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Opinion
January 10 - 23, 2009 29
Publis
Note
her’s
Community
Commentary
To change is to grow …
Tax prep volunteers needed
“To change is to grow. And to have
to aid Chandler families
changed often is to have grown much.”
by Councilmember Trinity Donovan training is provided. These training
I know I’ve used that quote here before,
It’s that time of year when many of sessions will be held every Saturday
as I’ve also lived by it most of my life.
us reflect on past events, but also take in January from 8 a.m. to noon. If you
a moment or two to think about the have questions or would like more
Photo by
LightRainImages.com
We have a few changes at SanTan Sun
year ahead. One of Chandler’s plans information on this program, please
News to tell you about, and hope you’ll for 2009 is to once again provide free call Flor Lara in the City’s Community
embrace them as we move into the New Year.
training for those who are interested Development office at 480-782-4358.
First of all, starting with the next issue, you may notice
in volunteering to prepare taxes To register on the web, visit Valley of
a slightly different size of our newspaper. There are a
through the Volunteer Income Tax the Sun United Way (VSUW) website
Assistance (VITA) program. at
www.vsuw.org/volunteer.
variety of reasons for this change: one is a new press
This is the fourth year that the Last year, Chandler trained 65
that’s now up and running at Valley Newspapers, where
City of Chandler has partnered volunteers to prepare simple tax
we print twice a month; another is a paper-saving effort
with the Internal Revenue Service forms to assist residents. This resulted
like many other newspapers are doing; and there are also
to participate in this event and we in more than $700,000 being returned
cost-saving benefits of shaving off just an inch and a half
continue to be committed to the cause. to Chandler residents and the
Last tax season, the various VITA sites community. This free tax service is
from the height of the paper.
throughout Arizona helped to bring especially important to families who
What that means to our advertisers is that we will
in more than $61 million in returns to are already having a difficult time
not be raising advertising prices in this current down
taxpayers. Additionally, $15.7 million making ends meet. (Families who
economy. We remain committed to our local advertisers
was refunded through the Earned make less than $41,000 per year may
and will do everything we can to help you get the word
Income Tax Credit (EITC). There are qualify for this tax credit.) By taking
several VITA sites throughout the advantage of the free tax preparation
out about your businesses.
Valley. This year, three of them will be services, individuals can save money
What this means to advertisers and readers is there
in Chandler at the following locations: and learn more about the potential
will also be more color pages, or “plates.” Currently we First Credit Union, Community of receiving a much-needed EITC
have had to turn away requests for color from many
Services of Arizona and the Chandler refund.
advertisers after we’ve filled up our 16 color pages. In the
Senior Center. As a VITA volunteer, you will meet
Becoming a VITA volunteer is
new size, we’ll have much more available, which we hope
new people, while learning more
very rewarding. Through the great about taxes to assist others. So, as you
will also spill over onto news pages, so we can run more
work of these people, many working plan for the New Year, check your
article photos in color as well. families will benefit from tax refunds calendar to see if you have time to
What the new size means to our readers is that we
to pay for essential items such as volunteer for this worthy cause and
will be going back to a one-section newspaper. I know
food and clothing. No prior tax help those in need.
many of you were happy when we went to two sections,
experience is necessary, and free
when you could read one section and your spouse read
the other, then switch. Unfortunately, with the new size
and press, you’ll have to take turns reading the paper like
Letters
to the
Editor
before.
However, one of you may want to check out Heartfelt thank
suitable gifts for young teens. During
our new page-turning software on our website at
you to BJHS
the weeks leading up to the party, I
www.SanTanSun.com. It’s much easier and faster to
On behalf of the 6,000 foster children
spoke with a group home caregiver.
who reside in Maricopa County and
She told me that typical holiday gifts
open, and it’s very easy to read and turn pages, go
our nonprofit organization, Arizonans
for a 13- or 14-year-old girl living in a
directly to a certain page or even search by a word. Not
for Children, I wish to extend a
group home were body wash or lotion
only are the colors very vibrant online, but it’s also easily heartfelt thanks to Bogle Junior High
and new sleepwear. Fulfilling “wish
shared as a link with your friends and family around the
faculty, staff, students, and all the
lists” simply is not feasible in our
globe.
parents in your compassionate efforts
foster care system.
We welcome your feedback, and appreciate your
to donate holiday gifts to many, many
Now, here is where Bogle’s efforts
teens in foster care.
contributed to the whole meaning of
support of the SanTan Sun News. Happy New Year to you
Prior to Arizonans for Children’s
giving. I must share what this school
all! annual Christmas party for children
collected in November! On Dec. 13, I
in foster care, volunteers sorted and
was thrilled to be invited to B.J.H.S.
Laurie Fagen, Publisher gift wrapped hundreds and hundreds
to accept the cumulative donations
Geoff Hancock, Advertising/Production of donated gifts for boys and girls
of cash and gift cards the school so
between the ages of 12 months to 12
diligently collected during the 2008
years. Beyond those ages, our very
holiday season. Social Studies teacher
generous gift donors simply did not
Mr. Phillip Kennedy and student
have the older teenage foster child
council members presented a check
Have a story idea or news tip? Know of an interesting photo
in mind. Baby dolls, toy trucks, and
to A.F.C. for $1,535.96 and bundles
opportunity? How about positive feedback or constructive comments?
memory games were among the most
We’d like to hear from you. Email us at
News@SanTanSun.com.
popular items. These clearly were not See Letters Page 30
Deadlines for the January 24, 2009 issue:
DEADLINES:
PUBLISHER WRITERS
Laurie Fagen Lynda Exley, Editor
The Deadline for Editorial and
ADVERTISING:
Advertising for the
Susan Henderson, Managing Editor
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
FEBRUARY 16, 2002
ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION
Geoff Hancock
Jack Clarke Natalie Morris
issue is K.M. Lang Sharon Schnakenburg
EDITORIAL:
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
MAILING ADDRESS: For News Tips, Classified Ads, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2002
Sharon McCarson Miriam Van Scott
Darlene Keberle
PO Box 23
Editorial Articles, or Letters,
Wednesday, January 15, 2009
Suzanne McCormick Joan Westlake
Chandler, AZ 85244-0023
email is preferred.
WEBSITE MAINTAINED BY
PHOTOGRAPHERS
NEWS EMAIL ADDRESS:
35,000 Total Circulation
Susan Kovacs, n-ergizing
Gordon Murray, Shannon Lista
TELEPHONE:
News@SanTanSun.com GRAPHIC ARTS/PRODUCTION
CONTRIBUTORS
480-732-0250 ADS EMAIL ADDRESS: 28,500+ Driveways
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www.SanTanSun.com
Jennifer Baker
©2009 SanTan Sun News
Debbie Jennings
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