7 19 2014 stsn p1 12 community

July 19 – August 1, 2014 www.SanTanSun.com

Move paves the way for Compadre to be leveled

BY TIM J. RANDALL

In a bold statement for continuing Chandler’s strong economic development profile, Compadre Stadium, the spring training home of the Milwaukee Brewers from 1986-1997, will be razed to make room for homes and townhouses.

The Chandler City Council approved the measure recently, clearing the way for the demolition of the remaining structures like dugouts and bleachers. Zoning approval was finalized in July.

In its place, the 64-acre parcel located at the southeast corner of Alma School and Ocotillo roads will have a community of 182 single-family homes and 137 townhouses.

“It is nice to finish that corner with

a high-quality housing project,” says Christine Mackay, Chandler’s economic development director.

The spring-training stadium will be disassembled throughout the summer. The housing development, by Irvine, California-based Standard Pacific Homes, will bring a dynamic new vibrancy to a vacant land track that has been in decay for 17 years, ever since the Brewers left the complex for Maryvale.

The company will develop renderings and plans for construction in 2014 with building to begin at the conclusion of that process.

Long history

At spring training opening day on

Fire department changes name to reflect services

BY TRACY HOUSE

To reflect its wide-ranging services, the Chandler Fire Department is rolling out a renewed look July 27 with the rebranding of its logo and a new name—Chandler Fire, Health and Medical.

The fire department does more than just respond to house fires, says Keith Welch, battalion chief and public information officer for CFHM. It handles emergency response, prevention activities and programs and on-scene medical assessment.

“Firemen want to make sure that people are up to speed and understand that,” Welch explains.

The department has always provided health and medical care.

“Under the health part, we want to outline some of our prevention programs that we currently do: car-seat installation; bike-safety program; drowning prevention...We do blood pressure checks. We do blood glucose, community clinics... all those really lend themselves to prevention, which is really what we define health as.”

Promoting health to the community is a goal of the CFHM, providing clinics for blood pressure and glucose checks. Welch says through these types of clinics, he’s been able to identify issues for residents.

“Health means proactivity in the community to prevent a lot of these things that happen on the medical end.”

In Chandler, every firefighter must be

a minimum of EMT (emergency medical technician) certified. Above that are paramedics.

“Seventy percent of our department are paramedics,” Welch explains. “What that means for the citizen is you get a higher level of evaluation and treatment from our department.”

This includes the drugs they are able to carry and administer on scene, including IVs and heart, blood and respiratory medicines. Each ambulance is staffed with a Chandler FHM paramedic.

The new logo and look will include giving staff new uniforms and wrapping the trucks with the new billboard logo.

“These are frontline apparatus; there are other things that are still going to take time,” such as signage, Welch says.

Tracy House is the news editor for the SanTan Sun News. She can be reached at tracy@santansun.com.

Sentencing of toddler killer postponed Weathering the storm: Monsoon safety tips

BY SIENNA CARRILLO

The sentencing of a Chandler man who killed his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter was postponed after one juror was overwhelmed by the graphic testimony.

The jury was to determine June 30 if Dauntorian Sanders, 23, faced life in prison or death by lethal injection. The hearings will resume when a new juror is found.

During the process, prosecutor Marischa Gilla showed post-mortem photographs of the little girl, Schala Vera. She was covered in numerous bruises and welts and, Gilla says, she could not have been hit by a belt alone.

“In Schala’s case, her murder was especially cruel and heinous, and she endured unbearable pain and suffering,” Gilla says.

Gilla continued that while her 26-year-old mother, Susan Witbracht, disciplined Schala three to four times a week, Sanders admitted to full responsibility for her death.

BY ALISON STANTON

Stephanie Palomarez will never forget the time she was caught in a monsoon. She was driving home from Tucson when a dust storm began to form.

Within minutes, she recalls, the freeway was completely engulfed in dust, and it became extremely difficult for her to see anything or anyone around her on the road.

“Growing up in Arizona, I knew that the rule was that if you were caught driving during a dust storm that you are to pull off the road and turn off your lights, which is exactly what I did,” Palomarez says.

The dust storm quickly passed, and she safely returned to the road.

Keith Welch, battalion chief and public information officer for the Chandler Fire Department, says that when drivers suddenly find themselves

Community

Council awards design contract for water reclamation facility

The Chandler City Council met at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 10, and took action on 26 agenda items, including:

• Awarded an $8.9 million design contract to Carollo Engineers Inc., for design of the Ocotillo Water Reclamation Facility (OWRF) Expansion. The initial expansion will increase the treatment capacity of the wastewater treatment plant from 10 million gallons per day (MGD) to 15 MGD.

• Approved a Reclaimed Water Conversion Program that will enable homeowners’ associations located in areas served by reclaimed water to borrow up to $50,000 to offset the cost of connecting to the City’s reclaimed water system. The loan would be for a term of no more than five years. Program funding for the first year is $250,000, and applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted.

• Awarded a $2.9 million construction contract to Standard Construction Company Inc., to replace aging water mains serving homes located north of Chandler Boulevard, south of Erie Street, east of Hartford Street and west of Nebraska Street. The old water mains are located in alleys behind the homes. The new water mains will be located in the street in front of the homes.

• Authorized a joint agreement with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for a $1.2 million pavement preservation project at the City’s municipal airport that would apply a thin asphalt overlay and pavement markings on Runway

4L/22R, Taxiway A and related connecting taxiways. Under the agreement, ADOT will pay for 90 percent of the project cost.

• Authorized participation in a Cooperative State Purchasing Agreement with the State of Arizona that enables Chandler to purchase materials and services under the terms, conditions and pricing of the state’s contract when such purchases are deemed to be the best value for the City.

• Approved a Preliminary Development Plan for the conceptual site design and building architecture for a business park, Ascend at Chandler Airport Center, to be located on a 30-acre site located at the northwest corner of Germann and Cooper roads.

• Approved an amendment to the agreement with Chandler Amusements LLC to provide amusement train ride and concession services at the Desert Breeze Park Railway facility for another 10 years.

• Amended the zoning on a portion of the Paloma Kyrene Business Community to allow Unit 14 of Building M to house a wrestling club that will include practice, training and occasional clinics, camps and small competitions for youth athletes. The facility is located south of Chandler Boulevard on the west side of Kyrene Road at Gila Springs Place.

At the conclusion of the regular meeting, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny said the City’s libraries are switching to a new online catalog system that will make the current system unavailable from July 18

to 22, but that librarians will support customers by phone or in person. (See related story in the City of Chandler Insider.)

He also said the Chandler Police Department is going to begin accepting applications for its popular Police Explorer program. The process begins with an open house and informational session at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Chandler Heights Police Substation, 4040 E. Chandler Heights Rd.

The mayor concluded by asking residents to approve Proposition 470, which is known as “Home Rule,” in August’s primary election. A home rule election is held every four years and has been approved by Chandler voters each time. Passage allows elected City leaders to control the City budget and spend what’s needed to maintain services.

Councilman Jeff Weninger cautioned motorists to beware of children walking along the streets as they return to school. Councilman Kevin Hartke said volunteers are needed for Chandler’s Operation Back to School supply drive. Information is available at www.ForOurCity.org. He also invited residents to check out the various library reading programs occurring throughout the summer. More information can be found at www.chandleraz.gov.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

During a study session on Monday, July 7, Tibshraeny and council recognized several employees for their years of service, including: Stacy Sacco (15 years), communications and public affairs; Jimmie Byrd (25 years), community services; Warren Bahle (10 years), fire, health and medical; Alvin Robertson (35 years), municipal utilities; and John Beekman

(20 years), Andrew McIlveen (20 years), Daniel “Scott” Williams (20 Years) and Brendan Busse (20 years), police department.

In addition, Tibshraeny proclaimed August 2014 Drowning Impact Awareness Month and presented the proclamation to Battalion Chief Val Gale, Chandler Fire, Health and Medical, and Aquatics Coordinator Hillary Bellus for the work they do in educating the public on how to prevent child drownings in the community.

The next meeting of the City Council will include a regular meeting and study session beginning at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11. Council meetings are aired live, as well as replayed, on Chandler Channel 11 and streamed on the Web at www.chandleraz. gov/video

These are not official meeting minutes of the City Council, but rather a brief recap of the council’s actions provided as a courtesy of the Chandler Communications and Public Affairs Department.

The City Clerk’s office posts official meeting results the morning following council meetings. For a complete list of actions taken, visit www.chandleraz.gov/ agendas. Throughout the agenda, items are posted in red to signify any changes made at the meeting, and who voted no, or abstained.

For past City Council meeting minutes visit www.chandleraz.gov, or contact the City Clerk’s office at (480) 782-2180. For any other information, contact the Communications and Public Affairs

“The defendant sought her out, she ran away, and he continued to beat her after she put her hands up to block him,” Gilla says.

When the defense addressed the jury, it explained this was not a crime of malicious intent but that Sanders was simply a product of how he was raised.

“This is the place where you decide if Mr. Sanders is eligible for the death penalty, but it’s important to consider that his intentions were not to kill Schala,” says Robert Storrs, Sanders’ lawyer.

“For Mr. Sanders, this was the only sort of discipline that he knew and what he was brought up on.”

Gilla says that his treatment as a child was no excuse for how he abused Schala. A little girl is no match for a full grown man, and that even after Schala would tell Sanders that she was finished acting badly, he continued to beat her with the buckle of the belt, Gilla says.

The prosecution adds Sanders, given his background of being beaten with PVC pipes, should have understood the consequences of his actions.

Before the arguments, Judge Rosa Mroz explained what would qualify as a crime deserving of a life sentence and the death penalty. Mroz says that it would have to be especially cruel and heinous.

“If the murder victim was a child, if the murder was senseless, or if the victim was helpless, any of these would be worthy of life without parole or the death penalty,” says Mroz.

In an interrogation video, Sanders says the injuries Schala suffered were “horrific,” and he still can’t believe that this happened.

Sienna Carrillo is a student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She can be reached at news@ santansun.com

District 17 legislators recognized

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the voice for small business in America, recently named Sen. Steve Yarbrough and Rep. J.D. Mesnard as its Arizona senator and representative of the year, respectively. Both legislators represent district 17, which includes Chandler, Gilbert and Sun Lakes.

Yarbrough, the CEO of a charitable organization headquartered in Chandler, has served 12 years in the legislature and is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Mesnard, an investor and Mesa Community College political science professor, has served four years in the legislature and is speaker pro tempore of the Arizona House of Representatives.

A recent Pew Research Center study ranked small business number one among most favored American institutions. NFIB also endorsed Yarbrough and Mesnard for re-election in November.

Chambers, CGCC sponsor gubernatorial forum

A gubernatorial candidates forum—sponsored by the East Valley Chambers of Commerce Alliance and Chandler-Gilbert Community College—will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, July 28, at the CGCC Performing Arts Center, 2626 E. Pecos Rd., Chandler.

The forum will provide residents an opportunity to meet the candidates before the program begins. The candidates will answer predetermined questions drawn at random. The forum will be moderated by Scott Hanson, president and CEO of HMA Public Relations.

There is no cost to attend this forum and it will be open to the public.

To date, the following candidates will be in attendance—Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, Christine Jones, former Congressman Frank Riggs, former Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas and former Mesa Mayor Scott Smith. The organization is awaiting confirmation from Arizona State Treasurer Doug Ducey and Fred Duval.

March 7, 1986, the Brewers unveiled a state-of-the-art complex that has components of present-day ballpark facilities—open-air, egalitarian seating and lawn access. In the late 1980s, when Cactus League teams were being poached by the rival Grapefruit League of Florida, stadiums such as Compadre helped the resurgence of baseball in Arizona.

With construction of the residences, the surrounding restaurants and shopping will have a new customer base to draw from, as well as an influx of quality employees, according to Mackay.

“The area will receive a strong economic impact from the project,” she notes.

The development will also energize the community with pleasing aesthetics and ambience. In addition to the homes and townhouses the site will have a central lake, as well as significant open green space.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to create a move-up, luxury community within Chandler,” says Pat Moroney, Phoenix president for Standard Pacific Homes.

“This is an important piece of land, and we’re incorporating thoughtful details into the all-new home designs at Echelon at Ocotillo that will cater to the tastes and preferences of Chandler-area home shoppers.”

Tim J. Randall is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at news@santansun.com.

in the midst of a monsoon-related dust or rain storm, pulling to the side of the road is exactly the right thing to do.

“Drivers should turn their lights off after they pull over, because other drivers may follow their lights and hit them. Put the car in ‘park,’ leave the lights off, and then keep your foot off the brake.”

If a driver encounters a downed power line, Welch says it’s important to stop, back up and never try to drive over them.

“Call the appropriate people as soon as you can to report the downed power line; either by calling 911, APS or SRP,” he says.

If a power line falls onto an occupied vehicle during a monsoon, Welch says, the driver and any passengers should stay put and call for help.

“Stay inside the car in the seat. The downed line can energize the ground around the vehicle, so the safest and best place to be is in the car.”

If the monsoon causes flooding inside a home, Welch says residents should turn off their electricity as soon as they can.

“They have to remember that water and electricity can mix, and there is the potential for the entire home to be energized.”

If the power goes out for an extended period, Welch says people should watch the clock when it comes to their food supply.

“Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed, and if you can safely get

to the store, get some dry ice and put it in the freezer as it will help to keep the food cold,” he says.

Food is typically safe to eat until it reaches 41 degrees Fahrenheit for six hours or more.

For people who are thinking about taking the dog for a walk or going for a stroll around the neighborhood, Welch says they need to keep a close eye on the weather forecast and a close ear on any thunder.

“If you can hear thunder, the lightning is close enough, so stay inside.

Fortunately, the storms don’t usually last too long, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.”

To this day, Palomarez says if she knows a monsoon is blowing in, she will try to stay at home or will remain at her location until it passes by.

“I was glad I knew what to do, but it was still scary having to put it into action.”

Alison Stanton is a freelance writer who lives in the East Valley. She can be reached at alison@santansun.com.

Desert Peaks Award honors mayor, Chandler for regional work

Mayor Jay Tibshraeny received the Regional Excellence Award at the recent 2014 Desert Peaks Awards ceremony, the highest honor from the Maricopa Association of Governments, for his work in creating and preserving the Price Corridor. The corridor is Chandler’s major employment area, attracting high tech, high-wage jobs and contributing to the city’s reputation as an innovation and technology hub throughout the Southwest.

Also, MAG’s Regional Partnership Award was presented to EVRA, which includes Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe, Scottsdale and Casa Grande. Innovative education efforts have resulted from the collaboration including development of a recycling rewards program, recycling clubs, Girl Scout recycling workshops, a plastic bag recycling campaign and a recycling mobile phone app.

“Chandler has always prided itself on being collaborative, with a regional mindset,” says Tibshraeny. “These partnerships demonstrate the benefits of working collaboratively with our neighbors to provide important services to the community in the smartest and most responsible way possible.”

Tibshraeny has served as MAG Treasurer and on the Greater Phoenix Economic Council Board of Directors,

Arizona League of Cities and Towns Executive Committee and East Valley Partnership.

Sellers accepts award, chairman of transportation committee

MAG appointed Councilman Jack Sellers as chairman of the Transportation Policy Committee, which oversees the development of the 20-year Regional Transportation Plan and guides transportation planning in the region.

Sellers has been involved in transportation issues, serving as a member and chairman of the Chandler Transportation Commission and chairing the Chandler Transportation Bond Committee. He also served on the Airport Noise Compatibility Study Advisory Committee and represents Chandler on the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Economic Development Committee.

MAG also presented Sellers, in his capacity as a State Transportation Board representative, a Desert Peaks Award for the Public Private Partnership “Don’t Let Our Air Go Up in Smoke Winter No Burn Campaign.” The campaign was a joint effort between The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the Maricopa County Air Quality Department.

cant damage to businesses

Two separate Chandler businesses fell victim to false reporting pranks between June 30 and July 1. The first incident at the Hampton Inn, 1231 S. Spectrum Blvd., began when an unidentified caller contacted an employee of the hotel and persuaded her to activate the fire sprinklers. This resulted in an undisclosed amount of damage to three floors of the hotel.

The second incident occurred at the McDonald’s restaurant, 1060 E. Pecos Rd., when an unidentified caller persuaded a restaurant employee to activate the fire suppression equipment above the fryers. Then, the employee was told he needed to vent the restaurant by breaking the pane glass doors. The employee attempted to break the glass but was unsuccessful in his attempt.

In both cases, once the employees performed the acts, the suspect said they were being pranked. The Chandler Police Department reminds the public that, before performing an outlandish act ordered by a stranger, first verify that action will not result in harm to any individuals or destruction to property.

City of Chandler Insider

Library pursues technical innovation to improve customer experience

Despite many years of doom and gloom predictions that public libraries would shrink in size and relevance as people embraced the digital age and adopted the virtual over the physical, many public libraries are thriving by turning toward the technology that once seemed so threatening. Chandler Public Library serves as an example of an organization that has adapted well to the digital revolution by having tech-savvy, forward-thinking leaders and staff ready to rise to the challenges presented by everevolving technology.

“We try to be digitally inclusive and meet the needs of all our customers, from the highly skilled to those who are less tech savvy,” says Chandler Library Manager Brenda Brown. “To do that, we have to explore a wide range of possibilities, research what is working for other organizations and pursue calculated innovation.”

The latest example is the library’s switch on July 23 to a new catalog tool called the Polaris Integrated Library System. The catalog is the key system for tracking inventory and providing customers with quick and easy access to a variety of materials, many of them online and electronic, such as e-books, e-magazines, music downloads and numerous online databases and educational resources. The Polaris system was chosen because of its extensive features that will improve library efficiency and enhance the customer experience.

For example, Polaris will integrate seamlessly with the library’s new e-book provider, 3M Cloud Library, which replaces the Overdrive system. While there were more than 3,000 e-book checkouts each month on Overdrive, the system had limitations, such as a lack of control over the available titles that were selected through the Phoenix Library. Overdrive did not integrate with the library’s previous catalog technology, while the new 3M Cloud Library works within the Polaris catalog, allowing customers to see all of their check-outs and book holds in one place. It also gives customers more titles to choose from with less wait time, especially for best sellers.

The Polaris system also has features that may remind customers of Amazon or other major retail websites, such as personalized book recommendations based on the titles checked out previously. It is also a more robust and customer friendly system for people using mobile devices, such as a tablet or smartphone.

Perhaps the best part about the new catalog system is that the upfront capital costs (nearly $250,000) and the annual maintenance fee ($70,000) will be paid by the Maricopa County Library District (MCLD). “We are fortunate to have the support of the Library District for this project,” Brown adds. “Intel is another partner, and we couldn’t keep pace with current technology without their significant contributions.”

In addition to the new catalog system,

TECHNOLOGY: Downtown Chandler Library

Karen

use the new Library Document Station. Instead of making paper copies of materials, the station scans the pages and sends an electronic copy to the customer’s personal email or copies it to a flash drive. There is no fee to use the Library Document Station, which is near the Reference and Information desk at each library. Submitted photo

the library recently doubled its broadband capacity to 200 megabits per second, which is shared at any one time by more than 300 desktop computers and 100 WiFi users at the four locations: Downtown, Basha, Hamilton and Sunset. The SelfCheck equipment and software was upgraded to a faster, more reliable system that will speed up the checkout process and improve inventory control for the library’s collection of more than 377,000 physical items, including books, magazines, newspapers, CDs and DVDs.

All of these resources and more are available to everyone who has a Chandler library card.

City of Chandler Insider

Dan

Lee, assistant library manager for technical projects Library tech guru stays connected in his search for customer service solutions

When he started working for the Chandler Library nearly 24 years ago, Dan Lee was the only employee overseeing the Information Technology needs of the staff and library customers. His skills were used to build computers, load software and provide technical assistance. There was only one Chandler library, the computers used floppy discs and most people had never heard of the Internet.

Today, in his role as assistant library manager for technical projects, Lee leads a small team of three computer support specialists who maintain the technical operations for the library’s 80 employees. Their responsibilities include keeping more than 300 public computers, 20 servers and a wireless network operating smoothly at the four municipal libraries.

“Most people wouldn’t believe how much technology is integrated into Chandler’s libraries,” Lee says. “So much of what we do is now dependent on access to the Internet, and now, the Cloud. Most of our customers are tech savvy because they have to be. They are banking, shopping, researching and socializing online, and they have an expectation that their neighborhood library will have the equipment, software and Internet access they need to do all of that and more.”

The library is implementing the

Polaris Integrated Library System, a new catalog that has Lee excited for customers and staff. “My first job in a library was cataloging books, so I have a special appreciation for the importance of the catalog,” he says. “It’s surprising how many people aren’t familiar with how to use a library catalog. There is a wealth of information within the catalog, and if people search there first they will often find what they are looking for more quickly. This is especially true for the Polaris catalog system, and I think customers will like it and find it easy to use, especially for e-books.”

To stay current with the latest trends and products, Lee devotes time every day to reading websites like TechCrunch.com, product reviews at NYTimes.com and a number of blogs and websites that focus on library issues. He also subscribes to several email lists and forums that enable him to share information with colleagues at other libraries.

His extensive technical knowledge, natural curiosity and attention to customer service are why Lee is a trusted voice when management meets to make the decisions on which systems and software the library should purchase. “Dan knows his stuff. He’s the consummate technology librarian,” says Chandler Library Manager Brenda Brown.

“Dan is constantly looking for ways to help the library run more efficiently and effectively. He sees problems and finds solutions.”

Brown also praises Lee’s ability to communicate technical information to people who may have difficulty understanding it. “I have Dan give a

presentation on emerging technology every year at our staff retreat, and they love it. He’s a fantastic asset in part because he can speak our language.”

Information provided by the City of Chandler Communications and Public Affairs Department.

Celebrate July Parks and Recreation Month with stress balls

During July, which is Parks and Recreation Month, Mayor Jay Tibshraeny encourages residents to visit any of the City’s six recreation centers, six aquatic facilities and 62 parks. The National Recreation and Park Association asks communities across the nation to support the annual celebration with special events and activities that promote a safe, healthy and affordable recreational environment.

As part of the July commemoration, visitors to the Chandler City Hall lobby can see a display of stress balls in shapes representing various sports and activities. The stress balls, stacked in several clear tubes, depict the calories burned while participating in a variety of outdoor activities. Each recreation facility, as well

as the Parks and Aquatics Administration building, has a smaller version of the display. Visitors can stop by each location to pick up the sports-themed stress balls, while supplies last.

“In Chandler, we are focused on providing a park system that provides a wide variety of fun and fitness opportunities for residents of all ages and physical abilities,” Tibshraeny says. “These quality amenities bring families and individuals together to explore their shared interests, to learn and enjoy sports and recreational activities and strengthen community bonds.”

For more information about Chandler Parks and Recreation, visit www. chandleraz.gov/parksandrecreation.

STRESS BALLS: Pick up a stress ball from the Chandler City Hall lobby and see how many calories are burned while participating in a variety of outdoor activities. Submitted photo

Residents can help reduce stormwater pollution

Arizona is in the midst of the monsoon season, and that means lots of stormwater runoff entering the City’s storm drain system from impervious surfaces such as concrete driveways, sidewalks, streets, parking lots and rooftops.

Unlike the water from sinks, showers and toilets, stormwater flows untreated into storm drains that lead to nearby retention basins, greenbelts, parks, golf courses, community lakes and in some cases, local washes, streams and rivers. This runoff can contain pollutants, including pesticides, fertilizers, litter, pet waste, petroleum products, automotive fluids, paints, solvents, yard waste, sediment, chemicals and other materials that may be on the street or in the gutter.

Chandler is asking residents to help reduce pollutants that come into contact with stormwater by bringing their household hazard waste to the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility. The facility is located at 955 E. Queen Creek Rd., on the southwest corner of McQueen and Queen Creek roads. Residents can contact the Solid Waste Services Division at (480) 782-3510 to schedule an appointment.

water flows untreated into storm drains that lead to nearby retention basins. This runoff can contain pollutants and other materials that may be on the street or in the gutter. Submitted photo

Last fiscal year, the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility collected more than 109,000 pounds of household hazardous waste from residents. This waste included latex paint, oil, antifreeze and batteries. For more information and tips on how to reduce or prevent stormwater pollution, visit the City’s Stormwater Program website at www.chandleraz. gov/stormwater or the Stormwater Outreach for Regional Municipalities’ website at www.azstorm.org.

ICAN Chandler announces new executive board leadership

ICAN Chandler, Positive Programs for Kids, announces its Executive Board Leadership for 2014-2015. The incoming board includes: Chairman Scott Nance, financial adviser for Edward Jones; Vice Chairwoman/Finance/Treasurer Brenda Van Gelder, chief financial officer for MDS Communications; Secretary Brett Henkel, general sales manager for Big Two Toyota Chandler; Vice Chairwoman/Programs Jan Langer, community volunteer; Vice Chairman/ Development Brandon Bagley, owner of AlphaGraphics Chandler/Gilbert; member at large Dean Reiter, sales manager for Coffin and Trout Fine Jewelers; and past chairman Edward Upshaw, Chandler Police Department Commander.

The remaining board is David Baker, engineering manager, Intel; Zef Banda, CSP, president, Banda Group International; Marty Breeden, vice

president of Mission Integration, Dignity Health; Patti Bruno, community volunteer; Lynn Dao, owner Boudoir in Bloom; Nick Goodman, CEO MomDoc; Jen Kindell, director of operations IMS Health/360 Vantag; Derek Kirkland, project executive DPR Construction; Brennan Ray, attorney Burch and Cracchiolo, P.A.; Michelle Schechner, managing director Citi: Private Bank; and Bill Woodruff, general manager Kieckhefer Property Management LLC.

Ex-Officio Directors are Nancy Dean, senior vice president: Resource Development Valley of the Sun United Way; Danielle Janitch, attorney Osborn Maledon, PA; and Henry Salinas, ICAN founder and adviser to the board.

ICAN is a free, family-centered youth service providing programs for youth to achieve personal and academic success by tackling substance abuse, gang involvement and juvenile delinquency.

Three members elected to Cooper Commons board Chandler PD accepting applications for police explorers

Jomar Association Services, an Associa Company, announces three new board members have been elected to the Cooper Commons Community Association in Chandler—Larry Palmer, Mary Ellen Harry and Leo Mahoney. President Palmer has lived in Cooper Commons for 10 years. He previously served as board president for four years. Palmer regularly attends HOA training workshops hosted by the City of Chandler, staying up to date on the association industry and applicable state laws. His strategic goals for the community are to continue the work of the previous board to maximize property values for all homeowners, create a destination community atmosphere and ensure that the community remains well maintained and safe.

Vice President Mary Ellen Harry has lived in Cooper Commons for six years. She is employed as an engineering manager in the medical industry. Harry spent the last 30 years of her professional career working in the semiconductor industry. She says she is passionate about volunteering and helping create the best community possible.

Treasurer Leo Mahoney has lived in Cooper Community for 12 years. He is retired military Department of Defense. Mahoney says he looks forward to using his professional skills and visions for the community to keep Cooper

Commons the No. 1 place to live in Chandler.

The three new members will join Gary Howard and Robert Kampfe to round out the board’s five-member team.

This year was the first time Cooper Commons used secure online voting for its annual board elections. The transition to this cutting-edge technology resulted in a 40 percent increase in voter turnout, as well as an estimated savings of more than $2,000. Thanks to the visionary leadership of the outgoing Cooper Commons Board of Directors and the professional expertise of the management team at Jomar Association Services, the Cooper Commons community is poised to realize annual election savings of more than $25,000 over the next 10 years.

Cooper Commons is located in Chandler and is the largest of the two neighborhoods located within the region bordered by Cooper, Riggs and Gilbert roads and Hunt Highway. There are several HOA managed parks, playgrounds, sports courts, picnic areas and relaxing grassy spaces available to residents of the association’s 1,630 homes, making the Cooper Commons community the ideal place to call home.

“The professional team at Jomar Association Services is looking forward to working with the new members of the Cooper Commons Board of

Directors to continue the exceptional work already under way throughout the community,” says Jomar Director of Business Development and Marketing Jake Hoffman.

“Associa and Jomar Association Services have great esteem for our nearly 14-year relationship with the Cooper Commons community and look forward to the great things we can accomplish together over the next 14 years,” Jomar President and CEO Paula Randolph says. “Our team understands that truly exceptional communities are not just about the landscaping and common areas; they are most importantly about people.”

Jomar Association Services Inc. has provided community association management to the Valley of the Sun and beyond for more than 35 years. With offices in Tempe and Gold Canyon, Jomar’s focus is on delivering professional, consultative management services that enrich communities and enhance the lives of the people it serves. For more information, visit www.jomarassociations. com or visit www.Facebook.com/ JomarAssociationServices.

Village Health Club and Spa breaks ground

A groundbreaking ceremony was recently held on the $25 million Ocotillo Village Health Club and Spa to be located on the southwest corner of Alma School and Ocotillo roads in Chandler. Joining Chandler Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and Chandler Councilmen Kevin Hartke, Jack Sellers and Jeff Weninger at the event were Bennett Dorrance and Mark Sklar, co-founders of the DMB real estate development company. Scheduled for completion in spring and led by Sundt construction, the 82,000-square-foot Ocotillo Village is creating 250 construction jobs and eventually more than 220 full- and part-time positions. This is the first East Valley location for the private, member-based health club, which joins three current locations in Phoenix and Scottsdale.

The Chandler Police Department Community Services Unit will accept applications for police explorers in August. The explorer recruitment process kicks off with an open house informational session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13. The event is hosted by the program director and participating youth leadership and will be held at the Chandler Heights Substation, located at 4040 E. Chandler Heights Rd. Service opportunities, law enforcement learning experiences and participant expectations will be outlined. Those interested must be at least 14 years of age, in high school, maintain a C average, be of good moral character and have no criminal history. Chandler Explorers participate in more than 5,000 hours of community service every year while learning the skills necessary to start a professional career. For more information, contact Officer John Somerville at (480) 7824951

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