Chandler / Ahwatukee news and views roundup - June 10

News proceeds apace in Chandler and Ahwatukee!

Your linky goodness for today includes an article on Harry Mitchell's fundraising, an op-ed on the opposition to Covance, "rude" driving in Ahwatukee, another op-ed on tuition tax credits, yet another Wal-Mart (those things are like mushrooms after a rain), an impending record-large school bond and the heating up of some real estate in downtown Chandler.

1. Mitchell seeks to show strong campaign fundraising

U.S. Congressional candidate Harry Mitchell faces a June 30 deadline to prove himself to national Democratic power-brokers.

One of the chief tests he faces is whether he can raise serious campaign contributions on his own, said state Democratic Party Chairman David Waid.

So far, Mitchell has raised about $475,000 for his bid to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. J.D. Hayworth, Waid told a group of Democratic supporters at a fundraiser Thursday.

2. Wal-Mart gets preliminary OK
Application for grocery now goes to Chandler council

Plans by Wal-Mart to open a grocery store at Cooper Road and Chandler Boulevard are headed for City Council after the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the idea.

The board decided Wednesday night, and Wal-Mart's application will go to council June 22. If approved, the store expects to break ground at the site later this year.

3. Downtown Chandler townhouses hot sellers

Developer Niels Kreipke landed 12 signed contracts in 13 days from buyers of his downtown townhouses known as the Villas at San Marcos Commons, which aren't yet built.

"We have eight strong candidates for additional contracts," he said. "They're primary home buyers and just a few secondary home buyers."

Kreipke has raised prices four times based on early success, he said. Prices now range from $300,000 to $417,000, he said.

4. Largest-ever school bond likely
Board may ask for more than $90 million on November ballot

A $91.6 million bond election - the largest in the history of the Chandler Unified School District - appears likely to receive the approval of the district's governing board next week and be placed on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Board members heard a revised proposal from district administration at a second study session two days ago and will vote Wednesday on the bond, which would be Chandler's third since 2002.

The district's largest bond issue to date was the $70 million package in 1995 that built Hamilton High and three elementary schools.

5. Survey drives us to think about safety

There's bad news and good news on Ahwatukee drivers.

The bad: We're rude.

The good: We're safe.

6. Leave tuition tax credits alone - op-ed

Whether you are Catholic or not, there are several good reasons to take notice of the recently announced $28 million expansion of Seton Catholic High School in Chandler.

7. 'Warm, fuzzy' PETA really inhumane - op-ed

As the Covance battle heats up after a long election-season hiatus, it must be remembered that those who yell the loudest are not always right, and should not always carry the day.