Page 6 March 2015 By Tyler J. Carrell Typically in this column, my attorney colleagues and I provide legal tips or general information about changes in Arizona law. This month, I want to share a story about an attorney and a family that impacted my life, and how the struggles they endured serve as a reminder of how precious life is. In June 1999, I was preparing to begin high school, and like many 14 year olds, I had never had to confront anything particularly serious in life. But on June 14, 1999, Shannon Smith, my classmate and friend, was talking on a telephone in the backyard of her home when she was struck and killed by a stray bullet. She was killed by random gunfire and the shooter has never been found. Shannon’s parents, Otis and Lory Smith, were devastated. Otis was an attorney and Lory was a local realtor who adopted Shannon as their only child. Looking back, I’m not sure my classmates and I knew how to deal with the grief. For the first time in many of our lives, we felt powerless, confused and deeply sad. However, a group of us were also compelled to do something about this tragedy. At a community meeting, we decided to raise money in Shannon’s honor. We believed a memorial would remind people of the shocking loss, and hopefully prevent such a terrible event from happening again. Shannon’s classmates, their families and many other community members helped organize events and solicit donations from local businesses. After months of waking up early on Saturday mornings, washing cars, talking to people in the community, and sending letters to everyone we could think of, nearly $20,000 was raised for Shannon’s memorial. Over the years on quiet nights, when I felt like clearing my head, I would often make my way to Madison Meadows school, walking in the near darkness towards the center of campus. Just past the baseball and softball fields, I’d see it. Today, if you walk through the campus, you’ll see it too: a large memorial adorned with Shannon’s name, made with melted metal from confiscated firearms, in the shape of her favorite flower, a sunflower. We were not the only ones who took action. From a legal standpoint, shooting a gun into the air was, at the time, a misdemeanor in Arizona. Shannon’s parents, with the help of former Mayor Phil Gordon, Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley and others, helped enact “Shannon’s Law,” which made firing a gun in the air a felony. The law was passed in 2000. In many ways, going through the The passing of a great lawyer and Phoenician aftermath of Shannon’s death, seeing its effect on the community and witnessing the passage of Shannon’s Law may have something to do with why I became a lawyer. Being a lawyer is a profession, and one that is ultimately built on serving your clients. Otis understood that being a lawyer means not only seeking justice and serving your clients, but also serving your community. When Shannon died, Otis and Lory could have spiraled into grief or could have lived quietly, trying to move on and heal. Instead, they sought to prevent other tragedies by reliving their own loss again and again in order to demonstrate the need to act. This is not where the story ends, however. Otis and Lory, still filled with the love and desire to be parents, adopted two infant twins, Tyler and Travis, who are now 14 years old. Sadly, in 2008, Lory unexpectedly died of a heart attack, leaving Otis to take care of both boys. He eventually retired from the practice of law, and as he did with Shannon, helped the boys navigate their way through the Madison schools. On January 28, 2015, Otis passed away due to complications surrounding treatment of abdominal cancer. Our community lost two great heroes in Lory and Otis, but more importantly, two boys lost their mother and father. As a new father myself, I find the Smith family’s story heartbreaking and tragic. It is difficult to imagine how one family faced so much loss. Yet once again, our community has come together in this time of great need, and friends and family of Travis and Tyler have set up a college savings plan to support their future education. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation, please visit: http://go.fidelity. com/zq9b#sthash.z4FKV978.dpuf. During his life, Otis was an exceptional member of the community, and someone who, with his wife by his side, never looked at the darkness of his suffering, but instead, always faced the light. I was blessed to know this family, and while the passing of Otis is tragic, I find some peace in knowing that he is reunited with Lory and his daughter, Shannon. Tyler J. Carrell is an associate at Gallagher & Kennedy. He focuses his practice on commercial litigation, real estate transactions and bankruptcy. For more information about Mr. Carrell, please visit www.gknet.com. arcadianews.com FREE ESTIMATES! C ERTI FI ED TREE WORKERS C ERTI FI ED ARBORISTS WE-7417A WE-7465A WE-6874A 602-808-7781 AZROC #261888 www.UFTCINC.com email: info@uftcinc.com A+ RATED 10% Discount With This Ad Large Trees Proper Pruning Citrus Trees Storm Damage Removals Stump Grinding We Specialize In Deep Root Fertilization It's time to have your trees properly pruned and fertilized! DEBBIE FRAZELLE, ABR 602.954.6888 Office • 602.399.8540 Cell • 3113 East Lincoln Drive bestarizonahomeinfo.com • dfrazelle@cox.net Each Office Independently Owned and Operated TOP 5% OF ALL COLDWELL BANKER AGENTS NATIONWIDE Now is the time to buy... while interest rates are still low!! 6246 N 47th Street Spanish style villa with traditional elegance in the heart of Paradise Valley with Hopi/Arcadia schools. Views of Camelback Mountain, Mummy Mountain and the Mountain Preserve. Resort like backyard, N/S lighted tennis court, heated pool, spa & guest casita. Home is 4469 sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, 3 car garage/man cave. Offered at $1,659,000. PENDING 5319 E Rockridge Road NEWLY CONSTRUCTED IN 2007, this 5308 sq. ft. home sits on just under an acre on Camelback’s south slope. 4 bedrooms/4.5 baths, gourmet kitchen opens to family room,large pub/billiards room w/built-in bar. Resort like backyard w/negative-edge pool & heated spa. Off ered at $1,650,000. SPANISH HACIENDA 4023 E Cheery Lynn Road Charming Arcadia ranch home with white picket fence. Amazing 2+ car garage with man cave and boat storage!! Light airy open floor plan. Home is 1732 sq. ft. Split master suite, 3 bedrooms/2 baths, sitting/ TV room. Inside laundry room. Offered at $349,000. WARM CLASSIC ARCADIA RETREAT 4481 N Launfal Avenue Amazing soft contemporary with basement in the heart of Arcadia. 5875 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, library, exercise room & game room. Oversized pool, manicured gardens, outdoor kitchen, ramada for dining and built in fireplace. Wonderful views of Camelback Mountain. Offered at $1,499,000. PRICED TO SELL

2015 Tavan School District Sales Results (1/1/2015- 1/31/2015) Active Homes - 75 Homes Homes Sold - 17 Homes Average Sale Price - $440,503 Average Sold $ Per SF - $212 Average Days On Market - 94 days • There is currently 4 months of home inventory (based on 2014 sales results) • 2015 home sales have increased 0% this year. (based on 2014 sales results) • Home prices have decreased 2% this year. (based on 2014 sales results) • $ Per Square Foot prices have increased 1% this year. (based on 2014 sales results) • Homes are taking 17% more time to sell this year. (based on 2014 sales results) 2014 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 199 Homes Average Sale Price - $451,117 Average Sold $ Per SF - $208 Average Days On Market - 78 days 2013 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 217 Homes Average Sale Price - $403,875 Average Sold $ Per SF - $189 Average Days On Market -66 Days 2012 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 207 Homes Average Sale Price - $326,316 Average Sold $ Per SF - $158 Average Days On Market -66 Days 2011 Tavan School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 203 Homes Average Sale Price - $265,505 Average Sold $ Per SF - $128 Average Days On Market -102 Days Arcadia Real Estate Stats 2015 Hopi School District Sales Results (1/1/2015- 1/31/2015) Active Homes - 159 homes Homes Sold - 17 homes Average Sale Price - $730,423 Average Sold $ Per SF - $261 Average Days On Market - 117 days • There is currently 8 months of home inventory (based on 2014 sales results) • 2015 home sales have decreased 10% this year. (based on 2014 sales results) • Home prices have decreased 27% this year. (based on 2014 sales results) • $ Per Square Foot prices have decreased 8% this year. (based on 2014 sales results) • Homes are taking 0% more time to sell this year. (based on 2014 sales results) 2014 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 225 homes Average Sale Price - $1,006,381 Average Sold $ Per SF - $286 Average Days On Market - 119 days 2013 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 305 Homes Average Sale Price - $845,430 Average Sold $ Per SF - $262 Average Days On Market -88 Days 2012 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 282 Homes Average Sale Price - $777,607 Average Sold $ Per SF - $235 Average Days On Market -102 Days 2011 Hopi School District Year End Sales Results Homes Sold - 238 Homes Average Sale Price - $635,344 Average Sold $ Per SF - $197 Average Days On Market -124 Days If you are buying or selling a home in Arcadia, call Tommy! 3034 N 47th Place • $450,000 4 bedroom / 2 bath • 1,850 square feet 4 bedroom Arcadia Ranch 6102 E Wilshire • $425,000 4 bedroom / 2 bathroom • 2,340 square feet Camelback Mountain Views visit Tommy Atkinson .com Free MLS Access • Complete list of ALL Hopi properties for sale • Complete List of ALL Tavan properties for sale • Complete list of ALL Arcadia foreclosures 7808 N Ironwood • $ 1,995,000 5 bedroom / 5 bathroom • 4,818 square feet 2.61 acre P.V. Estate 5328 E Lafayette • $1,295,000 5 bedroom / 4 bath • 3,945 square feet Lafayette Estate 6310 E Lafayette • $850,000 3 bedroom / 2 bath • 2,099 square feet Arcadia Fixer Upper 2536 N 57th Street • $450,000 3 bedroom / 2 bath • 1,491 square feet 17,712 Square Foot Lot 5102 E Monterey • $950,000 3 bedroom /3 bathroom • 3,178 square feet 30,126 Square Foot Lot West USA Realty Cell: 602-625-6020 tomatkinson1@msn.com Fax: 480-275-7368 5500 N 67th Place • $2,200,000 5 bedroom / 5.5 bath • 5,773 square feet Paradise Valley Estate Thinking Of Selling Your Home? Call Today About My Flexible Commission Program Geared To Save You Money!