New Feature From Time-To-Time: The Dubious Distinction Award

This first-time new feature goes to . . .
Hizzoner Mesa Mayor John Giles
THE THOUGHT LEADER OF THE YEAR 2018
Can't tell from the opening image what the inside joke is all about, or the subject that made two guys smile, but three days ago Mesa Mayor John Giles was presented with the Dwight Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award by Denny Barney at the East Valley Partnership's 2018 Thought Leadership Forum on 06 December. Believe-it-or-not

Only in Mesa, Kids, only in Mesa !!
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Hard-to-believe that Giles is
THE THOUGHT LEADER OF THE YEAR 2018
OK. Hmmm...John Giles A Thought Leader?

The Dwight Patterson
Lifetime Achievement Award?

 Who can list all of his thought-leading accomplishments to date?

John Giles, who served on the Mesa City Council for four years 1996-2000, and then 14 years later somehow 'got a calling' to fill in the seat of the highest elected in the city (mayor) left empty when ex-mayor Scott Smith vacated his elected office for higher ambitions - a gambit he lost in 2014 to Governor Doug Ducey.

(BLOGGER NOTE: Scott Smith has been elevated to President/CEO of Valley Metro.)

John Giles, with a gap of 14 years, was the chosen successor in that Good Ole' Boys Political Machine, served for about four months as the incumbent, got challenged by Danny Ray in his run-on-his-own-dime for his first term, then ran unopposed for his second term.
All the while he's been earning a taxpayer-paid salary + a generous benefits package as the only full-time member of the Mesa City Council, he's operated a private law practice as a personal injury/accident law attorney.  

"I am the luckiest guy that any of you guys know,” Giles said.
“I get to work for Mesa, Arizona, which is such a wonderful opportunity.
It’s a group of talented, motivated, dedicated people that make me look really, really good and as of a result of that I get to come and pick up awards.
So, I can’t thank them enough for making this possible.”

“He is truly one of a kind,” Barney said of Giles.