Inside Mesa

The City of Mesa just posted a Media Alert at 5:08 PM - no traffic due to water main break.Due to a water main break, Power Road north between Broadway and Main is currently closed. Banner Baywood Hospital has access - there is currently no traffic north of Baywood Ave. The city is attempting to open lanes for northbound traffic - for questions: Please contact Dan Cleavenger Deputy Transportation Director at 480-644-3125, or dan.cleavenger@cityofmesa.org.

Senior citizens are asked to be aware of callers posing to be from Medicare to get personal information.The Safe Senior Program through the Mesa PD Crime Prevention Unit tells us that Attorney General Terry Goddard warns seniors to beware of callers who say they represent Medicare offering a new Medicare card. They will ask for bank account information and perhaps other personal information - it’s a scam! Medicare is not allowed to ask for personal information over the phone.A similar call says they are from the "National Medical Office", notifing you that your card is no longer valid and offer you a low-discount Medicare card. They may even threaten you with statements that you’ll lose your benefits and ask for bank account information, social security card, or birthdate. Another false representation to gather information from you.If you suspect a fraudulant call - please contact Terry Goddard’s office at 602-542-5763 or the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHSTIPS. To file a complaint on-line with the attorney general go to www.azag.gov We all need to be careful - those wishing to steal go to the vulnerable because it’s easier. They use things that are needed most like health insurance. Get a name, street address, and phone number to follow up on whether those calling you are authentic.

If you haven’t met Rich Crandall, he’s someone you will want to know…..Rich Crandall is a candidate for the House of Representatives - a member of Legislative District 19 , and will be an excellent choice for the seat that the Honorable Gary Pierce, Majority Whip, Republican District 19, gave notice to relinquish in order to run for the Arizona Corporation Commission - Pierce, another outstanding leader that will get the job done; his record impressive.Rich is an integral member of Mesa’s Republican Legislative District 19 heading up a key committe on state legislative issues - a good match for the knowledge he brings to the table. As a member of LD 19 and Precinct committeeman, I’ve come to know Rich Crandall in this arena but initially as co-graduates of the Mesa LTD - Leadership, Training, and Development Program, 2005, sponsored by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce.Crandall was elected to the Mesa Public Schools Board in 2004, expiring December 31, 2008. Service on the MPS Planning and Boundary Design Advisory Committee and the Community Curriculum Advisory Panel brings a thorough dimension of MPS. A businessman in our community he is president of CN Resource a nationwide child-nutrition consulting firm and is a partner and chief financial officer of Crandall Corporate Dietitians . Rich, well educated - bachelor and master degrees, accounting - master’s degree, business administration - summa cum laude, will serve AZ well. Rich has served as president and advisory board of the Arizona Management Society, Marriott School of Management Alumni Board , and Mesa Bank. Rich Crandall is a true leader and well qualified to earn a seat in the House of Representatives.If you’re not registered to vote, do it now!

After 3 months you may have gotten used to taking advantage of no traffic-safety cameras……that time has ended.The delay was a change in contractors; there will be 16 cameras operational by Friday - 14 are already operational in west Mesa. Not to leave east Mesa out, 18 more will be added over the next several months - expanding the traffic-safety system.Interim Chief G.T. Fowler comments that red-light crashes are some of the most serious. In 2005 there were 61 crashes with 64 fatalities in Mesa - a sobering thought and caution to not take chances.With citations at $195, it may make one think twice before racing through that intersection. For your convenience, you’ll be able to go online to view your violation for speeding or red-light running, pay the fine, or schedule a hearing - now that’s service - a new convenience provided by the new contractor.

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.

The census count was quite a bit off for the City of Mesa, it was right to have a recount as we found an increase in the total - the solution unfair.I think it’s unfair to withold Federal funds because the recount for the City of Mesa population brought the correct results in after the deadline. The count reflects a more accurate number so why penalyze the city by not paying what it righfully deserves now?I don’t see the logic behind this, unless by holding on to that money it earns more interest for the witholder, thereby making money on Mesa’s time.The ruling is unfair for Mesa, we deserve the rightful amount of funding that is due us.