Inside Mesa

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.