Inside Mesa

Unfortunately, my questions emailed in for the debate were not included in the over 60 responding to a request for questions if anyone in the community wanted to do so. I had good questions, some answered in part — I have even better comments.The bottom line is, Councilmember Rawles made incorrect statements and assumptions. Speaking at a rally of 70 supporters to keep Mesa safe just prior to the debate last night, former Police Chiefs Dennis Donna and Jan Strauss AND United Mesa Firefighters President Brian Jeffries made it very clear, without additional revenue, Mesa’s essential city services cannot keep pace with growth.Proposed cuts Councilmember Tom Rawles suggested do not solve the ongoing financial problems or the future additional funds the City will need for Police and Fire support.Mesa’s Police Department are not fully supported because of the decrease in civilian support. About 60 vacancies, almost 12%, are not funded in an attempt to help the City balance its current budget. Support positions are critical in that they relieve officers of administrative duties and allow them to do their primary jobs. Most people don’t realize the amount of paperwork involved in almost all, if not every activity officers encounter!I understand the Fire Department is in need of additional Fire Stations to serve our current community and for Mesa’s future growth — that growth is not anticipated, it will happen….it is happening.To complain about Mesa’s spending is inaccurate and not fair. Compared to the nation’s top 50 cities, Mesa is the third cheapest city for the cost of government. The first two, and only two cities where citizens pay less for government are Arlington, Texas (oil rich) and Las Vegas, Nevada (gambling rich). Some of us may be supporting Nevada’s city government every time a visit is made to any city in Nevada, particularly Las Vegas, Laughlin, and Reno. Invest in Mesa!Selling the city’s water farm in Pinal County, whether all or part, won’t solve Mesa’s ongoing revenue stream challenges. A shortsighted, short-term solution may not "hold water". Our city may need this water in the future, especially in a drought cyle! Last night Councilmember Tom Rawles stated supporters of Question 1 and Question 2 are "elitists." As a retired citizen of Mesa, I am interested in the best for Mesa and for myself. That means Police, Fire, and all that goes with it, to fully support their service to the community - which is ensuring public safety. Libraries that are fully functioning, whose patrons are of every age, is a no-brainer. Safe streets, unquestionably, a must.It appears to me the finger was pointing in the wrong direction - the other 4 pointed to Councilmember Rawles who appears to be the elitist. He can afford these "luxeries" and doesn’t need city government or a stable revenue source.

We’ve talked a lot about the sales and property tax issues on the May ballot, but what about the others?Proposition 100, without going into detail, is designed to streamline the zoning process. Critics say that this proposition will limit the concerns the public may have about certain zoning cases.

Proposition 101 is for the hiring of an auditor. This auditor will report directly to the city coucil. Mesa will spend $374,000 to hire this auditor to find wasteful spending by the city.

These two issues have far reaching consequences to the future of Mesa also.

Mayor Keno Hawker and former lawmaker Mark Killion have the answers you’ve been waiting for. This event is a must!Thursday, April 27th at 5:30 PM come to the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. Center: A rally and press conference will begin the evening to support the upcoming election on May 16, questions 1 and 2. A 1/2 cent tax increase and primary property tax controlled by a cap and state regulations.At 7:00 PM, a forum will convene at the Mesa City Council Chambers, 54 E. 1st Street. Those participating on the panel will speak from opposite viewpoints. *Read more on the speakers below.Those for: *Mayor Keno Hawker and former lawmaker *Mark Killian. Two conservatives supporting taxes? Yes. This must tell you the city is in need of addtional revenue in order to sustain the city budget, to keep pace in providing services, meet the needs of the citizens of Mesa and the increasing population growth.Those against: Community Activist *Jan Hibbard and *Councilmember Tom Rawles. Two viewpoints that appear to want to stop Mesa’s potential and the ability to attract business, claims that the city government is responsible for the unsuccessful management of the last 50 years. Everyone will want to attend! Come hear the speakers, their reasoning, educate yourself on the issues and come prepared to take advantage of an opportunity to submit questions and get answers. *Mayor Hawker has received many awards in recognition of his excellent work and management skills: A Mesa councilmember for 10 years, on his 2nd term as Mayor of Mesa, Chair of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Council, Treasurer of the Williams Gateway Airport Authority, member of the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association, Valley Metro Rail, Regional Public Transportation Authority, National League of Cities Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Steering Committee, MAG Transportation Policy Committee and ex-officio member of the City of Mesa Economic Development Advisory Board.*Mark Killian - A long time Mesa resident and well respected member of our community with many accomplishments: The former Director of the Arizona Department of Revenue and served as a member of the Mesa 2025: Financing the Future committee. He served as an elected official in the AZ House of Representatives for 14 years as Majority Leader and Speaker of the House. Served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and Public Institutions committee. *Jan Hibbard, CPA Business, Mesa and Secretary / Founder VBO, and *Councilmember Tom Rawles, General Councel Johnson Stewart Materials, LLC - some views of each: promote "if you want it, pay for it yourself", keeping the status quo of 1945, minority voice, blame instead of moving forward in meeting the needs of today and our future. Seems to deny the reality of our present budget crisis. Descenting voices of the past — (Riverview Project, freeways, Proposition 300, Williams Gateway Area house developer, downtown development, abolishing food tax losing 9 Million a year).

Mesa is in danger of losing valuable funding to repair 54 arterial streets unless we vote YES on May 16.Mesa is eligible to receive $585 Million in regional funds to repair Mesa streets. However, we must match those funds with $251 Million local funds. Mesa doesn’t have those funds. The answer lay in the May 16 vote to increase taxes.

Mesa deserves to be the same safe family oriented city it has been. We can help. Safe streets are one of those areas that must be maintained to keep our city and our families safe. Clearly, the safety of Mesa is at risk unless we vote YES on questions 1 and 2.

The editorial page today in the Tribune made me wonder, "Is there is a Palace for Alice in that wonderful place called Wonderland?"

Not in today’s Mesa! In the real world, Mesa has moved way beyond the farm land mentality of 1945. Most residents in Mesa were not here in 1945, neither was the council or writers with opinions. I was close by and there was nothing much to manage but a few square miles in downtown Mesa.

Perhaps it is that mind set that holds the city back. One must blame others if you find yourself dead set against change, improvement, growth, education that lends itself to expanding minds to keep up with technology, efficiency, quality, assurance of a lifestyle deserving of any resident in a city that cares.

Larger, more suitable managed cities? Let me think. Looking at 50 similar cities across the U.S., I believe there were two that were run at a lower cost using revenue from their population, not needing the extra revenue for obvious reasons: Las Vegas using their gambling enterprise, a city in Texas that sits on oil. Otherwise, it was Mesa, the best economically managed city. Mesa is a city with numerous awards for many accomplishments earned by the Mayor and City Manager. All the other cities in that list have a primary property tax and still could not out-do Mesa

For those of you who may be interested, there will be a rally at the Dobson Ranch Library tonight.The rally starts at 6:00 pm. The address is: 2425 S. Dobson Rd. The main concern will be the curtailing of library hours at this and the Red Mountain library because of Mesa’s budget crunch.