Council cuts back the bond package

Finally, we have a council that not only looks at the bureaucratic view of Mesa's operations, they also look at the poltical reality that they are facing with the voters. The council has asked staff to cut back the current bond package, and cut they did, getting it down to $158 million. The Republic focuses more on the cutting aspect of it.

We are now facing a much smaller proposal that only lasts two years and makes much more sense based on the current economic climate we are facing. The front page of the Trib today says that the state is officially in a recession. I am glad to see that the council saw past the notion of asking everyone else to sacrifice because gas is $4 bucks, but they move forward with a giant package. Hopefully they will come out with a broad education effort to get people behind this - something that was sorely lacking from the original proposal.

This is going to be the first true test for the new council and their effectiveness in the future may depend on the outcome of this vote. I believe that voters truly have a lot of hope, but it will be completely dashed if they perceive that this council is no different from the last. For example, the commenters are already questioining placing more Fire stations in developed parts of the city.

I understand why it is done: there is more demand in the developed areas and it helps reduce response times across the board, but I don't think most people get the distinction. Its going to take a road show from the councilmembers themselves to get that point across. Having staff go out and explain this package is not going to work.