in September” which schools would receive the coveted award.

“I’ve been a principal for 15 years (the last three at Franklin East) and had peers in other districts who got it,” Baxter said.

“As soon as Sept. 1 hit, I’d be lying if I didn’t check my email 20 times a day.”

Finally, a Tuesday email from Hoffman informed Baxter Franklin East will receive the top honor.

Kacy Baxter, Franklin East principal, was thrilled by her school being one of only five Arizona schools to receive a National Blue Ribbon. (Special to the Tribune) Franklin East is honored for its academic achievements; of the school’s 630

students, 48 percent are Hispanic/Latino.

“We have a back-to-basics approach to

Diana Lawien instructs a fifth grader at Franklin East, a Mesa school that received a National Blue Ribbon. (Special to the Tribune)

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

BY TOM SCANLON Tribune Managing Editor

struction project.

“As a family-owned company, it’s been especially meaningful to us to connect with the Miller family at Legacy Sports USA,” Bell Bank CEO Michael Solberg said.

Founded in 1966 in Fargo, N.D., Bell Bank now has locations in Arizona, North Dakota and Minnesota and more than $10 billion in assets.

Bell Bank also has a “pay it forward” program, giving every full-time employee $1,000 and every part-time employee $500 each year to give as they choose to individuals, families and organizations in need.

“Bell Bank Park will be a special place to compete and train, and gather with family and friends to enjoy sports and live entertainment,” Miller promised.

And, OVG Chairman Peter Luukko chimed in, “Bell Bank Park will be the premier destination for aspiring athletes, sports enthusiasts. It will be the ultimate place to train, play and enjoy live events.”

Miller and Luukko already booked tournaments from pickleball to softball, planning to hit the turf running in 2022.

They expect 5 million visitors every year for the area just south of the Eastmark and Cadence communities.

For more information, visit legacysportsusa.com ■

6

Bell Bank buys naming rights to sprawling park

G

oodbye, Legacy Sports Park, gone before it was even born.

Hello, Bell Bank Park – soon to be the biggest sports and entertainment facility in the East Valley.

Legacy Sports USA is sinking some $280 million into a massive sports complex.

Before a single softball is pitched or volleyball served on the under-construction park, the company – partnering with Oak View Group Facilities – already is making back some of its money.

Bell Bank bought into a 10-year naming agreement for the sprawling �ields under construction a pop �ly east of the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport.

“The 320-acre complex will be called Bell Bank Park, designed to host youth and amateur sports teams and individual and team training, family fun via events, concerts, youth sports tournaments, and �itness opportunities,” the announcement last week stated. “It will be the largest of its kind in North America.”

The fast-track project, announced less than six months ago, is scheduled to open in January 2022.

The park will also feature a multi-pur-

COVID PILL from page 1

high-risk persons with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).”

The Regeneron “cocktail,” according to the medical journal, “prevented symptomatic COVID-19 and asymptomatic SARSCoV-2 infection in previously uninfected household contacts of infected persons.

Among the participants who became infected, REGEN-COV reduced the duration of symptomatic disease and the duration of a high viral load.”

Though joyous over the positive clinical results that paved the way for FDA fasttracking of Regeneron, Kohli and others have been frustrated over its limited use.

Then-President Donald Trump, after being diagnosed with COVID and having his oxygen levels drop to dangerous levels, received the Regeneron “cocktail” that he credited for his stunning bounce-back to good health.

Nine months later, according to a recent Washington Post story, “Monoclonal anti-

The 320-acre Legacy Sports Park in southeast Mesa is now officially Bell Bank Park, after a 10year naming deal was announced this week. (Special to the Tribune) pose arena and outdoor 2.7-acre great lawn for concerts and events.

You name it in the sports world, they got it.

Indoor and outdoor facilities will host soccer, baseball, softball, football, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, gymnastics, cheer, dance, obstacle course racing – plus eSports and high-level �itness training.

“One of the things we pride ourselves on is it’s not just a sports complex but a true entertainment district. There’s going to

Arizona Clinical Trials in Mesa is one of 43 national locations for a trial of a “COVID pill” that is being studied to prevent COVID-19.

Dr. Anita Kohli meets potential volunteers to discuss a trial they hope will be groundbreaking. (Special to the Tribune) bodies are free to patients and there have been almost no side effects…But Regen-

be something for everyone from 5 to 95, whether you play sports or just want to go out and walk around and hear music,” Legacy CEO Chad Miller told the Tribune in mid-March.

Even before receiving of�icial zoning approval, and even before Mesa of�icially annexed the former “county island,” Miller’s bulldozers were moving dirt near East Pecos and South Ellsworth roads.

Mesa City Council gave Miller and company the green light, fast-tracking the coneron Pharmaceuticals, maker of the only authorized, free monoclonal antibodies, said it is reaching fewer than 30 percent of eligible patients, up from fewer than 5 percent a month ago.”

As the Post article notes, Regeneron is administered via infusions at hospitals, urgent-care centers and some other medical facilities.

That’s the problem, noted Kohli, a Delaware native who trained under Dr. Anthony Fauci – now the leading spokesman on COVID, as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases before moving to Gilbert six years ago.

“We’ve been running clinical trials for the treatment of COVID for around a year; we started July 1, 2020,” she said.

After three phases of monoclonal antibodies testing, she was pleased to see Regeneron’s path to being widely available.

While she said the effectiveness of the drug is not challenged, “the biggest question is, ‘Is there a way to simplify treatment?’ Instead of intravenous therapy, if

we could develop a pill.”

Enter the new trial for molnupiravir, launched two weeks ago.

Volunteers who live with someone with COVID will get doses of either the molnupiravir pill or a placebo, with results from both groups tabulated to see how effective molnupiravir is.

The trial lasts 29 days, with the �irst �ive days of four pills taken every 12 hours, followed by a tracking period to report symptoms.

The trial is only open to those who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We have not enrolled anyone yet,” Kohli said Monday.

While this trial excludes those who currently have COVID-19, Kohli noted Arizona Clinical Trials has several studies going on, including treatments for those with active COVID. “People are looking for options and solutions,” she said. “We hope to help the

�ee COVID PILL page 8

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

Board won’t change policy on cops busted for DUI

BY CECILIA CHAN Tribune Straff Writer

A

state board that licenses law enforcement of�icers has decided to make no changes in the way it handles off-duty cops caught driving under the in�luence.

Arizona Peace Of�icer Standards and Training Board this month unanimously voted to keep with the practice of hearing cases when there is an extreme DUI – a blood alcohol concentration level of over .15 – or when there are aggravating circumstances involved, such as a crash.

In cases that come before it, the board can take no action, revoke or suspend an of�icer’s certi�ication to work in the state.

“I actually thought it was going to be easy to put this thing in a rubric and make it work for all the different agencies, 159 agencies,” said board member and Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams at the board’s monthly meeting Sept. 15.

The 159 law enforcement agencies encompass over 14,500 sworn peace of�icers, 6,500 correctional of�icers and 16 police of�icer training academies.

Williams, who chaired the board’s DUI subcommittee tasked with studying and making a recommendation on the issue,

COVID PILL from page 6

community.”

“We have to use what we know works.

Right now, we do have a great (COVID treatment) option, people should utilize it more.”

Regeneron’s approval was, in a small way, assisted by the trials Kohli and company did in Mesa.

The national effort behind that trial “shows how well we can push this �ield forward and really bring incredible, innovative and cutting edge (treatment) in a year.”

But, again, she is pained by the idea that the treatment is still relatively limited.

“Some of these deaths are absolutely avoidable,” she said.

said although not perfect, the .15 BAC at least gives a baseline for some consistency. For the general public, a driver with a BAC of .08 is considered legally impaired and would likely be arrested for a DUI. The board in May formed the subcommittee of Williams and three other board members after concerns were raised over inconsistencies on cops’ off-duty DUI arrests are handled statewide.

Since 2015 the board has heard 59 offduty DUI cases with punishment ranging from termination to suspension, according to Executive Director Matt Giordano.

“There hasn’t been complete consistency when you look at reporting to the Arizona Post,” Giordano said. “As you know the only cases that are required by statute to be reported to us is when someone terminates employment.

“So, someone gets an off-duty DUI, is retained by their agency then we might not be aware of the incident. So, it creates some of that disparity.”

Deputy Director Ken Hunter of the Arizona Department of Public Safety asked if the board hears extreme off-duty DUI cases whether an of�icer has been �ired or not.

“Our direction to our partner agencies is report to us if you have an off-duty DUI, if the BAC is over a .15,” Giordano

Monoclonal antibody treatment is a narrow window: It works best when someone is sick with COVID, but not to the point where the patient is hospitalized with respiratory distress and other conditions caused by the disease.

Regeneron, she said, “reduces hospitalization and death (from COVID). We need to be more aggressive about treating people before they get that sick. We have to give it to people early in their disease.”

“I did not get COVID. We take a lot of precautions to keep our staff safe,” the doctor added. “I commend my team all the time.

They worked with COVID from the very beginning; they worked side by side with people with COVID.” For those who are not able to avoid COVID, Kohli said: “Call us early in your dis-

said. “Again, there’s nothing statutorily required of agencies to do that. We are getting a lot of those reports because a lot of them do result in termination – that is how they come to us. But we have gotten some where people haven’t been terminated but their BAC was over .15 and the cases come to us.”

Hunter said DPS for the last couple of years has enforced a no-tolerance DUI policy for troopers.

Hunter referenced the arrest in January of a DPS major caught speeding while intoxicated.

“All charges were dropped, nothing happened,” Hunter said. “We still terminated even though the county attorney didn’t want to prosecute.”

Hunter asked what will be the trigger point for a case to come before the board – an arrest, the BAC level or adjudication in criminal court.

Giordano said the BAC would be a trigger because the act still occurred even if an arrest ends up without a conviction.

Williams said she had discussed with Giordano earlier about having agencies report all off-duty DUIs but that because the 159 agencies are different in scale and size, it would be too arduous for smaller departments.

ease. We’re happy to talk through options.”

Arizona Clinical Trials is also known as Arizona Liver Health, and provides free scanning for fatty liver disease (which 1 in

“If we have a zero-tolerance policy and it’s a very small agency, we could diminish their pool of individuals greatly,” she said.

In Phoenix, the standard discipline for DUIs is a suspension of 120 hours; if there are aggravating circumstances, it could be a 240-hour suspension or termination.

Jamie Kelly, a public member on the board, said her biggest concern was with consistency of board discipline and holding everyone to the same standard.

“Anecdotally, if we present a case to you for someone whose .15 or above, the board’s historically taken action,” Giordano said. “The ones that are below .15 that comes to us, that we are made aware of, we don’t even bring those to the board. We close them administratively. We don’t get a lot of those reported to us.”

The board’s position is to take no action for DUI arrests that are not extreme and when there are no extenuating circumstances.

Kelly asked if it was possible to require treatment or counseling.

Assistant Attorney General Mark Brachtl said the board is only authorized to suspend, revoke or take no action and that ordering probation or counseling is not 3 Americans have).

�ee POST page 12

For information, call 480-360-4000 or visit azclinicaltrials.com. ■

“Inclusion Criteria” to take part in the molnupiravir (“COVID pill”) study: • Lives in a household with an index case where the index case is a person with documented COVID-19 (laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with symptoms case) and must have 1) a first positive SARS-CoV-2 test result from a sample collected within five days prior to randomization of the participant, and 2) at least one symptom attributable to COVID-19 (e.g., fever, difficulty breathing).

• Does not have confirmed or suspected COVID-19.

• Is willing and able to take oral medication.

• Is male and willing to be abstinent from heterosexual intercourse or use acceptable contraception during the study and for more than four days after the last dose of study intervention • Is female and not pregnant/breastfeeding and at least one of the following applies during the study and for more than 4 days after: is not a woman of childbearing potential (WOCBP), is a WOCBP and uses highly effective contraception (low user dependency method OR a user dependent hormonal method in combination with a barrier method), or is a WOCBP who is abstinent from heterosexual intercourse.

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12

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

Mesa streetlight spending system boosted by $500k

BY RENEE ROMO Tribune Contributor

I

n 2019, Mesa City Council approved $81,225 for a streetlight monitoring system.

In August 2020, City Council approved the second year of the Philips City Touch lighting management system at a cost of $1.7 million.

The third year of the program, approved

by City Council in June, cost just over $2 million.

At its Sept. 20 meeting, City Council added $510,000 to “install and upgrade streetlights in speci�ic, qualifying areas,” according to a report, adding: “This project was not identi�ied when the contract was established.”

According to a presentation at an earlier study session, the city will replace about 7,000 lights a year.

“The light bulb just went on in my head,” Councilman Mark Freeman cracked before clarifying the money will only purchase the lights, which will be installed by city staff.

A presentation explained the system: “Philips City Touch is a lighting management system for public lighting in support of Mesa’s Smart Cities Initiative. It offers simple web applications to analyze, schedule dimming, plan and maintain work�low management, while monitoring, managing, and measuring connected lighting through the applications.

“The system can alert the City to pending failures and the general health of the

streetlight inventory.”

Director of Transportation RJ Zeder said his department was approached a few months ago asking if there were any “viable projects within the low moderate income areas for the use of CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funds.”

He praised the system.

“Smart nodes are the technology that allows us to manage how the streetlights are working, allowing us the ability to dim the lights,” Zeder said.

In response to a question from Vice Mayor Jenn Duff, Zeder said, “We’re accelerating, we have a seven-year program to upgrade all the lights, but this will allow us to speed up.”

“I do like that it helps us get into our climate action plan and achieve those goals a

little quicker,” Duff said.

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is intended to support communities in every aspect, building them up through projects or activities that “address needs such as infrastructure, economic development projects,” according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The lighting system increase and 15 other agenda items were approved as part of the consent agenda Sept. 20. There was little discussion at the meeting and not public comment in a meeting that lasted less than 10 minutes.

“Well this will go down as one of the shortest meetings we’ve had, at least during my tenure as mayor,” Mayor John Giles said. ■

factors and does the department notify AZPost if the of�icer was not �ired. Two agencies did not respond to any of the questions.

The agencies were of different sizes and included municipal, state, county and tribal law enforcement.

Of the 12 agencies that had employees involved in an off-duty DUI since 2015, 11 indicated a range of one to �ive occurrences while one agency reported over 10 DUIs for a total of 19, the report stated, adding 47 agencies reported they had no such cases.

When it came to disciplinary actions for an off-duty extreme DUI and one with a BAC of .08-.149, 39 agencies stated they do not have a policy that speci�ically addresses off-duty DUI and instead evaluates on a case-by-case basis.

Twenty-one departments indicated they used standard discipline for both with 12 stating they would terminate employment, eight relied on a range of actions from suspension to termination and one used written reprimand to termination.

Also, “most agencies do not increase discipline in response to BAC levels alone but 16 agencies indicated aggravating circumstances would likely result in increased discipline,” the report stated.

The agencies shared what they considered aggravating factors, which included lack of cooperation with arresting agency, prior alcohol-related misconduct, hit-and-run and presence of a child in the vehicle.

Also, 15 agencies indicated they would notify AZPost of an off-duty DUI even if the of�icer was not �ired. Agencies are re-

quired to report all of�icer terminations to AZPost.

Another seven agencies said reporting would be dictated by the totality of the circumstances and 13 stated they would not report the incident unless the of�icer was �ired.

Over the past �ive years Gilbert Police has not had any of�icers arrested for a DUI, said department spokesman Paul Alaniz.

He said if a Gilbert of�icer is caught with a DUI in town, a criminal investigation is conducted by the of�icer or supervisor who initiated the traf�ic stop.

“An administrative Internal Affairs investigation will also be initiated regardless of the BAC level,” he said in an email.

“Subsequent discipline is then determined through a chain of command review of facts and circumstances.” ■

Survey looks at handling of drunk cops

BY CECILIA CHAN Tribune Staff Writer

I

n an effort to understand how often off-duty DUIs occurred and what sort of disciplinary action if any was meted out, Arizona Peace Of�icer Standards and Training Board staff reached out to 63 law enforcement agencies in the state.

The report, recently given to the board’s DUI subcommittee, does not name the agencies. AZPost provides services to 159 law enforcement agencies in the state.

The agencies were asked �ive questions: how many off-duty DUIs since 2015; standard discipline action for an off-duty DUI with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08-.149, standard discipline for an offduty DUI with a BAC over .15; if any additional discipline was given for aggravating

POST from page 8

provided it by law.

Kelly said a DUI could be an of�icer’s cry for assistance and support.

“They know we are not the parents of our of�icers,” she said. “But sometimes I wish we could step in and say, ‘hey, we

know you are struggling, here are some other resources and help.’”

Williams said .15 thresholds works for the board because it creates some consistency around the state. And if spikes were to occur in the future, the board can rehear the issue.

“It’s not as clean and as easy as I was

hoping it was going to be,” Williams said.

“I was thinking, ‘OK we can have this one standard for the entire state and it’s going to work.’

“But we are so diverse agency-wise – truth be told trying to get staf�ing and keeping staf�ing in place when quite frankly if someone gets involves in one

GOT NEWS?

of these collisions, maybe that’s a cry for help and they need to get help and you �ix them and then bring them back they become this productive person. So a little bit of grace I think is something we need to put in place, too.”

The board then dissolved the subcommittee. ■

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

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

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14

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

FOOD TRUCKS from page 1

drinking and making merry on weekend nights – has more than 8,000 Facebook followers.

Pretty impressive, as the food truck mall has been in operation for less than a year.

Mini-restaurants on wheels are the thing around the Valley, so everyone seems to be happy – except some neighbors along East Halifax Drive and East Hobart Street who say the food truck park is threatening to overrun their once-quiet neighborhood, sandwiched between a Love of Christ Lutheran Church and Mayfair Assisted Living Home.

Some say this is another Mesa bait-andswitch case, with the shift from an of�ice park to “food truck city” blindsiding the neighborhood.

Complaints triggered a key “zoning interpretation” that threatens to unplug the food trucks – just as the owners are planning to throw their park into overdrive.

Some of the Halifax and Hobart residents expressed concern that Power Food Park is rapidly expanding without proper vetting: The owners bought an adjoining lot bordered by East Hobart Road that will more than double the size of the operation.

“Our quiet, serene neighborhood has been seriously adversely affected since the Power Food Park set up operations here,” said Patricia Venisnik, who lives on Hobart, said.

Ditto, said Ted Sparks, who lives on Halifax.

“My concerns are for the neighborhood if these owners are allowed to continue operating a food truck carnival – and even worse if they are successful in converting our last remaining residential lots into whatever commercial venture they might decide to in�lict upon us once the novelty of that operation wears off,” Sparks said.

He added that as soon as the Power Food Park owners bought the neighboring property, they “brought in heavy equipment to grade the property, removing all vegetation and spreading hundreds of tons of sand and gravel in its place.

“They don’t seem to be at all concerned that the �irst hearing on their zoning application has not even been held.”

October looms as a huge month.

As owners David Darling and Ray Johnson gear up to expand from weekendsonly to every-night-but-Sunday starting Oct. 1, neighbors are getting ready to

Power Food Park is expanding to six nights per week, further riling some neighbors say it’s bringing noise and congestion to their once-quite streets. (Pablo Robles/Staff photographer) launch a counter-offensive at crucial Oct. 13 meetings.

The focus on debate likely will be a critical “interpretation” by Planning Director Nana Appiah.

On June 16, Appiah wrote the Power Food Park plan “showed a majority of the property contained primary uses consistent with public parks and recreational facilities, and a signi�icant area reserved for other recreational activities.

“Over the past months, the property, according to various pictures and complaints from the surrounding property owners, has been used primarily as a food truck park,” he wrote.

“Based on the de�inition of a Public Park and Recreational Facilities, the current use of the property, primarily as a food truck park, does not conform to the requirements of the de�inition of Public Parks and Recreational Facilities.”

Gearing up for battle

Neighbors expect the PFP owners to heavily lobby city staff to allow the current operation.

“We are starting to gear up for a battle,” vowed Craig Vossler, who called this “an issue that our neighborhood has been dealing with for a number of years.”

Vossler said he has been watching this

property, located a few doors down from his home, closely since Darling bought it in 2007 with the original plan a modest of�ice development.

Who, he wonders, approved the current operation?

“We don’t know how they did it,” Vossler said. “Starting in July 2019, they had been working with the city to create ‘Power Beach Park,’ a 1-acre beach theme private park with splash pad, cabanas, sand volleyball, �ire pits, food vending areas, etc. and an approximate 1-acre parking lot.”

In December 2019, Darling submitted an application for Power Beach Park: “New Neighborhood Park with a beach theme concept for public and private use.

Park shall contain volley ball beach court, splash pad, �ire pits, public restrooms and vending.”

Vossler said he was shocked to see that idea suddenly become “a food truck park.”

“Now they have purchased an additional 3.8 acres to the north ...with the intention of getting all the land rezoned to Neighborhood Commercial so they can enlarge the Power Food Park,” he complained.

Vossler said something smells wrong – literally.

“The majority of the neighborhood is against the Power Food Park in any form as it doesn’t �it the character of our neighborhood. It has brought noise, lights, smells and an increase in unsafe traf�ic,” Vossler said.

“We feel as though the Planning Department may be pressured to go along with this operation, then the P&Z Board and ultimately the City Council will approve it.

“With all the recent ‘slam dunks’ in zoning and rezoning around Mesa, we’re afraid that our once quiet neighborhood and way of life will be destroyed. And for what? A food park?”

Neighbors will have a chance to give the expanded food truck park a thumbs up or down when the plan goes before the Planning and Zoning board, tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 13 in City Council Chambers.

The interpretation by Appiah, the city’s planning director, is scheduled to be heard the same day at the Board of Adjustment.

Rezoning request

Neighbors are upset with the food truck rodeo’s expansion and have tried to dissuade patrons from parking on nearby streets. (Special to the Tribune)

Darling and Johnson hardly invented this notion; indeed, every Saturday night, Pioneer Park is the site of “Mesa Feastival

�ee FOOD TRUCKS page 15

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

FOOD TRUCKS from page 14

Forest,” with rotating food trucks.

Ten miles east of downtown, a makeshift parking lot is set up on the south side of Halifax, though many park vehicles on the street near Power Food Park.

The owners are requesting rezoning from Of�ice/Commercial to Neighborhood Commercial to “allow for the use of the north portion of the property for an expansion of the Power Park and address speci�ic concerns associated with the overwhelming popularity of the property as a park, by providing additional parking on site for normal and peak times.

“This additional parking will help pull parking off the surrounding public streets,” according to the application, which concludes, “Power Park is a great addition to the city of Mesa and helps build a strong neighborhood.”

Based on the �irst winter, when the food truck mall hit the ground with wheels spinning, Johnson and Darling expect a big fall and second winter.

“As we get into the cooler months, there is a much more active atmosphere and greater numbers (of patrons),” Johnson said.

There is no admission fee and the owners are paid by the food trucks.

“The key to all this is the opportunity for many small businesses to come and participate in vending their food at our park,” Johnson said. “We are so grateful for all of the neighbors and members of the community who come to support the small business owners.”

Count Vossler as one neighbor who does not support the notion.

He provided a detailed timeline of the development, starting with the 2007 purchase and various plans for the site.

Darling paid around $700,000 for the two acres he and a different partner purchased in 2007, with a rezoning request to allow for four small of�ice buildings.

Ten years later, Vossler and a few other neighbors met with Darling and Johnson at Councilman David Luna’s of�ice, with discussion ranging from a self-storage facility to multi-family housing to a restaurant.

Vossler said he felt Luna “sided with” Darling and Johnson, dismissing neighbor

t o Gews?

N

The Power Food Park has a friendly vibe, as demonstrated by Hannah Monbarren, petting a French bulldog as Josh Monbarren waits for their food order last week. (Pablo Robles/Tribune

Staff Photographer)

concerns.

Luna refused a request by the Tribune for an interview on this topic.

‘A nice, rustic feel’

Darling insisted that the overall vibe from the food park’s neighbors “has been really positive. We see neighbors in the immediate area that walk to the park and are some of our biggest fans.”

Darling said he and his partner bought more land because of support from patrons.

“We have been able to purchase 4 acres to the north to accommodate the popularity of the park. We are working on a zoning case with the city to develop the park more fully,” Darling said, noting he and Johnson hope to add a splash pad and other amenities.

He quali�ied the planned expansion: “We’re not adding more food trucks. We’re adding more seating, additional �ire pits and parking.”

Fire pits for rent have become a popular addition, he noted.

“It’s got a nice, rustic feel,” Darling said of his business. “It’s just such a great family friendly gathering space for the community. We’ve got great outdoor seating to help people stay safe during COVID. And for food trucks, it’s a blessing.”

After sitting on the vacant land for a

dozen years, he and Johnson – friends since high school – decided to try to recreate food truck parks they experienced in their native Oregon.

“We have seen food trucks as gathering places,” Darling said.

Finding the right plan for Power and Halifax has been on his mind since 2007, he said, even after ripping up the plans for an of�ice project.

“Our timing was not great, with the economic downturn of ‘07. Midblock of�ice (development) became very saturated,” Darling said.

Darling and Johnson independently settled in Mesa to raise families. Johnson is an attorney, Darling a healthcare administrator. The two also have a wood pallet manufacturing and recycling company.

Darling said the Arizona Legislature empowered him to reshape his vision for the land on Power: “The ‘Food Truck Freedom Act’ really provided an opportunity for us to support small businesses,” he said, referring to House Bill 2371.

Passed in 2018, it set up uniform guidelines for regulating “food mobile food vendors and mobile food units,” aka food trucks.

Mesa recently established its �irst mobile food vendor license, which costs $135 (including a $10 fee for background checks).

15

Darling said social media has been key to Power Food Park’s success, with going on 9,000 Facebook followers and 13,000plus Instagram followers.

With no roof and low overhead, the sky’s the limit for the food truck operation.

“We expect robust crowds as the weather is improving,” Darling said.

“We’re the only community gathering space of the kind in Mesa,” he claimed.

Vossler, for one, is not buying the way the park was fast tracked.

“There was no review of the Power Food Park, because they went in the backdoor somewhere at the city and got the OK,” Vossler said.

“We don’t even know what permit they were given. They just dropped the Beach Park idea altogether and opened the Food Truck Park in December 2020. Now they have purchased 3.8 additional acres on Hobart Street and Power Road thinking they are going to get it all rezoned for a new and bigger food park.”

Venisnik is dreading what will happen next.

“In the cooler months, beginning Oct. 1, our neighborhood will be inundated with unbelievable numbers of vehicles arriving to visit the ‘park’ and this will be occurring six nights every week,” she said. “That also means increased noise, lights and smells we are forced to endure.

“With the purchase of additional adjoining property by the owners of the property the food park is currently operating on, this situation is going to get much, much worse.”

Like Vossler, she questions: How did this happen?

“The legality of operating a food truck park on this property is questionable at best,” Venisnik said, “and the city of Mesa seems to be dragging their feet in correcting this situation.”

The two Oct. 13 city meetings likely will answer a key question: Will “Food Truck City” get the green light to power ahead – or will neighbors successfully “pump the brakes” on the project?

For more information, visit powerfoodpark.com or call 602-770-9955. ■

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

NEWS

16

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

Giles urges D.C. to focus on homelessness

BY GENESIS SANDOVAL Cronkite News

W

ASHINGTON – Mesa Mayor John Giles said the problem of homelessness has only increased as governments have grappled with COVID-19, and that it’s time for a new focus on the problem that leverages pandemic relief funding.

Giles was one of a number of state and local leaders from around the country Monday who joined Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge to kick off House America, a new federal plan that will focus on creating more affordable housing and �inding permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness.

Under the initiative, HUD plans to work with local and tribal governments to create at least 20,000 new affordable housing units and get at least 100,000 households into permanent housing.

It comes as the number of homeless on a given night in 2020 stood at 580,000 people, according to a HUD report, a number that the agency said has only grown during the pandemic.

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“I started saying housing and homelessness is not ‘an’ issue, but ‘the’ issue in my community,” Giles said during the livestreamed event to announce the project.

“Sadly, over the period of time that we have been dealing with the pandemic, that problem and the signi�icance of it has only really increased.”

A main focus of the initiative will be a “housing �irst” approach, which prioritizes �inding permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness. That approach was welcomed by one Valley housing advocate.

“The housing-�irst approach is widely used right now and I believe it is an incredibly ef�icient way to remove a person from crisis as soon as possible,” said Jordan Moreno, vice president of marketing and development at Homeward Bound, an Arizona organization that �ights poverty and homelessness.

She said that getting people into housing �irst allows them “to make the necessary life changes to put them on a path toward self-suf�iciency and a plan that is clearly laid out so the individual knows what to expect and their options for permanent housing.”

So far, 26 state and local leaders have signed on to the initiative, including Giles and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.

Participating governments will be expected to set – and achieve – speci�ic goals on getting people into permanent housing and creating new, affordable housing units in their regions.

Giles said the initiative’s goals are not new to Phoenix-area governments.

“As mayor of Mesa, I am committed to housing and adding permanent housing in our region, but I’m also fortunate enough to be the chair of the regional council and have the opportunity to help develop policies and plans on this as well,” Giles said.

“I’m proud to tell you that our region’s goal is to create at least 1,225 new units throughout Maricopa County,” he said at the kickoff event. “The discussion on that goal is still in process and changes might occur, but if this is done, that will solve 25 percent of our region’s overall demand.”

He said local governments have spent more than $26 million on rental, mortgage and utility assistance during the pandemic in order to keep people in their homes.

The pandemic challenges to housing

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come as Arizona is facing an affordable housing crunch. Moreno said there are “24 affordable housing units for every 100 families in need in Phoenix,” leaving those near or below the poverty line with no options.

“It is no secret that the housing market is unparalleled right now. It is hard for anyone to get into a home, let alone someone with perhaps a record of homelessness, a single mother, a criminal record, etc. Even the rental market outweighs minimum wage,” she said.

Besides working with state and local governments, the House America program also hopes to involve non-governmental organizations �ighting to end homelessness, in what HUD is calling an “all-handson-deck” approach to the problem.

Moreno welcomed that move.

“I believe they are looking to the organizations serving homeless individuals to provide the programs and resources, so it is encouraging to see city entities and nonpro�its coming together to provide the solutions,” she said. “The more people advocating for affordable housing and support of our most vulnerable neighbors the better.” ■

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

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COMMUNITY

TheMesaTribune.com |

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

@EVTNow

/EVTNow

MPS partners with behavioral health agency

BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE Tribune Contributor

T

erros Health and Mesa Public Schools are partnering to provide behavioral health services to students in grades pre-K through sixth.

Last year, Mesa Public Schools reported a sharp decline in students enrolled in preschool and kindergarten, largely due to pandemic-driven closures and fear of COVID-19.

Without proper socialization and routines, young students may struggle adjusting to in-person learning, said Michele Grimaldi, community partnership coordinator for Mesa Public Schools.

“If COVID taught us anything, it’s that kids really need that interaction,” she said.

“Kids can’t get everything from technology. They need socialization. They need to practice routines and how to get along with others.”

screens to keep them company. While technology can be bene�icial, lacking in-classroom experience can result in severe emotional and behavioral issues, Grimaldi said.

“We’re seeing kids who have not had your typical socialization,” she said.

“They might have missed preschool and are entering kindergarten without school routines, structure – all of those academic skills that you would want ahead of time.

“You can’t fault these chilMichele Grimaldi, community partnership coordinator for dren who may not have had Mesa Public Schools, said the Terros-district partnership will exposure to others or been help young children. (Special to the Tribune) in a regular routine.”

During the pandemic, many children Recognizing that early learning is a were isolated at home with nothing but foundation of future success, Mesa Public

Schools and Terros Health forged a partnership last year initially designed to help preschoolers make a smooth transition to kindergarten.

Because it has pre-kindergarten behavioral health specialists, Terros Health was assigned to all preschool programs in the Mesa Public Schools district.

In August, the partnership expanded to help K-6 students overcome emotional, social and developmental challenges at three elementary schools: Washington, Whittier and Sirrine.

Terros Health is just one of �ive behavioral health agencies in partnership with MPS, the largest school district in Arizona with approximately 64,000 students at 82 schools.

“My goal is to get all schools a formal behavioral health partner,” Grimaldi said. “At this point, we have a partner at every high

��� TERROS ���� 19

Schnepf Farms to start pumpkin/chili fest TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

T

wenty-four years ago, Carrie and Mark Schnepf had an idea of hosting a 3-hour pumpkin and chili party on their Queen Creek farm.

Now, that part-of-a-day event “to get people ready for fall” has evolved into a �ive-week Pumpkin & Chili Party that will begin Friday, Oct. 1, and run every Thursday through Sunday throughout October.

Carrie recalled that for that one evening long ago, “We served our famous chili dinner, hired a great band, had a petting zoo, train ride and marshmallow roasting.”

All that is still offered – plus a lot more.

The party includes some returning favorites such as the 4-acre pumpkin patch, 10-acre Celebrity Maze, 4-acre

corn maze, zip lines, mini golf, amusement rides, scarecrow making, Hillbilly Bob’s pig races, unique shopping, train rides, hay rides, bon�ires, marshmallow roasting, live music and more.

In all, the $23.95 admission covers 30 attractions and rides – though pumpkins, chili dinners and the newly added haunted school bus called “The Wreckening” are extra.

Added to a list of amusement rides that already includes a roller coaster, swings, carousel and Extreme Hyperloop is a Super Slide.

For anyone with underlying conditions who want anyone around them to be masked, the Schnepfs are holding a special noon-8 p.m. opening on a Wednesday, Oct. 13.

“The farm will not mandate daily mask wearing, but will strongly urge everyone to social distance and be

kind to those who do wear masks,” said Carrie.

Added her husband, a fourth-generation farmer: “Our family farm is our home, and we hope our guests will respect one another and just relax and enjoy each other and all that the farm has to offer.”

Other safety measures the Schnepfs are following include sanitizing all rides daily and installing sanitizing stations for guests.

The farm also is limiting attendance and, like last year, is selling tickets only online.

Carrie also said that just like many businesses, the farm has been hit by labor shortages. So, she advises “expect a few lines in some areas.”

Purchase tickets at schnepffarms. com ■

COMMUNITY

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

TERROS ���� ���� 18

school, most junior highs and we’re getting there with those elementary schools.

We started at zero less than three years ago and we’re at 42 schools now.”

When someone, whether it be a student, parent or staff member, identi�ies a student with concerns about their developmental, social or emotional health, that student is referred Terros, which then reaches out to the student’s family and offers services that can help children and their family get back on track.

“That age range, they only know what their environment is,” said Kimberly McWilliams, director of children’s services at Terros Health. “They could have experienced some trauma in their immediate environment.

“COVID is an absolute trauma. If you remember being 5 years old, your parents would say ‘go and play, go outside.’ Well, these kids lost a whole year of that and were directed inside.”

When a child is used to an environment of isolation and screen time, the transition

from screens to another activity can be a struggle, McWilliams said.

Screens don’t teach you everything you need to know, Grimaldi said. Delayed grati�ication, getting along with others, being able to sit still for a long period of time and focus on one task is important.

“Teaching these skills helps with early intervention,” McWilliams said. “The earlier we can get a kiddo to know how to self-regulate, identify emotions and communicate those emotions to get support, the better the outcomes.”

Terros has a program for teens that focuses on substance use treatment and that program is seeing younger and younger kids have issues because they are using substances to cope with stress, McWilliams said. If kids are supported early on, then potential future issues can be prevented.

Grimaldi was �irst drawn to Terros Health because it is one of the few providers specialists for kids up to 5.

“Even though children’s work is a specialty and our children’s department works from birth to age 17, birth to age 5

is even more special because it requires more training to really understand the unique needs of that age group,” McWilliams said.

If the family accepts help, Terros Health’s birth to age 5 specialist conducts a comprehensive assessment and developmental screening to identify physical, social and emotional de�icits, McWilliams said.

Based on their �indings and feedback from the child’s parents and teachers, Terros Health and Mesa Public Schools work with the family and the teacher to set goals for the student. These could include improving motor development, social and emotional health, or listening, engagement and coping skills to manage stress.

Terros and MPS then develop a treatment plan which is administered by a child therapist in a one-on-one or family session.

The program is school-based, so Terros Health specialists can provide direct intervention in the classroom. Terros Health also serves students at their homes or one of its health centers, as needed.

“The in-school therapy is above and

19

beyond what a school counselor can do,” Grimaldi said. “Mesa Public Schools is very good at having at least one counselor at every site, but sometimes kids have issues above and beyond what a school personnel or staff can completely help with.”

The beauty of in-school therapy is that students don’t have to face issues like transportation and already have trust in their school, she added.

Trauma can go beyond needing skills therapy, so therapy services also address anxiety, depression, troublesome behaviors and more, McWilliams said.

Treatment is paid for by patients’ private insurance, McWilliams said. Uninsured individuals also can gain access to services through programs provided by Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).

No family will be turned away due to limited �inancial reasons, she added.

Information: Casey Martinez, clinical site manager for Terros Health, at 602389-3666 or casey.martinez@terros. org.■

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

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

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Mesa popcorn business a family project

BY MELODY BIRKETT Tribune Contributor

P

opcorn is a family affair for Michael and Ann Wilson.

They bought What’s Poppin’ Kettle Corn, in 2019 and run the Mesa business with their son and daughter.

“My son Brandon worked events with a gentleman who owned the kettle corn company,” said Ann Wilson, who still has a full-time IT job but pops corn on the weekends.

“I saw this business and something clicked in my head that’s something I’d like to do,” she explained. “A few years later, the business came up for sale. The man offered it to my son so we bought it as a family. We’ve been going ever since and trying to keep busy.”

Michael Wilson has no prior popcorn experience but, he said, “It looked fun.

I don’t know what I liked about it but I thought, ‘I’d like to do that.’ It just all fell into place. I love doing it.”

In addition to school events once in a while, the family primarily sells their kettle corn at farmers’ markets – mainly at Made with Love Market in Gilbert, at Mesa Arts Center and At the Ranch at Val Vista and Riggs in Gilbert. They’re also popping away at Main Street Harvest in downtown Mesa.

Michael and Ann Wilson opened What’s Poppin ‘Kettle Corn two years ago in Mesa. (Melody

Birkett/Tribune Contributor)

In addition, the family does corporate events and travels around the state.

They can do favors, popcorn bars, and personalized packaging.

“We’re trying to spread out,” said Wilson. “We’re trying to get our name out and get to as many places as we can.”

Daughter Lindsay Richardson handles social media, answers emails, goes to events and takes photos.

“It’s fun for me because I’m a stay-athome mom in Queen Creek,” Richardson said. “So, getting out and doing events in farmers markets and talking to people and making friends with other vendors is a lot of fun.”

The snack appeals to just about all diets.

“We are nut-free, we’re soy-free, we’re gluten-free and we’re vegan-friendly,” explained Wilson. “We use corn oil, popping

corn, sugar, and a dash of salt after it’s all been popped in the kettle.”

Kettle corn has a hint of caramel. “That’s the sugar caramelizing on the corn but it’s not so heavy,” according to Wilson.

“It’s a really popular item. People really love kettle corn and come back speci�ically for ours when we’re at events.”

The family pops and hand-stirs the kettle corn on-site at events in a kettle that looks like a big wok. It takes �ive minutes to make a batch and roughly another �ive minutes to bag it up, depending on the size.

“People who know us prefer us,” said Richardson. “People are really picky about their kettle corn, I’ve learned.”

The corn comes from a local vendor who gets it from Illinois.

“The type of corn we use is a speci�ic type of corn and it makes it �luffy with the right amount of crunch,” Richardson explained. “It just melts in your mouth.

Customers pick up on that and they come back. There is a difference in the quality of the corn.”

Eventually, the business might expand into other �lavors but for now, the focus is on getting a second popper so they can do two events on a weekend.

Information: whatspoppinkettlecornaz.com, 480-277-4584 ■

Mesa tech �irm develops safe kids smartphone TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

A

tech start-up in Mesa has developed a fully functional smartphone for kids that gives parents unlimited monitoring ability and can provide some insight into a child’s mental health.

Cyber Dive says its Aqua One device lists a child’s every text message, search history, social media activity

and other uses on a web application.

Cyber Dive said it also “has integrated the Aqua One with its patent-pending Mental Health Check created with insight from the company’s clinical child psychologist.”

Cyber Dive is offering a chance to pre-order for $69 a month with nothing down and no contract for the phone, the Aqua One smartphone device, access to Cyber Dive’s parental

monitoring web application, unlimited nationwide cellular service with 5 GB of ultra-high-speed data, unlimited talk and text and unlimited free phone replacements.

“Cyber Dive believes that limiting a child’s smartphone capabilities often leads to de�iant behavior as children are shielded from the reality of the online world rather than being taught how to navigate it responsibly,” the

company said in a release. “The Aqua One is a custom Android smartphone built in response to that belief.”

With the assistance of in-house clinical child psychologist Dr. Jackie Henretig, Cyber Dive developed questions that assess a child’s overall safety, family communication, connectedness to others and general mental state.

Information: cyberdive.co. ■

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

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OPINION

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

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Not enough attention paid to all the missing

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

T

here’s no telling what seizes our population’s collective imagination on any given day, what generates news headlines and clicks by the million.

But one topic remains a sure bet: An attractive young white woman gone missing.

The latest such tale, the disappearance of 22-year-old Gabby Petito, came to the saddest end imaginable Sept. 19, when investigators found her body in Wyoming’s Teton-Bridger National Forest. On Tuesday, the Teton County coroner ruled Petito’s death a homicide.

The news media’s Petito obsession will likely continue for some time: The deceased’s travel partner and �iancé, Brian Laundrie, is still missing at press time.

Authorities are combing a swampy 25,000-acre nature preserve in west Florida searching for Laundrie, who could hardly look guiltier in Petito’s death. In July the pair went off to explore

the American West by van. It was set to be a four-month trip, but Laundrie reportedly came home on Sept. 1, solo and mum about Petito’s whereabouts. The girl’s family reported Gabby missing 10 days later.

A national whodunit erupted that has stretched for weeks. In its wake trail the names we all have heard: Jon Benet Ramsey, Chandra Levy, Elizabeth Smart, Laci Peterson, Natalee Holloway, Caylee Anthony.

All white, all female, all gone, all the subject of intense fascination.

Which leads to my point: I’ve read often about “missing white woman syndrome,” a media reality that has been the subject of academic research. Many who cite it complain that the Gabby Petitos of the world don’t deserve such attention. That sounds small to me, petty.

Instead, I wish that every missing person – skin color, age and gender aside – would receive some level of national attention, with the resources that scrutiny brings.

Because for every Gabby Petito, there’s

a Daniel Robinson and a thousand more cases like his.

Robinson, a 24-year-old African American male, went missing in the far West Valley near Buckeye on June 23. Three weeks later, a rancher found the geologist’s Jeep upturned in a ravine. Twelve days after that, searchers found a human skull near the vehicle, but police say those remains are not Daniel.

What happened to Robinson is still a mystery, despite Buckeye police using off-road vehicles, cadaver dogs, a drone and a chopper to search 70 square miles of desert.

For every Gabby Petito, there’s also a Jhessye Shockley.

The 5-year-old Glendale girl with the big smile went missing in October 10 years ago. Police have never found her body, which they believe was forced into a suitcase and abandoned in a Tempe trash bin. A month after the little Black girl vanished, cops named her mother a suspect.

Today, Jerice Hunter is serving life, convicted of murder and child abuse despite

no eyewitnesses and no body. The case is closed beyond a reasonable doubt, but I still wonder about Jhessye every year about this time.

I think about Mikelle Biggs, too, every January. The Mesa 11-year-old went missing the day after New Year’s 1999.

One minute she was riding her bicycle on El Moro Avenue, the next she was gone. It has been nearly 23 years.

I wonder what becoming a national obsession might have meant for Mikelle, Jhessye and Daniel. I wonder about the 600,000 Americans who go missing yearly and about the 970 Arizonans currently listed in NamUS, the national missing persons database.

Some blame racism for our fascination with Gabby Petito. That’s part of it, but hardly the major felony at hand here.

These are kidnappings, traf�icking cases, homicides.

We should pay as much attention as we can to as many of the disappeared as we can, for as long as we can. Ignorance is not bliss, not when lives hang in the balance. ■

for president, Greenberg made a move from the Pine Bluff Commercial to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock.

From that newspaper’s editorial page, he made another prescient pronouncement. “When it comes to the Clintons,” he wrote, “don’t listen to what they say… watch what they do.”

Actually, that’s good advice for evaluating anyone in public of�ice.

But in the case of Joe Biden and his cabinet, the advice should be modi�ied in this fashion: Listen to what they say…at least, what they say again and again and again.

In a recent appearance before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas could not give Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) a speci�ic count of the number of Haitians encamp-

ed under a border bridge in Del Rio, Texas – the total of Haitians who had already been admitted to the U.S. illegally from that location.

Nor did Mayorkas provide the committee with updated information on the Afghan evacuees awaiting resettlement here, though he did apologize to Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), saying, “You’re entitled to that information.”

But perhaps the most memorable moment in the hearing came when Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) confronted the secretary of Homeland Security, pointing to more than 200,000 “border encounters” over two straight months.

“Are you happy with what’s happening at the border now…is this success?”

Mayorkas responded, “We have a plan.

We’re executing on our plan and we will continue to do so.”

That is the response that the HHS Secretary always offers – and that part is true.

The Biden Administration does have a plan. It is a plan to fundamentally change America and the way it will be done is by fundamentally changing who is American.

Illegal aliens are pouring across our southern border, though it may be inaccurate to even call it a border any longer.

Our Border Patrol has been turned into a taxpayer-funded “Welcome Wagon” and babysitting service.

Incompetence? No. Intentional? Yes.

Biden immigration plan destroying America

BY JD HAYWORTH Tribune Columnist

Y

ou may not recall the name Paul Greenberg, but you certainly recall the nickname he bestowed on a politician who became President.

Greenberg, in his newspaper column, concocted the sobriquet “Slick Willie” to describe then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, who cast himself as a progressive reformer in a speech to the 1980 Arkansas Democratic Convention.

Greenberg disagreed, calling Clinton a false reformer and making up the memorable monicker. “Slick Willie” stuck to Clinton and contributed to his defeat by Republican Frank White that November.

When Clinton in 1992 decided to run

��� HAYWORTH ���� 25

OPINION

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

HAYWORTH ���� ���� 24

Couple the ongoing in�lux from Mexico with the arrival of evacuees from Afghanistan and forget the false claims of vetting those “newcomers” or checking them for COVID-19.

Joe Biden has a nation that he must “internationalize…” and thereby neutralize… on the world stage.

Fresh from the debacle of abandoning Americans in Afghanistan, and trusting the Taliban to insure their safety, Ol’ Joe was making his maiden speech at the United Nations while his DHS Secretary was testifying on Capitol Hill.

To the UN General Assembly, Biden

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proposed even more ways for America to waste more of your money. “Build Back Better World,” he called it; “Ending America As We Know It” is more accurate.

And though his gait and his memory have slowed, Joe wants this done quickly. “We cannot afford to waste any more time,” he said in closing.

Paul Greenberg closed out his columnwriting career in September 2018 he passed away in April.

A wise newcomer to composing columns will not emulate Greenberg’s example of nicknaming the politically notorious.

Besides, the most accurate nickname for Joe Biden would be unprintable. ■

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SPORTS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

TheMesaTribune.com @EVTNow /EVTNow

Mesa volleyball in new era under Vee Hiapo

BY JAKE HEDEBY Tribune Staff Writer

I

t’s not too often in high school sports that one team loses their coach and immediately replaces them with someone held in similar high regard. But the Mesa girls’ volleyball team did just that this season.

Vee Hiapo will took over both the boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams at Mesa High School this offseason, stepping in for longtime head coach, Amy Strawn. In her �irst year, Hiapo recognizes the history of this program and what she is stepping into.

“This is the 50-year celebration of Mesa high girls’ volleyball,” Hiapo said.

“They’ve come really close but trying to teach them to win the ultimate one [a state championship] is a combination of all the coaches and all the players and what they have done already. It’s my privilege to come now, unify the years

Mesa volleyball coach Vee Hiapo, in her first season, recognizes the tradition behind the program and only aims to further advance it while setting her own standards and culture. (Pablo

Robles/Tribune Staff)

together and make it happen.”

This is not the beginning of Hiapo’s legacy when it comes to Arizona volleyball.

A long history of impactful coaching follows the new Jackrabbit coach. Whether it be helping out the prestigious Molten

Volleyball Club that her family owns or running the volleyball program at Skyline High School the last several seasons.

“I was headed to another school to only coach boys when Mesa called me to interview because coach Strawn retired,” Hiapo said.

Hesitant at �irst, Hiapo was not sure if taking responsibility for the boys’ and girls’ team was in her best interest, but now she is ecstatic that she did.

“It felt good like I was back in Hawaii.

So, the family atmosphere and what they were all about was very intriguing,” Hiapo said.

With her knowledge of coach Strawn, she had con�idence when the opportunity arose, adding, “I did not plan on coming to Mesa or coaching girls, but I am so glad I did, it’s a wonderful program.”

Hiapo’s history with Amy Strawn goes

��� MESA ���� 27

NFL rising star inspires Desert Ridge football

BY LUCAS GORDON Tribune Contributing Writer

D

esert Ridge football players are on the receiving end of some inspiration that most teams don’t get.

First-year head coach Roy Lopez knows what it takes to make it to the NFL and spreads that knowledge to his players.

Lopez’s son, Roy Lopez Jr., was selected in last year’s draft in the sixth round to the Houston Texans. In Week 1, Roy Jr. made his debut with the team in their win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The former University of Arizona defensive tackle serves as a role model for all the students on the Desert Ridge team. His relationship with the players is described as a big brother.

“He always comes out a lot to tell us what he did to get to the next level and what we have to do,” quarterback and free safety Hunter Maxwell said. “He always supports us every day and talks to us a lot.”

Roy Lopez Jr., who graduated from Mesquite and was drafted by the Houston Texans last year in the sixth round, has made an impact on the players at Desert Ridge, where his father Roy Sr. is in his first year as coach. (Courtesy Roy Lopez Jr. Twitter) Players are comfortable talking to Roy Jr. about anything, from football to music

to personal things. He is able to connect with the students since they are so close

in age. He can communicate with the players with typical slang that is used in high school.

Roy Jr. consistently showed up to practices when he wasn’t with the Texans and took the time to show the high schoolers some tips and tricks to make them better. The defensive line bene�its the most from his knowledge as they all play the same position.

Senior defensive end Brayden Kobylinski explained what adjustments he’s made thanks to Roy Jr’s coaching.

“He taught me how to use my hands the right way,” Kobylinski said. “I used to go under the linemen’s arms, but he showed me that you have to go over and sweep them away.”

Roy Jr. exhibits all the characteristics of a leader around the Desert Ridge football team.

While he may joke around and be

��� LOPEZ ���� 27

SPORTS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

MESA ���� ���� 26

even further. She had the pleasure of coaching several of her children. Beyond that, she often coached against Strawn in high school, as well as in club volleyball.

This connection makes continuing the family-oriented program that much easier for Hiapo.

However, even though the transition of leadership has been seamless, this young season has seen its fair share of challenges. When that happens, the returning varsity players do what they can to ease the transition.

Junior, Jazlyn Jackson has been on varsity since she was a freshman and is enjoying the process.

“It’s been very different, but I think different is good,” Jackson said. “We have a lot to work on, like getting out of our own heads. The physicality is there, but volleyball is really mental, and we still need to get better in that area.”

The junior outside hitter has been with both Strawn and now Hiapo as head coaches. She’s seen some similarities between the two.

“I like that it’s very family-oriented,” Jackson said. “She’s big on all of us coming together, freshman and JV, too, not

LOPEZ ���� ���� 26

friendly with the players, he keeps it serious when it’s necessary. Lopez notices his son’s leadership around the team.

“He’s upfront and forward,” Lopez said.

“He is a leader and is very straightforward with (the players). He’ll let them know when you need to improve your game because at the next level you’re going to be exposed.”

When Roy Jr. is away from practice, he always checks up with Lopez to get updates on how the team is doing.

“He loves the boys. It’s crazy he always asks ‘how do we feel this week? Are we prepared?’” Lopez said. “It’s always about ‘we’ with him.”

Roy Jr. has been around the game of football since he could walk. He was always around his dad when he was coaching at Marcos de Niza High School in Tempe. Lopez noted how his son would follow him around the football �ield.

Lopez described Roy Jr. as his shadow while he coached for the Padres. And Lopez repaid the favor by supporting his son in all his football journeys.

The players in the Mesa volleyball program have started to adjust to Vee Hiapo’s intense coaching style. Many said it challenged them to become leaders. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff) just varsity.”

When an underclassman makes varsity, the family-oriented style becomes that much more important for a new coach taking over. As usual, the hardest part is getting the upperclassmen to get on board. For a �irst-time varsity player, the sky is the limit on the impact Hiapo can have on them.

Freshman Sally Cummard is getting her �irst taste as a high school varsity volleyball player. She has an older sister, as well as cousins who are on the team, too.

“I was not expecting to make varsity coming in as a freshman, but it has been really cool to play with my sister and cousins �inally,” Cummard said.

With their previous experience with

Roy Lopez Sr. said his son constantly checks in on the team, asking how practices, games and other team activities went. Lopez said he refers to the team as ‘we,’ showing his desire to be a part of it despite playing for the Houston Texans. (Kaiden Fesler/Tribune Contributor) He is proud of Roy Jr.’s ability to grow so much in football.

“It’s crazy to see how he’s evolved to the next level. From college obviously to professional,” Lopez said. “You look back and see how he has �lourished, it’s because he

lived it for all these years.”

The Desert Ridge football team is taking Roy Jr’s inspiration to heart. After a slow start against Hamilton in Week 1, the team has gone on a winning streak as of late.

As the season progresses, it’s still to be

27

Strawn, Cummard is thankful she got to play under her for one club season.

Now in high school, she gets a new opportunity with a new head coach.

“It’s de�initely different than what my sister experienced,” Cummard said.

Hiapo is very soft-spoken off the court, but her passion is obvious when you see her on the bench. Cummard said her �ierceness has been hard to get used to.

But the girls are beginning to embrace it.

That, along with other qualities, have helped players like Jackson become more than just a player.

“I think she’s helped me become a leader, the last two years I did not lead much as an underclassman,” Jackson said.

While Hiapo recognizes the importance of instituting her own culture with the program, she recognizes the history of Mesa and wants that to remain unchanged.

It may only be the beginning of Hiapo’s journey with the Jackrabbits, but the culture is already setting in.

She believes that’s a sign of good things to come.

“I want to enhance what they’ve already had for years,” Hiapo said. “This is one of the best programs I’ve taught at, and now (I get) to teach them to win a state championship.” ■ determined if Roy Jr.’s advice to the team will help them continue their run of success and get back into the playoffs for the �irst time since 2019.

Lucas Gordon is a sports journalism student at Arizona State University covering Desert Ridge High School Athletics. ■

Have an interesting sports story?

Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.

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Zombies make their way to equestrian center

BY MALLORY GLEICH Get Out Contributor

R

emember back when the pandemic �irst hit Arizona, and some were convinced that this catastrophic event could result in, well, zombies?

Well, while that hasn’t happened, October is the perfect month to pretend that zombies are real and you can �ind them at the KOLI Equestrian Center, 6940 W. Broken Ear Road, Chandler.

KOLI provides year-round horseback riding for anyone looking to enjoy beautiful views.

But on weekends between Oct. 8 and Nov. 7, the scenery takes a turn for the worse as a zombie outbreak occurs at various times Fridays through Sundays.

And because the point of �inding zombies is to get rid of them, KOLI is holding “The Hunt: Arizona Zombie Assault.”

Organizers of the hunt have provided the back story “There was a viral outbreak in 2019. A rare virus spread across the country. This virus has been reawakening dead people into zombies after their vaccine wore off.

“This reaction was unknown to the masses and needs to be stopped. We need you to help us conduct a hunt of these infected zombies before they re-infect the population. Send these zombies back to the grave!”

Guests board a military-style vehicle (also known as a zombie assault vehicle) and head to a double-decker trailer. The �irst station is where they receive ammo, which comes in the form of paintballs.

After a mission brie�ing, guests head out into the desert in search of the undead.

Arizona Zombie Assault was once known as Zombie Warz and was the brainchild of Utah-based Wayne Park. Park had the idea for a zombie hunt back in 2015 and decided that the desert landscape of our state would be better suited than his home.

He headed to Wild Horse Pass and eventually Maricopa Wells, where the hunt was open for three years until it shut

Zombies were hired several months in advance of the coming zombie hunt at KOLI Equestrian Center in Chandler. (Special to the Tribune) down in 2018.

Zombie Assault General Manager TroyScott Farrar and owner Chuck Pablo said that the concept of the hunt is the same as Zombie Warz, with a few changes to �it the venue.

“It’s the perfect time of year for an event like this – and it doesn’t require a lot of physical activity,” Farrar said. “Piggie-backing on the pandemic makes for a great storyline that is intriguing guests to come out and hunt.

Who doesn’t want a chance to shoot a zombie?”

T h e creepy monsters are hired by the staff at KOLI a few months in advance.

Their primary purpose, other than to avoid getting taken out, is to

have fun.

“Actors must �ill out an application online, but one of the things we look for is a

great zombie leg drag or grunt,” Farrar said. “Their looks and movements might be intimidating, but the zombies do not come within 20 feet of the trucks.”

The mission lasts around 20 minutes and either individuals or groups can participate.

Paintball experience isn’t necessary, but Farrar said shooting the zombies is more complicated than it looks because not only are they moving slowly, so is the zombie assault vehicle.

Once the ride is over, guests will have a chance to take photos with zombies for proof that they survived the hunt.

One important thing that Farrar and Pablo want guests to know is that they are not allowed to bring anything with them on the hunt.

Tickets start at $25 and more information and ticket purchasing are at koliequestrian.com or thehuntaz.com. ■

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

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on the Desert Belle Tour Boat in October Fri - 1st 2:00 pm. - Ian Eric Sat - 2nd 4:00 pm - TBD Sun - 3rd 4:00 pm. - Ivan Harshman Weds - 6th 2:00 pm - Eric Miller Fri - 8th 2:00 pm - Kniffen Project Sat - 9th. 4:00 pm - Scott Hallock Sun - 10th 4:00 pm - Eric Miller Weds - 13th 2:00 pm - Kniffen Project Fri - 15th 2:00 pm - Ian Eric Sat - 16th 4:00 pm - Moondog

Sun - 17th. 4:00 pm - Scott Hallock Weds - 20th. 2:00 pm - Eric Miller Thurs - 21st. 4:00 pm- Southwest Surfers Fri - 22nd. 2:00 pm - Ian Eric Sat - 23rd. 4:00 pm - Pete Pancrazi Sun - 24th. 4:00 pm - Ivan Harshman Weds - 27th. 2:00 pm - Eric Miller Fri - 29th. 2:00 pm - Ian Eric Sat - 30th 4:00 pm - Pete Pancrazi Sun. 31st. 4:00 pm - Kniffen Project

480-984-2425 • www.Desertbelle.com

Explore Saguaro Lake on a tour boat cruise.

Beautiful sightseeing tours daily.

Desert Belle has been cruising the waters of Saguaro Lake for over fifty years. Relax in air-conditioned comfort on one of her 80 minute narrated cruises and see exotic Arizona wildlife, towering canyon walls and dramatic desert vitas. Available Cruises Include Narration Cruise, Live Music Cruise, Wine Cruise.

5 off

$

BESTOF

2021

Best Kept Secret

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

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King Crossword ACROSS 1 5 8 12 13 14 15

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With JAN D’ATRI GetOut Contributor

People will go nuts for these sugar bars

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Expels Camp bed Postal delivery “Othello” villain Ornamental jug

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Designer Chanel Squealer Poetic tribute Drei minus zwei Dwarf tree

Let’s see. My obsession with collecting heritage recipes and cookbooks began in earnest in 2000, when I opened my first restaurant and featured my own family’s dishes. Since that time, I have cooked from and collected hundreds of cookbooks, ranging from family heirloom recipe collections and church fundraising cookbooks to publications produced by food manufacturers hoping to give the home cook suggestions on how to use their products.

Some cookbooks go into unbelievable detail about a family’s genealogy or a church or civic organization’s fundraising activities.

Then, there are the books that say nothing on the cover and nothing on the inside pages. They are simply hand-written and bound recipes.

It was one of these nondescript cookbooks in which I found this scrumptious recipe for brown sugar nut bars. The cookbook simply said “VAVS Volunteer Cookbook.” (I’m assuming VAVS is the acronym for Veterans Administration Volunteer Services, or Veteran’s Affairs Voluntary Services.)

In any case I have no one to thank for pages and pages of delightful recipes like this one. The brown sugar

Ingredients: ½ cup plus 3 tablespoons butter, divided ½ cup powdered sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour ½ cup brown sugar, packed ¾ teaspoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon water Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

With an electric mixer, cream together ½ cup butter and powdered sugar. Add flour and mix well.

Dough will be very light and delicate to the touch.

Pat dough firmly into the bottom of an ungreased approximately 9 inch square or rectangular pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter, brown sugar, lemon

PUZZLES ANSWERS on page 11

nut bars have a light and delicate shortbread base, and you can use any nut you like, although this recipe suggests slivered almonds.

It’s a terrific treat to make ahead and freeze, and it can easily be transported to a party or pot luck without worrying about it falling apart. If you’ve got some leftover walnuts, pecans or almonds, just mix them together and blend them in the bath of butter, brown sugar and pure vanilla. The sweet and salty result is the perfect pairing for the shortbread base below. ■

1 cup slivered almonds or any nuts of choice (can be a combination) ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla juice and water. Bring to a boil stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in nuts and vanilla.

(Note: Nuts can be a combination like walnuts, pecans and slivered almonds totaling 1 cup.)

Spread nut mixture evenly over pre-baked shortbread crust. Bake for 15 minutes.

Cool slightly, and cut into bars while still warm. (If freezing, slice bars first before freezing.) Makes approximately 2 dozen small bars.

T:10"

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

32

With virtual waiting rooms from Banner Health, you can wait wherever is comfortable until it’s time for your appointment.

T:10"

You can have the waiting room all to yourself.

THE MESA TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

33

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR MEDICARE OPTIONS. Get answers to your important questions.

Cigna Medicare Advantage plans offer all the coverage of Original Medicare plus added benefits that may include: › $0 monthly premium › $0 medical and $0 pharmacy deductible › $0 primary care physician visits › $0 lab copay › $0 transportation to and from health services* › $0 copay for many prescription drugs › Over-the-counter allowance › Fitness program, dental, vision and hearing services › Telehealth Services – Virtual primary care physician visits, online or by phone

Call now to get help from a licensed Benefit Advisor.

Sherry Trull

Cigna Medicare Advantage

Obituaries Arlene J. Baker

Arlene Baker (nee Robertson) passed away peacefully at University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 87.

Arlene was preceded in death by her loving husband, James G. Baker, Sr., of Scottsdale, AZ and Fish Creek, WI. She was also preceded in death by two children and two grandchildren. Arlene is survived by and will be deeply missed by her eight surviving children, their spouses, other friends and family. She was a loving and generous grandmother to thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Arlene was an avid and life-long traveler, animal lover, birder, photographer, cook and a woman of faith.

Donations may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association, the Audubon Society, or the charity of your choice.

(480) 243-4052

Monday to Saturday: 8.00am to 6.00pm Or visit www.cigna.com/medicare

*Plan-approved locations and restrictions may apply by plan. Under 60-mile one-way trips.

All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of St. Louis, Inc., HealthSpring Life & Health Insurance Company, Inc., HealthSpring of Florida, Inc., Bravo Health Mid-Atlantic, Inc., and Bravo Health Pennsylvania, Inc. The Cigna name, logos, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. Cigna complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age disability or sex. Cigna cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no dicrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. English: ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge are available to you. Call 1-888-284-0268 (TTY 711). Spanish: ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística.

Llame al 1-888-284-0268 (TTY 711). Chinese: 注意: 如 果您 使 用繁體中文, 您可以 免 費獲得語言援助服務. 請致電 1-888-284-0268 (TTY 711). Cigna is contracted with Medicare for PDP plans, HMO and PPO plans in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs.

Enrollment in Cigna depends on contract renewal. © 2021 Cigna Y0036_21_92127_M 936621 b

James Ellsworth Shaner

Passed away on August 26, 2021 peacefully in his home. He was born June 1, 1925 in Quincy Township, Michigan. On May 10, 1947, he married Beatrice Elaine Seely and in 1980, moved to Arizona.

He is survived by his sister Betty From (Raymond), three sons, Dennis, James (Jean) and Patrick (Mary Lu) and daughter, Lori; four grandchildren (Ashley, Alyson, Nathaniel, and Danielle), five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. His ship, the USS LSM70 carried Marines and four tanks to the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was a lifetime, knighted member with the Free Masons and was a member of the Lions Club for over 2 decades. He held a private pilots license with Instrument Rating to fly his Piper Cub. James was an industrial electrician for 60 years.

When he retired he enjoyed his Ham radio, woodworking and watching the Diamondbacks with Beatrice who preceded him in death December, 13 2019 after 72 years of marriage.

Louis Redondo Louis "Jay" Redondo Jr. 83 passed away unexpectedly in Show Low, Arizona on Friday, September 10, 2021.

He was surrounded with love by his immediate family.

Louie was a firecracker baby, born on the 4th of July, 1938.

He was the son of ranchers, Louis and Esther Redondo. He was the oldest of 5 children.

Louie lived in Mesa, Arizona for most of his life. After the ranch sold, he became a Realtor.

He eventually opened an Insurance and Real Estate Company in Chandler, Arizona. At one time he was very involved in the Real Estate Exchange organization. Louie lived and breathed "making the deal". He discovered the White Mountains in Arizona and started a business there. He would split his time between Mesa and Lakeside for the rest of his years.

He is survived by his Wife, Ellen Ramsey Redondo. Children, Toni Redondo, Guy Redondo and Scott Redondo (Bettina). Sisters, Gloria Noe and Marti Guerrero. Uncle, James Martinez (Janette).

Grandchildren, Jamie Smith (Brandon), Michael Guerrero (Adriana), Brock Redondo and Logan Redondo. GreatGrandchildren, Kayla Smith, Jayden Smith and Adalyn Smith.

Louie never knew a stranger and made friends everywhere he went. He had a love of fishing, looking for elk, old cars, traveling and spending time with family. He had a generous heart and will be missed.

At his request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. His immediate family will gather to celebrate and remember his life.

Sign the Guestbook at: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

Deadline for obituaries is Wednesday at 5pm for Sunday. All obituaries will be approved by our staff prior to being activated. Be aware there may be early deadlines around holidays.

Call 480-898-6465 Mon-Fri 8:30-5 if you have questions.

Visit: obituaries.EastValleyTribune.com

THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

34

The East Valley Tribune

1620 W. Fountainhead Parkway #219 • Tempe, AZ 85282 480.898.6465 class@timespublications.com

Deadlines

Classifieds: Thursday 11am for Sunday Life Events: Thursday 10am for Sunday

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | EastValleyTribune.com

In Memoriam In Loving Memory of

Peter Alexander Price

Born in Christ April 16, 1991 Returned to God Sept. 26, 2007 I pray that I may Live to fish Until my dying day And when it comes To my last cast, I then most humbly pray When the Lord's Great landing net And peacefully asleep That in His mercy I be judged BIG ENOUGH TO KEEP! Love, Gram

Lani (Gramps Keith is now with you in Heaven)

Obituaries H E A D STO N E S

EVERLASTING MONUMENT Co.

“Memories cut in Stone” • MONUMENTS • GRANITE & BRONZE • CEMETERY LETTERING • CUSTOM DESIGNS

480-969-0788 75 W. Baseline Rd. Ste. A-8 Gilbert, AZ 85233

www.everlastingmonumentco.com info@everlastingmonument.phxcoxmail.com

Make your choice Everlasting Your newspaper.

Your community.

Your planet.

Please recycle me.

Employ ment Employment General Now hiring for fulltime Day Porter positions in Chandler, Scottsdale and Tempe.

For further information apply in person at 7020 N 55th Ave Glendale AZ 85301 or Call 623-937-3727

Employment General Need to hire some help?

Call Classifieds Today!

480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Car for Sale?

Advertise It Here!

Call 480.898.6465

CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Employment General Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Solution Architect in Gilbert, AZ & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to manage the creation of innovative and transformative solutions that address supply chain needs.

15% travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0921GIL8039 in “Search jobs” field.

EOE, including disability/veterans.

Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Senior Solution Specialist, Enterprise Performance, SAP in Gilbert, Arizona & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to Support software development and implementation services to address Manufacturing, Financial, Human Resources (HR), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Supply Chain, and other business needs throughout the enterprise, utilizing SAP (Systems, Applications, Products) products. 15% travel required nationally.

Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0921GIL3301 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/ veterans.

Quality Assurance Manager Manage QA group to ensure ongoing functions and systems of the company’s quality program are maintained; develop, maintain and enforce GMP systems, HACCP/HARPC validating processes and provide proper documentation. Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering or related field (foreign equivalent acceptable); 2 years of experience in job offered or as Quality System Management Specialist or Quality Consultant or any combination thereof; must have 2 years of experience (may be gained concurrently with the above experience) in food quality assurance manufacturing operations, including HAACP, cGMP, and with algae processes and products. Employer: Heliae Development, LLC. Job location: Gilbert, AZ. Qualified applicants should email resume to Sschwartz@heliae.com.

Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Solution Manager, Enterprise Performance – Oracle in Gilbert, Arizona & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to Manage the creation of innovative and transformative Cloud-based technology solutions that address clients next generational needs; create effective IT visions, strategies and roadmaps, in direct alignment and support of business and technology objectives. 15% travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0921GIL1648 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/veterans.

Deloitte Consulting LLP seeks a Consulting, Solution Specialist in Gilbert, AZ & various unanticipated Deloitte office locations & client sites nationally to provide software development and implementation services to help companies unlock the value of Technology investments, ranging from requirements to architecture, design to development, testing to deployment, and beyond as discrete services or comprehensive solutions. 15% travel required nationally. Telecommuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter XBAL22FC0921GIL8134 in “Search jobs” field.

EOE, including disability/veterans.

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS MAAX Spas is hiring Full Time v

Starting $15-$17/hr

Announce

Garage Sales/ Bazaars

Prayer Announcements

Queen Creek MONTELENA NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE Sat. 10/2 7AM-1PM Something for everyone. Unique items, household, kids, & more. Hawes Rd. Between Chandler Heights & Ocotillo

ments

Thank You St. Jude For Prayers Answered - JRH

Merch andise Garage Sales/ Bazaars

Garage Sale

Fri. 923 - Sun, 9/25 6AM - 5PM Ethan Allen Corner China Cabinet, Lane Cedar Chest, Nechi Sewing Machine, Freezer Hot Point7.1CuFt, Roll-Top Desk, Louie Lamour Novels (Large Collection) Large Wall Alaskan Painting, DVD's & VHS and much more, 5251 E Boise St, Mesa Between Main & University (East of Higley)

v

Benefits v

Paid Vacation v

Paid Sick Time v

401K Apply online at maaxspas.com or call 480-895-4575 MORE CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE! www.EastValleyTribune.com

HUGE COMUNITY SALE! Entrada Del Oro 18437 E. El Buho Pequeno - Gold Canyon AZ 85118 Friday October 22nd, Saturday October 23rd & Sunday October 24th 7am-3pm

Miscellaneous For Sale 1996 Kubota B20 Backhoe Tractor with loader Diesel 20Hp. 4x4 455 Hrs. $1700.

480-439-1933

Wanted to Buy

HUGE COMUNITY SALE! Peralta Canyon – 10893 E. Peralta Canyon Dr – Gold Canyon AZ Friday October 22nd, Saturday October 23rd & Sunday October 24th 7am-3pm

WANTED Vintage pre 1975 Sports Cards. Will Pay top dollar earn good money for your old cards.

Call Paul 602-775-2655

Buying Sports Card Collections

All Sports, Any Size.

Email pvmusic@msn.com or Text 602-741-3473.

THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

Employment General

Peter Piper Pizza

35

Real Estate for Rent Homes For Rent

Location: McDowell and Miller Road We are now hiring Full Time / Part Time, Team Members for Day, Evenings and Night positions.

Apply at: 7607 E. McDowell Road Scottsdale, Az. 85257 (480) 947-9901 Located between Hayden Road and Scottsdale Road on the southwest corner of Miller Road.

PUBLIC NOTICE The City of Chandler Housing and Redevelopment Division is pleased to announce the opening of the Public Housing Wait List. The Public Housing Program is a project-based housing program funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide low-income individuals and families with affordable housing.

Pre-applications for the Public Housing Program will be accepted beginning 12 p.m. (MST) Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021 through 12 p.m. MST Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021.

Who can apply: All families and individuals.

How to apply online: Apply atchandleraz.gov/applyforhousing. Applicants MUST complete BOTH steps of the process: 1) Create an online account and 2) Complete a pre-application.

How to obtain a paper pre-application: Call 480-782-3200 (*711 via Arizona Relay Service, TTY English 800-367-8939 or Español 800-842-2088); fax 480-782-3220; by email chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov; mail request to Housing and Redevelopment Office, Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85244-4008; or pick-up pre-applications near the DROP BOX on the door leading from the garage into the building at 226 S. Washington St., Chandler AZ 85225;

Now Hiring

How to submit completed paper pre-application: Pre-applications can be submitted in the Housing DROP BOX in the garage at 226 S. Washington St., Chandler AZ 85225; by phone 480-782-3200; by fax 480-782-3220; email chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov; or mail to Housing and Redevelopment Office, Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85244-4008. Oral language translations in any language are also available and in those situations, the pre-application can be submitted by phone.

What you will need to apply: Information for all household members to include: First, Middle, and Last Names; birth dates; and total gross annual income from all sources. We will not ask you to verify any information on the pre-application. Verification of household information will only be required during the eligibility process. We encourage all interested applicants to apply.

Household Income must not exceed:1 person-$44,250, 2 persons-$50,600, 3 persons-$56,900, 4 persons-$63,200, 5 persons-$68,300, 6 persons-$73,350, 7 persons-$78,400, 8 persons-$83,450, 9 persons$88,500, 10 persons-$93,550.

Placement on the wait list: 2,000 pre-applications from the applicant pool will be placed on the wait list by random selection (“lottery”). Pre-applicants not selected will have to reapply for assistance when applications are open again.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: Persons with a disability or those who require auxillary guide services should call 480-782-3200 (*711 via Arizona Relay Service, TTY English 800-367-8939 or Español 800-842-2088); fax 480-782-3220; email chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov; or mail request to Housing and Redevelopment Office, Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85244-4008.

Language Assistance: Persons with limited English proficiency are entitled to language assistance with written or oral communication. These services are available at no cost. To obtain language assistance, contact our office by calling 480-782-3200.

For more information, refer to the FAQ section on the website atchandleraz.gov/affordablehousing; call 480-782-3200 (*711 via Arizona Relay Service, TTY English 800-367-8939 or Español 800-842-2088); fax 480-782-3220; email chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov; or mail to Housing and Redevelopment Office, Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85244-4008. Drop box available at 226 S. Washington St., Chandler AZ 85225.

Apply in Person

Completed pre-applications will only be accepted beginning 12 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, through 12 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 14. Please contact us for more information. The City of Chandler Housing and Redevelopment Division is committed to fully complying with all state, federal, and local laws involving nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.

Published: East Valley Tribune, Sept 26, 2021 / 41621

THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

36

Homes For Rent

Real Estate

For Sale Homes For Sale

NOTICIA PÚBLICA La División de Vivienda y Reurbanización de la Ciudad de Chandler se complace en anunciar la apertura de la Lista de Espera de Vivienda Pública. El Programa de Vivienda Pública es un programa basado en proyectos financiado por el Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos (HUD) para proporcionar viviendas asequibles a personas y familias de bajos ingresos. Las presolicitudes para el Programa de Vivienda Pública se aceptarán a partir de las 12 p.m. (MST) Jueves 7 de Octubre de 2021 a las 12 p.m. MST Jueves 14 de Octubre de 2021.

Quién puede postularse: Todas las familias e individuos.

Cómo presentar la solicitud en línea: Solicite en chandleraz.gov/applyforhousing. Los solicitantes DEBEN completar AMBOS pasos del proceso: 1) Crear una cuenta en línea y 2) Completar una solicitud previa.

Cómo obtener una solicitud previa en papel: Llame al 480-782-3200 (* 711 a través del Servicio de retransmisión de Arizona, TTY en inglés 800-367-8939 o en español 800-842-2088); fax 480-782-3220; o por correo electrónico chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov; solicitud por correo a la Oficina de Vivienda y Reurbanización, Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85244-4008; o recoger solicitudes previas en la puerta que va del garaje al edificio en 226 S. Washington St., Chandler AZ 85225.

Cómo enviar la solicitud previa en papel completa: Las solicitudes preliminares se pueden enviar en el DROP BOX de Vivienda en el garaje en 226 S. Washington St., Chandler AZ 85225; por teléfono 480-782-3200; por fax 480-782-3220; correo electrónico chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov; o envíelo por correo a la Oficina de Vivienda y Reurbanización, Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85244-4008. También se encuentran disponibles traducciones de idiomas orales en cualquier idioma y, en esas situaciones, la solicitud previa se puede enviar por teléfono.

Lo que necesitará para solicitar: Información para todos los miembros del hogar que incluya: nombre, segundo nombre y apellido; Números de seguro social; fechas de nacimiento; e ingreso anual bruto total de todas las fuentes. No le pediremos que verifique ninguna información en la solicitud previa. La verificación de la información del hogar solo será necesaria durante el proceso de elegibilidad.

Alentamos a todos los solicitantes interesados a que presenten su solicitud.

El ingreso del hogar no debe exceder: El ingreso del hogar no debe exceder: 1 persona- $ 44,250, 2 personas- $ 50,600, 3 personas- $ 56,900, 4 personas- $ 63,200, 5 personas- $ 68,300, 6 personas- $ 73,350, 7 personas- $ 78,400, 8 personas- $ 83,450, 9 personas- $ 88,500 , 10 personas- $ 93,550.

Colocación en la lista de espera: 2.000 pre-solicitudes del grupo de solicitantes se colocarán en la lista de espera por selección aleatoria ("lotería"). Los pre-solicitantes no seleccionados deberán volver a solicitar asistencia cuando las solicitudes se abran nuevamente.

Solicitudes de adaptaciones razonables: Las personas con una discapacidad o quienes requieran servicios de guías auxiliares deben llamar al 480-782-3200 (* 711 a través del Servicio de retransmisión de Arizona, TTY en inglés 800-367-8939 o en español 800-842-2088; fax 480-782- 3220); correo electrónico chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov; o envíe la solicitud por correo a la Oficina de Vivienda y Reurbanización, Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85244-4008.

Asistencia con el idioma: Las personas con dominio limitado del inglés tienen derecho a recibir asistencia con el idioma con la comunicación escrita u oral. Estos servicios están disponibles sin costo alguno. Para obtener asistencia con el idioma, comuníquese con nuestra oficina llamando al 480-7823200.

Para obtener más información, consulte la sección de preguntas frecuentes en el sitio web en chandleraz.gov/affordablehousing; llame al 480-782-3200 (* 711 a través del Servicio de retransmisión de Arizona, TTY en inglés 800-367-8939 o en español 800-842-2088); fax 480-782-3220; correo electrónico chandler.housing@chandleraz.gov; o envíelo por correo a la Oficina de Vivienda y Reurbanización, Mail Stop 101, P.O. Box 4008, Chandler, AZ 85244-4008. Buzón disponible en 226 S. Washington St., Chandler AZ 85225.

Las pre-solicitudes completas solo se aceptarán a partir de las 12 p.m. Jueves 7 de octubre hasta las 12 p.m. Jueves, 14 de octubre. Comuníquese con nosotros para obtener más información. La División de Vivienda y Reurbanización de la Ciudad de Chandler se compromete a cumplir plenamente con todas las leyes estatales, federales y locales relacionadas con la no discriminación y la igualdad de oportunidades.

Published: East Valley Tribune, Sept 26, 2021 / 41632

CLASSIFIEDS and LEGALS Deadline: Thursday at 10am for Sunday 480-898-6465

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THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE East Valley/ Ahwatukee

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Not a licensed contractor

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Tree Trimming • Tree Removal Stump Grinding Storm Damage • Bushes/Shrubs Yard Clean-up Commercial and Residential PMB 435 • 2733 N. Power Rd. • Suite 102 • Mesa dennis@allprotrees.com

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Irrigation

2010, 2011 2012, 2013, 2014

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SPRINKLER NOT A LICENSED CONTRACTOR

Garage/Doors

37

Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

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THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

38

Painting

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CLASS@TIMESPUBLICATIONS.COM

Published: East Valley Tribune. Sept. 19, 26, Oct 3, 10, 2021 / 41442

COUNTS

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Public Notices

Roofing

Pool Service / Repair

Public Notices NOTICE TO CREDITORS CASE PB2021-090901 SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA MARICOPA COUNTY: In the Matter of the Estate of Danny D Montgomery Deceased. Notice is given that Stephen T. Montgomery was appointed personal representative of this estate. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present their claims within four (4) months after the date of the first publication of this notice or the claims will be forever barred. Claims must be presented by delivering or mailing a written statement of the claim to the personal representative at 20102 E. Silver Creek Ln, Queen Creek AZ, 85142.

Dated 9/13/21. Published in the East Valley Tribune September 19, 26 & October 3, 2021 / 41430 Estate of Eleanor Toth, deceased.

Notice is hereby given by the undersigned, Executor of the Estate of Eleanor Toth, deceased to decedent’s next of kin who may have an interest in the Estate: Kenneth Robinson; Kevin Robinson; Kimberly Robinson; Mark Van Cleaf; Donna Van Cleaf and Colleen Elliot. The Will of Eleanor Toth was probated by Claribel Cortes, Surrogate of Middlesex County, New Brunswick, New Jersey on September 10, 2021. The undersigned executor will furnish you with a copy of said Will upon request. Turp, Coates, Driggers and White, PC is the attorney representing the Executor of the Estate.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Rule 4:80-6. Dated: September 21, 2021 Paul Raz Rasmussen, Executor of the Last Will and Testament of Eleanor Toth, Deceased.

Published: East Valley Tribune, Sept. 26, 2021 / 41572

THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

39

Public Notices

Public Notices

CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CITY OF MESA PUBLIC NOTICE

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Consultant for the following: CP0953SE01 Southeast Water Reclamation Plant Process (SEWRP) Improvements CP0953SE05 SEWRP Blower Building Air Intake Cooling CP0953SE10 SEWRP Electrical, Instrumentation and Controls (EIC) Upgrades and Replacement Southeast Water Reclamation Plant, 6308 E. Baseline Road The City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Consultant to provide design services for the Projects listed above. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

The following is a summary of the pr oject. The required tasks will be reviewed with the selected Design Consultant and defined to meet the needs of the project as part of the contract scoping.

This project will be a combination of Studies and Design. Design scope may change or be expanded based on the findings of the initial studies.

Project CP0953SE01 - SEWRP Process Improvements: • SEWRP Rehab. Tertiary Filter Units 2 & 3 • Replace media • Replace underdrains with larger porous plates.

• Recap bridge rails and evaluate traveling bridges.

Replace wash water pumps, back wash pumps, and skimmer pumps.

Mixed Liquor Return (MLR) Pump Improvements • Evaluate the need for Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and two speed pumps.

• Replace existing Mixed Liquor Pumps with larger capacity pumps.

• This project may include upgrades for the electrical or a brand-new building to house VFDs. Nutrient Removal and Process Control improvements • Evaluate options for basin sampling.

• Install ChemScan analyzers.

Primary Sedimentation Basin Sludge Collector Guide Rail Replacement • Remove and replace the guiderail.

Secondary Clarifiers 2 and 3 Drive Replacement • Replace the existing drive mechanisms.

Foul Air System Improvement • Improvements to the grit disposal channel.

• Replace blast gates at primary clarifiers.

• Install clean out ports.

Primary Influent and Effluent Wetwell Recoating and Primary Clarifier Lining Repair • Evaluate the failing T-locks liners and recommend repair.

The Mesa City Council will hold a public hearing concerning the following ordinances at the October 4, 2021 City Council meeting beginning at 5:45 p.m. in the Mesa City Council Chambers, 57 East First Street.

1. ZON21-00164 (District 5) Within the 5900 block of East Adobe Road (north side) and 800 block of North Recker Road (west side). Located at the northwest corner of Adobe and Recker Road (2.1± acres). Rezone from Single Residence 7 (RS7) to Multiple Residence 3 (RM-3) with a Planned Area Development Overlay (PAD) and Site Plan Review. This request will allow for a multiple residence development. Reese Anderson, Pew and Lake, PLC, applicant; City of Mesa, owner.

DATED at Mesa, Arizona, this 26 th day of September 2021. DEE ANN MICKELSEN, City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Sept 26, 2021 / 44567

Project CP0953SE05 - SEWRP Blower Building Air Intake Cooling: Blower Building Air Intake Cooling • Study alternatives to cool down intake air.

• Study the condition of the building and its efficiencies as it relates to the current system.

SHARE WITH THE WORLD!

Project CP0953SE10 - SEWRP EIC Upgrades and Replacement: Upgrade/Replace the EIC System • Conduct a plant wide EIC equipment condition assessment.

• Add Uninterruptible Power System to the blower building to enhance the operational reliability.

• Replace equipment (I/Os, PLCs, etc.) as necessary.

City may include other miscellaneous improvements at the Site, as needed.

An electronic Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on October 12, 2021 at 8 am through Microsoft Teams. At this meeting, City staff will discuss the scope of work and general contract issues and respond to questions from the attendees. Attendance at the pre-submittal conference is not mandatory and all interested firms may submit a Statement of Qualifications whether or not they attend the conference. All interested firms are encouraged to attend the Pre-Submittal Conference since City staff will not be available for meetings or to respond to individual inquiries regarding the project scope outside of this conference. In addition, there will not be meeting minutes or any other information published from the Pre-Submittal Conference. Anyone interested in attending the Pre-Submittal Conference should request an invitation from Donna Horn (donna.horn@mesaaz.gov).

Contact with City Employees. All firms interested in this project (including the firm’s employees, representatives, agents, lobbyists, attorneys, and subconsultants) will refrain, under penalty of disqualification, from direct or indirect contact for the purpose of influencing the selection or creating bias in the selection process with any person who may play a part in the selection process. This policy is intended to create a level playing field for all potential firms, to assure that contract decisions are made in public, and to protect the integrity of the selection process. All contact on this selection process should be addressed to the authorized representative identified below.

Place a Birth, Anniversary, Wedding Announcement, In Memoriam, Obituary or any life event in this paper today!

Call us for details.

RFQ Lists. This RFQ is available on the City’s website at http://mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/architectural-engineering-design-opportunities.

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt. Please provide one (1) electronic copy in an unencrypted PDF format to Engineering-RFQ@mesaaz.gov by 2 pm on October 28, 2021. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

Firms who wish to do business with the City of Mesa must be registered and activated in the City of Mesa Vendor Self Service (VSS) System (http://mesaaz.gov/business/purchasing/vendor-self-service).

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Donna Horn of the Engineering Department at donna.horn@mesaaz.gov.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen, City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune Sept 26, Oct 3, 2021 / 41586

class@timespublications.com or call 480-898-6465

THE SUNDAY EAST VALLEY TRIBUNE | SEPTEMBER 26, 2021

40

Arizona’s Resort-Style Home Builder

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Vintage Collection • From the mid $500’s • 480-895-2800 Craftsman Collection • From the mid $600’s • 480-988-2400

E

B Palma Brisa – In Ahwatukee Foothills NOW SELLING A Dramatic New Gated Community

G

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D

C Belmont at Somerset – Prime Gilbert Location NOW SELLING Luxury estate homes and timeless architecture From the low $1,000,000’s • 480-895-6300

D Monteluna – Brand New Gated Community

in the Foothills of Northeast Mesa COMING LATE 2021

B

McKellips Rd just east of the Red Mountain 202 Fwy • From the $600’s

E Reserve at Red Rock – New Upscale Resort Community

C GERMANN

A

in the Foothills of Northeast Mesa COMING IN 2022 Stunning views of Red Mountain • From the $600’s

F Estates at Mandarin Grove – In the Citrus Groves of NE Mesa CLOSEOUT

11 luxury single-level estate homes with 3- to 6-car garages plus optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the mid $1,000,000’s • 480-750-3000

G Estates at Hermosa Ranch – In the Citrus Groves of NE Mesa CLOSEOUT

12 single-level homes on extra large homesites with 5- to 6-car garages plus optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the mid $1,000,000’s • 480-750-3000

BlandfordHomes.com Not all photos shown are representative of all communities.

Terms and conditions subject to change without notice.