Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Who will run for Mayor of Mesa?

Mayor Scott Smith's announcement that he will resign later this year to run for Governor of Arizona has set things in motion for another interesting mayor's race here in Mesa.  Vice Mayor Alex Finter will become mayor pro tem upon Smith's resignation, but he has indicated that he will not run for Mayor in the special election.

That means the race to replace Scott Smith is wide open.  Two early contenders appear to be former Vice Mayor John Giles and current District 5 Councilmember Scott Somers.

Giles wasted no time announcing that he's in the race.  He has earned the endorsement of the other five current councilmembers including Finter, Glover, Richins, Luna, and Kavanaugh.  He also announced a broad list of political supporters who were part of the Pearce Recall in 2011.

After getting skipped over by his colleagues, Somers has said that he is considering the race, but is going to focus on his councilmember duties for now.  He is probably testing the waters to see if there are other out there that would support him.

The bigger question is:  will anyone else run?  Could Claudia Walters or Rex Griswold consider a comeback?  Is there a conservative out there pondering a run?  Could someone new arrive to surprise everyone?

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Spirit Airlines coming to Gateway

Allegiant Airlines now has a neighbor as Spirit Airlines announced new service to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport today.  This is more great news for the former Air Force base as it lives a second life as a commercial airport and a hub for science and development. 

The move also sets up some competition for Allegiant as both airlines will offer service from Mesa to Las Vegas.  This will hopefully push comepetition at Sky Harbor Airport as well, driving the prices of the U.S. Air and Southwest flights back down to more reasonable levels.

This is another big step to help Gateway develop into a major reliever airport similar to the ones you see surrounding LAX.  More airlines will help the Gateway airport expand and attract more passengers.    

Monday, December 5, 2011

Oakland A's Approached Mesa

Great opinion piece in the Arizona Republic about how the Oakland A's could help fill the space at Hohokam.  The biggest takeaway from the article is the fact that Oakland approached Mesa and not the other way around.  Indeed, it would be ideal to attract another team from Florida and make it an even 16 here in the valley. 

We believe that will eventually happen.  However, that may be a few years down the road.  Until that time, the focus is going to be on the teams in town - specifically the A's and the Brewers who train in Phoenix.  Both are looking to move, and in all likelihood, both will move out of Phoenix.  So, there is likely to be some "stealing" talk out there.

That is why it is important to establish early that the A's came to Mesa.  The City didn't go out shopping.  Hopefully, this will turn out well and Mesa will have two teams generating revenue and attracting tourists.  However, like the editorial says, if this strikes out, there is still a chance to attract a team from Florida.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Club for Growth PAC Endorses Salmon

Club for Growth PAC Endorses Salmon 
Club for Growth President Chris Chocola:  “Matt Salmon will be an excellent replacement for Jeff Flake in the house and we are excited to support his candidacy.”

EAST VALLEY – Club for Growth PAC today announced that it is endorsing former Congressman Matt Salmon.  The Club for Growth is one of the nations leading organizations in advocating for lower taxes, limited government, less government spending, and free trade.
   
“The Club for Growth PAC strongly supports returning Matt Salmon for Congress,” said Club for Growth President Chris Chocola. “Matt will bring rock-solid conservative principles to Congress and he’s also a courageous veteran who will certainly play a leadership role for the new generation of pro-growth Congressmen. Matt Salmon will be an excellent replacement for Jeff Flake in the house and we are excited to support his candidacy.”

"I'm honored to receive the endorsement of Club for Growth today,” said Matt Salmon.  “The Club for Growth is one of America's leading conservative organizations advocating for the principles of smaller government, lower taxes, and economic freedom.  These are the very same principles I have always fought for in my career and will continue to fight for in Congress."

About Club for Growth
Club for Growth is a national network of thousands of pro-growth Americans, from all walks of life, who believe that prosperity and opportunity come through economic freedom. We work to promote public policies that encourage a high growth economy and a swift return to America's founding principles primarily through legislative involvement, issue advocacy, research, training and educational activity.
   
The primary tactic of the separate Club for Growth PAC is to provide financial support from Club members to viable candidates to Congress who believe in pro-growth policies, limited government, low taxes and economic freedom, both in Republican primaries and general elections.

About Matt Salmon
Matt Salmon was first elected to the United States Congress in 1994 and served until 2000, honoring his term limit pledge.  A proud conservative, Salmon was rated in the top five among all 535 members of the House and Senate by Citizen’s Against Government Waste for all six years he was in office.  He is a lifetime member of the NRA with an A+ rating and also earned a 100% rating by the National Right to Life.  He was also the proud recipient of the American Cancer Society’s “Top National Elected Official” award.

Matt Salmon has received endorsements from Arizona Congressman Trent Franks, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, South Dakota Senator John Thune, Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-49), Mayor Scott Smith (Mesa), Mayor Jay Tibshraeny (Chandler), Mayor Hugh Hallman (Tempe), Mayor John Insalaco (Apache Junction),  Mayor Gail Barney (Queen Creek), former Arizona Congressman John Shadegg, Arizona State Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs (LD22), State Senator John McComish (LD20), and State Representatives Eddie Farnsworth (LD22), Jeff Dial (LD20), and Bob Robson (LD20).

Conservative Chandler City Council Leaders Endorse Kirk Adams

Conservative Chandler City Council Leaders Endorse Kirk Adams
Two conservative leaders throw support behind Adams

East Valley – Jeff Weninger and Kevin Hartke, two conservative Chandler City Council leaders endorsed Kirk Adams for congress.

Councilman Hartke, a pastor and community leader, has a reputation of integrity and sound values. Councilman Weninger, the owner of 5 successful restaurants was the top vote getter in last year’s election and is widely respected for his rational and principled leadership.

“Kirk Adams has a proven track record of breaking government’s spending addiction,” said Councilman Hartke. “His courageous leadership is critically needed in Washington D.C.”

“As a small business owner, I have firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing our economy. Washington is out of touch with the real world,” stated Councilman Weninger. “Kirk is a business owner himself and has always been an advocate for small business. He understands what it takes to be successful. He will fight the Washington machine and play an vital role in generational shift occurring among the conservatives in congress.”

Adams thanked the lawmakers for their support. “These great conservatives leaders have stepped forward to serve our communities in the private sector and public office,” said Adams. “They serve for all the right reasons and are truly principled leaders. I’m honored to have their support.”

Adams is a husband, father, and small businessman. After joining the state House in 2006, he became so frustrated by the unwillingness and inability of Republicans in the Legislature to stand up for their conservative principals that he launched a long-shot campaign to oust the veteran Speaker of the House. Adams shocked the Republican establishment and political class, winning the Speakership at only 35 years of age.

Adams turned the tide in the House and put Arizona back on the path to fiscal responsibility with an aggressive agenda of reform, courageously taking on some of the most challenging issues in Arizona.

Adams, a lifelong East Valley resident, lives in Mesa with his wife JaNae their five children.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Oakland A's Negotiating with Mesa

Great news!  It looks like there is a chance that Hohokam won't sit very long without a tenant.  The Oakland A's announced today that they have opened negotiations to move in when the Cubs leave for their new facility.  Nothing is formal at this point, but it does give Oakland the ability to negotiate exclusively with Mesa.

There is a chance that the Cubs would move out after the 2013 season and the A's wouldn't move in until 2015.  However, the year gap might be helpful for any moving and rennovations.  Between the ASU move to the Cubs facility and this news, Mesa is definitely on the winning end of some major sports victory that will help bring revenue and people into the City. 

This leaves Phoenix with only one team - the Brewers who play in Maryvale.  Most people believe that it is only a matter of time before they move as well.  That would leave Phoenix with no teams and Mesa with two!

This is more great news for Mesa.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving - Shop Mesa

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  Remember, if you are going out to seek those "Black Friday" deals tomorrow, remember to do your shopping in Mesa.  Keep your tax dollars in town.

Salmon racks up back to back endorsements

Two days in a row, the Salmon campaign announced several legislative endorsements:
Longtime East Valley Legislators Stand with Salmon 
Biggs, Farnsworth Tout Salmon’s Conservative Record and Experience

EAST VALLEY – Former Congressman and candidate for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District Matt Salmon announced today that his campaign received the endorsements from two more prominent East Valley legislators:

Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs (R - LD 22)
State Representative Eddie Farnsworth (R - LD 22)

State Senator Andy Biggs stated, “Our nation is facing a critical period and we need leaders who will stand up and demand reduced wasteful spending and return our nation to a path of fiscal responsibility.  Matt Salmon has done this before in Congress and he has the knowledge and experience to get things done again.”

State Representative Eddie Farnsworth added, “Matt Salmon has a proven track record of fighting for conservative values. Arizona needs representation in Congress they can depend on and there is no one more qualified for the job than Matt Salmon.”  

Former Congressman Matt Salmon stated, “I continue to be humbled by the growing support from East Valley leaders that my campaign is receiving and I am thrilled to have Andy and Eddie as the latest additions to my team. They are without doubt two of Arizona’s finest and most respected legislative members and continue to serve East Valley residents with honor and integrity.”



LD 20 Legislators Back Salmon’s Return to Congress 
McComish, Robson, Dial Become Latest East Valley Leaders to Support Salmon

EAST VALLEY – Former Congressman and candidate for Arizona’s 6th Congressional District Matt Salmon announced today that his campaign has received the endorsements from all three state legislators in Legislative District 20:

State Senator John McComish (R-LD 20)
State Representative Bob Robson (R-LD 20)
State Representative Jeff Dial (R-LD 20)

State Senator McComish stated, "As a longtime business leader in Arizona, I can speak with certainty that Matt Salmon has the right vision and experience to advance pro-business legislation in Congress that will get our employers hiring once again. Matt understands that growing our local economy and putting more Arizonans back to work begins by enacting federal policies that cut taxes and reduce burdensome regulation on businesses. I’m proud to join Matt Salmon’s team.”

State Representative Robson added, “I have been a longtime supporter of Matt Salmon and I know firsthand that his record is tested and proven to the core. Now more than ever, we need leaders in Washington who have the experience and courage to hit the ground running and make the tough decisions that are necessary.”

State Representative Jeff Dial said, “Congress has a spending problem and we need someone in Washington to hold them accountable. Matt Salmon is the right person for the job. Matt has experience on cutting our government’s wasteful spending, slashing our budget deficits and restoring balanced federal budgets. I’m excited for his return to Congress.”

Former Congressman Matt Salmon stated, “The constituents of Legislative District 20 are fortunate to have these three leaders as their state government representatives, and I am fortunate to have their support for my campaign. I continue to be humbled and honored to receive such strong support among East Valley leaders and I look forward to working with all of them as their representative in Washington.”

Friday, November 18, 2011

Republic has a new system

The Arizona Republic has a new publishing system and not everyone is happy about it.  It also appears that they will be employing a new commmenting system as well which will be interesting to see what it does to the tenor of the dialogue. 

As we know, the newspapers have turned to make the stories more and more extravagant because it gets people tune in and argue within the comments and more people to pass the story around.  More return commenters and people seing a story means more ad views which means increased ad sales.

A national journalist recently said reporters and talk show hosts "don't have to be right, they just have to be interesting."  That is why you get so many stories about illegal immigration, mormonism, and the like.  People have heated opinions.  That is also why there was so much attention on the Pearce recall.  It was a polarizing topic with two heated sides and the flames were fanned by the media selling ad space. 

We're guessing that the biggest winners in the whole battle is the media sales guys who just saw their christmas bonus go up.