Mesa Election Update

I've been following the elections for awhile here and it really looks like things are starting to shape up as the cut off dates start to arrive.

First, I was pretty surprised to see that Matt Tolman decided to run against Dave Richins. I think that Dave has a lot of support outside the city faithful. He has done a lot of work in the community and West Mesa is better now for his work. However, the bloggers are seeming to have fun banging on him and calling him a "toady" and a "lap dog." That should be fun. Dave doesn't really have the baggage of being on the council, although thats what Tolman is going to try to pin on him.

Second, it is very interesting to see how Rex is trying to position himself in this race. He sees that Scott Smith has the "outsider" advantage on him, so he is now trying to place himself as an agent of change. Seems pretty funny considering he has been on the council for the past few years... a fact that he used to his full advantage by hosting a pancake breakfast not too long ago. Gee, it sure sounds a lot like a city funded tune up for a fundraiser to me.

Interesting...

Here is an interesting article from one of my favorite blogs the Sonoran Alliance. They do a great job on keeping up on politics from across the state and they have a little blub about the mayor's race here in Mesa. They have been among many pretty vocal about the Phoenix City Council races, but I guess I was kind of surprised that they took any interest in whats going on out here. Anyway, they believe that the Mesa Mayor's race will be a showdown to mark the "cultural and religious shift taking place in Mesa."

I think they missed something major.

I certainly think that Griswold his hoping that the non-mormons can pull this out for him, but I think that the real factor is something much different. If Freestone gets out, you are looking at two sitting city council members running against a guy who is preaching change. With all of the woes that Mesa has endured in the past few years, do you think its going to be more about religion or about the future of Mesa?

5 million passengers?

Art Thomason seems to think that there is a lot in the name.

It would be nice if these people were coming in to Mesa to spend money and help boost the economy. Its more likely they'll drive into Phoenix and Scottsdale just like everyone else. I am glad we got that name change going on, but what about traffic?

The airport is the economic engine of the future and a simple name change is not going to be the be all end all solution to help us out. It needs to be an employment center as well as a passenger location. I love the comment by Chris4576:

"Ok, I am envisioning the joy of 5 million more cars clogging the roads around Williams Field. Not a pretty picture..............."

Walters announces bid for Mayor

District 1 Councilwoman Claudia Walters announced her bid for Mayor.

Here is the Republic's Take.

Here is the Trib's Take.

The comments over at the Tribune are getting a little feisty! Here are some interesting samples:

"how are we to trust these things will happen in her first 100 days if she hasn't helped do any of it in the last 6 years!" - Still waiting

"Why can't you get these things done in your LAST 100 days as Vice Mayor. Show us your leadership now." - 100 Days

Personal Fave:

"Why should we trust Rex or Claudia when they haven't made it better around here in the jobs they already have. Thats like giving someone a promotion after they lost your biggest account, broke the copy machine, and ate all the donuts. It makes no sense." - Better than the same ol'

I think I have worked with that guy!! LOL.

Legislative Alert - Legislative Workshop

http://www.etickets.to/buy/?e=611

What's in a name?

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport OK’d

Well, its official. On October 15th, we can say so long to Williams Gateway Airport and hello to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Gee, it sure has a snappy feel to it. Same snappy feel as our Phoenix East/Mesa Hilton or whatever its called. I understand the logic behind it, but I certainly don't think that its going to start attracting people over night.

Parks may impact Waveyard vote

Mesa chases new site for softball fields

On one hand, you have to question why the city hasn't done anything about this before now. Shouldn't this have been part of the Waveyard discussion? On the other hand, why should the city spend any money on securing a new park if the Waveyard isn't guaranteed. It looks like they have themselves between a rock and a hard place. Voters should be able to count on the council to do the right thing.

Video from Waveyard

Yes on Waveyard, Part 1

It looks like two days in a row for Waveyard Coverage. This time, its a video from the Waveyard folks talking about the project. It looks pretty cool to me. I think that doing more things like this would be better than going for a property tax once again. Let's hope this thing could actually get done.

Tribune has an interactive Waveyard Map

The Trib has launched their own interactive map feature of Waveyard. Its got some pretty neat information out and a handy dandy timeline. I didn't really realize how big this thing was going to be. Its gigantic. Certainly should bring in more people than that 9 hole golf course.

'Tis the season

Ah, I saw my first Waveyard Campaign sign today. Hopefully that will mean the start of things heating up. I know I have been sort of negligent in my blogging duties as of late, but I'll do better to improve as there is more to talk about.