No matter how large Mesa grows, one of the time honored traditions that helps this city maintain some of its small town roots is the annual announcement of a Mesa Man and Woman of the Year. This year Dr. Ralph V. Wilson and former Vice-Mayor Claudia Walters will receive the [...]
The discussion continues on the Fiesta District fire station. It turns out that they originally started with 10 locations for this station before bringing it down to two. The owner of the NW corner of Extension and Grove wants above appraisal, while the owner of the Fiesta site is willing [...]
We know it has been a quiet week at Mesa Issues, but you know how the Holiday Season gets. However, we always try to make time for twitter friday. Get ready for our weekly recap, post of the week, and all things Mesa even in a quiet week.
After years of being ruled by Mayors who didn't focus on anything beyond the walls of their respective cities, the Mesa and Gilbert Councils are meeting to talk about how they can work together on joint interests such as ASU Poly, Gateway, and Power Road. What a concept! [...]
If you can believe it, this is our 900th post. Interestingly enough, it just so happens to be about our regular Twitter Friday routine. Talk about bringing blogging and twitter technology together! Get ready for our weekly recap, post of the week, and all things Mesa. We'll also feature a' [...]
Keep the Cubs has a very keen observation about the Cubs' latest visit to Florida. The Ricketts family finally met with the Governor of Florida, but they had to fly 433 miles from Naples to do so. Maybe they really did want to feel what it would be like' [...]
The major headline from last night's community meeting is that Guerrero Elementary will not be closing afterall. However, Frost, Alma, Powell, and Hendrix (all west Mesa schools), are still facing closure to be converted into other types of educational facilities.
Sorry for the late notice, but the MPS community meeting on the potential changes, including closing five schools is tonight. If you are going to the event, please share a report of how you think it went and your overall thoughts from the scene. These are the type of [...]
Keep the Cubs has been doing a great job staying on top of all the Cubs related issues. Earlier today, they posted a link to the video from Mesa, which turned out to be the promo video they used during their reception with the new ownership. Here it is: [...]
As it gets closer to election season, we'll be doing more of a legislative breakdown of the races, and what to expect. However, there is a bit of breaking news from over the Thanksgiving weekend that we felt was important to share.
Mesa Mayor Scott Smith is in Washington DC at a national League of Cities conference. During a panel, he criticized the Arizona Legislature, stating that "We're having a contest with California to see which state government is the most dysfunctional." The off-hand joke proved, almost immediately, to be true.' [...]
Mesa is going in with the school districts to place flashing lights in several school zones. The total cost to the city is $92,000 to place the lights at 6 Mesa district and 2 Gilbert district schools. The city has found that these measures reduce speeds near schools by [...]
Mesa continues its rollercoaster of news and jobs - especially when it comes to aviation. First, a new type of helicopter produced by Boeing may bring more jobs and manufacturing to Falcon field. This would help diversify Mesa's current plant which is pretty much dependent on the Apache helicopter. [...]
Everything sounds better with Friday after it. #FollowFriday, Football Friday, and even Mesa Issues and our Twitter Friday. Get ready for our weekly recap, post of the week, and all things Mesa.
We mentioned last month that Mesa Public Schools was considering creative ideas for using their existing facilities and diversifying the education options. We are starting to hear even more of these big changes that are being pondered.
Here is an interesting article from an MCC student about MCC's efforts to connect via social networking. Although the program has an awkward name MCConnect (sounds like getting wi-fi at McDonalds), the research that it is trying to accomplish is very relevant and interesting.
Turns out that the Cubs Reception with Governor Brewer, Senator McCain (via video message), Speaker Adams and other officials and business leaders was last night. Keep the Cubs has it right, having so many leaders in the room shows a real commitment to the Cubs.
Mayor Smith tweeted this morning welcoming the Cubs into town. According to the timeline last week, we would guess that the reception for the Cubs would be soon, maybe even as early as tonight. If anyone has intel on how the reception goes, we would love to hear [...]
This is truly a sad day. The East Valley Tribune has announced that they will be shutting their doors on December 31st. From the sound of it, it appears that, since the staff will be offered severance packages or reassignment, the Trib's website will soon be gone as well.' [...]
You know #FollowFriday. Every week, Mesa Issues celebrates Twitter Friday. Get ready for our weekly recap, post of the week, newly added post of the month and so much more, all in 140 characters.
The City of Mesa is taking another shot at a vision for downtown, this time with a $300,000 stimulus grant. Free money, right? Well, eventually, the taxpayers are going to have to foot the bill for this stimulus spree, so maybe this would be a good first place to [...]
There hasn't been a lot of talk about it, but Mesa Public Schools along with nearly 30 other districts across the valley are headed to a school override election this Tuesday. Make sure you look at the issues for yourself, but with the current state budget taking such a' [...]
The group from Naples, FL is serious in their endeavor to attract the Cubs. They have several serious supporters and it looks like they may have a few funding options at their disposal. As Keep the Cubs mentions, however, they appear to have very little political support for their [...]
Once again, Mesa's sales tax revenues have taken a turn for the worse. Once again, Mesa is on the sales tax revenue roller coaster. Once again, we are waiting for the end of the month and crossing our fingers that revenue should be okay. Last month it looked' [...]
POLICE HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR THE SPOOKY SEASON
Mesa, AZ - It is important to keep our kids and community safe during Halloween. As you are getting yourself and family ready for the spooky festivities, the Mesa Police Association (MPA) has a few tips to consider. "
We have a new edition of our series, "State of Mesa." We have offered each councilmember an opportunity to submit their own editorial on the state of their District to be posted on Mesa Issues. Here is Councilmember Scott Somers' State of District 6:
Everyone always talks about #FollowFriday. Here at Mesa Issues, it's also Twitter Friday. That means we'll be on Twitter today talking Mesa, recapping the week, and sharing our thoughts in 140 characters or less!
Just 10 days ago, we said that we had spoken too soon about the Cactus League not doing well in the MLB playoffs. We guess we spoke too soon again. The Phillies beat the Dodger in convincing fashion in 5 games. Now, we are one Yankee win away from [...]
Normally, a decline in DUI arrests would be considered a good thing, right? One could assume it meant fewer impaired drivers on the streets and that the harsher DUI laws are working. The Mesa Police Association doesn't think so.
The Mesa Police Association believes that the reduction in' [...]
Here is some good news for the local economy. Mesa has been tapped to host a national swim meet in 2011. The event is expected to attract over 2,500 swimmers (including former olympians) and is expected to generate over 12,000 room nights in hotels.
Mayor Smith wants to keep Gateway Airport affordable and simple and we think that's a good thing. Maximizing the amount of money squeezed out of something like parking only eventually leads to that money being programmed for something else unrelated. When this is done, it eventually means that when' [...]
The Maricopa County Attorney's office wants to prosecute Supervisor Don Stapley so badly that they are trying to break procurement rules. As a result, the Board of Supervisors is not willing to approve the special prosecutors.
Needless to say, the action was not taken lightly by the' [...]
There is a great editorial from the Southeast Republic saying that the Gila River Indian Community should have a chance to woo a spring training team, but says that it shouldn't be done at Mesa's expense. The editorial makes a good point, these communities shouldn't be competiting for the [...]
Residents of Mesa: Please take the time to look after your kids. We have had a series of very tragic and unfortunate events that could more than likely be avoided with stronger parental supervision.
We always appreciate the mentions on #FollowFriday and we hope you're ready for another edition of Mesa Issues Twitter Friday. Mesa Issues rewind, great people to follow in Mesa, and so much more.
The Human Bean, the donut shop turned coffee cafe, has closed its doors. The coffee house was the former site of the controversial Venchell donut shop that ran into sign ordinance issues a few years back.
Apparently, the high profile corner of Country Club Drive and Main Street [...]
When it comes to museums, its location, location, location. For the Mesa Historial Museum, its location nestled deep within the Lehi neighborhood has finally brought its downfall. The historical museum is closing its doors, but some of its exhibits will live on throughout the city.
The new Matta's at Mesa Riverview breaks ground tomorrow the 13th at 9am. Over at their blog, Got Matta's?, they say that the first 100 people who show up at the ground breaking will get a special gift. Will it be one of their new head turning t-shirts?[...]
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Sure, you know #FollowFriday, but do you know Twitter Friday? Get ready for our weekly recap, post of the week, all things Mesa.