Git-R-Done

Both the Republic and the Tribune have covered the Scott Smith's speech at the Mayor's Breakfast forum yesterday. The focus, according to the Mayor, City Manager, and Economic Development Director, is to bring more jobs into the community. Here is a very telling quote from Chris Brady:

“Here’s the difference: Tempe’s total added up to 19,000 (employees), Chandler’s two added up to 20,000 and Mesa’s four added up to 12,000,” Brady said. “Let’s take 11 through 50 (in the ranking); Tempe was the home of 18 of them, Chandler was 11, Gilbert was five and Mesa was three. This has to change.”

He is absolutely correct. For too long, people have been leaving Mesa to go to work. Twenty years ago, Mesa was the suburbs and everyone went downtown to work. Now people leaving Mesa and going to downtown, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Tempe and Chandler. Not only do we need people to stay in Mesa for work, but we need people from other communities to view Mesa as an employment destination.

It looks to me like they are focusing on the right stuff, the airport, freeway access, expanding what we already have. Let's hope that other businesses catch the excitement and invest in Mesa.