Chandler, Arizona news and views roundup - November 18, 2006

A few recent articles from the Arizona Republic pertaining to politics and public policy in Chandler, some informative and one irreverent:

1. City: Covance won't hurt water

Protesters trying to prevent Covance from building in Chandler claim the company's pharmaceutical testing practices will contaminate the city's wastewater system. But municipal officials say they have studied the global drug development company's operations in other states and found no problems.

At the same time, an Arizona State University environmental engineer said pharmaceuticals are already entering Valley cities' wastewater systems via people's bodies and their home plumbing systems.

2. Dist. 21 totals expected Monday

It will likely be Monday before Chandler voters in District 21 find out who joins incumbent Republican Steve Yarbrough in the Arizona House of Representatives.

But the vote gap has widened and Republican incumbent Warde Nichols was leading Democratic challenger Phil Hettmansperger by 790 votes Friday. Hettmansperger said he isn't ready to concede and wants to wait until all votes are counted.

3. New schedule concerns parents

A small but vocal group of parents and staff from Mesa Public Schools this week raised concerns about proposed schedule changes that would take effect next year at the district's junior high schools, including Hendrix in north Chandler.

The school district, with guidance from principals, devised the schedule to make room for more science instruction while attempting to preserve physical education and elective course offerings.

Included in the plan would be optional classes before or after school for core subjects such as math or social studies, clearing the way for more time to take electives during the regular school day.

But at a public meeting Thursday attended by about 20 people, parents worried aloud about the impact on students' physical fitness, reading skills, extracurricular activities, fine arts and transportation to and from the optional classes.

4. Note to Chandler council: Airports and homes don't mix

Tonight, Chandler City Council is hearing a request to change the Chandler Airpark Plan to allow a developer to build homes in the direct path of the runway.

How many ways does this sound like a bad idea?

5. Give the councilman a good laugh

City Scope is Chandler's official community newsletter. It is chock-full of great information, like how to avoid burning down your house on Halloween and where to go to find out how to trim your hedges.

But every time I finish reading City Scope I'm haunted by the same burning question - why is Councilman Martin Sepulveda sad?

On the back page of the newsletter is a picture of our current City Council. Six of our council members are cheerily smiling for the camera, but the seventh is stone-faced with a hint of melancholy. That would be Martin Sepulveda.

So what's going on with him?