yuma sun: jan. 8 2012

2
Today’s high: 70° Details on C4 | YumaSun.com Condo prices stabilize in Yuma/ B1 YMCA director has big hopes for facility/F1 READ BY MORE THAN 101,000 IN PRINT AND ONLINE DAILY $2020 worth of savings in this edition! SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012 $1.75 We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy code. Yuma Attorney 33 Years Experience Practice limited to Bankruptcy Before you hire an Attorney, find out howlong they have been practicing and if their practice is limited to Bankruptcy. Hire Experience and Expertise! www.YumaBankruptcy.com FREE Consultation Robert Friedman Attorney at Law 94 W. 2nd St. Yuma, Az. How well do you know your bank? “We’re locally owned and operated” Troy Edwards - Director, Owner: Four Little Devils Farm, Inc. Does it make decisions here or somewhere else? Proud Sponsor Of Locally owned and operated “Hometown Banking - 1 ST in Service” Locations: 4th Ave & 28th St • 4th Ave & 17th St Big Curve Inside Albertsons • Fortuna Rd & 38th St MEMBER FDIC www.1stbankyuma.com Rated 5 by BauerFinancial, Inc. Only $25 for a $50 Certificate from Yuma Pest and Termite Systems Valid only with purchase of Deal of the Day voucher. Purchase deals at YumaSun.com Buy this photo at Photos.YumaSun.com PHOTO BY JOSH PECKLER/ YUMA SUN Rori Hoffmeyer (from left), 6, Maryn Hoffmeyer, 11, and Marlee Hewlett, 7, play on a sand bank along the Colorado River inside Gateway Park Wednesday afternoon. After several weeks of cooler weather, Yuma will see temperatures in the low- to mid-70s this week. Splash zone Stuart: Mayor must be investigated Council members have ‘absolute legal obligation’ to probe charges BY DARREN DARONCO @YSDARREND Yuma Councilman Jerry Stu- art says Mayor Al Krieger’s ac- tions over the past two years left the city council with no choice but to open an investigation. “I and my fellow council mem- bers take an oath,” Stuart said. “We have an absolute legal obli- gation to follow it or we can be held as accomplices.” Stuart said while he is not cer- tain what shape the investiga- tion will take, it is necessary to examine the charges against the mayor. “We have been hearing things for quite a long time now. Even though it’s an onerous task, this investigation must occur.” The vote on the investigation stemmed from former mayor Marilyn Young’s comment during the call to the public at Wednes- day’s council meeting. “I’ve been concerned for a pe- riod of time. This just didn’t pop up,” Young said. “We need our mayor and council to work to- gether on what’s best for our city. But they can’t with this amount of turmoil.” While many allegations have been levied against the mayor, Young said one of the most seri- ous is the mayor’s failure to re- cuse himself when business he is involved with comes before the council. Young cited the November council meeting where Troy Eck- hardt of Eckhardt Construction was allowed to speak on local preference for approximately 15 minutes during the call to pub- lic and the mayor never recused himself. “(Krieger) overstepped his bounds,” she said. “He is em- ployed by Eckhardt Construction. I don’t care how loosely he claims to be employed there. The term ‘consultant’ is very vague. He should have excused himself im- mediately when Eckhardt spoke.” Young added that the mayor also did not recuse himself when the issue of a new road near Av- enue 3E and 40th Street came before the council. “He allowed people to speak about this land deal, which involved his property, before the council and he should have excused himself that time as well.” Young said she believes Buy this photo at Photos.YumaSun.com PHOTO BY JOSH PECKLER/ YUMA SUN A INSIDE VIEW of the Saguaro Foundation’s Snoezelen room which will help satisfy the special perceptual needs of individuals with severe learning and sensory disabilities. The room helps stimulate the senses of people who might have a sensory disorder. BY CHRIS MCDANIEL @YS_C_MCDANIEL The Saguaro Foundation of Yuma uses a unique method of blending sights, sounds, textures, aromas and motion to stimulate the minds of Yuma County resi- dents of all ages suffering from learning or developmental dis- Foundation’s sensory room stimulates minds Snoezelen helps individuals with disabilities abilities. The foundation’s controlled multisensory environment named the Snoezelen relaxes and focuses individuals diagnosed with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation or Down syn- drome. The Snoezelen includes strobe lights, fiberoptic lights, a special leaf swing, a ball pit, mirrors, music and many other objects de- signed to stimulate the mind. There is also a dark room with special tunnels where autistic children can find peace. “Some people are very uptight Somerton buys time for club BY CESAR NEYOY BAJO EL SOL SOMERTON — The Boys and Girls Club, due to close its doors here at the end of the month, will remain open through June under the temporary control of the city. The city council recently voted to assume control of the club from the Salvation Army begin- SEE CLUB/A5 SEE SAGUARO/A5 SEE MAYOR/A5

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The front page of the Yuma Sun on Jan. 8.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Yuma Sun: Jan. 8 2012

Today’s high: 70° Details on C4 | YumaSun.com

Condo prices

stabilize in Yuma/

B1

YMCA director has big

hopes for facility/F1

READ BY MORE THAN 101,000 IN PRINT AND ONLINE DAILY

$2020 worth of savingsin this edition!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012 $1.75

BANKRUPTCY

We are a debt relief agency. We

help people file for bankruptcy relief

under the Bankruptcy code.

Yuma Attorney33 Years Experience

Practice limited to Bankruptcy

Before you hire an Attorney, find

out howlong they have been

practicing and if their practice

is limited to Bankruptcy. Hire

Experience and Expertise!

www.YumaBankruptcy.com

FreeConsultation

robert FriedmanAttorney at Law

94 W. 2nd St. Yuma, Az.

928-276-1165

How well do you know your bank?

“We’re locally owned and operated”

Troy Edwards - Director, Owner: Four Little Devils Farm, Inc.

Does it make decisions here or somewhere else?

Proud Sponsor Of Locally owned and operated

“Hometown Banking - 1ST in Service”

Locations:4th Ave & 28th St • 4th Ave & 17th St

Big Curve Inside Albertsons • Fortuna Rd & 38th StMeMber

FDICwww.1stbankyuma.com

Rated 5 ★ by BauerFinancial, Inc.

Only $25 for a $50 Certificate from Yuma Pest

and Termite SystemsValid only with purchase of Deal of the Day voucher. Purchase deals at YumaSun.com

Buy this photo at Photos.YumaSun.com PHOTO BY JOSH PECKLER/ YUMA SUNRori Hoffmeyer (from left), 6, Maryn Hoffmeyer, 11, and Marlee Hewlett, 7, play on a sand bank along the Colorado River inside Gateway Park Wednesday afternoon. After several weeks of cooler weather, Yuma will see temperatures in the low- to mid-70s this week.

Splash zone

Stuart: Mayor must be investigatedCouncil members have ‘absolute legal

obligation’ to probe chargesBY DARREN DARONCO

@YSDARREND

Yuma Councilman Jerry Stu-art says Mayor Al Krieger’s ac-tions over the past two years left the city council with no choice but to open an investigation.

“I and my fellow council mem-bers take an oath,” Stuart said. “We have an absolute legal obli-

gation to follow it or we can be held as accomplices.”

Stuart said while he is not cer-tain what shape the investiga-tion will take, it is necessary to examine the charges against the mayor.

“We have been hearing things for quite a long time now. Even though it’s an onerous task, this

investigation must occur.”The vote on the investigation

stemmed from former mayor Marilyn Young’s comment during the call to the public at Wednes-day’s council meeting.

“I’ve been concerned for a pe-riod of time. This just didn’t pop up,” Young said. “We need our mayor and council to work to-gether on what’s best for our city. But they can’t with this amount of turmoil.”

While many allegations have been levied against the mayor, Young said one of the most seri-

ous is the mayor’s failure to re-cuse himself when business he is involved with comes before the council.

Young cited the November council meeting where Troy Eck-hardt of Eckhardt Construction was allowed to speak on local preference for approximately 15 minutes during the call to pub-lic and the mayor never recused himself.

“(Krieger) overstepped his bounds,” she said. “He is em-ployed by Eckhardt Construction. I don’t care how loosely he claims

to be employed there. The term ‘consultant’ is very vague. He should have excused himself im-mediately when Eckhardt spoke.”

Young added that the mayor also did not recuse himself when the issue of a new road near Av-enue 3E and 40th Street came before the council. “He allowed people to speak about this land deal, which involved his property, before the council and he should have excused himself that time as well.”

Young said she believes

Buy this photo at Photos.YumaSun.com PHOTO BY JOSH PECKLER/ YUMA SUNA INSIDE VIEW of the Saguaro Foundation’s Snoezelen room which will help satisfy the special perceptual needs of individuals with severe learning and sensory disabilities. The room helps stimulate the senses of people who might have a sensory disorder.

BY CHRIS MCDANIEL@YS_C_MCDANIEL

The Saguaro Foundation of Yuma uses a unique method of blending sights, sounds, textures, aromas and motion to stimulate the minds of Yuma County resi-dents of all ages suffering from learning or developmental dis-

Foundation’s sensory room stimulates minds

Snoezelen helps individuals with

disabilities

abilities.The foundation’s controlled

multisensory environment named the Snoezelen relaxes and focuses individuals diagnosed with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation or Down syn-drome.

The Snoezelen includes strobe lights, fiberoptic lights, a special leaf swing, a ball pit, mirrors, music and many other objects de-signed to stimulate the mind.

There is also a dark room with special tunnels where autistic children can find peace.

“Some people are very uptight

Somerton buys time for club

BY CESAR NEYOYBAJO EL SOL

SOMERTON — The Boys and Girls Club, due to close its doors here at the end of the month, will remain open through June under the temporary control of the city.

The city council recently voted to assume control of the club from the Salvation Army begin-

SEE CLUB/A5 SEE SAGUARO/A5

SEE MAYOR/A5

Page 2: Yuma Sun: Jan. 8 2012

YUMA SUN, SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2012  A5

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Alberta Marie SmithFormer Yuma County Assessor Alberta Marie Smith passed 

away peacefully, with courage, honor and dignity, in Phoenix on January 4, 2012 after a short illness.  Alberta was 78 years old.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Herbert O. Smith.  

Alberta was virtually a lifelong resident of Arizona, having moved here from Missouri when she was three years old.   She resided in the Yuma area for over 60 years - raising her 

children in Somerton before moving to Yuma in 1967.  Alberta and Herb moved to Phoenix in 1996 to be near their children.   

Alberta was flamboyant in life and pas-sionate about politics.  An active member of the Democratic Party, she was heavily involved as a precinct committeeman, a member of the Yuma County Democratic Central Committee, Recording Secretary for the State Democratic Party in 1975, and Past President and Secretary of the Yuma 

Democratic Women’s Club.  Alberta also served as Past Presi-dent of the Arizona Association of County Assessors and as a board member of the Arizona Association of Counties.  Alberta was appointed by Governor Rose Mofford to serve on the Arizona Board of Tourism.  One of her proudest accomplish-ments was serving as an alternate delegate to the Democratic National Convention in New York City in 1976.  She also at-tended the 1984 National Convention as an observer.  Alberta was employed by the Yuma County Assessor’s Office for 10-1/2 years prior to her election as County Assessor in 1976.  Alberta went on to be elected Yuma County Assessor for three more terms until her retirement in 1992.  

Family and friends fondly remember Alberta’s passion for knitting slippers and afghans, working jigsaw and crossword puzzles for the mental challenge, and trips to the casinos. 

Alberta is survived by her children, son Danny Smith and wife Patty, daughter Debra Raeder-Gay and husband Allan, and son David Smith and his life partner Lee Stickland.  She is also survived by her sister, Roberta Buckelew, and six grand-children, Jennifer Doane, Brendon Bartholomew, Courtney Smith-Neill, John Raeder III, Tyler Raeder, and Ronald Raeder, along with 8 great-grandchildren.  

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, January 8th, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Johnson Mortuary Chapel (1415 S. 1st Ave.) in Yuma.  Funeral services will be on Monday, January 9th, at 10:00 am at Johnson Mortuary Chapel.  Interment will be at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.

Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com/obituar-ies.

Michael Ray “Mikey” EsperanzaMichael Ray “Mikey” Esperanza went to be with the Lord on 

Wednesday, January 4, 2012. He was born on December 26, 1995 in Yuma, AZ.

Mikey attended San Pasqual High School and was currently a sophomore. He enjoyed listening to his music while riding his dirt bike or skate boarding. He would light up the room when he entered. He liked to spend time on the internet with his family and friends. When he wasn’t being venturous he was spending time playing with his pride and joy his niece Lilo. 

Mikey is survived by his mother, Charlene Townsend (Dwayne Porter); father, Richard Esperanza Jr.; brothers, Ruben Esperanza, 

Isaac Collins; sisters, Vanessa, Olivia Esperanza, Angelica Villepando; maternal grandparents, Craig and Vivian Menta; paternal grandparents, John and Lydia Norton; uncles, Lance (Cynthia) Menta, Craig and Duane Menta, Robert Esperanza; aunts, Angela and Bridgette Menta and Stephanie Torres; great aunts, Rebecca Kelly, Deborah (Juan) Villicana, Velma Townsend, Dorinda Iron Cloud (Afred Tatro), Caroljean Miguel; niece, Lilo Ghiotto.

Mikey was preceded in death by his great grandmother, Delphina Norton and great grandfather, John B. Townsend; grandfather, Richard Esperanza Sr; uncle, Videl Townsend, Troy Townsend Sr; cousins, William Kelly Villicana, Thomas Iron Cloud; baby Zaylen Esperanza Bradian.

Pallbearers will be Robert Esperanza, Juan Gonzales, John Villicana, Stephan Vicenti, Juan Cornejo, Orlando Short, John Esperanza Jr., Lance Menta, Craig Menta Jr., and Duane Menta.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jacob Ghiotto, Andrew Bradian, Chance Soliz, Xavier Figueroa, Joey De Corse, Oliver Sweeny, Azalia Allen, Donald Menta, Martine Pretty Bird, Ramon Soliz, Patrick McCoy, Troy Townsend Jr., Kaylun Owl, Gilbert Murrieta, John Esperanza Sr., Johnny Sosa, Jessie Martinez, Travis Townsend, Ty Townsend, Nicole Rivera, Elizabeth Ruiz; Kiko, Fernando Figueroa; Derrick, Chester, and David Rainbow.

Viewing will be held at Yuma Mortuary on Monday, January 9, 2012 between 2:00 p.m. and 2:30p.m. Funeral services will begin at 2:30p.m.with Ray and June Stillings officiating. Tribal Ceremony to follow, on the Quechan Reservation beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Big House. Cremation will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 5:00 a.m. 

“Mikey, you will always be loved and missed. We will hold all our memories of you, in our hearts. Love your brothers and sisters”

Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com/obituaries

Obituaries

ALBERTA MARIE SMITH

MICHAEL RAY “MIKEY” ESPERAZNA

MAYORWednesday’s motion to in-vestigate the mayor was a critical step for the city to start fixing some of its problems.

CLUBning in February and to al-locate $6,928 in city funds to keep it open through June 30. After that date, the club will be taken over by a yet-to-be named board of di-rectors that will run it as a nonprofit organization.

The council’s vote came after the Salvation Army notified the city and par-ents of club members that it could no longer afford to subsidize the club’s opera-tions beyond Jan. 31.

The club provides af-ter-school programs and activities for around 200 Somerton youths between the ages of 5 and 12.

Salvation Army officials said membership dues were not covering the cost of maintaining the Somerton club and that the army’s own budget constraints in a tough economy prevented it from continuing to dip into its own funds to help cover expenses. The Salvation Army also oversees Boys and Girls clubs in Yuma.

Louie Galaviz, Somer-ton’s parks and recreation director, said that about

FROM PAGE A1

SAGUAROand concerned about their spacial reality,” said Karen Bollard, who oversees the program for the Saguaro Foundation.

“Some of our autistic children are so concerned about where they are, that’s why sometimes they just stand and shake. In the dark room, they can feel where they are, where they end and where they begin.”

Snoezelen, developed in the Netherlands, “means to breathe deeply and to en-joy,” Bollard explained.

“It hits recesses of the mind that we don’t even know about. There is some-thing in part of the brain that all this sensory percep-tion triggers and relaxes, which makes it so a child or a person can focus better after they have done this. They can even focus dur-ing it. They can’t pinpoint it, but it works and is effec-tive.”

Bollard has personally seen Snoezelen’s positive effects on those who spend time in the environment, even after they left. “It does make a difference in atten-tion spans, relieves pain and does let some people relax.”

Many of the disabled children who used the sys-tem and then returned to a school setting “could sit and listen to a story, some-thing they couldn’t do be-fore,” Bollard said. “Their attention span improved greatly.”

Those whose disabilities

FROM PAGE A1

FROM PAGE A1

“I was glad (Councilman) Stuart came forward, be-cause we need to get this open and above board and do it properly so we can get it behind and we can move forward.”

Now that the investiga-tion has been placed on the next council agenda, the

city has to determine what to do, but no one can recall a precedent where a sitting council member was inves-tigated in Yuma.

“I’ve never been involved in anything like this be-fore,” said City Administra-tor Greg Wilkinson. “At this point the council just voted

to discuss, and possibly take action, on this inves-tigation at the next meet-ing. Right now, we are just researching and answering any questions individual council members might have. We can’t do anything yet, since the council hasn’t voted on the investigation.”

$45,000 is needed to keep the Somerton club operat-ing through the end of the fiscal year on July 30, and that dues and sponsorships will provide most of that amount. The allocation ap-proved by the council will cover the remainder, he added.

Galaviz said a new board of directors will be formed to oversee the club’s opera-tions and seek permanent financing sources.

“We are already thinking of the types of events and sponsorships we should seek in order to raise funds, so we are planning to estab-

lish it as a nonprofit organi-zation.”

As a condition of the al-location, the city council ordered that club retain the one full-time and four part-time employees that it has currently.

“We do not want to cut employees. We will leave that to be decided later by the board of directors,” said Mayor Martin Por-chas.

Meanwhile, said Galaviz, the city is looking at vari-ous ways to cut expenses, such as discontinuing the transportation services for youths who need rides be-tween home and school and the Boys and Girls Club. An option would be to contract with the Somerton Elemen-tary School District to pro-vide transportation, elimi-nating the need for the club to provide the vehicles.

Another option would be to increase the fee the club has charged for transpor-tation, to reflect the actual cost of the service, said Ga-laviz.

“For the past five years, $10 a month has been charged to children who receive transportation. We could raise the fee back to $20, like it was before.”

PHOTO BY CESAR NEYOY/BAJO EL SOLTHE CITY OF SOMERTON is taking temporary control of the Boys and Girls Club branch.

tighten their muscles in-voluntarily, or make move-ment painful or difficult for them, have also found re-lief after spending time in the relaxing environment.

“Some of the children that were suffering from cerebral palsy would relax and be able to reach and move, especially in the ball pool,” Bollard said. “We had a person here who is a very disabled client, and he told us the only time he is ever pain-free is in that ball pool.”

In addition to having a Snoezelen set up perma-nently at their building at 1495 S. 4th Ave., the Sagua-

ro Foundation has a por-table Snoezelen built into a retrofitted RV trailer that can be towed anywhere in Yuma County. This allows them to bring the environ-ment to groups of disabled people wherever they are located.

The portable Snoezelen was purchased using feder-al and state grants distrib-uted by Yuma County.

Bollard hopes to connect with other Yuma-area enti-ties that provide services to those who suffer from brain trauma or disabili-ties, including the elderly and even those in the mili-tary suffering from Post

Traumatic Stress Disorder.“We hope people will be-

gin seeking our services. This is for the elderly also, or anybody that has any kind of dementia, brain trauma or problems focus-ing.”

The portable service is available to groups of indi-viduals who have disabili-ties or suffer other brain-related ailments and have been recommended to the foundation by the Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Devel-opmental Disabilities.

For more information, call 783-6069.

Buy this photo at Photos.YumaSun.com PHOTO BY JOSH PECKLER/ YUMA SUNTHE SAGUARO FOUNDATION recently purchased a mobile Snoezelen which will help satisfy the special perceptual needs of individuals with severe learning and sensory disabilities. The modified mobile home, paid for by federal and state grants, has many amenities inside such as a ball pool (shown) and many different colored lights.

State & Region GlanceASSOCIATED PRESS

Navy SEAL dies after accidentally shooting

himselfSAN DIEGO — Navy offi-

cials have confirmed that a Navy SEAL who accidental-ly shot himself in the head has died.

Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Frank Magallon told the U-T San Diego that Pet-ty Officer 3rd Class Gene

“Geno” Clayont Jr. was tak-en off life support on Satur-day. He is survived by his parents and three sisters.

San Diego police were called on Thursday after the accident. Police say Clayton had gone to a bar and brought a woman back to his apartment and was showing her guns when he put a pistol to his head, believing it was unloaded, and pulled the trigger.

Paramedics took Clay-

ton to a San Diego hospital where he was placed on life support.

Juvenile arrested for pointing laser at helicopter

SURPRISE, Ariz. — A ju-venile who lives in Surprise has been arrested after al-legedly pointing a laser at a Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office helicopter.

Sheriff ’s spokesman Jef-frey Sprong says the heli-

copter was returning from a mission to rescue a lost family Friday night when the pilot was “flashed” with a laser four times. The pilot directed Surprise police to the back porch of a home where the light was origi-nating.

Sprong says Surprise po-lice identified the culprit and made the arrest. He didn’t know the age or sex of the suspect.

Shining a laser at an air-

craft can blind the pilots and cause a crash. It can be a federal offence.

Man robs Santa Cruz business, escapes on bicycle

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Police are looking for a man they say robbed a business in Santa Cruz and escaped on a bicycle.

The San Jose Mercury News reports the man walked into the business

at 5:20 p.m. Friday, told an employee he had a gun and demanded money.

After the employee hand-ed over the money, the rob-ber fled on a BMX-style bi-cycle.

Officers searched the area with a police dog, but did not find the suspect.

Police did not identify the business, or say how much money the robber es-caped with.