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BUSINESS........8 Abrazo Arrowhead plans neonatal unit expansion
SPORTS......... 10 Coyotes’ chemistry priority for Christian Fischer OPINION..........................6 BUSINESS........................8 SPORTS..........................10 FEATURES......................11 CALENDAR....................16 RELIGION.......................17 YOUTH...........................19 CLASSIFIEDS..................20
November 17, 2022
Peoria’s Hometown Newspaper
Beck beats Binsbacher in contentious mayoral election BY JORDAN ROGERS
Peoria Times Managing Editor
J
ason Beck was elected Peoria’s next mayor, after winning a contentious race over former Councilmember Bridget Binsbacher. “Last year, (Beck’s wife) Jane and I made the decision to run for mayor after many citizens called for fresh ideas and a focus on putting public safety and economic development first,” Beck said in a statement. “We love Peoria, and we are grateful for all who have served our community. “Our message of helping ‘Peoria Realize Its Full Potential’ has been the theme of this campaign and it will stay in the front of my heart after I am sworn in as mayor for all of Peoria. I want to thank Bridget Binsbacher for her service on the Peoria council. Jane and I have a new appreciation for how difficult campaigns can be,
Jason Beck is Peoria’s next mayor after defeating Bridget Binsbacher. (File photo)
and Bridget and her family worked hard in this race. “I want to thank my supporters and ambassadors. I was lifted up by the many new friends I have made in the last year. Old
friends and new friends came through for me in a big way with prayers, words of encouragement, canvassing, texting, calling friends, and in so many ways always showing up for Peoria.” According to the Maricopa County Elections Department website, as of the evening of Nov. 14, Beck had received 36,547 votes (53.78%) to Binsbacher’s 31,256 (45.99%). Beck said Binsbacher called to concede the race. The owner of Tyr Tactical, Beck based his platform on what he calls the three pillars of Peoria. These include a focus on Peoria’s education, economic development and public safety. The details of those three pillars can be found at beckformayor.com. PT SEE NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE FOR EXTENDED COVERAGE
Centennial set for Open Division bracket after big win
BY JOE McHUGH
Peoria Times Staff Writer
F
or the better part of four years, the Centennial High School football program has been considered one of the best teams in the West Valley, as they had made the Open Division in both 2019 and 2020. In 2021, though, the program had a rare subpar season while under Arizona coach-
ing legend Richard Taylor, as the Coyotes fell to a 3-8 record due to various protocol issues. Now in 2022, Taylor and his team are right back where they were in 2020, as they turned that 3-8 record into an 8-2 regular season, after a dominating win over Phoenix Pinnacle, 45-15. Centennial is now a top-six team in the state, once again vying for a state championship in the Open Division bracket.
“Redemption,” Taylor said on how the turnaround felt. Centennial’s season thus far has been a dominant one to say the least. They started out 0-1 this year, as they turned the ball over six times to Chandler Hamilton, another 2022 Open Division qualifier, in a 38-14 loss. The Coyotes then burst out with seven straight victories, including
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