Dec. 15 – Jan. 4, 2013 43www.SanTanSun.com OpinionCommunity Commentary

Have a story idea or news tip? Know of an interesting photo opportunity? How about positive feedback or constructive comments? We’d like to hear from you. Email us at News@SanTanSun.com.

‘Tis the season!Happy Holidays and a very Happy New

Year to our friends and loved ones, all the members of the SanTan Sun team, our loyal readers and esteemed advertisers. Here’s a little something that I hope will bring a smile to your face.

Publisher’s Note

Laurie FagenPhoto byLightRainImages.com

WHaT do You THINk?do you support the new CuSd curriculum and assessment tools?

Is it time for aIMS testing to go? How does Chandler measure up on education? Send your responses to Letters@SanTanSun.com and include your community name and ZIP code for possible inclusion in a future issue of the SanTanSun News.

publisher

Laurie Fagenadvertising/production

Geoff Hancockadministrative assistant

Darlene Keberleaccount executives

Jane MeyerDebbie Jenningswebsite maintained by

Susan Kovacs, n-ergizingad design

Christine Bryner, Studio 509layout design

Tad Smith, The Design Idea

DeadlineEDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING:

NooN WEd., dECEMBER 26

FoR THEJaNuaRY 5, 2013 ISSuE

35,000 Total Circulation

27,250+ Driveways

Fifty square mile coverage areafrom Price/101 to Greenfield

and from Frye to Hunt Highway.

mailing address:PO Box 23Chandler, AZ 85244-0023telephone:480-732-0250fax:480-883-8714©2012 SanTan Sun News

For News Tips, EditorialArticles, Opinion orClassifieds, email is preferred.news email address:News@SanTanSun.comads email address:Ads@SanTanSun.comwebsite address:www.SanTanSun.com

contributors

Lora RobinsonWendi OlsonSuzanne IncorvaiaKristen BoydJason HarrisBlanca DozalTraci LepacikRobyn KellyAnne KeeferRenee ClancyKathryn PerryKathie ButtersXimena RodriguezJody LaBenz

managing editor

Susan Hendersoneditor

Lynda Exleyproofreader

Kristen Shermanwriters

Susan HendersonTracy HouseK.M. LangAlison StantonJordan Rodriquesection editors

Teri CarnicelliSharon McCarsonLora RobinsonSteven Solomon

By LAuRIE FAGEN‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house,Pandemonium reigned, and I felt like a louse.The stockings I’d stuck to the drywall with nailsLeft cracks in the plaster that looked like park trails.The children were screaming and running the halls,Leaving sugary lollipop handprints on walls.With Mom at the ‘puter and I on the couch,I could tell the days coming would leave me a grouch.When out in the back yard there came such a crash, I thought that the neighbor was throwing a bash.I slowly got up from my favorite spot To yell “Settle down,” or, so I thought.The lights from the greenbelt that spilled on my yardGleamed brightly on something that landed there, hard.When what to my bloodshot, tired eyes should appear,But a skinny old lady, all dressed in sun gear.a massive straw hat dipped from front to the backThat was woven in circles with white and with black.She was wearing a dress that went down to her toesand I saw her bare feet were wearing no hose.With sunglasses dark, in her hand, a guitar,I couldn’t imagine what brought her thus far. I opened the slider, my jaw near the floor,as the old woman shuffled on up to the door. Her cheeks were like roses, her nose like a cherry.But her turned-down expression was quite far from merry.

“You live in this place?” she screeched with a glare.I nodded my head and continued to stare.“So where are the lights and your tree?” she quite fumed,While brushing right past me to scowl at the room. “I … haven’t had time,” I hemmed and I hawed.She turned ‘round to face me and gave a slow nod. “You people today, you work way too much. “Your lives are too crazy with trifles and such.“You don’t take the time to live for right now.“How to be in this moment, you just don’t know how.”But then the most wonderful thing did occur:First, a smile lit her face that was so sweet and pure.and then with a flourish across those six strings,She swirled ‘round the room as if lifted by wings. The music she played was like nothing I’d heard,as she went to her work with nary a word.a holiday tree, all brilliant with lights,Sprang up in the corner; then, ‘twas more in her sights.decorations galore, in green and in red,Found their places all ‘round me. “oh, thank you!” I said.“don’t thank me, my friend, and don’t think I’ll be back.“at this kind of magic, you get only one crack.”She strummed a last chord, then out the door, fled.I gazed at her deeds; vowed to heed what she said.Then I heard her exclaim, ‘ere she flew out of sight,“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore

The week before Christmas

The best Christmas present everBy DR. RyAN WADE

Every year as the Christmas holiday approaches, I find myself reflecting on all of the great memories I had as a child. It always brings me back to a time when things were so simple, yet so complex in the eyes of a young, spoiled and impressionable kid.

It was Christmas morning, and my brothers and I had just woken up. The anticipation to get downstairs to see what Santa had brought was just killing us. Just like all of the previous years, we were to forced to sit on the stairs until we were given the okay.

after getting the nod, we ran over one another to get to the tree. When we got there, to our amazement, everything on our lists and more were sitting under, around and on top of the tree. This was truly the best Christmas ever.

Then something very unusual happened: after we were done opening our presents, we were told to pick out our favorite present, which we did without hesitation.

What came next totally blew us away! our mother then told us that we would get to keep that one present. However, all of the other presents would be re-wrapped and we would be giving all of our toys to another family that would not be having a Christmas. You can only imagine the thoughts and comments that came from four boys who could not comprehend the true meaning of Christmas, let alone the concept of giving without receiving something in return.

about an hour later, we found ourselves about 20 minutes outside of town, pulling into a driveway we did not know. When we arrived, we were greeted with huge smiles that I still remember today. Inside this home with dirt floors was a family burning trash to stay warm. It was all very confusing and difficult to process.

More than 28 years later, I have experienced many wonderful holidays with friends and family, but never one that sticks out in my mind the way that particular Christmas did. Every year I tell this story numerous times, hoping that just one person will give the same gift to a young impressionable child so they can receive the same gift my parents gave me as a child.

Thanks, Mom and dad.

Dr. Ryan Wade is founder of Ocotillo Chiropractic Center in Chandler.

BEST EVER: Dr. Ryan Wade of Chandler, second from right, with his brothers Adam, left, Doug and Brad, on a Christmas morning when they were young. Submitted photo

44 Dec. 15 – Jan. 4, 2013 OpinionLetters to the editor

Goodbye and thanksFor my office as director for the Maricopa County Special Healthcare district, the election

did not turn out exactly the way we hoped, but all is good. I am proud of the thousands of East Valley residents that voted for me this time or in the last two elections. To those good folks, you should know that it has always humbled me that you would give me the opportunity to represent you in this most important position.

Mary Harden ran a very effective and clean campaign. She will be a fine director and will bring a new and important perspective to that board. We wish her the best.

I am well aware that my vote against the bond election may have cost me my seat, but that is ok too. I’d rather spend the next four years cleaning my garage –hopefully it won’t take quite that long – than to place something on the ballot that was not well planned.

our board has since begun a transparent process that will involve broad community input and plenty of time for all benefits and costs to be considered. If the new Citizens Bond Committee sees the need and agrees that the financial plan is sound, they will make recommendations to Mary and the rest of the district Board, which may then ask the citizens to vote it up or down in 2014. The real estate developers and downtown interests that tried to force a $950,000,000 obligation onto the taxpayers of Maricopa County will have an opportunity to make their case, but it will be along with all the other stakeholders and citizens who need to be heard.

It has been so rewarding to be a part of the Maricopa Integrated Health System for 13 years. We’ve helped lead it from a county hospital to a nationally respected, high-quality organization.

We’ve provided strong institutional support for programs that are solidly accredited and train hundreds of physicians each year. In 2005, our first board adopted stringent fiscal responsibility policies, and I have fought to see that they were implemented in spite of many difficult funding challenges as the State of arizona put its own financial house in order.

Finally, the safety net stays intact to help at those times when we have no other care options.

To serve my constituents, our patients and the dedicated staff and physicians of MIHS has been one of the great privileges of my life. I will never forget all the wonderful times meeting and working with so many dedicated individuals. It has been an honor, thank you.

Bil Bruno, 85225Editor’s note: District 1 of Maricopa County Special Healthcare encompasses all of Chandler,

Sun Lakes, Ahwatukee, Queen Creek, Tempe and parts of Mesa, Gilbert and County Islands.