Glendale’s Community Newspaper
www.glendalestar.com
Vol. 78 No. 35
INSIDE
This Week THE VOICE OF BUSINESS
BUSINESS ........ 13 TikTok helped 2 businesses survive the pandemic
September 1, 2022
Councilmember Turner supports Kelly’s re-election BY SUMMER AGUIRRE
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Glendale Star Staff Writer
lendale City Councilmember Bart Turner and other Arizona figures addressed their endorsement of Mark Kelly for re-election to the U.S. Senate during a press conference on Aug. 22. As a part of the second wave of over 40 Republicans for Kelly coalition endorsements, Turner was joined by Apache Junction Mayor Chip Wilson and CEO of Arizona Bankers Association Paul Hickman at the Arizona State Capitol. This almost doubled the nearly 50 business owners, elected officials, community leaders and veterans who endorsed Kelly in July prior to the August Republican primary. “I’m so grateful for the broad coalition
of Arizonans who understand that we can accomplish more for this state if we work together,” Kelly said in a statement. “That’s exactly what I do every day in the Senate, where I focus on putting Arizona first — not any political party. I’m proud of the growing support from Republicans, Independents and Democrats backing this campaign as we move full speed ahead through the next 78 days.” Turner, Wilson and Hickman’s endorsements commended Kelly’s understanding of the state’s problems and dedication to creating solutions that best benefit Arizona communities. They also praised his bipartisanship, as a statement said he is repeatedly ranked one of the Senate’s most bipartisan members.
“I’ve heard him say that, in NASA and in the Navy, the way you solve the problem is by getting everybody together and working together toward a common goal,” Turner said. “Senator Kelly took that philosophy with him to the U.S. Senate. It works across the aisle, and it has done great wonders for us. It not only leaves us with a good impression of how servants should serve, but it also delivers results.” The endorsees highlighted the impact that Kelly has made on improving water infrastructure in-state and beyond. According to previously published reports, he secured $2 million in federal funding in March for the construction of Glendale’s water interconnect project. SEE TURNER PAGE 4
Future shines bright for Desert Diamond Casinos BY JORDAN ROGERS
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Glendale Star Staff Writer
FEATURES ........ 23 As new rules curbed spam calls, texts took off
OPINION.......................... 10 BUSINESS.......................13 SPORTS ...........................18 CALENDAR .....................20 FEATURES.......................22 RELIGION ........................26 CLASSIFIEDS ..................28
ormerly known as Gila River Arena, the city-owned arena in the Westgate Entertainment District has a new name — Desert Diamond Arena. According to Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps, the discussions between the city of Glendale, ASM Global and Desert Diamond Casinos had been going on over the last five or six months. It got more serious as of June 30, however, when the Coyotes moved out of the arena. The existing naming rights deal, Phelps said, was negotiated entirely by the Coyotes. So, after the team moved out, the city had the opportunity to strike its own deal.
Gila River Arena has been renamed Desert Diamond Arena. (City of Glendale/Submitted)
“The city never entered into a naming rights agreement with the Gila River Tribal Nation or the casino,” Phelps said. “That was between the Coyotes and them. It had
been known all along, when we made the decision not to renew with the Coyotes, that we will be negotiating this agreement.”
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