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PAC launches effort for TU bond, overrides. / P. 9
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COMMUNITY...........28 Kiwanis Club of Ahwatukee needs baby shower help.
BUSINESS .....,............
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
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Kyrene board rips transgender, other state laws BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
T
he full weight of a number of new state laws involving parental rights and other school district policies fell on the Kyrene Governing Board Sept. 13 – and board members clearly weren’t happy about them. A policy barring transgender males from girls teams drew such a strong denunciation from board member Wanda Kolomyjec that the board postponed a vote. She and her colleagues want the district lawyer to craft language that would distance the
district from the policy’s philosophy without violating state law. Even before the board adopted any of the policies, members Michelle Fahy and Margaret Pratt expressed their dismay but noted the board had no alternative to their adoption. “I feel it’s important to express that although I may vote for policies … because it is the law,” Pratt said, “it does not necessarily mean that I am in agreement with the law or the change in policy.” She also called the meeting “a dark evening for policy.” Fahy added, “It is important that our community understand that we are required by law to
District 6 council 33 candidates discuss their priorities
put some of these policies in place whether or not we agree with them.” With Margaret Wright absent, four board members unanimously approved policies that: Prevent mandating HPV and COVID-19 vaccines for students. The law barring mandated shots to protect against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus has been on the books since 2007 but the Legislature this year added a ban on mandating COVID-19 vaccines. At the time of its passage, Arizona joined 23
Lots to celebrate
see KYRENE page 16
Chamber busy with pet rescue drive, upcoming tourney.
BY PAUL MARYNIAK AFN Executive Editor
OPINION ...........,............37 Two Tempe Union board hopefuls address issues.
COMMUNITY...................... 28 BUSINESS .......................... 33 OPINION .............................. 37 SPORTS ............................... 39 GETOUT............................... 44 CLASSIFIEDS ...................... 49
A
ll eight candidates for Phoenix City Council District 6 came together in Ahwatukee Sept. 13 to outline their case with voters for representing the community and a few other city neighborhoods when incumbent Sal DiCiccio vacates the seat because of term limits. In a forum sponsored by the Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, Salt River Project and the Ahwatukee Foothills News, the candidates at times tossed a few barbs against some of their competitors, Mayor Kate Gallego and the current city council and even golf course owner Wilson Gee.
see COUNCIL page 23
Cheryl Wilson snaps along with “Old Time Rock and Roll” by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band during a line dancing class at the Pecos Community Center, where the senior citizen center geared into full operation last week for the first time since the pandemic forced the closing of city facilities in March 2020 and the return of only partial programming last year. To reintroduce seniors to the full range of offerings at the center, an open house is scheduled this Friday, Sept. 23. Details: page 7. (David Minton/AFN Staff Photographer)
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