Mesa is set to announce a new immigration policy on Wednesday (here is the Tribune article). Its not clear if this is in the wake of Sheriff Arpaio being in town last week or if this a fulfillment of one of Scott Smith's campaign promises or a little of both.
Mesa has needed a defined immigration policy for some time to help battle its image as a "sactuary city." The new deal cut with ICE combined with a new policy could go a long way to battle these perceptions. It will be interesting to see what they come out with tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Community Colleges making more friends
Without notice, MCC has dropped their plans for building a downtown campus. It looks like the community college's policy of making decisions without notifying anyone will continue.
Here is the most offensive part:
"(MCC President Shouan Pan) said college officials decided several months ago not to build the downtown campus."
Did they think that other people may want to know? While I do not necessarily think its a bad thing that they "refocus" their efforts on the main campus, it might have behooved them to start some sort of transition process or outreach effort to let people know what was coming.
Look at Councilman Kavanaugh for example, the investment is now coming to his district, yet, he is disappointed about the development of downtown that was depending on the downtown campus. Clearly the Athena project pulling out was a major blow to their plans.
Here is the most offensive part:
"(MCC President Shouan Pan) said college officials decided several months ago not to build the downtown campus."
Did they think that other people may want to know? While I do not necessarily think its a bad thing that they "refocus" their efforts on the main campus, it might have behooved them to start some sort of transition process or outreach effort to let people know what was coming.
Look at Councilman Kavanaugh for example, the investment is now coming to his district, yet, he is disappointed about the development of downtown that was depending on the downtown campus. Clearly the Athena project pulling out was a major blow to their plans.
Monday, June 30, 2008
This pension scam must be fixed
Here are more details on the pension scam purported by Maricopa Community College District Chancellor Rufus Glasper and several high paid lobbyists. It says that state retirement officials are looking into if the lobbyists should be kicked out of the system, which is what I believe needs to happen.
One of the things that really bothers me about this whole set up is that they didn't report the problems a year ago when they were discovered. He says that he wanted to "avoid the appearance of doing anything wrong." Well, his silence only shows that he knew that he was doing something wrong.
This point is only made worse by their indignant comments. The flippant remark by Jerry Walker saying that the legislature can call it "anything they want until they pass a law that makes this illegal" just shows that they recognize its impropriety. Apparently, common sense does not rule at the Community College district. Next, they'll need a law to prevent themselves from hitting members of the audience at a meeting because there isn't a specific rule against it.
The other scary part of this whole proposition is the notion that these lobbyists "also receive legal protection against lawsuits arising out of their work for the private organizations." Who knows what kind of legal trouble their lobbying work can get them into? Now, the district is on the hook for paying for it?
One of the things that really bothers me about this whole set up is that they didn't report the problems a year ago when they were discovered. He says that he wanted to "avoid the appearance of doing anything wrong." Well, his silence only shows that he knew that he was doing something wrong.
This point is only made worse by their indignant comments. The flippant remark by Jerry Walker saying that the legislature can call it "anything they want until they pass a law that makes this illegal" just shows that they recognize its impropriety. Apparently, common sense does not rule at the Community College district. Next, they'll need a law to prevent themselves from hitting members of the audience at a meeting because there isn't a specific rule against it.
The other scary part of this whole proposition is the notion that these lobbyists "also receive legal protection against lawsuits arising out of their work for the private organizations." Who knows what kind of legal trouble their lobbying work can get them into? Now, the district is on the hook for paying for it?
Not much to say?
Scott Smith Watch has broken nearly a month of silence to come out against... the new Mesa logo. I've made my thoughts on the logo known, but I don't think its really something you can ring up against Smith. I guess there isn't much else for them to criticize about the Mayor right now.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Kevin Gibbons a No Show at District 18 debate
Got this tip from a reader:
"I went to the LD 18 candidate forum last night to hear the Senate and Leg candidates speak. I left rather unsatisfied though after Gibbonswas a no show. I guess theyre going to send him the questions and passalong any answers they get from him. few of the 50 + people therewere vocal in saying they wouldn't vote for him regardless since he didnt have the courtesy to show up."
So Kevin Gibbons, the guy who is challenging Russell Pearce for State Senate didn't bother to show up to the debate last night. This sounds like a pretty big deal. After all, he is trying to represent the District in the legislature and to do that, he has to become the Republican nominee. You'd think he would take an opportunity to talk to Republicans.
I didn't know until a little bit ago that Gibbons is actually Jeff Flake's brother-in-law which I guess makes him qualified to hold office. This smacks of payback from when Pearce considered running against Flake. You would think if he was serious about this, he would attend meetings and debates.
"I went to the LD 18 candidate forum last night to hear the Senate and Leg candidates speak. I left rather unsatisfied though after Gibbonswas a no show. I guess theyre going to send him the questions and passalong any answers they get from him. few of the 50 + people therewere vocal in saying they wouldn't vote for him regardless since he didnt have the courtesy to show up."
So Kevin Gibbons, the guy who is challenging Russell Pearce for State Senate didn't bother to show up to the debate last night. This sounds like a pretty big deal. After all, he is trying to represent the District in the legislature and to do that, he has to become the Republican nominee. You'd think he would take an opportunity to talk to Republicans.
I didn't know until a little bit ago that Gibbons is actually Jeff Flake's brother-in-law which I guess makes him qualified to hold office. This smacks of payback from when Pearce considered running against Flake. You would think if he was serious about this, he would attend meetings and debates.
Bond package goes to the voters in November
There will be two bonds on the November ballot (here is the Tribune Story). The paired down version of the public safety bond and the transportation bond complete with a secondary property tax will make its way to the very bottom of a crowded ballot headlined by the McCain/Obama race, Corporation Commissioners, Congressional and Legislative races along with several initiatives.
Congratulations to Mayor Smith and the council for taking the lead and bringing forth a bond package that is much more realistic in this tough economic climate. Clearly, they are putting their new reputation on the line putting a tax in front of an electorate which has been very much anti-tax in the past. However, I do think they have a few factors going for them:
1. This is a secondary tax with a finite time period. Its for very specific projects and has a time when it will go away. The list of projects will definately help voters get over the hump of paying more taxes. The last time around, may people considered the primary property tax a blank check.
2. The new council has their fingerprints all over this bond. There is still an air of hope around this new council and that may translate into more people trusting their decisions. If they say that these are critical, more people are going to stand up and take notice.
3. There is just as much that can be said about what they cut as what they left in. As the police union folks pointed out, everything in the public safety budget is critical, yet the council did not cave and pile everything back in. They stuck to their guns, went with the smaller package showing that they may better understand the will of the voters.
4. Finally, they left the issue of taxing existing bonds for another day. This is going to be a whole different fight, even if it is only 3 cents per $100,000. The rhetoric that surrounds that type of decision could spell big trouble for the bond package. They would do well to try to find alternate fund sources or at least avoid this discussion until after November.
Congratulations to Mayor Smith and the council for taking the lead and bringing forth a bond package that is much more realistic in this tough economic climate. Clearly, they are putting their new reputation on the line putting a tax in front of an electorate which has been very much anti-tax in the past. However, I do think they have a few factors going for them:
1. This is a secondary tax with a finite time period. Its for very specific projects and has a time when it will go away. The list of projects will definately help voters get over the hump of paying more taxes. The last time around, may people considered the primary property tax a blank check.
2. The new council has their fingerprints all over this bond. There is still an air of hope around this new council and that may translate into more people trusting their decisions. If they say that these are critical, more people are going to stand up and take notice.
3. There is just as much that can be said about what they cut as what they left in. As the police union folks pointed out, everything in the public safety budget is critical, yet the council did not cave and pile everything back in. They stuck to their guns, went with the smaller package showing that they may better understand the will of the voters.
4. Finally, they left the issue of taxing existing bonds for another day. This is going to be a whole different fight, even if it is only 3 cents per $100,000. The rhetoric that surrounds that type of decision could spell big trouble for the bond package. They would do well to try to find alternate fund sources or at least avoid this discussion until after November.
More on the Mesa sweeps
There is tons of coverage of the sweeps yesterday all over the radio, tv, and in the paper. The war of words between Gascon and Arpaio has really heated up, ending up with Arpaio claiming that he will no longer give warnings on his future sweeps. This is not the type of communication and cooperation that Mesa needs. This isn't the old west where people can settle their differences with a shootout in the street. The overreactions on both sides need to stop and someone needs to step in and make sure cooler heads prevail.
Also, the sweeps are going to continue today, so expect this story to bubble all weekend. There is one bit of irony here and that is Arpaio actually had the gusto to complain about all the hype that are surrounding his sweeps and how its preventing them from doing their job.
Also, the sweeps are going to continue today, so expect this story to bubble all weekend. There is one bit of irony here and that is Arpaio actually had the gusto to complain about all the hype that are surrounding his sweeps and how its preventing them from doing their job.
Mesa Briefs
Walmart won't help reduce shoplifting. Thefts are up 89% in Mesa since 2007 and Walmart isn't taking any of the police recommendations. I understand that they are a huge corporation that has a lot of rules and requirements of their own, but when a city appears to be bending backwards to help, don't you think that you should engage at least a little bit.
A giant Costco is opening in East Mesa. The largest Costco in the state is opening at Sossaman and the 60. I can never get out of Costco without spending at least $100 or so, will it go up if I go to that one? While everyone is trending towards smaller stores and cars, Costco is going bigger.
Mesa Arts Center wants a marquee. Gee, maybe this is something that people should have thought of before now. Every place from Radio City Music Hall to the Hollywood Bowl has a marquee to tell people whats going on. Perhaps we can get a few more people to the show if they actually knew what was coming up.
A giant Costco is opening in East Mesa. The largest Costco in the state is opening at Sossaman and the 60. I can never get out of Costco without spending at least $100 or so, will it go up if I go to that one? While everyone is trending towards smaller stores and cars, Costco is going bigger.
Mesa Arts Center wants a marquee. Gee, maybe this is something that people should have thought of before now. Every place from Radio City Music Hall to the Hollywood Bowl has a marquee to tell people whats going on. Perhaps we can get a few more people to the show if they actually knew what was coming up.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
All Eyes on Mesa Sweeps
Now the Attorney General's office is on the action as well as the Justice Department, watching Arpaio as he conducts his sweeps today. Combined with the growing heated language from the local activists, it will be interesting to see if there are any incidents in Mesa today.
Gascon's concern for violence is reasonable, as is Arpaio's desire discourage illegal immigration countywide. However, this all must be done in cooperative fashion that allows everyone to win. We must fine tune our thinking on these sweeps and get people's real intentions into focus.
Gascon has a concern for riots and civil unrest - it doesn't appear that he is fundamentally against a crackdown on illegal immigration. However, he is allowing those concerns to stand in the way, or at least allow the perception to prevail that he is trying to stand in the way. The result is people calling for his dismissal claiming that he is part of the problem on why Mesa is considered a "sanctuary city." Gascon must clearly define himself as part of the solution.
Arpaio wants to fight illegal immigration in the best way he knows how, force. However, he must be mindful that people do have rights and checking every person and pulling people over randomly is walking a very fine line. He must also understand that people have concerns over his roughshod nature and while he doesn't mind if the County has to pay millions in fines, cities like Mesa don't have the money to clean up after the types of messes he creates. Just because someone has concerns doesn't mean they are an illegal immigrant hugging communist.
Let's hope that this can come to safe conclusion.
Gascon's concern for violence is reasonable, as is Arpaio's desire discourage illegal immigration countywide. However, this all must be done in cooperative fashion that allows everyone to win. We must fine tune our thinking on these sweeps and get people's real intentions into focus.
Gascon has a concern for riots and civil unrest - it doesn't appear that he is fundamentally against a crackdown on illegal immigration. However, he is allowing those concerns to stand in the way, or at least allow the perception to prevail that he is trying to stand in the way. The result is people calling for his dismissal claiming that he is part of the problem on why Mesa is considered a "sanctuary city." Gascon must clearly define himself as part of the solution.
Arpaio wants to fight illegal immigration in the best way he knows how, force. However, he must be mindful that people do have rights and checking every person and pulling people over randomly is walking a very fine line. He must also understand that people have concerns over his roughshod nature and while he doesn't mind if the County has to pay millions in fines, cities like Mesa don't have the money to clean up after the types of messes he creates. Just because someone has concerns doesn't mean they are an illegal immigrant hugging communist.
Let's hope that this can come to safe conclusion.
The "New" Tribune, ugh
I don't know about you, but I am not a big fan of the new East Valley Tribune. Anything you do in which you launch a whole page trying to explain the reasons you are doing something is never a good sign. Its no secret that the print industry has been suffering, and I am sure that the Trib is no exception.
However, the readers who do actually pay for the service should be able to get a level of quality that reflects the fact that they pay for the service. The shorter editorials, the smaller stories, heck, even fewer crazy rants on the vent do not add up to the level of quality that I came to enjoy from the paper. I feel like I am getting 1/2 the paper for the same price.
However, the readers who do actually pay for the service should be able to get a level of quality that reflects the fact that they pay for the service. The shorter editorials, the smaller stories, heck, even fewer crazy rants on the vent do not add up to the level of quality that I came to enjoy from the paper. I feel like I am getting 1/2 the paper for the same price.
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