Latest news with #Goodyear
Daily Mail
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Homeowner fined by HOA for act of kindness during extreme heat
An Arizona man is facing hundreds of dollars in fines from his homeowners association after offering free water bottles to neighbors during the scorching desert heat. David Martin, of Goodyear, first set up a free water bottle station outside his home in the Canyon Trails community at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic — a thoughtful gesture he and his wife hoped would inspire unity and offer relief during the blistering summer months, KPHO News first reported. 'It's really for the drivers, for the families, it's for the kids,' he told 12 News. 'It's to do something positive in a world that needs it.' But in the five years since Martin began the gesture that endeared him to neighbors, he's also racked up several $100 fines from his homeowners association (HOA) — all for 'advertising' the free refreshments in his own driveway. After petitions, board meetings and community votes, Martin is now preparing for a legal battle — one that he has all intentions to win. 'I stand firm on the fact that I'm not paying the fines. The cooler is not going anywhere, and I'll fight it,' Martin told 12 News. 'It's not just about water, it's about the community as a whole.' In 2020, neighbors strolling past often paused at Martin's driveway, drawn to a cooler brimming with ice-cold water bottles — a welcome oasis against the relentless heat which regularly tops over 100 degrees in summer. 'I figured, what better way to be an asset to community than cold water,' Martin told KPHO News in 2024. When the guidelines lifted and people could safely gather again, Martin chose to keep the free community water station running, as it had become a beloved fixture in the neighborhood. 'I think it's fantastic,' neighbor Larry Marks told KPHO. Over the next several years, Martin stocked up on 30 to 40 flats of water annually, covering most of the cost out of his own pocket. Soon, members of the community began pitching in wherever they could. 'Water sometimes appears at the front door, and there are two flats. I don't know who dropped them off,' Martin said. 'It's just a surprise, it's fun.' But Martin's kind gesture took a controversial turn in May 2024, when FS Residential — the management company for the Canyon Trails Homeowners Association — sent him a formal notice. In the document, the association cited Martin for storing items in plain sight and slapped him with a $50 fine for the bizarre 'disturbance.' 'It's absolutely asinine — I don't understand,' Martin told KPHO months after receiving the violation notice. 'I'm sorry. I don't care that it's blue and gray, and my house is tan and brown — it's a water cooler with cold water for the community,' he added. 'I don't feel like I am doing anything wrong. I think I am doing what we're supposed to do, which is taking care of the people around us.' The citations paused briefly, but a few months ago the violation letters resumed, this time with fines doubled to $100 a month for continued non-compliance, the outlet reported. While the association says it has no problem with Martin handing out water, it takes issue with how he's 'advertising' it — specifically, that the small cooler is visible from neighboring properties. The citation to Martin read: 'The Association does not object to a resident providing free water bottles to the community; however, the community's rules do not allow a resident to advertise water bottle distribution from a portable ice chest, located next to their garage that is visible from neighboring property.' Despite the rule, Martin persists — handing out water bottles in front of his home, accompanied by a handwritten sign that boldly reads: 'Please grab a free water! Even you, HOA.' 'Here we are in July — the hottest day of the year — and we are still talking about a water cooler with free cold water,' Martin said Thursday, KPHO reported. 'It's ridiculous that they are adding violations to a total that's not going to get paid, because I'm giving out free water,' he added. Neighbors and social media users alike are baffled, flooding the internet with comments criticizing the HOA's seemingly petty actions. 'I have no idea why they are coming down on him,' neighbor Rich Koustas told KPHO. 'I don't know. It doesn't make any sense.' Now, Martin is fighting back against the HOA — starting with a petition to remove three board members, which quickly gathered over 100 signatures. 'I am hoping with three new board members that get elected, they'll see that wasting time and money on a water cooler that's helping the community is just that, a waste,' Martin said. On Thursday night, a special HOA meeting was held, bringing residents together to vote on whether to remove the board members named in the petition. Two board members not listed in the petition were present, along with Martin and roughly 24 attendees. Out of 210 ballots cast, an overwhelming 190 favored the board members' removal — a supermajority the HOA board ultimately acknowledged, as reported by 12 News. Although the three board members were set to be removed the very next day, they pushed back — questioning the legality of the meeting and claiming Martin hadn't secured enough valid signatures to justify their ousting. An 'emergency meeting' was quickly called, during which the board nullified the vote — arguing it was invalid because 210 signatures fell short in a community of over 1,000 homes. Martin provided a notice from FirstService Residential and its attorneys, affirming that the voting process complied with Arizona state law, according to the outlet. Now, all that remains is Martin's unwavering determination as he braces for the legal battle he believes is just around the corner. Daily Mail has contacted FirstService Residential for comment.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Arizona homeowner fined by petty HOA for act of kindness during extreme heat
An Arizona man is facing hundreds of dollars in fines from his homeowners association after offering free water bottles to neighbors during the scorching desert heat. David Martin, of Goodyear, first set up a free water bottle station outside his home in the Canyon Trails community at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic - a thoughtful gesture he and his wife hoped would inspire unity and offer relief during the blistering summer months, KPHO News first reported. 'It's really for the drivers, for the families, it's for the kids,' he told 12 News. 'It's to do something positive in a world that needs it.' But in the five years since Martin began the gesture that endeared him to neighbors, he's also racked up several $100 fines from his homeowners association (HOA) - all for 'advertising' the free refreshments in his own driveway. After petitions, board meetings and community votes, Martin is now preparing for a legal battle - one that he has all intentions to win. 'I stand firm on the fact that I'm not paying the fines. The cooler is not going anywhere, and I'll fight it,' Martin told 12 News. 'It's not just about water, it's about the community as a whole.' In 2020, neighbors strolling past often paused at Martin's driveway, drawn to a cooler brimming with ice-cold water bottles - a welcome oasis against the relentless heat which regularly tops over 100 degrees in summer. 'I figured, what better way to be an asset to community than cold water,' Martin told KPHO News in 2024. When the guidelines lifted and people could safely gather again, Martin chose to keep the free community water station running, as it had become a beloved fixture in the neighborhood. 'I think it's fantastic,' neighbor Larry Marks told KPHO. Over the next several years, Martin stocked up on 30 to 40 flats of water annually, covering most of the cost out of his own pocket. Soon, members of the community began pitching in wherever they could. 'Water sometimes appears at the front door, and there are two flats. I don't know who dropped them off,' Martin said. 'It's just a surprise, it's fun.' But Martin's kind gesture took a controversial turn in May 2024, when FS Residential - the management company for the Canyon Trails Homeowners Association - sent him a formal notice. In the document, the association cited Martin for storing items in plain sight and slapped him with a $50 fine for the bizarre 'disturbance.' 'It's absolutely asinine - I don't understand,' Martin told KPHO months after receiving the violation notice. 'I'm sorry. I don't care that it's blue and gray, and my house is tan and brown - it's a water cooler with cold water for the community,' he added. 'I don't feel like I am doing anything wrong. I think I am doing what we're supposed to do, which is taking care of the people around us.' The citations paused briefly, but a few months ago the violation letters resumed, this time with fines doubled to $100 a month for continued non-compliance, the outlet reported. While the association says it has no problem with Martin handing out water, it takes issue with how he's 'advertising' it - specifically, that the small cooler is visible from neighboring properties. The citation to Martin read: 'The Association does not object to a resident providing free water bottles to the community; however, the community's rules do not allow a resident to advertise water bottle distribution from a portable ice chest, located next to their garage that is visible from neighboring property.' Despite the rule, Martin persists - handing out water bottles in front of his home, accompanied by a handwritten sign that boldly reads: 'Please grab a free water! Even you, HOA.' 'Here we are in July - the hottest day of the year - and we are still talking about a water cooler with free cold water,' Martin said Thursday, KPHO reported. 'It's ridiculous that they are adding violations to a total that's not going to get paid, because I'm giving out free water,' he added. Neighbors and social media users alike are baffled, flooding the internet with comments criticizing the HOA's seemingly petty actions. 'I have no idea why they are coming down on him,' neighbor Rich Koustas told KPHO. 'I don't know. It doesn't make any sense.' Now, Martin is fighting back against the HOA - starting with a petition to remove three board members, which quickly gathered over 100 signatures. 'I am hoping with three new board members that get elected, they'll see that wasting time and money on a water cooler that's helping the community is just that, a waste,' Martin said. On Thursday night, a special HOA meeting was held, bringing residents together to vote on whether to remove the board members named in the petition. Two board members not listed in the petition were present, along with Martin and roughly 24 attendees. Out of 210 ballots cast, an overwhelming 190 favored the board members' removal - a supermajority the HOA board ultimately acknowledged, as reported by 12 News. Although the three board members were set to be removed the very next day, they pushed back - questioning the legality of the meeting and claiming Martin hadn't secured enough valid signatures to justify their ousting. An 'emergency meeting' was quickly called, during which the board nullified the vote- arguing it was invalid because 210 signatures fell short in a community of over 1,000 homes. Martin provided a notice from FirstService Residential and its attorneys, affirming that the voting process complied with Arizona state law, according to the outlet. Now, all that remains is Martin's unwavering determination as he braces for the legal battle he believes is just around the corner.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Next rehab steps for the Blakes
Tyler Glasnow returned to the Dodgers rotation this week and pitched well with five strong innings on Wednesday. The idea of Blake Snell rejoining him soon gained steam this week with two scoreless innings and four strikeouts for Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday, the first of what will be at least a few rehab starts. Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Snell's next start would be Tuesday in the Arizona Complex League, when the ACL Dodgers are playing the Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark. Sonja Chen at has more. During the major league All-Star break, the top four minor league affiliates are also off until Friday, leaving Arizona as the best option for Snell. Advertisement Blake Treinen is also on a rehab assignment, having pitched a perfect inning on Wednesday night for Triple-A Oklahoma City. He'll pitch again for the Comets on Saturday, Roberts said. With several right-handed relievers getting injured this season, including Treinen's right forearm tightness, Evan Phillips having Tommy John surgery, and Michael Kopech having surgery to repair a torn meniscus, the Dodgers have leaned heavily on its left-handed relievers. Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register has more on Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Jack Dreyer, Anthony Banda, et al. Shohei Ohtani has the best-selling jersey in all of baseball this season, just as he did for the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons, Major League Baseball announced on Friday. Ohtani, who also had the top-selling jersey from the end of the World Series through opening day this year. In jersey sales since opening day this year, Ohtani has the top-selling jersey. Aaron Judge is second followed by Dodgers Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts third and fourth, respectively. The other Dodger in the top 20 of 2025 jersey sales is Clayton Kershaw at No. 20. Advertisement Associated Press has the full list of top-20 players in jersey sales. More from
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The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
An Arizona man is handing out bottled water to neighbors in extreme heat. His HOA is fining him $100 every time
An Arizona man says his homeowners association is punishing him for a simple act of kindness: handing out free water to people during an extreme heatwave. 'It's for the kids, the delivery drivers, the couple holding hands walking down the street,' David Martin, who lives in Goodyear, Arizona, near Phoenix, told KPHO. 'It's for the little kid who has to walk his dog in the heat.' Martin said he's received multiple $100 fines from the Canyon Trails Homeowners Association and its management company, FirstService Residential, for placing a cooler full of bottled water on the sidewalk near his home. Martin did this last summer, too, but said the violation letters stopped arriving after local media covered his story. But a few months ago, they returned. An attorney for the HOA told the outlet in a statement last year, 'The Association does not object to a resident providing water bottles within the community; however, the community's rules do not allow a resident to advertise water bottle distribution from a portable ice chest, located next to their garage that is visible from neighboring property.' Despite the rule, Martin continues his efforts. Video shows him handing out bottles from his coolers in his driveway with a sign that reads 'free cold water.' 'Here we are in July, the hottest day of the year, and we are still talking about a water cooler with free cold water,' Martin said Thursday. 'It's ridiculous that they are adding violations to a total that's not going to get paid, because I'm giving out free water.' Martin is now fighting back against the HOA by launching a petition to remove three board members. He has gathered over 100 signatures in support of the effort. Even his neighbors are baffled by the fines. 'I have no idea why they are coming down on him,' Rich Koustas told the outlet. 'I don't know. It doesn't make any sense.' A special HOA meeting was set for Thursday night, where residents voted on whether to oust the board members. The results were unknown at the time of publication. 'I am hoping with three new board members that get elected, they'll see that wasting time and money on a water cooler that's helping the community is just that: a waste,' Martin told the outlet.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Why global headwinds are pushing firms to rethink hiring
As tariffs rise, AI advances, and the energy transition accelerates, companies from Silicon Valley to the Klang Valley are trimming jobs – not in panic, but to future-proof their businesses FROM global corporations to Malaysian businesses, companies across industries are reevaluating their business models to navigate a rapidly changing global economy. Firms are restructuring operations to adapt to shifting geopolitical landscapes, technological advancements, and evolving climate targets. Malaysia has not been spared, with Goodyear, one of the world's largest tyre companies, shuttering its Malaysian operations as part of a global cost-cutting strategy. Meanwhile, Astro Malaysia, the country's leading content and entertainment company, has introduced company-wide measures to streamline its operations in line with broader shifts seen globally across the media and technology sectors. Why now? Three major trends are driving this wave of transformation. Geopolitics, trade tensions force rethink After years of globalisation, the pendulum is swinging back. Trade is being reshaped by geopolitics, with countries pushing to safeguard supply chains, even if it drives up costs. The US has hiked tariffs on China and hinted at more restrictions affecting South-East Asia. Despite holding steady thus far, Malaysia's electrical and electronics exports remain vulnerable to mounting geopolitical headwinds. Meanwhile, businesses are streamlining supply chains to mitigate geopolitical risks. Friendshoring, or locating production in 'friendly' countries, is on the rise, and Malaysia is benefiting. Intel, Infineon and Micron have all invested heavily in new chip facilities here. Even Chinese firms are shifting production to Malaysia to navigate US trade restrictions. But not all sectors are thriving. Semiconductor demand cooled last year after a pandemic-driven surge, prompting layoffs and hiring freezes in Penang's manufacturing corridors. The glove industry – a sector that boomed during the Covid-19 pandemic – also saw a downturn in 2023, leading Top Glove to shut down factories in China and Vietnam. The tech industry has also seen significant workforce reductions. For instance, major Silicon Valley firms like Meta and Microsoft collectively laid off over 30,000 employees globally earlier this year – nearly 20,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area alone – as companies recalibrated after pandemic-era overhiring and shifted focus towards AI and automation. Similar cuts have also been felt closer to home, with layoffs impacting tech hubs in Singapore. The retail sector is facing its own challenges, with projections indicating over 15,000 store closures in the US this year, potentially leading to more than 200,000 job losses, as consumer habits shift and economic pressures mount. Meanwhile, the automotive industry is undergoing significant restructuring. For example, Thyssenkrupp announced plans to cut around 1,800 jobs due to ongoing weakness in the automotive sector it supplies, citing declining production volumes and uncertainty due to potential new tariffs. For many businesses, this is what downsizing looks like: scaling back in markets promising lower returns and doubling down in areas with longer-term potential. The energy transition The shift toward cleaner energy is another major factor. As climate goals tighten, energy producers and heavy industries are changing how they operate, and who they hire. In Malaysia, government-linked companies PETRONAS and Tenaga Nasional Bhd are increasingly moving into renewables, areas that require different expertise and hence evolving headcount. The same story is playing out globally. Car makers are investing in electric vehicles and trimming roles tied to combustion engines. Power companies are moving from coal to solar and wind, prompting retraining and reorganisation. Malaysia's own energy roadmap calls for a pivot to low-carbon sources, bringing new jobs in solar, hydrogen and EV charging, while phasing out others. To support this transition, the government and industry are investing in retraining programmes, helping oil and gas workers move into green tech. But the clock is ticking. The companies acting now are those hoping to stay ahead of the curve, not get left behind. Doing more with less: AI, digital transformation In addition to responding to external shocks, companies are also pursuing greater productivity. Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, many tasks, once performed by humans, are now handled by algorithms. Meanwhile, local banks are grappling with tightening regulations and rising non-performing loans, forcing them to streamline branches and retrain staff for digital banking operations. They are also increasingly using AI for customer service, reducing the need for large call centre teams. In retail, brick-and-mortar chains are closing storefronts amid fluctuations in consumer spending and the rise of e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Shopee, sparking realignments into logistics and digital marketing over in-person sales. The trend is global. A Bloomberg Intelligence report suggests up to 200,000 banking jobs worldwide could be lost to AI in the next five years. In Malaysia, ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, cut hundreds of jobs last year from its KL moderation team, as AI tools replaced many human screeners. Even startups are feeling the shift. With investor money harder to come by, firms are prioritising lean teams supported by software tools. Hiring has slowed, and many companies are discovering they can maintain output with fewer people, provided they're using the right tech. For workers, this means reskilling is no longer optional. The most vulnerable roles are those that are easily automated. Developing tech fluency and adaptability is now the safest bet. A new business mindset All these moves, whether in response to geopolitics, AI or climate goals, reflect a broader shift in corporate thinking. Companies are restructuring not because they're failing, but because they're evolving. Global firms are recalibrating their operations, and Malaysian workers and businesses are part of that equation. Some jobs will disappear while others will be transformed. But new roles will also be created, especially in sectors like advanced manufacturing, AI, and clean energy. The key is readiness. Those who anticipate change and adapt early will have the edge. In a volatile global economy, staying competitive means knowing when to pivot. The companies doing that now are likely to be the ones still standing a decade from now. This article was previously published by Free Malaysia Today.
