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The mayors of the East Valley cities and other government entities have formalized their process for working together to develop and coordinate their efforts in the Far Southeast Valley. With all of the news surrounding Gateway and the GM Proving Grounds, its sometimes hard to remember that so much else is going on in that area including Superstition Vistas and the other developments around Pinal County.
This can only bode well for Mesa as a large portion of the infrastructure and economic opportunities and jobs can be centered around the Gateway area. While people may scoff about that area becoming the new downtown for all of Mesa, it certainly could be the downtown for the Southeast Valley.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Fresh and Wal-Mart coming to Mesa
Wal-Mart is going to compete directly with Fresh and Easy with their new Marketside brand. Needless to say, there is going to be one in Mesa. In fact, before too long, I would bet that there will be several in Mesa if the concept takes off. Let's just hope that they don't let this guy in.
Its a very interesting write up about international competition and how Fresh and Easy's parent company basically forced Wal-Mart to compete in this upscale small marketplace concept. According to the story, if the concept succeeds, their distribution chain could have 1,000 stores up and running in less than 18 months. Everyone always says that no one can take on Wal-Mart, but clearly this shows that the market and other competitors have forced them to rethink some of their methods. No matter what, there are people who are going to think that they are the epitome of all evil.
As for me? I just like to save money. If you can get me cheaper food with a slightly nice ambience, I'll be there.
Its a very interesting write up about international competition and how Fresh and Easy's parent company basically forced Wal-Mart to compete in this upscale small marketplace concept. According to the story, if the concept succeeds, their distribution chain could have 1,000 stores up and running in less than 18 months. Everyone always says that no one can take on Wal-Mart, but clearly this shows that the market and other competitors have forced them to rethink some of their methods. No matter what, there are people who are going to think that they are the epitome of all evil.
As for me? I just like to save money. If you can get me cheaper food with a slightly nice ambience, I'll be there.
Are you now rooting for the Cubs?
Now that the D-backs are out, are you starting to root for the Cubs? I know I am, especially since they open up against the Dodgers. You can check it out on the big screen down at Hohokam on Thursday and Saturday. I am sure that all of the Chicago transplants will be out in full force.
Speaking of Hohokam Stadium, Mesa has decided to pay off the loan for the stadium 8 years early. According to the story, the city will now have about $2 million more a year to pay for other things. According to my calculations, that means that the city was going to pay about $16 million over the next 8 years to cover the $9.7 million loan. Seems like a good move on their part.
Of course, the joy of bringing the city towards financial freedom may be short lived since it will likely take stadium rennovations to keep the Cubs in Mesa. Afterall, its going to take something to keep the playing across the street from a cemetary while other new stadiums have popped up all over the Valley with retail and other exciting opportunities nearby.
Perhaps if Waveyard is a victim of yesterday's financial disaster, the City should ponder using their land to build a new stadium near the 202. That would bring more people to Riverview and there really wouldn't be a need to tear down the ball fields. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have the Cubs AND Waveyard, but I think its a good idea for the city to have backup plans.
Speaking of Hohokam Stadium, Mesa has decided to pay off the loan for the stadium 8 years early. According to the story, the city will now have about $2 million more a year to pay for other things. According to my calculations, that means that the city was going to pay about $16 million over the next 8 years to cover the $9.7 million loan. Seems like a good move on their part.
Of course, the joy of bringing the city towards financial freedom may be short lived since it will likely take stadium rennovations to keep the Cubs in Mesa. Afterall, its going to take something to keep the playing across the street from a cemetary while other new stadiums have popped up all over the Valley with retail and other exciting opportunities nearby.
Perhaps if Waveyard is a victim of yesterday's financial disaster, the City should ponder using their land to build a new stadium near the 202. That would bring more people to Riverview and there really wouldn't be a need to tear down the ball fields. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have the Cubs AND Waveyard, but I think its a good idea for the city to have backup plans.
Bond Forum at Noon Today
Looking to learn more about Mesa's bonds?
Be sure to check out the forum today at Noon at MCC in the Navajo Room.
If you can't make today, MCC is doing another one on October 6th at 6:30pm in the community room at MCC Red Mountain.
Still confused about the ballot initiatives? You can learn more about them on October 7th at 6:30pm at MCCs Main Campus.
Be sure to check out the forum today at Noon at MCC in the Navajo Room.
If you can't make today, MCC is doing another one on October 6th at 6:30pm in the community room at MCC Red Mountain.
Still confused about the ballot initiatives? You can learn more about them on October 7th at 6:30pm at MCCs Main Campus.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thank you to the Arizona Delegation
Thanks to all 8 of the Arizona Congressional Delegation for voting no on the bailout bill. Its great to see that some things can be bad enough that everyone agrees that its a stinker. I don't always agree with our delegation with all of the things that they do. I sometimes question the local politics that they do or do not decide to be a part of. However, in this case, my sincerest thanks goes out to each one of them for keeping an eye out for the taxpayer.
I think that in the longrun the bailout will only stunt the rebound of our economy. Its not a bad thing to shake out the bad debt and let things start with a new slate. There will ways to recover - ways to make money. Heck, look at Mesa. Things could not have been more dire two years ago. Voters roundly rejected a property tax and the city was forced to make cuts (not as deep as they threatened, but still). All confidence was lost in the council, and it was clear that change needed to happen.
Since then, things have started to turn around. It has taken time, but sometimes things must be broken down before they can be built back up. The failure of the property tax is probably what has lead to Waveyard (hopefully), the new Council and Mayor Smith, and the growth opportunities around Gateway and with the new Gaylord project.
As other blogs have reported, part of the reason that the bill failed was because of the negative speech that Speaker Pelosi gave right before the vote. I will be curious to see if Pelosi is more well behaved this next time around. Unfortunately, I believe that chances are some sort of bailout is probably going to pass.
I think that in the longrun the bailout will only stunt the rebound of our economy. Its not a bad thing to shake out the bad debt and let things start with a new slate. There will ways to recover - ways to make money. Heck, look at Mesa. Things could not have been more dire two years ago. Voters roundly rejected a property tax and the city was forced to make cuts (not as deep as they threatened, but still). All confidence was lost in the council, and it was clear that change needed to happen.
Since then, things have started to turn around. It has taken time, but sometimes things must be broken down before they can be built back up. The failure of the property tax is probably what has lead to Waveyard (hopefully), the new Council and Mayor Smith, and the growth opportunities around Gateway and with the new Gaylord project.
Early Ballots start this week
Well, it sure has been awfully quiet these last couple of weeks. You'd never even notice that Early Ballots start in just a couple of days. The mailbox has been conspicuously empty as of late with only a few postcards trickling in here or there. It looks like most campaigns are either broke, trying to save money by blinding me with signs, or waiting until later to drop their payloads.
My guess is option 3. I have little doubt that McCain will win Arizona, but I do think voters are going to wait until after a few debates and a couple of more sketches on SNL before they make their decision. Besides the marriage amendment and the payday loan initiative, I have seen very little from the other campaigns.
It will be interesting to see if this economy supresses some of the typical election efforts that we have seen in the past.
The Tribune has weighed in on their recommendations on the ballot initiatives and local bonds. In Mesa, they have come out in favor of the public safety and street bonds, and against the "slum landlord" law.
I have seen very little about the bonds except for the coverage in the Republic. It will be interesting to see if things are different from a few years ago and if voters see a different between bonds and a property tax.
My guess is option 3. I have little doubt that McCain will win Arizona, but I do think voters are going to wait until after a few debates and a couple of more sketches on SNL before they make their decision. Besides the marriage amendment and the payday loan initiative, I have seen very little from the other campaigns.
It will be interesting to see if this economy supresses some of the typical election efforts that we have seen in the past.
The Tribune has weighed in on their recommendations on the ballot initiatives and local bonds. In Mesa, they have come out in favor of the public safety and street bonds, and against the "slum landlord" law.
I have seen very little about the bonds except for the coverage in the Republic. It will be interesting to see if things are different from a few years ago and if voters see a different between bonds and a property tax.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Infrastructure needed
Speaking of Gateway, there is an interesting article in the Republic today about the need for infrastructure out in south-east Mesa including a fire station that is equipped to handle the needs of the growing area. In fact, they have planned for a dual purpose station that can help handle the needs of the community and one that can handle fire emergencies of the airport.
Sometimes lost in the midst of the budget cuts that we have suffered through for the past few years is the fact that there have been no money to pay for the needs of the growing parts of Mesa. East Mesa has grown, but the facilities have not. They simply don't have the same police, fire, and street amenities that some of the more established parts of Mesa have.
These types of basic needs are what is included in the $170 million proposed bond package. Take a look at the package for yourself so you know what you will be voting on. If you recall, the Mayor and Council took a look at the bonds and made some siginifcant cuts to the original package.
Two years ago, voters rejected a property tax. Since then, they have voted in a new Mayor and Council touting change and building trust. We are seeing change in things like Gateway, but how does that become an economic engine if the people aren't safe and they have no way to get to and from their jobs?
Sometimes lost in the midst of the budget cuts that we have suffered through for the past few years is the fact that there have been no money to pay for the needs of the growing parts of Mesa. East Mesa has grown, but the facilities have not. They simply don't have the same police, fire, and street amenities that some of the more established parts of Mesa have.
These types of basic needs are what is included in the $170 million proposed bond package. Take a look at the package for yourself so you know what you will be voting on. If you recall, the Mayor and Council took a look at the bonds and made some siginifcant cuts to the original package.
Two years ago, voters rejected a property tax. Since then, they have voted in a new Mayor and Council touting change and building trust. We are seeing change in things like Gateway, but how does that become an economic engine if the people aren't safe and they have no way to get to and from their jobs?
So Long Google
Well, the Google in Arizona experiment has failed. Two years after setting up shop in Tempe, they have decided to close their office and move everyone back to California. Two years ago, their entrance into the market was touted as the next big shift in our growing economy. Sadly, they didn't even make it long enough to see the light rail operational.
Looking back, there were a lot of people who were disappointed that Mesa wasn't even part of the conversation when Google came looking. Now, two years later, Google is gone, and a megaresort is coming to the Gateway area. Looks like the short term loss didn't harm the long term gain.
It will be interesting to watch over the next few years to see how business grows and shifts throughout the Valley. Gateway looks like its going to be the next big thing, which is great, because its essential to Mesa's long term financial stability. So, when some other upstart comes to town or ten years from now, when Google comes calling again, maybe we'll see them out in Mesa instead of crammed into Tempe.
Looking back, there were a lot of people who were disappointed that Mesa wasn't even part of the conversation when Google came looking. Now, two years later, Google is gone, and a megaresort is coming to the Gateway area. Looks like the short term loss didn't harm the long term gain.
It will be interesting to watch over the next few years to see how business grows and shifts throughout the Valley. Gateway looks like its going to be the next big thing, which is great, because its essential to Mesa's long term financial stability. So, when some other upstart comes to town or ten years from now, when Google comes calling again, maybe we'll see them out in Mesa instead of crammed into Tempe.
More on Pearce and Nativio
Not quite sure why Pearce and Nativio are arguing over federal issues, but its good to finally see some life flowing into the District 18 Senate General Election race. They also discussed quite a bit about the state of the budget, which is good, but no word on what they will cut.
Nativio has also launched a series of youtube. I haven't seen them on TV, so I don't know if they are being shown anywhere, but this appears to be where he spent his primary election money. I have to give the guy credit for making a run at this, but it will be interesting to see how he fairs in this Republican dominated district.
Nativio has also launched a series of youtube. I haven't seen them on TV, so I don't know if they are being shown anywhere, but this appears to be where he spent his primary election money. I have to give the guy credit for making a run at this, but it will be interesting to see how he fairs in this Republican dominated district.
Pearce Attacker Launches Blog
Nathan Sproul, the guy who ran the personal attack campaign against Russell Pearce, has started a blog to talk about the issues that he thinks are important. I say welcome to the party, at least he recognizes that he is a little late.
Anyway, the only thing I wanted to note is that yours truly, is not among his blog links. Perhaps its because I have been a little hard on the despicable tactics of "Mesa Deserves Better."
However, he does have a link to Thoughts on Mesa, who was equally critical. In fact, those guys once said "One can only surmise that Gibbon's and Sproul are working this dirty campaign as one and who know maybe this will end up in fraud charges again for Nathan."
Eh, you win some and you lose some I guess. Anyway, welcome to the blogosphere.
Anyway, the only thing I wanted to note is that yours truly, is not among his blog links. Perhaps its because I have been a little hard on the despicable tactics of "Mesa Deserves Better."
However, he does have a link to Thoughts on Mesa, who was equally critical. In fact, those guys once said "One can only surmise that Gibbon's and Sproul are working this dirty campaign as one and who know maybe this will end up in fraud charges again for Nathan."
Eh, you win some and you lose some I guess. Anyway, welcome to the blogosphere.
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