The Mesa Tribune - Zone 1 - 12.20.20 by Times Media Group

City worker raises / P. 6

Safety rankings slip / P. 8

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

Mesa puts tournaments on COVID probation BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

esa last week adopted strict public health protocols at sports �ields as an alternative to closing them, allowing out-of-state sports tournaments to proceed amid the surge in COVID-19 – and save millions of dollars in local hotel bookings. But the city’s decision came with a stiff

warning. Mesa Mayor John Giles said he was initially inclined to close the �ields after Dr. Marjorie Bessel, chief health of�icer of Banner Health, told him that intensive care units are �illing up with COVID-19 patients at an alarming rate. “The quote I remember was, ‘we are going to be crushed,’’ Giles said, with Bessel predicting double-bunking as a necessary evil when

Christmas cheer

COMMUNITY ..........16

hospitals reach 150 percent of capacity within the next two months. But Giles reversed course and recommended that City Council approve a compromise approach engineered by Marc Garcia, president and CEO of Visit Mesa, as a lifeline to Mesa’s beleaguered hospitality industry. He said Garcia told him the already decimat-

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Mesa’s newest public of�icial prepares for work BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

Plenty of ways to volunteer this season.

BUSINESS ............. 19 Mall owner's outlook gets brighter COMMUNITY ............................... 16 BUSINESS ..................................... 19 OPINION ....................................... 21 SPORTS ........................................ 22 GET OUT ....................................... 23 PUZZLES ...................................... 24 CLASSIFIED ................................. 24 Zone 1

Sunday, December 20, 2020

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Ana Zurita, 7, holds a gift she received Dec. 15 at Jefferson Elementary in Mesa, where city and school district workers got together to give kids from economically challenged households gifts they might not otherwise see this week on Christmas. For a story, see page. 3. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Photographer)

s she prepares to take of�ice next month, the newest Mesa City Council member just wants everyone to get along. Julie Spilsbury, a mother of six who will be sworn into her �irst elected position in January, prides herself on getting along with just about everyone and wants to serve her constituents in District Two. “I love people, I love talking to people, I love listening, I truly want to represent everyone in my district, not just the people who look like me or go to my church,’’ Spilsbury said. Spilsbury grew up in Mesa and graduated from Mountain View High School. She believes that she parlayed her deep

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

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NEWS

City, MPS workers brighten some kids’ gloomy Christmas

Target to donate gift cards that were used ne by one, happy Jefferson Elemen- to purchase 25 tary School students jumped out of new green and minivans, SUVs and pickup trucks pink children’s and gleefully accepted a new bicycle from bicycles. a group of generous Mesa �ire�ighters. The bicycles Others ran to a pile of toys collected by a were lined up group of Mesa police of�icers, who seemed next to each to enjoy handing out the gifts almost as other on a sidemuch as the children who happily picked walk outside one and posed for pictures. the school. They No one would confuse the �it police of�i- quickly caught cers and �ire�ighters with a storybook ver- the attention of sion of Santa, but they served as a much- the little boys needed substitute. and girls, who Those who coordinated the event – Jef- didn’t seem ferson Principal Genessee Montes and to need an exstaff members, Mesa Councilman Dave planation that Mesa Officer Brandon Kozeliski helped to distribute toys at the Jefferson Luna and public safety personnel – col- Christmas had Elementary Christmas party. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff Photographer) lectively gave a bright light at the end of a come a couple gloomy year for needy children who might of weeks early. coveted bicycles and she was checking it have found nothing under the tree. Mesa Department of Transportation more than twice. “Every year, there is a need. The need employees combined generosity with Montes estimated that about 30 or 40 is worse than ever,’’ said Mesa Fire Capt. safety by contributing bicycle helmets, families received either a bike or a toy for Steve Heyer, president of East Valley Fire- which were hanging from the handlebars their children. All of them also received �ighters Charities, citing the economic fall- before the children arrived. bags of food donated by children and out from the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think it expresses freedom for the their families from Las Sendas ElemenBen Barrios, a Mesa �ire�ighter, said he kids,’’ Barrios said, noting they can at least tary School. grew up in a low-income household simi- enjoy a bicycle ride even if their parents Montes said she was pleased that families lar to those that are home to the children are struggling through �inancial or even from a more af�luent school would think who bene�ited from the newly-reinvigorat- physical duress brought on by COVID-19. about her students at Jefferson, where 90 ed charitable efforts of the Mesa Bombe“They don’t want to park it. They want percent of children qualify for reduced fedros, an association of Hispanic �ire�ighters. to ride it home,’’ Barrios said. eral breakfast and lunch programs. Barrios said the Bomberos –Spanish Many parents of children who attend He said that giving to the less fortunate for “�ire�ighter” – made arrangements for “reinvigorates the goodness of humanity. the school lost their jobs during the panIt brings back demic-fueled downturn. Montes said parents have told her that memories that I had as they were planning on skipping Christmas a kid long ago, this year, using their limited resources for waking up to food and housing rather than toys. “A lot of them said they weren’t going to �ind something under have Christmas this year,’’ she said. “It’s a toy and a bike that eases these families’’ the tree.’’ M o n t e s and gives them a little holiday joy. Luna said Jefferson was a natural recipigreeted families as they ent for the event, with so many children drove up to coming from families living below the the school, poverty level. “My goal is to make everyone enjoy the speaking to them in Span- season,’’ he said. Debbie Nicklin of Mesa, a great aunt, ish and, to a lesser extent, was thankful for everyone’s generosity as in English. she picked up a bicycle for Lyriq, a little Crystal Stockwell helped distribute bikes and gifts to the kids who were She had a list boy. “It’s really great,’’ she said. “I would feted to the Christmas party at Jefferson Elementary. (Pablo Robles/Tribune of who was have been really strapped’’ to buy such a Staff Photographer) receiving the nice gift.  BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

NEWS

TOURNEY �� 1

ed hotel industry would lose thousands of bookings during the next two months and be forced to lay off about 300 employees if the city closed �ields and nixed the youth sports tournaments – one of the hotels’ few sources of business in the pandemic. “It’s a somber thought of hundreds of people losing their jobs just before Christmas,’’ Giles said. But the mayor also said he is disappointed by the public’s cooperation with mask and social distancing requirements even after the pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 7,500 Arizona residents. He cited a food truck event he attended on Dec. 11 where the organizers followed the rules but their patrons didn’t. “There were way too many people standing in line not wearing masks,’’ Giles said. “The event got a C for mask wearing.’’ He said the public’s response to COVID must improve to avoid an even worse calamity this winter. “I think we need to message to the community that the next step is closing the

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

�ields,’’ Giles said. “We are very close to doing something drastic unless the general community catches on. The time for gentle persuasion is over.’’ Councilwoman Jen Duff praised the response of restaurants and other businesses to the pandemic, but added, “People are not doing their best.’’ Despite the dire spike in COVID-19, Garcia pleaded in a Dec. 14 email for keeping the �ields open and pledged a series of additional protocols at hotels. Those measures include keeping tournament visitors separated from other customers, closing the pools and catering meals in hotel ballrooms. Garcia was attempting to avoid the �ield closures already in place in Phoenix and Tempe. He listed nine upcoming tournaments, although a city document lists up to 21 events which would be covered by the stricter protocols. “Visit Mesa and its partnering hotels are still experiencing an almost complete shutdown of meetings, conventions and corporate travel. These meetings will not

What tournament participants must do

The stricter rules, backed by more stringent enforcement, at city athletic fields are: • Masks to be worn by everyone – athletes, spectators, parents, officials, coaches – not actively engaged in their sport. • Social distancing for all attendees. • Increased signage reminding of mask and social distancing requirements. • Increased availability of hand washing and sanitization stations. • No attendance by those with positive COVID-19 results, close contact to a positive case or having COVID-like symptoms. • No more than 50 people (players, parents, officials, coaches) per field layout. • Enforcement by event organizers of all safety plan measures.

One reason Mesa officials are concerned about tournaments is the conduct at many high school football games, like this scene from the Dec. 12 championship where fans from Highland High in Gilbert, weren't very socially distanced or masked. (Pablo Robles/Tribune) resume until a vaccine is widely distributed which will take several more months,’’ Garcia wrote. “Mesa hotels have expressed that it is the return of sports tournaments and events that have at least helped with the already devastating losses. Youth and amateur sports are ‘keeping the lights on’ while effectively saving tourism and its jobs. “Our hoteliers have expressed to our staff and other leaders in Mesa that their protocols and measures in place are effective and they are working diligently to ensure the safety of their guests while on property,’’ he wrote. Garcia also provided a grim report on the �inancial impact of the pandemic on the hospitality industry, which has been

devastated nationwide. “From Visit Mesa, brokered business alone, captured from March–August 2020, our hotels incurred 12,000 hotel room cancellations representing a loss of $6,422,742 in estimated direct visitor spend, or $12,229,573.00 in estimated economic impact to our City and local businesses,” he wrote. “These numbers pale in comparison to the overall cancellations at Mesa hotels from in-house business at Mesa’s 60+ hotels.’’ Giles said the lifeline Mesa is tossing to the hospitality industry will evaporate if players, spectators and friends at the

wait forever, but geez, when it’s this close…” Humble said that spread is not just due to children playing sports in close contact but that the behavior of parents and other spectators also deserves blame. Under executive orders issued by Gov. Doug Ducey, events with crowds larger than 50 people are required to submit safety plans to cities, and the cities must publish those plans for the public. But Humble said those plans are not worth much if there is not enforcement of mitigation measures like mask wearing and social distancing. “So the organizers produce a document

that they throw in front of the city staff and say, ‘this is what we’re going to do’, but then you go out there and the reality is they’re not following any of them and there’s no enforcement,” Humble said. He said the relatively lax requirements imposed by Ducey’s of�ice have given local governments cover to allow tournaments to continue. “Elected of�icials take comfort, I think, in that when the blame comes to roost, people are going to point �ingers at the governor, rightly, which gives council members a free pass to make bad decisions,” Humble said. 

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Ex-state health chief says tourneys are trouble TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

t may be painful to the economy but the state’s former health director thinks allowing tournaments – particularly with out-of-state teams – is “grossly irresponsible.” Will Humble, executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association, favors canceling tournaments in the wake of spiraling COVID-19 cases and dwindling hospital beds in Arizona. He said the lion’s share of spread within the school system is connected to athletics. “I’ve talked to Maricopa County Public

Health, and they said the contact tracing is pointing directly at club sports,” Humble said. Humble said even smaller tournaments should press pause in December through February to allow enough time for new vaccines to be administered to vulnerable populations and allow those people to build antibodies. “If that were the case, then I’d say ‘yeah, it’s going to cause some spread in the community, but it’s not going to cause deaths and it’s not going to cause a hospital crisis,'” Humble said. He added, “I’m not saying you have to

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

Raises are in store for most Mesa city workers

BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

esa employees will receive a generous New Year’s present – a pay raise designed to compensate them for lost wages while they were working long hours during the pandemic earlier this year. Freezes on pay raises, hiring and layoffs in certain departments were among the steps taken by City Manager Chris Brady to compensate for an anticipated drop in

SPILSBURY �� 1

connections with the community through volunteer positions in Mesa Public Schools into her election as a political novice, ousting Councilman Jeremy Whittaker by a 5545 percent margin. It didn’t hurt that Spilsbury recruited by Mayor John Giles and won the endorsement of most other council members, who sometimes clashed with Whittaker over city �inances and downtown redevelopment projects, such as the ASU@mesacitycenter building now under construction behind City Hall. “I’m de�initely not a puppet. I am opinionated, but I do it with respect,’’ Spilsbury said during her campaign. “I think I was asked to run because I am easy to work with.’’ Spilsbury and her husband Jeremy operate a tree service business and have a busy household, with one daughter coming off a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission in Chicago and a son headed to a mission in Denver. She said she has been going through an orientation period since her election, meeting once a week with City Manager Chris Brady and with city department heads. “He brings a different department head each time. They say, 'I’ve heard you’re nice.’ I don’t want to be known as just being nice and nothing else. No one will be afraid to talk to me.’’ The way Spilsbury looks at her life, she is starting a new phase, a new job representing the residents of a district encompassing east-central Mesa east of Gilbert Road. It’s a job she is taking seriously, attending a series of Zoom meetings every week

sales tax revenue after remaining Cactus League games were canceled and Gov. Doug Ducey shut down many businesses. Brady said the drop in sales tax receipts was not as steep as he expected, mainly because of federal aid during the pandemic and a change in the shopping patterns of Mesa residents. Like most municipal and state of�icials, governments are discovering that people shifted to more online purchases – which as of a year ago were subjected to sales tax. “I will confess, I am surprised,’’ Brady

said. “Mostly, it had to do with our sales tax numbers staying strong.’’ Sales taxes, utility revenues and state shared revenue are the bulwarks of Mesa’s revenue. The city is prone to gyrations in funding because it is the largest municipality in the nation without a primary property tax. In a letter to employees, Brady said Mesa is in a position �inancially to afford the pay raise. “For the past three years the City has improved its �inancial reserves and managed

City Council. “I’ve been in the schools and served in just about every signi�icant position you can imagine,’’ Spilsbury said. “I know people in every neighborhood in my district.’’ She recalled that one of her missions during that period was to motivate MPS to remove Instagram and Facebook from Mesa Councilwoman-elect Julie Spilsbury and her husband of 22 years s c h o o l - o w n e d computers, sayhave six children. (Special to the Tribune) ing social media to educate herself and immerse herself in can have a negative impact on children issues facing the city. as a vehicle for bullying and can distract “That’s what I’ve done, I’ve been a them from completing their work. mother for 23 years. That’s my favorite “I want the technology used for school,’’ job,’’ she said. Spilsbury said. “I don’t want to give them Spilsbury said she has been following (students) any more reason to be on a Mesa city council meetings closely as part computer than they need to be.’’ of her education and her campaign. Spilsbury said she eventually prevailed, She said she is certain that she can make with MPS installing better �ilters on their a signi�icant contribution to the council. computers. “It’s been very clear my voice hasn’t “I’ve had people tell me, just worry been represented on the council. It’s the about your own kids,’’ she said. “I want all voice of a mother, someone who has been kids to be safer.’’ in the trenches,’’ Spilsbury said. Spilsbury also is trying to build relaWhile her children were attending Mesa tionships with other council members and schools, Spilsbury would volunteer and had dinner recently with Councilwoman serve in a wide variety of capacities. Jen Duff and her �iancé, Ivan Martinez. She said she has demonstrated an abil“We need that. We need that more than ity to work with just about anyone, a trait ever,’’ Spilsbury said. “I’m an in a unique she believes will serve her well on the position to make that happen.’’

its long-term obligations. And despite the many economic uncertainties that continue to face most of our country, Mesa has bene�itted from both a growing economy and a shift to online and local spending. As a result, the City’s �inancial forecast is sound,’’ he wrote. Mesa’s full-time employees next month will receive the 3 percent step increase that they never got in July. But that’s not all.

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She said residents of her district have not given her a list of suggestions or goals that they would like her to accomplish. “Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t pay much attention to local politics,’’ Spilsbury said. “They trust me,’’ she said. “She’s smart, she’ll represent my values.’’ Fundamentally, Spilsbury said she has no con�licts with the general direction of city leadership. That view is in stark contrast to Whittaker, a consistent critic who took strong exception to campaign donations to council members by developers, adamantly opposed to what he considered the city’s over-reliance on utility revenue, and fervently opposed the ASU@mesacitycenter project on grounds that the city should not subsidize ASU through bargain rents. City of�icials are hoping the ASU building will reinvigorate downtown by giving birth to a high-technology oriented Innovation District, serving as a magnet for the creation of new jobs and attracting students and young professionals. “They know my values and what’s important to me,’’ Spilsbury said, referring to District Two residents. “I think our city is doing great and I want to stay with that.’’ Spilsbury said her own list of priorities include helping small businesses survive and bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting improved educational opportunities and promoting Mesa’s Neighborhood Cleanup Program, in which the city drops off dumpsters for volunteer cleanup campaigns. “We have a lot of neighborhoods that could use some work,’’ Spilsbury said. “I love the idea of one street at a time, we can change some of these neighborhoods.’’ 

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

PAY �� 6

Mesa also is increasing the maximum pay range for jobs by 5 percent, which also veteran employees in public safety and other departments who had “topped out’’ to receive the step increase. Employees also will receive a $2,000 one-time check in January, a combination of pay they never received because of the freeze and a little extra as compensation for working long hours, on weekends and from home to pull off the Mesa Cares COVID-19 relief effort. Brady announced the pay raise to employees in a video message. “We realize all employees have been impacted somehow by COVID in your personal life. Many of you have had to work from home, many have had to work different hours,” he told them. “The inconvenience of COVID has been impactful on all employees. So all employees that were employed with the City on July 1st, 2020 and will be employed on January 1st, 2021 will be eligible for a check of $2,000.” Part-time employees will receive a $1,000 check in January. Brady said the city has about 4,000 employees. Mesa Cares started with a needs survey and turned into an umbrella for a full array of social service programs. The services included food supplies, prepared meals, utility assistance, a sweeping Business Re-emergence program to help small businesses, and an Off the Streets program for the homeless. “It’s trying to make up for the pay they didn’t get in July,’’ Brady said. “It’s more than just making up the pay they received. There was a lot of hazardous pay and hard work.’’ Parks employees suddenly found themselves distributing food boxes after most recreation programs were shutdown to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Libraries were closed, but librarians quickly became jacks-of-all trades, conducting the initial survey and helping business owners �ill out applications for the Business Re-emergence Program. Brady said he wanted to reward employees for their �lexibility and dedication. He added that the reassignments also saved many jobs, with salaries paid out from the city’s windfall of $90 million in federal COVID-19 aid. “Employees didn’t receive any pay increase and they were asked to do a lot

more,’’ Brady said. “Many of them did a completely different job.’’ Originally, Brady said he was thinking about rewarding employees with a $1,000 payment, but he increased that to $2,000 after Vice Mayor Mark Freeman and Councilman Kevin Thompson argued for a larger increase during a council study session. Brady said Mesa and the rest of the state and country are still in uncertain times, but he anticipates the city will gradually begin �illing empty positions that accumulated during the hiring freeze. Many of those positions will be affected by the planned re-opening of facilities closed during the pandemic, including the libraries and the Mesa Arts Center. Public safety positions, mainly police recruits and �ire�ighters, were not covered by the freeze and normal hiring practices were continued. Mesa voters approved a small sales tax increase in 2018 to �ill those positions. 

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

EV safety rankings – some cities gain, some slip BY GARY NELSON Tribune Contributor

f you’re looking to live somewhere relatively safe from all the perils that modern life can throw at us, the East Valley is a pretty good bet – but in some of our cities, not as good as a year ago. WalletHub, a personal �inance website that frequently ranks cities for various quality-of-life factors, is out with its 2020 list of America’s safest and least-safe communities. And overall, we’re still pretty snug around here. Gilbert was the highest-ranking Arizona city, coming in at No. 10 overall in the list of 182 communities. For other area cities the rankings are Chandler, 17; Scottsdale, 20; Mesa, 31, Tempe, 40; and Phoenix, 104. For Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix, those rankings actually represent improvement from a year ago, when WalletHub pegged them at Nos. 34, 45 and 118, respectively. But the highest-scoring cities from a year ago all slipped in the rankings. Gilbert was ranked No. 4 nationally for safety in 2019, Chandler had been No. 9, and Scottsdale No. 12. It appears the COVID-19 pandemic is a big reason for the slippage in a year when,

frankly, everyone is less safe than when 2019 came to a close. As of Dec. 7, Maricopa County had lost 4,153 residents to the highly contagious new disease. Statistically, some of those people would have died in 2020 from other causes. But COVID-19 has affected mortality to such an extent that WalletHub factored it into this year’s safety rankings. “The methodology has been updated this year to include the number of COVID-19 cases,” Jill Gonzalez, a WalletHub statistical analyst who worked on the survey, told The Tribune. “This is an area where Arizona cities don’t rank very well.” “Other factors where Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Tempe rank low include the number of active �ire�ighters, EMTs and paramedics per capita, the low share of sheltered homeless, and the high number of drug poisoning deaths and traf�ic fatalities per capita,” Gonzalez said. WalletHub’s safety rankings go beyond the obvious life-and-death issues such as crime and our driving habits. Our bank accounts come into play as well. “In terms of �inancial safety,” Gonzalez said, “these Arizona cities registered a large number of fraud complaints and

personal bankruptcy �ilings per capita, and a low rate of access to and participation in retirement plans. “However,” she said, “even considering all these factors, the cities still rank in the top 25 percent safest in the country.” The WalletHub survey ranked communities in three broad categories – “home and community,” natural disasters and �inancial safety. In general, it is the region’s rankings for natural disasters and �inancial safety that account for its overall high ratings nationally. In the “home and security” category, which includes crime and traf�ic safety, the region did not score as well – Tempe, for example, coming in at No. 78 and Phoenix at No. 139 nationally. Chandler, with its booming high-tech industry, led the region in �inancial safety, ranking No. 10 nationally in that category. Fast-growing Gilbert outscored wealthy Scottsdale, ranking No. 16 as opposed to Scottsdale at No. 18. The rankings for Tempe, Mesa and Phoenix in that area were 39, 40 and 65. Even Tucson, listed at No. 146 nationally for safety overall, scored in the top third of cities economically, at No. 54.

Predictably, the region was seen as among the safest in the country from natural disasters. Historically the biggest natural threat here has been extreme heat, which has steadily become more deadly in recent years. According to the Maricopa County Public Health Department, 197 heat-related deaths were reported in 2019, compared with 21 in 2001. Many of those deaths were attributed at least in part to non-functioning air-conditioners and to substance abuse. Homelessness also was a major factor. The county did not provide a city-bycity breakdown of heat-related deaths. The other natural disasters that frequently affect Arizona – wild�ires and �looding – can touch the East Valley to some extent, but fatal incidents in recent years have most often occurred in rural areas. If the East Valley isn’t safe enough for you, Columbia, Maryland, has led the list for several years as the nation’s safest city. And of the 182 places surveyed, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, came in dead last. The full WalletHub survey is available at: wallethub.com/edu/safest-cities-inamerica/41926. 

parts of the country,” said Kim Sabow, president and CEO of the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association. Gwen Gyug, a Canadian with a home in a 55-plus community, said there also are health bene�its to spending time here during the coldest months of the year. “As you age, the winters in Canada do take a toll on you as a senior,” Gyug said. “Warmer weather also gives you a better chance of living longer.” In Canada, many activities must be put on hold for winter, as “when the temperature drops to below 30 degrees Celsius, or negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit.” “Together with the added wind chill, it instantly causes the skin to freeze,” said Gyug. Additionally, many Arizona cultural attractions, closed due to COVID-19, have reopened to the public recently. The Phoenix Art Museum, the Arizona Museum of Natural History and the Arizona Opera are welcoming guests back with

appropriate safety measures in place. “They love the arts; they love going out and spending money in restaurants,” said Glenn Williamson, the CEO and founder of the Canada Arizona Business Council. “It’s not a vacation,” she added. “It’s a lifestyle, so they get up in the morning and they’re creatures of habit. They get their coffees, and they want breakfast with their friends. Then they might go and do a sport together.” According to the Canada Arizona Business Council, tourism is a $2.4 billion industry in Arizona and about $1.4 billion of that comes from Canadians. After the initial outbreak of the pandemic in March, the U.S. and Canada acted quickly and temporarily restricted non-essential travel across the US-Canada land borders. These restrictions have remained in effect and the most recent deadline for them to end is Dec. 21. Both governments had initially hoped

to be open by April. Since March, however, that date has been extended seven times. Non-essential travel is de�ined by these countries as recreational, such as tourism. Essential travel for work and study, economic services and supply chains, health reasons, safety and critical infrastructure support can continue. The ban on car travel has already made an impact on Arizona businesses. For example, Miguel Marquez’s RV repair company, Desert Mobile Home Services in Mesa, has felt the brunt. Noting as many as 160,000 winter visitors from Canada come to Arizona in RVs, he said, the ban “really affects towns like Mesa, Coolidge, Florence and Yuma.” He said some communities “double in size.” “This time, oh man, maybe a few cars from Canada,” Marquez said, describing the current state of his business. “Other

Tourism of�icials hope Arizona’s climate trumps COVID-19 BY SYDNEY MACKIE Tribune Contributor

inter in Arizona usually signals a reprieve from intense heat as well as a time of economic prosperity for local businesses as visitors �lee winter for Arizona’s kinder climes. But the intensity of Arizona’s – and the nation’s – COVID-19 pandemic has left the season �illed with uncertainty. Local economists and business owners are wondering whether the draws of Arizona this winter will be enticing enough to encourage the annual arrival of snowbirds. They’re banking that the attractions of Arizona’s weather and cultural offerings will trump pandemic concerns. “Arizona’s fantastic year-round weather is our best asset and number one selling point during winter. To be able to golf, sit on a patio or enjoy a hike during this time of year is impossible in snow-covered

�� TOURISM �� 10

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

TOURISM �� 8

years, it’s like hundreds of cars.” To combat these issues, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce is working to provide extra assistance to companies like Marquez’s, by providing personal protective equipment as well as legal and web development advice. “The city of Mesa received federal funding and put the Mesa Cares program in place to support small businesses,” said Sally Harrison, president and CEO of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Meanwhile in the skies, Gregory E. Roybal, the spokesman for Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, said his airport has seen “strong demand for domestic leisure travel and 70 percent of our passengers are origin and destination passengers.” He noted the precautions the airlines are taking, such as enhanced cleaning protocols, hand sanitizer, plexiglass barriers at customer service counters, recon�igured seating at various restaurants and new handrail cleaning technology. All these safeguards, he said, are convincing many travelers to feel comfortable boarding planes once again. Harrison agreed, saying that, “Many are coming back and �lying into Gateway airport.” While a Canadian citizen could enter America by plane, they would have to quarantine for 14 days following their return home. To alleviate this issue, the Calgary airport is experimenting with a rapid-testing program that permits customers to get swabbed as soon as they land, and only quarantine for a few days until they get their result if the test shows they are nega-

TOURNEY �� 4

games continue to blow off the mask and social distancing requirements. The rules call for park site supervisors to warn event organizers that individual games, or even entire tournaments, will be shut down if parents refuse to wear masks or observe social distancing. Acting Deputy City Manager Marc Heirshberg said that if compliance is sporadic, the next step would be closing the �ields. By following the “simple rules,’’ spec-

Along with signs like this at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Gov. Doug Ducey also wants virus testing facilities there that passengers could use if they want to. (Special to the Tribune) tive for COVID-19. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that this “voluntary screening option will be available for foreign essential workers — truckers, health care and other workers who are exempt from the current federal travel ban — and any Canadian citizens returning to the country through Alberta.” Arizona, California, and Florida, the most popular destinations for these travelers, do not have any quarantine period. Many snowbirds have differing opinions on the matter of public safety and whether border restrictions should remain or be if they should be made looser to allow for more personal responsibility. “It’s pretty scary because I’m immunocompromised and because our numbers here in Canada are just growing incredibly, I don’t think they should have open

tators at the games can ensure that the �ields remain available for their children to have fun playing in the tournaments, which include baseball, soccer and lacrosse events. Heirshberg said the city is not asking much of parents who are spectators – just wear a mask and spread out. “If you want your child to play, you will wear a mask,’’ he said. “Those simple things will keep the kids active and keep these �ields available.’’ Vice Mayor Mark Freeman, whose dis-

borders,” said Bobbie McIntyre, winter visitor to Arizona for nearly 15 years. Alternatively, some visitors are willing to accept the risks if it means returning to a place “they almost consider home,” Williamson said. Rhonda Miller, who has been vacationing here for 12 years, said, “Talking to my friends, even if the borders aren’t open after Christmas, I think we’re all gonna �ly.” However, this hinged on getting adequate travel insurance. McIntyre explained that she was looking at an insurance package that included airlifted medical evacuation if needed. “My daughter was surprised I would even consider that,” she continued. “Really you do have to think about if it’s worth it for one winter.” Sabow, who has headed the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association for

trict includes two baseball stadiums that are among Mesa’s top tourist destinations, strongly backed keeping the �ields open if the public cooperates with the protocols. He and council member Kevin Thompson sided with the compromise, while Duff and Luna expressed reservations. In the end, the council consented to the stricter rules in lieu of a closure. “It’s out of respect for other people who may have underlying conditions,’’ Freeman said. “People just don’t want to get sick.’’ “The hospitality industry has taken

four years, stated the main concern in her industry now is rebuilding trust and ensuring the comfort of these longtime customers. “That is why AzLTA launched the AZSAFE+CLEAN Certi�ication program in an effort to build consumer con�idence and awareness about the safety and cleanliness of hotels and resorts in response to COVID-19,” Sabow said. The policy allows local businesses to adapt and continue providing valuable services while prioritizing the health and safety for their clients, especially those considered high risk. “Counting tourists that stay in hotels coming from Canada, we get about a million of those, and they bring in about $1 billion a year,” Sabow said. Furthermore, many visitors have a deep sense of community and belonging here. “We have friends that are American snowbirds, and we have those that we met on a cruise that go to Phoenix as well,” Gyug said, “We’ve got a lot of friends down there.” Overall, Arizona’s local government and entrepreneurs are doing everything in their power to reinvite and entice these valued guests back to their second home, and it appears the risk may be worth it to many. “I think this year, winter snowbirds are already coming down and I think it’s going to be a medium to good winter this year,” Williamson concluded. McIntyre recalled her �irst trip to Arizona to illustrate the state’s lure for Canadians and residents of wintry states. “It was like I had died and gone to heaven,” she said. “To get to go to these wonderful places all winter, I have no right to ever complain.” 

a hit,’’ Freeman said. “I think the youth groups are the lowest people who might get sick. I don’t want to over-reach. They need to monitor themselves.’’ Thompson said he wants to keep the �ields open but added that he was at an event at Red Mountain Park recently where mask-wearing was not universal. “I think kids need that outlet,’’ Thompson said. Giles said the decision to leave the �ields open will be re-evaluated at a study session in January. 

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

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

Mesa woman’s volunteerism rewarded with new Mazda TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

Mesa woman was given a new Mazda by a Scottsdale dealership as part of the manufacturer’s “Mazda Heroes” campaign that singles out people who go the extra mile to help their communities. Substitute teacher Cari Williams had been nominated for the car by her husband after she worked to help nursing homes and hospitals get necessary personal protective equipment. “She leveraged her sewing skills and created a pattern and step-by-step video showing how to create both gowns and masks,” Mazda said, adding that video has garnered 40,000 views. “Her creative approach to the challenging shortages helped provide PPE for more than just her community. In addition, Cari made and collected hundreds of washable gowns and masks and donated them to vulnerable local medical staff,” the company added. People dropped off fabric and her en-

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tire family sewed gowns and masks that they donated to local hospitals and facilities. “What has really stuck out to me during this whole process was the good in the world,” said Williams, said during a TV interview after Marc Dubowy of Mark Mazda in Scottsdale presented her with the new set of wheels. “We hope these cars are some form of payback,” said Dubowy. The giveaway was part of a nationwide program recognizing 50 community heroes throughout the country. “The initiative was created by Mazda to shine a light on individuals across the country who have tirelessly dedicated themselves to their communities throughout 2020 and acknowledge the impact their efforts have made on those around them,” according to the company. A Mazda spokesperson said they heard “countless stories of people like Mesa resident Cari Williams made a YouTube Williams putting others �irst and the video with directions on how to make protective positive impact of their work in local gowns and masks. (YouTube) communities.” 

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

Scottsdale lawmaker targets Ducey’s powers

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

veteran state lawmaker from Scottsdale is moving to strip Gov. Doug Ducey of the powers he assumed when he declared an emergency 10 months ago. The resolution by Republican Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita says Ducey’s March 11 emergency order has interfered with individual rights – speci�ically referring to the stay-at-home edicts the governor issued early in the COVID-19 pandemic. That has since been allowed to expire. But Ugenti-Rita said other actions by Ducey remain, including restrictions on how some businesses can operate, have wreaked havoc on the economy. People out of work has all but depleted the $1.1 billion the state had in March in the unemployment insurance trust fund. Reduced business activity has cut into sales tax revenues. And Ugenti-Rita said there are projections that up to a quarter of the businesses that shut down during the pandemic will never return. The senator told Capitol Media Services on that she is not disputing the governor’s decision to declare an emergency when

the virus �irst exploded on the scene. “I have no problem with a governor exercising their authority to issue an emergency,’’ she said. “But at some point, there needs to be an end date.’’ Beyond that, Ugenti-Rita said that decisions about mitigation strategies and how funds are allocated need to be decided through the legislative process. And she said that, at some point, it’s no longer necessary for Ducey to have nearabsolute powers to issue emergency edicts on everything ranging from how many patrons a restaurant can seat to when children can attend classes. “This is a health crisis that can de�initely be handled using the legislative process,’’ Ugenti-Rita said. The governor made it clear he’s in no rush to end his declaration. In fact, he said it needs to continue. “We’re in a state of emergency,’’ he said. “We’re going to continue in a state of emergency until that’s no longer necessary.’’ Anyway, he said, the Legislature is not currently meeting, having ended their 2020 session early as the virus spread. “They won’t be in session until Jan. 11,’’ Ducey said. Ugenti-Rita said that’s no excuse.

Scottsdale Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita wants to clip the governor's emergency powers to close businesses. (Tribune file photo) “We could have been around if he had called us back into session,’’ she said. “And we will be around in January.’’ More to the point, the senator said that the whole purpose of having a legislature and not a government run by a single person is to ensure there is broad debate

and broad discussion of the decisions being made. “The public deserves a seat at the table,’’ she said. “And one way they have that is through their elected representatives.’’ What Ugenti-Rita is proposing is exactly what the law contemplates. It spells out that gubernatorial-declared emergencies go until the governor decides it is no longer necessary or until the legislature, by a majority of both chambers, votes to end it. That is what her SCR 1001 would do. And as a resolution, it is not subject to gubernatorial veto. Aside from trying to end this declared emergency, Ugenti-Rita also is looking ahead to the next time this happens. She chairs a committee that is reviewing all the current laws dealing with emergencies, with an eye toward amending that to say that they self-destruct within a certain time – she’s not sure when that should be – unless state lawmakers reauthorize it. Several business groups, notably bars and gyms, have sued the governor over his authority toimpose restructions and virtually all the lawsuits have failed. 

Ducey touts vaccine as state's virus cases soar BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

record number of Arizonans are now hospitalized for COVID-19 as the state retains its dubious distinction as the place where the virus is spreading faster than anywhere else in the country. New �igures on Wednesday by the Department of Health Services show 3,809 hospital beds are occupied by COVID patients. Even at its peak in July, that �igure was 3,517. The new report also shows 1,309 beds in emergency rooms with coronavirus cases, also a new record. And while the ICU-bed usage by COVID patients set no new records, just 155 beds remain available in the entire state. All this comes on top of a statewide daily death count that now has reached 108,

State Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ and Gov. Doug Ducey spoke about their tour of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution center ste up on the State Fairgrounds. (Capitol;

Media Services)

tying the previous one-day record. That brings the total to 7,530.

There also were another 4,848 new cases reported; the tally now is 429,219.

And that �igure may be arti�icially low as it does not include people who are asymptomatic and do not get tested yet are capable of spreading the disease. And last week, close to one in �ive people who did get tested came up positive for the virus. “And this week we are trending higher,’’ said state health chief Dr. Cara Christ. All three benchmarks for virus spread in Mesa are now in the substantial category, according to new data released last Thursday by the county Health Department. COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people were at 637, the percentage of new virus tests coming back positive was at 17.5 percent and percentage of hospital visits with COVID-like symptoms was 10.2 percent. All this came as Gov. Doug Ducey toured

�� DUCEY �� 13

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

DUCEY �� 12

a vaccination site at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Among the �irst to get a shot in the arm was Christ. The state’s own protocols call for the �irst vaccines to be given to health care workers. And while Christ is a medical doctor, she does not provide direct care to patients. But Ducey said the decision to have her at the front of the line is based on the need to give Arizonans the con�idence to roll up their own sleeves for a novel vaccine. And that means getting the message from someone Arizonans trust -- in this case, the health director who has been the public face of the �ight on the virus. Christ herself acknowledged that need for public con�idence – and even con�idence of the medical community who individual patients rely on for advice – noting that a survey last month found that 37 percent of health care professionals said they probably would not get inoculated. Ducey himself said he is willing to get a shot of one of the vaccines that has been given “emergency use authorization’’ by

the federal Food and Drug Administration. But he said there are only 380,000 doses in the �irst batch the state is receiving and he does not want to “jump the line.’’ In the meantime, the governor repeated he will not impose new restrictions on businesses or public gatherings, or impose a statewide mandate for face masks, even in the face of record-setting levels of infection. He said it’s not necessary. “Where most of the spread is happening and where the folks that are in some of these situations are because of the larger group gatherings that are happening in private settings,’’ Ducey said. “And then folks that are at that category of age or vulnerability or comorbidity catch this virus,’’ he continued. “And they are �illing our hospitals and our ICUs.’’ More to the point, the governor said he’s not sure the state can do much about that. “I don’t know what role you think the government can have in private home settings,’’ he said. “That’s why we’re trying to educate the public on the best possible policies and protocols.’’ Ducey has received multiple letters and requests from different groups asking that

he take more substantial action. The most recent, on Wednesday, was from Democrat mayors and lawmakers along with doctors and nurses urging a statewide mask mandate. “If Arizona’s leaders are refusing to acknowledge the severity of the pandemic by taking necessary mitigation measures, how can we expect everyone else to follow suit?’’ they asked. “I am not ignoring anyone,’’ Ducey responded when asked about the various requests. “I am listening to everyone,’’ he continued, saying he is taking “the best counsel and advice and putting those steps forward.’’ The governor also reacted angrily to questions about whether his failure to take action makes him in some way responsible for the number of deaths in Arizona. “That is not true,’’ he said. “It is the virus that is taking these lives,’’ he said. “The vaccine will save millions of lives going forward.’’ Ducey also suggested there was some inconsistency in some of what he is being asked to do. On one hand, he said, there are those who think there should be more restric-

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tions on businesses. That, in turn, means throwing people out of work. At the same time, the governor said he is being asked to extend a moratorium on residential evictions, one imposed by the federal Centers for Disease Prevention and Control that is set to expire at the end of the year. That is likely to result in a spike of people who have not been able to pay rent being kicked out. Ducey said the state does have some dollars available for rent relief. “But the best way to keep people inside their homes or their apartments is to allow them to be safely and successfully employed so they can pay their rent or pay their mortgage,’’ he said. Ducey sought to tamp down talk about how Arizona is faring with that state having the highest infection rate in the nation. “The real measure of success is vaccinations,’’ the governor said, and not only in the logistical rollout of the program. “It’s also to build con�idence in this vaccine, that it’s safe, that it’s effective, it will save lives and it will bring us back to a sense of normality in this state and in this country,’’ he said. 

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

Campaign donations in Arizona hit record high

BY CATHERINE FUSILLO Cronkite News

rizonans were heavily invested in this fall’s elections in more ways than one, donating a total of at least $110 million to support candidates and high-pro�ile ballot initiatives. That was a sharp increase from the $60 million that state voters donated just four years ago. And the increases this year were seen across the board, with Arizonans opening their wallets for presidential as well as federal and state campaigns. “People on both sides obviously felt extremely passionate about the presidential and Senate elections,” said Jason Rose, a Republican political consultant in Arizona. “They saw an opportunity to effect change this way.” The surge in giving was driven by unusually high interest in the presidential and Senate races and Arizona’s newfound status as a battleground state. While that drew large amounts of money from out of state, it apparently inspired state residents to contribute more, too. Democrats appeared to be especially motivated, donating to what turned out to be successful campaigns for president and for Senate. President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over Trump was the �irst time the state had voted for a Democratic presidential nominee since 1996.

And Sen. Mark Kelly, a Democrat, unseated Republican Sen. Martha McSally to give the state two Democratic senators for the �irst time since the 1950s. It also brought Democrats one seat closer control of the Senate. “The Arizona Senate race was one of the few opportunities where Democrats were seen as potentially able to �lip a Senate seat,” said Kim Fridkin, foundation professor of political science at Arizona State University. “Since the U.S. Senate race between McSally and Kelly was for control of the U.S. Senate potentially, this played into the reason why there was so much spending,” Fridkin said. The race between Kelly and McSally was the most expensive in state history, with the two candidates raising a combined $173.9 million. While most of that came from out of state, Arizona donors accounted for $17.4 million of the total, with Kelly raising $9.4 million in state and McSally getting $8 million, according to their most recent Federal Election Commission �ilings. The 2016 Senate race between longtime Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, his Democratic challenger, by comparison, brought in just $3.8 million from Arizona donors. In-state Senate donations this year were eclipsed by contributions to the general election candidates in the hotly contested

presidential race. OpenSecrets.org reported that Arizonans gave a total of $29.4 million to Trump and Biden. In 2016, the presidential campaigns of Trump and Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton raised just over $7 million in Arizona. Biden, who got into the race relatively late, raised $12.9 million in the state this year to Trump’s $16.5 million as of early December reports. Those numbers do not include millions more donated by Arizonans to the crowded �ield of Democratic presidential hopefuls before Biden sewed up the �ield. Fridkin said the competitive Senate race drew more people to donate. “Arizona was a battleground state in the presidential campaign and it was seen as a pathway for victory for both Biden and Trump,” she said. Rose agreed. “It has to do with stakes and it has to do with the candidate,” he said. “The stakes were higher than usual this year, so there was more money involved.” Down ballot, donations from individual Arizonans to campaigns for state of�ice also soared, according to data from the Secretary of State’s website. It said contributions rose from $13.5 million in 2016 to $23.3 million this year, an increase Fridkin also attributed to competitive races. “I do believe that control of the state Sen-

ate and the state House depended upon �lipping a few seats, so this is why there was a lot of spending at that level,” she said. This year’s ballot initiatives also drew large donations, for and against. Proposition 207, which legalized marijuana use in the state, and Proposition 208, which raised income taxes for wealthy wageearners to fund public education, were mostly funded with in-state donations. Rose said large amounts were raised against Proposition 208 in particular, since some Arizonans “think that 208 is the worst thing that they’ve ever seen.” “There was $18 million raised largely by individuals against Prop. 208, and it just came up a little short. So that’s certainly mobilized deep-pocketed donors,” he said. But the overall initiative fundraising in 2020 was not signi�icantly higher than in 2016, when another marijuana question and a proposal to raise the minimum wage were on the ballot. Arizonans donated $30.4 million for those campaigns, compared to a total of $32 million this year. Both Rose and Fridkin said voters gave because they were invested in the issues this fall, and they got more invested as more people gave. “In general, a lot of people were very engaged in the campaign at all levels this year, and this led to more fundraising and spending and the historic levels of turnout.” Fridkin said. 

The Arizona Department of Health Services said veri�ied opioid overdoses jumped from 375 in February to 479 in March, the height of pandemic-related restrictions on business and travel. At the time, it was the highest monthly number of con�irmed overdoses since the state began monthly tracking in June 2017. Con�irmed opioid overdoses have since risen to peak at 500 in August, before starting to move back down. “When you restrict activities, when you isolate people, when people lose their employment, this has major effects on mental health,” said Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, assistant secretary for mental health and substance use with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“For people who have substance problems, it can make them worse. For people who don’t have substance problems, it may initiate the use of substances,” she said. McCance-Katz and others said the same increase in overdoses has been seen nationally this year. And they may continue to increase as days go by, especially with some people being isolated in their homes, she said. Experts also worry that people may not be getting the help and assistance they need for substance use problems as many facilities have shut down and some of�icials are preoccupied with the pandemic. “Our mental health system, our substance-use-disorder treatment system has been virtually shut down,” McCance-Katz

said. “We often don’t have facilities that can do 6-foot social distancing.” The number of veri�ied opioid deaths in Arizona has risen steadily over the past decade, from 454 in 2012 to 1,167 in 2018, the most recent year for which con�irmed numbers are available from the state. McCance-Katz said that there has been a “complete lack of concern or any ability of government of�icials to contemplate any other health risk except for COVID-19.” Raminta Daniulaityte, an associate professor at Arizona State University’s College of Health Solutions, said that everyone is struggling with anxiety and uncertainty related to the pandemic and that these feelings could cause someone to relapse or engage in drug use.”

Opioid epidemic receding from public view BY OLIVIA MUNSON Cronkite News

deadly epidemic has been on the rise this year in Arizona but has drawn scant media attention. With the world focused on COVID-19, local and national experts say a growing number of opioid overdoses and deaths is being overlooked. “COVID-19 has taken up a lot of our space, but oftentimes it’s the way of the world,” said Maya Tatum, of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy. “It takes over people’s minds and people forget.” They fear that increase may be driven in part by the upheaval that the coronavirus has caused to lives and livelihoods.

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

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Many options for Mesa residents to volunteer BY STACI HAUK Tribune Contributor

uring the holiday season, many Mesa residents seek to give their time to worthy organizations in the community. While COVID-19 has posed challenges in that arena, many local nonpro�its have adjusted to offer volunteer opportunities �it for the times. Here are �ive options.

Branching Out Family Services

Counselor Cherrie Vierra-Lonkar founded Branching Out, along with her husband, psychologist and professor Dr. Brian Lonkar. Her dream was to create a new approach to supporting families just like theirs. In addition to being behavioral health professionals, the Lonkars are both special needs and adoptive parents. Branching Out Family Services offers a variety of programs and services to help foster and adoptive parents meet their goals while connecting them to other families like theirs.

Sunshine Acres Children’s Home in Mesa can always use volunteers, given that its sprawling campus has multiple venues that need tending to. (Special to the Tribune) In addition to counseling, coaching and referrals, they now offer therapeutic recreation programs, selfcare and other services. “I am both a foster/adoptive parent and a special needs parent,” Cherrie said. “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I prom-

ised myself that if I survived, I would spend the rest of my days making the world a kinder and more supportive place for Arizona’s most vulnerable children.” Lonkar has been actively involved in advocacy and education within the foster care and special needs communities as

personal handwork, Morton’s practice is equally engaged in orchestrating public projects that call for collaboration between herself and community participants that advocate awareness of social issues of mutual concern,” the museum noted. Lohner is a font designer and printmaker who rarely makes print editions. Instead, through bold graphic shapes, he captures the human �igure in patterned layers and colors to create visually striking monoprints and one-of-a-kind artist books. His subject matter centers on male identity and dual concepts of revealed individuality versus concealed anonymity. Clottee Hammons, creative director of Emancipation Arts LLC, curates the “HumanContrasts” exhibit.

Human contrasts are people that on the surface appear very dissimilar and disconnected. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. referred to them in his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. They have always existed in the world, the country and in Arizona. In this exhibition artists Sebastiao Pereira, Leonard Wilson, JJ Westgate, Scott Chamberlain and Peter Votichenko look deep into humanity to render the Veterans of Creative Suffering that are all around us. Mesa Contemporary Art Museum’s is also selling its 12th annual original art print calendar for 2021. The prints, ranging from relief prints to screen prints as well as etchings to lithographs, are all hand produced on acid-free

both an educator and a counselor in the Chandler/Gilbert area. She encourages involvement as a volunteer with Branching Out now and at any time of year. “Branching Out’s volunteers are the best,” she said. “They are the key to our success. …Our volunteers do everything from assembling goodie bags to doing administrative work, to wearing an in�latable dinosaur costume to bring joy to the children we serve. We are all about joyful childhood memories for these kids so we have a lot of fun.” Monetary donations are the ideal way to give back for some and Branching Out’s Good Works Project quali�ies donors for a state tax credit. Information: info@branchingoutfamilyservices.com, 480-757-1002 or branchingoutfamilyservices.com.

Humane Animal Rescue and Trapping Team

The Humane Animal Rescue and Trap-

�� VOLUNTEERS �� 17

Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum reopening TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

esa Contemporary Arts Museum will reopen to the public Dec. 22 with three new exhibitions in December, one exhibition opening in January and two exhibitions in February. Winter exhibitions include “History Repeats,” about socio-political concerns by Arizona artist Ann Morton; “Forbidden Colors,” focused on male identity by Arizona artist Harold Lohner; and “Human Contrasts…Veterans of Creative Suffering,” a pop-up exhibition in conjunction with the Regional Unity Art Walk. Morton exploits traditional textile techniques as conceptual tools for aesthetic, social communication to examine society. “In addition to works that re�lect her

paper and adhered to the calendar with photo corners for easy removal for framing. Each of the twelve months has a different print and no two calendars are alike. This limited-edition calendar, with only 65 available for purchase, is a great way to begin an art collection or give as a unique holiday gift. Order at mesaartscenter.com/museumstore. For more information on Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum or to make a time slot reservation: mesaartscenter.com/ mcam or 480-644-6560. Admission is free but hours have been reduced to 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. The museum is at 1 E. Main St. in downtown Mesa. 

COMMUNITY

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

VOLUNTEERS �� 16

ping Team was founded by Cheryl Naumann, who has more than 20 years of animal welfare experience and served as the former CEO of Arizona Humane Society. She has led efforts to trap lost animals in Maricopa County since 2012. Cheryl recognized that there was a great need for the skill, equipment and patience required to rescue shy, skittish and injured animals in the �ield and founded HARTT to meet this underserved need. “HARTT volunteers are those special people who see a lost dog and have to pull over and try to help,” she said. “They enjoy being in the outdoors and getting some exercise and are able to strategize on search areas and hang �lyers in neighborhoods. “Needs tend to arise on short notice but searches and �lyer hanging can be done at any time of the day or night. We also always need foster homes, especially for our shy and older dogs.” During these times of uncertainty and stress, pets bring comfort and joy – and rescuing a homeless dog brings huge reward, Naumann said. “The holidays are a great time to become a volunteer, as we all feel the spirit of giving, and it’s extremely rewarding to give your time and efforts to bring lost or homeless pets to safety,” Naumann said. “Lost dog searches are outdoor activities done in very small groups, and fostering happens in your own home - both very COVID-19 safe options.” Information: azhartt.org/volunteer.

Scholl’s Helping Hands for the Homeless

Seven years ago, a group of women on Facebook were collecting donations to deliver to the homeless population in the Chandler/Gilbert community and they didn’t have a drop off location. Enter the kindness of a stranger, Diane Scholl, who allowed them to use her address if she also could be involved in helping deal directly with homeless people. “I went out with them and it was devastating to see – there was a huge need and I decided then and there to start Scholl’s Helping Hands for the Homeless.” All her work is done outdoors or from the comfort of home, making it a safe and family-friendly way to give back this holiday season. Needs range from donating items for holiday meals and pre-packaging hygiene

Information: facebook.com/ schollshelpinghands1 or 602-619-5952

Sunshine Acres Children’s Home

Sunshine Acres Children’s Home, founded in 1954 and located in Mesa, can always use help. “We are so blessed to have an amazing community that wants to either give their time through volunteering or through helping �inancially,” said Assistant Executive Director Shara Markwell. “We love our volunteers and the many duties that they help with on our campus.” On the 109-acre site is a learning center where volunteers can help children with their homework; a dining hall where volunteers can help wash dishes or keep everything clean; Love Connection Dog Rescue volunteer Alyssa a horse program and 4H Club where Bentley has her hands full. (Special to the Tribune) volunteers can help with animal care; a donation center where help with kits for those living on the streets to do- intake is appreciated and a greenhouse nating gently used clothes, shoes, back- where volunteers can help grow produce. Markwell noted that a listening ear or packs and even dog items. Scholl even hosts volunteer days where a smiling face plants a seed within these homeless people can come and collect children’s’ hearts and can potentially change their lives. items or food they may need. “I received a letter in the mail from a “Volunteers are extra special because I couldn’t do this alone. They go to the former Sunshine Acres resident who lived streets with me, make food, package hy- here with his siblings in the late 1950s. giene kits – whatever is needed. COVID-19 His brother had passed and he was re�lecthas slowed us down some, but I have met ing on his life. “He believes that the compassion and some amazing groups and make sure our donations go out to those who are still hit- love that his brother exhibited in his life was due to the time he was at Sunshine ting the streets on a regular basis.”

Volunteers with Scholl’s Helping Hands for the Homeless last year handed out clothing to needy people. (Special to the Tribune)

Acres. Before he passed, they had many talks about how thankful they both were for having the Dingmans show them compassion and love. That is the Sunshine Acres way.” Information: sunshineacres.org.

Love Connection Dog Rescue

Love Connection Dog Rescue founders Jodie Maggio and Kristen McCown have been rescuing animals for quite some time. For Jodie, it was about starting her own rescue one day, so when the opportunity arose, she jumped in wholeheartedly. Kristen always had a special place in her heart for animal rescue and made for a passionate partner. Love Connection started in November 2019, but in that short time, over 500 dogs have been adopted through the rescue, including behavioral, medical and senior pups. Home checks and meet-and-greets are essential at Love Connection, so there is an assurance that each dog will go to a loving home. If snuggling dogs is the ideal image of volunteering for someone, then Love Connection delivers this season. “Our volunteers are so special to us because we are a foster based rescue, so without them, we wouldn’t be able to help dogs,” said volunteer Alyssa Bentley. “They are the heart and soul of the rescue.” Duties include providing a safe environment while the rescue searches for forever homes. “We also need fosters sitting in x-pens at events, walking dogs at events, setting up and breaking down at events, administrative work – the list goes on. The more volunteers we have the more dogs we can save,” she said, adding that without fosters, the rescue would be unable to pull dogs from shelters and the streets. Bentley recalls her favorite rescue story, as a volunteer. “We rescued a momma and three pups. One pup had Parvo and spent months at the emergency vet �ighting for his life at only 6 weeks old. We never lost hope and �inally got the message from the vet saying that he’s thriving, taking his liquids very well, eating, running around and playing – when we all saw that message, we put our phones down and cried, ‘Our baby was going to make it.’ Now he is adopted by one of the vets who took care of him.” Information: com. 

loveconnectiondogrescue.

COMMUNITY

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

Mesa native a proud OB-GYN nurse in U.S. Navy

U.S. Navy Of�ice of Community Outreach

.S. Navy Lt. Daria Seipeltyra said she knew two things from a very young age; she wanted to be a nurse, and she wanted to join the United States Navy. “My dad was in the Navy, and I always knew I wanted to join,” said the 2002 graduate of Mountain View High School and 2015 graduate of Phoenix’s Chamberlain College of Nursing. “I joined the Navy with nursing in mind, too, though my path to the Nurse Corps wasn’t exactly conventional.” Seipeltyra was recently named Navy Medical Readiness Training Command Bremerton’s Junior Of�icer of the Quarter, one of several quarterly categories used to recognize high-performing junior of�icers, enlisted sailors and civilian employees who stand out from others in similar ranks. Being recognized as the JOQ identi�ies the recipient as a prime example of the Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment, along with the command’s standards of care, competence and compassion. Seipeltyra said she supposes it means she’s doing something right. “As leaders, we just hope that all the choices we make are the right ones, and a little validation that you’re heading in the right direction never hurts,” she said, adding: “I like to think I’m the epitome of a positive, approachable, servant leader. How can I help? How can I make you more successful? When people know you’re there for them, they are more comfortable and happier doing their jobs. Happy people are more productive people, and the work environment improves drastically. It’s just that simple.” Currently the OB-GYN division of�icer at NMRTC Bremerton, Seipeltyra is a selfproclaimed Navy kid. She was born in Florida, but calls Arizona home. She said her 11-year naval career has mirrored her father’s, as both father and daughter began their naval careers as enlisted Sailors. “I liked the idea of being an enlisted Sailor �irst,” she said. “I liked the idea of the experience I’d gain from it, but I always intended on commissioning as a nurse. My

Mesa native and U.S. Navy Lt. Daria Seipeltyra is in Navy Medicine and Junior Officer of the Quarter. (Courtesy of U.S. Navy) dad was enlisted �irst, too, as what would be considered an electronics technician today. As a �irst class petty of�icer, he commissioned as a pilot. He passed away during night operations in the Persian Gulf. His plane had mechanical malfunctions. He was a lieutenant commander with 21 years of service. That will most likely be my rank upon my completion of service, further enforcing my career mirroring his.” As for Seipeltyra, her Navy story didn’t begin in the medical �ield. “My enlisted rating chose me,” she said. “I had wanted to be a corpsman, but it didn’t work out, so I became a �ire controlman. I was lucky enough to be able to promote quickly and, like my dad, was a �irst class petty of�icer when I commissioned.” Seipeltyra’s journey to Nurse Corps commissioning began almost immediately after enlisting via application to the Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP), a speci�ic pathway for enlisted Navy and Marine Corps to commission in the Navy Nurse Corps. “I’m sure �ire controlman is a great job, but I knew what I wanted. I wasted no time in submitting an MECP package,” said Seipeltyra. “Couple that with the fact that after ‘A’ school, I was selected to serve as

the executive assistant to the command master chief of Naval Station Great Lakes, and you have a perfect storm of not ever being able to practice as a �ire controlman. “MECP is extremely competitive as it’s open to any enlisted member in the Navy or Marine Corps. Several hundred people apply every year, but they only choose 3040 applicants a year. I spent nine months doing volunteer work at the local Veterans Affairs clinic and other resources gathering experience and hours to make a competitive package. While at Great Lakes, I was selected and attended nursing school in Arizona.” After nursing school and her commissioning as a naval of�icer, Seipeltyra worked as a staff and charge nurse in the Mother Infant Unit of Naval Medical Center San Diego before transferring to NMRTC Bremerton and working brie�ly as a staff nurse in the hospital’s multiservice ward. As the current OB-GYN division of�icer, Seipeltyra said she has found her calling. In her words, “the OB-GYN clinic guides patients through some of the most challenging and exciting changes in their lives, whether that be helping them bring new life into their family, or guiding them

through the changes that naturally come with advancing years, and doing so with the utmost competence and compassion.” “I was able to fall into my dream job here,” she said. “I have loved every minute of this role. I just love the patient connection. Having a patient come back and remember you being their nurse, even after having transferred to a new command, sharing those memories, is such an amazing experience.” Like many essential workers around the country, NMRTC Bremerton staff divined new and inventive ways of delivering topnotch healthcare to bene�iciaries amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Seipeltyra said her staff have acclimated to this new climate with poise and professionalism their bene�iciaries have come to expect. “Our overall routine hasn’t changed tremendously,” said Seipeltyra. “We just have remained vigilantly �lexible, with frequent schedule changes and adapting to the latest policies to ensure we are doing the most to protect everyone. Our providers stay current to the moment as knowledge is gained on how this pandemic affects our speci�ic patient population.” COVID-19 has certainly changed the way Americans go about their respective business, but according to Seipeltyra, at least one thing hasn’t changed. “Babies don’t stop,” she said when summarizing her role at the hospital during a pandemic. “Healthcare doesn’t go on pause because of a pandemic. Now, more than ever, we have needed a constant presence to ensure the very busy clinic runs smoothly. On a regular day, someone needs to be the watchful eye that hovers over schedules, lingers on paperwork, has ears open to the front desk, guards the privacy of our patients and safety of our staff, all in addition to calming nervous minds. That is my job.” 

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

BUSINESS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

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Area malls' owner optimistic about future BY WAYNE SCHUTSKY Tribune Staff Writer

he COVID-19 pandemic and associated shutdowns have hurt shopping malls across the country, but executives with Macerich see some small signs of improvement heading into 2021. Macerich, the California-based real estate investment company that owns and operates Scottsdale Fashion Square, San Tan Village Mall in Gilbert, Superstition Springs Centers in Mesa and Chandler Fashion Center, last month held a conference call with investors and told them conditions improved between the second and third quarters this year. Macerich said the overall occupancy rate for the company’s malls was at 91 percent – down three percent from the same time one year ago. Traf�ic at Macerich’s malls was at about 80 percent compared to a year prior and sales were trending at 90 percent com-

But the Macerich executives noted some signs of optimism. They noted that all of its malls had reopened as of Oct. 7 and it had around $630 million in cash and cash equivaMacerich owns Superstition Springs Center in Mesa and just before the pan- lents, up from demic hit in March reported filling the remaining vacant space left by Sports $573 million Authority.(Special to the Tribune) in June. Macerich is also seeing improved rent pared to one year ago, according to the collections, which had become a probcall. Zacks Equity Research, an investment lem for malls earlier this year after many research �irm, reported that Macerich’s states shuttered retail stores. The company collected about 80 perrevenues of $185.8 million for the third cent of its billed rents in the third quarquarter were down 19.6 percent comter, up from 64 percent in the second pared to a year ago.

quarter. Additionally, Thomas O’Hern, CEO of Macerich, said Macerich came to deals with most tenants who missed rent payments to defer back rent payments to 2021 “in many cases in exchange for landlord-friendly amendments to leases.” That included deals with most of the company’s top-200 retailers. Of those 200 retailers, Macerich had reached agreements with 147 of them and was nearing agreements with another 23, according to information presented on the call. Even with those deals in place, Macerich or related entities have a number of lawsuits pending in Maricopa County Superior Court for unpaid rent. Macerich-owned entities have at least nine active lawsuits alleging breach of contract against tenants at Scottsdale Fashion Square and Chandler Fashion

“By placing geocaches at our area farms, we are leading visitors directly to these locations where it’s our hope they will also shop, dine, order take out and learn more about each attraction they visit,” said Michelle Streeter, Visit Mesa spokesVertuccio Farms, an agritainment center in Mesa, is one of the woman. stops on the geocaching tour. (Special to the Tribune) Geocaching is a the activity is always outdoors in public arpopular outdoor activity. The Geocaching App, which is free to eas,” Streeter explained. The farm-themed GeoTour not only download on a phone, has a GPS plus a map that helps guide people to hidden contain- serves as a method for visitors to explore the area but also encourages visits to local ers called geocaches. “It’s a solitary sport, complies with social businesses in the area. “Visitors might not have taken the time distancing, the rules of geocaching ensure

to experience these farms before and if geocaching leads them there, we at least helped share in the discovery of new business here locally,” Streeter said. Throughout the Fresh Foodie Trail GeoTour, there are nine stops; Jalapeno Bucks BBQ, True Garden Urban Farm, Vertuccio Farm and other local farms. “Visit Mesa already actively promotes the collection of agritourism attractions… developing the Fresh Foodie Trail GeoTour now brings curious visitors to their doorstep,” Streeter said. GeoTours in Mesa came around right as the city was named the country’s �irst Autism Certi�ied City. “We learned that geocaching is popular with kids on the autism spectrum and families often engage in geocaching activities… this prompted Visit Mesa to develop their �irst GeoTour,” Streeter said.

�� MALL �� 20

Visit Mesa launches geocaching promotion

BY RUDY CAVAZOS Tribune Contributor

or those looking to enjoy time outdoors, geocaching is an option for you and Visit Mesa has launched the new Fresh Foodie Trail GeoTour to promote East Valley agritourism attractions. The new tour leads geocachers to farm stops along the award-winning Fresh Foodie Trail as they collect a series of limited-edition stickers along the way. Geocachers who can �ind all 10 stickers will earn a digital souvenir through Geocaching.com, and Fresh Foodie Trail Recipe booklet and a branded wooden spoon from Visit Mesa. About a year ago, Visit Mesa released its �irst GeoTour in partnership with Geocaching HQ to bring the fun treasure-hunting experience to help visitors as they explore the city.

Information: visitmesa.com/geocaching 

BUSINESS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

MALL �� 19

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Center, including The Disney Store, Gap, Banana Republic, Express, Guess, The Children’s Place, J. Jill, Talbots, MAC Cosmetics and Windsor Fashions. Macerich leadership said the closure of local stores during the pandemic and retailer bankruptcies was largely to blame for the drop in occupancy. Kingmore said Macerich is in the process of paying off loan deferrals for a total of 19 properties. This all came after Macerich invested $140 to $160 million to renovate Scottsdale Fashion Center and build a luxury wing that opened up in late 2018 featuring high-end retailers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Bulgari. Not all experts thought the expansion was a smart play, even pre-pandemic, as online shopping continues to eat into traditional retail sales. “Absolutely bad idea,” said Hitendra Chaturvedi, professor of supply chain management at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business. Chaturvedi said the pandemic is only accelerating the shift away from brickand-mortar retail experiences to online

shopping and has also hurt sales of luxury clothing items like those sold in the new wing at Fashion Square. “When you are buying a Gucci or highend… you typically end up going out with people and going to places where you can show off some of the stuff,” Chaturvedi said. “With us staying at home, if you look at the data, you will see that high-end shoes and clothes and accessories sales have come down.” In November 2019, the Fool reported Macerich’s malls posted yearly sales per square foot of $800, up from $707 the year before. Still, even if 2021 includes a return to normal shopping habits, Macerich may sell off non-core assets in order to better its �inancial position. The company did something similar coming out of the Great Recession when it sold 25 properties and generated around $500 million in liquidity, O’Hern said. “We expect post-pandemic, postvaccine things will return to a more normal level, and we will have the opportunity to dispose of non-core assets and use that capital for reducing leverage levels.” 

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OPINION

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

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Ducey deserves some applause for COVID-19 response BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

hen it comes to doing life-threatening work during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have rightfully congratulated our heroes on the frontlines: doctors, nurses, �ire �ighters, cops, paramedics. Theirs are exceedingly dif�icult jobs under normal conditions, much less at a time when Arizona’s pandemic death toll is at 7,500 and rising. It goes without saying that these men and women deserve our respect. And they have gotten it, for which I am grateful. But you know who else deserves a modicum of respect for taking on the dif�icult challenges created by the pandemic, yet has received nothing but criticism and jeers?

Gov. Doug Ducey. Hear me out before you start penning the hate mail. First, let me specify what I’m not saying: That Ducey’s performance has been heroic or that he has exhibited the personal courage of a �irst responder. He hasn’t and that isn’t in his job description anyway. I’m also not saying Ducey’s COVID-19 leadership has been exemplary, nor am I saying the man deserves a medal of honor, a grade of A, or even re-election (were that not a moot point because of term limits). Here’s what I’m saying: I cannot imagine a more thankless, more caught-betweena-rock-and-a-hard-place job than leading a state of seven million people against a murderous invisible enemy. Then throw in the 2020 election, which spiked partisan bitterness to unprecedented levels and a non-stop chorus of

media and social media anger merchants at work second-guessing every single Ducey decision ad in�initum, ad nauseum. That’s a lot to deal with for a job that pays 95k a year. The two major critiques against Ducey demonstrate the no-win challenge COVID-19 represents. The “pro-health” side wants Ducey to wield government like a blunt instrument, closing down businesses and implementing a mandatory curfew to “slow the spread.” They point to 7,500 dead as a reason to ignore Arizona’s 8 percent unemployment rate – up from 4.4 percent in February, but down from 13 percent in April. For them, lives lost and COVID-19 case rates are the only metrics that matter. They can live with Arizona having lost nearly 300,000 jobs between February

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and April, even if thus far only 194,000 of those jobs have been replaced. They don’t want to talk about money, only about full hospital beds and full mortuaries. Opposed by 180 degrees is the “proeconomy” side. They do want to talk about economic carnage – and about the statistical unlikelihood of dying from COVID-19. Their argument goes something like this: “Imagine a city of 100,000 people, like Yuma. Using today’s COVID stats, that city would have about 6,000 positive tests this year. And deaths? About 105. That’s one out of every 1,000 people. So it sounds like my likelihood of dying from COVID is one in 1,000. “For that you want to crash our whole economy and destroy my freedom?” Stuck in the middle there’s Ducey. Some of his decisions have been failures, like an eviction moratorium unaccompanied by necessary relief monies that effectively turned one million private properties into free housing. Others, like not implementing a statewide nightly curfew, make perfect sense viewed through the prism of effectiveness versus injury. The Governor clearly has tried to balance economic damage with potential health impacts. To the extent that he’s been criticized for doing so, it’s out of the mistaken belief that his job should be easy or that we could have suffered COVID without consequence. I’d give Ducey a B-minus for his pandemic response. On the hardest test ever faced by a governor, an exam that’s the equivalent of a surprise rocket science �inal, taken in public and when everyone else has all the answers. 

Share Your Thoughts: Send your letters on local issues to: pmaryniak @timespublications.com

SPORTS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

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East Valley athletes overcome adversity to sign with colleges BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

he coronavirus pandemic took its toll on the entire high school sports landscape this year, forcing cancellations, team quarantines and a shortened fall season. The pandemic also took its toll on recruiting as players who would normally visit college campuses on weekend trips were forced to do so virtually. Division I and II college coaches, who would typically be seen on sidelines in the fall and making home visits to prospective players haven’t been able to do so since March. Division III coaches just recently started making their rounds to Arizona schools. Nonetheless, East Valley senior athletes once again overcame another bout with adversity this year to sign their National Letter of Intent. “In February I got my �irst offer but before then I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Skyline senior defensive back Zeke Branham said. “It’s such a relief now. Ever since that �irst offer it’s been a blessing.” Branham announced his college destination Wednesday in Skyline’s gymnasium. Choosing between a preferred walk-on off from Oregon and four-year scholarships from Fresno State, Army, Princeton and Air Force, Branham kept his decision under wraps from everyone, his parents included. He was one of many athletes who had to overcome dif�icult restrictions by the NCAA surrounding recruiting this year due to the pandemic. In March, the NCAA announced it had extended its recruiting dead period, which doesn’t allow coaches to travel and see recruits in-person. At �irst, the travel ban was only slated to last a couple of weeks. But as the pandemic worsened, it was extended through December. The dead period extension also meant athletes were unable to take of�icial visits to schools, a major factor in deciding whether or not to attend. All the traditional aspects of recruiting were forced to go virtual, which Branham admits was dif�icult. But he feels the

Skyline senior defensive back Zeke Branham announced he would attend Fresno State University Wednesday during the start of the early signing period. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff)

a 2020 prep football season in Arizona was still uncertain, Keene announced his commitment to the University of Central Florida. In some ways, Keene is taking a blind leap of faith having not been able to visit campus. But he’s con�ident it’ll make for a good home the next four years. Keene will join the knights for offseason workouts in Orlando in January. “I can’t wait at this point,” Keene said. “I’ve been waiting for this moment my entire life, just to be able to get to the next step. I cherish what I had here at Chandler High School but it’s time for me to move on and for the next quarterback to step in. I’m excited to see what happens for myself at Central Florida.” Higley senior quarterback Kai Millner is among those athletes who were lucky enough to visit college campuses before the pandemic hit. Millner, who signed with the University of California — Berkeley on Wednesday, had his mind set on the Bears in April. He was able to take most of his of�icial visits during and shortly after his junior season and while he wasn’t able to visit other schools that offered after the pandemic had hit, he said it wouldn’t have altered his decision. “We had a lot more visits planned but I feel like at the end of the day I felt like I didn’t really need all of that. I was fully committed to Cal,” Millner said. “It really is

coaching staff at Fresno State was the overall best �it for him even without having met in person. “It was extremely dif�icult,” Branham said. “Going on visits is the biggest part to get a feel for the atmosphere. A lot of it this year was all word of mouth, but I think I made the right decision. It was down to the last �ive until the �inal night, really. I wanted it to be a surprise for everyone and I think I made the right decision.” Chandler senior quarterback Mikey Keene dealt with the same adversity as Branham surrounding his recruitment. In September, Branham’s college decision was met with an untraditional recruitment. Due to the pandemic, the NCAA extended its dead period through December, forcwhen the outing athletes and coaches to communicate virtually. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff) look on having

a dream come true. I’ve been working at it for as long as I can remember. For the day to �inally come, to �inally sign and make it of�icial, it’s an amazing feeling.” Unlike Millner, Mountain Pointe senior defensive back Jaden Crockett had to get creative with his recruitment. He received his scholarship offer from South Dakota State on Friday, Oct. 9 shortly after the Pride played Centennial. The next weekend, he and his parents visited the campus in Brookings. They walked around on their own without the help of a guide or any of the coaches. They visited athletic facilities and saw as much as they could. It wasn’t a traditional visit by any means, but it still made a signi�icant impact on Crockett. He knew it was where he wanted to be. On Wednesday, he signed with the Jackrabbits. “It was dif�icult to get a feel for the program and school when you can’t really see that in person,” Crockett said. “But just being there when I could, it felt great. The coaches were great to me on FaceTime. I’m excited.” Crockett’s teammate, offensive tackle Zereoue Williams, based most of his college decision on academic programs. An aspiring software engineer, Williams decided to pursue his degree and continue his football career at the University of Utah. Similar to most of the other athletes, Williams wasn’t able to visit campus before Signing Day. But he met several times with coaches and players via Zoom and knew it was the right �it for him both athletically and academically. “Utah has a lot of opportunities for me,” Williams said. “They have a great coaching staff and programs I want to study. I guess I wasn’t as emerged in the feeling of being recruited because I wasn’t face-to-face. But I still felt like I belonged at Utah.” While not easy by any means, the group of early signees found ways to make it work. They faced adversity all year to just play the game they love and continue to overcome everything in their way. “Everything I’ve done, I’m starting to �inally see it all pay off,” Branham said. “It’s just an amazing feeling.” 

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Sistine Chapel exhibit gives unique look at frescoes BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI GetOut Editor

he COVID-19 pandemic has limited the ability to travel, so Special Entertainment Events Inc. brought a piece of the Vatican to The Croft in Downtown Phoenix. “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition” began its three-month run Nov. 20 at the 17,000-square-foot venue, which accommodates physical distancing. Guests will be required to wear a mask at all time after purchasing timed tickets. The immersive art exhibit features 10,000 square feet of the artist’s frescoes that adorn the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The 34 panels of frescoes were produced in their near-original size. Among these reproductions are masterpieces like “The Creation of Adam” and “The Last Judgment.” “We are thrilled to bring this exhibit to Downtown Phoenix and the state of Arizona for the �irst time,” said Martin Biallas, CEO of Los Angeles-based SEE Global Entertainment, producer of the Sistine Chapel exhibit. “People all over the world have been amazed to see Michelangelo’s work up close in such detail, and we’re glad the people of this state and region will have that opportunity as well.”

If you can’t book a flight to Rome to see Michelangelo’s timeless masterpieces in the Sistine Chapel, just head to The Croft Downtown in Phoenix to see reproductions of his famed frescoes. (Special to GetOut) Biallas is the original creator of the award-winning “Titanic” and “Star Trek” exhibitions, which visited Scottsdale and Phoenix, respectively. “We are overjoyed at the opportunity to host this unique experience for the region,” said Angela Karp, co-owner of The Croft Downtown. “Health and safety remain the highest priority, so our exhibition will be equally as safe as it is spectacular.”

Guests may enhance the experience with a downloadable premium optional audio guide, with accompanying narrative available in English and Spanish. Adding to the experience, the exhibit features a small theater showing educational videos about Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel. Biallas has hosted this exhibit for �ive years; it opened in Montreal in 2015. He said he wanted to bring it to Phoenix but

couldn’t �ind an appropriate venue. “I’ve done a lot of projects here in Phoenix, like ‘Titanic’ and ‘Star Trek’ over at the science museum,” he said. “This is not something for the science museum, obviously. We have four units that are touring.” Biallas is hoping the public isn’t afraid to visit because of COVID-19. “This is the type of exhibit where you can actually stay distanced,” he said. “We limit the number of people inside per hour. “This is almost like a sanctuary. You come in here and you just leave everything behind. We have this beautiful music. We have these gorgeous frescoes that Michelangelo worked on for �ive years.” At the Sistine Chapel, photos are not permitted. The Croft and the exhibit are allowing cameras. A big hit among visitors is pointing a �inger at “The Creation of Adam” or the photo opp with angel wings. “It’s, obviously, a wonderful experience the original,” he said. “I came up with the idea after a visit and thought, ‘If we can get the licensing and recreate these in the original size for people to see up close and have a wonderful audio guide, that would be amazing.” The 90-minute audio guide is available through an app. The exhibit is perfect for anyone who’s stressed over COVID, those who aren’t religious, art patrons and history fans, he said. “This is almost like you’re walking at 15 feet underneath the ceiling,” he said. “You’re that close. It’s from a perspective that even a pope has never seen. Obviously, you can’t get up to the scaffolding.” 

If You Go...

The Sistine Chapel exhibit opened in Montreal in 2015 and the proThe 35 frescoes on exhibit are almost the same size as the originals. ducer wanted to bring it to Phoenix sooner but couldn’t find the (Special to GetOut) right venue. (Special to GetOut)

What: “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition” Where:The Croft, 22 E. Buchanan Street, Phoenix When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays through February 14; Also closed on Christmas Cost: Tickets start at $12 More info: chapelsistine.

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In accordance with 24 CFR 91.05(c)(2) and subpart B of the federal regulations relative to citizen participation for Community Planning and Development Programs and applicable waivers made available to those requirements through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), a 5-day public comment period regarding the City’s draft Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) will begin on Sunday, December 20, 2020 and end on Thursday, December 24, 2020. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires the City of Mesa to submit an annual report describing its performance using federal and other resources to meet priorities and objectives set for in the City’s 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan and 2019-2020 Annual Action Plan. This report provides a review of activities carried out under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs to address the needs of low and moderate income, homeless, elderly, and disabled residents in the community during the 2019-2020 fiscal year. An electronic copy of the CAPER will also be available for review at the same time and may be found on the City’s Housing and Revitalization website at: https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/community-development/plans-amendments-reports Comments regarding the City’s draft CAPER may be submitted by the general public. Comments should be submitted by mail or hand delivery to: The City of Mesa, Housing and Community Development Division, Attn: Michelle Albanese, Housing & Community Development Director, 200 S. Center Street, Bldg. 1 – Mail Stop 9870, P.O. Box 1466, Mesa, AZ 85210-1466; or, by e-mail to CommunityRevitalization@mesaaz.gov. All comments must be received no later than 11:59 pm on Friday, December 24, 2020 to be considered.

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Published: East Valley Tribune, Dec. 13, 20, 2020 / 34992

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 20, 2020

Keep your Christmas Sweet! Let Your Residential and Commercial Roofing Contractor Keep Your Family Warm!  New Construction, Repairs, Recovers, Maintenance  Installation of Gutters & Attic Insulation  Shingles, Tile, Built Up Single Ply, Foam & Coatings, Metal, Shake

“Let Our Family Cover Yours” The Glendale

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