Inside Mesa

As a member of Legislative District 19 and a Precinct Committee - the LD19 monthly meetings are always interesting. Pat Oldroyd has been quite active for some time in the district, recently Vice Chair, now in her new role as Chair.What a demonstration of great leadership as I witnessed how the evening unfolded. Pat’s ability to involve the community in various ways was a clear gift of her abilities to lead, connect, encourage, and involve others in order to bring awareness of what is going on around us - and hearing from our Senator and Representatives!Debra Miller, elementary school teacher, Mesa Public Schools, shared about a project "Adopt a Platoon" made possible through a grant; teaching children how to serve their community. Eighty kindergarten and elementary children wrote cards to soldiers in Iraq - next, sending valentines. The predominately Hispanic children also learn who they are as U.S. citizens.Meagan McGinnity, ASU Political Science and World Economic major gave us an excellent slide presentation of her investigation of human trafficking. Receiving a grant enabled her to visit 10 countries in 10 weeks which started in Romania, Ghana, Rwanda, India, Asian Countries, Cambodia, Thailand, and Latin America. The extent of child labor, child soldiers, adult & child bonded labor/debt servitude, commercial sexual exploitation, and agricultural laborers, is incredible. About 17,000 are brought into the U.S. each year. Mexico a growing and obvious entry not readily recognized as human trafficking but as illegal immigrants. It’s possible non-English speaking workers could be victims of human rights violation - a crime. Awareness is key, contact law enforcement if you suspect such activity.Senator Chuck Gray, Chair, Judicial Committee - immediately invited Meagan to the next meeting of the Judiciary Advisory Group - taking steps to raise awareness now! He is also working on child prostitution penalties, DNA collected for anyone arrested & booked - not just criminal arrests, regulation on payday loan stores, and bogus auto-theft.Representative Kirk Adams, Chair, Government Committee, is working on initiative reform. AZ #1 permissive state, other states come here to test out their policy. He shared that we control only 60% of the budget because of initiatives that can’t be touched. Example: prop 202. AZ the only state that won’t exempt the handicapped from the minimum wage increase. He’s also working on tax reform & health insurance reform.Representative Rich Crandall, spoke in general about this new experience for him; and enjoying all he is learning. Encouraged overall that Republicans are working toward unity along with many of the new moderate Democrats while the few senior Democratic legislators tend to want to be separate. He looked forward to his first meeting with the Governor along with other new legislators.Gary Pierce, Arizona Corporation Commission expressed missing his old job but very much enjoying his new post. He told us about the great job the attorneys in his office diligently worked on and completed on the Baptist Foundation , turning it over to the Attorney General.LD19’s new web master was introduced and welcomed, Rex Griswold, Councilmember, Janie Thom, Central Arizona Project, plus many dedicated individuals in attendance made for an interesting and productive evening.Pat Oldroyd, Chair, LD19 - thanks and we wish you well in your service!

I agree with Frank Mizner and Alex Finter, Planning and Zoning Board and the City of Mesa Planners who approve Lowe’s request for a permit at Country Club and Baseline. All of the Lowe’s stores I’ve seen are beautiful, well kept, and a great place to shop. I’ve never heard anyone say a negative word about the home improvement store being in their neighborhood. I have two near me - plus a Costco, Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, Pets Mart, Home Depot, Harkins Theater, Superstition Springs Shopping Center, restaurants, post office - I like the close proximity and I like my neighborhood, Superstition Springs Community.In looking at a map, along US 60 there are about seven Lowe’s stores including a brand new one at Southern and Ellsworth. A Lowe’s location at Country Club and Baseline is natural - and it’s competition for Home Depot. That’s good for you and I - business tries harder for consumers bringing better prices. Isn’t that what the market is about or have I lost something?From what I read, Lowe’s has gone beyond the extra mile to make the neighbors happy - a 155 foot buffer zone - redesign of the property placement to an L shape - plus Lowe’s seems like a pretty good neighbor to partner with.The advantage of walking to a store that has everything one could imagine in home improvement, would for me be welcomed. Let’s not forget the big picture, Lowe’s would contribute substantially toward tax revenue for Mesa. That’s not a bad thing, for Mesa it’s good and relevant.

Health insurance is a touchy subject for me - for seniors I think it’s safe to say we are looking to have affordable rates or at least nearly the same each year- not huge increases.I’m on a managed Medicare plan - my health insurance cost went up $100 per month! That’s one person. I thought the state was going to save us money when the decision was made to switch to a self-insured program a couple of years ago.The first article I read in the East Valley Tribune, Jan. 13, page A6 gives a clear picture of the new health insurance plan suggested from the Governor’s Office. (there’s also been more recent articles) It sounds good in general to protect our kids free of cost - but I can see that with the new $60,000 as the ceiling (300% of the federal poverty level) for a family of four up from $40,000, that it would be natural for parents to not cover their children and receive free health care. That would mean more money each month to spend on their family - even if they were fairly comfortable before, why pay if you don’t have to.With the surprise of a 100% increase monthly from my monthly pension - it would be very difficult for seniors on a fixed income needing the coverage even more to have an increase in order to subsidize children’s healthcare. I’m certainly for kids - but I’m also for our senior population who usually have declining health care needs and need even more assistance. When I called the state office to find out what happened in my case, I was told I could save money if I dropped down to a plan with lesser benefits. I didn’t want to do that - if anything, I need more coverage and appreciate what I do have - but $1200 more a year? That’s scary!I can’t say that I favor the proposed new plan - I don’t even have friends with a family of four that make $60,000. It seems it would be a real stretch to see this work. A good idea but probably not practical or effective - in my opinion. I see it causing more of a burden on the population as a whole than helping.Talk to your legislator so that person can help you on this issue, I did - Representative Kirk Adams. I think it’s important in times like this to talk to those that represent us.

With the news coverage regarding Maricopa County Community Colleges and several others - Mesa Community College is brought to the spotlight once again.What impresses me is the rapid attention and efforts by Chancellor Rufus Glasper whose oversight covers all of Maricopa County Community Colleges.As a member of MCC’s Commission of Excellence in Education I’ve been given the opportunity to be part of some of the communication and news releases that go out to MCCC and MCC. Chancellor Glasper is diligently sending out communication that explains what is going on at this time, why, and answering a list of questions regarding - records confiscated by the Sheriff’s Office at Mesa, Scottsdale, Estrella Mountain Community Colleges, the District Office, and a storage facility; as they examine audit records and documents, what the Blue Ribbon panel is doing, and encouraging dialoge within each college’s leadership to keep everyone informed.The overall theme is to ensure that none of this should disrupt or interfer with the mission of providing learning through classroom teaching efforts and the commitment to quality and high standards in education to remain in tact. Likewise, President Larry Christiansen communicates regularly to MCC’s faculty and staff that MCC is fully cooperating in these efforts, outlining what the investigation entails.Glasper and Christensen (I’m sure each community college) continue to thank everyone for being focused and committed to the mission of teaching, to their students, and quality education. Chancellor Glasper mentions also the positive support of Maricopa citizens and reiterates the high value placed on ethical standards and responsible stewardship of public funds throughout MCCC.What else could anyone want?

The Mesa Historical Museum is sponsoring the 7th annual "Hisorical Home Tour" This Saturday, January 20th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.This year’s tour is expected to bring up to 1,500 participants and will be held the Mesa’s Evergreen Historical District which is located on Robson and University. Nine homes will be on the tour and with the purchase of the home tour ticket, each participant will receive a lunch at RigaTony’s, additional tour of the Mesa Historical Museum, and dessert.For more information, call the museum at 480-835-7358.Have any additional questions or comments? Please post them or call the number above.

Mary Sennet, Coordinator of Youth Services, Mesa Police Department is running a new program M.E.S.A. which stands for "Making Every Student Accountable."When it comes to being proactive in helping troubled kids who else but the police department could make an impact. The article is featured in the East Valley Tribune, January 18, page A4.In reading about the new pilot program Mesa Police Chief Gascon brought to the City of Mesa, I was encouraged and hopeful that the young people involved would truly catch the impact by the methods used to demonstrate the possible end result of a life troubled and without hope. The teens were shown how they might die if they continued making bad decisions.The program officially begins January 29 using physical training, learning about anger management, etiquette, gangs, leadership, plus classes at McKellips Middle School run by Mesa Public Schools - an alternative school for troubled students.Hopefully, this program will be a success, continue, and reach more youth throughout the city. It will bring crime rates down as teens get a wake up call toward a productive life. We as a community can encourage and suppport these efforts.

Monday’s East Valley Tribune featured a story on page A2 - MLK parade backer to pass torch. The backer — John Goodie.John Goodie, MLK Committee Parade Chair this year has been involved with the MLK Celebration for 18 years. Today he told me it all has been good and he’s enjoyed the involvement immensely.His hope is that more people will get involved - more young people from all walks of life, coming together to bring about new ideas for fund raising. Times have changed and a lot of work goes into planning.This year was the first year this event, along with others, had to raise their own funds due to the city budget cuts. John was counting on the same prices as last year for such costs as barricades and insurance. They went up dramatically, thousands of dollars - plus hiring ten police officers to ensure public safety which is necessary, welcomed, and a must. Even with that someone had come along and re-arranged all the cones he had numbered for the parade entries creating extra work and some confusion.I didn’t realize fully until John explained all the contacts and paperwork necessary that must be done months before to accomplish the task of the parade. He was successful even though he accomplished all this himself. If you know John he never complains, his heart is in it, but I can surely relate to knowing when it’s time to retire!Like John, I see the call for young men and women to get involved in this effort of civil rights - it is for all of us - all of our diversity - not just color, but religion, health challenges, age and gender discrimination, prejudice, wage differences, income levels, welfare support, educational opportunities, and the list goes on.Who will hear the call and step up to the plate? John is handing over the torch - will it be you?

It was Sunday before I realized the time had finally come! The activities we always look forward to each year were here - MLK, celebrating unity.The community of Mesa pulled together making it possible to include the MLK parade as part of the 19th annual celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Attending the breakfast this morning at the Mesa Marriott Hotel was in itself a real treat. Seeing friends gather, recognizing familiar faces, getting acquainted with new participants - it makes one stop and realize how valuable it really is to be in the midst of colleagues that represent so many walks off life.Dr. King’s "I’ve Been To The Mountain Top" and "I Have a Dream" still has the power as it was intended initially. I’m certain everyone could relate in one way or another - efforts of justice and equality not fully realized - yet hope was heard and felt in the voices as we sang "We shall overcome."Dr. Joyce E. Tucker, Vice President, Global Diversity and Employee Rights, The Boeing Company - was the honored speaker - all she had to say was inclusive, relevant, and hit the mark with a powerful message.Spirit of Unity Awards 2007 went to Tillie Peralta, Community Leader, Andrea Murphy, Educator of the Year, Westwood High School - teaching her students to respect differences and was instrumental in guiding the students who actively raised money for the MLK parade, earning the next two awards. Rasheed Mitchell, Westwood HS Senior, who led students in this effort which led to the award Honoring Schools for Teaching Social Justice: Westwood HS Y Achievers Club.Some of the sponsors that made elements possible: Customer Funding.com, Inc., Parade $9,000 –The Boeing Co., Freedom $10,000 — AZ Federal Credit Union, The Mesa Tribune, Dream $3000+ — SRP, Superstition Springs Lexus/Toyota, Unity $2000 – Ford Motor Co., Steve Hogan, Rochaum Smith - Spirit $1000I didn’t see my friend John Goodie, Parade Committee Chair who started the ball rolling, was of course out getting the parade ready to roll. It was great seeing and talking to those I haven’t seen in awhile like Everette Woods, VP MLK Board, the Honorable Rich Crandall, Mary Berumen, Mesa Diversity Office, Amy & Nathan Ricks & Gloria Chavez LTD board members and as I joined the MAHC table - board members Maria Mancinas, Pat Esparza, Maria Munoz, David Luna & wife, Carmen, and Napoleon Pisano. Many more I did not get to talk to!The Mesa MLK Board of Directors, Committee Members, and those that were part of the presentation including Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker - did an excellent job, I felt unified!

Actually, its been displayed at the Mesa Historical Museum for some years now.The trophy, which represented all the lost treasures that the old Mesa High School had before the school burned down in the late 1960’s, was lost to school officials. Only pictures of the trophy were shown and the actual whereabouts of this trophy were unknown.Recent letters to school officials by the museum director informed the school of the trophy along with over a dozen other state championship trophies displayed at the museum.For more information on these trophies and the new exhibits at the museum, call 480-835-7358.