09 July, 2009 Behold the Secondary Property Tax
Back in November of the Dark Ages of 2008, when fashions were layered and Presidents were of the sort to continue their pursuit of dat wascally wabbit, Mesa voters decided, not unwisely I think, to trust the City with a property tax. Well, the City Council has finally acted on that initiative, and come October we'll be paying about $30 per $100,000 of our house's value. We at VioPac warily support the City in this, and will continue to keep an eye on 'em.

08 October, 2008 Mesa City Council!
It was an exciting City Council meeting Monday, and I'll bet you're sorry you missed it. Judy Morning and I made it, missing the first 45 minutes because, as we've stated before the Council already, ordinary working stiffs with 9-5 jobs just can't make it in time. We were glad we didn't miss the drama surrounding the Rhodes pool, though.

Kudos and congratulations to Council Member Dennis Kavanaugh and Mayor Scott Smith. Both men spoke with eloquence and consideration about a difficult issue and VioPac would like to thank them (as we did personally) for demonstrating real civil service. Thanks, guys.

More detail to follow shortly.

25 September, 2008 Addendum: Pearce, Try 2
Well, here it is the 25th of September and we've not heard word one from our elected State House Representative Russell Pearce. Damn shame too; but it works in our favor because we've been examining his oponnent Judah Nativio, and may even end up endorsing him. Until then, check him out.

12 September, 2008 Pearce, Try 2
Is it really so hard to answer these questions? Here's our second try, to AZ Representative Russell Pearce. This second attempt was generated by meeting Mr. Pearce at the disastrously disorganized potential riot called the Community Forum at Mesa Community College. More on that fiasco is due shortly, but here's a copy of a letter we sent to our State House rep and yet await a reply to.

19 August, 2008 Mesa City Council
Why does nobody want to attend Council meetings? As Americans we hold passionate opinions about whether Obama or McCain will make a better President, people define themeselves by who they support, and sometimes are even willing to riot when their candidate is insulted or disgraced. All this, and yet the place where the actual governing goes on is relatively vacant.

Government is made by those who show up, and the government that affects people the most is made locally. Sure the Presidential race is important, but your local Mayoral race is far more so. This is why I have been trying to get the City of Mesa to move its meeting time later, even by 45 minutes: so working stiffs like me don't have to take off work early to attend.

More in the archives

1 September, 2009 Car Dealership really gets an upgrade
Well, looks like the erm, flea market turned out to be a shell game. Bravo! It's still an upgrade.

I love West Mesa.

21 July, 2009 Car Dealership gets an upgrade
Hey, looks like the empty lot left by Big Two Toyota is being upgraded to a flea market this Friday. VioPac operatives will be scoping out the joint at Alma School and Baseline Rd this Friday to determine what, if any, fleas are for sale and in what quantity. Should there be anything else offered there, or if it's found to be otherwise worthwhile, we'll be sure to keep it to ourselves. Screw you guys, we want cheep stuff.

11 July, 2009 Dobson Ranch's Angel Tattoo Parlor returns?
The EV Trib is reporting that a ruling affecting a Tempe Tat parlor might help Angel Tattoo down in the snotty Dobson Ranch area in our beloved 3rd District. VioPac's Judy Morning spoke to the council about this issue shortly before the Mesa City Council voted against it; it looks like the remarks made by Mayor Scott Smith in support of the parlor weren't in vain either.

9 July, 2009 Mobile City Hall: 25 July
They're calling it "Mobile City Hall", and it's at the Mekong Plaza near Dobson and Main in West Mesa. Yeah, you've seen it off to the right when you cruise in to the Light Rail station there. There'll be booths from various City departments and a raffle VioPac agents intend to win. It runs from 1100 to 1300 hours on 25 July. Come early to get the best swag.

15 March, 2008 Breakfast with Council Member Kavanaugh
Hey all you Freemesans, Dennis Kavanaugh is holding another Pancake Breakfast for District 3 residents on 28 March. It starts at 0800 and is held, like last year, at 1426 S. Extension south of Southern, at the Mesa Fire Station.

For more info contact Charlotte McDermot at 480.644.5294.

Here I'll write up our thoughts on Dina Higgins, District 5 (especially her campaign, which at least one of us was impressed with), Dennis Kavanaugh, District 3 (cautiously optimistic), and Mayor Smith (yay! Now don't screw it up.).

"If I were in the President's place I would not get a chance to resign. I would be lying in a pool of my own blood hearing Mrs. Armey standing over me saying, 'How do I reload this damn thing?'"

Dick Armey

* Conversations with Dennis Kavanaugh
* Conversations with Russell Pearce
* Mesa City Countil issues
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