Heritage Academy: Skousen's Scandalous String of Schools

Skousen's Scandalous Schools

Americans United Files Suit To Stop A String Of Taxpayer - Funded Arizona Charters From Preaching Religion
October 2016 Featured By Rob Boston
Students attending Heritage Academy, a string of charter schools in three Arizona cities, are learning some unusual things. Read entire article >> here
In an American Government class and other courses, students are taught that non-believers are mentally unfit, the Constitution was inspired by the Bible and evolution is an unsound theory.
The American Government course looks to be drenched in religion. It’s based on 28 principles that supposedly are required for sound government. Many of them are religious in nature.
Such concepts would raise few eyebrows in a private, sectarian school. But Heritage Academy, which has campuses in Mesa, Queen Creek and Laveen, isn’t private. It’s a charter school, an arm of the public education system that is funded by taxpayer dollars.

Public schools can’t push religion like this, and Americans United intends to put a stop to it. The organization filed a federal lawsuit Sept. 7 that seeks to end the religious indoctrination going on at Heritage Academy.
The case, Doe v. Heritage Academy, Inc., is now under way and could have national implications as charters continue to spread. 
Asserts the lawsuit, “By teaching religious beliefs in a public charter school, which is subject to the U.S. Constitution just like all other public schools, Heritage Academy has violated the First Amendment.”
The suit also points out that Heritage required students to actively spread its unusual views.
“In a transparent attempt to proselytize the school’s religious views, Heritage Academy students are further taught that they are duty-bound to implement and instruct others about these religious and religiously based principles in order to restore the United States to ‘freedom, prosperity, and peace,’” reads the legal complaint.
The lawsuit is being litigated by Americans United Legal Director Richard B. Katskee and AU Madison Fellow Carmen Green. Joining them are John Nadolenco and Kristin Silverman of Mayer Brown LLP, a national law firm, and Roopali Desai and D. Andy Gaona of Coppersmith Brockelman PLC in Phoenix.

"Quick Jab" Bill, Mr. Bopp, and Sally Jo All Late > Request for Continuance Rejected by Queen Creek City Council

In a report by Wendy Miller that was published on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 in The Mesa Independent officials from the City of Mesa's Office for Economic Development and the Mesa Chamber of Commerce were rejected after trying to make their case intervening in  a different municipality  in a change for a rezoning motion heard on September 21 in front of the Queen Creek City Council. The reason: way late

"After nine  months of discussions, the Queen Creek Town Council approved motions to move forward the proposed Barney Farms residential community at the north end of the community.

The council rejected requests for a continuance by area businesspeople and a local municipality, saying the latter could have discussed their issues earlier, . . "
 

The issues: Land-use planning, specifically around a regional asset Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport

Mesa wants industrial. Queen Creek wants residential

Apparently the slick presentations often prepared for Mesa city officials to use in public meetings for presentation of proposals were not convincing enough in a different municipality where they don't control the politics.

Here's the caption published with the accompanying image

William J. Jabjiniak, economic development director for the city of Mesa, right, addresses members of the Queen Creek Town Council during a public hearing Sept. 21 on rezoning changes to the proposed Barney Farms residential community. Mr. Jabjiniak requested a continuance on the matter. Holding a graphic of the impacted area is Aric H. Bopp, the city of Mesa’s deputy director of strategic initiatives. The man seated and taking notes works for TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. according to his badge. (Independent Newspapers/Wendy Miller

According to Wendy Miller's excellent reporting, among those requesting a continuance were

• Bill Jabjiniak, economic development director for the city of Mesa;
• Sally Harrison, president/CEO of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce
• Dawn Helms, regional manager for CRM of America.

All three have interests in the Mesa Gateway Area north of the project site.
Heavy industrial and manufacturing companies such as CRM of America, CMC Steel, Fujifilm, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical and TRW all have major operations in the Mesa Gateway Area, according to the city of Mesa website.

 

Two public hearings had taken place during Queen Creek planning and zoning commission meetings and two town council agendas in both August and September. discussions about the site - a 534-acre, 1,718-lot residential community  - began in January with meetings with local property owners.

Queen Creek Mayor Gail Barney, a member of the city council,  recused himself because of a conflict of interest — the land is owned and being developed by the Newell Barney Family Farms of Queen Creek. The project site has been farmed for more than 60 years by the Newell Barney Family Farms operation, which encompasses more than 720 acres within the town of Queen Creek.

 

Prior to the public hearings, the council excused itself to meet in a closed-door executive session to receive legal counsel regarding the Barney Farms requests.
After the regular meeting reconvened, developer Jason Barney addressed the council. He said he has had ongoing conversations with his neighbors to the north in Mesa with the heavy industrial users.
“We as the Barney family … value very much the role that they play as being a major anchor for employment, job attraction and that sort of thing,” Mr. Barney said.
“The city of Mesa is our most important economic partner, and we will remain committed to a collaborative relationship,” he told the council.
Mr. Jabjiniak was the first of several people to speak during the public hearing for the Major General Plan Amendment. He told the council about 2,000 persons already employed in the commercial corridor immediately north of Barney Farms.
“We want to protect these employers with that amount of growth,” Mr. Jabjiniak said. “Trucks carrying steel to CMC, chemicals from Fuji. We don’t want to mix those or explosive devices from TRW with vehicles.
We’re talking about 17,000 vehicles being added to Germann Road.”

Next to speak was Ms. Harrison. She told the council the chamber is committed to “improve, protect and promote Mesa businesses.”
Ms. Harrison said the chamber is concerned about residential encroachment on a commercial area. She said it could impact the quality of jobs as concerns are raised about noise abatement and third-shift employment. She asked for a continuance to allow representatives from the impacted businesses to talk to the developer.
THE CONTINUANCE WAS REJECTED

Mr. Jabjiniak was disappointed with the vote, he said during a phone interview. He said the city of Mesa will continue to work with the businesses there to address their concerns.
Councilwoman Wheatley said those concerns could have been addressed during the nine months of conversations leading up to the Sept. 21 vote.

 

 

 

 

  

Building Bridges // Connecting Cultures

Multicultural family event El Puentecito returns to i.d.e.a. Museum Oct. 8 Post Date: 

09/29/2016 8:25 AM     

The i.d.e.a. Museum again joins Cultural Coalition Inc. and Childsplay Theatre to present a special celebration of theatre, music and art on Oct. 8. El Puentecito features mariachis, dancers and several hands-on art projects from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the i.d.e.a. Museum.
The family event – in its second year at the i.d.e.a. Museum - will feature multicultural masks and performances by Zarco Guerrero, a well-known sculptor, mask maker and performing artist born in Mesa.

Activities and entertainment are included with museum admission.

“We’re always seeking ways to bring together our diverse community,” said Sunnee O’Rork, museum executive director. “El Puentecito is a fun way to introduce families to multicultural music, dance and art. It will feature beautiful performances that will delight families.”

Featured performers are: Desert Sounds Mariachi, Ballet Alegria from Mesa, Mariachi Juvenil de Mi Tierra and Quetzalli Ballet Folklórico. Hands-on activities include mask making with Cultural Coalition and designing maracas with Childsplay.
Zarco’s 8-foot-tall Frida Puppet be present and lead the final Masked Parade at the end of the program. 

El Puentecitio means little bridge in Spanish. That’s significant, explains Carmen Guerrero, co-founder of Cultural Coalition and Xicanindio Artes, now known as Xico, Inc.
“In every language the word ‘bridge’ conjures up universal metaphors of transformation, enlightenment, freedom and even our passing into the afterlife,” she said.

 

El Puentecito is a sister event of El Puente Theatre Festival and Mask Procession, which was created three years ago to bring multicultural audiences to local arts institutions via a partnership by Cultural Coalition and Childsplay, with support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Cultural Coalition provides unique cultural programs which foster community engagement and are dedicated to the education, promotion, and development of Indigenous arts and artists in Arizona. Childsplay, Inc. is a nonprofit theatre company of professional, adult artists who perform for and teach young audiences and their families.

More museum activities: www.ideamuseum.org/special-events.html.

Contact: Yvette Armendariz
Museum Public Relations & Marketing Yvette.Armendariz@MesaAZ.gov (480) 644-4129 

Jason Mraz - Life is Wonderful Music Video

PUBLIC INFORMATION: June 20, 2106 Mesa Fire & Medical Department Gets A Review |

Blogger's Note: This audit review [an official document] by the City Auditor's office was published 10 (ten) days before the end of FY21015-2016 and received little notice in the budget approval process conducted by the Mesa City Council for this fiscal year's budget 2016/2017.
Readers - and voters - can decide if asking for more funds for budget increases for MFMD are supported by the findings in this audit that recommendations that were not fully implemented in the budget they had.

FOLLOW-UP REVIEW  CITY AUDITOR
Report Date: June 20, 2016
Department: Mesa Fire and Medical Department (MFMD)
Subject: Fire Prevention
Division Lead Auditor: Dawn von Epp, Sr. Internal Auditor 
OBJECTIVE The objective of this review was to determine whether the Mesa Fire and Medical Department (MFMD) effectively implemented the action plans presented in response to our July 2014 Fire Prevention audit report. 
Source >> http://www.mesaaz.gov/city-hall/city-auditor/audits
Please note: Appendix with details are on Pages 5-8

Pursuant to the Council-approved Audit Plan, the City Auditor’s office has completed a follow-up review of the MFMD Fire Prevention Division.  The report is attached. 
Due to the number of recommendations that were not fully implemented, we plan to conduct another follow-up review later this year. . .  

RECOMMENDATIONS & RESPONSES
1. Recommendation: Management should regularly monitor to ensure that inspections are completed in compliance with established risk-based priorities.
   
Management Response: “Management will effectively monitor inspections using newly introduced iPad and reconfigured Firehouse Software.  New program will allow the Sr. Program Assistant to more efficiently schedule inspections to meet our productivity standards and risk-based priorities.”
 
2. Recommendation: When inspection activity reports are provided to City management, the percentage of completion toward meeting the adopted standards (with regard to inspection frequency) should also be included in order to provide context.
 
Management Response: “Monthly report will be updated to include percentage of inspections completed fiscal year to date toward meeting the adopted standards and broken down between billable highs and mediums. (Falcon hangars and city facilities are inspected but are not billable and will not be included in this report.)” 

3. Recommendation:  Staff should develop written procedures for invoicing activities, to ensure accuracy and consistency, and to maintain continuity of operations when employee turnover occurs
 
Management Response: “Sr. Program Assistant will create a process document for all invoicing activities.”
 
4. Recommendation:  Management should implement a process to ensure that follow-up inspections are conducted when required, and that all applicable fees are invoiced in a timely manner.  Management should also regularly monitor these activities for compliance with established procedures. 

Management Response: “The implementation of the iPad and Accela will assist management in accomplishing this goal.  The iPad will visually identify all occupancies within an inspector's district that are due for follow-up inspection.  Assistant Fire Marshal will check follow ups on a monthly basis to make sure they are completing these inspections within the guidelines. Accela will allow for immediate invoicing when follow-up is completed.” 

5. Recommendation:  Staff should complete all necessary revenue posting corrections, and should eliminate any remaining backlog of open Accounts Receivable documents.  In
City Auditor Follow-up Review of  MFMD Fire Prevention Page 3 of 7 
addition, regardless of existing backlogs, staff should perform monthly reconciliations to ensure that current payments are posted to the correct accounts, receivables are adjusted, and payments are accurately and consistently recorded in the FireHouse system. 

Management Response: “Sr. Program Assistant will continue to reconcile Firehouse to Advantage line-by-line until all accounts are current.  Sr. Program Assistant will also start doing a monthly reconciliation now.”

In Progress = Not Effectively Implemented

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Issued The Following News Release Yesterday

State personal income growth accelerated to 1.0 percent on average in the second quarter of 2016 from 0.3 percent in the first quarter, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal income grew in every state in the second-quarter with growth rates ranging from 0.4 percent in Alaska to 1.4 percent in Utah (table 1).
The full text of the release on BEA's Web site can be found at www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/sqpi_newsrelease.htm

In Utah, the state with the fastest growth in personal income, earnings grew 1.5 percent. Growth in transportation and warehousing earnings was the leading contributor (table 3).

In Nebraska and Idaho, the states with the second and third fastest growth in personal income, earnings grew 1.6 percent and 1.4 percent respectively. Growth in farm earnings made the largest contribution to overall earnings growth in both states.

In Oregon, with 1.3 percent growth in personal income, earnings grew 1.5 percent. Growth in management of companies and enterprises earnings made the largest contribution to personal income growth.

In Florida and Nevada, states with 1.2 percent growth in personal income, earnings grew 1.3 percent. Growth in healthcare earnings was the leading contributor to growth in Florida, and growth in accommodations and food services earnings was the leading contributor in Nevada.

For the nation, earnings grew in 22 of the 24 industries for which BEA prepares quarterly estimates. Health care, professional services, and transportation and warehousing were the leading contributors to overall growth in personal income.
Mining earnings fell 2.2 percent nationally in the second quarter, the seventh consecutive quarterly decline (table 5). Lower mining earnings was the leading contributor to below average earnings and personal income growth in four of the five slowest growing states: Alaska, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and North Dakota. Lower farm earnings was the leading contributor to below average earnings and personal income growth in South Dakota.
Updates to Personal Income. In addition to today's release of 2016 Q2 personal income, BEA also released revised quarterly and annual state personal income estimates for the 1998 Q1 to 2016 Q1 periods. Revisions are usually made each September to incorporate the results of the annual revision of the national income and product accounts (NIPAs), to incorporate state source data that are more complete and more detailed than those previously available, and to update the seasonal factors used for the quarterly estimates. In addition, this year's annual revision introduced two major methodological improvements affecting nonfarm proprietors' income that were discussed in the July 2016 issue of the Survey of Current Business: (1) improved geocoding and editing of source data from IRS Form 1065 (Partnership Returns) and Schedule C of Form 1040 (Sole Proprietor Returns), and (2) an improved method of allocating national control totals to states. A complete presentation and discussion of the data and revisions will be provided in the October 2016 issue of the Survey of Current Business.

Next release: December 20, 2016 at 8:30 A.M. EST – State Personal Income: Third Quarter 2016.

A Rare Black Moon Will Rise In the Sky on Friday Night

The Dark Side of The Moon

Published on Sep 28, 2016

Views: 744

A rare 'black moon' will rise this Friday night, turning the sky dark as the Western Hemisphere experiences its second new moon of the month.

Those on the other side of the world will have to wait until next month for the same event to occur, but it’ll be worth it - their eerie black moon is set to coincide with Halloween.

If you’re having trouble keeping up with all the different types of 'moons' we've got now - with blood moons, blue moons, and supermoons clogging up your sky-watching calendar - the black moon is a fairly new addition, and experts are still trying to nail down its definition.