Posts
Not a whole lot to write about today. Are there things going on that I am missing? If so, let me know in the comments section and I am more than willing to post. Now that spring training is gone, the Gaylord is going to be built, and Mesa has made their budget cuts, it appears that we have hit some sort of lull.
Is it the calm before the storm? Let me know if you have any tips!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Hiring in Mesa
More than 1,100 people showed up for the 300 to 400 job openings for the new Ranch Market in Mesa. Its not clear how many of them are Mesa residents, but based on the location, we would have to assume that Mesa would be the home to a decent portion of them. In the wake of so many businesses shutting their doors, its great to see one ready to open theirs.
Lets hope that the news is right and the economy is starting to level off. While other cities continue to struggle to fit into their new budgets, Mesa would be positioned to take off and recover more quickly.
Lets hope that the news is right and the economy is starting to level off. While other cities continue to struggle to fit into their new budgets, Mesa would be positioned to take off and recover more quickly.
Step One: Don't leave gun in public
It seems like it would be Police 101: Don't leave your gun unattended in a public place. Don't change employee records. However, sometimes thats not enough logic, as two veteran Mesa cops were reprimanded for these offenses. Its not clear what a "reprimand" really means, or what action was taken, but these men should have probably known better.
We understand that people make mistakes, but according to the story, those guys are a Commander and a Sergeant. They should be held to a higher standard, especially since I would assume they have people working under them.
Between this and Gascon, is everything okay in the Mesa PD?
We understand that people make mistakes, but according to the story, those guys are a Commander and a Sergeant. They should be held to a higher standard, especially since I would assume they have people working under them.
Between this and Gascon, is everything okay in the Mesa PD?
Welcome back, Thoughts on Mesa
A big welcome back to Thoughts on Mesa, who have hit the ground running once about blogging about issues around Mesa. He is hot to trot on this Gascon issue, which is not surprising as he has been a vocal critic in the past. He is claiming that ACORN funded Gascon's trip and cites an unknown source to confirm. It seems a little far-fetched to me, but hey, people have been naive enough to fall for things like this in the past.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Gascon makes a BAD move
Gascon says that he doesn't dance for anyone, except he better start dancing for the City Council and fast. Since it has been discovered that a "group of nonprofit organizations that are seeking immigration reform” paid for his trip to Washington, there has been a bit of an uproar. And now, Gascon, who, while outspoken, has done a pretty good job of keeping himself above the immigration fray, has now jumped in the middle of it.
We have to ask: Do you dance with the one who brung you?
Our thoughts on Sheriff Joe and his out of control behavior have been fairly well documented. We sided with Mesa against his raid on Mesa City Hall. Whats more, we have been fairly supportive of Gascon's efforts to reduce crime, and have even opposed efforts to demonize him.
However, in the end, it looks like his stubbornness may be his undoing. The chief is supposed to be an impartial enforcer of the law. Why would you take money from a group that has thoughts about which laws are right and which laws are wrong? When the sheriff conducted the sweeps last year, this is what we had to say:
"Gascon has a concern for riots and civil unrest - it doesn't appear that he is fundamentally against a crackdown on illegal immigration. However, he is allowing those concerns to stand in the way, or at least allow the perception to prevail that he is trying to stand in the way. The result is people calling for his dismissal claiming that he is part of the problem on why Mesa is considered a "sanctuary city." Gascon must clearly define himself as part of the solution."
So what does he do? He moves in the completely opposite direction. Instead of defining himself as part of the solution, he has now aligned with himself with people who clearly want to stand in the way. The result is going to be even more people calling for his dismissal. Is there anything that Gascon can do to fix the damage that has been caused?
We have to ask: Do you dance with the one who brung you?
Our thoughts on Sheriff Joe and his out of control behavior have been fairly well documented. We sided with Mesa against his raid on Mesa City Hall. Whats more, we have been fairly supportive of Gascon's efforts to reduce crime, and have even opposed efforts to demonize him.
However, in the end, it looks like his stubbornness may be his undoing. The chief is supposed to be an impartial enforcer of the law. Why would you take money from a group that has thoughts about which laws are right and which laws are wrong? When the sheriff conducted the sweeps last year, this is what we had to say:
"Gascon has a concern for riots and civil unrest - it doesn't appear that he is fundamentally against a crackdown on illegal immigration. However, he is allowing those concerns to stand in the way, or at least allow the perception to prevail that he is trying to stand in the way. The result is people calling for his dismissal claiming that he is part of the problem on why Mesa is considered a "sanctuary city." Gascon must clearly define himself as part of the solution."
So what does he do? He moves in the completely opposite direction. Instead of defining himself as part of the solution, he has now aligned with himself with people who clearly want to stand in the way. The result is going to be even more people calling for his dismissal. Is there anything that Gascon can do to fix the damage that has been caused?
Shop Mesa, enjoy the arts
If you shop in Mesa, you could save money towards several of Mesa's different art programs. While a little on the convoluted side, it sounds pretty neat. Basically, shop in Mesa, and you'll get coupons or "Mesa Bucks" which can be built up to get buy one get one free access to Mesa Arts and culural programs.
Saving money is all the rage right now. Coupon programs, discount passes, two for ones are more popular now than they have been in recent years. In this case, its actually a double smart move, because it gets people to invest in Mesa, and then it gets them to spend even more money on Mesa Cultural events. It could potentially be a way to maximize the things that Mesa is already doing.
The only question I have is, how does this work? Is someone going to the businesses and asking them to hand out these "Mesa bucks" or do you just have to go to some central location and show your Mesa receipts?
Saving money is all the rage right now. Coupon programs, discount passes, two for ones are more popular now than they have been in recent years. In this case, its actually a double smart move, because it gets people to invest in Mesa, and then it gets them to spend even more money on Mesa Cultural events. It could potentially be a way to maximize the things that Mesa is already doing.
The only question I have is, how does this work? Is someone going to the businesses and asking them to hand out these "Mesa bucks" or do you just have to go to some central location and show your Mesa receipts?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Mesa Patriot Guard rider dies
Mesa Resident Craig Creed spent his weekends honoring the fallen soldiers as part of the Patriot Guard Riders. Last Thursday, he died after a tragic accident on the 101, riding his motorcycle home from a funeral where he participated along with 60 of his fellow Patriot Guard riders.
From the comments and the reactions, you can tell that Creed had an impact on the lives around him. And even to the end, he died doing something that he thought was important, honoring the lives of those who have sacrificed for his country.
While his death is tragic, its also very honorable. It is a tragic loss of someone with still so much life ahead, but there is no better way to go than doing something you love and honoring those that you care about.
From the comments and the reactions, you can tell that Creed had an impact on the lives around him. And even to the end, he died doing something that he thought was important, honoring the lives of those who have sacrificed for his country.
While his death is tragic, its also very honorable. It is a tragic loss of someone with still so much life ahead, but there is no better way to go than doing something you love and honoring those that you care about.
Funeral arrangements for Creed are pending. The family has requested that in lieu of sending flowers to the family, to donate to the Patriot Guard Riders or Boys and Girls Clubs of the East Valley.
Checks may be made payable to Patriot Guard Riders Inc. and mailed to: Patriot Guard Riders, P.O. Box 822513, Vancouver, WA 98682, or BGCEV, 1405 E.
Guadalupe Road, Suite 4, Tempe, AZ 85283.
Train preservation limping along
The group dedicated to preserving the train at Pioneer Park, claim to be up to about $26,000, if you include what they have in hand combined with a grant they expect to receive. This isn't much of a change from the last profile on the group, so its not clear why this is all that newsworthy.
The only real difference is now the pro-train group is claiming that its going to be EVEN LESS to preserve the train. They are now claiming that it will only cost "$75,000 to move the train and another $50,000 to restore it," which may be good news for them, but it doesn't change the fact that they are only a little more than halfway there.
My question to the City of Mesa is how much time are you going to give these folks? I am not against them giving it the old college try, but is someone confirming that the train could be moved for $75,000? If it costs more, who would be holding the bag?
The only real difference is now the pro-train group is claiming that its going to be EVEN LESS to preserve the train. They are now claiming that it will only cost "$75,000 to move the train and another $50,000 to restore it," which may be good news for them, but it doesn't change the fact that they are only a little more than halfway there.
My question to the City of Mesa is how much time are you going to give these folks? I am not against them giving it the old college try, but is someone confirming that the train could be moved for $75,000? If it costs more, who would be holding the bag?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Advertising coming to light rail?
Ever since the all-star game advertised on the light rail cars, Metro has been moving closer to beginning to allow regular advertisements on their train. As I mentioned before, I think that light rail should put the protocol in place for big events, and maybe there is room in there for day to day advertising.
One of the comments I have heard from people who ride the light rail here and have done transit in other places is that it is sort of weird that the train is completely devoid of advertising. Sometimes advertising is a bit of a distraction, but not always in a bad way, sometimes it keeps you from staring at the person in front of you.
If it could generate $1.6 million a year, it might be something to look into. But where does that money go? Does that devalue packages that could be offered to things like all-star games and spring training?
One of the comments I have heard from people who ride the light rail here and have done transit in other places is that it is sort of weird that the train is completely devoid of advertising. Sometimes advertising is a bit of a distraction, but not always in a bad way, sometimes it keeps you from staring at the person in front of you.
If it could generate $1.6 million a year, it might be something to look into. But where does that money go? Does that devalue packages that could be offered to things like all-star games and spring training?
Prepare for more moaning about the property tax
Well, its about that time. The city council will soon choose to implement the secondary property tax that the voters overwhelmingly approved in November. Despite the Public Safety bond winning with 66.9% and the Streets bond winning with 64.6% of the vote, there are going to be a little bit of noise when the council votes to enact the tax.
One of the commenters mentioned the "camel's nose under the tent," well, the voters let that camel in back in November. We need these critical projects and we voted to make sure that they happen. So, the council should be confident in their vote to support the will of the voters.
Now, their job will be to make sure that they can deliver everything that they promised in those bonds. The voters have faith in this mayor and council because they cut the bonds in light of the economic slowdown and they were honest about the needs. Now that we are going to be paying, they need to make sure that they are delivering.
One of the commenters mentioned the "camel's nose under the tent," well, the voters let that camel in back in November. We need these critical projects and we voted to make sure that they happen. So, the council should be confident in their vote to support the will of the voters.
Now, their job will be to make sure that they can deliver everything that they promised in those bonds. The voters have faith in this mayor and council because they cut the bonds in light of the economic slowdown and they were honest about the needs. Now that we are going to be paying, they need to make sure that they are delivering.
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