Is Mesa Safe?

I just finished reading a book by Seth Godin called "Poke the Box" and it caused me to think. A passage from the book is as follows:

"Halloween is not safe. Something bad might happen. In fact, sooner or later, it probably will.
Flying is not safe. You and I both know a dozen or a hundred or a thousand  ways an angry person can wreak havoc.
Selling is not safe. You might (in fact you will) be rejected.
Golf is not safe. My grandfather died playing golf.
Speaking up is not safe. People might be offended.
Innovation is not safe. You'll fail. Perhaps badly.
Now that we've got that out of the way, what are you going to do about it? Hide? Crouch in a corner and work as hard as you can to fit in?
That's not safe, either.
Might as well do something that matters instead."

After reading the book it I had nagging question, is the City of Mesa playing it safe? Are the residents of Mesa playing it safe? Is the DMA playing it safe?

Is the city of Mesa crouching and hiding in the corner trying to fit in with what other cities and communities around them? If so they really aren't safe they just think they are.

Is the DMA playing it safe by not causing waves? Are they trying to please everybody by not doing anything at all? If so they really aren't safe.

Playing it safe doesn't get you anywhere. It just makes you ordinary. Neither the City of Mesa or the downtown is ordinary so lets do something that matters.

So what matters to you as a resident?

Light Rail Is Coming, Lets Get On Board Downtown Mesa

The writing is on the wall and it is time for those in the community to get on board or get out of the way before they get run over and squashed. Legitimate arguments can be made against the system and when I ran for a seat on the council I opposed the expansion of the system on the grounds of cost without further consideration of other forms of mas transit.

While there are businesses and people who don't like the idea of light rail going down Main Street and the area being torn up again, the fact of the matter is, it is coming like it or not. Now the question for those opposed to the planed expansion is whither or not they will come on board and make the system the best it can be.

Wow, Mesa Is On The Move, With Solar

If you haven't heard it by now, the City of Mesa landed a huge win in the announcement of First Solar building a manufacturing plant in the city of Mesa on the old General Motors proving ground.

First Solar is buying 135 acres and has an option on another 100 acres. The job will pay on average $48,000 according for Mesa's economic developement director Bill Jabjiniak. At capacity the facility could employ up to 4,000 people.

The construction project will provide an immediate boast of about 400 jobs as the project gets under construction. This project along with the construction of Cubs new stadium and training facilities will help to boast our economic development.

I'm in agreement with Mayor Smith, economic policies and business tax incentives are great for attracting these kinds of big project, in the long-term what is going to keep these projects coming is an educated work force and educational institution.

Way to go City of Mesa, and those involved. The possibilities are unlimited when we look forward and don't rely upon the past for our future.