The Mesa Tribune - zone 2 - 11.01.2020

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EV team eyes Championship / P. 25

Film fest online / P. 27

An edition of the East Valley Tribune

INSIDE

This Week

NEWS ......................... 8 Top educator worries about big kindergarten enrollment plunge.

Sunday, November 1, 2020

FREE ($1 OUTSIDE THE EAST VALLEY) | TheMesaTribune.com

Campaign spending in Mesa relatively light as E-Day nears

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor

W

ith only two more days to cast their ballots, Mesa voters can expect a change in the composition of the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board.

But voter registration numbers suggest any shakeup in the city’s delegation to the State Legislature – where three of the four districts covering the city are solidly Republican – could be an entirely different matter.

Spending this year by independent orga-

nizations on legislative races suggests none of those groups regardless of their political persuasion expects a change in the legislative delegation.

Unlike political action committees and candidate’s own campaign �inance statements, independent organizations do not have to disclose the source of the funds they spend on ads and other support for or against a candidate.

This year, those organizations of all political stripes and causes have �looded Arizona with a reported total of more than $55 mil-

Calming after the storm

COMMUNITY ....... 16 Mesa author toggles between fiction, nonfiction.

lion, spending it on mailers and other forms of advertising in support of or opposition to individual candidates as well as the two initiatives on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The Arizona Capitol times recently reported such spending totals more than $55 million – much of it coming from liberal and conservative organizations headquartered outside the state.

Beyond the presidential and U.S. Senate races in Arizona, those organizations have

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MPS pleads for community help with virus

BY PAUL MARYNIAK AND WAYNE SCHUTSKY Tribune Staff

BUSINESS .............. 21 Mesa fisherman wins Walmart nod on invention.

COMMUNITY ............................... 16 BUSINESS ..................................... 21 OPINION ....................................... 24 SPORTS .........................................25 GET OUT ...................................... 27 PUZZLES ...................................... 30 CLASSIFIED ................................. 30 Zone 2

Mesa Assistant Police Chief Ed Wessing and other city officials met with residents rattled by a shooting two weeks ago at Dobson and Guadalupe roads that killed a year-old boy and wounded six others. Police are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the shooter's arrest. See Page 3. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Photographer)

A

s COVID-19 cases start to rise across Arizona and the nation, Mesa Public Schools Governing Board members last week implored parents to do their part to keep campuses open.

Board members stressed that parents must follow guidelines – such as teaching their kids to wash their hands frequently, maintaining social distance and keeping their children at home when sick, among others.

“We need to stay focused on keeping schools open,” board President Elaine Miner said. “That is our focus. …The holidays are

The latest breaking news and top local stories in Mesa!

TheMesaTribune.com

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

The Mesa Tribune is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout the East Valley.

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NEWS

Anguish, questions surround Mesa mass shooting

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BY JIM WALSH Tribune Staff Writer

L

ong after the bullets stopped �lying on a busy Mesa street corner, 9-yearold Roselyn Ramirez of Mesa must still cope with the physical and emotional scars from being wounded in a senseless drive-by shooting.

A day after another victim – 1-yearold Sebastian Duran – was buried by his grieving family, Saul Ramirez last week re�lected on how his sister’s life is changed forever by the Oct. 16 shooting left also wound �ive others at Dobson and Guadalupe roads.

Roselyn, Sebastian and his older brother and sister, were among the innocent victims who were having dinner in the parking lot at a pop-up food truck event when the shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m.

Saul, 26, who lives in Utah, said Roselyn’s survival was in doubt for the �irst three days after the shooting.

While thankful to doctors at Banner Children’s at Desert Hospital for pulling her through, he now focuses on how her life will likely be compromised forever as Mesa police pleaded again for the public’s assistance in identifying the gunman.

Ramirez also pleads with the public to remember his sister, Sebastian and the other victims and help police with the information they need to make an arrest.

“It’s very stressful. You wish that someone could tell you all the answers,’’ Ramirez said. “It would be really easy for me to say, I hope she gets back to where she was before, but that isn’t possible.’’

“They have done an amazing job and they have saved her life,’’ he said.

Before he had to return home, Ramirez said he watched as doctors got Roselyn out of bed to keep her blood moving and to prevent her muscles from atrophying.

“I could see how scared she was, to take those �irst steps. I’m sure she was feeling a lot of pain. That hurt me more than anything,’’ he said. “She’s a strong girl. She’s doing a really great job. She’s head-strong and she’s determined.’’

But Roselyn’s future remains somewhat clouded. She suffers from internal bleeding and it is unknown if she will be able as an adult to give birth.

Her brother knows that justice for Roselyn will not make his sister whole, but he

The shooting almost took 9-year-old Mesa resident Roselyn Ramirez's life and now has put her on a long and painful road to recovery. (Special to the Tribune)

notes a successful arrest and prosecution at least would prevent another family from suffering the hellish nightmare that befell the Duran and Ramirez families.

“The suspect is still out there. That should enrage and infuriate the public,’’ Ramirez said, adding: “Whether they catch the guy or not, what he did is irredeemable for my family.

It’s not going to heal the scars. It’s not going to prevent her from reliving this moment for the rest of her life.’’

Pastor Magdalena Schwartz, who has been counseling the Duran family, said they are feeling incredible sadness about

the death of little Sebastian.

But she is impressed by the lack of anger expressed by Gerardo Duran, the boy’s father.

“He said, ‘I have to accept God’s will. This really impressed me, to hear it,’’ she said. “I don’t hear a complaint; they are not angry.

They are very upset and in a lot of pain.’’

She said Edgar Duran, 16, who was wounded, is suffering survivor’s guilt, wondering why his baby brother was fatally wounded while he managed somehow to survive.

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NEWS

CARA SCHNEPF STEINER

ELECTION ���� ���� 1

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

JOE O'REILLY

spent more than $16 million advocating the passage of Prop 208, which imposes an income tax on wealthy earners to support public education. Groups advocating its defeat have ponied up $5.1 million.

By stark contrast, independent groups have spent only $200 advocating passage of Prop 207, which legalizes the sale and possession of recreational marijuana. Not a dime has been spent in opposition.

When it comes to the state legislative districts, independent organizations have been highly selective in where they put their bucks.

Independent organizations have poured more than $2.5 million into a single East Valley race – the Senate race in LD17, which represents south Chandler, Sun Lakes and part of Gilbert.

In Republican Sen. J.D. Mesnard’s race against furniture store owner, Democrat Ajlan AJ Kurdoglu, independent groups have spent $1.2 million so far against Mesnard and $616,000 on his behalf. They also have spent $409,194 against Kurdoglu and $309,273 for him.

Compare that to independent organizations’ spending on all four Mesa legislative districts – which totals $358,785.

And much of that – $158,654 – went to advertising for and against LD25 Republican Rep. Michelle Udall, who won a �iercely contested primary election. Independent groups supporting her – or urging her defeat in favor of a more conservative GOP hopeful – each spent a little more than $79,000.

The candidate who has attracted the most independent organization spending after that is Rep. Mitzi Epstein in the allblue LD18, which covers parts of Mesa, Tempe and Chandler and all of Ahwatukee.

Independent groups have spent $99,968

KIANNA SEARS

on her behalf and none against her.

But independent groups are largely ignoring LD25 in the general election.

Udall entered the third quarter spending $234 more than the $68,934 donated directly to her campaign through Sept. 30, records show.

Suzanne Hug, the only Democrat running for two House seats there, reported direct donations to her campaign totaling $65,246 and spending $28,433. Independent organizations spent $1,073 on Hug’s behalf and nothing against her campaign.

In the other LD25 House race, independent groups spent $33,402 advocating for Republican House Leader Rusty Bowers, who also collected $184,678 in direct donations and spending $94,673 through Sept. 30. No independent group has spent money against him.

Bowers’ haul in direct donations is exceeded among all Mesa legislative candidates only by LD18 Sen. Sean Bowie of Ahwatukee, whose war chest totaled $198,695 through the �irst three quarters of the year.

LD25 Sen. Tyler Pace collected $21,300 in direct donations and has spent $7,500 while attracting $902 in independent spending on his behalf and nothing against his campaign.

Independent groups have shied away from any spending for or against Pace’s challenger – Democrat Paul Weigel, who spent all but $10,000 of a war chest totaling $47,698 through Sept. 30.

Much of the other independent organization spending went to candidates in LD26 and LD18, both solidly Democrat.

The exception is LD16 political newcomer Jacqueline Parker, a Republican running with incumbent Republican John Fillmore.

Independent groups have spent $21,592

LARA ELLINGSON

RICH CRANDALL

advocating for Parker’s bid to succeed Kelly Townsend in the House and nothing in opposition to her.

Meanwhile, independent groups are ignoring Townsend, who collected $43,786 in direct contributions through Sept. 30 and spent $39,828 in her bid to succeed retiring Dave Farnsworth in the Senate.

While Townsend has been a conservative �irebrand in the House, no independent organization has spent a penny for or against her Senate bid.

That could be because her challengers are three write-in candidates. Two did not collect enough donations to meet the threshold minimum for reporting their campaign �inances. The other write-in, independent Dr. Nick Fierro, reported a war chest of $3,384.

Among other candidates in Mesa legislative districts who have attracted some interest from independent organizations are LD26.

Independent organization spending bene�ited Democratic Rep Athena Salmon and her running mate, newcomer Melody Hernandez. Those groups spent $21,156 to support Salmon and $10,408 in favor of Hernandez and nothing against them.

In that district, Republican challengers Bill Loughrige and Seth Fuentes have amassed $24,125 and $47,338, respectively, in direct contributions but have attracted no support from independent groups and only $6 in opposition advertising.

Likewise, independent organizations have shied away from the LD26 Senate race, where Democratic Sen. Juan Mendez has amassed $45,256 in direct contributions as he fends off a challenge by Republican Jae Chin, who reported collecting $10,250.

Compared to the money spent in legislative races in Mesa, cash in the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board race is modest,

VIKKI JOHNSON

although donations to four of the six candidates total $67,774.

In that election, only incumbent Kiana Marie Sears is seeking another term while board President Elaine Minor and member Steven Peterson are both retiring after 12 years of service.

Sears and Cara Lee Schnepf Steiner, a retired MPS teacher and elementary school principal, reported taking no donations and spending nothing.

Among the others, Lara Ellingson, a former full-time Mesa Public Schools teacher and current substitute teacher in the district, pulled in $27,563 and spent $8,194, according to her latest �iling with the County Recorder.

Not far behind her in fundraising is Joseph O’Reilly, director of the Arizona State University Decision Center for Educational Excellence who spent 30 years as director of MPS’s Research and Evaluation Department and Student Achievement Support.

He reported $25,808 in total donations and $4,490 in expenditures.

Richard Crandall, a former Mesa Governing Board member and Mesa legislator, reported raising $14,320 and spending $3,793 while Vikki Johnson, physician liaison for her family’s practice, Advanced Hearing Group, raised $2,053 and spent $1,375.

None of the Mesa Public School candidates, however, compare in fundraising to Ahwatukee resident and longtime educator Dr. Linda Thor, who is seeking another term on the board for the Maricopa County Community College District.

Thor, who served as president of Rio Salado College for 20 years, is facing a challenge by Shelli Boggs of Queen Creek.

Boggs, a former member of the East Valley Institute of Technology Governing Board,

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NEWS

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

Election results could take days to tabulate

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

I

f you think you’re going to bed on election night knowing who was chosen, Secretary of State Katie Hobbs has a bit of advice.

Think again.

Hobbs has tamped down expectations of instant results – or even �inal tallies within a day or two – despite the automated process of balloting and counting.

The Maricopa County Recorder also said not all results will be tabulated Tuesday night and that its progress in counting ballots will be posted only once a day at 7 p.m. from Wednesday on until all ballots are counted.

Hobbs detailed all of the things that have to happen after the polls close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

That includes not just the regular tabulation process that occurs at each precinct but also handling what could be a �lood of early ballots that were not mailed in but are dropped off at polling stations. They cannot be counted until after the regular voting-day results are in.

Then there’s the state law giving anyone whose early ballot signature does not match what’s on �ile up to �ive business days after the election – meaning the following Tuesday – to come in and �ix it.

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has gained notoriety for posing on social media with an assault ri�le.

Thor reported raising a whopping $50,314 while Boggs reported zero.

The other election on the ballot that Mesa voters will be weighing in on is Question 1, where the city is seeking approval for a $100 million bond to improve and develop streets.

The transportation bond will underwrite projects mainly, but not entirely, in southeast Mesa, a hot spot for resi-

A similar deadline exists for those who are handed “provisional’’ ballots because of some missing information or questions about their voting status.

Then there’s the required hand-count audit to physically compare what voters marked on their ballots with what the machines have tallied.

All that even assumes the polls shut as scheduled. State law requires them to remain open so that anyone who was in line at 7 p.m. actually gets to cast a ballot.

And then there’s the possibility of mechanical breakdowns or other issues.

“The election doesn’t end on Election Day,’’ she said.

Hobbs knows something about that.

Two years ago, the Associated Press declared on election night that Republican Steve Gaynor had been elected over Hobbs for Secretary of State – which it later rescinded as late-received early votes erased Gaynor’s lead.

In the end, it took 10 days to show she was the victor as Hobbs won by close to 20,000 votes out of more than 2.4 million ballots cast.

That race, coupled with a close contest for U.S. Senate between Republican Martha McSally and Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, led to some charges of fraud that were never substantiated.

“That contributed to people not trusting the results of that election,’’ Hobbs said.

dential, commercial and industrial development.

Mesa Mayor John Giles, Mesa Chamber of Commerce CEO Sally Harrison, ex-city manager Mike Hutchinson and other advocates are selling the bond issue as a necessary and modest investment in the future.

They also note taxpayers will get a lot of bang for their buck, with $100 million bond issue growing by $62 million in regional reimbursements from Proposition 400, which returns sales tax revenue to Mesa. 

This year might only be worse, with even President Trump stoking the fears that election results will not be accurate, with a particular focus on late-counted early ballots changing the election-night results.

That’s one of the reasons that Hobbs is reaching out now to create more realistic expectations of getting �inal results.

“These things take time,’’ she said.

How much time?

Legally speaking, counties have 20 days after the election to �inalize the tally. And the results are not considered �inal until the formal statewide canvass which is set for Dec. 3.

The concerns about election integrity also raise questions about possible voter intimidation.

“We’re certainly staying on top of any credible threats that exist,’’ Hobbs said.

It is illegal under state law to use force or threats to compel someone to vote or refrain from voting.

And Hobbs said there are very strict rules for what happens not only at polling places but within the 75-foot perimeter around them in which any form of election activities is prohibited.

Less clear is what can occur outside that line.

“If folks are armed, if they’re in any way indicating intentionally intimidating behavior, it’s not allowed,’’ Hobbs said.

“The poll workers are trained in terms of responding,’’ she continued.

“If folks witness this, you should report it to the marshal or inspector inside the polling place.’’

But she said law enforcement at polling places is not the answer, saying the presence of police can “create its own problems.’’

That’s not just her assessment.

“The continued presence of uniformed law enforcement personnel at a voting location, whether in or outside the 75-foot limit, may have the effect of intimidating voters,’’ Hobbs is advising county election of�icials in formal guidance being prepared for this election. “Counties will balance this potentially intimidating effect with the need to preserve the peace and respond to emergencies.’’

The other potential form of intimidation is taking photographs of those who show up to vote.

Hobbs said that is strictly prohibited within the 75-foot limit. That’s also why, unlike some states, there are no Election Day photos of candidates casting their own ballots.

“Further, much like the open display of �irearms, taking photos or videos outside the 75-foot limit may have an intimidating effect on others entering or exiting the voting location,’’ she is advising county election of�icials. “In particular, �ilming voters based on race, ethnicity, religion, or political af�iliation is inappropriate.’’ 

Where to vote

If you haven’t voted yet, you can find a place to drop off your ballot or vote in person at recorder.maricopa.gov/pollingplace.

While it’s unknown how many registered voters in the city requested one-time early ballots, County Recorder data show that of Mesa’s 296,240 registered voters, 66,291 are not on the permanent early voter list.

The number of mail-in ballots already returned to the Recorder in Maricopa County has surpassed all previous totals and that could mean that people who prefer casting their ballot in the old-fashioned way could be in for a long wait.

Anyone in line before polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday must be allowed to vote.

And if you haven’t mailed in your ballot yet, the Recorder’s office says it’s best that you drop it off at a polling place because otherwise, it likely won’t be counted.

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

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

Plummeting Mesa school enrollment a state trend

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

T

he same decline Mesa Public Schools has seen in kindergarten enrollment is being echoed by a sharp drop in the number of kindergartners across Arizona this year due to COVID-19 – and it could have ripple effects for years to come on their education.

State schools chief Kathy Hoffman said while enrollment in public schools is down 5 percent from the same time a year earlier, the preliminary �igure is about 14 percent for kindergarten.

Mesa administrators told the Governing Board in early summer that enrollment was in the district was down by 10 percent in kindergarten, though less than that at other school levels.

Overall enrollment decline in Mesa Public Schools could translate into at least a $20 million reduction in state funding in

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coming. Gatherings are going to occur. We know that people are having plans. Please keep in mind as you go to these kinds of functions that you are putting keeping the schools open at risk and there’s only so much that we can do as a district to keep those schools open.”

To those who are buoyed by the hope that COVID-19 will disappear after spring, Miner added, “That seems like forever, but if we close schools, that’ll be more than forever.”

The pleas by Miner and some of her colleagues came on the same day that the Arizona Department of Health Services quietly changed its advice to school of�icials on deciding when to close schools in the event of an outbreak.

Gone is the advice to consider online learning if any one of three benchmarks is in the “red” zone signifying substantial virus spread. Now, the state health department is advising districts should consider closing campuses only if ZIP codes within their boundaries show that all three benchmarks indicate substantial COVID-19 spread.

Those benchmarks include percent of patient hospital visits with COVID-like symptoms, the percentage of new positive tests and COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people.

According to data released by the coun-

the 2021-22 school year, they said.

Mesa school of�icials did not respond to Tribune inquiries seeking an update on enrollment after Hoffman addressed the subject last week.

Hoffman said parents are telling her that their concerns about the coronavirus are causing them to keep their kindergartenage children at home – which is optional.

But Hoffman, who as a speech therapist worked with young children, said there are major implications to skipping this stage of organized instruction.

And those who do not attend could end up with issues when they go into the �irst grade a year from now and even further down the road.

“One of the greatest bene�its is the social and emotional learning and being able to play with other kids,’’ she said. But Hoffman said parents also are worried about the spread of the virus in the classroom.

But Hoffman said she remains con-

vinced the best bet is to get those kids into kindergarten for at least a few hours a day.

“Some of the most important skills that they’re learning are the letter sounds, the name for the letters and the alphabet,’’ she said. Kids also start reading their �irst simple words.

“They’re learning to count objects and they’re learning what numbers look like and how to name numbers,’’ Hoffman continued. “So those are very important foundational skills as they go through the grades.’’

Central to that is Move On When Reading. That law says students cannot be promoted from the third grade if they score “far below’’ that grade reading level on the statewide assessment.

Hoffman’s not a big fan of the law.

“Our kids come from so many different backgrounds,’’ she said. “The kids that are struggling readers are typically coming from disadvantaged homes.’’

As state health director Dr. Cara Christ discusses the change in school closing guidelines last Thursday. Gov. Doug Ducey looked on. (Special to the Tribune)

ty health department on Thursday, two of the three benchmarks in MPS were in the “moderate” virus spread category – positive tests and cases per 100,000 people.

Both those indicators were up from the previous week, according to the data – which are 12 days old when posted by the county every Thursday morning.

The benchmarks in individual ZIP codes within the district varied, in some cases greatly.

While all ZIP codes were within the “minimal range” of virus spread for the hospital visits metric, the percentages of positive new tests varied from 4.96 percent in 85205 to 10.23 percent in 85204.

ZIP code 85204 is home to Mesa High School, where the highest number of COVID-19 cases was reported by the district.

Twelve cases were reported at Mesa High.

But illustrating the unpredictability of the virus, the second highest number of

More kids starting regular school without the bene�its of what kindergarten can teach, Hoffman said, could lead in a few years to more youngsters being told they’re not going on to the fourth grade.

“And it is a huge social and emotional impact on students to be held back a grade,’’ she said.

Then there are the less measurable but also equally important social skills.

“They’re also learning how to be a student,’’ Hoffman said.

“They’re learning to get in line, they’re learning to take turns, to share, to problem solve,’’ she explained. Even learning how to have social interactions with other kids, Hoffman said, is “very critical.’’

“I think all the impact of what we’re seeing right now is yet to be seen,’’ she said.

Christine Thompson, president and CEO of Expect More Arizona, an education

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cases in an individual MPS school was reported in a ZIP code where two metrics are in the minimal spread category and the other indicating moderate spread.

Mountain View High, with nine cases, and Highland Elementary, with four – the highest number among elementary schools – are in 85213.

In that ZIP, hospital visits and test results are in the minimal virus spread range. Cases per 100,000 in that ZIP code were in the yellow, or moderate spread category.

Overall, MPS reported that out of more than 67,000 students and employees, there are 80 virus cases – including 58 students and 22 adults.

MPS Associate Superintendent Holly Williams noted the district-wide increases in positive test results and cases per 100,000 to plead with the community.

“We need your help,” Williams said, imploring the community “to stay vigilant when it comes to the mitigation strategies.”

“We believe that if we stay vigilant with our making sure that we’re doing our daily health assessments and keeping our children home when they are showing symptoms, that we wear our masks with great �idelity, that we stay physically distant in every opportunity possible, that we keep

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

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1425 S. Greenfield Rd., Ste. 101 Mesa, AZ 85206

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NEWS

10

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

Mesa students launch drive for more diverse texts

BY SIERRA ALVAREZ Tribune Contributor

A

youth-led group is petitioning school boards across the U.S. – including the East Valley – for more racially diverse text books and other learning materials.

Diversify Our Narrative says it is working toward racial justice, educational equity and community power in its campaign for these texts.

Petitions are being sent to both public and private schools to add inclusive texts to their school curriculum.

“In light of recent events, we have not only observed the prominent antiBlackness in America, but also the lack of proper education on these critical issues in our schools,” Diversify Our Narrative (DON) says on its website.

“This campaign believes that schools have not only the capacity, but also the obligation to educate its students about

KINDER ���� ���� 8

advocacy group, said if youngsters don’t learn the basics in kindergarten – especially letter recognition and reading – it’s going to “take a lift’’ to ensure that they’re not held back in third grade.

For parents who don’t want to send their kindergarten students into classrooms, there are online options. But Thompson doesn’t see that as a realistic option for picking up reading skills.

VIRUS ���� ���� 8

our hand-washing and our hand sanitizer and avoid large gatherings, we can keep our schools open.”

Those pleas came the same day the state Department of Health Services quietly changed its voluntary guidelines for keeping schools open – apparently with a belated noti�ication to county health of�icials.

After media reports emerged about those changes, state health director Dr. Cara Christ wrote a blog that said districts should work with local health of�icials if ZIP codes within their boundaries reached red levels in all three benchmarks.

Will Humble, executive director of Arizona Public Health Association and former

race, racism, and anti-racism in America through the right books and curriculum,” it adds. “Currently, the texts we teach in school do not adequately address these prominent issues – and that is precisely what this campaign will change.”

Felicia Fraizer-Bisner, a Dobson High student and director of outreach for the DON Mesa branch, said that texts should not only be inclusive of race wise but also cover gender identity, sexuality, feminism, disabilities, mental health and much more.

Texts advocated by the group can be found at docs.google.com/document/d/ 123DN2s1JRCvvgNyWkg5mbCjzeLDcMlGO-baQlDlfAcw/edit.

DON co-founders Jasmine Nguyen and Katelin Zhou are Stanford University students from California who were trying to �ind ways to diversify schools and landed on texts as part of their campaign.

“If we want to create a kinder, more inclusive, and more equal world, it starts

“When you think about how technologically savvy you have to be in order to navigate the web, it’s really falling on parents to help them,’’ she said.

“But you really need those educators with kids, helping to identify what the challenges are or what things are going to get a kid hooked on reading or really understanding the contents that are so incredibly important, especially in those really early years,’’ Thompson said.

And there’s a more practical concern.

state health director, was critical of the change, arguing it puts too much weight on the “COVID-like symptoms” metric.

“I do still think they’re good metrics, especially the percent positivity and the number of cases per 100,00. Those are solid metrics,” Humble said. “I’ve always been less enthusiastic about that third metric, which is COVID-like illness reported by hospitals because it’s what we call it in the business ‘syndromic surveillance.’”

Humble said that metric is subjective and voluntarily reported, making a poor indicator for public health decisions.

“I didn’t have a problem with the way the guidance was written before because you could have two out of the three indicators – meaning the two good educators

with education, said Ava Wipff, a member of DON’s outreach staff.

Students involved with DON are taking their petition into the community and Frazier-Bisner’s job is to strategize ways to innovate this outreach.

Much of her effort involves maximizing their social media presence.

Erica Soekardono, a Dobson High student and the district leader for the Mesa branch of DON, said that her role is to “oversee and plan the meetings, along with running the social media account.

“I check on the other members to see the progress at their school and if they’ve gotten more people to sign the petition,” she added.

Each Diversify Our Narrative branch has its own Instagram account but the group’s main Instagram account has following of more than 152,000 people, including more than 5,000 students.

Wipff said that since the COVID-19 pandemic began, “it is really hard to do

“Being online can be really exhausting, especially in these really little kids,’’ Thompson said.

Pediatricians also stress the importance of young children having only limited screen time.

“To go from that to having school online is a massive shift,’’ she said. “So, we’re going to have a lot of ground to make up.’’

Hoffman said her message to parents planning to keep their kindergartners at home would be to reconsider.

regardless of what happened with the bad indicator – and once you got into the red zone, then you need to start thinking about going back to a virtual instruction,” Humble said.

Humble continued, “But now when you say…you should include the third metric, which is a �limsy metric, then you’re putting (Governing Boards) in the position of not understanding that two of the three metrics are good and one is bad, and they may start to change their decisions based on a metric that is poor.”

Humble agreed that local control was appropriate but still had concerns about how the guideline change would impact local decision makers.

“Somebody who’s on a governing board

outreach online and to feel motivated.”

She said that while “anything I do regarding the petition is helpful,” because she doesn’t meet anyone in person, “it’s hard to feel a sense of camaraderie.”

Despite feeling a bit discouraged at times, DON members aren’t giving up and still continue to look for signatures for their online petition.

Frazier-Bisner said that because Mesa Public Schools is so large, the group feels it will need about at least 2,000 signatures to get the district's attention.

Soekardono said she doesn’t know when the petition will be ready to present to the school board but that she wants “to get the ball rolling now” so that she can look back in a few years and see the progress that has been made.

“What we’re doing now has the impact to affect generations down the line,” Frazier-Bisner said.  “As far as we can tell from the research that’s been done this year, the spread of COVID-19 is extremely low for the K thru eighth grades,’’ she said.

“Missing out on a whole year of school can have detrimental effects in the long term,’’ Hoffman continued. “And school provides such amazing opportunities and wrap-around support for our kids, not just academically but also socially.’’

Tribune Executive Editor Paul Maryniak contributed to this report.  or even a superintendent is unlikely to understand that COVID-like illness reports from hospitals is not a solid indicator; yet they will be making recommendations to their boards thinking that it’s equal importance to these other two indicators.”

Exactly why the department changed its guidelines – which could potentially allow many schools to stay open that might have closed under the old guidance – is the subject of some debate.

In a press conference on Oct. 29, Gov. Doug Ducey said the changes were made “at the request of public education leaders in coordination with public health of�icials.”

��� VIRUS ���� 13

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NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

United Food Bank keeping meals �lowing

BY MAIRANY GARCIA Tribune Contributor

U

nited Food Bank is working to keep providing meals amid a growing need.

Staff at the Mesa Convention Center has been pitching in since March, when United Food Bank moved its food assistance program to the center’s parking lot, where volunteers can provide a contact-less, drive-thru food distribution outdoors.

Tyson Nansel, the food bank’s vice president of external affairs, said a larger distribution point was necessary because their own facility had a “major in�lux” of families needing food assistance.

The City, as part of its Mesa CARES: Feeding Mesa Program, also partnered with United Food bank in March to address food security resulting from the pandemic.

Its mission to provide nutritious meals to Mesa residents has been helped by nonpro�its and restaurants that have joined the effort.

The city is ful�illing this mission with services like the Restaurant Buyout Program. City staff reassigned to Feeding

SHOOTING ���� ���� 3

“He feels guilty. I told him, the best way is to think about how much he loved his little brother,’’ Schwartz said.

She said the family is hurting �inancially.

Anyone wishing to contribute can go to their Go Fund Me page at gf.me/u/y5j2pj.

Mesa police, Mayor John Giles, Vice Mayor Mark Freeman and Councilman Francisco Heredia met with the public last Wednesday to reassure them that everything humanly possible is being done to track down the killer.

But Assistant Police Chief Ed Wessing said police still need the public’s help in solving the case. He urged anyone with even the slightest bit of information to come forward and call 480-644-2211. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

“Our primary focus is on justice for the victims,’’ Wessing said. “We want to make sure the resolution is right, that we have an ironclad case.’’

“We have a lot of work left to do. We are making progress,’’ Wessing said. “There is

with Mesa Cares funding and deliver them to front-line healthcare workers �ive days a week.

T h e y ’ v e also continued to partner with United Food Bank to support meal distribution.

Other city departments also have stepped up.

For example, earlier this month, volunteers from the Mesa Fire and Medical Department helped pack food bags.

Among the Food boxes from United Food Bank have been in high demand as the pandemic's economic toll impacts more Mesa families. (Special to the Tribune) city employees who were asMesa order meals from Mesa restaurants signed to help the food distribution effort affected by the pandemic, pay for them were those from the Mesa Art Center and a sense of urgency in this investigation.

We are working it religiously.’’

He said police still suspect the shooting may be linked to a domestic violence incident earlier in the night, when someone broke up a �ight between a man and a woman.

But the man and woman were gone by the time of�icers arrived and a link between the domestic violence incident and the slaying has not been established, Wessing said.

Detectives also served a search warrant in Phoenix and seized a Kia Soul, similar to the box-shaped SUV that witnesses reported seeing as it �led from the shooting.

Again, Wessing said a connection between the Soul and the shooting has not been established. “We still need someone in the community to step up and give us information,’’ Wessing said.

Police received a mixed reception from the group of about 20 residents who attended the community meeting.

Some praised police for their responsiveness to other, unrelated crime issues in nearby Dobson Ranch while others

questioned whether the area is getting adequate police attention.

“There is an element that has come into the area of Dobson and Guadalupe. I am de�initely seeing an uptick,’’ one resident said.

Robert Russo, a Mesa resident, said that a total 10 people have been shot in the area in the past year or so.

He criticized police for not providing more security after the domestic violence incident, with a large crowd gathered for the food truck event.

“There is no game plan in place, they have had 10 people shot there,’’ Russo said, describing the intersection as a “bad area.’’

But Commander Gina Nesbit of the Fiesta District, quickly took exception to that and Wessing said there is no connection between the three incidents Russo was lumping together.

“We would not necessarily call Dobson and Guadalupe a bad area,’’ Nesbit said.

“These two homicides we are talking about are not from the area.’’

Nesbit said police did not have enough personnel to act as security guards at the

Parks and Recreation Department.

“It’s a true partnership we have with their staff here on a daily basis,” said Luis Ruiz, convention center general manager.

“We have to be communicating constantly.”

Nansel reported that on average, the United Food Bank builds about 20,000 emergency food bags per month and is distributing about 2.4 million pounds of food per month.

For the upcoming holiday season, Nansel anticipates an increase in families seeking food assistance and that United Food Bank is preparing for it.

In light of that expected increase in demand, Nansel said volunteering, hosting a food drive or fundraiser or simply donating can help. With the United Food Banks purchasing power, the nonpro�it turns every dollar donated into �ive meals for the community, he said.

United Food Bank will remain at the Mesa Convention Center through Dec. 18.

The Mesa Convention Center is located on 263 N Center St., and is open for food distribution 7-11 a.m. Fridays with extended hours through noon on Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 for holiday food distribution.

Information: unitedfoodbank.org. 

food event. Once it was determined the combatants in the domestic altercation had left, of�icers needed to return to their normal patrol duties and answer other calls.

The Fiesta District has about 115 of�icers, covering 15 square miles and a population of about 80,000 residents. The district has �ive ongoing crime-�ighting initiatives, Nesbit said, without providing additional details.

One incident described by Russo was an armed robbery that was committed inside a car parked outside the convenience store at Dobson and Guadalupe early in the morning on July 1, according to court records.

Police said the victim and suspect knew each other and one robbed the other, obtaining $1,000 in cash and other items.

Acting on a tip, police later arrested Isaiah Lee Armstrong, 19, in Glendale and accused him of �irst-degree murder.

The victim was found shot inside the car and later died at a hospital, the police report said.

The third shooting stemmed from a �ight outside a bar, involving a dispute between two men, Wessing said. 

NEWS

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

High court warns judges on initiative rulings

BY HOWARD FISCHER Capitol Media Services

T

rial judges cannot keep voter-proposed initiatives off the ballot just because the description doesn’t mention every provision, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled last week in a conclusion that should make it easier to put future initiatives to voters.

In an extensive decision, the justices rejected the idea that the legally required 100-word explanation on petition sheets must inform would-be signers of everything the proposed state law or constitutional amendment would do.

As long as the verbiage does not provide “objectively false or misleading information’’ or obscures key provisions, it meets what is legally required, wrote Justice Ann Scott Timmer for the unanimous court.

Timmer said including every provision of a complex measure in that 100-word limit is impractical.

She said it’s suf�icient for proponents to say in the description that those who want more information should read the actual text of the proposal.

Monday’s ruling is speci�ically explaining the court’s previously announced

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But shortly after that statement, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman took to Twitter and stated “The Arizona Department of Education did not request or recommend any changes to the AZDHS school benchmarks.”

Chris Kotterman, lobbyist for the Arizona School Boards Association, said the way board members around the state found out about it was through the media.

“We weren’t consulted on it,’’ he said.

“We don’t like it when fundamental policy changes that impact the operation of public schools are not communicated clearly.’’

The surprise, however, is only part of the problem.

Kotterman said school board members “absolutely’’ see the change as having political overtones.

“There de�initely are groups out there that believe that schools should be open and are pressuring their local governing boards to just reopen the schools and everything will

decision to give voters their say on a 3.5 percent surcharge on taxes of earnings above $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for couples. Proposition 208 earmarks the proceeds mainly for K-12 education.

A trial judge had provided a litany of reasons he found the proposal legally unworthy to be on the Nov. 3 ballot.

The high court’s decision sends a message to trial judges that they should not look for excuses to knock future proposals off the ballot as long as petition signers have reasonable notice of what the measure would do.

The unanimous decision is also a setback for initiative foes, particularly the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has routinely opposed efforts by voters to go around the decisions of the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature in deciding what to enact and what issues to ignore.

It also could ease the path for anticipated future ballot proposals including increasing Arizona’s unemployment bene�its, providing for family leave and creation of more affordable housing, all of which might end up on the 2022 ballot.

But other hurdles may be coming.

Chamber spokesman Garrick Taylor,

be �ine if only vulnerable people stay home and all that sort of stuff,’’ he said.

Add to that, Kotterman said, are statements by President Trump saying that the closures are “all politics.’’

And when the health department suddenly changes the guidelines, he said, board members “tend to assume the worst, unfortunately.’’

Christ wrote that her department has been working on the changes since Oct. 2 after hearing concerns from the members of its Schools Reopening Workgroup, which includes representatives from county health departments and the Department of Education.

But ADHS still has not answered why it did not announce the change more publicly.

An ADHS spokesman did not respond when asked how the department informed the public of the change, directing the Progress to Christ’s blog post.

That post only states that ADHS informed members of the Schools Reopening Workgroup on Oct. 16.

who believes initiatives are misused, noted some states require that a certain percentage of signatures to come from different areas of the state. Right now, circulators can get all the names they need only from one county.

Taylor also noted some states have a requirement for initiatives to be rati�ied at two successive elections to take effect. And he also cited a requirement for a 60 percent approval margin that exists elsewhere.

That latter hurdle, had it been in effect, would have resulted in the defeat of at least two proposals opposed by the Chamber: the 2010 initiative allowing the medical use of marijuana and the 2016 measure imposing a $12 minimum wage.

Garrick claimed initiatives often are financed by out-of-state interests and noted that a constitutional amendment approved by voters bars lawmakers from tinkering with anything approved on the ballot.

Central to the ruling is the right of Arizonans to propose their own constitutional amendments and changes to state law by gathering suf�icient signatures on The high court extensively addressed Superior Court Judge Christoper Coury’s numerous reasons for trying to kill Prop 208.

The bottom line, said Timmer, is that

Ducey said too much was being made of the change.

“These adjustments are just that,’’ he said. “They are guidance.’’

The governor said he understands there are teachers with underlying health conditions who may not want to be in school and parents who don’t want their children in a classroom. He said, though, that should be the exception, not the rule.

“Where it is possible and safe, we want our schools open and we want our kids inside a classroom, with a teacher at the front of the classroom, and them getting the best, safest education possible,’’ Ducey said.

Humble was critical of the way the department handled the roll out.

He said county health of�icials “should’ve seen it at least a week ago and had a time to digest it, because it’s the county health departments that are working with the school districts and it’s their responsibility; the state is like the ivory tower.”

Humble said the state also has a responsibility to be transparent and honest about

13

nothing in the Arizona Constitution or state initiative laws throws as many hurdles in the path of petition circulators as foes of the process have suggested.

And she speci�ically said that only the most important, consequential and primary features of the initiative have to be in that explanation.

“The 100-word description serves as the ‘elevator pitch’ that alerts prospective signatories to the measure’s key operative provisions, enabling them to decide in short order whether to sign the petition, refuse to do so, or make further inquiry about the measure,’’ she said.

The justices told the trial judges to use common sense in deciding whether a description is misleading.

“Reasonable people can differ about the best way to describe a principal provision, but a court should not enmesh itself in such quarrels,’’ Timmer said. “Applying the reasonable person standard, the trial judge should ordinarily decide the suf�iciency of a description without expert witness evidence.’’

That last reference is to the fact that Coury did allow the attorneys for business foes of Prop 208 to bring in an economist to argue what is the de�inition of a “surcharge.’’ 

these type of changes with residents or it risks losing public trust.

“And the best way to keep trust is be honest with them and be truthful and be transparent,” Humble said. “And if one of those three things breaks down, then you start to lose trust and you can’t afford to lose trust anytime, and in particular during a pandemic when you’re asking people to participate in this grand emergency response in various different ways.”

Howard Fischer with Capitol Media Services contributed to this report 

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

14

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

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COMMUNITY

TheMesaTribune.com |

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

@EVTNow

/EVTNow

Mesa author toggles between �iction, non�iction

BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor

M

esa resident Scott Offermann’s output as a writer is slowly becoming as varied as his resume.

The Maryland native has been a sailing instructor, commercial diver, �ire�ighter, a boatwright designing yachts, a corporate librarian and an emergency medical technician.

All of those gigs, he said, contributed to his full-time job and career as a facilities manager.

“I didn’t intentionally decide on the �ield but as I was working, different tasks and duties were assigned to me that I did well and eventually I was running entire buildings and then to campuses,” he said.

And that in turn has led him to write and speak considerably on the subject.

“I speak to groups globally about criti-

Mesa resident Scott Offermann has just published his first novel, which amazon.com calls a riveting read about the lives of first responders. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Photographer)

cal environments and facilities topics,” Offermann explained. “This also includes

training in infrastructure maintenance, maintenance management, people man-

agement and budgeting all with a focus on critical thinking.”

Now, Offermann’s writing avocation has made a sharp turn into �iction. He has just published his �irst novel, “Engine 8-12,” which draws a bit on his experiences as a volunteer �ireman and a paramedic to create what amazon.com calls “an actionpacked, adrenaline- pumping look into the lives of �irst responders.”

“I thought that it was an important story to tell, bringing more of the human side and emotions that �irst responders experience,” Offermann. “In the book some of the emotions that are explored are on the darker side of the mind or at least not spoken of in polite company.

“Most people may experience one or two car crashes in their life. Fire�ighters and �irst responders can experience

��� AUTHOR ���� 17

New memory care program involves Mesa center TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

A

�ive-year partnershiop between a Mesa adult day care center and a lifelong learning provider have produced a memory care engagement program that a spokeswoman said makes participants “feel valued, loved and connected.”

Oakwood Creative Care and ALLE Learning utilized research gleaned from their partnership to create EngAGE EnCOURAGE, which “sets a new standard for best practicees in caring for adults with memory impairment by blending creative and expressive sessions with lifelong learning,” spokeswoman Rose Tring said.

Family members of memory-impaired people are praising the program, saying they see improved brain fuction and mobility in their loved ones.

Marsha Segler, for example, said, “My husband has had an increase in cognitive improvement and in muscle control.”

Oakwood has moved some offerings online to reduce health risk for clients during the pandemic.

But even virtually, the classes are having a positive impact.

“With this pandemic and having to stay home, my husband’s dementia was going downhill fast and he was so depressed,” said Joyce Leiske. “Even though he is quiet and sometimes dozes off, he looks forward to the classes and his confusion has improved. Even our son commented on how much better he seems to be doing.”

Sherri Friend, president and CEO of Mesa-based Oakwood, said when she took over management at the nonpro�it program Oakwood Creative Care CEO Sherri Friend is excited about the eight years ago, “it was very insti- program she helped develop with ALLE Learning. (Special to the Tribune) tutionalized.”

She patterned her approach to provid- wood at the University of Bradford in Enging daily services at Oakwood from the land, who advocates for person-centered model credited to Professor Thomas Kit- care that recognizes people’s personal

beliefs, life experiences and relationships that matter to memory function.

Friend and ALLE founder Jennifer Clancy wanted to create better programs and classes for those in adult day clubs and adult living environments.

“The EngAGE EnCOURAGE curriculum focuses on using adult language, engaging the participants and their family members in familiar topics, and stimulating their creativity. Our goal is for them to have the best experience possible every day,” Friend said.

“For whatever reason, if you have a dementia diagnosis, we were trained that you can’t learn, that you were just losing skills,” Friend said “People with memory impairment still learn and still retain information. It just has to be done differently to help them be successful.”

For the past 20 years, scientists and researchers have searched to �ind a cure

��� OAKWOOD ���� 18

COMMUNITY

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

AUTHOR ���� ���� 16

several a week. Some of those being fatal. Most people will never experience a house �ire, while �irst responders can experience many.

“Think about how you have felt or would feel at a car accident or house �ire,” he continued. “These emotions are forgotten by the average citizen when they are thinking of the �irst responder. The book allows the average citizen to experience what �irst responders face daily and the �irst responder’s emotions and dealing with those feelings and emotions into the light.”

Offermann is now working on a �ictional series in an area that has nothing to do with �ire�ighters or facilities – one set in the late 13th century during the Eighth and Ninth and Crusades.

If that seems like an abrupt shift, consider Offermann’s life.

He became a volunteer �ireman at 16, thinking “it would be fun and look good on a college resume.”

About three or four years after doing that, he became an emergency medical technician for about �ive or six years.

He also lived on a boat on the Chesapeake Bay between ages 24-29, confront-

ing sometimes challenging weather that eventually prompted him to move out west.

“The last year on the boat we had seven ice storms and for one of the storms, we were stuck on the boat for three days,” he recalled. “That was a big motivator for moving somewhere else.”

While facilities management might not seem as exciting as sailing or racing to �ires or emergencies, Offermann would beg to disagree.

“There are many challenges with facilities,” he explained. “Every day is different.

You learn something new every day. Problems and issues are brought to you that no one else can solve.

“In the same day. It is physically demanding as well as intellectually challenging. I can be working in a mechanical room in the morning and giving an executive presentation in the afternoon.”

Besides, he noted, “as a facility manager I have had the opportunity to travel around the world.”

“I have enjoyed traveling to every country. Each one is unique and surprising in its own way,” he continued. “Working in facilities I have the opportunity to speak with executives and CEO’s as well as with building engineers and housekeeping

staff. I get to learn a great deal about each country and community. “ His public speaking dates back to his days as a sailing instructor both in summer camps and in profession sailing schools.

“It is challenging being 18 or 19 years old teaching a group of 35–50-year-olds,” he said. “It was often times very challenging, which taught me to speak well to all audiences in both technical and non-technical terms.”

Toggling between technical and nontechnical also has prepared him for toggling between non�iction and �iction.

“The largest difference is that in non�iction the story is already written – you just have to put the information on paper.

The imagination is in how to present the information in a way the audience will understand. With �iction you have to create the story, create the characters, build the characters and weave the action together.”

Asked whether he has found �iction harder to write than non�iction, Offermann said, “They both have harder parts and easier parts.

“With non�iction, once you get started sometimes it is dif�icult the bring information together into an article or book

that is entertaining,” he said. “With �iction, once you have the story outlined, the characters created, the story unfolds itself. The hard part is to only include the information that is most relevant and makes the story interesting to the reader.”

Now he’s taken on another challenge: marketing “Engine 8-12.”

Besides posting reviews and notices about the novel on social media, he also is tapping into his professional connections through linkedin.com and distributing �liers with the book cover and synopsis that have QR codes that link to the �irst chapter for readers to review as well as a link to the publisher’s website.

“If readers want to help publicize the book, there is a link to the PDF �lier on my website,” he said.

And while he digs into the days of knights and damsels, Offermann also is keeping one foot in non�iction when it comes to writing.

“I am also working on two non�iction books,” he said. “One is updating a second edition and the other one is on program management.”

“Engine 8-12” is available on amazon. com, Ebay and Barnesandnoble.com. Information: scottoffermann.com 

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

OAKWOOD ���� ���� 16

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BUSINESS

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/EVTNow

Walmart, Mesa man get chummy over his invention

BY KENZEL WILLIAMS Tribune Contributor

A

�ishing lure of sorts made by a Mesa �isherman will soon hit the shelves of Walmart after clearing a hurdle in the retail giant’s search for products made by American small-business owners.

ChumPODS – water-soluble pods of chum that can be used during �ishing – was created Pearce Outdoors, a company formed by �isheries biologist and Mesa native Grant Pearce.

The pods are similar to laundry detergent pods and are useful for �ishermen looking to save time.

Pearce was one of 175 businesses that made it from a screening process involving 800 small businesses from across the country that pitched their U.S.-manufactured products during 30-minute oneon-one meetings with Walmart and Sam’s Club merchants during the company’s �irst virtual Open Call event.

While helping kids during �ishing events,

Pearce noticed that many of them usually end the day empty-handed.

“There’s nothing worse to somebody that goes �ishing for the �irst time than to not catch any �ish,” said Pearce.

Pearce wanted to help anglers who don’t have as much luck catching �ish and

in putting up with his experimentation.

“My garage was smelling pretty ripe with dead �ish,” said Pearce. “Every time you would open the garage door, the smell would hit you in the face.”

Pearce next found a manufacturer that Mesa native Grant Pearce, holding one big fish, invented ChumPODS, left, and is now ready would hold the to market his invention through Walmart. (Special to the Tribune) strongly scentthought of ChumPODS after using laundry ed products and sell them online to cover detergent pods one day. his costs He started going to work in his garage, He also researched big retailers that using PVA material, a biodegradable and could potentially sell ChumPODS. From environmentally friendly �ilm that dis- there, he found Walmart’s Open Call, a solves in water.

Pearce credited his wife for her patience ��� CHUM ���� 22

Microenterprise ventures have major impact

BY LAURA SHERIDAN Tribune Contributor

E

veryday entrepreneurs are the real saviors of the local economy during a time of economic crisis, adding new jobs and creating fatter wallets, according to research conducted by Venture Forward at GoDaddy.

The Venture Forward program at GoDaddy conducted a multi-year study of 20 million microenterprise ventures and the data it obtained are impressive.

It de�ines a venture as “a business, nonpro�it, cause or idea represented by a unique domain and active website.”

The study found that microbusinesses contribute exponentially to the health of the local economy.

“During the 2008 recession, communities with higher microbusiness density

recovered faster,” explained Alexandra Rosen, executive director of Venture Forward. “For example, take two cities that are alike in population diversity, similar age group distribution, similar broadband adaption rates but one city is in the top 10 percent of cities that recovered and the other is in the bottom 10 percent.

“The only difference between the two cities is one in the top 10 percent has twice the density of microbusinesses.”

In Phoenix 2018, according to Venture Forward, the monthly median household income was $5,769. By adding one highly active microbusiness per 100 people, that number rose to $6,177 – a 6 percent increase.

Unemployment level also is impacted by the number of microbusinesses.

The research shows that each new startup creates two or more new jobs. Adding

Alexandra Rosen is executive director of GoDaddy's Venture Forward program. (Special to the Tribune)

one or more microbusinesses per 100 people can reduce the unemployment rate by .05 percent.

Even during the pandemic-driven shut-

down, the study found, 22 percent of businesses closed up shop from February to April while the number of microbusinesses only dipped 1.8 percent.

Kara Lamb, a Queen Creek resident, owns three microbusinesses with her husband.

Together they own Small Wonders daycare at 21925 E. Rosa Road and Weight Loss Boutique at 21455 S. Ellsworth Road, both in Queen Creek, as well as Got Roots Salon and Spa at 2036 N. Gilbert Road in Mesa.

Lamb is a prime example of bringing jobs to the market.

She was able to open her salon and spa during the pandemic while growing her other two businesses by integrating them online and creating new and future positions that could become available as these businesses continue to grow.

��� MICRO ���� 22

BUSINESS

22

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

Mesa nonpro�it hits jackpot with casino company TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF

S

ome gamblers’ losses at three Chandler area casinos made winners of three local nonpro�its, including one in Mesa.

Child Crisis Arizona received a third of $76,000 in so-called “self-excluded” jackpots collected by Gila River Hotels and Casinos.

The Mesa-based group that works Valleywide to strengthen the community’s most vulnerable children and families, build resiliency, and prevent crisis situations.

The funds will help serve up to 200 children each night in their Emergency Children’s Placement Services which includes their foster care program, shelter and group home.

CHUM ���� ���� 21

program dedicated to giving small businesses a chance to sell their products at the retailer.

The program is part of Walmart’s 2013 commitment to help boost job creation and U.S. manufacturing through buying an additional $250 billion in products supporting American jobs by 2023.

Pearce attributed the success of ChumPODS to the fact it’s never even been thought of by �ishermen.

“Like most things in the world, especially in the �ishing market, it’s hard to �ind some-

MICRO ���� ���� 21

Microbusinesses need support now more than ever, Rosen said.

Many have closed their doors in the Southeast Valley for lack of resources, capital and failure to develop an online presence.

Government help can be hard to �ind and many entrepreneurs lack suf�icient skills or funds to create a robust online presence or platform, Rosen said.

Gary Stewart, a Gilbert resident who has owned GNL landscaping for the past 10 years, said his biggest struggle is that he works with a skeleton crew of only 13 men.

Each time one of them gets sick, it hin-

Each time someone hits a jackpot in any card or machine games or bingo at Wild Horse Pass, Lone Butte and Vee Quiva casinos, management veri�ies “that the individual is able to win based on a pre-existing list of rules, regulations and behavior,” said spokeswoman Ashley Bold.

And those who don’t pass the test don’t get to keep their winnings, which are set aside for the for the Gila River Cares Week of Giving.

“Week of Giving represents our commitment to supporting programs that help meet the needs of the community and make a difference in our state,” said Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Hotels & Casinos. “We are grateful that we were able to turn our annual celebration into a week of giving this year and continue to provide year-round support to nonpro�its

through our Gila River Cares program.”

Miracle League of Arizona of Scottsdale also was among the recipients. It offers a safe and successful baseball experience for children, teens, and adults with disabilities or special health care needs.

The funds will allow them to continue serving nearly 400 families with special needs as well as help expand their family baseball sessions and provide personalized equipment to each player to allow them to participate safely at home.

Also bene�itting the fund was Pawsitive Friendships in Gilbert, which helps children with special needs achieve their therapy goals by providing animal-assisted therapy.

“The funds will allow them to continue providing services to their 11 facilities, as well as help train and equip new animal

therapy teams and expand their services to additional schools,” Bold said.

The group was pawsitively delighted, “Thank you to Gila River Hotels & Casinos for allowing us to continue serving the special needs community with animal therapy,” said Tosha Tharp, CEO of Pawsitive Friendships.

“This grant will allow us to continue providing services to our 11 facilities, as well as help us train and equip new animal therapy teams and expand our services to additional schools to create even more Pawsitive Friendships.”

Earlier this year, all Arizona nonpro�its were eligible to apply to receive the selfexcluded jackpot funds and a committee from Gila River Hotels & Casinos selected the recipients.

Information: PlayatGila.com. 

ders his ability to take on special projects – the bread and butter of his business.

“The biggest struggle is people feeling sick and not being aware of what the issue is,” he said.

“People will say they’re not feeling well and I will tell them that they need to get tested and then they will have a negative test and will come back to work a few days later,” Stewart continued. “But what makes us nervous is that we don’t ever really know. It’s a revolving door with employees and testing.”

Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek have all been diligently working together on rectifying many of these issues.

These municipalities have partnered with several entities to get multiple resources out to the entrepreneurs in their community.

Queen Creek, for example, is considered a prime location for starting a small or microbusiness. The town encourages entrepreneurship and makes resources are readily available for start-ups.

“The Queen Creek Town Council approved an ordinance to waive fees for new business licenses and renewals from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 for businesses that have a physical location in Queen Creek,” Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney said.

“Council also approved a resolution im-

plementing a grant program to reimburse businesses for costs incurred in connection with enhanced sanitization, employee safety, and customer safety.”

“In addition to applying for our small business support grant mentioned, local businesses can access resources on our website, QueenCreek.org/BusinessSupport. This page provides direction in how to �ind resources on the county, state and federal level,” Barney said.

To help start-up micro and small businesses across the Valley, the Better Business Bureau and GoDaddy teamed to start the Empower program.

Information: bbbempower.com. 

thing truly new and innovative,” said Pearce.

“Most of the time, a new product is just a spinoff of something that already exists.”

Pearce was worried about being able to make it to the meeting with Walmart merchants, as that was the same day that he and his wife’s baby was due. Thankfully, she was delivered their newborn son 12 hours after the meeting.

“When he’s older, I can’t wait to tell him about that,” said Pearce.

Walmart said the most popular categories of products pitched to corporate executives in a daylong online session that drew more than 34,000 views were food, health

and wellness and personal care. Products pitched re�lected consumer trends in healthy foods, natural products, ethnic cuisine, snacks and adult beverages, it said.

As a �ifth-generation Mesa resident, Pearce is thankful that he was able to start his business in his hometown.

“It’s been cool to start a business where I grew up, and at the same time help some of the people at the local lakes catch more �ish,” said Pearce. “That’s where I’ve done almost all of the product testing.”

Pearce hopes that his business will eventually become a staple in the city and that he will be able to employ more people

in the community.

While it undergoes a few changes, ChumPODS is expected to reach Walmart shelves in the spring. Pearce is also reaching out to other big retailers in hopes that it will be sold at more stores.

Pearce said that he’s living the American Dream, and he hopes that his business will continue to expand.

“When I �irst started working out of my garage and building prototypes by hand, if someone told me I had the chance to put this idea into Walmart, it’s something I almost wouldn’t really believe,” said Pearce. 

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

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

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24

OPINION

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

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In voting, I took a dead doctor’s advice

BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist

I

n the end, with the 2020 ballot on my kitchen table, I took advice from a dead man, a doctor from Scottsdale I never met, Dr. Jay Blum.

A pulmonologist and critical care doctor by trade, Blum, a father of three, died in May, but I only recently read his obituary. It left an impression.

Dr. Blum grew up in Valley Stream, New York, a few miles from JFK airport and near where I was born. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis before transferring to a university far away geographically and in perspective – Berkeley.

He graduated summa cum laude, then headed to New York University for medical school. There he met his wife, Jane, a nurse. It was “love at �irst sight,” Blum’s obituary proclaims. They were married 47 years, until a massive heart attack took Jay. Dr. Blum’s medical career was a distinguished one, by all accounts – and my research took me to several.

He risked his practice to �ight the Ari-

zona Board of Medical Examiners in the 1970s, over the right to stop prolonging the suffering of the terminally ill. He presented his research on treating lung cancer across the country and in France.

As an associate professor at the U of A med school and later as Chief of General Medicine at the Phoenix VA, Blum took pride in schooling generations of doctors. “Blumisms,” they called his nuggets of wisdom.

The good doctor had one �inal Blumism, a line he asked his son Matthew to pass along to the rest of us.

“Don’t be angry by my passing, but if you must, be angry at Trump.”

It’s true. Jay Blum was a Berkeley liberal straight to the end.

I’m not, given that I voted for Republican candidates like County Supervisor Bill Gates and County Attorney Alistair Adel this go-round, but I agree with Blum on this much: I am angry at President Trump.

Angry about the hatred, the lies, the ineptitude on COVID-19, the use of the Supreme Court as a political weapon. So angry I could not in good conscience give him four more years.

But here’s the thing: I’m also angry

Share Your Thoughts:

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

at the Democrats and the sleepwalking gent they’ve pushed to the front of their ranks. The best thing I can say about Joe Biden is that he seems like a good guy to have a beer with.

That’s something in 2020.

But I believe his party is wrong on taxes, wrong on healthcare, wrong on racial politics, wrong on law enforcement. The further left the Dems tack, towards Bernie Sanders and that ilk, the faster they lose me.

With due respect and love to Dr. Blum, they call his alma mater “Berzerkeley” for a reason. That’s not my vision for America.

So I wrote in a name.

I chose someone who would not want the position should the gig be offered. I made my choice based on what scouts in

professional sports call the “best available athlete” theory.

Rather than hire for a speci�ic skill set, teams select the most elite athlete on the market, in hopes they can be trained and grow into the role.

What do I want in a President? Common sense would be refreshing. So would problem-solving skills based on sound advice from across the spectrum of ideas. Empathy, work ethic, heart.

Chie�ly, I’m seeking the ability to see past party politics not every once in a while, but every day in an effort to heal these United States.

There’s little doubt Dr. Blum would have disagreed with the choice he inspired six months after his death, but we would have enjoyed the argument. May that kind stranger rest in peace. 

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Arizona Jaguars have chance to play in youth nationals

BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor

A

Valley youth football team has received the opportunity of a lifetime, as it will �ly to Florida in early December to compete for a national championship at the 12U level.

The Arizona Jaguars, coached by former NFL defensive lineman and current Desert Vista line coach Derek Kennard Jr., received the invitation to the National Youth Championships for the American Youth Football League from Dec. 4-12, one of the largest national tournaments on the youth football circuit.

“We want to represent Arizona,” Kennard said. “It’s an honor to be going out there and it will be an awesome experience for our kids. Our goal is to win a championship.”

Kennard founded the Jags organization

Jags played a prestigious preseason schedule which helped earn the invitation. Kennard said his team faced several out-of-state teams, including some from California and the surrounding states.

The Arizona Jaguars, a 12U team based in the East Valley and coached by Desert Vista line coach Derek Kennard Jr., will head to Florida in December to Overall, the compete at the National Youth Championships for the American Youth Football League. (Courtesy Derek Kennard Jr.) Jags sit at 8-1 on three years ago when his son, Derek “Tre” also common for parents from northwest the year, most of which having come during Kennard III, was 9 years old. The team is Phoenix drive to Tempe or Pecos Park in preseason. made up of players from all over the Valley, Ahwatukee for their kids to join the Jags.

“We’ve been stacking up our competiWhile only two games into the regular including many from Ahwatukee, Chan��� JAGS ���� 26 dler, Gilbert and Mesa. Kennard said it’s season against league competition, the

Skyline High volleyball holds special senior night

BY KAYLA O’SULLIVAN Tribune Contributing Writer

T

he traditional senior night is �illed with laughter, speeches, goodbyes, games and the occasional tears.

This year a global pandemic by the name of COVID-19 joined the itinerary, but Skyline senior Diamond Bay’s teammates refused to let that stop them from giving her the night she has so anxiously waited for.

“I’m really excited,” Bay said. “I just feel like I’ve always been waiting for this moment and it’s just less than a day away. It just feels so surreal.”

For junior captains Alejandra Ramirez, Sadie Phillips and Bekah O’Day, this has been a night they have been working toward for weeks. With just one senior to celebrate, the girls �ind it easier to organize, but that does not mean any less effort.

The Coyotes faced off against the

Westwood Warriors on Thursday, Oct. 22, the night Bay was honored.

Skyline fell 3 sets to none. The Coyotes �inished the season Tuesday, Oct. 27 with a win over Dobson.

For many, this night is more than just a goodbye to a teammate. Some friendships, like Ramirez and Bay’s, run deeper than just on the court.

“I’ve known Diamond for a really long time so I want to put as much effort in as I can for this senior night for her,” Ramirez said. “My parents are really into it too because they are also really close with her.”

The three captains, along with the rest of the team, have planned out an exciting night for their fellow teammate, including gifts and gym decorations. Even with a small crowd because of COVID-19 restrictions, they thrive for a big night.

The girls have decided to decorate the gym and give Diamond questions to answer that they can read off as she walks out with her

parents, according to Ramirez.

They also planned out a gift including gift cards, candy, and other miscellaneous items. “[We’re] just having a small senior night; not too big but also not too little,” Ramirez said.

Having one senior has made social distancing a lot easier and has allowed Skyline’s senior night to go along almost as it usually would.

“Just because there’s one there’s not really much we need to do to like distance,” Phillips said. “She’ll just walk out with her family and take some pictures, just away from people, but that’s basically it.”

Bay, on the other hand, is relieved that she gets to sit back and wait for her night, but she never shied away from a moment of decoration in years past.

��� SENIORS ���� 26

Skyline’s Diamond Bay “left” was honored by the team and one of her best friends, junior Alejandra Ramirez “right,” as part senior night for the volleyball program on Oct. 22. (Courtesy Skyline volleyball)

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

26

JAGS ���� ���� 25

tion so we could get the best looks possible,” Kennard said. “We just want to make sure we are as prepared as possible for when we go to Florida.”

Kennard hopes to make it a trip of a lifetime for his players. But that comes with a price.

The Jags have spent much of the month fundraising any way they can to help pay for every player to travel to Florida. Kennard aims to use the funds raised to pay for �lights, three large rental vans and two Airbnb houses where players, coaches and the parents able to go can stay.

Kennard estimates the total trip to be around $20,000, which also includes fees to compete at nationals and food for everyone for the week.

The Jags have done everything from selling promotional cards to fundraisers at local restaurants. On Thursday, Oct. 29, Some Burros in Ahwatukee donated 30 percent of all pre-taxed food sales to the Jags. Kennard said the team is also accepting donations via Venmo, Cash App and GoFundMe. “We are trying to do everything we can,” Kennard said. “It’s a tough time with CO-

VID and with it being in December it’s right before the holidays. We are trying to be proactive to raise as much as we can.”

Not only will the trip be special for Kennard as a coach, but as a parent.

Tre grew up hearing stories about his grandfather, Derek Kennard Sr., who played several years in the NFL on the offensive line. He also heard about his father’s career, which led him to play for the Indianapolis Colts and in the Canadian Football League. His uncle, Devon Kennard, had an illustrious career at Desert Vista and USC before he was drafted by the New York Giants in 2014.

An outside linebacker, Devon played four years in New York, two in Detroit before he was signed by the Arizona Cardinals before the start of the 2020 season.

Tre, however, has gone in a slightly different direction in terms of football compared to his father and other relatives. Kennard said he didn’t get the classic family genes, which include a build similar to an offensive and defensive lineman. Instead, Tre has found his niche at defensive back.

Kennard said he’s more athletic at 12 years old than him, Derek Sr. and Devon were at the same age.

“We were all athletic for our positions

I’m sure. But I can assure you none of us were playing corner,” Kennard laughed.

“To be able to coach my son’s team, it’s been so much fun. Just being able to be on the �ield with him and experience that, it’s a special thing.”

Kennard hopes to continue a strong regular season before he and the Jags head to Florida to represent the state at the 12U level. No matter the outcome, he looks forward to providing a unique experience for all of his players.

“My passion is the youth,” Kennard said.

“Whether it’s high school or younger age.

I’ve had these kids since 10U and just to install the basic fundamentals into them, so they are correctly taught going into whatever level they go to next, we want to send them away better than they came.

“We want to give the kids the chance to not only represent the state, but to experience some of that national talent out there.”

Donations to the Arizona Jaguars 12U trip to Florida can be made via Cash App using $AZJAGS, Venmo at @AZJAGS or via GoFundME at gf.me/u/y4tqy3. 

Have an interesting sports story?

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

SENIORS ���� ���� 25

“Setting up in the past was pretty easy because we always had fun when we did it because we were so excited to celebrate our seniors,” Bay said. “It is pretty nice to not have to worry about anything, but even though I’m the senior, just being a part of the team doing it with them just makes me happy.”

Bay plans to go to college to become an RN after her time at Skyline. While there haven’t been talks of her going anywhere for volleyball, she is still open to it and would take the opportunity if presented.

Bay, with one regular season game left, has marked six kills on the season.

Ramirez had a closing message for her.

“Diamond, I have known you for a long time now and you’re like a sister to me,” Ramirez said. “You have always been there for me when I needed you and treated me so well.

“We have made so many amazing memories together that always make me smile when I think of them. Thank you for all of those fun sleepovers and dances you forced me to go to. Don’t forget me when you become a millionaire. The family and I love you so much.” 

THE GENERAL ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 3 Citizens Clean Elections Commission is your unbiased source for all 2020 elections. Find important deadlines, candidate info, voting locations and more voter details at AZCleanElections.gov/general, or call 877-631-8891 for more information.

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Polo event returns with new charities

BY KAMALA KIRK GetOut Contributor

S

ince 2011, the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships has been the United States’ premier polo event, attracting thousands of people from around the world, including top polo players, sponsors and celebrities.

This year’s event will return on Saturday, Nov. 7 under a new name, The Stella Artois Polo Classic: Presented by Ketel One, accompanied by social distanced safety measures and a focus on helping charities, schools and nonpro�its.

“This year we wanted to send a different message to everyone,” said Jason Rose, the event’s co-founder and co-owner. “We still want people to come out and have a great time, but things are going to be a little different due to the current environment.

We’ve had to balance everything in order to put together this year’s event. Next year, we expect to return to our original name and event.”

The annual polo championship games in Scottsdale, which will be held next Saturday, have been rebranded and redesigned to protect visitors from COVID-19. (Special to GetOut)

The Polo Classic will be held at WestWorld of Scottsdale at 10:30 a.m. with three polo matches. Arizona Polo Club and Andres Camacho Castilla will play Colombia in the featured match.

The signature charity match – The EPR Polo introduces The Celebrity Cruises Match Up supporting Arizona Equine Rescue and Southwest Wildlife – will be the highest goal polo match, featur-

ing professional players John Gobin and Jared Sheldon.

“We have some professional polo players participating in our featured match that have never played at the event before, so we’re very excited that some of the best polo players in the world will be able to experience this unique event for the �irst time,” Rose said.

Attendees can also look forward to the presence of local restaurants and food trucks, a selection of unique sculptures by acclaimed artist Pete Deise, the Molina Fine Jewelers VIP Lounge, Sanderson Lincoln Black Label Lounge, the Barrett-Jackson Outdoor Polo & Jazz Lounge, and a display of collector cars, including McLarens.

Between matches, The World’s Longest Catwalk Fashion Show will be presented

by Phoenix Fashion Week, as well as The Lugari Canine Couture Dog Fashion Show.

New sponsors include Celebrity Cruises, Mark-Taylor Residential, Bud Light Seltzer

��� POLO ���� 28

Scottsdale �ilm fest marks 20 years remotely

BY CONNOR DZIAWURA GetOut Staff Writer

W

ith no end in sight to the pandemic, the Scottsdale International Film Festival will follow in the footsteps of other such movie events by partnering with Eventive to host its 20th anniversary fest online Nov. 6-10.

Amy Ettinger, festival executive director, seized on an alternate plan early in the pandemic and recalls that in late February telling her board her concern about an “impending coronavirus invasion of our shores.”

The board didn’t come to a consensus, so the idea was tabled. Weeks later, everything changed.

“It was shocking – the March board meeting – how much had unfolded in 30 short days,” Ettinger said, noting meetings

“Butter,” one of this year’s Scottsdale Film Festival selections, is based on a popular novel by Erin Jade Lange, the pen name for the Kyrene School District’s communications manager. (Special to GetOut)

had switched to a virtual format. “There still were no clear options at that moment

in the March meeting.”

“Suddenly, we were offered an opportu-

nity with the Film Festival Alliance (FFA), which is a peer group of �ilm festivals that network throughout the United States, to do a streaming event and it was called Film Festival Day,” she said.

“More than dipping our toes in the pond, we really got our feet wet (and) could see that, wow, our audience is really willing to do this. We didn’t think our patrons would ever go along with it.”

“I think word travels fast because suddenly we had various distributors knocking on our door, asking us would we consider ‘this’ or ‘that’ or the other streamer?” she continued. “They were all different price points and all different kinds of content and as time has gone by, we’ve seen what works, what doesn’t work, what people will do, what people won’t do.”

��� FILMS ���� 28

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

POLO ���� ���� 27

zations whose fundraising and operations were devasted in the past months.

The Polo Classic is offering the chance for local charities to raise money utilizing its unique platform and event and all participating organizations will keep all of the revenue generated from ticket and table sales.

A post-event concert with local rock legend Roger Clyne will take place adjacent to the �ield and is being produced by Scottsdale Airpark-based R Entertainment.

Tickets for the concert are available separately at scottsdaleconcertseries.com.

“We’re really excited about the concert and are planning to include that as part of our program in the upcoming years,” Rose said.

“When we �irst created this in 2011, our goal was to create the Phoenix Open of polo, and now people around the world know about our event. Some of the best and most famous polo players have played here, and we’ve been blessed to have wonderful partners and sponsors throughout the years.

“Every year we’ve been audacious and creative, putting things out there that have created an atmosphere that is unlike anything else in the world of polo.”

Tickets start at $20.

Information: thepoloparty.com 

28

and McLaren Scottsdale. Another sponsor is the “Million Dollar Mingle,” a high-pro�ile luxury fundraising organization led by former NFL player AC Caswell.

Limited tickets will be available for the 2020 event and must be purchased in advance as a result of new safety protocols.

In lieu of its oversized tents, the Polo Classic will be entirely open-air with umbrellas and feature an extensive social distancing plan that includes expanded sideline parking and lawn seating, an elevated South Road seating option, and reserved seating areas with more space between tables.

Other measures and protocols will include mandatory masks, temperature checks and sanitation stations.

The event was also certi�ied by HealthyVerify, a medically based, scienti�ic and professional full-service certi�ication company that has partnered with ASU and Barrow Neurological Institute to help minimize the spread of infectious diseases.

By going a step further with the additional veri�ication, Rose wants to ensure guests’ comfort, safety and con�idence during the event.

“This year we want to let the event breathe and we’ve expanded our sideline parking, which people love because you can

FILMS ���� ���� 27

Observing streamed �ilm festivals, Ettinger began researching the idea and having it tested, including hosting streamers on the Scottsdale festival’s website.

It’s now a reality.

“We had garnered a considerable amount of momentum from last year as a �ilm festival,” Ettinger said. “We �inally hit our stride and had, gosh, 11 really high-pro�ile premieres. It just would have been a real shame to not do something this season to, A) celebrate the 20th but B), also acknowledge that we are a force now to be reckoned with.”

The streaming slate has been reduced and duration cut by half to make scheduling more manageable for viewers, Ettinger said. Set for �ive days, this year’s festival will feature 20 �ilms from around the world.

That includes “Butter,” adapted from a young adult novel by Ahwatukee author Erin Jade Lange and set in Scottsdale.

That’s the pen name for Kyrene School District communications director Erin

Jason Rose, seen here with his wife Jordan, is co-owner and co-founder of the Stella Artois Polo Classic that will gallup into WestWorld in Scottsdale next Saturday. (Special to GetOut)

drive your car right up to the �ield,” he said.

“We’ve also done away with our Birds Nest area at the entrance, where people would dance and drink amidst all the action. We still have some spectacular VIP sections

and we’ve also created space for charities so they can raise money at the event.”

Charities and nonpro�its are the other main focus of this year’s event, which is dedicated to helping schools and organi-

“Boy Meets Gun” is a dark Dutch comedy selected by the Scottsdale Film Festival. (Special to GetOut)

Helm, a long-time local TV journalist.

The �ilm, listed in the festival’s “Whimsical/Humorous” category, is about a lonely, obese teenager nicknamed Butter who plans to eat himself to death live on the internet; but when he begins to receive encouragement and feel popular, he must

deal with the potential fallout if he doesn’t go through with it.

Other �ilms include the Dutch dark comedy “Boy Meets Gun,” the Canadian drama “Rustic Oracle,” the Greek drama “Window to the Sea,” and the Israeli documentary “Aulcie.” The documentary is about bas-

ketball player Aulcie Perry, who led Maccabi Tel Aviv to an upset win in the European Championship.

Other represented countries include Brazil, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Most �ilms will be available for the festival’s duration and Ettinger said viewers can “basically build your own festival to watch things in any timeframe that you want.” “Boy Meets Gun” is only available for 48 hours beginning Nov. 7. And ll �ilms can only be streamed in Arizona.

Some screenings include prerecorded Q&As with the �ilmmakers.

The Phoenix Film Critics Society awards will be presented on the �irst night, Ettinger said, to allow festival attendees to plan their schedules accordingly. Viewers can also vote on the Audience Award for Best Film as the festival progresses.

Single tickets cost $9.99; VIP passes are $170; and multi-ticket discount packages are available in bundles of �ive or 10

��� FILMS ���� 29

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

FILMS ���� ���� 28

for $45 or $90, respectively. Sales of passes and packages end Nov. 5. Several �ilms are available on a �irst-come, �irst-served basis and may sell out.

“We really just consider it a massive victory to still be on our feet,” she said. “There are a lot of festivals this year that didn’t happen. ...And so the celebration for us is we didn’t have to miss our 20th year.”

She feels the pandemic has opened the door to new opportunities that can continue when the festival returns to an in-person format – such as a new balloting system for the audience to vote and an app the festival can continue to use. Ettinger said having an online component allows participation from those who otherwise would miss out.

“We are still taking probably one Scottsdale Film Festival Executive Director Amy Ettinger saved the annual event from a pandemic cancellation. (Special to GetOut) of the biggest risks we’ve ever taken in mounting this festival, and particerybody in the community on board with ipating by way of buying a single ticket or us this year so that we can do better than a package of �ive or 10 �ilms or even a VIP limp into to 2021.” pass cannot be more appreciated on our Information: scottsdale�ilmfestival. part,” Ettinger said. “We really need ev- com. 

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THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

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Public Notices

Public Notices CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants for the following: ON-CALL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION AND INSPECTION SERVICES The City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants to provide design services and/or construction administration services on an on-call basis in the following area/category: Construction Administration and Inspection Services. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

From this solicitation, the Engineering Department will establish a list of on-call consultants for Construction Administration and Inspection Services. This category is further defined below: Typical Construction Administration and Inspection projects for which consultants will be requested to provide services included but not limited to: arterial or residential roadway projects (including street lights and traffic signals), roadway maintenance and milling operations, waterline and sewer line projects, water and wastewater facility improvement projects, new building construction, tenant improvement projects, utility projects (including, but not limited to fiber, conduit, gas and electric), Non-City Utility permits (NCU’s) and other permits. Consultants shall provide staff member(s) with all tools/equipment required to conduct day-to-day business including vehicle, laptop, cell phone, PPE, and any other tools required to complete the work.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will not be held.

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

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

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter that contains current company/firm contact information including a valid phone number and email address, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding PPVF’s and resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt. Please provide one (1) electronic copy in an unencrypted PDF format to Engineering-RFQ@mesaaz.gov by 2:00PM on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

Maximum file size shall not exceed 20MB. SOQ’s that are unable to be opened by City staff will not be considered for award. Submitters may request a single opportunity to verify that a test email and attachment are received and can be opened by City staff. Test emails must be sent to Engineering-RFQ@mesaaz.gov. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants for the following: ON-CALL CONSULTING SERVICES FOR ELECTRIC UTILITY TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION SERVICES The City of Mesa is seeking qualified Consultants to provide design services and/or construction administration services on an on-call basis in the following area/category: Electric Utility Transmission and Distribution Services. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

From this solicitation, the Engineering Department will establish a list of on-call consultants for Electric Utility Transmission and Distribution Services. This category is further defined below: Electric Utility Transmission and Distribution Engineering Design projects might involve studies, new construction, upgrades, rehabilitation, or other modifications. Typical projects include, but are not limited to, 69KV transmission poles and lines, 69/12KV distribution substations, 12KV overhead and underground distribution poles, lines, ductbank, vault, cables, and Electric Utility Commercial Service Designs.

A Pre-Submittal Conference will not be held.

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

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

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter that contains current company/firm contact information including a valid phone number and email address, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding PPVF’s and resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt.

Please provide one (1) electronic copy in an unencrypted PDF format to Engineering-RFQ@mesaaz.gov by 2:00PM on Thursday, November 19, 2020. Maximum file size shall not exceed 20MB. SOQ’s that are unable to be opened by City staff will not be considered for award. Submitters may request a single opportunity to verify that a test email and attachment are received and can be opened by City staff. Test emails must be sent to Engineering-RFQ@mesaaz.gov. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

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

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Michele Davila of the Engineering Department at Michele.Davila@mesaaz.gov

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

ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Michele Davila of the Engineering Department at Michele.Davila@mesaaz.gov .

Published: Glendale Star, Nov 1, 8, 2020 / 34115

ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: Glendale Star, Oct. 25, Nov 1, 2020 / 33946 / 34114

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NOTICE:

Public Notices

CITY OF MESA, ARIZONA ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Consultant for the following: VAL VISTA DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS (US 60 TO PUEBLO AVENUE) PROJECT NO. CP0062 The City of Mesa is seeking a qualified Consultant to provide design services for the Val Vista Drive Improvements (US 60 to Pueblo Avenue) Project. All qualified firms that are interested in providing these services are invited to submit their Statements of Qualifications (SOQ) in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

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

Buildout of the Val Vista Drive and Southern Avenue intersection that will improve safety, increase capacity, and reduce congestion that occurs at the intersection during peak travel hours.

This Project is included in the MAG Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) that will receive Regional Area Funds for design, land acquisition, and construction. This Project will improve Val Vista Drive to accommodate 3 through lanes in each direction from the US 60 to Enid Avenue. Dual left turn lanes (with raised medians) will be constructed at each leg of the Val Vista Drive and the Southern Avenue Intersection. It is anticipated that Val Vista Drive from Enid Avenue to Pueblo Avenue will remain 5 lanes (2 through lanes in each direction, 1 two-way left-turn (TWLT) lane and require pavement rehabilitation improvements.

Roadway improvements will include the following: • Safety upgrades, such as bicycle lanes, sidewalks improvements, and ADA compliance.

• Drainage improvements such as new storm drain, catch basins • Reconstruction of the existing pavement section • New pavement due to widening • New curb and gutter • Removal and replacement of existing driveways along Val Vista Drive • New signage and striping

• Landscaping improvements • Utility Relocations (Both City and Non-City Utilities) • Traffic Signal Modifications at three (3) intersections that include Val Vista Drive / Hampton Avenue, Val Vista Drive / Southern Avenue, Val Vista Drive / Pueblo Avenue.

• Roadway lighting (New and Relocated streetlights) • City owned Gas Line System Improvements that may include the replacement of high pressure valves, anode installation at regular intervals, replacement of steel pipe segments (with PE) on the IP system within the scope of the project, possible replacement of “black-caps” on tees •Other miscellaneous improvements The proposed improvements are based on the Southern Avenue and Val Vista Drive intersection exhibit which is available for download at: http://mesaaz.gov/business/engineering/architectural-engineering-design-opportunities.

An electronic Pre-Submittal Conference will be held on November 5, 2020, at 9 amthrough Microsoft Teams.At this meeting, City staff will discuss the scope of work and general contract issues and respond to questions from the attendees. Attendance at the pre-submittal conference is not mandatory and all interested firms may submit a Statement of Qualifications whether or not they attend the conference. All interested firms are encouraged to attend the Pre-Submittal Conference since City staff will not be available for meetings or to respond to individual inquiries regarding the project scope outside of this conference. In addition, there will not be meeting minutes or any other information published from the Pre-Submittal Conference. Any parties interested in attending the Pre-Submittal Conference should request a meeting invitation from Stephanie Gishey (stephanie.gishey@mesaaz.gov).

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

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

Most service advertisers have an ROC# or "Not a licensed contractor" in their ad, this is in accordance to the AZ state law.

The Statement of Qualifications shall include a one-page cover letter, plus a maximum of 10 pages to address the SOQ evaluation criteria (excluding PPVF’s and resumes but including an organization chart with key personnel and their affiliation). Resumes for each team member shall be limited to a maximum length of two pages and should be attached as an appendix to the SOQ. Minimum font size shall be 10pt.

Please provide one (1) electronic copy of the Statement of Qualifications in an unencrypted PDF format to Engineering-RFQ@mesaaz.gov

by November 19, 2020, by 2 pm. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any and all Statements of Qualifications. The City is an equal opportunity employer.

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

Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC): The advertising requirements of the statute does not prevent anyone from placing an ad in the yellow pages, on business cards, or on flyers.

What it does require under A.R.S. §32-1121A14(c) <http://www.azleg.gov/ars/32/01165.htm> , is that the advertising party, if not properly licensed as a contractor, disclose that fact on any form of advertising to the public by including the words "not a licensed contractor" in the advertisement.

Again, this requirement is intended to make sure that the consumer is made aware of the unlicensed status of the individual or company.

Contractors who advertise and do not disclose their unlicensed status are not eligible for the handyman's exception.

Reference: (http://www.azroc.gov/invest/licensed_by_law.html) As a consumer, being aware of the law is for your protection. You can check a businesses ROC status at: http://www.azroc.gov/

Questions. Questions pertaining to the Consultant selection process or contract issues should be directed to Stephanie Gishey of the Engineering Department at stephanie.gishey@mesaaz.gov.

BETH HUNING City Engineer ATTEST: DeeAnn Mickelsen City Clerk Published: East Valley Tribune, Nov 1, 8, 2020 / 39057

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

Call us for details.

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

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

33

The Mesa Tribune

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

Deadlines

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

The Place “To Find” Everything You Need | TheMesaTribune.com Motorcycles/ Scooters

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Merch

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andise

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For Rent Apartments ALMA SCH & MAIN 1b 1 bath duplex Income verified UTILITIES INCLUDED Bad Credit OK. No Deposit Close to Lightrail $750 (602) 339-1555

Apartments Crismon/Apache Trl Cottage Cozy 2br 1ba Bad Credit ok. $750 No Deposit. Water/trash incl'd (602) 339-1555

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Concrete & Masonry

Air Conditioning/Heating

DESERT ROCK

Family Owned & Operated

Three Phase Mechanical

480-671-0833

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NO TRIP CHARGE • NOT COMMISSION BASED ROC# 247803 Bonded • Insured

ACCREDITED BUSINESS

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE!

Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship Summer AC Tune Up - $99 New 3-Ton AC Units - now $3,995 New Trane Air Conditioners NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 MONTHS!

THE LINKS ESTATES Why Rent The Lot When

Safe shopping (social distancing, wearing of masks, use of hand sanitizer) is strongly encouraged for participants and shoppers alike.

Whether you are looking for something specific at a great price or just enjoy treasure hunting, please join us for a little outdoor recreation and enjoy the fall weather!

FOUNDATION DRIVEWAY SIDEWALK PATIO

PAVER • CONCRETE REMOVAL • HARDSCAPE BONDED & INSURED • ROC#321648 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! FREE ESTIMATES • 16 YEARS EXPERIENCE RESIDENTIAL CALL JOHN: 480.797.2985 COMMERCIAL

Block Fence * Gates

602-789-6929 Roc #057163 Lowest Prices * 30 Yrs Exp Serving Entire Valley

YOU’LL LIKE US - THE BEST!

Drywall Manufactured Homes

Many of the community’s homeowners will be participating.

RETAINING WALL BLOCK FENCE PLANTER BBQ

‘A’ RATED AC REPAIR FREE ESTIMATE SAME DAY SERVICE

Garage Sales/Bazaars

Finley Farms South, an 859-home community with general boundaries of S Val Vista Dr & S Greenfield Rd and E Warner Rd & E Mesquite St, will be hosting its Annual Fall Garage Sale on Saturday, November 7 from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

CONCRETE & MASONRY BLOCKWALL CONCRETE

YOU CAN OWN THE LAND And Own Your New Home

Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252

480-405-7588

ItsJustPlumbSmart.com Appliance Repairs

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QUICK RESPONSE TO YOUR CALL!

• Same Day Service • On-Site Repairs • Servicing All Major Brands • Quality Guaranteed

josedominguez0224@gmail.com

If It’s Broken, We Can Fix It! FROM THE UPPER 100’S

ASK US HOW YOUR $105,000 CASH INVESTMENT AND OUR SENIOR LOAN PROGRAM ENABLES QUALIFIED 62+ SENIORS MAKING THE LINKS THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENCE HAVE NO MORTGAGE PAYMENT & NO LOT RENT AS LONG AS YOU LIVE IN HOME.

Gawthorp & Associates Realty 40667 N Wedge Dr • San Tan Valley, AZ 85140

602-402-2213

www.linksestates.net

JOSE DOMINGUEZ DRYWALL & PAINTING House Painting, Drywall, Intall Doors, Baseboards, Crown Molding Reliable, Dependable, Honest!

We Also Buy, Sell & Trade Used Appliances Working or Not

480-659-1400 Licensed & Insured

15 Years Experience • Free Estimates

480.266.4589 Not a licensed contractor.

See MORE Ads Online! www.EastValleyTribune.com

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

34

Garage/Doors

Glass/Mirror

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE

GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS

East Valley/ Ahwatukee

Broken Springs Replaced Nights/Weekends Bonded/Insured 480-251-8610

Not a licensed contractor

Handyman HANDYMAN 37 years experience.

Drywall, framing, plumbing, painting, electrical, roofing and more. Stan, 602-434-6057

Family Owned with 50 years' EXPERIENCE. Shower and tub enclosures, Framed, Frameless or Custom Doors, We also install insulated glass, mirrored closet doors, window glass, mirrors, patio doors, glass table protectors. If it’s glass, we can help you. QUALITY SERVICE at Competitive Prices.

FREE Estimates

WESLEY'S GLASS & MIRROR wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY Call 480-306-5113

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Electrical Services HONESTY • INTEGRITY • QUALITY

• Serving Arizona Since 2005 •

• Panel Changes and Repairs • Installation of Ceiling Fans • Switches/Outlets • Home Remodel

Home Improvement HOME REMODELING REPAIRS & CUSTOM INTERIOR PAINTING Move a wall; turn a door into a window.

From small jobs and repairs to room additions, I do it all.

Precision interior painting, carpentry, drywall, tile, windows, doors, skylights, electrical, fans, plumbing and more.

All trades done by hands-on General Contractor.

Friendly, artistic, intelligent, honest and affordable.

40 years' experience.

Call Ron Wolfgang Pleas text or leave message Cell 602-628-9653 Wolfgang Construction Inc. Licensed & Bonded ROC 124934

General Contacting, Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured • ROC118198

One Call, We Do It All! 602-339-4766

BROADCAST YOUR BARGAINS. REACH THOUSANDS OF BUYERS. CLASS@ TIMESPUBLICATIONS .COM

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Owner Does All Work, All Honey-Do Lists All Remodeling, Additions, Kitchen, Bath, Patio Covers, Garage, Sheds, Windows, Doors, Drywall & Roofing Repairs, Painting, All Plumbing, Electrical, Concrete, Block, Stucco, Stack Stone, All Flooring, Wood, Tile, Carpet, Welding, Gates, Fences, All Repairs.

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East Valley

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Irrigation

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

Painting • Flooring • Electrical Handyman Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Decks • Tile • More!

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• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service

NTY

5-YEAR WARRA

480.654.5600 azirrigation.com Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671

Landscape/Maintenance

WE DO IT ALL!

Bath & Kitchen Remodels • Car-Port to Garage Conversion Drywall & Stucco Repairs • Plumbing • Electrical • Can Lights Windows • Doors • Cabinets • Painting • Block Fences Wrought Iron Gates • Remodeling • Additions • Patios Tenant Improvements

480-833-7353 - Office 480-430-7737 - Cell

Marks the Spot for ALL Your Handyman Needs!

Marks the Spot for ALL•Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Painting Painting Flooring • Electrical ALL RESIDENTIAL &Painting “No Job Too ✔Small Flooring • Flooring • Electrical Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry Man!” COMMERCIAL ELECTRICAL Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry ✔ Electrical Decks • Tile • More!

Quality Work Since 1999 Decks •Affo Tile • More! rdable, ✔ Plumbing 2010, 2011 Call Jim Endres 2012, 2013, 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 ✔ Drywall Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor “No Job Over 28 Years Experience • ROC #246019 Bonded/Insured ✔ Carpentry Too Small Marks the Spot for“No Job Too ALL Your Handyman Needs! ✔ Decks Painting • Flooring • Electrical Small Man!” “No Job Too Man!” ✔ Tile Plumbing • Drywall • Carpentry

Handyman

Irrigation

Home Improvement

Irrigation Repair Services Inc. Licensed • Bonded • Insured Technician

Specializing in Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Landscape Lighting, P.V.C. & Poly Drip Systems

Call Lance White

480.721.4146 www.irsaz.com

ROC# 256752

Superstition Landscape Maintenance

Sprinkler & Drip Systems Repairs • Modifications • Installs

Small Man!” Decks • Tile • More! ✔ Kitchens ✔ Bathrooms 2010, 2011 2012, “No 2013, Job Too Afford And More!

2010, 2011 Small Man!” 2014 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 2012, 2013, 2014 Ahwatukee Resident/LLC References/ Insured/ NotResident a Licensed Contractor 1999 Since Ahwatukee / References Work ty Quali , Affordable 2010, 2011 2012, 2013, Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor Insured / Not aCall Licensed Contractor 2014 Bruce at 602.670.7038 rk Since 1999 Affordable, Quality Wo 1999 ceBSMALLMAN@Q.COM able, Quality Work Sin

Junk Removal PLUS House Cleaning Call or Text Adrian 480•376•9803 or 480•925•1418

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Call Bruce at 602.670.7038 Call Bruce at 602.670.7038

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Ahwatukee Resident/ References/ Insured/ Not a Licensed Contractor

• Drywall Repair • Bathroom Remodeling • Home Renovations

• Electrical Repair • Plumbing Repair • Dry rot and termite damage repair

ALL Pro

Hauling

T R E E

SERVING THE ENTIRE VALLEY

LANDSCAPING, TREES & MAINTENANCE

520.508.1420

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Licensed, Bonded & Insured • ROC#317949 Ask me about FREE water testing!

Sell Your Stuff!

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L L C

Prepare for Monsoon Season!

GENERAL CONTRACTOR / HANDYMAN SERVICES All Estimates are Free • Call:

S E R V I C E

• Furniture • Appliances • Mattresses • Televisions • Garage Clean-Out • Construction Debris

• Old Pant & Chems.

• Yard Waste • Concrete Slab • Remodeling Debris • Old Tires

• 20 Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty

480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded

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

480-354-5802

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

Painting

35

Plumbing

Jose Dominguez Painting & Drywall SEE OUR AD IN DRYWALL! Quick Response to your Call!

15 Years Exp 480-266-4589 Not a licensed contractor

Roofing

HYDROJETTING

480-477-8842

SEWER CABLE COMPREHENSIVE, FULL-SERVICE PLUMBING COMPANY

BOOK ONLINE! STATE48DRAINS.COM

HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING Interior/Exterior Painting 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE Dunn Edwards Quality Paint Small Stucco/Drywall Repairs

We Are State Licensed and Reliable!

Free Estimates • Senior Discounts

480-338-4011

ROC#309706

East Valley PAINTERS

20+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

10% OFF

We Beat Competitors Prices & Quality Free Estimates!

Home of the 10-Year Warranty!

480-688-4770

www.eastvalleypainters.com Family Owned & Operated Bonded/Insured • ROC#153131

Now Accepting all major credit cards

Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!!

Classifieds 480-898-6465

Over 30 yrs. Experience

480-706-1453

Licensed/Bonded/Insured • ROC #236099

ROC 3297740

PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH! Beat Any Price By 10% • Lifetime Warranty Water Heaters Installed - $799 Unclog Drains - $49 FREE RO UNIT w/Any WATER SOFTENER INSTALL NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 Months!!

‘A’ RATED PLUMBING REPAIR Free Estimates • Same Day Service

Voted #1 Paint Interior & Exterior • Drywall Repair Light Carpentry • Power Washing • Textures Matched Popcorn Removal • Pool Deck Coatings Garage Floor Coatings • Color Consulting

Tiles, shingles, flat, repairs & new work Free Estimates • Ahwatukee Resident

Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709

480-405-7099 ItsJustPlumbSmart.com Pool Service / Repair

Juan Hernandez

Pavers • Concrete • Water Features • Sprinkler Repair

PPebbleOcracking, O L Plaster R Epeeling, P ARebar IR showing, Pool Light out? I CAN HELP!

FALL SPECIAL! $500 OFF COMPLETE REMODEL! 25 Years Experience • Dependable & Reliable

Call Juan at

480-720-3840 Not a licensed contractor.

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!

480-898-6465

Public Notices T-Mobile USA is proposing to modify an existing wireless telecommunications facility on an existing approximately 136-foot water tank located at 6115 S. Sagewood, Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona 85212 (33 18 17.9 N / 111 40 52.2 W). The modifications will consist of removing existing antenna equipment and install new antenna equipment to be located on the water tank at an overall height of 99 feet. Any interested party wishing to submit comments regarding the potential effects the proposed facility may have on any historic property may do so by sending such comments to: Project 6120009155 - JLD EBI Consulting, 6876 Susquehanna Trail South, York, PA 17403, or via telephone at (203) 231-6643.

NOTICE OF HEARING REGARDING APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF NAME Case No: CV2020-055349 SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA IN MARICOPA COUNTY In the Matter of: Aden Richard Kennedy Name of person(s) requesting name change READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. An important court proceeding that affects your rights has been scheduled. If you do not understand this Notice or the other court papers, contact an attorney for legal advice. 1. NOTICE: An application for Change of Name has been filed with the Court by the person(s) named above. A hearing has been scheduled where the Court will consider whether to grant or deny the requested change. If you wish to be heard on this issue, you must appear at the hearing, at the date and time indicated below. 2.

COURT HEARING. A court hearing has been scheduled to consider the Application as follows: DATE: 12/3/2020 TIME: 10 am BEFORE: Commissioner Susan White, 222 E. Javalina Ave, Courtroom, Mesa AZ 85210 DATED: 10/19/2020 /S/ Jennifer Lamster Applicant's Signature, Published: East Valley Tribune, Oct. 25, Nov 1, 8, 15, 2020 / 33907

Public Notices SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICAL) Case Number (Numero del Caso): 18STLC13699 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: Oussama Bahri and DOES 1 to 25, (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): INCLUSIVE. YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: NANCY RAMIEREZ CASTANEDA; (LO ESTA DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): SHAURY EDER HERNANDEZ; EMILIO DAVID SINAYRAMIREZ, a minor, and NANCY MELISSA SINAYRAMIREZ, a minor, by and through their guardian ad litem NANCY RAMIREZ CASTANEDA NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/espanol/), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/espanol/) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperacion de $10,000 O mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesion de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravament de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is: SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, 111 N HILL STREET, 111 N HILL STREET, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012. The name, address and telephone number of plaintiff's attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono de abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): GEORGE J. SHALHOUB, ESQ #158894 LAW OFFICES OF GEORGE SHALHOUB 5187 CHIMINEAS AVENUE, TARZANA CA 91356. 818-264-3830 818-264-3836 DATE: JUNE 3, 2019 Sherri R. Carter Clerk, by Maria E Valenzuela, Deputy. Published: East Valley Tribune, Oct 25, Nov 1, 8, 15, 2020 / 33948

THE MESA TRIBUNE | NOVEMBER 1, 2020

36

Arizona’s Resort-Style Home Builder MASTER PLANNED CELEBRATED COMMUNITIES BY BLANDFORD HOMES

Award-winning Arizona builder for 40 years.

Blandford Homes specializes in building master planned environments with a variety of amenities and charm. Many offer resort-style amenities such as pickleball, event lawns, and lifestyle activities. You’ll find the perfect community to fit your lifestyle.

A Canyon Preserve at Mountain Bridge ONLY 4 HOMES REMAIN

Vintage Collection • From the low $400’s • 480-988-2400 A Mountain Bridge CLOSEOUT Acclaimed Resort-Style Master Planned Community in Northeast Mesa Vintage Collection • From the low $400’s • 480-988-2400 B Sanctuary at Las Sendas CLOSEOUT

F

B D

Northeast Mesa resort-style master planned community.

Vintage Collection • From the low $400’s • 480-988-2400

E

C Stratford in Gilbert PRESELLING PLANNED SUMMER 2020

A dramatic new gated community with two collections of homes • From the low $400’s

D Estates on McDowell – 35,000 Sq. Ft. Homesites CLOSEOUT

Luxury single-level estate homes with 3- to 6-car garages and optional RV garages and carriage houses • From the high $800’s • 480-750-3000

G

E Estates at Mandarin Grove NOW SELLING

H GERMANN

C

11 luxury single-level estate homes, in the Citrus Groves of Northeast Mesa, with 3- to 6-car garages and optional RV garages and carriage houses From the low $900’s • 480-750-3000

F

Sienna Hills Scottsdale – 124th St & Shea CLOSEOUT

Luxury single-level estate homes • From the $900’s • 480-661-3811

G Palma Brisa – In Ahwatukee Foothills NOW SELLING

A Dramatic New Gated Community • From the $400’s • 480-641-1800

H Belmont at Somerset – Prime Gilbert Location PRESALES HAVE BEGUN

Luxury estate homes and timeless architecture • From the low $800’s • 480-895-6300

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

Terms and conditions subject to change without notice.