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📚 Arizona lawmakers consider financial literacy ✨ A Beacon of Light Inspires Hope and more...

Gilbert Local Pulse | Issue #092

Author

Lloyd Heath
February 22, 2024

In this issue of Gilbert Local Pulse

🌤️ Gilbert, AZ Local Weather

📅 Gilbert, AZ and Surrounding Area Events

📋 Town rec panel lists its priorities for Gilbert

😢 Gilbert karate teacher pleads guilty to abusing minor

🗓️ Gilbert Primary moves up to July 30

📚 Arizona lawmakers consider making financial literacy a required class for public school students

🍗 It's Just Wings opens Gilbert Gateway Towne Center location

✨ A Beacon of Light: How Skylar's Adoption and The Lost Enzyme Project Inspire Hope

❤️ Abrazo marks Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day Feb. 22

Upcoming and Ongoing

Town rec panel lists its priorities for Gilbert

The Gilbert Regional Park expansion is a top priority for a citizen advisory group, aiming to complete the development of its remaining 185 acres. This expansion includes a range of proposed amenities, such as a pump track and additional playing fields, which were identified based on community impact. During a recent meeting, the Parks and Recreation Board highlighted eight community-favored amenities for Gilbert, signaling a clear direction for future developments.

Funding for these projects is a hot topic, as the Parks and Recreation Department competes with the police and fire departments for financial resources. The upcoming March 11 council financial retreat will be crucial for allocating funds, with a staggering total of over $1 billion in proposed projects across the three departments, $727 million of which is earmarked for parks and recreation. Department Director Robert Carmona noted the challenge in securing the full amount but expressed commitment to progressing towards these community enhancements.

The board's priorities also include a new recreation center in south Gilbert and a pickleball complex at Freestone Park, with these top four projects alone estimated to cost between $360 million to $370 million. Despite the enthusiasm for aquatic facilities, council members have previously expressed concerns over the costs of construction and operation, leading to a focus on alternatives like multi-use paths, a year-round aquatics center, and improved trail lighting.

Recent approvals for design contracts mark a significant step forward, with Digs Studio and Abacus PM tasked with designing the regional and Desert Sky parks, respectively. This design phase, kicking off shortly, aligns with efforts to re-engage the public for feedback on the desired amenities, reflecting on the extensive input received during the 2020 conceptual master plan development.

Gilbert's rapid growth and high demand for recreational spaces underscore the importance of these projects. With the town nearing its capacity and a population nearing 330,000, the need for additional amenities is clear, especially given the heavy usage of existing facilities. In comparison, the town's parks, recreation facilities, and trails saw more visitors in 2022 than the Grand Canyon or Diamondbacks home games, highlighting the community's engagement with outdoor spaces.

The police and fire departments are also in need of funding for critical infrastructure projects, including a new crime lab, police station, and fire station renovations. With various funding options on the table, including grants, bonds, and a potential sales tax increase, the council is considering a hybrid approach to meet these diverse needs. The March retreat will be a pivotal moment for setting the town's investment priorities.

Gilbert karate teacher pleads guilty to abusing minor

In a recent turn of events in Gilbert, Arizona, Dyllon DePalma, a 23-year-old martial arts instructor at Team USA Martial Arts, has admitted to engaging in illegal sexual activities with a minor. DePalma was taken into custody last year following allegations that he abused a 15-year-old who had previously been his student. The accusations detailed that DePalma, exploiting his position, initiated sexual encounters with the teenager after offering him a job at the karate school's reception. The authorities have now confirmed that DePalma has pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual conduct with a minor. His sentencing is set for April 1. See original story below.

Gilbert Primary moves up to July 30

In Gilbert, Arizona, the election schedule has undergone significant changes, with the mayoral and council elections now set for July 30, moved up from the originally planned August 6. This shift, approved following recent state legislative changes, aims to allow for potential recounts and election preparations, adjusting the candidates' filing period to March 2 from March 9, with an April 1 deadline. Write-in candidates must declare by June 20, and campaign signage is permitted from May 20. Voter registration closes on July 1, with early voting starting on July 3 and mail-in ballot requests available until July 19.

Governor Katie Hobbs endorsed these changes on February 9, focusing on preventing voter disenfranchisement and adapting to a 2022 state law that necessitates additional preparation time for recounts and compliance with federal election timelines. The legislation solidifies signature verification standards for early ballots, extends the "curing" period for questioned signatures to five days, and mandates immediate party notifications for ballots needing verification. Although GOP lawmakers sought to move future primary elections to May and require ID for early ballot drop-offs, these proposals were not included in the final law. Governor Hobbs praised the legislation as a balanced effort to enhance election integrity and efficiency in Arizona.

Arizona lawmakers consider making financial literacy a required class for public school students

In a significant move towards enhancing educational curricula, Arizona state lawmakers have taken steps to integrate financial literacy classes into the mandatory coursework for public school students. The initiative, spearheaded by Senator J.D. Mesnard of Chandler, aims to equip students with essential knowledge on managing finances, including understanding credit card interest, investment strategies, and tax preparations. Mesnard, reflecting on his own educational experience, highlighted the practical importance of financial literacy over theoretical mathematical concepts that have little application in everyday professional life.

The proposal has garnered attention and support for its potential to significantly impact students' lives, as evidenced by the testimony of Mesa public school teacher Angela Maris. Maris shared a compelling story about a student who, armed with knowledge gained from her financial literacy class, was able to assist her mother in overcoming credit card debt. This anecdote underscores the tangible benefits of such education, suggesting that widespread financial literacy could enhance societal resilience against economic vulnerabilities.

While the bill has received bipartisan backing in its initial legislative hurdles, some opposition remains regarding the mandatory nature of these courses, with a preference for them to be elective. Despite these concerns, the proposed legislation is poised to transform the educational landscape for Arizona's public school students, starting with the class of 2028, by embedding financial literacy into the K-12 curriculum. This move promises to prepare future generations with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of financial management in their personal and professional lives.

It's Just Wings opens Gilbert Gateway Towne Center location

It's Just Wings, originally an online brand associated with Chili’s, has expanded its presence with a new physical location at 5016 S. Power Road, Gilbert, in the Gilbert Gateway Towne Center. This new establishment offers a mouth-watering selection of both bone-in and boneless wings, accompanied by a diverse array of 13 dipping sauces. Patrons looking to satisfy their wing cravings can now enjoy these delicious offerings in person. For more information or to place an order, customers can contact the Gilbert location at 480-716-8670 or visit https://itsjustwings.com.

A Beacon of Light: How Skylar's Adoption and The Lost Enzyme Project Inspire Hope

Skylar, a cherished addition to her family since she was a month old, has been a source of joy despite facing the profound challenges of Beta-mannosidosis, diagnosed just before her first birthday. This rare genetic disorder has led to developmental delays, difficulty swallowing, recurrent infections, severe peripheral neuropathy, and significant vision and hearing loss for Skylar. Her resilience shines through as she enjoys playful moments with her siblings, particularly her best friend and older brother, Charlie. In a significant milestone, Skylar was officially adopted into her loving family last May, marking a new chapter of togetherness and hope.

Despite the progression of her condition, which now includes difficulty walking, legal blindness, profound hearing loss, chronic infections, and excruciating pain from Erythromelalgia, Skylar's family has been a steadfast source of support. The initial outlook for treatment was bleak, given the rarity of Beta-mannosidosis, limited scientific interest, and funding challenges.

However, hope emerged with the inception of The Lost Enzyme Project, a collaborative effort between affected families, the University of California Irvine Foundation, Kimonis Laboratory, and JCR Pharmaceuticals, alongside a partnership with the Sanford University CoRDS Program. This initiative aims to develop a novel enzyme replacement therapy through fundraising efforts targeting $520,925.00 by August 1, 2025, for crucial preclinical studies and research. The project not only seeks to pioneer treatment for Beta-mannosidosis but also to unify the global community affected by this disorder.

For more details on this life-saving endeavor and to view an informative video, please visit bit.ly/lostenzyme. Contributions to the project are tax-deductible and go directly towards research and development efforts for a treatment that promises a brighter future for Skylar and others with Beta-mannosidosis.

Abrazo marks Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day Feb. 22

On February 22, during American Heart Month, Abrazo Arizona Heart Hospital in Phoenix will shine a spotlight on heart valve disease—an ailment impacting over 11 million Americans and responsible for 25,000 deaths annually. A special Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day educational event will be hosted by the hospital, offering free cardiovascular risk screenings, including blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, pulse, body mass index assessments, and consultations with clinicians. This initiative aims to elevate public understanding of heart valve disease, its symptoms, and treatment options, emphasizing conditions like aortic stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation.

Dr. Timothy Byrne, the medical director of cardiac services at the hospital, underscores the critical nature of early detection, noting the grim prognosis of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis patients without intervention. Tammy Querrey, director of Clinical Cardiovascular Care for Abrazo Health, highlights the correlation between valve disease and heart failure, emphasizing the importance of awareness and treatment.

The event will delve into various symptoms associated with heart valve disease, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs or feet, often accompanied by a heart murmur. It aims to educate on minimally invasive treatment options like Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and therapies for mitral and tricuspid valve diseases that avoid open heart surgery. This free event encourages advance RSVP through the hospital's website, where visitors can also access online heart health assessments and locate healthcare providers.

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