Inside Mesa

John Goodie, Chair, 2007 MLK Parade shared some interesting facts with me today. January 2007 can mark the celebration for the 10th MLK Parade anniversary - if funds become available for the parade.As you may recall, then Governor Bruce Babbitt declared Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday an observed holiday as many other states did. Ev Mecham upon taking office as Governor rescinded it as his first order of business! I remember during all this working at ASU - ASU decided to celebrate anyway.That’s when the State of Arizona became the first to take MLK’s observance to the voters - it took two tries but we succeeded in November 1996. January 1997 was the first celebration.Where was Mesa? Three times to the polls before the City of Mesa voted to declare MLK an official holiday.I think we need a MLK parade. It’s the essence of community spirit and unity that lingers throughout the year - fitting that we celebrate MLK, Jr. in January - the movement his legacy is still standing for.The festival and breakfast are covered - Boeing is faithful and has pledged again this year - more than their usual contribution in support of the MLK Breakfast.More facts from John: Since he first asked the community for contributions for the parade a couple of months back, (monies no longer allocated in Mesa’s budget for this and many events) he has received thankfully, but only 9 checks from the public - the total $2000. A gracious donor from Phoenix donated $1000, half of that! John Goodie and his co-chair Paul Cash were two of those remaining 8 contributing, leaving 6 other Mesa citizens donating. The parade costs amount to $12,000. A decision has to be made by the end of the month based on money received; will the parade be a possibility - people need to be notified ahead of time in order to prepare for it.Westwood High School students are the only school or group in Mesa that has come forward and asked what they could do to help. They met with the MLK parade committee and put a plan of action together. These young leaders went to the Mesa Chamber to get business addresses, they’ve collected church addresses, schools, and perhaps other potential donors. They will be preparing a mailing to send out requesting financial help - they have a dream. The school bands have the opportunity to participate in this event.I understand upon mention of needing funds for the Veterans Day parade, also unfunded, a news article by John Goodie and perhaps other means of advertising, that over $12,000 came in to support the Veteran’s Day Parade in about 2 weeks time! That’s community spirit.Any amount will do - $5, $10, $15, greater if you are motivated to do so - but do, do it! I think it’s important to show the citizens, the young people of Mesa that we are a united community. Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the Civil Rights Leader in our nation must not go without recognition.Write a check to: MLK Committee, in the Memo line along the bottom, please write in "Save the Parade", to ensure the money can be designated for the parade. Then… Mail your donation to: ADDRESS CORRECTIONMesaCAN 635 E. Broadway Road, Mesa, AZ 85204 935 E. Broadway Rd. - Mesa, AZ 85203Together we can make our 10th Anniversary MLK Parade a success in Mesa - I haven’t heard back from Oprah yet soliciting her help!—-John will return all money if they are unable to raise the funds. Please include your name and address when making your donation. Questions - Call John at 480-329-3116 or email him at jrgoodie@peoplepc.com he’ll be glad to hear from you.

Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker in history has a great opportunity to bring about what the Democratic Party has placed as a priority.To be an all inclusive government.If Pelosi helps toward accomplishing this - I look forward to supporting someone from my birthplace - CA. The election process was quite participatory - a good sign folks are becoming more interested in the people governing our state. Congratulations to everyone elected - I think we’re called to support those serving as much as we can although there may be some differences. The voting process has spoken. If we don’t like the results we can work at changing those results in the coming years.With some new faces, new laws, there will be some changes in the way our state governs - for the better I trust.As for history and as a woman - I’m very pleased to see a well respected woman accomplish this first!

Leading up to election day has been exhausting for many of us.Whether you’re making phone calls, answering the phone from those numerous political calls, speaking out on your opinion or writing opinions - this election has been a real effort to get people out to vote. I hope all that were eligible did so or will in the last couple of hours today. A lot is at stake. New faces challenging incumbents, the list of judges, 19 propositions - it’s enough to scare anyone off. I know some of us got together and discussed the candidates, the issues, looked at resource material, asked trusted individuals, researched on line as best we could in making that decision. One thing for sure, if we go with a mail in ballot in the future so many more will be able to vote - that could make a huge difference in the years ahead. I think everyone should make an effort to cast their vote. Why let the few - as little as 20% decide who will be in office or what new legislation I will live by? Everybody counts, make it count at the polls this year - next year mail it in….how easy can it get!