Alarm over school spending/ P.3
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
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QC beefing up town’s park and rec system BY MARK MORAN Tribune Staff Writer
NEWS .................... 12 EV couple’s light display competes on ABC show.
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Q
ueen Creek is in the final stages of infusing nearly 150 acres of new green space into its parks and recreation system for the town’s booming population. The town’s existing parks are currently strained by double-digit population growth and a constant demand for sports fields. Crews just broke ground on Phase II of Man-
sel Carter Oasis Park near the corner of Sossaman and Ocotillo roads. Once complete, the 62-acre $13.5 million facility will host a big, existing shipwreck-themed splash pad and other water attractions, a 5-acre fishing lake and skate plaza, six new sand volleyball courts, four pickleball courts, an outdoor fitness zone, open green space, new restrooms, and half a dozen new tennis courts. “What’s special about it is putting more
tennis courts together in one location instead of spreading them around to enable the tennis community to build in Queen Creek,” said Adam Robinson, town community services deputy director. “Whenever they go to play tennis, they are playing together, they are connecting with other tennis players and that just helps to grow the sport,” he said. “And so, we’re kind
see PARKS page 10
Purple for Parents becoming school board force in EV
SPORTS .................. 22 Eastmark football grabs school’s first state title.
GETOUT ...................24 Cats will turn out in force next week for big show.
COMMUNITY ..........................14 BUSINESS................................17 OPINION.................................... 19 SPORTS....................................... 22 GET OUT.................................... 24 CLASSIFIEDS............................ 27
BY KEN SAIN Tribune Staff Writer
P
arental rights advocates in Arizona are celebrating huge gains, both in the Legislature and at the ballot box. Purple for Parents, a parental rights organization, endorsed 38 candidates in November’s school board elections across Arizona and unofficial results show that 20 of them won seats – including two in Scottsdale, one each in Gilbert’s two main districts, one in Chandler and one in Mesa. “We’re very happy,” said Michelle Dillard, the president of Purple for Parents. “It’s great to have school board members elected that support parents’ rights and will promote academics in the classroom.”
see PURPLE page 6
James Knox, the Queen Creek Unified Governing Board’s newest member come next month, was one of the school board candidates across the county endorsed by Purple for Parents who won their campaign. (David Minton/Tribune Staff Photographer)
Central Arizona College www.centralaz.edu
Paths to Great Careers