More Millions$$$$$$ in Federal COVID-19 Funds for Aid, Relief and Economic Security Needed Here in Mesa
That was the story by Tamara Keith yesterday on NPR in an interview with Hizzoner John Giles, now serving his second term in office as the highest elected official inside City Hall. . ."That's why Giles, a Republican, is lobbying Republican members of his state's congressional delegation to accept that the $350 billion in state and local funding in President Biden's $1.9 trillion pandemic aid package should not be thrown overboard, as it was during the last round of relief negotiations."
Let's back-track and pause > as noted in approved minutes from the January meeting of the City of Mesa's Economic Development Advisory Board, Giles noted that people who live here were in two very different boats - one a yacht and the other a life raft.
What about that last round of $90M in MesaCARES money? All spent - In all, the city received $132 million in federal funds to combat the economic fallout from the pandemic including money from Maricopa County and interest-earned on the funds.
Lines were long at the onset of the pandemic when United Food Bank began handing out boxes of food at Mesa Convention Center
Relief money spent, Mesa ponders next moves
By Jim Walsh, Tribune Staff Writer
". . .the once powerful outreach from Mesa CARES has run out of gas, leaving behind a patchwork of programs to help the needy while a second wave of COVID-19 rages through Arizona.
“It’s kind of a work in progress,’’ Deputy City Manager Natalie Lewis. “We spent all the dollars. They are no longer available.’’
"This is one of my proudest moments,’’ City Manager Chris Brady said. “What we’ve done with Mesa CARES has had more of an impact on families than anything we have done here.’’
"When Mesa, Ariz., Mayor John Giles looks out his window at city hall, he can see tangible signs of how the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt his community.
From his perch, he can see the city's convention center, which has become a hub for those seeking help. Sometimes, there are lines a thousand cars long with people coming to pick up food from a food bank. Other days, it's people lined up for COVID-19 vaccines.
"It's a pretty sobering view from the mayor's office," Giles said in an interview with NPR...
Biden's White House has found common cause with Republican mayors and county commissioners, highlighting it to bolster their claim that the COVID-19 proposal is "bipartisan," even as there's little sign Republicans in Congress will back the plan
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