FOLLOW US InMaricopa @InMaricopa InMaricopa www.InMaricopa.com December 2015 BUSINESS Yogurt Jungle gets new owners. Page 12 HELPING COMMUNITY Gin Blossoms in free concert at HOMELESS Mothers of Everyday Heroes, founded by (from left) Terrell Hoffman, Ashley Abercrombie, Jennifer Ford and Tracy Bright, is collecting items for UltraStar. Page 19 homeless youth living in Maricopa. The organization was founded in the memory of the late Nate Ford. Page 15 RAQUEL HENDRICKSON 25.5% BY THE NUMBERS “It impacts everything, not What do you think is the biggest obstacle to only recreation but value of business growth in Maricopa? Source: InMaricopa.com poll; 565 total votes property and future economic 15% 12.7% 12.7% development.” – Gina D’Abella, Pinal 12.1% 11% County Open Space & Trails Committee, Page 8 Permit No. 13 No. Permit 5.8% Maricopa, AZ Maricopa, 4.8% POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL PAID U.S. Postage U.S. PRSRT STD PRSRT UTILITY COSTS TRAFFIC CITY CODES POLITICS PROXIMITY TO LARGER THE FLOOD NO REAL TAXES COMMUNITIES PALIN OBSTACLES 2m OPINION InMaricopa.com December 2015 POINT/COUNTER-POINT Potter: Maricopa not ready Kramarczyk: Students deserve Publisher VOLUME 7, ISSUE 12 Scott Bartle to support MUSD override investment of override Editor InMaricopa News Raquel Hendrickson 44400 W. Honeycutt Road Suite 101 BY LEON POTTER it was on the ballot when the BY JEFF KRAMARCZYK staff and the Maricopa Educa- Reporters Maricopa, AZ 85138 majority of voters voted “no.” tion Foundation. This over- Roberta Cianciosi 520-568-0040 Tel Raquel Hendrickson 520-568-0050 Fax Adam Wolfe As many are aware, I served on Admittedly, I don’t have The Maricopa Unified School ride will bring an estimated [email protected] the 2015 override recommen- scientific backing of this. Also, I District Governing Board $3.2 million in additional Photographers Merry Grace Mission dation committee for Maricopa admit that I do not have a crystal voted unanimously to place a funds annually. This trans- Raquel Hendrickson Inform readers/viewers. Unified School District. Even ball to predict an outcome just 10-percent, seven-year over- lates to approximately $500 Adam Wolfe Enrich advertisers. though the vast majority of as no one else does. ride on the Nov. 8, 2016, ballot. dollars per student per year Designer Carl Bezuidenhout Core Values the committee was in favor Not only do I believe that a If approved, the funds will with an annual cost of $132 for 1. Integrity Advertising 2. Accountability of putting the override on the ballot measure will not pass, I be used for class-size reduc- the owner of a home with an Donna Atkins 3. Open, honest ballot in 2016, I want to express believe that each time it goes tion and expanded academic assessed value of $100,000. Dick Barkley and real-time Donna John communication my opinion in the matter as an on the ballot it hurts the district programs through additional Here is why this override Michelle Sorenson 4. Prosperity for clients, individual community member. as far as community relations teachers, and additional should be approved: community, company JANUARY AD DEADLINES and employees I do not believe the override is concerned. Although there instructional technology for First, our students are our Ad space: Dec. 18 will pass in 2016. In fact, I am is room for improvement, the students. most precious community Insert creative: Dec. 18 Published advertisements Deals creative: Dec. 21 are not an endorsement doubtful it would pass in 2017. school district has done such The board’s decision to resource. They deserve our News creative: Dec. 24 of products or advertising My opinion is based on public a great job in recent years to bring this issue to the voters investment. We want them to Publication: Dec. 31 claims by InMaricopa News. No part of this Advertising inquiries: sentiment in the Maricopa overcome obstacles to help its was made after a sever- receive the best K-12 education newspaper may be InMaricopa.com/ reproduced by any means Unified School District voting students get the best education al-month deliberation process possible so they can maximize Advertising without the prior written Advertising@ area. I don’t believe it has it can provide. The override that included MUSD parents, their potential and make posi- permission of InMaricopa InMaricopa.com News. Copyright 2015. changed since the last time discussion is a step backwards. community members, district tive future contributions to our 520-568-0040 4InMaricopa.comOPINION InMaricopa.com December 2015 Although I completely agree that city, our state and our nation. losing funding is a challenge in itself, I Second, a thriving community needs just don’t believe the community is ready a thriving school district. All neighboring to support an override. If I thought it school districts have overrides in place would pass, I would say the expense to including Kyrene, Tempe Union High put the override on the ballot is worth it. School, Chandler, Queen Creek, Casa The cost in 2014 was $25,000, according Grande Elementary and Casa Grande High to MUSD. I believe the district should School. There are currently 1,500 Maricopa save the expense and not “throw good students attending school in Kyrene and money after bad” knowing the last six Tempe. Parents enroll them there because attempts were unsuccessful. those districts can afford to hire additional I understand the school board sees teachers to reduce class size and to provide the recent override results in other additional academic offerings that MUSD districts as a positive trend. It could very cannot afford without these override dollars. well be the case for MUSD, too. However, Third, MUSD is doing a good job and I encourage school board members to getting better. The district has recently look deeper into the situation of the other improved its letter grade from “C” to “B.” school districts. For instance, how many The goal of MUSD is to be an “A” district voted “yes” after voting “no” at least six with every school achieving an “A.” These consecutive times? funds will help insure that this goal is met. I understand the frustration of As president of the Maricopa supporters of an override because they see Education Foundation, I urge you to join the financial need, as I do, with MUSD. I me in supporting this proposal. If you also understand the frustration of MUSD need additional information or would voters when they ask, “when will it be like to discuss, please contact me at understood that a ‘no’ means no?” [email protected]. One of the TOP 5 Dare to Compare! GREEN BUILDERS At Santa Rosa Springs, IT’S ALL INCLUDED. Before you buy, make in the nation sure you compare. 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Cypress Lane 1:30 a.m. Every Tuesday, Maricopa Public Library 41600 W. Smith-Enke Road 5 Maricopa City Council Meeting Breakfast with Santa 7 p.m., City Hall 9 a.m., Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church 39700 W. Civic Center Plaza 45295 W. Honeycutt Ave. 4 MerryCopa Frozen Friday 2 p.m., Copper Sky Regional Park Noon, Graysmark Academy 55345 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. 44400 W. Honeycutt Road, Suite 105 • Group Benefi t Consulting • Voluntary Employee Benefi ts • Workplace Wellness • ACA Compliance We are a client based insurance advocate that brings focus to the confusion of insurance. info@focusbenefi ts.com (602) 381-9900 • FocusBenefi ts.com HEADLINE SUBHEADLINE BODY 3 Line/35 Character 2 Line/50 Character 3 Line/250 LB – Round 1 maximum maximum Character maximum 8 Maricopa High School Band Pass in Review Concert 7 p.m., Performing Arts Center 45012 W. Honeycutt Ave. 10 Dwight Yoakam in Concert for Masik Tas 7 p.m., UltraStar Multi-tainment Center amphitheater 16000 N. Maricopa Road 11 Masik Tas Golf Tournament 10 a.m., Ak-Chin Southern Dunes 48456 W. Highway 238 AJ Castillo in Concert for Masik Tas 7 p.m., UltraStar Multi-tainment Center amphitheater 16000 N. Maricopa Road Maricopa Music Circle Winter Serenade 7:30 p.m., Performing Arts Center 45012 W. Honeycutt Ave. 12 Shop with a Cop 6 a.m., Walmart 41650 W. Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway TIS' THE SEASON Second Saturday Market 8 a.m., Copper Sky Regional Park 55345 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Open our gift to you at your favorite Maricopa VEX Robotics Competition 9 a.m., Maricopa High School gym 45012 W. Honeycutt Ave. slot machine! . MFD Ride for Toys CHRISTMAS DAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015 10 a.m., Pacana Park 19000 N. Porter Road Celebrate with $10 IN FREE SLOT PLAY instantly at your favorite slot machine from Living Nativity 8am to 11:59pm! 5 p.m., Community of Hope Church 18700 N. 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