Well, at least Councilmember Somers saved the next three months for certified disabled seniors and the certified disabled - continuing with Dial-A-Ride temporarily - a bonus!Mesa’s City Council meeting reported on page A3 of the East Valley Tribune by Sarah N. Lynch, says the meeting on July 5 was packed with seniors and the disabled.The Senior Dial-A-Ride program was on the agenda and on the cut list of services to the community if the property tax did not pass. We all know it didn’t. I think many were surprised when the City of Mesa did what they said they had to do out of necessity. Cutting the program will save the city approximately $1.4 million.What many don’t realize is that the Dial-A-Ride program is for ADA (American Disability Act) certified persons and by law must provide disabled individuals a ride if they are certified and live within 3/4 of a mile of bus service. The City of Mesa has been very gracious and generous about giving seniors a ride that are not disabled and those disabled but not ADA certified.There are other programs whereby seniors can get a ride. Coupons at the Senior Center for a taxi, bus passes, and paying an amount per mile to a person driving you as needed, to be reimbursed by the city.The bonus Councilman Somers asked for which unanimously passed by the council, was that ADA approved seniors will have holiday and Sunday hours continuing for the next three months instead of ending August 7, 2006 - costing the city an additional $145,000. Councilman Somers said he would be looking into grants that may be available and hopefully be able to continue the program - a good idea! I hope many of these circumstances that continue to arise because of the cuts wake people up to the fact that it takes money to have programs. Some we take for granted and some we don’t know about because we don’t use them.The upcoming utility bond election is critical for the entire city as the money is needed for utility capital improvement projects. The list of items needed are: replace fire hydrants, repair sewer lines, replace pipes, replace aging infrastructure throughout the city, $18 million in improvements at ASU Polytechnic in wastewater and water projects. The bonds will be on the ballot, November 7, and would be sold over a 5 year period as projects arise. A total of $261 million plus $39 million in previous approved bonds.I don’t know about you, but if my fire hydrant needs replacing I sure want it working in good order. We’ve heard about broken sewer lines because of their age and it’s just the beginning as maintenance will always be there. ASU Polytechnic is a must in preparing for the increase in student numbers, faculty and staff - it takes money to grow and also to keep what we have in good working condition.Here again, no property tax so we must pay through another means and most likely cost us more in the long run.
Archive for July 6th, 2006Students - Fraud Alert - Dept. of EducationJuly 6th, 2006, 2:30 pm by SharonMesa PD Crime Prevention has posted an alert that was issued through the Department of Education - Students beware!Following is the fraud alert that was posted through the Mesa Police Department Crime Prevention Unit:The Department of Education has issued an alert regarding a telemarketing fraud scheme. Persons claiming to be from the Department of Education are calling students and offering them scholarships or grants. These callers request a bank or credit card account number saying the information will be used to charge a $249 processing fee. The Department of Education is advising students to take the following actions if they have given out their financial information:1. Immediately contact the bank, explain the situation, and request that the bank monitor or close the compromised account. 2. Notify the police about the incident; impersonating a federal officer, telemarketing fraud schemes, and identity theft are crimes. 3. Report the fraud to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General website or hotline at 1-800-MIS-USED (1-800-647-8733). Special agents in the Office of Inspector General investigate fraud involving federal education dollars.4. Contact the Federal Trade Commission website or at 1-877-FTC-HELP. For more information, see the Department of Education website. Why is Cox Commication penalyzed?July 6th, 2006, 6:09 am by SharonCox Communication has been tapped by regulators because of an agreement to serve customers in a housing development in Peoria. Where was the Arizona Corporation Commission when I went to them?At one time I was going to move into Pinal County. Upon reading through the community facts on utilities, cable, water, sewer, electricity, etc. I had questions about the monopoly George Johnson had on so many services and the outrageous prices.The Arizona Corporation Commission were of no help and neither was Florence, the Pinal County location for all Pinal governmental offices. When the reclaimation plant was being sold, I found Johnson was selling it to himself and re-naming the company. When I questioned the cable that we had to buy into, it too was changed over to another company that was contracted with Johnson. No one was able to help me or answer any of my questions as to why this was unfair practice was going on.I don’t know why Cox Communication is now a target when other entities seem to be able to set their rates and monopolize business as they please. I’m not suggesting Cox is out to monopolize, I do know that Shea Homes was part of the community I was buying into that had an agreement with Johnson Utilities and the cable company.So what’s the hang up here if you let one company contract to cable users in a community and not another? |