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🛠️ Mesa police, chamber lighten load 📵 Board Member Champions Cell Phone Ban and more...

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #090

Author

Lloyd Heath
February 20, 2024

In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

🛠️ Mesa police, chamber lighten load for some car repairs with voucher program

📵 Board Member Champions Cell Phone Ban in Gilbert Schools for Academic and Social Benefits

⚖️ Arizona Senate approves 'one pill bill' to decrease criminal threshold for fentanyl

🤔 GPS ponders override election, deferring bond vote

🎉 Cairo's Gyros set for grand opening Feb. 20 in Gilbert

🍴 New high-end restaurant opens in Queen Creek

⚾ Lots happening during spring training 2024

Upcoming and Ongoing

Mesa police, chamber lighten load for some car repairs with voucher program

The Mesa Police Department is pioneering a compassionate approach to minor traffic violations by partnering with the Lights ON! program, marking a significant shift in how traffic stops for defective vehicle lights are handled. This innovative initiative allows officers to issue vouchers, not tickets, to drivers for burned-out headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals, offering a unique blend of law enforcement and community support.

Under this program, drivers are given the chance to repair their vehicles' lights free of charge, using vouchers valued up to $250 at participating auto shops. This initiative not only enhances road safety but also alleviates the financial burden of repairs for drivers. Should the cost of repairs exceed $250, the driver is responsible for the difference, ensuring fairness in the program's application.

The Mesa Chamber of Commerce, alongside local businesses such as Coulter Infiniti, Friendly Auto, H&I Automotive, Meineke Car Care, and Thompson’s Auto Repair & Towing, has championed the funding for this noble cause. The collaboration extends to major corporations like EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, MD Helicopters, and Mitsubishi Chemical, all contributing to the community-centric vision of the program.

This program is celebrated for transforming potentially stressful police interactions into positive community engagements, fostering goodwill between law enforcement and Mesa residents. It stands as a testament to the community's commitment to safety, support, and positive policing.

Board Member Champions Cell Phone Ban in Gilbert Schools for Academic and Social Benefits

In a recent initiative led by Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board member Chad Thompson, a proposal to ban the use of cell phones by students on campus has gained attention. Thompson, citing data highlighting the negative impacts of prolonged cell phone use among teenagers, argues for a policy where students would not use their phones from the school's start to end bell. He suggests that phones could either be stored in backpacks or ideally left in a homeroom and collected at the day's end, including during lunch periods, to improve social and emotional well-being and academic performance.

The district's current policy restricts cell phone use during class time unless permitted, requiring devices to be stored away. However, enforcement consistency and the practicality of a complete ban have raised concerns among other board members and administrators. Some schools already have varying policies on cell phone visibility and use during the school day, with one high school even using phone access as a reward for attentive behavior in class.

Superintendent Dr. Shane McCord and board member Jill Humpherys expressed skepticism about the feasibility of enforcing a total ban, considering the role of cell phones in lesson plans and the importance of the devices for student safety outside school. Despite acknowledging these challenges, Thompson is adamant about exploring effective strategies to implement a cell phone ban from bell to bell by the next school year, extending the prohibition to smartwatches and non-school-issued tablets.

The board also deliberated on shortening the hour-long lunch period to mitigate disciplinary issues, with further discussions and potential policy revisions anticipated in the coming months.

Arizona Senate approves 'one pill bill' to decrease criminal threshold for fentanyl

Arizona state senators have moved forward with SB 1614, a bill aimed at significantly tightening fentanyl possession laws, reducing the threshold for criminal prosecution from 9 grams to just one pill. Sponsored by Republican state Sen. Justine Wadsack, the bill reflects concerns over the current law's leniency and the minimal amount of fentanyl required to pose a lethal risk. Wadsack's stance, "One pill kills, so we need a one pill bill," underscores the urgency to address the drug's deadly potential.

However, the bill faces opposition from critics who argue it could exacerbate existing issues rather than solve them. The ACLU of Arizona, among others, warns that the legislation might lead to an increase in incarcerations without effectively targeting the root causes of drug distribution and addiction. Kara Williams, sharing her personal struggle with addiction, voiced a poignant critique before the Senate Judiciary Committee, highlighting the ineffectiveness of imprisonment as a solution for substance abuse, underscoring a lack of treatment options within the prison system.

The backdrop to this legislative effort is the DEA's One Pill Can Kill campaign, which emphasizes the lethal danger of fentanyl, noting that a significant majority of pills seized contain a potentially fatal dose. The debate around SB 1614 thus encapsulates a broader conversation on drug policy, punishment, and public health, reflecting the complexities of combating fentanyl distribution and abuse.

GPS ponders override election, deferring bond vote

Residents within the Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) boundary are likely to encounter a request on the November ballot seeking approval to continue exceeding the district's operational budget by 15%. This decision emerged from a recent retreat where the GPS Governing Board also deliberated on the possibility of selling district-owned land and postponed a $200-million bond election to a future date, aiming to avoid the risk of voter rejection that could arise from placing both a bond and an override on the same ballot.

The board's contemplation follows a history of voter pushback, with a 15% override and a $100-million bond being rejected last November. Superintendent Dr. Shane McCord emphasized the importance of the override for the well-being of the district's employees and, by extension, its students. The operational budget, covering essential expenses like utilities and salaries, could face severe cuts if the override fails or is not pursued, potentially affecting hundreds of district employees.

The current 15% override, effective since 2020, is in a critical phase, with significant budget cuts looming if it is not renewed. The district could lose $12 million to $13 million annually starting from the 2025-26 school year without voter re-approval, underlining the urgency of the upcoming ballot decision.

Polling data suggests that voters are more inclined to support the override alone rather than combined with a bond, indicating strategic considerations for the board's approach to the November ballot. Despite the potential for using one-time funds to delay the need for a bond, the necessity for capital for major projects remains pressing, with interest rates and market conditions playing a critical role in timing.

Cairo's Gyros set for grand opening Feb. 20 in Gilbert

Gilbert welcomes a new culinary destination, Cairo’s Gyros, which officially opened its doors in January at 1561 N. Cooper Road, Suite 101. Mark your calendars for the grand opening celebration set for February 20th, promising a taste of the Mediterranean right in the heart of Gilbert. The restaurant's menu boasts an appetizing selection of wraps, plates, and sandwiches, alongside classic Greek salads and hummus platters, catering to a variety of tastes. For those eager to explore the flavors of Cairo’s Gyros or to inquire further, you can reach them at 602-506-6824 or visit their website at www.cairosgyrosllc.com. This new addition to Gilbert's dining scene is sure to become a favorite for fans of Mediterranean cuisine.

New high-end restaurant opens in Queen Creek

Social Birdie, a high-end restaurant nestled within the Las Colinas Golf Club, marked its grand opening on February 2, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce. The event was graced by the presence of Queen Creek's civic leadership, including Mayor Julia Wheatley, Vice Mayor Leah Martineau, Councilmembers Jeff Brown and Bryan McClure, alongside local business owners, chamber staff, and the management and owner of the Las Colinas Golf Club.

Located at 21515 E. Village Loop Road N, Social Birdie opens its doors to the public from 7 a.m. to as late as 10 p.m. on weekends, Monday through Sunday. Patrons can indulge in a diverse menu featuring brunch and dinner options, with each dish and cocktail crafted by Executive Chef Vincent Contreras. Bringing over two decades of culinary expertise from renowned food destinations such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas, Contreras elevates the dining experience with his hand-crafted entrees.

The restaurant offers an inviting patio seating area, complete with fire pits and sweeping views of the golf course against the backdrop of the San Tan Mountains, setting the stage for memorable dining under the stars. Social Birdie also promises an engaging social atmosphere with live music events, details of which can be followed on their social media.

For more details about Social Birdie and its offerings, interested individuals are encouraged to visit socialbirdieaz.com.

Lots happening during spring training 2024

The Arizona spring training season is gearing up for an exciting start, with both World Series contenders, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers, playing on home turf in the Cactus League. The league is also buzzing with the news of Shohei Ohtani staying with the Los Angeles Dodgers, adding a high-profile player to the roster at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Additionally, a new event dubbed Spring Breakout will debut at all Cactus and Grapefruit league venues during select days in March, promising to add further allure to the spring training season.

Despite a slight downturn in economic contribution compared to pre-pandemic levels, the spring training season is a significant event for Arizona's economy, with the Seidman Research Institute reporting a $710.2 million total economic output in 2023. This figure puts spring training on a level with the economic impact of hosting a Super Bowl, highlighting its importance as an annual event that draws a considerable number of out-of-state visitors. The attendance for the 2023 season reached up to 1.5 million, and with the added excitement of recent World Series teams and Ohtani's participation, expectations are high for an even stronger turnout in 2024.

Josh Coddington from the Arizona Office of Tourism anticipates a fruitful season in terms of visitors, fan attendance, and overall economic impact. The inclusion of World Series participants traditionally boosts Cactus League attendance, with historical data showing increased attendance for teams following a championship bid. The presence of Ohtani is expected to not only draw fans but also a large Japanese media contingent, further promoting Arizona as a tourist destination.

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