Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 22

B2 The Arizona Republic TONE Planning to retire From Vagc Bl Rose Tring, sense of place editor, 602.444.NEWS (6397) or rose.tringarizonarepublic.com Youth given awards for volunteer services stone calling him later that night two decades ago. "There are many politicians who will tell you something needs to be done," Gray said, "but Tom will tell you, 'I must do something. I have to do During his 15 years on the Board of Supervisors, Freestone steered an estimated $12 million in federal and state revenues to East Valley agencies assisting the disabled, Gray said. Freestone arranged for MARC to rent the nearly abandoned Oasis Park, at Meridian and Broadway roads, for $1 a year from the county. It was transformed from a haven for drug dealers into the Freestone Community Rehabilitative Center, where the mentally challenged receive job training.

"He is an icon in terms of having a vision of what needs to happen and what it takes to make it happen," Gray said. "What he does is out of a sense of commitment, not the expectation of getting something in return." "He pursued the law." Rep. Ed Pastor, said he was gratified last year when Freestone, a Republican, crossed political boundaries and asked him to give his grandson a tour of Congress during a visit to Washington. Freestone and Pastor first met in 1976 and worked together as county supervisors for more than a decade. Pastor said Freestone is a pragmatist who never allowed political ideologies to thwart the public good.

"He and I always had a good working relationship. We have disagreed, but it did not cause" us to dismiss our friendship, Pastor said. Freestone plans to spend summers with Phyllis at mobile home near San Diego" and winters in Arizona, where he will continue to serve on'i nine boards and commissions. "I could never disengage completely from civic service," Freestone said. Reach the reporter at jim.walsharizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-7984.

Freestone said he was motivated by his conviction that every life counts and the handicapped deserve to get the most out of their lives. "There's no award, there's no money, there's nothing anyone can say that will equal the feeling you have," he said. Chief Justice Charles Jones of the Arizona Supreme Court said Freestone applied the same philosophy to every job he held in government. "It all comes down to a matter of attitude. He is a person who first and foremost is a servant of the people," Jones said.

"I would say that Arizona has never had a more dedicated public servant than Tom Freestone." When he was elected justice of the peace 2Vi years ago, Freestone admitted he had little legal knowledge, but Jones said he attended all legal training classes and made himself a top justice of the peace. "We have seen Tom as precisely what the constitutional framers envisioned as a justice of the peace," Jones said. some people have in public service, but if you look at what he's accomplished, he should be lauded," County Supervisor Fulton Brock said. "What he lacks in one area, he makes up for in hard work, dedication and commitment." But when Freestone reflects on his long career, he considers his work for the disabled and for abused children among his proudest achievements. He said he will never forget the sight of twin boys, black and blue from a severe beating, at Mesa's Child Crisis Center.

"When I saw the people, I went out to my car and literally wept," Freestone said. "I saw the volunteers serving with their hearts, and I saw the people they served and the needs they had." Randy Gray, president and chief executive officer of Mesa's MARC Center, which offers vocational training and other services to the mentally disabled, remembers Free the sixth- through eighth-grade category was Rachel Regnoni. Touched by families affected by breast cancer, Regnoni collected 773 Yo-plait yogurt lids in a month. Her perseverance helped victims of breast cancer through Yoplait's "Save Lids to Save Lives" program, which donates money to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

As Regnoni was busy collecting lids, Jennifer Thompson and her fellow students at Moon Valley High School were raising $2,500 through a penny war. Devoting at least two hours daily to stuffing pennies, this group of winners in the ninth-through 12th-grade category adopted seven Moon Valley High School families, bought presents for them, purchased diapers and donated to other causes. If you know a person who has done something terrific, we want to know about it. Send a note to The Arizona Republic, Local People Section, 200 E. Van Buren Phoenix, AZ 85004.

Or send e-mail to localpeople arizonarepublic.com. From organizing a penny war to helping the elderly, young volunteers made a difference in their communities, winning this year's Kids Pride Award. The award, administered by the Volunteer Center of Maricopa County, honors outstanding volunteer service among Maricopa County young people. Individual and group winners were selected in two categories: sixth through eighth grades and ninth through 12th grades. The Shepherd Grace Youth Group and Jonathan Am-rhein and Friends were the two group winners in the sixth- through eighth-grade category.

While the Shepherd Grace Youth Group set examples for younger children in their congregation, Jonathan Amrhein and Friends raised money to help struggling families with medical costs. "We saw diversely talented, innovative and committed volunteers making efforts to create a difference in the lives of others," said Lanette Rosenbaum, manager for youth and community affairs at the Volunteer Center. The individual winner in Educator helps his students 'fill the void' Life lessons through music ACTS OF KINDNESS kV vV'i By Katie Warchut The Arizona Republic Life is like a concert, Jerome Garrison tells his students. All it takes is simple planning: First you pick a date, then set goals and practice until you get it right. Garrison, division chairman of communications and fine arts at South Mountain Community College, guides his students in singing and playing instruments but also in living their lives.

"Students can accomplish anything they desire and music really teaches you that," he said. Garrison recently received the Maricopa Community Colleges Employee Recognition Award, which grants him $1,000 to award a scholarship to a student who meets the criteria he chooses. Garrison, who plays almost every instrument, sings and conducts, says his own teachers influenced his desire to help students. As a child in a rural Oklahoma school, he began his music career playing the clarinet in the marching band, the pride of the community. "Music was the one thing that made me excited about going to school," Garrison said.

"To take a group of rural kids and teach them John Philip Sousa was fascinating." His teacher was talented, leading the band to the Rose Bowl and Orange Bowl parades. But he was also strict, punishing kids every day with a tap on the head or worse by playing the student's in strument. He would make mi i.i niimW i I Russell GatesThe Arizona Republic "Music fills the void and restlessness we have as youngsters," says Jerome Garrison, a faculty 1 member at South Mountain Community College and recent winner of an employee award. was there in an instant. I was amazed at how many people I could see moving, looking and calling his name.

Someone from Kiddie Candid came over and asked if he had recently been photographed in any of their stores. She could get a picture of him up in minutes. She also called the Phoenix police. My son was located in minutes, and all ended well. My faith in people is renewed.

I have no names, only faces and the memory of the kindness of everyone in the mall that day. So, to all who helped search for a little boy with blond hair, Nike shirt, blue Nike shorts and Nike sandals on June 21, thank you! Wendy Gibbons Glendale Send your Acts of Kindness of 100 words or less to actsofkindnessarizona republic.com or mail to Acts of Kindness, 200 E. Van Buren Phoenix, AZ 85004. Include your name, city and telephone number. some students in college degree programs and others who just want a place to play or sing.

His other passion is choir music, which he says is the most important part of worshiping, second to the sermon. Garrison scouts out local churches for talent. After hearing one soloist, whom he called a "gorgeous baritone," Garrison approached the young man, who had just graduated from high school. Though the young man had never thought about going to college, Garrison convinced him to sign up for his class and object to Garrison play his instrument without wiping the mouthpiece, which tasted like cigarettes. "I would never go to class without knowing my notes," Garrison said.

But the reprimands didn't deter Garrison, who was attracted to the demands and stress of performing and the warm atmosphere of an audience. He decided he wanted to teach music too, only with more patience and kindness. "I wanted to love kids and give to them," he said. "I don't want them to despise me." Now, Garrison teaches plan's foes were released Competing Seven Wal-Marts, Ellman's proposed Wal-Mart stores E3 phoenix LOS ARCOS Retail A mom's gratitude I have read your Acts of Kindness articles many times and always think to myself "how nice." I never understood the need to say thank-you or toot the horn for someone who has helped anonymously until now. Any parent will tell you that to lose a child is one of your biggest fears.

This happened to me, a mother of four. I was waiting for the elevator to take my 2- and 3-year-olds and myself to the lower level of Metrocenter. My 3-year-old let go of my stroller and in a flash was gone. I turned several circles looking for him, not believing he was gone. I went to the nearest shop and asked for someone to call mall security.

That was when the whole mall sprang into action. Parents, teenagers, grandparents and employees of the closest shops listened as I yelled a description of my young son and his name. A swarm of people started looking. Security LOTTERY FANTASY 5 Tuesday's drawing: 05 09 13 22 33 If 10 or fewer players select all five winning numbers, each gets $50,000. Monday's results: 02 06 09 11 26 Winner: (5 numbers) Second-place pool: (4 numbers) Third-place pool: (3 numbers) POWERBALL Saturday's drawing: 07 09144144 Powerball: 25 Power Play: 04 Wednesday's Jackpot: $165 million THE PICK Saturday's drawing: 1415 24 27 30 31 Bonus Ball: 08 Wednesday's Jackpot: $1.4 million THE PHOENIX COYOTES PICK 3 Tuesday's numbers: 214 Play one game for $1 to win up to $500.

Play 2 games for $1 to win up to $250 on each game. Lottery information is available on the Web, www.arizonalottery.com, or by dialing (480) 829-PICK. "Ellman did that on purpose," said Councilman Bob Littlefield, who opposes the move. "He kept it empty and an eyesore so the neighbors would put pressure on us. It's just nuts." 'big boxes' including three supercenters, already exist within about a 10-mile radius of Steve "big-box" retail center at the former Los Arcos Mall.

Wal-Mart Supercenters Gfl Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse 3 Sam's Club got him a scholarship. One class led to another and even1, tually to the University of, Louisiana. Now he is a teacher in the Roosevelt Elementary School District. "It all started with music," Garrison said. "Music fills the void and restlessness we have as youngsters." Garrison has worked to raise money for other scholarships and leads a perform ance of Handel's Messiah every year, which will be performed for the first time this year at a new college performing arts center that opens this fall.

subsidy; Jeanne HernandezScottsdale Republic. 1 1 Opposing studies Two opposing studies From Page HI that there already are seven Wal-Marts, including three supercenters, within about a 10-mile radius of the Los Arcos site. "I think it's ridiculous," said Sharon Oberritter, a member of the Scottsdale Coalition, a group that opposes the plan. "I think there are better uses at this site than a Wal-Mart." A seven-year battle Residents have battled over plans for the site ever since Ellman bought Los Arcos Mall in 1996, soon after the once-thriving shopping center lost its last tenant. His idea to build a hockey arena on the site dragged on for nearly three years before he pulled up stakes in 2001 and decided to build the arena in Glendale.

Ellman threatened to let the Los Arcos site sit fallow until Scottsdale changed its municipal leaders. But in February, just before the city moved to seek other developers, Ellman came forth with the plan and the demand for a subsidy. The council majority says it is simply the best deal that Scottsdale can get after years of animosity and a new state law that makes it more difficult for cities to condemn private property. The council minority is loudly protesting that Ellman is getting away with an outrageously generous deal after wearing the city down. I X'TiiEls" SCOTTSDALE FOUNTAIN 1 iyiJ hills -jig Ll i p4 ylkJ b1 1 JSSi QitoMuie.

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Bam--JJLiJ r1 lLI 1 1 ELI -oJSL Rlul in the past week. One commissioned by Ellman from Elliott Pollack and Co. upholds the view that the center would revitalize the area, pulling in new shoppers from other cities. Another study, by the Tucson-based think tank Arizona Leadership Institute, found that the impact of the shopping behemoth on nearby stores would be negative and that rather than generating more dollars, it would simply be moving money around. Dave Roderique, Scottsdale's director of economic vitality, said Wal-Mart has the marketing skills to determine if the store would be successful.

At least one of the older, smaller Wal-Marts nearby most likely would close, he said. "That's urban dynamics," said Councilman Ned O'Hearn. "This is private enterprise. This is competition. We're simply supplying this neighborhood with something they've been asking for for years." Reach the reporters at kristen.go arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-6864 or at lesley.wrightarizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-6883..