Inside Mesa

Jared Langkilde, Chairman of Republican Legislative District 19, announces a great opportunity tomorrow evening at our monthly meeting.All four Republican candidates for Governor will be present to share their ideas and answer questions.Candidates are:Don Goldwater…………Mike HarrisLen Munsil………………Garry TupperAlso, come hear about an exciting program, all new and current Precinct Committeemen need to attend this meeting.Don’t miss out! Thursday, August 17, 6:30 PM refreshments, 7:00 PM meeting begins at Mesa Community College Red Mountain Campus, Community Room M200, 7110 E. McKellips - in the northeast corner of Power and McKellips Road.Questions? Call Jared at 480-641-8874.

Voting is a small duty in exchange for the freedoms we enjoy. Be a part of the solution or at least try to be. Every US citizen should register and vote! What many Americans consider a nuisance, many foreign citizens consider a joy and a privilege. You may not always get your way, but you should always be a part of the process. Primary elections are September 12th and the general election in November. Are you ready? Maybe your vote isn’t enough. There are plenty of opportunities to make a difference in our government:- Join the local caucus of your political party of choice and help create its platform.- Become a Precinct Committeeman to influence the direction and policies of your political party: www.azgop.org, www.azdem.org- Host a political candidate forum at your church or other locale to meet the candidates and educate fellow voters and peers on the issues.- Support your candidate of choice financially.- Write a letter/email/phone your legislator on an issue. This goes a long way and takes very little time.- Join a lobbyist group to influence public policy.- Start/join a prayer group for good government! (www.azpolicy.org/prayer)I become especially agitated with how many church-goers do not register or vote or get involved at all. We in particular are supposed to take seriously the social condition of our nation and care about other citizens. If we don’t do it, then someone with differing values will - guaranteed. Be the prudent person who votes the issues and their conscience, not based upon one 30 second TV spot. Let me preface the following story with, "I AM NOT FROM CALIFORNIA!" I did however live there during my military days, and became a registered voter there. In the late ’90s, I survived a particularly painful election day during which every single one of my preferred candidates lost. Particularly painful was the election of Grey Davis as governor and re-election of Senator Diane Feinstein whose views I find particularly contemptible. Despite that experience, I have continued to vote and increasingly petitioned my elected officials during my residencies in Pennsylvania and here in Arizona. It has never dawned on me to abandon the political process despite the fact that I don’t always get my own way. So, don’t get discouraged - keep trying. Thousands of men & women have died to ensure that we have the right to a democratic process; their sacrifices should not be in vain. Please do your part and "rock the vote"!

Today was a real treat - I was able to do something I never thought I’d take part in. Lunch with Vice President Dick Cheney.There was plenty of security on hand, police officers with working K-9’s. I had the opportunity to thank those officers in Phoenix that caught the serial shooters recently. I also asked about the K-9’s and their specialty - it was bombs!The occasion took place at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, the whole back room was lined with cameras, cameramen, lights, news media, reporters, all waiting for the moments we had to listen to what the Vice President of the United States had to share with us. Carefully positioned also, were Secret Service men looking around with every caution to protect the Vice President.Vice President Cheney touched on many topics briefly - mentioning the big drop in our dificit, tax cuts during this administration, the qualified judges recently put in place like John Roberts, and the ever-mindful war, America’s participation in Iraq.He explained that we cannot as civilians, politicians, a party of the people - who are away from the action, pick a time that pleases us, when our involvement in this war will end. He emphasized that those military personnel, the military strategist on the ground and in the action every day are the ones the Bush administration rely on, to consult with, in making those critical decisions. Vital National security was assured - and at the top of President Bush’s agenda.Vice President Cheney mentioned the most favored Presidents, Kennedy, Reagan, and Bush - rejecting any strategies to show defeat as serious, underscoring - we will not let down our guard.To hear him speak in person gives one a new deminsion and understanding of our President, those that serve, and at least a glimpse of the insight when making decisions for our country.Others that came by my table to say hello were Senator Jon Kyle, Republican Chairmen Matt Salmon, and the Honorable J.D. Hayworth. I also was glad to see and visit with City of Mesa Councilmember Scott Somers, District 6 during lunch.Channel 10 also stopped by - I agreed to an interview, I hope it shows on the news!

Today I called the Crime Prevention Unit, Mesa PD and spoke to Karen Stegenga, Crime Prevention Specialist whose area is Elder Abuse; I found that is a place to go if you have legal matters to discuss - without cost.Each Tuesday, the Maricopa County Attorney General provides assistance at the Red Mountain Multi-Generational Center. Time is 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. I encourage all those that have questions about matters they are not sure of, to look into this is - it’s the place to go!Trained volunteers will be able to sit down with you and discuss questions you have and help direct you or suggest what re-course you have in a given situation.Rencenty, Ron and Cathy wrote in with their situation in Dreamland Villa which is actually covered by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office because the property is within an island in Mesa. However, when it comes to a civil matter it’s quite easy to go to the Red Mountain Center Tuesday mornings. A crime of course would include your contacting law enforcement.The Red Mountain Multi-Generational Center is located off Adobe Ave. east of Power Road and the service is free.

Ron and Cathy Ehninger, a reader responded today under "Senior Day at the Movies" - about a frustrating situation in the east Mesa community, Dreamland Villa.The Tribune wrote an article about their plight some months ago. What is going on? I understand a neighborhood of homes having CC&R’s; what I don’t understand is a group called the "Social Club" making it mandatory for every Dreamland Villa resident to pay dues to them, a non-profit "Club", that has quite a fund going.It seems not everyone receives a notice about upcoming issues affecting the neighborhood and if you don’t pay "social club dues" you can’t vote. I live in an HOA neighborhood and have been an officer previously on a HOA Board, the only one that has a say over membership dues is an elected board or hired management company.How can a "Social Club" step in and make rules for everyone else? How can a "Social Club" collect dues? If membership dues have been established through a correct process, which means - each resident - has been informed, have had an appropriate amount of time to review any change or implementation of operations, given adequate reporting on financial income and expenditures, a demonstration of accountability to the residents, including the opportunity to vote - either in person or by proxy.Is the Social Club the one I seem to recall that pays dues to use the golf course? Something doesn’t seem right - what’s up with Dreamland Villa?

The front page of today’s East Valley Tribune carried stories on slaying suspects, chaos, deaths, complaints, war and rape. At the bottom of the page, ironically, an article on confession - but not what you might picture as typical.Reporter Art Martori writes about a church sponsored web site where one can log-in and e-confess sins. He starts out with a comedic approach, "Bless me, Web site, for I have sinned." The reality is, there is a real church, LifeChurch.tv, based in Mesa, that started the web site. It’s set up to anonymously log-in and enter your confessions. The article ends with a question asking if online confession brings absolution. A word easily defined in Webster’s Dictionary - a remission of sins as pronounced by a priest as in the sacrament of penance, to set free from. I didn’t find the word absolution in my expository dictionary of New Testament words, King James or Life Application Study Bible concordance. However, the term is defined in the Catholic Bible, the same as is in Webster’s Dictionary.My point as I think it through - many people journal. Perhaps praying for forgiveness as they write out their confessions, turning away from those sins, asking for God’s forgiveness and believing his gift of grace. In that regard I don’t see the difference in writing sins on paper, on-line, confessing out loud, or by a silent prayer. What is of importance is one’s attitude, sincerity of the confession, truly repenting, asking and knowing God’s forgiveness. A younger generation may find a web site the key to even begin acknowledging sin. The world has changed over many generations and thousands of years, including how people get to know God and the reason to confess sin. It doesn’t surprise me that technology can and is a way to reveal God, what sin and confession is, and how our lives can be changed. The Bible can be downloaded on your computer; is it still the Word of God? I think it is -it’s not the form but the content - just like confession.

Marriage Amendment shouldn’t be necessary, but it is…Marriage has been defined as being between one man and one woman since its inception. It is the cornerstone of the family and human society, not just some political special interest. Cohabitation and no-fault divorce have been undermining marriage and families for years. This growing apathy toward marriage makes it a perfect time for homosexual proponents to attempt to change the definition of marriage through the judiciary, but our society must stop and address this important issue. The Protect Marriage Arizona Constitutional Amendment protects the precious institution of marriage by effectively

Mesa PD Crime Prevention Office will hold public safety meetings in several areas throughout Mesa.These will not be to discuss the serial shootings - but to discuss personal safety issues, guidelines, and topics pertinent to public safety.You may want to attend, no need to sign up.Mesa PD Public Safety meetings held at:Mesa Police Department’s Central Patrol Community Room120 North Robson Tuesday August 8, 2006 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.Tuesday August 22, 2006 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.Wednesday August 30, 2006 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dobson Library Community Room2425 South Dobson Road Tuesday August 8, 2006 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.Wednesday August 23, 2006 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday August 29, 2006 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mesa Police Department’s Red Mountain Patrol District Community Room4333 East University Wednesday August 9, 2006 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday August 22, 2006 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.Wednesday August 30, 2006 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Mesa Police Department