Gilbert Sun News; July 2015: Community

Relentlessly local coverage of Gilbert and our neighboring communities

Birds of a feather Buddy, a blue-and-yellow macaw, shares a moment with Aurie Pike at Joe’s Farm Grill.

Supreme Court rules sign ordinance unconstitutional

BY KEN ABRAMCZYK

Good News Presbyterian’s Rev. Clyde Reed said he only wanted to inform the public of the church’s Sunday services and location.

Little did he know that his church’s legal challenge of the Town of Gilbert’s sign ordinance would roll its way through U.S. district and circuit courts and land in the legal lap of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The justices ruled unanimously recently on the side of the church that the Town of Gilbert had violated the First Amendment by placing limits on the size of signs announcing church services.

The ordinance had various restrictions on signs, allowing for political signs up to 32 square feet and up to 60 days after a general election, ideological signs up to 20 square feet and for an indefinite time,

Station 7 to provide faster response times

BY TAMARA JUAREZ

The Town of Gilbert celebrated the relocation of Fire Station 7 on June 20 with a grand opening and ribbon cutting.

The new two-story, threebay station at 625 W. Warner Rd. was moved more than a mile closer to town to keep response times under 4 minutes. Previously, firefighters arrived in about 5 minutes.

The decision to build the station was made after extensive data analysis, which determined the new location would boost efficiency and cut see STATION 7 page 4

times and increase safety for on-duty firefighters. Submitted photo

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14 Critical Home Inspection Traps to be Aware of Weeks Before Listing Your Home for Sale

GILBERT, AZ - According to industry experts, there are over 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for sale. A new report has been prepared which identifies the eleven most common of these problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale.

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altogether. In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you’re looking for, and knowing what you’re looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones.

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7 Things You Must Know Before Putting Your Home Up for Sale

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Medical centers seek applicants for grants

Dignity Health Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers are seeking applicants for the 2015 Community Grants Program, which are awarded to nonprofit organizations that are working collaboratively to improve the well-being of underserved populations.

The deadline to submit a letter of intent for a grant is July 20 and the final grant application will be due by Sept. 7. Details are available at www. dignityhealth.org/communitygrants.

The grants are provided to “communities of care” projects which consist of at least three organizations which are working together to address a health priority.

“We cannot change the world by ourselves,” said Kathleen Dowler, director of community integration with Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert medical centers. “Partnering with others who share our vision and values is the only way to improve the health of our community.

see GRANTS page 13

emergency response times.

Mayor John Lewis was on hand to celebrate the completion of the two-year project. He cut the ribbon and officially opened the fire station.

Professionals involved in the project included the Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department, Town of Gilbert Development Service Department, HDA Architects, FCI Constructors and CookDZ Project Management.

Fire Engineer

Carl Grant and Battalion Chief Brian Ruffentine led the project and combined their talents to ensure the new station included innovative features that promise efficiency and endurance.

Station 7 was engineered to provide maximum safety to on-duty firefighters.

“One example of this are the sleeping quarters that are placed on the first floor, which is unique from most all other multistory stations across the country,” said Ruffentine, who has served for the Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department for the past 22 years.

“This allows for a faster, safer means of egress for firefighters when they are called for emergencies during the times when they are asleep. They do not have to navigate getting down from the second floor while just waking up from sleep.”

Gilbert chamber welcomes new board members

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce announced the new and renewing members serving on the board of directors effective July 1.

New members and renewing to the board include: Tim Bricker, Dignity Health-Mercy Gilbert Medical Center—second term; Sheila Hunter, Macerich-SanTan Village—second term; Joan Krueger, Bliss Lieberman Realty & Investments—second term; Rustyn Sherer, APS—first term; Ralph Willett, CPA—first term; and Tony Yantos, Walmart—first term.

The chamber’s board of directors is made up of 18 elected members, each serving a three-year term. Terms rotate so that six terms expire or renew for one additional term each fiscal year. Board members are eligible to serve two three-year terms.

According to Ruffentine, Station 7 integrates many environmentally responsible practices that take advantage of alternative sources of energy, such as the use of photovoltaic panels, to produce electricity, solar hot water, LED lighting, solar tube lighting and low water landscaping.

In addition to eco-friendly features,

With the improved station, Gilbert residents can rest assured that time will not be wasted in case of an emergency.

“Community members can expect a neighborhood fire station with professional firefighters that are trained and excited to serve their needs.” Ruffentine said.

Also effective on July 1 is the start of the chamber’s 2015-2016 fiscal year. According to the chamber’s leadership, the organization will continue to provide popular programs and services, including public policy efforts, partnership through the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance, roundtables with elected officials, workforce initiatives, referral teams, Chamber Chats, and the ambassador committee.

Flakes sue Arpaio, allege malicious prosecution, abuse of process

BY KEN ABRAMCZYK

The son and daughter-in-law of U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake have filed suit in U.S. District Court against Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, accusing the elected official of malicious prosecution and abuse of process in the Green Acre Dog Boarding case.

More than 20 dogs were found dead or dying in June 2014 at the Green Acre kennel. Austin Flake, the senator’s son, and Logan Flake, a daughter of the kennel’s owners, were later charged by a grand jury with animal abuse and neglect, but Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery dropped those charges after investigating some of the flaws in the MCSO investigation that were presented to the grand jury.

The lawsuit alleges that Arpaio “specifically targeted Austin and Logan Flake, partly for the benefit of harming Sen. Flake, a politician who disagreed with him on such issues as immigration and the legitimacy of the president’s birth certificate.” The lawsuit states that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office “knowingly provided misinformation to the prosecution, omitted relevant information and concealed exculpatory evidence.”

The lawsuit cites a press conference in September 2014 that Arpaio publicly announced that he was recommending that Austin and Logan Flake be charged with 21 felony counts of animal cruelty. In October the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office brought the case to a grand jury, which indicted the Flakes for 21 felony counts. The lawsuit alleges this was “based on MCSO’s material lies and omissions.”

The County attorney’s office investigated and moved to voluntarily dismiss the case in December 2014. In May 2015, the attorney’s office announced it had indicted Logan’s parents but it would not pursue a reindictment of the Flakes.

The lawsuit seeks general damages, punitive damages, costs and attorney fees and litigation costs.

The office for the Flakes’ attorneys, Dennis and John “Jack” Wilenchik, said that the attorneys were not commenting on the case, but the lawsuit they filed on behalf of the Flakes states: “There was no probable cause for defendants Arpaio and the MCSO to investigate and press

and signs for church services and other temporary events up to 6 square feet only just before and after an event.

The court ruled that such “contentbased” restrictions were presumably unconstitutional and, as Justice Clarence Thomas wrote on behalf of six justices, could not survive strict scrutiny.

Town attorney Michael Hamblin said the ruling provides guidance to all local, state and federal agencies to review how signs are regulated.

“It will have a national impact,” Hamblin said. Gilbert officials will review regulations to make changes “consistent” with the Supreme Court’s decision. “(Gilbert) welcomes the opportunity for dialogue concerning the future of signage in the public’s right of way, including state-mandated political signage,” Hamblin said.

The ruling

The Supreme Court explained in its opinion that “an innocuous justification

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Town of Gilbert’s sign ordinance— which regulated temporary signs, like this one used by the Good News Presbyterian Church—was unconstitutional. Submitted photo

suppress disfavored speech.

“That is why the First Amendment expressly targets the operation of the laws—i.e., the ‘abridg(ement) of speech’—rather than merely the

enforced the law banning the church from posting roadside signs the day before services.

At that time, Reed wondered why the town allowed political signs for candidates and real estate signs, and why those signs were up for longer periods of time.

“All we wanted to do was to put up signs to use temporary signs to invite the community to Sunday morning services. We saw real estate and political signs all over Gilbert, all year long.”

Reed found it “shocking and unfair.”

Court and 9th Circuit Court.

“It’s a great thing in our country when a tiny little group like ours has the chance to be heard by the most prestigious court in the land,” Reed said.

Reed said the ruling “sends the message that certain speech can’t be targeted or restricted.”

‘A great day’

Reed’s church was represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom in Scottsdale. David Cortman, senior counsel representing the church, said the ruling was “a great day for the First Amendment.” Cortman said the Supreme Court’s opinion will impact all aspects of speech, oral advocacy or public speaking in a park and passing out leaflets. It also set out an important principle, Cortman said.

“That principle is that the government does not have the right to value certain speech over others, or discriminate against speech because it is unpopular or of less value in its

limit the size of the signs and they can limit the location of the signs, “but they can’t treat a sign differently merely because of what is on the sign,” Cortman said.

Navigating the case through the various rulings was “like a roller coaster,” but Cortman said he was confident throughout the legal process that the ordinance was unconstitutional.

“You believe in the principle (of the argument), you go to court, and (the previous rulings) were disheartening, but it carries you.”

The Rev. Clyde Reed, pastor of Good News Presbyterian in Gilbert, stands with his wife, Ann, as David Cortman, attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom, addresses the media. GSN photo by Tim Sealy

The bottom line for him and his argument was government should not decide what speech is permitted over another based on its content, he added. Reed saw political signs grace the landscape of Gilbert, and wondered why that was permitted, Cortland said.

“That’s why the pastor decided to call us,” he said.

Hamblin said the Town of Gilbert actually revised its ordinances about 10 years ago to allow signage for temporary events with a contentbound distinction with the intent of permitting nonprofits and churches to use temporary signage.

“Gilbert amended its regulations but provided for limitations that the town

viewed as reasonable and necessary to further the interest of the public,” Hamblin said.

These amendments included provisions governing directional signs for an event, and at the same time, to include time limits. The court ruling means sign ordinances will need to be rewritten to allow all uses the same time provisions and size regulations, whether political signs, real estate signs or temporary signs.

Hamblin expected to work on the ordinance over the next several weeks and discuss it with the Town Council.

“We’ll have to review it and comply,” Hamblin said.

Southeast Regional Library improves its ‘browse-ability’

BY KEN ABRAMCZYK

Library patrons may not notice the changes in shelving throughout the Southeast Regional Library right off the bat, but Troy Reed, the library’s branch manager, believes the renovations will help customers.

“We set out with a goal to improve ‘browse-ability’ and make it easier to find materials,” Reed said.

The library added new, smaller shelving units, complete with casters, so that these shelves can be easily wheeled around in different locations, to any area of the library. That allowed the library to reorganize its materials.

It all happened in May at the beginning of the summer peak season, when the library can draw between 1,500 and 2,000 patrons a day, most of whom are parents or grandparents with children.

“Now the new paperbacks, audio books and hard covers are in the front of the library,” Reed said. “It’s the first thing they see when they walk in.” Since the reorganization, patrons can find paperbacks in one area, as opposed to two prior.

Walk to the teen area now and the shelves include audio books and paperbacks. The genres of teen fantasy, anime and graphic novels are also together in the same area.

Across the library on the east side of the building, adults can choose from audio books, CDs, DVDs and TV shows on smaller metal shelves that are lower in height than the traditional shelves. The lower height makes it easier to examine selections at eye level.

The adult fiction and nonfiction areas also added short shelves. Prior to the renovation, the taller shelves made it difficult to view selections,” Hall said.

“We have it grouped with fantasy, science fiction and supernatural,” Reed said. “Maybe someone who looks at fantasy books will see the science fiction section, and discover something there.”

An added bonus: the lower shelves allow for a better view of the Riparian Preserve behind the library. “It’s just more aesthetically pleasing,” Reed said.

“Overall, I’m ecstatic about the changes. I think the customers will really love it because it will make it easier to find what they want. I hope it will increase circulation and help them find new subjects and genres.”

The library has many summer activities scheduled, especially for young readers and children. Visit mcldaz.org/custom/ branches/southeast.aspx for more information.

Library’s Food for Fines program benefits those in need

Maricopa County Library District

charges and bring past customers back into libraries who are otherwise excluded because of delinquent accounts.

customers who owe library fines can get as much as $50 forgiven from July 12 to July 19 through the Library District’s Food for Fines program.

Customers can bring in nonperishable food items to any district library for credit of $2 per item. A maximum of $50 can be waived.

“Food for Fines benefits everybody,” said Steve Chucri, chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.

“This is a creative way for library customers to reduce or eliminate fines while helping our community and neighbors.”

In keeping with the Maricopa County Reads Summer Reading Program theme—every hero has a story—the Food for Fines program gives customers the ability to become community heroes by providing food to those in need while simultaneously getting their library accounts back in good standing. Collected food items will be donated to local food banks via the Maricopa County Human Services Department.

Fees associated with lost or damaged items will not be waived. Only overdue fines and restocking fees are eligible for the program. Food for Fines has the potential to reduce some of these

Customers can drop off their food items for credit at any Maricopa County Library District facility between July 12 and July 19. For a list of libraries and addresses, visit www.mcldaz.org.

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Joe’s Farm Grill plays host to exotic birds and their owners each Sunday morning. On these days—as long as the temperatures are above 60 degrees—diners gaze adoringly at the pets. GSN photos by

Nonprofit plans to build scaled Vietnam Memorial Wall

BY TRACY HOUSE

Volunteers are working to raise funds for the Welcome Home Veterans Park, a project that will feature an 80-percent scale of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

The “Wallunteers,” as they’re dubbed, are working through the nonprofit group Operation Welcome Home AZ.

The two-phase project will cost $4.5 million. The first phase, which requires $1.5 million, has received inkind donations.

An artist’s rendering of the Welcome Home Veterans Park planned for Gilbert. Submitted photo

The idea for the wall started in 2014 as a way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, said Lisa Rigler, president and chairwoman of Operation Welcome Home and AZ Wall Project. Original plans called for a traveling wall, but then the possibility of a permanent wall was presented.

“Our goal has always been to do the permanent wall that would have a lasting legacy,” Rigler said.

Roger Pollard, a Vietnam veteran and co-chairman, explained that the wall is “not just about Vietnam veterans.”

see WALL oN page 13

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to celebrate 1-year anniversary

Two-year-old College Nannies and Tutors will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its Mesa/Gilbert tutoring center this September.

Located in Dana Park Village Square, College Nannies and Tutors offers a complete set of placement nanny and on-call sitter services specifically tailored to the needs of busy families and working professionals. A member of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, Nicole Wilson is the franchise owner and has a passion for helping families.

College Nannies and Tutors places nannies with families for full-time, part-time, summers and school breaks. They also offer on-call sitter services for families who need a reliable sitter, whether it is daily or occasionally.

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Families inquiring about nanny or tutoring services begin with a complimentary family meeting, where a College Nannies and Tutors representative will detail the services.

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“It’s about all vets, all families,” Pollard said. “All families made sacrifices during war time. All vets, of course, put their lives on the line. It has to do with everybody and the country as a whole and the sacrifices we made.”

Rigler stressed the wall is not a replica.

“It’s an 80-percent scaled version of the one in D.C. It’s 360 feet long and 8 feet high. It’s not a duplicate. There’s a couple of reasons it’s not a replica. It’s not an exact. It has a different database, a more historically correct updated database.”

Built in 1982 of granite, the Washington, D.C., fixture includes misspellings and inaccuracies, according to Pollard.

The names of the 58,307 Vietnam veterans who gave their lives will appear on the wall, including eight women, 623 Arizonans and one Gilbert resident. Seven names were added to the wall in D.C. this year, and 13 in 2014. Pollard explained because of DNA testing and new evidence, those who were originally listed as missing in action can now be listed as killed in action and their names added.

Blessing for Gilbert

wars from the Revolutionary War to the Korean War. There will be a ramada with a map of South Vietnam, and Agent Orange/Post Traumatic Stress Pavilion, a Walk of Tranquility with landscaping, benches and a bridge to internalize the beauty of the setting and attempt to provide some serenity for those who have gone through war. At the center of the park will be a rotunda featuring a Bald Eagle suspended above, casting a protective shadow over a bronze Battle Cross statue.

Ceremonies will be held in the park to commemorate and remember the various wars and those who served.

Welcoming New Patients

Operation Welcome Home AZ and AZ Wall Project cochairs, Roger Pollard and Lisa Rigler, are working to bring the Welcome Home Veterans Park to Gilbert and the state. The park will include a scaled Vietnam Memorial Wall. GSN

The park will be constructed at Warner Road and Heroes Way (Civic Center Drive). “We’re doing a ground blessing and ground breaking on Nov. 14,” Rigler said. “We know we want it to be blessed.”

Besides the wall, the park will include a Walk of Time, acknowledging major

Applicant programs will be evaluated for alignment with Dignity Health’s mission and community benefit principles, which include serving the disenfranchised with unmet health needs, primary prevention, seamless continuum of care, capacity building and collaborative governance. In addition, applicants must define the population to be served and the outcome to be achieved.

Dignity Health’s Community Grants Program is funded by contributions from its member hospitals. Typically, grants range from $10,000 to $75,000. Through a community needs assessment, Dignity Health in the East Valley has identified the following as key health priorities: chronic disease (for example: diabetes, heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), also including individuals with multiple chronic conditions or comorbidities, mental health and obesity.

Phase two will be an education center with a Veterans Resource Center that will have a centralized database, theater, and conference, display and multipurpose rooms.

“This whole project will be something to be here forever, it’ll be something to last for generations,” Pollard said. “It’s the anchor. The park is about all veterans and all families that sacrificed as a result of having men or women in the armed forces. It’s more than Vietnam.”

This project is about moving forward and honoring our veterans.

Rigler said the organization plans to hold the final dedication in November 2017. Operation Welcome Home is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization responsible for the project. To learn more or make and in-kind or cash donation to the project visit www.azwallproject.com or www.operationwelcomehomeaz.com.

felony charges against the Flakes, and they did so in violation of the Flakes’ clearly established constitutional rights, causing irreparable harm.”

Arpaio responded to the lawsuit with the following statement on the MCSO website: “Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office took the investigation into last year’s untimely death of 21 dogs boarded at the Green Acre facility in Gilbert very seriously. We conducted a thorough and professional examination into the facts which caused the deaths of these pets.

“The investigation, when completed, led to the indictments of Todd and MaLeisa Hughes as well as Austin and Logan Flake. My office stands by this investigation and the work of our professional and dedicated animal crimes unit detectives. The allegation being made by Flake’s attorney that this investigation was in any way politically motivated is completely false.”

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Tips on surviving monsoon season

It’s that time of the year again. Monsoon season officially kicked off June 15 and runs through Sept. 30.

Arizonans know to expect thunderstorms, excessive rain and gusty winds throughout the next three months. Last year’s monsoon season was the seventh wettest monsoon in the Phoenix area with 6.34 total inches of rain and 5.11 inches of rain in September alone, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

While monsoons typically produce numerous hazards such as floods, lightning strikes and dust storms, there are a number of ways to protect yourself and your home this upcoming season.

Chris Kuhlman, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Phoenix, and Andrea Katsenes, director media and public relations for Cox Communications in Arizona, offered tips on how to keep safe at home this monsoon season.

“Having the knowledge beforehand is crucial for saving your own life,” Kuhlman said. “If you have a plan and monitor weather reports we are sending out, you should generally be OK.”

Outside Safety Tips

Find Shelter: If you find yourself outside during or near a storm, find shelter immediately, Kuhlman said. Lightning strikes can occur even 10 miles away from a storm. Flash floods can also threaten lives miles away from a storm. If no shelter is available, stay away from washes, stream beds and tall objects to avoid lightning strikes and flooding, Kuhlman said.

“Turn around, don’t drown!” One of NWS’s mottos conveys the importance of never driving into any flooded areas even if it looks shallow or safe. “The most common flash flood mistake is driving into flooded areas,” Kuhlman said. “That is the biggest tip for flash flooding; to not drive into water at all.” Water can move surprisingly fast and it is hard to tell just how deep a water crossing can be. Instead find an alternate route or wait for the flooding to subside.

Watch out for flying debris: Another

hazard to watch for during monsoon season is roadway litter. Kelly Taft, communication manager of Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), explained how airborne debris can lead to accidents on the road. “Roadway litter is ugly, unhealthy and unsafe,” Taft said. “Airborne debris can blow right in front of you causing you to swerve and cause an accident.” Don’t Trash Arizona, a joint effort by MAG and Arizona Department of Transportation to help address the impact of freeway littering, offered easy tips to avoid littering and creating extra hazards during monsoon season. Having a litterbag handy for trash, properly securing objects in truck beds, and keeping cigarette butts in ashtrays can help keep streets safer, Taft said.

Pull to the side during dust storms: If you are driving during a dust storm, pull to the side and wait it out, Kuhlman said. The low visibility presents a dangerous situation for drivers and often leads to fatalities. While parked, make sure to turn your lights off and not to turn on your brake lights. “One mistake drivers make is leaving their foot on the brakes,” Kuhlman said. “This might attract other drivers into driving off the road causing accidents or injuries.”

Home Safety Tips

Protect Electronics: Lightning can fry electronics if they are plugged into an outlet during a storm. Katsenes recommends using surge protectors or unplugging electronics before a thunderstorm. Never unplug electronics during a storm because lightning travels through these electrical lines.

Have a plan: Residents who live in a flood-prone area or who experience regular power outages should always have a plan. Know routes to higher ground, have roof access in extreme situations of flooding and have emergency contact numbers ready, Kuhlman said.

Have a telephone landline ready: Have a phone that plugs directly into wall and doesn’t use an electrical outlet. Do not

use phones that plug into electrical outlets during a storm. “Cellular service can go down and cordless phones use electrical outlets,” Katsenes said. “A safe landline can provide all emergency services and help them pinpoint you in an emergency.” Cox Communications will have pre-recorded messages when calling if services go down.

Back up important files: Computers are one of the biggest risks during monsoon season and any quick blackouts or power outages can cause malfunctions, Katsenes said. Use external hard drives or other portable devices to back up information regularly.

Have a battery powered radio: Staying informed during power outages and thunderstorms is important. Batterypowered radios can keep residents up to date on storm information without relying on the Internet or cellular coverage, Katsenes said.

Know your home security system: Criminals can break into homes with a security system that is out during power outages. Make sure and have a backup battery and check the primary battery’s level before a storm, Katsenes said. Stocking an extra battery is also recommended.

For more information on the monsoon season and to monitor local weather, visit www.wrh.noaa.gov/psr.

Gilbert Leadership celebrates Class XXIII graduates

Gilbert Leadership celebrated the graduation of Class XXIII on Friday, June 12, with a formal ceremony featuring President and program alumna Mary Ann Shryack, Gilbert Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Kathy Tilque and Gilbert Mayor John Lewis.

Gilbert Leadership, a program of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, has promoted community leadership and inspired action on issues that impact Gilbert for 23 years. The program influences the community by building leadership capacity, increasing knowledge and awareness of community concerns, and nurturing future leaders. As a part of the program, each class is required to complete a project that will benefit Gilbert. This year’s class designed a disc golf course to encourage activity and social engagement for residents and visitors of all ages, abilities or skill level.

“Class 23 did an outstanding job planning and delivering a fun, outdoor project that the community can enjoy— the disc golf course at Freestone Park,” said Shryack, president of the Gilbert Leadership Board of Directors and an Associate Broker/Realtor with United Brokers Group Real Estate.

“The class worked hard on this project,

showing us what great results teamwork can produce.”

The following individuals were recognized as graduates of Class XXIII:

• Jasen Barcklay, Arizona Army National Guard

• Bryan Bijonowski, BKB Enterprises LLC, VIP Airsoft Arena

• Melissa Buxton, SanTan Village, Macerich

• Linda Chafey, Southwest Image Realty

• John Christiansen, Thrivent Financial

• Bridget Doherty, Dignity Health

• Dustin Holindrake, Solutions Real Estate

• Eric Jones, Evident Life Church

• Gardenia Lamadrid, Town of Gilbert

• Curt Mundy, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center

• Robert Ramos, Department of Child Safety

• Eric Reber, Speedpro Imaging

• Randall Sink, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office

• Heather Wilkey, Town of Gilbert

• Leticia Barwick, Meritum

• Rod Buchanan, Town of Gilbert

• Jasmine Castillo, Lifetime Heart & Vascular

• Ralph Chinappi, Salt River Project

• Fabian Cota, Vintage American Barbershops

• Jason Harris, Town of Gilbert

• Brian Johns, Associated Architects

• Elaine Kessler, Elaine Kessler Photography

• Alan Mafara, East Valley Animal Hospital

• Kristine Niemeier, Salt River Project

• Richard Randall, JB Water Distillers

• Dustin Schaffer, Wellsprings of Gilbert

• Julie Swartling, Chandler Christian Community Center

Outgoing members of the program’s board of directors were also recognized for their leadership and dedication including Rudy Apodaca, Rick Fisher and Howard Morrison.

Gilbert Leadership is supported through sponsorship by American Family Insurance, Dignity Health, SRP, APS, Asset Preservation, Family Life Financial Solutions, Leading Edge Academy, Morrison Ranch, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and N2 Publishing.

Gilbert Leadership is a 10-month program of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce. Candidates are required to live or work in Gilbert, possess a commitment to community involvement and personal growth, and a desire to improve the Gilbert community. More than 400 alumni have discovered leadership opportunities and fostered lasting relationships through this program. Learn more at www. gilbertleadership.com.

Back pain springing up this Summer

East Valley clinic provides solution

East Valley clinic provides solution For Sciatica pain sufferers

WIth the arrival of Summer, daylight grows longer and many people start spending more time working on their backswings, backstrokes, backhands, backyard gardens. They also might be spending more time with backaches.

WIth the arrival of Summer, daylight grows longer and many people start spending more time working on their backswings, backstrokes, backhands, backyard gardens. They also might be spending more time with backaches.

Dr. Alex Bigham, CEO of Novocur Pain Management Clinics, explains that taking on new or added physical activity can be particularly tricky for patients with sciatic leg pain and back pain. He says, “A sudden inspiration to take up tennis over the weekend can often end with a call to our clinic on Monday.”

Dr. Alex Bigham, CEO of Novocur Pain Management Clinics, explains that taking on new or added physical activity can be particularly tricky for patients with sciatic leg pain and back pain. He says, “A sudden inspiration to take up tennis over the weekend can often end with a call to our clinic on Monday.”

Epidural injections are one of the most effective treatments Novocur uses to quickly relieve sciatic pain. A skilled physician who specializes in pain management performs this advanced procedure safely with the help of x-ray guidance. The medication is carefully injected directly around the nerves that cause the pain to reduce inflammation and provide fast relief.

Epidural injections are one of the most effective treatments Novocur uses to quickly relieve sciatic pain. A skilled physician who specializes in pain management performs this advanced procedure safely with the help of x-ray guidance. The medication is carefully injected directly around the nerves that cause the pain to reduce inflammation and provide fast relief.

To learn how Novocur can help end the pain from sciatica or many other types of pain, call 480-855-6686 or go to novocur.com

To learn how Novocur can help end the pain from sciatica or many other types of pain, call 480-855-6686 or go to novocur.com