MCC as a 4 year college

MCC as a 4 year college is an idea whose time has come. Kudos to Representative Crandall for championing their efforts. As we have mentioned before, we need more diversity in our higher education systems, and giving students more options and affordable choices will allow us to grow our workforce and expand the knowledge base.

When you look around to other states, you don't see them locked into a 3 university system. Look at California's system of colleges and universities, look at any countless number of places back east. With the existing population and the desire to continue to attract people well beyond the real-estate boom, education options will be critical to our long-term growth.

Mesa should be pushing for more places in addition to MCC to get into the game. I have also mentioned before that Mesa should embrace ASU Poly as its own university. Like the strides Mesa is taking in aerospace and other industries, the city could easily be positioned to lead the way in promoting solid education as part of this recovery.

Afterall, isn't Education the E in Mesa's HEAT plan?

Mayor bringing more national attention to Mesa

Mayor Scott Smith has been asked to join a national group in favor of addressing key infrastructure needs. As the story indicates, this is just another example of Mayor Smith getting national attention and the spotlight for a city which has been neglected in the past.

Mayor Smith's focus on transportation issues is the right move, especially since the long term needs include the critical Gateway freeway and improvements to the Gateway airport. While he warns of additional financial hardships that may be ahead, this is another case, where Mesa is positioning itself for the future.

Advice for John Lewis

Awhile back, Sonoran Alliance asked for more coverage in Gilbert. We responded saying we are willing to help. Since then, we have been contacted by the owner of "Gilbert Issues" and had some discussions about helping them start a blog. Nothing is final yet, but we do hope to see its launch in the future.

We understand that we don't own the copyrights to "(Insert City Name) Issues" but we do strive for a level of discourse and a community feel that we would hope would be emulated and respected, especially in the surrounding community. So, until "Gilbert Issues" fires up, I'll offer my suggestions here:

In response to his opponent dropping out, potential Gilbert Mayor John Lewis is going to scale back his campaign. This is a mistake on his part. Sure, he could scale back the fundraising and perhaps some of the things that he is paying for, but now is the BEST time for him to get his name out there and build some goodwill around him.

First, he is not in office yet, but he is the front runner and the defacto choice for the job. Fortunately, Berman is banned from the write-in, so there aren't that many people waiting in the wings to take him on. Think nationally, when it was pretty apparent Obama was far ahead, did he slow down? No. Did he really need to do that prime-time informercial? No, but the brilliance of that was that he can make people like him without having to make any actual decisions. You are never going to be more popular than you are now as a big winner - who hasn't made any decisions to anger your constituents.

Secondly, its clear that some of the bitter folks are going to continue to challenge the legitimacy of your victory because the primary is not reaping a contested general as its intended. Just look at any comment section from the primary race, the Lewis team was out in force showing their support and taking everyone else on. Since the election, it looks like they have been overwhelmed by the other, more bitter folks. Continuing to garner electronic support is a wise way for him to keep his face out there without having to spend a lot of money.

Finally, voters deserve to continue to have a dialogue. If Lewis doesn't want to spend more money, fine, but he should be out door to door as much as possible meeting people and gaining their support. If the newspapers do forums for the remaining council candidates, he should be there answering questions and meeting people.

So there you have it, Lewis can scale back spending if need be, but its a bad time for him to scale back his effort.

More defibrillators in public places?

The Council's public safety committee is considering asking the council to pass an ordinance to require more defibrillators in public places. The real question would be: Who would pay for these?

At $2,000 a pop, the expenses of requiring these items could add up rather quickly. The other question is there any maintenance involved? What about a power source? I am assuming that there are a few things that need to be done to bring one of these items in to make sure that they work.

I agree that AEDs are important and I am sure the two people who have been saved in Mesa will agree. My only concern is making a rule that creates financial hardships on businesses that are already having trouble, or adding extra burden to the city in a time that has already been marred by dramatic cuts.

Mesa is out of the D-Backs sweepstakes

Mesa is bowing out of the D-Backs challenge in order to focus on keeping the Cubs. This is not that surprising, especially in this economy that Mesa has to really focus on the priorities.

In this case, I think they are right in trying to retain what they got, instead of chasing down new teams, at the risk of alienating the Cubs, and ultimately ending up with no teams. Mesa has avoided the textbook case of the jock dumping his girlfriend to vie for the new "it" girl only to be spurned by her and left without the new girl or the old girlfriend.

Way to stick with what you have, Mesa. However, its not that easy. Now, Mesa has to figure out how to keep the Cubs in town with their demands for more seating and a modernized facility. After seeing some of the other facilities featured around town, it seems like a fairly reasonable request, and far more doable than a complete stadium complex. The question still comes down to money.

Newsflash: Cubs Fans Don't Want Cubs to Leave

In the shocking of all late breaking news, Cubs fans don't want the team to leave Mesa for Florida. I am sure that humidity and distance between stadiums would help people come to that decision. Not only that, but everyone out here knows that the Cubs are the big thing. Good luck with that back east. Plus, I would bet there are a lot more Illinois transplants in Mesa than Sarasota.

(Editorial note: Isn't every pizzeria and sports bar in Mesa Chicago themed?)

My guess is that the spring training thing is a hot story and this is one more chance to squeeze a little juice out of it before Spring Training leaves for the season. There was one interesting note, however in the article:

A deal to build a new facility for the Boston Red Sox failed when the Sarasota County commissioners failed to approve it.

If the Red Sox are looking to move, we do whatever we can to attract them out here as well. Imagine both the Cubs and the Sox calling Mesa their spring home. Talk about a reputation booster. Thats a fast pass off the most "boring" list.

Light Rail Expanding in Mesa

It has been decided that the additional 2.7 miles of "transit cooridor" into Mesa will now officially be light rail. Not really surprising based on the push for expanding light rail, but it seems difficult to do an accurate 2 year study when the actual rail line has only been up for 3 months.

No matter, because this extension wouldn't open until 2015. By then we'll be able to see exactly how it works and if it is indeed doing what its supposed to in spuring investment and attracting development. The only interesting thing to note is the notion that the vision Mesa has for the light rail is extending it to Gilbert road which could cost "$150 million but are not part of any approved plan and lack funding."

All things being equal, if there is $150 million to be found, it should be going to either keeping the Cubs, and attracting the D-Backs.

Dobson in the news again

From Obama to oh-bomb-ah. Sorry, couldn't resist the pun. Dobson High School was swept after a bomb threat was found in a school restroom. These type of threats happen more than most people think, and the school is wise to take them seriously.

“We have to take everything as seriously as possible. Even if we might think it’s a prank, we just can’t look at it that way,” Bareiss said.

While I do tend to think that schools sometimes go overboard on safety issues, in this case, caution is the best approach.

MPS hosting community meetings on Education

Thanks to one of our readers for sending us the tip about some critical community meetings hosted by MPS that start tonight. According to the letter, this is a chance for people to learn more about the state's budget crisis and "how parents can become involved in supporting education." Don't be surprised if this is a start of a rallying of parents against deeper cuts.

There are two meetings tonight at 7pm. One is being hosted at Westwood High School and another at Red Mountain High School.

The next two meetings are next week on March 31st at Rhodes Junior High School and Brimhall Junior High School. If you attend a meeting, send us the report.

Tattoo Parlor fails, lawsuit likely

In a 6 to 1 vote, the Mesa City Council voted against allowing a tattoo parlor to come to the Dobson Ranch area. Mayor Scott Smith is the only one who voted for approval, citing the fact that rather than legislating one business at a time, the council should focus on improving community standards. Looks like the opportunity for disagreement, was short-lived.

Don't be surprised if Goldwater Institute files a lawsuit on behalf of the shop owner. They weren't at the council meeting just for the fun of it. As they have proven, they are willing to litigate, so let's hope the council has some good reasons for their vote that will stand up. Otherwise, this could be Bailey's Brake Shop part 2.