Molina is out

Just as early ballots start to hit households, David Molina, the recruited challenger to take on Rich Crandall, has decided to drop out of the race. After deciding not to run himself, Chuck Gray and fellow LD19 ultra-conservatives had drafted Molina to run. They spent the next few months attacking Crandall in Molina's name. It appears that Molina chose his business over a busy legislative race.

With Kevin Gibbons from the left last year and James Molina from the right this year, it seems that drafting candidates whose hearts aren't really in the race is a losing proposition, especially in Mesa.

Signs, signs, everywhere signs

We noticed in the past few weeks that there appeared to be fewer campaign signs around town, but we assumed it was the typical vandalism and weather taking its toll. However, it turns out that Mesa is cracking down on campaign signs.

Hundreds of signs have been taken down and hauled in by Mesa's compliance department. While we thank the city for its attention improving the landscape, our real question is if sign enforcement is the best use of resources. Letters, pink ribbons, and pick up trucks seem like a lot of work to pick up signs. Its one thing if they are blocking views, its quite another if they are 14 1/2 feet from the Curb instead of 15.

In addition, the threat of a civil violation and a fine for sign placement it fairly outrageous. Who do you fine? The candidate? What if a volunteer put up the sign? What if an opponent moved the sign to be out of compliance?

Getting tough on signs while Mesa has made major cuts to other city services is one of the reasons why voters will never believe that there isn't more to be cut from government. When we are cutting back on police and fire, its hard for people to think that strict sign code enforcement carries equal weight.

Florida backs out... for now.

The business interests in Florida have announced that they have withdrawn their offer to the Cubs. While this is great news, it should only be considered a small victory. There is still no deal in place to keep the Cubs in Mesa, and while Florida is temporarily out of the race, you can bet that they will jump back in at the first sign of trouble.

Also, shouldn't we be worried that there is still a chance that the team could move elsewhere in the valley? Mesa is on the right track to get something done with or without the legislature, but we cannot rest easy until the Cubs are guaranteed to stay in town for many years to come.

Mesa will enforce 1070

We haven't said much about SB1070, instead letting it to be worked out on its own. For the most part, its a state and federal matter, but when it comes down to it, it will be the cities that uphold the law. To that end, Mayor Smith has stated that he will enforce the law.

Despite claims that somehow Mesa is a "sanctuary city," Mayor Smith has said that he will follow the law, while ensuring that people's rights are protected. Its the right move and the appropriate message especially to those who fear an expansion of the Sheriff's sweeps.

Despite decline, Spring Training is still critical

Spring Training brought in an estimated $348 million economic impact to the state. This is down from last year, which is understandable from the sagging economy and the fact that 27 fewer games were played. Nevertheless, nearly $350 million in impact is nothing to shake a stick at. In comparison, it is estimated that the Super Bowl in Glendale brought in $500 million.

Once again, the Cubs lead in per game attendance, but were narrowly beat out by the Giants for largest total attendance because the Cubs played one less game. Regardless, we can see that once again, the Cubs are a significant draw.

Fireworks are back!

Make sure to check out the new freedom festival in Downtown Mesa and the fireworks display on Saturday. This has a potential to be a signature event for Mesa for many years to come, and though its not clear if this was intentional, not going up against the display at Tempe Town Lake was probably wise.

It was disappointing that the fireworks at MCC were cancelled last year, but it is neat to see a new tradition grow out of that situation. Let's see how it turns out.

Medical reputation has a nice ring to it

The editorial in the Republic discusses the latest successful surgery at Cardon Childrens Center and how it is an example of Mesa's growing "medical reputation." That kind of knowledge based reputation is exactly what we need to help expand and attract medical professionals to Mesa. It also the leg up we need to help us in the chase to land a medical school.

From the success of the childrens hospital to Banner Gateway earning the award as top cancer hospital, Mesa has an opportunity to become a medical destination for doctors, teachers, and even patients. As the society continues to age, medical breakthroughs and healthcare will be critical industries that will continue to grow. Indeed, this is exactly what the H in HEAT (Health care, Education, Aerospace, Tourism) is all about.

End of Citrus Era in Mesa

Mesa's last major citrus packing plant is permanently closing its doors. This is truly an end of an era and a nod to our change from a rural community to an urban one. While there are still groves to be found in Northeast Mesa, there are far less than there used to be.

Moreover, the spring time smell of citrus isn't as pervasive as it once was and countless groves across the city have given way to subdivisions and shopping centers. Gone, also, are most of the cotton fields that dotted the city and kept things cooler on summer evenings, with the heat escaping into the night sky. These days that heat island continues far into the twighlight hours.

Clearly Mesa has matured, and in some ways, we are finally starting to act like it: long term economic planning, embracing emerging technology and aerospace, joining regional efforts instead of going it alone. While its fun to be nostalgic, the good old days don't need to prevent us from having better days ahead.

Competitive Higher Ed needed

Colleges are interested in Mesa and that is a very good thing. Mayor Smith and the economic development department are looking into the feasibility of attracting universities to build a 24/7 presence in downtown, including a potential medical school.

This is great news for students not only in Mesa, but across the valley as well. For far too long Arizona has been in need of expanded competitive higher education options. For most students, their options appear to be limited to ASU, UofA, NAU, Grand Canyon or community college. Sure, there are other opportunities our there that we probably aren't naming, but the reality is, even if we named every school, they could probably still be counted on two hands.

Cities with far smaller populations boast significantly more higher education opportunities with mulitple private, religious, and specialty options available. Like we have said before ASU Polytechnic is nice, but maybe it is time to stand on its own. Why not a BYU campus in the community with the largest LDS population outside of Utah?

As we have said before, the biggest thing to remember is that this drive for higher education will not happen overnight. It will take some time, but Mesa is doing the right thing to cultivate these opportunities, even if they are faced with some skepticism. Mesa continues to strive to define itself instead of allowing the naysayers to do it.

Mesa flies solo on Cubs

Now that the spring training effort has failed at the legislature, Mesa has chosen to go it alone to keep the Cubs in town. However, reality is that Mesa has no other choice. The Cubs are critical to the city's economy, and if everyone else in the valley was honest, they would admit that they are critical to spring training as whole.

According to the article, "Mesa's highest monthly sales-tax collections generally come in March, during spring training. Flight traffic at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport also typically spikes during that month."

That is something that we can't live without in the long-term. As it is, the City will now walk the road alone to try to get a deal done to keep the Cubs in Mesa. With Mesa going alone, will it likely end up with a fall election?