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We used to hear a lot about the wars in Iraq and in Afghanistan. While there are still thousands of soldiers abroad protecting our freedoms, we now hear more about the President's healthcare plan or his NCAA bracket than we do about our soldiers.
Now, it only appears like we hear anything when its bad news. Sadly, an Army Ranger from Mesa was killed in Afghanistan by an IED. Sgt. Glen "Jake" Whetten was among the first wave to invade Iraq five years ago and was in Afghanistan training and evaluating their troops.
This is an important reminder that even though we may not hear about these wars every day, the dangers out there are real, and we should always remember to thank our soldiers, no matter how much our president tries to distance himself from them.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
New Gilbert Blog
Awhile back, we offered to help start up a blog about local issues in Gilbert. It was probably for the best that no one took us up on it, considering how little we have been able to post about Mesa lately.
Check out Gilbert Watch to get a conservative view on what's going on in Gilbert. They have been keeping tabs on the latest on the Gilbert tax issues and the bible study ban which has turned into a bit of a debacle.
Check out Gilbert Watch to get a conservative view on what's going on in Gilbert. They have been keeping tabs on the latest on the Gilbert tax issues and the bible study ban which has turned into a bit of a debacle.
Friday, March 5, 2010
East Valley Mayors Support Rich Crandall
East Valley Mayors Support Rich Crandall
Mayor Smith, Mayor Lewis, Mayor Sanders endorse Crandall for Legislative District 19 Senate
MESA – Representative Rich Crandall, current Chair of the House Education Committee, local businessman and former Mesa School Board President, proudly announced the support of three East Valley Mayors today in his race for the District 19 State Senate seat. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, and Queen Creek Mayor Art Sanders announced their support for Crandall and his efforts to continue to provide much needed experience at the State Capitol.
"I am honored to have the support of these three leaders who proudly represent our East Valley municipalities," said Rich Crandall, "I hope to continue working with each of them on the many issues facing our cities and towns."
Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said, "I know Rich will work to ensure that the state budget isn’t balanced on the backs of cities and local taxpayers. There is a reason he was named a Legislative Champion by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns."
"He knows this community well and is committed to making a difference," said Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, "I think Rich is the right man for the job and has shown that with his service in the House of Representatives and through his commitment to our children."
Mayor Art Sanders adds, "Rich understands the needs of the East Valley and the Phoenix/Mesa Gateway area. He will continue to serve the region well in his bid for the Senate."
Mayor Smith, Mayor Lewis, Mayor Sanders endorse Crandall for Legislative District 19 Senate
MESA – Representative Rich Crandall, current Chair of the House Education Committee, local businessman and former Mesa School Board President, proudly announced the support of three East Valley Mayors today in his race for the District 19 State Senate seat. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, and Queen Creek Mayor Art Sanders announced their support for Crandall and his efforts to continue to provide much needed experience at the State Capitol.
"I am honored to have the support of these three leaders who proudly represent our East Valley municipalities," said Rich Crandall, "I hope to continue working with each of them on the many issues facing our cities and towns."
Mesa Mayor Scott Smith said, "I know Rich will work to ensure that the state budget isn’t balanced on the backs of cities and local taxpayers. There is a reason he was named a Legislative Champion by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns."
"He knows this community well and is committed to making a difference," said Gilbert Mayor John Lewis, "I think Rich is the right man for the job and has shown that with his service in the House of Representatives and through his commitment to our children."
Mayor Art Sanders adds, "Rich understands the needs of the East Valley and the Phoenix/Mesa Gateway area. He will continue to serve the region well in his bid for the Senate."
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Thursday, February 18, 2010
Cubs take step forward despite MLB opposition
The Cubs stadium plan passed the House Commerce Committee yesterday in a 6 to 2 vote, but it wasn't without a bit of drama. Major League Baseball has come out and said that they don't support a surcharge on the other team's tickets to pay for the Cubs stadium.
Its clear that the legislature appears to understand the impact of the Cubs on Spring Training, but its sort of funny to watch this professional jealousy rear its ugly head.
Well, maybe MLB wants to step up and pay the 20-25% slump that each team would feel if the Cubs were to leave town. Also, its sort of ironic to watch a league which shares revenue (including paying big payouts to small market teams such as the one formerly owned by Commissioner Selig), but anything that could help a "big" team must be frowned upon.
Maybe the Cubs should come out and say that they opposed revenue sharing. How about the Yankees?
Its clear that the legislature appears to understand the impact of the Cubs on Spring Training, but its sort of funny to watch this professional jealousy rear its ugly head.
Well, maybe MLB wants to step up and pay the 20-25% slump that each team would feel if the Cubs were to leave town. Also, its sort of ironic to watch a league which shares revenue (including paying big payouts to small market teams such as the one formerly owned by Commissioner Selig), but anything that could help a "big" team must be frowned upon.
Maybe the Cubs should come out and say that they opposed revenue sharing. How about the Yankees?
State of Mesa 2010: Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh- District 3
This year, we have brough back the "State of Mesa." We have offered the mayor and each councilmember an opportunity to submit their own editorial on the state of their District to be posted on Mesa Issues. Here is Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh's State of District 3:
In this new calendar year, Mesa Council District 3 is a busy place in terms of events, activities, construction and economic development opportunities.
On February 27th, District 3 residents are joining with volunteers from Districts 1 and 5 to create a pool of over 1,500 volunteers who will work on a variety of cleanup and beautification projects, ranging from alley cleanups to painting walls to helping elderly residents with the appearance of their homes and addresses. This is the second annual “Top to Bottom” event sponsored by the city.
Marlborough Mesa residents are continuing to set the bar for acting as volunteer code compliance “eyes and ears” and have developed a great web-based program to anonymously report code violations.
Dobson Ranch residents continue to offer seasonal recreation and entertainment activities for their residents. Their retiree club is particularly active.
Mesa Community Colleges is bulging at the seams with a 10% jump in enrollment this semester.
Our district will see changes in the education system with the closure of Powell Junior High School, the transfer of 8th graders from junior high schools to high schools, as well as programming changes in a number of elementary schools.
Many residents and students are anxiously awaiting the opening of the new Rhodes Pool in May with its popular “Flow Rider” attraction.
Students at Rhodes are participating in “Project Citizen” and will be speaking before the City Council Community and Neighborhood Services Committee on the adoption of a public policy in the city which would ban retail use of plastic bags due to their harm to the environment.
The Dobson Ranch Golf Course has been named the best public course in Arizona.
City construction projects will include the improvement of the Dobson/Guadalupe intersection, new bus pullouts and shelters at Dobson/Baseline and Dobson/Southern as well as a new bike lane system on part of Dobson Road.
We expect a final decision to be made this spring on the location and cost of the new Dobson District Police Substation. Following that decision, design and programming decisions at the new station will occur with construction starting probably in early 2011.
This spring, the City Council is expected to approve new street signage, streetscape and landscaping in the Fiesta District, including improvements to Southern, Dobson, Alma School, Longmore and Extension. However, the old Fiesta Village site continues to be a thorn in the city’s side with the property owners in no apparent rush to sell or redevelop the site.
Planning work continues with stakeholder groups on taking light rail from the Sycamore Station to past Mesa Drive. Their recommendations will be coming to the City Council later this spring.
In terms of economic development, Mekong Plaza and Julio Cesar Chavez Compeones are successful examples of adapting big box retail to new uses. Both have been supportive of many community organizations and events.
Southwest Ambulance, which has its corporate headquarters in District 3, is set to announce the transfer of more than 140 jobs from Scottsdale to a new site in District 3.
The city is working with a developer who proposes to reopen the theater at Poca Fiesta Plaza into a dinner/first-run movie theater which will also have a beer and wine license. This is a concept that has recently proved successful in several Texas locations.
Mesa Public Schools and Mesa Community College continue to refine their plan for a new event center and joint athletic facilities on the campus at MCC. The City of Mesa has been helping to facilitate these discussions.
District 3 continues to be one of the most diverse areas of the City of Mesa and I look forward to working with its residents, businesses and organizations in the coming year.
In this new calendar year, Mesa Council District 3 is a busy place in terms of events, activities, construction and economic development opportunities.
On February 27th, District 3 residents are joining with volunteers from Districts 1 and 5 to create a pool of over 1,500 volunteers who will work on a variety of cleanup and beautification projects, ranging from alley cleanups to painting walls to helping elderly residents with the appearance of their homes and addresses. This is the second annual “Top to Bottom” event sponsored by the city.
Marlborough Mesa residents are continuing to set the bar for acting as volunteer code compliance “eyes and ears” and have developed a great web-based program to anonymously report code violations.
Dobson Ranch residents continue to offer seasonal recreation and entertainment activities for their residents. Their retiree club is particularly active.
Mesa Community Colleges is bulging at the seams with a 10% jump in enrollment this semester.
Our district will see changes in the education system with the closure of Powell Junior High School, the transfer of 8th graders from junior high schools to high schools, as well as programming changes in a number of elementary schools.
Many residents and students are anxiously awaiting the opening of the new Rhodes Pool in May with its popular “Flow Rider” attraction.
Students at Rhodes are participating in “Project Citizen” and will be speaking before the City Council Community and Neighborhood Services Committee on the adoption of a public policy in the city which would ban retail use of plastic bags due to their harm to the environment.
The Dobson Ranch Golf Course has been named the best public course in Arizona.
City construction projects will include the improvement of the Dobson/Guadalupe intersection, new bus pullouts and shelters at Dobson/Baseline and Dobson/Southern as well as a new bike lane system on part of Dobson Road.
We expect a final decision to be made this spring on the location and cost of the new Dobson District Police Substation. Following that decision, design and programming decisions at the new station will occur with construction starting probably in early 2011.
This spring, the City Council is expected to approve new street signage, streetscape and landscaping in the Fiesta District, including improvements to Southern, Dobson, Alma School, Longmore and Extension. However, the old Fiesta Village site continues to be a thorn in the city’s side with the property owners in no apparent rush to sell or redevelop the site.
Planning work continues with stakeholder groups on taking light rail from the Sycamore Station to past Mesa Drive. Their recommendations will be coming to the City Council later this spring.
In terms of economic development, Mekong Plaza and Julio Cesar Chavez Compeones are successful examples of adapting big box retail to new uses. Both have been supportive of many community organizations and events.
Southwest Ambulance, which has its corporate headquarters in District 3, is set to announce the transfer of more than 140 jobs from Scottsdale to a new site in District 3.
The city is working with a developer who proposes to reopen the theater at Poca Fiesta Plaza into a dinner/first-run movie theater which will also have a beer and wine license. This is a concept that has recently proved successful in several Texas locations.
Mesa Public Schools and Mesa Community College continue to refine their plan for a new event center and joint athletic facilities on the campus at MCC. The City of Mesa has been helping to facilitate these discussions.
District 3 continues to be one of the most diverse areas of the City of Mesa and I look forward to working with its residents, businesses and organizations in the coming year.
Mesa police union official suspended
A local Mesa Police union official has been suspended (with pay) during an investigation of if he lied about a union flyer being distributed via email. Obviously, we should not assume his guilt - we should allow the process to play out.
However, the name seemed familiar. So in doing a little looking back, we found that this officer is the same one who left his gun in public. After 13 plus years, one would assume that he would have a decent grasp of the rules.
However, the name seemed familiar. So in doing a little looking back, we found that this officer is the same one who left his gun in public. After 13 plus years, one would assume that he would have a decent grasp of the rules.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Mayor Smith defends Cubs bill
Now that the euphoria of the Cubs staying in Mesa has finally started to wear off, the actual reality of all the work that needs to be done is starting to set in. There are a few critics out there who don't think that the Cubs should benefit from leaguewide tourism taxes, despite the fact that the large majority of the existing stadiums were funded in a similar manner.
What they also seem to forget in their argument is the tremendous impact that the Cubs have on the Cactus league. The departure of the Cubs would be far more detrimental than boosting fees to keep them here - something that Mayor Smith was quick to point out. While his words were stern, they were nothing compared to the lashing he gave D-Backs and White Sox owners last week for their hypocricy and irony of standing up for the taxpayers after getting taxpayer funded stadiums of their own.
There is still a long way to go in keeping the Cubs in Mesa. Supporters, politicians, volunteers, and just plain Mesa residents should keep this in mind, and keep the heat on as much as possible. Florida is going to continue to watch intently and hope to swoop in if something in this deal falters.
We wouldn't be surprised to see them try to apply some external pressure at the legislature, and even if it makes it through at the Capitol, there is still the risk that they could try to make waves in the local election.
What they also seem to forget in their argument is the tremendous impact that the Cubs have on the Cactus league. The departure of the Cubs would be far more detrimental than boosting fees to keep them here - something that Mayor Smith was quick to point out. While his words were stern, they were nothing compared to the lashing he gave D-Backs and White Sox owners last week for their hypocricy and irony of standing up for the taxpayers after getting taxpayer funded stadiums of their own.
There is still a long way to go in keeping the Cubs in Mesa. Supporters, politicians, volunteers, and just plain Mesa residents should keep this in mind, and keep the heat on as much as possible. Florida is going to continue to watch intently and hope to swoop in if something in this deal falters.
We wouldn't be surprised to see them try to apply some external pressure at the legislature, and even if it makes it through at the Capitol, there is still the risk that they could try to make waves in the local election.
State of Mesa
Last year, we launched a series known as "State of Mesa," where offered each councilmember an opportunity to submit their own editorial on the state of their District to be posted on Mesa Issues.
Councilmember Dave Richins, Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh, and Councilmember Scott Somers took us up on our offer.
Once again, we have extended the opportunity to each councilmember to submit an editorial that we will reprint it its entirety. This year, we have also extended our offer to Mayor Smith.
We'll wait and see if we get a response.
Councilmember Dave Richins, Councilmember Dennis Kavanaugh, and Councilmember Scott Somers took us up on our offer.
Once again, we have extended the opportunity to each councilmember to submit an editorial that we will reprint it its entirety. This year, we have also extended our offer to Mayor Smith.
We'll wait and see if we get a response.
Looking back one more time
Since it has been sitting on the Arizona Republic's Mesa section homepage for awhile, we thought we would weigh in on Mesa's 5 most viewed stories of last year. We covered each of these stories, and for the most part, the theme seems to be bad news.
For a year that started off with a record setting stint without a homicide, two of the top five stories viewed had to do with murders. A third story had to do with the tragic loss of the baby that was hurt by the family dog. The other two dealt with the economy - protesting Obama, and our local grocery shutting their doors.
It looks like the old phrase "if it bleeds, it leads" still has a place in local news. We can't change what people decide to look at over the year, but we can encourage our community leaders to make sure there is as much good news as possible to share with others so hopefully, the bad news can be far outweighed by the good.
For a year that started off with a record setting stint without a homicide, two of the top five stories viewed had to do with murders. A third story had to do with the tragic loss of the baby that was hurt by the family dog. The other two dealt with the economy - protesting Obama, and our local grocery shutting their doors.
It looks like the old phrase "if it bleeds, it leads" still has a place in local news. We can't change what people decide to look at over the year, but we can encourage our community leaders to make sure there is as much good news as possible to share with others so hopefully, the bad news can be far outweighed by the good.
Off-Track Betting in Mesa?
Turf Paradise, the local horse track, wants to bring off-track betting to Mesa. There are 57 such sites around the state, several of which are in the local area, but none are specifically in Mesa. This opportunity could be a boon to local establishments, keeping those looking to wager in town instead of traveling elsewhere to make their bets.
On the other hand, does this become an issue in such a conservative community? As we have said before, any steps that can be taken to help the local economy should be explored, if off-track betting keeps more people in Mesa, its a worthy idea to look into. However, the council would be wise to take a blood pressure check of the community before they explore such an option.
On the other hand, does this become an issue in such a conservative community? As we have said before, any steps that can be taken to help the local economy should be explored, if off-track betting keeps more people in Mesa, its a worthy idea to look into. However, the council would be wise to take a blood pressure check of the community before they explore such an option.
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