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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
Sunday, August 7, 2022
Pinal snafus muddy outcome of QC council races
INSIDE
BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer
A
mid yet another snafu by the Pinal County Elections Department, at least one of the three Queen Creek Town Council seats could be headed for a November run-off following the results of Tuesday’s primary. With some ballots countywide still being counted as of the Tribune’s print
NEWS..................... 4 Council discusses QC road median headache.
BUSINESS............ 18 QC women run unique Lego store.
SPORTS................ 22 QC dad, son cherish last season together.
COMMUNITY.........................16 BUSINESS...............................18 OPINION..................................20 SPORTS....................................22 GET OUT..................................23 CLASSIFIEDS.........................26
QC an exception amid big pension debt BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor
E
ast Valley municipalities in the last fiscal year took advantage of unanticipated general fund revenue increases to make big additional payments on their debt to pensions earned by thousands of retired police officers and firefighters. But Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler and Scottsdale still have a long way to go before they erase their huge unfunded liabilities. Those five municipalities still owe a total $1.4 billion for pensions covering 955 retired firefighters, 1,471 retired cops and
see
PENSION page 10
deadline Friday, results from the Maricopa County Recorder’s Officer showed incumbent Dawn Oliphant with 27% of the vote; Bryan McClure, 25%; Travis Padilla, 25% and Matt McWilliams, 23%. The Pinal County results had Oliphant with 27%; McWilliams, 25%; McClure, 24% and Padilla, 23%. According to the latest available data, Pinal reported that a total 2,559 ballots had been cast in its portion of Queen
Creek while the Maricopa portion saw 10,482 ballots. The threshold for an outright win involves dividing the total number of votes by the number of available seats, then dividing by 2. As of Friday, the whole numbers put Padilla ahead of McWilliams, 6,100-5874. But the math may be further compli-
see ELECTIONS page 6
The plane is on the way A jet engine may seem a bit of an unusual sight at a high school, but a plane may soon be on the way at the new American Leadership Academy campus in east Mesa. The sprawling 223,000-square-foot charter school is taking a new approach to vocational education, as you’ll read on page 8. (Enrique Garcia/Tribune Contributor)
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Auxier Elementary earns leadership designation TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF
A
Chandler Unified school in Queen Creek has become that district’s first Leader in Me Lighthouse School. Auxier Elementary has the “Lighthouse” designation in recognition of its achievements in the Leader in Me program, an evidence-based, comprehensive learning model that builds leadership and life skills in students. According to leaderinme.com, Auxier is one of eight schools in Arizona and the first in Chandler Unified to achieve Lighthouse designation. In addition to the Lighthouse schools, there are 26 Leader in Me Schools in Arizona, including Chandler Unified’s Hartford Sylvia Encinas Elementary and Shumway Leadership Academy. “The Lighthouse Schools certification is evidence that Auxier has produced outstanding results in school
and student outcomes, by implementing the process with fidelity and excellence,” the district said in a release. “The Leader in Me program is the foundation of our school culture,” said Auxier Principal Mrs. Jamie Williams. “Our staff provides opportunities for students to learn & demonstrate their leadership skills. “Earning this certification is the ultimate reward of Synergy. I am beyond proud of our students, staff, and community for their shining leadership.” Schools are required to reapply for Lighthouse School certification every two years, but due to the pandemic schools had additional time to be recertified. Auxier Elementary was first named a Lighthouse site during the 20182019 school year and the distinction continues to impact students in and out of the classroom. “I am proud to have my son in his fifth year at Auxier,” said Courtney
“The Leader in Me program is the foundation of our school culture,” said Auxier Principal Mrs. Jamie Williams in a video about the school. (YouTube)
Kleinebreil, a parent of a fourth-grade CTA Auxier student. “As a student of a Lighthouse School, my son gets to be a part of creating a leadership culture in the classroom with opportunities to learn and put into action valuable leadership skills. As a parent, what more could you ask for?” Auxier Elementary, established in the 2015-2016 school year, is home to a dual Chandler Traditional Academy and Classic program in which parents can choose an option for their children. The school was named after the Auxier family. Annette Auxier is a former CUSD governing board member who served from 1998-2018 and an active parent volunteer when her children were enrolled at CUSD. Her husband Gary is a pediatrician who volunteered at the Chandler Care Center. Information: cusd80.com/enroll.
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NEWS
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 7, 2022
Council grapples with untended highway medians An edition of the East Valley Tribune Queen Creek Tribune is published every Sunday and distributed free of charge to homes and in single-copy locations throughout Queen Creek CONTACT INFORMATION Main number: 480-898-6500 | Fax: 480-898-562 Circulation: 480-898-5641 Publisher: Steve T. Strickbine Vice President: Michael Hiatt ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT Display Advertising: 480-898-6309 Classifieds/Inside Sales: Elaine Cota | 480-898-7926 | ecota@TimesLocalMedia.com TJ Higgins | 480-898-5902 | tjhiggins@TimesLocalMedia.com Steve Insalaco | 480-898-5635 sinsalaco@TimesLocalMedia.com Advertising Sales Executive: Jane Meyer | 480-898-5633 | jane@TimesLocalMedia.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Executive Editor: Paul Maryniak | 480-898-5647 pmaryniak@TimesLocalMedia.com Managing Editor: Cecilia Chan | 480-898-5613 |cchan@TimesLocalMedia.com Reporters: Josh Ortega | 480-898-5610 | jortega@TimesLocalMedia.com Ken Sain | 928-420-5341 | ksain@TimesLocalMedia.com Sports Editor: Zach Alvira | 480-898-5630 | zalvira@TimesLocalMedia.com Photographer: Dave Minton | dminton@TimesLocalMedia.com Design: Nathalie Proulx | nproulx@TimesLocalMedia.com Production Coordinator: Courtney Oldham | 480-898-5617 production@TimesLocalMedia.com CIRCULATION : 623-535-8439 Circulation Director: Aaron Kolodny | aaron@phoenix.org Distribution Manager: Brian Juhl | brian@timeslocalmedia.com Queen Creek Tribune is distributed by AZ Integrated Media, a circulation company owned & operated by Times Media Group. The public is limited to one copy per reader. For circulation services, please contact Aaron Kolodny at aaron@phoenix.org.
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BY JOSH ORTEGA Tribune Staff Writer
Q
ueen Creek Town Council last week grappled with the increasing number of untended highway medians and how to address the emerging landscaping problem. Since Council’s strategic planning session Feb. 26, officials have been looking for a way to address complaints about the untended medians, which can impede motorists’ vision and create a hazard. “It’s been a huge safety concern,” Vice Mayor Jeff Brown said. “The Town Council has received a significant number of complaints.” One of the most challenging spots highlighted at the Aug. 3 meeting is along East Queen Creek Road between Hawes and Sossaman roads. Development Services Director Brett Burningham said that one-mile stretch includes medians within the boundaries of five different homeowners associations – which are supposed to take care of the landscaping. Burningham noted that HOAs sometimes cut landscaping maintenance costs or hire new companies altogether, resulting in medians that are not properly landscaped if at all. Any improperly maintained median constitutes a possible violation of the Town Code, resulting in a citation from the town. Burningham said that since council’s planning session in February, “we have updated the code enforcement procedures to accelerate the code process.” Previously, it took about three months to get a code violation case through but that’s been cut down to about a month, he said. Councilwoman and Mayor-elect Julia Wheatley raised the issue of whether this issue will become more of a problem as newer developments start to age. Burningham said the town looked at new less than 10 years old and planned more accordingly than older developments to address the issue of median landscaping. “Most of the problems have happened with the subdivisions that are 10 years old or older,” said. Public Works Director Mohamed Youssef
Medians in Queen Creek highways have been left untended, often by homeowners associations that are shirking their legal responsibilities, and are creating hazards for motorists and headaches for town officials. (Special to the Tribune) said approximately 65% of road medians fall under the responsibility of HOAs. Approximately 25% sit under the responsibility of the Town, and 10% are the town’s responsibility until the land can be transferred to a private entity, generally an HOA. Yousef said public works staff looks at three goals for maintaining these medians: safety, aesthetics and consistency. According to details in the February Strategic Planning Session, landscape maintenance of medians includes keeping trees no higher than 8 feet, shaping and keeping shrubs to 3 feet and manually pulling weeds 4 inches high or higher and spraying those below that height. Public Works staff also developed a cost estimate of $15,000 for the 2022-2023 budget to provide median maintenance for trouble spots on a case-by-case basis. He said some of the other spots of concern include a mile stretch of East Combs Road between Kenworthy and Gantzel roads that is within the jurisdiction of 12 entities. Since February, Yousef said town staff has come up with three options for moving forward with this issue: Town staff could do all the median landscaping and HOAs pay for water use, irrigation system replacement and vegetation replacement. That would cost the town $200,000 annually. Town staff could provide maintenance, water usage, irrigation system replacement and vegetation replacement for identified
areas of concerns only. This would incur a one-time cost of $124,000 and then cost $82,000 annually. Town staff takes a full ownership of the median maintenance, water usage, irrigation system replacement and vegetation replacement for identified areas of concerns only. This would cost $792,000 upfront and $217,000 annually. The first and third options would also require an amendment to the zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations, but second option would only need individual agreements with property owners. Councilwoman Leah Martineau raised concerns about taking over “the biggest offenders” because HOAs could abandon maintenance and shift burden to the town. “I’m worried that if we do something like that, that others will see what’s happening and let it go,” she said. Vice Mayor Brown agreed and wondered if the town’s efforts had resulted in fewer complaints about the trouble spots. Youssef said his department has received fewer complaints but couldn’t give much detail beyond that. He said he would look more into the matter. Town Attorney Scott Holcomb said the town has addressed the most concerning area and billed the property owners for landscaping expenses but has received no response. “I think my understanding is that the town has billed them and they haven’t paid,” he said. Queen Creek officials could place liens on the properties that become delinquent on fines imposed but that presents another problem, he added. “The problem here is that the medians are owned by the town,” Holcomb noted and so the town would be filing liens against itself. Town staff said some HOAs have accumulated approximately $20,000 in fines and already have liens against them. Council decided to revisit the issue closer to the end of the year to see what it can do to force an HOA into compliance. “Maybe there’ll be a couple of council members a little bit closer to the end of the year that are interested to possibly tighten that structure up or increase those fines,” Brown said.
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 7, 2022
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NEWS
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 7, 2022
Dawn Oliphant
Julia Wheatley
ELECTIONS from page 1
cated by the second snafu cause by Pinal elections officials, who didn’t print enough ballots for people who voted in person Tuesday. It was unclear if anyone at Pinal’s voting stations in Queen Creek were impacted. The snafu cost Pinal elections director David Frisk, who was appointed to that position in March, his job on Thursday. Prior to the election, his department also failed to correctly list municipal candidates on the early ballots that went to seven municipalities, including Queen Creek. To fix that problem, the county sent a second ballot with only municipal candidates. One race that had no drama in Queen Creek was that for mayor because Councilwoman Julia Wheatley had no opposition.
GOT NEWS?
Travis Padilla
Wheatly ran a joint “Team QC” campaign with council candidates McClure, McWilliams and Oliphant and it remains unclear if Padilla’s showing in Maricopa County gave him enough votes to either crack that triumvirate outright or force a runoff. With all 8,736 Maricopa ballots cast for her and only 12 of 927 Pinal votes cast for write-in candidates, Wheatley called her results “just another vote of confidence that I’m helping lead the community in the right direction and it’s just an exciting time.” Wheatley said she has a big spot to fill vacated by late-Mayor Gail Barney, who chose not to run for re-election and passed away in June. But she said she looks forward to continuing to fulfill Barney’s vision for leading the town.
Bryan McClure
“Hopefully, I’ll help continue to lead the legacy that he had envisioned—being a resident that’s been here his whole life—and for all of our families,” Wheatley said. As for the Pinal elections snafus, Wheatley said she doesn’t see any candidate will pursue legal action and didn’t expect them to impact the Queen Creek council races. “Thankfully, it’s a small fraction, compared to what other municipalities are facing,” Wheatley said. “But it sounds like they are taking appropriate actions now. Padilla remained hopeful about the ultimate outcome of the election. “I have received countless congratulatory messages from excited voters…however, I continue to remind them that the race isn’t over yet,” Padilla said, applauding his opponents’ efforts.
Matt McWilliams “I knocked 3,000 doors in Queen Creek myself,” Padilla said. “I got to know so many residents, made 1000s of phone calls and text messages.” Travis’ $48,000 in campaign donations topped the $43,000 raised by his three opponents combined. “I have amazing support from Queen Creek residents who are clamoring for me to be on Town Council and deeply appreciative and grateful for their huge financial support and contributions,” Padilla said. Padilla said he was disappointed that Pinal County repeatedly disenfranchising voters and undermined public confidence in the elections. “Elected and appointed officials should be held accountable for poor performance” Padilla said “And I appreciate the Board of Supervisors for taking a good first step in that direction.”
Contact Paul Maryniak at 480-898-5647 or pmaryniak@timeslocalmedia.com
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 7, 2022
‘223,000 square feet of opportunity’ open in Mesa BY MARK MORAN Tribune Staff Writer
I
f you happen to be out late one night and see a small airplane being towed down the two-lane portion of dusty pavement bisecting the remaining farmland near the intersection of Pecos and Sossaman roads in Mesa, don’t be alarmed. It’s just for an aviation class project on its way to the “Pathfinders,” students at the new American Leadership Academy high school at the recently barren intersection. At 223,000 square feet of classrooms, warehouse size work labs, collaborative learning areas and labyrinthine hallways, the cavernous school has the room for a plane and a lot more. “It’s amazing, right?” said Jim Kriznauski, assistant director of the campus, which is managed by Char-
An automotive lab will allow students to get hands-on training for a mechanics certification. (Enrique Garcia/Tribune Contributor)
ter One, a management company that oversees other charter schools in Arizona as well. “What’s really exciting about it to me,” Kriznauski said, “is that it helps kids understand the relevance of school. “Within the same day, they’re going to be in an automotive shop, they’re going to be in an aviation area, and they are going to have to apply those skills,” he said. Charter One touts this as the first building in the state where students can get both their high school diploma and a technical certification in any one of these 10 fields, or “academies,” simultaneously. Other vocational-technical schools are separate programs and operate on their own. The school has room for 2,400 students, though so far, 400 are enrolled
see SCHOOL page 14
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 7, 2022
Valley home prices falling faster, report says BY PAUL MARYNIAK Tribune Executive Editor
Q
ueen Creek already has more homes on the market than its long-term average as prices across the Valley are falling at a faster-than-expected rated, according to a leading analyst of the Phoenix Metro market. The Cromford Report said that Queen Creek, Buckeye and Maricopa already have become the most attractive areas for homebuyers to score a good deal. It identified five communities where neither buyer nor seller has a distinct advantage in sale negotiations. They include Tempe, Chandler, Surprise, Peoria and Gilbert. But sellers in those five areas might be getting a little nervous, it added. “Astute sellers will realize that the situation is very fluid and slipping away from them,” the report said. “Prices are reacting much more quickly to the poor market conditions than we expected,” it said of the Valley-wide housing scene. “In 2005 and 2006, it took a long time for prices to change direction. In 2022, the change has happened almost overnight. This is probably because people are primed to believe price drops are likely whereas in 2005 most people still believed that home price never go down. Whatever the reason, sellers in 2022 have been willing to make quick and frequent cuts in their asking prices and accept offers well below those.” Cromford also predicted prices would continue to fall until demand picks up. “Pressures to sell at lower prices are coming from the sellers themselves,” it said. “Low demand mean they are competing with other sellers and a lower price is an obvious tool for them.” Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, part of Scottsdale and Cave Creek are in a different situation and, in a way, a different world from the average buyer and seller. Those four communities are largely considered in the domain of luxury housing, where homes $1.5 million and above have not been tilting as sharply and quickly from a sellers’ market to a buyers’ market as the rest of the Valley, according to the report. “The luxury market over $1.5 million is
two months,” it said. “But as Report said. It reported that as of June 30, 17,788 sinbuyers start to flex their muscles, we should be prepared gle-family building permits have been issued for more serious consequenc- so far this year in Maricopa and Pinal counes. While we cannot forecast ties year-to-date – down only slightly from accurately several months out, 18,803 last year for the first six months of it would be reasonable based 2021. “There were only 2,248 single-family on current trends to expect significant declines in aver- permits issued in June, which is the lowest age prices, median prices and monthly total since May 2020,” the Cromford average price per square foot Report said. At the same time, multifamily developers by the end of 2022. Current This 6,717-square-foot house on S. Loback Street in Queen Creek recently sold for $2.8 million. The six-bedroom, eighttrends can – and often do – aren’t slowing down at all and are at what bath room home, built in 2019, has a 917-square-foot guest change, so this is not baked in, the Cromford Report called “a full-bore house, pool bathroom, theater room, a garage and two gates gung-ho status.” just a reasonable base case.” for recreational vehicles and a number of high-end ameniIn the first six months of this year, a record It also said the rapid growth ties. (Special to the Tribune) in inventory might slow down 8,640 multi-family permits were issued in seeing far less of a surge in supply and al- soon but without a corresponding uptick in Maricopa and Pinal counties. “Last year there were 6,871 at the same though the market is deteriorating through demand. weakening demand, the deterioration is “Builders apparently are slowly reacting point and that was considered a lot,” the Cromford Report said. “There were 1,890 much slower,” it said two weeks ago, al- to the changing housing scene. “Single-family permits are now dropping issued in June, making it the fourth busiest though last week it said even that category in response to the weak demand but proba- month ever.” now shows demand is weakening. Two weeks ago, the Cromford Report said bly not as fast as they should,” the Cromford that while the recent increase in homes for sale appears to be slowing down, “demand not only remains very poor, it is getting weaker still.” It said the 7,887 listings recorded in July not only were 28% lower than a year earlier, but the lowest for the end of July since 2007. Last week it also indicated the listing success rate – how quickly a home sells – has tumbled in three months from 91% to 73%. While that’s not as bad as the “dreadful 20.4%” success rate of 2008, Cromford said, the statistic “is a reliable and crucial indicator that is flashing red.” “We need this to stabilize and start increasing if we are to be optimistic in our outlook,” the Cromford Report said, adding that “there are a few reasons to expect an improvement in market conditions just around the corner.” But it listed only one reason – and didn’t express much enthusiasm about it. “A large drop in interest rates would almost certainly help,” it said, “but this is not 4980 S. Alma School Rd., Ste A-7, Chandler something that is widely expected.” 480.659.6984 (Next to Safeway) The Cromford Report also suggested bigOpen Monday - Saturday 10am to 5pm ger changes in the Valley’s housing market could occur before the end of the year. “Prices have looked wobbly for the last
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NEWS
PENSION from page 1
hundreds more firefighters and officers who are covered by Arizona’s Public Safety Personnel Retirement System, records show. In sharp contrast, Queen Creek has nothing to worry about: both its firefighter and police pension funds currently have surpluses But that combined debt pales in comparison to the staggering $3.4 billion the City of Phoenix owes – which accounts for nearly half the $8.84 billion of the unfunded liability in the retirement system that existed at the close of the 2021-22 fiscal year on June 30. For the entire system, including county and state corrections officers’ retirement plans and the plan for judges and elected officials, that number was $10.9 billion. Still, the state Legislature – together with county, municipalities and fire districts – eliminated $2.85 billion of unfunded pension debt last fiscal year. “I think it’s great,” said PSPRS Administrator Mike Townsend, who has been in the job since November 2019. “This system has been underfunded for so long and those lingering unfunded liabilities just ended up costing taxpayers more and more money over time,” he said, calling the government employers’ additional pay-downs “a huge move.” “I think also it speaks well to the staff that we’ve put in place and the changes we’ve made,” he added, referring to both his agency’s investment strategies and other internal moves as well as the vibrancy of Wall Street prior to its current woes. Although the final results of PSPRS’ investments for the 2021-22 fiscal year won’t be known for a few months, its success in the 2020-21 fiscal year drew kudos in the Pensions & Investments annual 1,000 Largest Retirement Plans report. It said the combined PSPRS plan pension trust and defined contribution plan assets under Townsend’s management grew 44 percent to $16.1 billion in 2020-21, exceeding the percentage growth of all public pensions in the top 200 of the largest 1,000 U.S. retirement plans surveyed.
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 7, 2022
Townsend said his agency’s success was more than just a matter of hiring new auditors, new actuaries, changing “a lot of the actuarial assumptions and the processes of how we’re managing the money.” It also was a matter of convincing the municipalities and other government employers about the efficacy of those changes and showing them options for whittling down their pension debt. “When you think about the decision makers, you’re talking about elected boards and councils around the state,” Townsend said. “They’re not pension people, obviously, and a lot of them are really not financial people. They need to get to a place where they can understand and understand what we’re doing.” The agency’s moves increased the government employers’ trust in the system, which had been battered more than a decade ago by the Great Recession of 2007-08. The Legislature last fiscal year applied $1.15 billion to the state public safety and corrections officers’ pension debts. Maricopa County over the last two years has put an extra $10 million into its jail officers’ pension plan, which is only 56.7% funded with an unfunded liability of $283.7 million, PSPRS records show. Tempe led all cities in Arizona with its additional police and fire pension debt contributions –$341 million last year alone. Even so, both its police and its firefighter pension plans are only about 45% funded with a total unfunded liability of $341 million. Over the last two years, Scottsdale put down $41.1 million to reduce its unfunded liability to $191.1 million for its retired police and firefighters. Chandler did the same, shelling out an additional $37 million on a debt that now stands at $154.3 million. “Clearing this much unfunded pension debt off the books in a single year takes an incredible amount of resolve and initiative among employers throughout the state,” said Townsend. “It also takes faith in our commitment to protect members’ retirement benefits and to help employers and taxpayers save money.” The $2.85 billion in additional government employer contributions last fiscal
Mike Townsend is the administrator of the public safety pension fund. (Courtesy PSPRS) year surpassed the $1.58 billion in additional payments made in 2020-21 and dwarfed the $120 million in extra payments made in 2019-20. The effort by local governments to pay down their unfunded pension liabilities isn’t just a matter of kindness for the men and women who spent years putting their lives on the line day in and day out. It’s a legal obligation with genuine operational consequences that impact municipal spending decisions and capabilities for everything from supplies and infrastructure to payrolls. Former Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher outlined those consequences for his City Council in June 2021. At the time, he sought permission to borrow $1 billion at a fixed-interest rate to pay down part of the city’s total $5.4 billion pension debt – which includes other plans besides the $3.4 billion PSPRS debt. “This taxpayer burden must be balanced with being fiscally responsible and committed in providing pensions to retirees,” Zuercher told Council in a memo. He said the pension fund liabilities and costs already had “placed significant budgetary constraints on the City’s ability to provide employee wage and
non-pension benefit increases, public services and infrastructure maintenance.” And he noted that “while currently manageable, this pressure will continue into the foreseeable future. “Further, credit rating agencies and lenders place strong consideration on the funding plan and funding levels of the City’s pension systems when determining their view of the overall financial health of the City,” Zuercher said. Though several Phoenix Council members, including Mayor Kate Gallego, voiced support for Zeurcher’s proposal, it never came up for a vote. Now Phoenix – and all the other entities with unfunded liabilities – face the likelihood of even higher interest rates on their pension debt. But Townsend said his agency is working to help governments pay down their pension debt in a somewhat less burdensome manner, noting it will take years to eliminate that debt and voicing optimism that cities at some point in the future will have another opportunity to secure fixed-interest loans that will make it easier to pay off their PSPRS obligations. He said PSPRS is recalculating their contribution rates “to get their payments down to something similar to debt financing where they’re on more of a level dollar amortization for those unfunded liabilities.” “They’re on a big way down,” he said. “They’re going to pay it down one way or the other and so we’re changing the system to help account for that. If they want to put additional cash up front, pay it down faster, it just makes it better for them.” “We’re kind of shifting the slope of the line because the contributions were planned to increase pretty significantly 10 to 15 years out into the future,” he continued. “By making these changes, we’re kind of shifting some of that cost to the short term. “So they’ll see some increased contribution rates over the next five years” but then it “will get it to where it’s more of a stable line going forward without the huge cost out in the future.”
see PENSION page 13
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Casteel, other CUSD schools get updated cafeterias BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer
M
oments before the lunch bell rings, the Casteel High School cafeteria is quiet. It’s the calm before the storm. After the bell rings, 700 hungry students will enter the cafeteria for food. “Our goal is to get everyone their meals in seven minutes,” said Jenny Bracamonte, the director for food and nutrition for Chandler Unified School District. “We know they only have between 25 and 30 minutes to have lunch and they definitely don’t want to spend that time in line with us. They want to spend that time with their friends.” CUSD spent the summer improving the Casteel cafeteria. It is also remodeling the ones at Basha and Perry high schools, though they are not finished yet. The goal is to make it easier and faster for students to get the food they want. “We want this to be very much like the restaurant experience they know,” Bracamonte said. The delays at Basha and Perry have been caused by the global supply chain issues. When completed, the three schools will have gravity slides, which will allow students to grab a slice of pizza or a chicken sandwich and move on quickly. There’s also a taco/burrito bar that looks very similar to a Chipotle serving line. “Obviously this is a fairly new school,” Bracamonte said. “We built this in 2015. So, it really didn’t need too much of an infrastructure change. But when we built Casteel, we built it for about 12- to-1500 students. We have over 3,000 here, so we needed to make sure that you were addressing speed of service.” Another thing the district is doing as it remodels its cafeterias is to brand them. Casteel students are now eating at Rally Cafe. The walls are painted in school colors and encourage school spirit. When the work is done, there will be Rally Cafes at four of the district’s six high
schools, including Arizona College Prep, which opened last year and doesn’t need remodeling. There are plans to do Chandler High, but a timetable for that has not been set. The district is in the process of remodeling the cafeteria at Hamilton High, but that will take longer. It won’t be ready until next school year. The primary challenge at Hamilton is that there’s not enough room for students to eat together. “The cafeteria is over here and this whole hallway is just full of kids sitting by themselves on the ground,” said Kristopher Luo, a senior at Hamilton. Hamilton has 4,000 students and there are four lunch breaks a day. That’s 1,000 students looking for a place to eat lunch at the same time. Only 600 fit in the current cafeteria. Bracamonte said when the renovations are complete, hopefully by the start of the next school year, they should be able to seat 900. To create that space, they are expanding the cafeteria into the school’s atrium and some of the outdoor courtyard. There is another major change for school lunches this year. The federal government ended the universal free lunch program it had started during the pandemic. Bracamonte said it had been a success, with the District serving about 7.1 million meals last school year. This year returns to how lunches were handled before the pandemic. Families that qualify, can still get free meals. Other families that need some help can get reduced-price meals. And the families that can afford it pay full price. Prices for lunch range from $3 to $3.75 a meal. The reduced price is 30 or 40 cents. To apply for either free or reduced lunches, visit myschoolapps.com. “We did see major, major growth in our program over those universal free years,” Bracamonte said. “We have seen some participation decline from last school year to the start of this school year, but we really hope to continue to serve 7.1 million meals this year.”
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PENSION from page 10
East Valley pension debt
Here’s a look at East Valley municipalities’ current PSPRS pension debt, according to the agency’s data, and what the total in additional payments they made toward reducing their unfunded liability over the last two fiscal years. Phoenix is included for comparison.
Queen Creek: Because the police department is so new, the
pension plan is 135% funded and no retirees obviously are in the system, The firefighters’ pension plan is 108% funded. Currently there are two retirees collecting an average annual $70,306.
Pinal County: Like Queen Creek, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office stands in sharp contrast to many of its counterparts. It is 101% funded. There are 121 retirees collecting an average $43,718 a year.
Chandler Fire: 73.7% of its pension plan is funded, leaving a debt of $1.5 million. The city’s additional payments have totaled $12.5 million. Currently there are 82 retirees with an average annual pension of $69,024.
Chandler Police: 68.3% of its plan is funded, leaving a debt of $102.8 million. Additional payments totaled $24.5 million. There are currently 201 retirees with an average annual pension of $60,766.
Gilbert Fire: 90% of its plan is funded, leaving a debt of
Phoenix Police: 41.4% of its plan is funded, leaving a debt of
Gilbert Police: 91.7% of its plan is funded, leaving a debt
Scottsdale Fire: 84.5% of its plan is funded, leaving a debt of
Mesa Fire: 50.2% of its plan is funded, leaving a debt of $235.9
Scottsdale Police: 55.1% of its plan is funded, leaving a $167.8 million unfunded liability. Additional payments totaled $35.8 million
$12.6 million. Additional payments totaled $2 million. There are 30 retirees with an average annual pension of $60,772.
$2.2 billion. Additional payments totaled $44.5 million. There are 2,699 retirees collecting an average $69,371 a year.
of $14.4 million. Additional payments totaled $13 million. There are 92 current retirees collecting an average annual $58,573.
$23.3 million. Additional payments totaled $5.3 million. There are 46 retirees collecting an average annual $53,879.
million. Additional payments totaled $7.6 million. There are 289 retirees collecting an average annual $67,443.
Tempe Fire: 44% of its plan is funded, leaving a debt of $121.9
Mesa Police: 47.9% of its plan is funded, leaving a debt of
million. Additional payments totaled $123 million. There are 150 retirees collecting an average $69,792 a year.
$422.7 million. Additional payments totaled $15.9 million. There are 660 retirees collecting an average annual $57,874.
Tempe Police: 45% of its plan is funded, leaving a debt of
Phoenix Fire: 43.4% of its plan is funded, leaving a debt of
$215.7 million. Additional payments totaled $218 million. There are 290 retirees collecting an average annual $59,787.
$1.2 billion. Additional payments totaled $21.2 million. There are 1,223 retires collecting an average $74,158 a year.
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SCHOOL from page 8
in one of the 10 academic tracts that are offered. From aviation and automotive technologies to cosmetology and health services and pretty much every vocational occupation in between, these are the fields in which Arizona has projected the highest job growth in the next decade, Kriznauski said. “223,000 square feet of opportunity is what it is,” said Principal Jeremy Klomp. “We took 10 of the top 15 and said ‘let’s build a program around those that will give kids opportunities.’” He noted that in addition to the $8,500 per student that the school will get from the state, “between six and 10” individuals on behalf of local companies have donated more – a lot more. “It’s a $60-million building, which is kind of a statement that it can be successful even though it’s never been done,” Klomp said. “It’s a pretty big venture. Every industry we’ve got is crying for people.” Charter One CEO Bill Guttery said the $60 million came from private investors representing corporations who see the need for this type of education and campus. “We need to capture this talent while they are young. These upcoming technicians,” said Susan Morris, human resources director for the company that owns a handful of Valley auto dealerships, including Porsche, Audio, Volvo and Subaru. They have donated industry standard tools on which students can become certified and employment ready jobs right out of high school. “Everyone needs a mechanic,” Klomp said. “Everyone is going to continue to need a mechanic forever.” Added Morris: “We have opportunities where they can come in at entry level, which opens the door for career advancement. If they are interested, and they are engaged and they are performing well, they will excel within the industry.”
The sprawling American Academy Leadership school offers students a chance to get their high school diploma and trade certification under one big roof. (Enrique Garcia/Tribune Contributor) The automotive industry is just one area that is in desperate need of qualified employees, said Klomp. “There’s pilot shortages all over the place,” he explained. Within towing distance of the airport, Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus and a burgeoning business corridor, the ALA campus is strategically close to potential employers for its graduates. There are cardboard yard signs near aircraft and maintenance hangars at the airport advertising open job positions. “If you own an aircraft or do any kind of maintenance, there is a sixmonth wait to get your annual inspection on your aircraft because of the shortage of aircraft technicians,” Klomp said. “So, kids will graduate with their aircraft mechanics license and go right into a $40-an-hour hour job, as an 18-year-old high school graduate. Not bad right? Translates to about $75,000 to $80,000 a year.” Students can also complete the ground school necessary to acquire a private pilot’s license as well as becoming an FAA certified drone pilot, Klomp said. In addition to the aircraft and automotive programs, the school’s other programs are drawing a lot of attention, too – like the cosmetician and aesthetician program.
“It’s our top program as far as enrollment,” said ALA assistant principal Tim Slade. “I think one of the reasons is that once they’re certified, ‘if I want to go on to college and do something else, I can cut hair at the same time. I am using it as a pathway while I go to school.’ That’s just smart.” Cosmetology commandeers an entire swath of the first floor. With 22 highly polished salon stations, replete with hair washing sinks, lots of mirrors, state of the art décor, and chairs for manicures and pedicures, students will take 300 hours of course work, then be allowed onto the “floor” to work in a salon that will be open to the public so students can accrue the 1,500 hours the state requires for certification. This would seem to be a particularly good school for students with special educational needs, according to Exceptional Student Services teachers. “Generally speaking, they are the most disadvantaged,” said ESS teacher Brittani Ivory. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to have something going into the world with something already under their belt. Statistically speaking, they are the ones who are technically destined to be the ones who do the worst or be forgotten. Most at risk,” Ivory said.” A lot of what is happening at this
ALA campus, Guttery said, is being promoted by Charter One as a way to change the narrative that attending a vocational tech school has historically implied. “A lot of votech schools are considered last chance schools or a school where you go if you just can’t make it in college. We wanted to blow that up,” Guttery said. “That’s not what we are. “We are a highly professional school that allows students to do what they really want to do. It serves the community because the community needs trades, bad. There is no expense to it. There is no debt. That’s where you’re really going to start someone out on the right foot,” he said. The students seem excited to get a head start. “It’s a great opportunity,” said 16year old Dallin Wakefield, an incoming junior who plans to enter both the construction management and culinary programs. “This school really gives those who graduate a leg up and gives them and lets them into that field and actually work part-time or full-time and earn a salary,” he said. Added Klomp” “We are changing the paradigm that used to say college or career to a college and career ready. Our kids will be walking out, ready to go.”
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Wheelchair-bound Gilbert man grounded BY ASHLYN ROBINETTE Tribune Contributor
T
ransportation, whether by foot or automobile, is often taken for granted. But for Eric Johnson, it’s literally a luxury he can’t afford. The 55-year-old Gilbert resident is asking the community to help him get a wheelchair-accessible van by donating to his GoFundMe. Bound to a wheelchair by muscular dystrophy, a degenerative disease that causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass, Johnson has steadily lost more and more mobility. He now is unable to stand, has lost hand function and has become significantly ventilator-dependent. For the past five years, Johnson has rarely been able to leave his home — not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t. “It got to the point where I couldn’t get in and out of my van anymore, and my wife couldn’t physically lift me,” the Cali-
Strapped to a wheelchair by a degenerative disease, Eric Johnson of Gilbert needs a wheelchairaccessible van to get back to volunteering and spending time with his family. (Gofundme.com) fornia-native said. Johnson needs a wheelchair-accessible van. Without a vehicle that can handle his wheelchair and equipment, his transportation is severely limited. Financially, he is unable to do this on his own.
So, he is asking the community to help him get out and be an active member of society again with whatever time he has left. “Just because you’re disabled, doesn’t mean you still can’t contribute to the community,” Johnson said. “You can still
the extended drought in Arizona, how the desert has recovered from the Bush fire of two years ago; a large volunteer group based in Tucson that saves cacti from developers; and a unique plant that grows on South Mountain. Society spokeswoman Elizabeth Farquhar of said, “Fielding became fascinated with cacti when he was a teenager. Today his home is a showcase of cacti from the Southwest and around the world. Part of his backyard is a nursery for plants he is raising from seed.” Desert Rivers is the local Audubon chapter in the East Valley and hosts expert speakers on the second Tuesday of
every month. During the summer, its programs are only on Zoom but the group plans to resume in-person sessions in September that also will be available online. The mission of Desert Rivers Audubon Society is to educate and inspire our community to protect and preserve birds, wildlife and their habitats. From fall to spring the chapter sponsors monthly owl walks at the Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus in east Mesa, as well as family birdwalks in Gilbert’s Riparian Preserve and Chandler’s Veterans Oasis Park.
Audubon Society hosts cacti expert online
TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF
A
n Ahwatukee man who has studied, raised and rescued cacti in Arizona for most of his life will be the guest speaker at a free ZOOM discussion sponsored by the Desert Rivers Audubon Society at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9. People can sign up for the Zoom presentation by Cliff Fielding at desertriversaudubon.org, Wildlife that live in the Sonoran Desert are increasingly challenged to survive and thrive. Fielding will discuss: the effects on of
play a part.” Johnson wants to get back to doing what he loves most: volunteering. Though Johnson has been physically limited most of his life — he’d been on the operating table 29 times before the age of 6 — he has spent it in service to others. On top of being a committed and an involved father to his two children, Johnson participated in volunteer positions while he worked full time. “I would love to be able to volunteer again, even if it was only for a few hours,” he said. By the time he was 21, Johnson was trained in six computer languages. Up until moving to Arizona in 2001, he worked in California as an automation test engineer for several companies, including: Sony Electronics, SAIC, ODS Networks, Hewlett-Packard, Websense and Sempra. When he wasn’t working, he was vol-
see WHEELCHAIR page 17
Cliff Fielding of Ahwatukee will share his extensive knowledge of Arizona cacti during a Zoom presentation Tuesday. (Special to GSN)
COMMUNITY
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WHEELCHAIR from page 16
unteering. “I loved every minute of it,” he said. “If I could do it again, I would.” Johnson was an active participant in a children’s camp for over two decades, volunteering in outdoor education, leading discussions and more. He also worked for the San Diego County Red Cross Disaster Services, where he would be dispatched by the fire department via Red Cross to assist families displaced by disasters and provide them with food, shelter and clothing. He then became an American Red
Cross governmental liaison officer, which required him to be on call 24/7 with responsibilities ranging from opening and running shelters, or assisting the police and fire department at the Incident Command Center. In Arizona, Johnson served as a state legislative liaison and volunteer hearing officer (judge) at the Maricopa County Justice Courts. In just nine years, he heard approximately 400 small claims cases. The list of volunteer positions and ways in which Johnson has supported his community goes on and on. However, as Johnson’s muscular dys-
trophy advanced and his mobility consequently worsened, he was unable to continue these activities. A wheelchair-accessible van would allow Johnson to further make a difference in the lives of others. “Though he is severely weakened and physically limited, the zest to be active in life and to be around others is still very strong,” wrote Johnson’s wife, Jacquetta, in their GoFundMe description. Besides volunteering, Johnson wants to do another thing that many of us take for granted — spend time with family. “I’d like to get out and go on a date with my wife,” he said. “I’d like to be able
17
to go to dinner with my kids. I want to go do things with my kids again. They’ve done a lot of things with mom that dad hasn’t been able to.” Johnson has given his life to the community. This time, he’s asking the community to give a little back. “I want to be a part of the community again,” he said. “That’s what I enjoy. My whole life has been service. People tell me, ‘You’ve lived so many lives.’ And I’m so glad that I did.” To help Johnson afford a wheelchair-accessible van, donate at gofundme.com by searching with the words “wheelchair van freedom for Eric.”
Theater’s film series addresses youth crisis
TRIBUNE NEWS STAFF
C
handler childhood and education advocate Katey McPherson is returning to Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grill to host a series of film screenings and interactive panel discussions focused on trending parenting and family issues. The film series is part of the Helping Chandler Families Thrive program and is presented jointly by Majestic and Chandler Education Foundation. McPherson, a parent and educator, draws from her 25 years of experience working with students and families to bring valuable insight and guidance to community members of all ages navigating the complexities of today’s social environment. “To support the needs of families in our community, it’s critical to promote positive and candid discussions and share real stories and experiences,” said McPherson, who also serves as director of professional development for Bark for Schools, an artificial intelligence app that protects more than five million children nationwide. “It’s gratifying to partner with organizations like Majestic and Chandler Education Foundation who share my passion for investing time, energy and resources to benefit Chandler families.” The first installment of Helping Chandler Families Thrive will feature a
“Childhood 2.0” examines socia media’ impact on the next generation’s mental, physical, and spiritual health. (Childhood 2.0) screening of the documentary “Childhood 2.0” Aug. 24 at Majestic Chandler 9. The film highlights the challenges resulting from growing up in the digital age, with particular emphasis on topics like cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more. After the film, McPherson will lead an expert panel in an interactive discussion with event attendees. A portion of proceeds from the August event will benefit notMYkid, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides training and support programs focused on substance abuse, vaping, trauma, body image, mental health, internet safety, and other key issues.
“Majestic is proud to debut Helping Chandler Families Thrive this month with highly respected partners like Katey McPherson and Chandler Education Foundation,” said Craig Paschich, CEO, Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grill.” We are proud to utilize our theaters in unique ways to make a lasting and positive impact on area families.” On Sept. 21, Majestic Chandler 9 will screen “My Ascension,” an autobiographical documentary about Emma Benoit, who survived a suicide attempt at age 16 which left her paralyzed. The film chronicles Benoit’s journey to inspire others to find hope through
her painful experiences, as well as her efforts to bring a teen suicide prevention program to her home state of Louisiana. Benoit will attend the film event virtually and participate via Zoom in the post-film panel discussion with McPherson and other local experts. On Oct. 26 at Majestic Chandler 9. McPherson will host “The First Day,” a movie filmed at public and private high schools over the course of a year that “leverages the power of personal storytelling to explore the issues, relationships and events that deeply affect our youth.” After the screening, experts in family advocacy and education will join McPherson for dialogue about the film and its themes. “Chandler Education Foundation is proud to work with Katey McPherson and Majestic Neighborhood Cinema Grill to bring leading-edge family and educational programming to Chandler,” said Jennifer Hewitt, the nonprofit’s executive director. “To truly strengthen our community, we must collaborate and find innovative ways to reach those in need, and this film series supports those objectives.” Tickets to the upcoming Helping Chandler Families Thrive film events are limited and on sale now at MajesticPHX. com. Majestic Chandler 9 is located at 4955 S. Arizona Ave in Chandler, on the northeast corner of Arizona Avenue and Chandler Heights Road.
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Queen Creek pair own popular Lego store and hard to find. A lot of those are preassembled, so you can see exactly what you’re getting.” At the store, the sales floor is bordered on two sides by cases that sell individual minifigures. Other walls are filled with new and used sets. Customers can build their own minifigures from parts in a bin. Loose bricks can be purchased in bulk. “Our kids love them,” Bartholomew, a Southern California native, said about the minifigure table. “They just spend hours looking at the minifigures. In addition to that, there’s an interactive component where you can look at our bulk tables with loose pieces. “You can choose the pieces that you want for your special project. Whatever you’re adding to your collection, whatever you’re building, you can just get what you want. It’s
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tribune Staff Writer
T
heresa Bartholomew and Rachel Mangum understand Lego isn’t just for children. They have watched creativity blossom within their children and themselves, thanks to the colorful plastic bricks. Bartholomew and Mangum, both Queen Creek residents, are getting their Lego fill daily as they’ve opened Bricks and Minifigs at Recker and Guadalupe roads in Gilbert. “Bricks and Minifigs is a place where we buy, sell and trade Lego,” Bartholomew said. “In our shop, you’ll find new Lego sets that are not available in other places. Some of them are preowned Rachel Mangum, left, and Theresa Bartholomew own Bricks and Minifigs, a new LEGO store at E. Guadalupe and N. Recker roads in Gilbert. (David
see MINIFIGS page 19
Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Rockin’ couple shares music hysteria with Gilbert BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Tribune Staff Writer
M
usic brought Malcolm and Jenn Michaels together and now they’re uniting the community with Rock this Town Records in Gilbert. The record store focuses on vinyl LPs and singles, but also sells cassette tapes and other music-related products. A guitar laden with a Union Jack flag is available for guests to play near a sofa. The Queen Creek residents met
through an old-school Def Leppard fan mailing list in 1999. A Prescott resident, Jenn asked for the “Pyromania” release date and Malcolm answered from Minneapolis. The eventually met in the Twin Cities – just in time for a Def Leppard show in Duluth. “We didn’t know until after we booked the flight that Def Leppard was in town,” she says with a laugh. “It was fate.” He was obsessed or she was insane — to loosely quote “Pyromania” — but it’s worked. They’ve been together ever since. And Malcolm has a photo-
graphic memory of their relationship, from the dates they met, highlights, lowlights and landing on Rock This Town’s opening. The celebration was May 27, the same day Def Leppard’s new album, “Diamond Star Halos,” hit stores. Jenn is considering hosting a meet up for others seeing Def Leppard at State Farm Stadium Aug. 25. Rock This Town Records has caused minor hysteria in Gilbert, with soundtracks becoming a popular product. “We’re so small so we alphabet-
ize,” she said. “But I had to make a soundtrack section just because they’re dear to my heart. Were definitely ’80s people. That’s what we know. That’s what we love – rock music.” Malcolm jumpstarted his vinyl collection about five years ago, and since they opened the store, his ears have strayed beyond rock. “Now I listen to Kanye,” he said. “He’s somebody I would have never listened to back in the day. And Harry Styles.
see RECORDS page 19
BUSINESS
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 7, 2022
MINIFIGS from page 18
an interactive shopping experience.” Because Bricks and Minifigs buys, sells and trades Lego, the inventory is constantly changing. Mangum said that encourages repeat visits. “You never know what we’re going to have,” she said. “You never know because customers are trading things in at different times. “That makes it a new experience every time customers come here.” The family learned of Bricks and Minifigs when the aftermarket Lego toy shop opened in Avondale. Other Arizona stores are in Central Phoenix and Tucson. A North Phoenix location is slated to open soon.
“We feel like it’s a second home,” Bartholomew said of their first time in Bricks and Minifigs. “It’s fun and it’s happy. We were just looking at our own lives and we thought it would be cool to create a space like that in the East Valley, where other families could have a place like that to go to.” Former Apache Junction Unified School District teachers, Bartholomew and Mangum are using Bricks and Minifigs as a learning experience for their children, who are 6 and 8. “Our family has loved Lego together,” said Mangum, who grew up in Massachusetts. “This is also like a family project. They’ve helped a lot so far and
That new song is catchy as hell. It’s so good. We just like good music.” Malcolm says Jenn has more of an ear for modern music, which helps bring in a younger crowd. During a recent visit to Rock This Town Records, millennials were picking up records by the Beach Boys and Seals & Crofts. “I love the ‘70s,” he explained. “With all due respect to that generation, a lot of the artists are maybe starting to fall away because the audience and fan-
base just isn’t there any longer.” Records in the $3 area fly off the shelves, she says, and customers are surprised about what they might find in there “We had a Yes record in there,” she said.. “He asked if the record was really only $3. When I said yes, he asked why. The truth is, we want to keep new and interesting stuff in here. “We want it to be different every time you come in.” And there’s no pretension at Rock This Town Records.
RECORDS from page 18
they’re even getting in on the marketing of it. They want to pass out fliers to everyone they meet.” Bricks and Minifigs is more than a gathering place or store. A party room is available for birthdays and other celebrations. It will boast a 14-foot racetrack for Lego cars that can be created by partygoers. “It’s going to be really fun,” Mangum said. “We’re going to eventually have classes, but the parties will come first. “Our store is for all ages and abilities. We work really hard to have something for everybody here.” The couple even finds sets that it wants.
“The preowned sets come from other people in the community when they’re done with them,” Bartholomew said, adding: “They get a new life and, selfishly, we’ve been enjoying them in our own home for the past several months. “We get to enjoy them for a little while. I’m looking at the SpongeBob up there,” she added with a laugh. “There’s just this cycle. You can move on to something new and bring joy to someone else.” Bricks and Minifigs
4024 E. Guadalupe Road, Suite 103, Gilbert 480-588-3953, bricksandminifigs.com/gilbert-az/
Malcolm and Jenn Michaels opened Rock this Town Records in Gilbert to share their love of music. (Enrique Garcia/GSN Contributor)
The spacious Rock this Town Record sells vinyl LPs and singles, cassette tapes and other musicrelated products. (Enrique Garcia/GSN Contributor)
“I’m not a snob about music,” she said. “If someone comes in looking for something and they like it, I will try to bring it in.” Malcolm added, “If you’re listening to music and it’s making you happy, go for it.”
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Rock This Town Records 732 E. Warner Road, Gilbert 602-824-8484 rockthistownrecords.com Instagram: @rockthistownrecords
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‘Jetsons’ underscored more than the future BY JD HAYWORTH Tribune Columnist
S
omewhere between the promise of our national paternity embodied in George Washington and the perils of dystopian dictatorship described by George Orwell, we encounter the everyday “foibles of the future” through the animated experiences of George Jetson. While many of us got better acquainted with Washington through our studies of American History, and later encountered Orwell’s compelling fiction in literature class, Baby Boomers got to know George Jetson and family through television. “The Jetsons” premiered in 1962 and the cartoon classic will celebrate its
60th anniversary next month. As for the fictional father of that 21st century family, series canon proclaims his date of birth as July 31, 2022. Belated happy birthday, George! Tim Donnelly and The New York Post chose that day to chronicle “What ‘The Jetsons’ predicted right—and wrong— about the future.” Aside from cataloging the “hits” (videophones—think Skype and Zoom; flat screen televisions—no further explanation required; and robotic maids—not Rosey, but Roomba); the “misses” (still no machines to simultaneously comb your hair and brush your teeth, nor prepare fabulous meals with the touch of a button); and the “maybes” (personal jetpacks do exist, but not for consumers, and flying cars still remain “in development”), the article also notes that the
series casts a very long shadow despite a very short run—only 24 episodes over a single season in its original iteration. So, it’s “Back to the Future” for an even earlier citation to explain the outsized influence of this cartoon series. No less a publication than Smithsonian Magazine put it this way: “The Jetsons’ stands as the single most important piece of 20th Century Futurism.” It proclaimed that a decade ago, when the show celebrated a half-century. Why? Entire books have been written on the subject. British author and professor Danny Graydon, wrote his book, “Cartoon Classics: ‘The Jetsons’” in 2011. In observing both his “American Cousins” and the tenor of their times from a safe transatlantic distance, he offered
this analysis: “It coincided with this period in American history when there was renewed hope…there was something very attractive about the nuclear family with good honest values thriving well into the future.” Through the eyes of a certain 4-year old, enthralled with the 1962 orbital flights of John Glenn and Scott Carpenter, the premiere of “The Jetsons” just reaffirmed the reality of the Space Age, but also kindled a form of initial introspection about the concept of age and aging—also known as “growing up.” For the grown ups raising that 4-year old and seeing their own nuclear family expand – even as a nuclear confrontation between the US and the USSR loomed later that fall – “The Jetsons” provided a form of escape and much
about the real election disgrace, the one that happened last Tuesday – Primary Day – when a handful of us helped determine the future of Arizona for all of us. You’ve heard about the Big Lie. Now comes the Big Truth. The American system of choosing who governs us is based not on getting you to vote, but on getting you to stay home. And it’s working incredibly well. Let me explain. Arizona is a state of 7.3 million people, with 5.7 million residents age 18 or older. That’s our voting age population. However, as of Primary Day, only 4.2 million had actually registered to vote. The other 1.5 million Arizonans have decided to sit
out this civic duty entirely, or have been disqualified for a felony conviction or some other factor. Then the Democrats and Republicans – I see little difference between the two – really got busy. In Arizona, 1.4 million voters have registered without choosing a party. For this cohort to vote in the primary, each voter had to jump through multiple hoops to choose a party ballot. That further winnowed election participants. So did the relentless advertising blitz that accompanied this primary. Campaign finance reports for the Arizona governor’s race alone show upwards of $40 million spent before July 15. It was a hideous noise fest, with vicious allegations of unfitness, lying
and lawbreaking. Any rational person consuming these ads could only conclude the primary races were being contested by criminals and morons. Voters acted accordingly. When the last ballot is counted – by county elections officials or some cabal or fraudsters -- about 1.4 million Arizonans will have chosen a candidate. The parties will natter on about “record primary turnout,” despite the turnout hovering around 30 percent of registered voters. Only about one in four Arizona adults will have voted. Count everybody including children and the voting rate sinks to about one in five
see HAYWORTH page 21
Voting shame doesn’t involve ballot counting BY DAVID LEIBOWITZ Tribune Columnist
For years, we have heard a few thousand tales about election theft, conspiracies and fraud. “They,” we are told, handpick certain candidates to win, rigging the balloting to get their preferred outcome. This conspiracy leverages evil ballot-counting machines, or the pens used to bubble ballots, or “mules,” or ballot harvesting, or human hijinks. Whatever. I have heard it all, most of it going in one ear and out the other. Until now. Because now I want to tell you
see LEIBOWITZ page 21
OPINION
QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 7, 2022
LEIBOWITZ from Page 20
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residents. Lucky us, we’ll get to do it all again in November. This electoral system of ours is irrevocably broken, delivering us the least and the slightest, bitter partisans, conspiracy loons and the power-mad.
My proof of this failure? The best way to judge how well systems work is by how frequently they are adopted. Amazon Prime, launched in 2005, counts 163 million customers nationwide. About 95 percent of American adults go online. When in pursuit of information, about 90 percent choose Google, launched in 1998, as their go-to
search engine. These systems work. Then there’s the election system, founded in 1776. It’s never been easier to vote. The ballot comes by mail, you bubble it in and mail it, postage-free. Or you drive a couple miles one or two Tuesdays a year, and wait in a line that’s typically shorter than the Safeway checkout. You even get a sticker for voting, so you feel like a
hero for one day. Even so, three in four Arizona adults can’t be bothered. That’s the Big Truth underlying the 2022 primaries. The shame wasn’t how “they” counted who did show up. The shame was the lousy choices and millions of dollars that persuaded 75 percent of us not to bother showing up at all.
needed laughter. There’s no doubting that the show’s creators, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, saw “The Jetsons” as a variation on the successful theme they first developed with “The Flintstones.” After introducing America to the “modern stone age family,” it only made sense to mine for comedy gold from the other end of History’s timeline. As noted above, those efforts were initially met with limited ratings success. But to paraphrase Gen. Douglas MacArthur, “Old TV shows never die…
they return in reruns.” And the influence of “The Jetsons” shows no signs of fading away. Etched into the memory of that 1962 4-year-old is the saga of Astro, the Jetsons’ dog. Six intervening decades have done nothing to diminish the youthful angst experienced when viewing the story of a billionaire who initially owned the canine named “Tralfaz” lost him, only to have George and family find the dog and rename him…then the ensuing legal verdict from “Jury-Vac” to award the pet to the man with all that money. And even now, a feeling of relief re-
turns when recalling the realization of the billionaire that Astro ought to remain with the family who took him in. But it isn’t the gleaming gadgetry of the future that accounts for the enduring influence of “The Jetsons.” It’s the
relationships found within the family. Like Elroy and Astro…a boy and his dog. A king of old put it this way in his ancient, sacred text: “There is nothing new under the sun.” That’s the truth, by George.
HAYWORTH from Page 20
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Queen Creek Tribune welcomes letters that express readers’ opinion on current topics. Letters must include the writer’s full name, address (including city) and telephone number. Queen Creek Tribune will print the writer’s name and city of residence only. Letters without the requisite identifying information will not be published. Letters are published in the order received, and they are subject to editing. The Foothills Focus will not publish consumer complaints, form letters, clippings from other publications or poetry. Letters’ authors, not Queen Creek Tribune, are responsible for the “facts” presented in letters.
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SPORTS
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Travis, Griffin Schureman cherishing final season together BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor
I
t should come as no surprise the Schureman household is competitive on and off the football field. Travis, the head football coach at Queen Creek High School, often winds down his day by playing Madden or NCAA Football 14 on the family’s gaming console with his son, senior offensive lineman and defensive end, Griffin. They both talk a big game and often go back and forth. Sometimes, Travis’ wife Corree has to get involved and remind them that it’s family time. But it’s mostly Griffin who gets the last laugh. “He beats me at everything, and it drives me crazy,” Travis said. “I talk a good game but when it comes to it … I was happy he couldn’t find the remote last night, let’s just put it that way. It was a win for me.” The competitive nature of the Schureman household is one Griffin has grown to love. He enjoys the time he has to unwind with his dad, especially if it comes after a grueling practice during the early portion of Arizona’s high school football season when heat is still intense.
Griffin was pulled up to the varsity level as a sophomore and started from day one on the offensive line. He’s represented the Schureman name well, according to his dad, and he’s enjoyed every moment of being coached by him since he was in eighth grade. (Dave Minton/Tribune Staff)
View in 2021, clearing the path for Travis to be head coach a second time. The Bulldogs recently returned from their yearly summer team camp in Joseph City. It’s a time where the players get to bond with each other and coaches. For seniors, it’s a chance to reflect on the last four years they spent together. Griffin’s situation, however, is unique. He’s been attending camp the last Queen Creek head football coach Travis Schureman and his nine years. At 7 or 8 years son, senior offensive lineman and defensive end Griffin, share old he began working a unique bond that translates to a competitive home life while playing video games. They plan to cherish the last season out with Queen Creek’s incoming freshman, runtogether before Griffin graduates. (Dave Minton/Tribune Staff) ning hills and particiThe father-son, coach and player re- pating in various speed drills while up lationship is unique in any sport. Often, north. Travis said those memories have Griffin is held to a higher standard than constantly rushed through his head his teammates. But the Schuremans have the last few weeks, especially when he become accustomed to knowing when to looks back at a picture from Griffin’s transition from their relationship on the first trip with the team. field to their home life. “This camp was a little bit differThough they admit there are still ent for me because he’s been with me times they can’t help themselves. since he was little,” Travis said. “But it “We’ll watch film, and my mom will doesn’t seem like he is going to miss come in and be like, ‘alright, it’s family Joseph City. I asked if he was going to time, we’ve got to stop this,’” Griffin said. come back and he said, ‘nope, I’m going “Having him as a coach is awesome. He to enjoy my summer.’ holds me to a different standard, and I “He said that I hold him to a different love that. It makes me play way better standard and he’s right. I told him I was and it helps me.” going to try to make this the hardest Travis started coaching several years camp he’s gone to, and he’s gone to some ago at Mountain View in Mesa, his alma hard camps. But he never backs down mater. He made the move to Queen Creek from a challenge.” in 2010 as an assistant alongside his high Queen Creek will open the 2022 seaschool teammate, Joe Germaine, who son in California as part of the Moorewas hired as the Bulldogs’ head coach. park Classic. Williams Field and Campo In 2014, Travis took over as head coach Verde will join the Bulldogs in the showwhen Germaine stepped down. The two case, while several other teams will flock flipped roles again in 2019 before Ger- to California for opening-week games. maine was hired to take over Mountain Like in year’s past, the Bulldogs will be
challenged early on. San Joaquin Memorial out of Fresno, who they play in Week 1, is one of the top teams in California. When Queen Creek returns, it will face defending Open Division state champion Saguaro. The Bulldogs pride themselves on playing a tough schedule on a yearly basis. They never back down, it’s not the mentality of the team. This year’s senior class includes several players who have had to have that mentality since their sophomore season when they were pulled up, Griffin included. “I’m excited. It’s going to be a good year. It’s going to be a sad year,” Griffin said. “But I feel like we can do big things.” Both Griffin and Travis know this season will fly by, which makes them both excited for the future but also a bit sad. Before they know it, Griffin’s name will be announced on senior night. It’s a moment they have thought about on occasion. Travis did it with his two oldest daughters who graduated from Queen Creek. But with Griffin, it will be slightly different. Travis has coached Griffin since the eighth grade. They’ve been through triumph and heartbreak on a larger scale than most parents go through with their kids in sports. Their time together has been special, and they are thankful they had the opportunity. So, while looking ahead to the end may be emotional, they are both cherishing the time they have left together this season as they chase a championship. “I’ll probably let my wife take care of (senior night),” Travis joked. “It will be emotional, there’s no doubt about it. You don’t get into coaching to coach your kid. But that’s one of the perks if you do it long enough. To see that he’s represented our family name at a high level, it’s pretty special.”
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Mesa metal band excited about upcoming show BY ALEX GALLAGHER Tribune Staff Writer
T
he Mesa metal band Bury The Darkness has been pretty busy these days. Band members – all Mountain View High School alumni – spent their free time between full-time jobs rehearsing recording four new songs and working on the launch of a clothing brand — all of which the band plans to unveil when it hits the stage at the Rebel Lounge on Aug. 12. “It’s going to be our grand unveiling. We’ve been quiet in terms of releases and everything like that since April of 2021 but the work has not stopped every single day,” said guitarist Marc Rosenfeld. “We’ve been working,” he said. “We’ve made insane connections with local musicians and we have been in the studio every single weekend because we all work full-time jobs. Every day off has been spent somehow working on the band or the clothing brand.” The band also has cruised around the Valley marketing itself the old-fashioned way by putting up posters and dropping off physical tickets to fans for the Aug. 12 gig. Rosenfeld sees it all as a way to achieve his and bassist Brandon Bentley’s lifelong dreams. “We want to do this for our jobs,” added Brantley, who met Rosenfeld at Mountain View and graduated from Arizona State University last year. “I went to college; I worked that nine to five office job and hated my life. So, I’m just putting in put in all the work I can to make it where I never have to go back to that.”
Bassist Brandon Bentley, vocalist Jared Harper, drummer Devin Bowers and guitarist Marc Rosenfeld all attended Mountain View High School and are set to make their hometown debut with their band, Bury The Darkness, on Aug. 12. (Hannah Left Wright Photo) Because of this, the band sees its first hometown show as the time to go all-in on its new music and clothing line. “Our brand-new clothing line Burned Alive clothing is going to be announced at that show and we’re going to have three different shirts on sale,” Rosenfeld said. “Just like the band, It’s a melting pot of things we like, like heavy culture, alternative
culture, music and streetwear with a little splash of like, extreme sports as well — since I used to skateboard when I was younger.” In addition to launching a clothing line that Rosenfeld and Brantley have been working on since devising the idea over breakfast on New Year’s Eve of 2021, the band is anxious to give fans a tease of its upcoming four-song EP.
It will include the upcoming single titled “Suffocate” – which Rosenfeld says is one of the bands heavier songs and could hit the airwaves as early as September. “’Suffocate’ is going to be our next single and we have a music video that we just shot with Lance Gergar — a Phoenix-based cinematog-
see METAL BAND page 24
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | JULY 17, 2022
METAL BAND from page 23
rapher,” Rosenfeld said. “It’s going to be a really good metalcore song that has everything fans like; heavy, intense verses, these nice clean choruses and a heavy break-down.” Rosenfeld has been counting down the days until he can jump on stage and play the songs that he and his band have devoted every second of free time writing and recording. “Every day I dream about it,” Rosenfeld said. “I keep thinking that this is going to be our biggest show to date.” He said his game plan for the gig is to keep his head down and remember that feeling anxious is a good thing sometimes. “Someone told me before ‘What you should do in those high-pressure moments when you’re about to walk out to a sold-out crowd is just put your head down and go to work,” Rosenfeld said. “They also told me it’s good to feel anxious because that means you’re doing something that
you care about.” Although Rosenfeld is beaming with excitement about giving Phoenix a taste of what the Mesa-based metal outfit is all about, he hopes that those in attendance will share in his excitement. “We want everyone in there to just have a good time,” Rosenfeld said. “What we love about metal music is everyone has their things going on, but when you come in to see a concert, you’re all there together for your love of music, all those problems get left at the door and you’re just immersed in the show for however long it is.” IF YOU GO:
WHO: Dropout Kings with special guests: Scythe Gang 666, Bury The Darkness, Handsxfeet and Tragedy WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12. WHERE: The Rebel Lounge, 2323 E Indian School Road, Phoenix. INFO: therebellounge.com
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With JAN D’ATRI GetOut Columnist
This pull-apart bread is sweet and savory
W
hat a delightful surprise! I’ve made plenty of pull-apart breads both sweet and savory, but this loaf with layers of fresh herbs and three cheeses tucked inside squares of homemade bread dough wins the day. When you bring it out of the oven and pull apart these rich, flavorful squares of buttery goodness, it’s a little slice of heaven. My only advice is not to make shortcuts and use store-bought bread dough. This easy homemade dough will deliciously rise to the occasion! Ingredients: • 1 TBSP dried yeast granules • 2 tsp sugar • 1 cup warm water • 4 cups plain flour • 1/2 TBSP salt • 1/2 TBSP olive oil • 1 garlic clove, crushed • 1/3 cup chopped parsley • 1/3 cup chopped basil • 1/4 cup chopped rosemary leaves • 2 TBSP butter, softened • 1 cup parmesan, shredded • 1 cup Mozzarella, shredded • 1 cup, gruyere, shredded Directions: Add 1 TBSP yeast and 2 tsp sugar to 1 cup warm water. Stir and let sit until yeast foams, about 10 minutes. In a large bowl, add flour, salt, olive oil and yeast together. Add more water, a little at a time if too dry. With your hands, mix dough until it forms a ball. Transfer to a floured surface and knead dough until smooth and elastic, about 6 minutes. (If necessary, add extra flour if it becomes too sticky and
continue working dough.) Return the dough to the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and then a tea towel and keep warm until the mixture doubles in size, about 1 hour. When dough has risen, knock the dough back in the bowl and then take it out, cut it in half and roll each half out to a large rectangle about 20” x 10”, then trim the edges to straighten. Spread the top of each rectangle with 1 TBSP softened butter then scatter the crushed garlic, herb mixture over the dough. Mix the three cheeses together in a bowl and spread evenly over both rectangles. Cut each rectangle into ½ inch strips, to the height of your loaf tins, with a very sharp knife and lay the strips on top of each and cut the layered strips into squares the width of your tins. Grease or line your loaf tins, and then stack the squares on top of each other, turn the stack on its side and place them into the tins (don’t worry if your dough doesn’t reach the edge of the tins, the dough will rise again with the final proof). Cover the tins in glad wrap and set aside for 30 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes and the tops are golden brown. Remove from pan and let it rest for 10 minutes before removing from the tin and serving warm. Makes one large loaf.
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Ask me about FREE water testing!
Employment General PT Shuttle Bus Drivers, Tempe CDL with passenger endorsement required. Contact Corey @ (636) 577-1919 or cheilandgws@ yahoo.com
Irrigation
Pets/Services/ Livestock 4 Chocolate Siamese KITTENS, 5 weeks, 3F/1M, $200/ea (520) 688-0886 Coolidge
MISSED THE DEADLINE? Place your ad online! Call 480-898-6465
40 Years Serving the Central Valley
FREE Service Call (with repair) • Second Opinion HERE IS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE OUR 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS
We are offering $ 40 OFF our Brewer’s Deluxe 20 point Tune up
480.654.5600 azirrigation.com
REG. $119
480-725-3511
• Sprinkler/Drip Repairs • New Installs Poly/PVC • Same Day Service ARRANTY 5 -YEAR PART W
SINCE 1982 ROC #C39-312643
Cutting Edge LLC • ROC 281671
www.BrewersAC.com
QUALITY, VALUE and a GREAT PRICE!
Lifetime Warranty on Workmanship New 3-Ton 14 SEER AC Systems Only $5,995 INSTALLED! New Trane Air Conditioners NO INTEREST FINANCING - 60 MONTHS!
PlumbSmart Over 1,000 Five-Star Plumbing Heating & Air Google Reviews ★★★★★
Air Duct Cleaning & Dryer Vents BY JOHN
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
Plumbing
PLUMBERS CHARGE TOO MUCH! FREE Service Calls + FREE Estimates Water Heaters Installed - $999 Unclog Drains - $49
Air Duct Cleaning Air Conditioning/Heating
HOME IMPROVEMENT & PAINTING
Sprinkler & Drip Systems Repairs • Modifications • Installs
10% OFF
All Water Purification Systems Voted #1 Plumber 3 Years In A Row OVER 1,000 5-STAR REVIEWS
★ 30+ Years HVAC Experience
Bonded/Insured • ROC #223709
★ Disinfected & Sanitized With Every Job
844-560-7755 Roofing
(480) 912-0881 – Licensed & Insured Glass/Mirror
Bonded/Insured • ROC #289252
833-777-8337 Your Ad can go ONLINE ANY Day! Call to place your ad online!! Classifieds 480-898-6465
GLASS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS
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 Call 480-306-5113 wesleysglass.com SERVICING THE ENTIRE VALLEY
• 20+ Years Experience • 6 Year Warranty
480.345.1800 ROC 304267 • Licensed & Bonded
480-699-2754 • info@monsoonroofinginc.com
10% Discount for Ahwatukee Residents 100% NO Leak Guarantee Re-Roof & Roofing Repairs Tile, Shingles & Flat Roof
MonsoonRoofingInc.com Licensed – Bonded – Insured – ROC187561
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QUEEN CREEK TRIBUNE | QUEENCREEKTRIBUNE.COM | AUGUST 7, 2022