Inside Mesa

The Riverview shopping center project was originally scheduled to be built out in 10 years. Now, it seems like it will be completed in just 5!That’s exciting news for those living in west Mesa, and really, for all of us in Mesa. National retailers such as Marshalls, Petco, Famous Footwear, and Joann’s will soon be opening their doors, and there will be a couple of well known restaurants coming there too. Three - five auto dealerships are scheduled to go at that location employing about 300 people per dealership bring more employment to the Mesa area.Major hotels will locating at Riverview also with anouncements to be made in a couple of weeks. With Bass Pro opening in May of 07, This area will soon be a hub of retail activity.

As a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), allow me to say "Congratulations!" on 30 years of Women at the Service Academies and in particular, the Naval Academy. In July 1976, 81 women reported to Annapolis, MD as members of the class of 1980. Thirty years later, 273 women were sworn into Naval Service totally nearly 2700 women during that time. A "30 years of Women at USNA" celebration was held in Annapolis September 7-9th, where the keynote speaker was Rear Admiral (sel) Michelle Howard, the first female Admiral from the Naval Academy and first African-American woman to command a U.S. Navy ship. The debate continues in certain circles on the value of women in the military and our training at the Service Academies. The combat exclusion law was finally lifted in 1992 and opened most military careers doors to women. Although the military has always led the way in integration, there are still doubters as to our contribution despite years of service providing evidence to the contrary.Allow me to quote a recent article from Proceedings (a military magazine) written by Sharon Disher, USNA ‘80, entitled "Women Can Fight" (a fitting title countering James Webb’s 1979 piece, "Women Can’t Fight"):"Cdr. Kirk Lippold, was the Commanding Officer of the USS COLE when it was attacked by terrorists. Debbie Courtney was his engineer and Ann Chamberlain was his navigator. Both are Naval Academy graduates. In his view, they are heroes. "Despite a 40 by 40 foot hole in the side of our ship and inoperable generators, LT. Courtney, in just four hours, stabilized the ship and prevented it from sinking. The USS COLE was kept afloat as a direct result of her extensive engineering knowledge, indomitable leadership abilities, and calm demeanor…"Yeah… I would say that we women are holding our own in and out of the military! While there remains some lack of respect of women on the whole worldwide, we still keep plugging forward often as leaders no matter what the task at hand. Although I am not an official "Blue & Gold Officer" (USNA recruiter), if anyone has any questions about the Naval Academy or being a Naval Officer, please feel free to email me. If I don’t know, then "I’ll find out, sir!" This year also marks the 20 year anniversary of my ‘plebe summer’. (I wonder if the tourists still yell, "Look! There’s a girl one!’) Remember, "BEAT ARMY!" and "SINK AIR FORCE!"

Proposition 107 (Protect Marriage Arizona) is nothing new or radical to our state. We currently have a state law that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. Over 300,000 AZ voters signed petitions to get Prop.107 on the ballot. This is not some conservative witch hunt, but an opportunity for Arizona citizens to not become victims like the citizens of Massachusetts. Remember what happened there?With no say from the voters or legislators, the Massachusetts Supreme Court decided that the state constitution mandated that homosexual marriage be allowed. Just like that the moral and social landscape was hijacked by their state judiciary. Two years later, MA citizens are heartily gathering signatures to amend their constitution to define marriage as being between one man and one woman.A constitutional amendment is the best protection of the institution of marriage from the onslaught of small but influential groups. Twenty states have already amended their constitutions to protect traditional marriage with an unheard of passage rate of 70%.The best defense against the twisting of constitutions is a clear definition of marriage in the Arizona Constitution. Vote yes on Proposition 107 and defend our laws from future judicial activism!

Munsil is the best choice; he has an energetic, vionary leadership ability that is timely for Arizona’s future as Arizona’s next Governor.These attributes, qualities, skills, and abilities can be reviewed on his website which address the issues he feels of utmost importance:- Border Security - He will secure the border now; stop illegal immigration - build new fences, use radar technology to stop crossings before they happen. Deploy National Guard and state border units and enhance employer sanctions to discourage an incentive to illegally enter AZ. After 9/11 I think we all see the reality in doing so.- Limit Government, Lower taxes by permanently reducing income and property tax, limit size and scope of government - we grew 20% last year. Reduce red-tape and government regulation of business and increase recyclcs.- Protect Forests by opposing environmentalists who look to clear healthy forests to protect catastrophic fires - instead, protect property with an increase in resources that contain fires.- Protect marriage - Munsil drafted AZ’s law defining marriage as between one man and one woman and is the architect of the Protect Marriage AZ Amendment.- Improve education; Len Munsil helped defend scholarship tax credits in AZ Supreme Court. He would promote parental choice allowing education dollars to follow child; expand charter school options, higher performance-based teacher pay, more $ in the classroom.- Protect Children - Munsil is a tireless advocate protecing children; fought to fix loopholes in laws designed to protect children from sexual abuse. Child Protection Agency reform - top priority.- End judicial Activism, he founded an organization that exposes and stops judicial activism; he would appoint judges committed to law and order - excercising self-restraint.- Transportation; accelerate freeways, road construction in rural and urban areas; ending lost productivity through current transportation gridlock throughout Arizona.- Supports Law Enforcement, & Corrections: there are many unfilled police, fire, and corrections positions statewide. He supports provision of pay and benefits deserved - for putting their lives on the line for public safety. First priority of Government.- Improve Health Care - end frivolous lawsuits: Address health care crisis, physicians leaving AZ, ER overcrowding - protect healing professions from frivolous lawsuits. Securing our border would relieve overworked ER care, providing service without long waits.- Public policy expert; trained law enforcement nationally to protect neighborhoods, prosecute organized crime-controlled industry that victimizes women & children.- Munsil founded the nation’s largest and most effective state-based conservative policy organization: He drafted or lobbied 42 new pro-family laws which includes elimination of marriage tax penalty, parental consent for abortion, protection of children from internet pornography, strengthening marriages, and providing educational choice.- A 3rd generation native Arizonan, a principled "Reagan Conservative", a proven record of excellence and success - married 20 years to Tracy Munsil, 8 children 10-19 years of age. Award-winning journalist, author, attorney. Endorsements: 4 U.S. Congressmen, more than 30 state legislators, Arizona Right to Life. These include U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi, U.S. Rep. John Shadegg, U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake. Don’t forget Senator John McCain, and AZ Senate Representative Chuck Gray. - All strong leaders that know and respect Len Munsil for his visionary leadership for Arizona’s future, possessing the intellect and leadership ability to turn Arizona in the right direction. Admired for his advocacy for families & children, is a trait most would want for their own families. Obviously a skilled and articulate public policy expert that has a lifetime of knowledge about AZ and his family’s generations before him - no wonder thousands across Arizona want to see Munsil as Governor - I do too!Here’s a FIRST - Len Munsil is the first statewide candidate in the U.S. to blog…..read his posts daily.

The Republican Legislature’s challenge of the governor’s line-item veto regarding part of the state employee pay raises -was ruled unconstitutional by the Arizona Supreme Court yesterday.Although it is said the provision affected a small portion of employees having to do with salary range and state merit system coverage - the ruling was crucial in setting a precedent with a clear message.Gubernatorial power is to be respectfully used. When working outside those powers courts provide a process to bring justice. To continue with unauthorized power would further alienate state government relationships; establishing a sense of intolerance and exploitation. Working together, building concensus, sharing ideas, finding answers to the issues we face as a state - will go a long way toward a thriving Arizona. Electing Len Munsil as Governor of Arizona will usher in a breath of fresh air. Vote in November for Munsil!

I’ve been seeing and hearing that a lot lately.With the way the real estate market is today, the market seems like its acting just the oposite way it did a little over a year ago. At that time, homes were constatly appraising for less than the sales price. That was because the market was so hot that appraisers gave appraisals on property based upon past sales which were nearly always out of date. Now, with property values going down, the same thing is happening only in reverse.I wrote an article a few weeks ago about how I thought the market is turning around. Well, I still say it has. Perhaps not as quick as many would like or as apparent as many market analyst can see, but that will change in another month or so, perhaps sooner. Time will tell if I’m correct.

Republican Candidate for Governor Len Munsil finishes number one to face incumbant, Democratic Governor Janet Napolitano. Clearly, Munsil is highly qualified to lead our state as Governor.Don’t forget to follow-through and vote in November. If you didn’t vote September 12, please do so in November. Put the best person for the job in place - Len Munsil - you will be making the best choice. Len Munsil as Governor will bring a positive change in Arizona, an era that will bring about good legislation; influencing our lives for years to come. We are in need of a leader that will stand up for families, public safety, bring Arizona to a state recognized for her integrity, financial and educational soundness, an accountable person to the powers of office.All of these values will become part of the fabric of our state, our community, which affects our nation.