Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 332

10 Thundav. June 17, 1999 The Ariua Republic EV3 AJ residents lukewarm about renewing cable pact munications offers a basic monthly rate of $1 1.56 for 22 channels, and Cableamerica charges S9.95 a month for 2 1 channels. Apache Junction City Manager Curtis Shook said Cableamerica has contacted the city about offering service in the city. Cableamerica controller Marian Harris said she was unaware of the talks with Apache Junction but said the company is known to go into communities where there is competition. Queen Creek spokesman Scott Rigby said Cableamerica began serving that area before it was incorporated in 1989 and is now seeking a formal contract with the municipality.

Edythe Jensen can be reached at (602) 444-7939 or at edythe.jensenpni.com via By Edythe Jensen The Arizona Republic APACHE JUNCTION For 15 years, Triax Telecommunications Co. has been the cable television pmviriVr in Apache Junction. Its 3UU1JV is more static. Tn-'TCfinnesota-based company' faces a tough license renewal process, in light of thousands of complaints from subscribers since its TtiairtTIIcgnse expired Monday, and city officials are pushing for a shorter, tougher agreement to address problems ranging from service blackouts, unanswered calls, billing errors, high rates and lack of viewing options. Company officials say improvements have already been made, Triax is being sold, and residents can expect better service.

But some council members hinted Tuesday that they would like a different cable provider. Apache Junction and Queen Valley in Pinal County are the only areas in Arizona served by Triax, which ajso has in about -600 Small communities nationwide. -Company spokesman Tom Bordwell said Apache Junction's 8,200 to 8,300 subscribers make the city one of the company's largest accounts. SI Viewers will get to voice their opinions at 7 p.m. City Council public hearings July 6 and July 20.

But if comments made at Tuesday's meeting are a barometer of public sentiment, Triax may have a tough time getting a new contract in any form. Five of the seven members related personal cable horror stories. Councilman John Insalaco's voice quivered when he told how he was without cable reception for a week in September, and Councilwoman Anne Surra said, "Not even my husband's nasty calls were an incentive" to improve service. Councilman Joe Durbala was angry he couldn't get the Phoenix Suns basketball games "and the system is out continually." A billing dispute angered Councilman R.E. Eck; he said a cash payment was not credited, and employees hinted he tampered with his receipt.

Councilman Rick Dietz said he recently canceled his cable service. City employee Michael Munroe said Triax has violated federal communications technical standards for cable service, and the company is not living up to the terms of its previous contract that include maintaining a local office. But the current contract offers few options to penalize the company well said. But a handful of residents who spoke to the council Tuesday said they're fed up and don't want Triax to get a new contract. Rick Gardner comments became R-rated as he described trying to obtain cable service.

Every time he made an appointment with an installer, the installer failed to show up, leaving a message "to call and reschedule," but never giving a phone number to call. "As far as I'm concerned now, they can commit a biologically impossible act on themselves," Gardner said of the Triax staff. C.R. Mills said, "Their service has been pitiful, and I don't think we should be saddled with them." Bordwell released a new list of monthly rates, which start at $29.50 for 53 channels. In neighboring Mesa, Cox Com short of terminating the agreement, he said.

A proposed renewal calls for stiff fines each time a violation occurs. The only telephone number listed for Triax in the local directory is a toll free number to the company's Minnesota office, and that number is often answered with a recording, city officials Bordwell said Triax had been experiencing telephone service problems while employees are being trained on new fiber optic technology. He also said the company is being sold to New York-based Mediacom. "I'm sure glad someone is buying you out," Durbala said. The sale is expected to close in October.

Improvements to the Apache Junction system are under way, and Mediacom has agreed to honor any new agreements, Bord e-mail. Students are keen for summer school Neighbors' noses out of joint over sewer lift station odor NEIGHBORS', from Page EVl sewage to a higher level so it can flow by gravity to the sewage treatment plant. "We're trying all sorts of interim measures," Gallier said. "But we will have to look for new technologies for long-term solutions." In the meantime, additional chemicals have been added to the lift station to reduce odors. Workers will be monitoring the area, he said.

During the past few weeks, eight residents have complained about increasing odors, especially in the evening. Steve Groce, who has lived in the area for about two years, said the odors are bearable. "It hasn't been a problem for us," said Groce, who lives further from the lift station than the Schreiners. "We've all known about it." Kathleen Schreiner said she and her husband would have reconsidered buying their home had they known about the odors. "It sounds like the city is aggressively working on the problem," she said.

"I just feel there shouldn't be any odors." Students at Kino Junior High enjoy making monsters. Teacher Tim Quick shows his class how to make a hand in the Monster Mash class. for and students are more popular than ever this year. STUDENTS, from Page EVl money, the law and the brain. While some kids are diving into pools, others are diving into knowledge.

In Mesa, there are 12 summer programs serving about 10,000 students, said Doug Barnard, the district's community-education director. The program at Kino was established to engage a portion of the student population that often struggles to find challenges at school, Principal David DeStefano said. Gifted students sometimes become bored with classwork or even drop out of school. "They've been cast aside by the system," said DeStefano, who works as a gifted specialist at Hermosa Vista Elementary School during the school year. "After they've been home for a week, they're ready to stimulate their brains again.

These kids want to be here." The summer school runs Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It began June 1 and lasts five weeks. There is a fee for each class. Classes, usually between 10 and 15 students each, are filled with a variety of ages and children who make bonds with others at their same academic levels.

Don't be surprised to find fifth-graders taking algebra. Teachers, from many school dis- HEOTUMPS AT AN AFFORDABLE 987-0215 Mark HenleThe Arizona Republic 3 Ion package, heating'axjling system Financing available. Ten year warranty available. WmJ $1795 tions, gather the ingredients, combine and cook them and then dig in. "I'm getting prepared for next year in school," said the soon-to-be Hendrix Junior High seventh-grader.

He's also preparing to use his new-found culinary abilities to someday soon cook dinner for his parents. Kelly Pearce can be reached at (602) 444-7981 or at kelly.pearcepni.com via e-mail. tricts, build their own creative lesson plans, chock-full of experiences to get students' hands immersed in education. This is Jaime Palmer's first year in the program. In her "Teapots From Around the World," she is designing a pot with a cat theme.

Already, she has learned that many cultures drink different kinds of tea in different teapots to mark milestones. Her pot will tell something about her: Palmer's bedroom is coated with cat pictures, except for the dog picture gracing the dartboard. "It's something for me to do," said the 12-year-old who will attend Carson Junior High in Mesa in August. "I can't sleep in, but that's good because I shouldn't be sleeping in too much." Adam Eslinger of Mesa wakes up early, eager for his 8 a.m. cooking class.

In the course of an hour, he and his classmates get recipe instruc uam.M, S2LS ARRID ZONE dREFRIGERATION SALES SERVICE INSTALLATION 987-0215 UcenM 1-39 1 10553 Bonded Insured license C39R 1 10548 hobla espofiol Raises OK'd for Chandler teachers Valley," said Sandy Cooper, director of human resources. Classified personnel were also rewarded for their efforts with salaries increases averaging between 1 .11 ITMiSfrrjTJ CF 6 and 7 percent. I 4 By E.J. Anderson Special for The Republic CHANDLER Teachers in Chandler are getting a larger-than-usual increase in pay. The Chandler Unified School District Governing Board approved salary increases from 6.2 to 6.5 percent for teachers, nearly double last year's increase of 3.5 to 3.8 percent.

Last year, the district hired dozens of new teachers to fill slots with the opening of three new schools, cutting into the money available for teacher pay. Under the new salary, teachers will start at $26,737 a year, up from $25,958 last year. In 1997, teachers began at $25,880. A teacher with 16 years of experience and a masters degree, plus 60 additional college credit hours, will reach the top of the pay scale at $53,863. "We're pretty competitive.

We're up there in the top two or three percent for teachers salaries in the Additionally, the classified salary schedule was restructured with five different steps added for a total of if I 7) 10 steps. Under the new salary schedule, a regular instructional aide will start at $6.74 an hour and top out after nine years at $9.18. '96 Ford Explorer 97 Ford F-150 19S3 Ford Mustang U3987t 10020p 10I821p 1 Driver freed from front-end loader TRUCKS S.UJ.V. '95 Ford Ranger 1157222t '96 Ford Ranger 117309t '94 Nissan Quest 1150511 $7,888 to state records. OSHA will not investigate the incident because it did not result in a fatality, said Ernie Miller, an OSHA inspector.

Jim Walsh can be reached at (602) 444-7984 or at jim.walshpni.com via e-mail. DRIVER, from Page EVl The Bobcat flipped upside down and became wedged in the hole, he said. King was fortunate because the Bobcat flipped into "the perfect position not to fall through the hole," Keough said. If the Bobcat had fallen, King would have plummeted to the basement's floor, he said. A subcontractor, BCS Enterprise has no record of inspection for possible safety violations for at least the past three years by the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according '94 Hyundai Excel 113424t '98 Chevy Metro 1163581 '97 Ford Aspire 10078c 95 Bulck Century U4683t '96 Saturn SL2 117787t.

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