Pandemic hit disabled hard
Coming up at museum, library
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An edition of the East Valley Tribune
INSIDE
This Week
NEWS..................... 12 Average life expectancy continues to fall in state.
BUSINESS.............. Former cop creates Gilbert coffee biz.
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF GILBERT) | GilbertSunNews.com
Sunday, August 28, 2022
Despite clamor, Council insists no rail for Gilbert BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
G
ilbert Town Council is being asked to ban the use of municipal resources toward furthering commuter and light rail in any shape or form as residents continued to show up in force at meetings with claims that the trains would increase crime, bring in homelessness and destroy the quality of life. Vice Mayor and rail opponent Aimee Yentes spearheaded the draft ordinance, which is expected to go before Council for action on Sept. 6. “I wouldn’t support this ordinance be-
cause it is limiting our choices and ability to operate and do our job as policy makers,” said Councilwoman Yung Koprowski, a transportation engineer at a raucus Aug. 23 meeting where more than two dozen citizens spoke on the issue. “I think it is too limiting and it’s a topic that isn’t timely as well since we know that the light rail isn’t coming to Gilbert and that commuter rail is a long way off,” Koprowski said. “I would rather have the ability to get information in the future for our council or a future council, if necessary.” The ordinance as proposed by Yentes would prohibit the Town from spending and using resources such as personnel and
equipment for commuter rail or light rail. That would include all feasibility studies, stations, designs and inclusion in any town transportation plan. It also stated that the Town can’t assess a tax or fee for designing planning constructing, building and maintaining a commuter or light rail in Gilbert. Councilwoman Kathy Tilque said her problem with the proposal is that it misleads and gives a false sense of security to the public that a future council can’t bring passenger rail up again by rescinding the ordinance. Yentes said Tilque’s argument could be
Town Attorney sees Loving struggle 19 no need for second sign theft probe
see COUNCIL page 7
BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
SPORTS.................. 21 High school football teams hitting the road. COMMUNITY........................................15 BUSINESS............................................. 19
SPORTS...................................................21 GETOUT.................................................23
CLASSIFIEDS....................................... 27
T
he Town Attorney is recommending no action on an ethics violation complaint against Councilman Scott September over allegations he tampered with opponents’ campaign signs during the August Primary election. Town Attorney Chris Payne explained that an independent probe was not needed because the police case is making its way through the courts and that now it’s up for Council to decide whether it should take any separate action. “I believe the police report contains sufficient information for Town Council to be able to adequately consider whether a Code of Ethics violation occurred,” Payne said. According to the report, September’s attorney stated his
see SEPTEMBER page 4
Andrew and Kellie Burkhart have been relying on God, homeopathic doctors and the generosity of people as they have struggled to find effective treatment for their son, Andrew Jr., who has cerebral palsy. One thing they haven’t been able to rely on is insurance because it doesn’t cover the youngster’s costly treatment, as you’ll read on page 15. (Courtesy of the Burkhart Family)