Inside Mesa

The Vent on Monday quoted a senior’s comment that I can relate to…"Speaking of seniors, I used to think we were a dime a dozen. Then I reduced that to a nickle. Now I do feel we are just unwanted surplus."I see this not only in the world in general (although some countries and cultures hold their seniors in high regard - we could learn from them), but in the Valley, in Mesa, and in my personal life as well. It’s as if I’ve become invisible - I’m sure some of you know what I mean.It’s perplexing on two counts:- Seniors are a good portion of our population with the baby boomers, sandwich generation, and post war era, it seems there is a lot of great minds, experience, and guidance that could be used for some very worthwhile reasons - everyone has a need to be valued and wanted - seniors are no different and in my opinion deserve respect and honor as they forged their future, which is today. After all, they may know something and make contributions far greater than one might think - but then it’s the younger generation making those decisions, so where and who will realize this wisdom?- Seniors have varied interests and are interesting! They now have the time to explore their interests - not to mention the purchasing power although somewhat limited as income stabilizes to a norm and doesn’t really increase to make a difference; they are still a market. Areas like the new retirement thinking is geared toward activity and contribution, continued education, part-time employment, a second home usually in a climate like ours, travel, community service, cultural and entertainment venues, the list can go on and on.The point is seniors are worth far greater than any monetary value; we are so wrapped up in the next generation (which is important), but we miss the work and energy of the last - all that went into making this generation what it is today.

Monday’s "The Vent" had two vents I totally agree with! The first…"Will somebody please take over and build Ellsworth Road and complete it and allow everybody to flow freely. Two hours of travel time a day on Ellsworth Road is killing me."I find this very frustrating as well - not only Ellsworth but Ironwood Road. The traffic on both roads are increasingly getting more crowded. Ellsworth is in Maricopa County to the town of Queen Creek - Ironwood is in Pinal County and carries as much if not more traffic with vehicles traveling from Copper Canyon, Johnson Ranch, Del Webb planned development, and the whole outlying area known as ‘Queen Creek’ in Pinal County.I know there are "dark sky" areas because of an ordinance, but on crowded highways? It’s scary traveling at night when all you see is head lights and can barely make out the two-lane road in front of you.Why isn’t this being developed? Cars will increase and have been since I started traveling those roads on occasion for the last 7 years.What’s going on in the way of road development on these roads?