DOUBLE NEWS FLASH: 22 August 2015 > Celebrate The Opening of the Central Mesa Light Rail

It's about time: Oh Yeah!
. . . and just around the corner

Mesa Launches MuniciPAL > What About People with No Web Access?

Your blogger is passing this along:
Press Release: Mesa launches MuniciPal

Post Date: 06/18/2015 9:11 AM
Readers please note that work was this done during the tenure of former mayor Scott Smith in 2014

Residents who want to participate in City Council meetings but don’t have time to attend in person or are curious about items being discussed that affect their home or business, now have a new way to learn more and provide feedback.

The City of Mesa is excited to announce MuniciPAL, a web-based application that makes it easier than ever for residents to engage with the City about items on City Council meeting agendas.  Residents simply input an address to view upcoming agenda items that affect both the area around that address as well as citywide issues.  Using the built in commenting system, users are able to ask questions or provide immediate feedback on each item.

"Cities are the new centers of innovation and Mesa is a leader in developing programs that engage our community through the use of technology.

We are excited to take this next step and partner with Code for America and Arizona State University to develop ideas and applications that better serve our residents."

- Former Mayor Scott Smith, City of Mesa 2014

During the tenure of Scott Smith in 2014 noted in above quotation, Mesa was selected as one of ten governments to participate in the Code for America Fellowship. The program pairs innovative local governments with teams of civic-minded technologists for a year of service; together the governments and fellows build applications, engage the community, and collaborate with other local governments. MuniciPAL is the culmination of Mesa’s Code for America Fellowship 2014 year - one of former mayor Scott Smith's initiatives, like H.E.A.T. started during his administration that are now producing results and benefits for both the public and private sectors - an example of planning ahead - not arriving in office with no ideas and calling your time in office "Next Mesa", with nothing specific.

Re: What about people with no web access? . . . or The Digital Divide?
Your MesaZona blogger would like to hear from any organization working to reduce or eliminate the Digital Divide

So who were these "teams of civic-minded technologists?  [see addendum below]
Code for America embeds tech and design professionals in local governments to explore new approaches to resolving local challenges.

Code for America is a non-partisan, non-political 501 organization founded in 2009 to address the widening gap between the public and private sectors in their effective use of technology and design.
Link > Code For America Project 

Yes,admittedly and let's face it folks, in the usual bureaucratic double-speak, there are so-called "challenges" and "widening gaps between the public, elected officials and the private sector" but they are not necessarily connected to the effective use of technology and design . . . it might be a better idea to examine why the public has lost confidence in participating in the process of democracy and why so few members of the public have become involved or active in issues here in Mesa. 
Has the public given up on demanding transparency and accountability?
Or does the public to prefer to take action in the old-fashioned way: meeting people face-to-face and talking.  
Does any member of the city council have an "Open Door" policy to welcome the public?

Visit the new application online at municipal.mesaaz.gov. 
For more information contact Ian Linssen, The Mayor's Chief of Staff, at
 480-644-3002 or
ian.linssen@mesaaz.gov. 

Here are the bios, supplied by CfA, for the tech/design professionals who were embedded in local government here in Mesa: every one on them uses the self-described words "hacking", "hackathons" or "hacker" in their bios . . . ["embedded" in local government?]

So, What's a Hacker?  ZDnet says:
"It is better to be described as a hacker by others than to describe oneself that way. Hackers consider themselves something of an elite (a meritocracy based on ability), though one to which new members are gladly welcome. There is thus a certain ego satisfaction to be had in identifying yourself as a hacker (but if you claim to be one and are not, you'll quickly be labeled bogus).

Tom Buckley is a researcher and developer focused on urban informatics. He worked in urban planning before hacking on data and doing research at Geocommons. Since then, Tom consulted for the World Bank, directed research at Casey Trees, taught a graduate class at The New School, and studied Geoinformatics.

Wendy Fong is a designer and educator. Recently, she was in Haiti working on a women's crisis call center platform. She's passionate about providing design solutions for non-profits and has collaborated with family services agencies, solar projects in rural Africa, and inner city youth programs. In her spare time she can be found at at civic hackathons, designing for good not evil.

Peter Welte is a hacker and organizer from Portland, dedicated to advancing environmental and community causes through the use of technology. Committing time to political causes, nonprofits, and advocacy campaigns, he specializes in front-end design and back-end development using Drupal. When not working, he enjoys he enjoys cross country bicycle touring.

Here's some information from The Open Knowledge Foundation about Mesa that you can find with this link> http://us-city.census.okfn.org/place/mesa

 

 

City of Mesa Tries to Cool Off Media Heat Re/Allegiant Airlines

Here's the Allegiant Air Survey

Late in the day yesterday - post date:06/17/2015 @ 4:07 pm -  a Press Release was issued  by the Mesa Office for Public Information and Communications
Mesa Shows Support for Allegiant Air 
The story behind this press release? 
Allegiant Airlines went public over unfair financial incentives offered by Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport - called "revenue guarantees"- to an out-of-state carrier and threatened to leave Mesa.

Allegiant Vice President Brian Davis said some incentives are normal, but these went too far, especially offering Elite a revenue guarantee for a flight to Salt Lake City.

“We think revenue guarantees all across aviation have proven to be a disaster,” Davis said. “But to use a revenue guarantee in competition against an existing carrier whose routes are economically standing on their own is just beyond belief.”

Phoenix Business Journal article by Eric J Toll 

An original incentive package that the airport board of directors was supposed to vote on Tuesday was worth $1.3 million and included a flight to Salt Lake City. Davis said Allegiant (Nasdaq: ALGT) has a growing list of problems with the Gateway airport authority, but offering government money to a competing airline to fly into a market Allegiant already serves crossed the line . . . The Gateway Board did not approve Elite’s flight to Salt Lake City and only included an incentive package for a three-days-a-week flight to San Diego, priced around $700,000.

QUESTION: What was The City of Mesa trying to pull off by making unfair incentives that interfere in "free market airline competition"? . . . and why pushing a flight from Mesa to Salt Lake City?
ELITE AIRWAYS????? .... only for "the elite"?????????
[ Elite Airways specializes in charter flights for NCAA teams ]

The story, from all different angles, was quickly picked up by all major Phoenix broadcast and print media exposing the bad faith bargaining and unfair government subsidies . . . now the City of Mesa is trying to regain control of this narrative with this appeal in the last paragraph of the press release: 
Allegiant Air customers received an e-mail survey [shown in the insert image at the opening of this post]asking whether they would prefer their service to be out of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport or Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. 
If you received this e-mail please join Mayor John Giles and Councilmember Kevin Thompson in supporting Allegiant Air at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. OR NOT ...

Trans-National Economic Development: Governor Doug Ducey Arrived Today in Mexico City

The Sun Corridor

PHOENIX – Governor Doug Ducey today arrived in Mexico City for a packed week of meetings with Mexican officials and business leaders in an effort to bolster our economic and diplomatic relationships with the country. This is Governor Ducey’s first trip to Mexico since taking office in January 2015 - he moves fast stating that "Since taking office, I’ve spoken and met with many Mexican elected officials and business leaders; we’re all eager to work together to ensure both our economies prosper.” GovernorDucey's schedule of meetings in Mexico City can be seen on the schedule in this press release:

June 17, 2015 Press Release from Governor's Office

• Mexico is Arizona’s largest trading partner. 
• In 2014, Arizona’s total exports to Mexico were valued at $8.6 billion, and imports from Mexico were valued at $7.3 billion. 
• Visitors from Mexico spend an average of $7.3 million per day in the State of Arizona.
• Both nations who share a border now, but were once part of the same geophysical area, can benefit greatly from an enhanced relationship for mutual economic and cultural development.

The segment highlighted in the above image is a part of the development for a tri-national trading zone in North America uniting our neighbor to the north Canada, the United States of America, and our neighbor to the south, The United States of Mexico. 

The previously called CanaMex Corridor got stalled on a number of issues due to its broad reach and transportation issues.

Governor Ducey can "take the bull by the horns" in the territory where he's "El Jefe" from Phoenix to Nogales to Mexico City, the Capitol of the country for the mutual benefit of The State of Arizona and Mexico. He recently hosted the second-richest man in the world - Carlos Slim from Mexico City - at a conference in Phoenix. 

Viva! Arizona y Viva! Mexico

Side-by-Side: Flags of Arizona & Mexico

When your blogger lived in New York City, he worked with the Mexican Ambassador Jorge Pinto, Sergio Hidalgo with BanaMexT for Foreign Trade, and The Mexican Culture Institute, promoting cultural events and traveling and staying in Mexico City  D.F. and the city of Monterrey in the State of Nuevo Leon.
While living in Nogales, Arizona your MesaZona blogger worked with the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce to encourage tourism and economic development with The State of Sonora. Nogales is the Point-of-Entry for goods from Mexico shipped to the United States and one of the Gateways in Arizona to Mexico.

Phoenix-Nogales Segment to the left

Thanks to Arizona Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, funding for the new Interstate 11 has been approved in this report in The Phoenix Business Journal Eric J Toll on March 30, 2015

With an update on May 26 he reported that construction is underway on first segment of Interstate 11 - the project is the first new freeway mileage to be added to the nation's 47,900-mile interstate highway system since 1992. I-11 is to be constructed from Nogales to either Seattle or Calgary, Alberta. 

More details on this International Trade & Transportation Corridor within the U.S. can be found here in this link >
AZTTA Study

Here's an image to take a look at the planned routes in Mexico - notice the locations close to port facilities on the Sea of Cortez and for import/export with the Pacific Trade Region.

The port facilities in California are congested.

E-Juice and Vapor Commerce > 100 New Jobs in Mesa

Image from blog announcement on June 2, 2015

Here's a news release from June 2, 2015

Due to Legislative Pressure, Mt Baker Vapor is Relocating to Mesa, Arizona

The temperatures may get hot in The Valley of The Sun here in Arizona, but this company has made a decision to relocate here due to the oppressive tax climate in the State of Washington.

Addictive Desert Designs: Another Mesa-based Company Worldwide

No, we're not talking about delicious desserts like cookies and ice cream that can be delicious, satisfying and addictive, although there are two new downtown businesses on/off Main Street offering those treats, this post is about custom design for off-road here in the desert where we live.

Addictive Desert Designs was born from an addiction to push the limits of Design, plus a strong desire for the Desert. It's "raising the bar" on style, ruggedness and performance for the growing off-road vehicle market.Started in a garage outside of Phoenix, AZ in  2007 as R & H Longtravel, the company is now occupying a 40,000 square foot production facility and corporate office here in Mesa. This new facility is a big leap from the days in that tiny garage - the company continues to lead the way with product development.

Its goal: to engineer the world's toughest and visually appealing products for Trucks, SUV's and Jeeps.
Did you know ADD is worldwide? yes even in Japan!

If you would like to nominate your favorite electrician for a totally-tricked out custom-built 2015 Ford F-150 by Addictive Desert Designs, here's your chance
http://www.kleintools.com/eoy

Grand prize winner will receive a custom-built 2015 Ford® F-150 by Addictive Desert Designs

 

For more information, visit http://www.addictivedesertdesigns.com.  

Addictive Desert Designs

4840 E. Jasmine St.

Suite 112

Mesa, AZ 85205

Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm PST

Toll Free: (855) 233-8992

Local: (480) 671-0820

info@addictivedesertdesigns.com

News From The Paris Air Show: Governor Ducey Makes First International Economic Development Trip + Little Birds from Mesa Get Global Orders

The first production standard Boeing AH-6i Little Bird light attack/reconnaissance helicopter, dubbed AH-6X, seen during its maiden flight out of the company's Mesa production facility on 01 May. Source: Boeing 

Your MesaZona blogger didn't see any "local reporting" at the time about one of Mesa's biggest employers, but it's big news in the world of air platform business development for rotary-winged platforms at the Annual Paris Air Show.

Paris Air Show 2015: Boeing to start work on AH-6i production facility later this year

Gareth Jennings, Paris - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly15 June 2015 Link to original article >  Paris Air Show 2015: Boeing

Detail: Main Street Bronze Boeing Statue

Speaking ahead of the Paris Air Show, Brad Rounding said that work to build the line would start in December, with assembly of the first helicopter following in December 2016. The line will then produce the 24 helicopters currently contracted at a rate of two per month through to December 2017.

This contract was awarded to Boeing in September 2014 (although it was actually revealed by Boeing in late 2013), and in April of this year the US Army's Non-Standard Rotary-Wing Aircraft project office (NSRWA PO) issued a sources sought notice for transporting these helicopters from the United States to Saudi Arabia, as well as for pilot and maintainer training.

Boeing has previously estimated a potential global market of around 700 helicopters for the Little Bird, predominately aimed at replacing aging MD 500-series and AH-1 Cobra platforms. While Rounding declined to name specific countries, he said that there was a great deal of interest shown by several potential operators. Jordan signed a letter of intent some years ago, but has yet to sign a contract.
After Banner Health, Boeing is the largest privately-owned employer in Mesa with over 4,000 job.

Gov. Ducey's Paris Press Conference with Aviage Systems

Governor Ducey was in Paris on June 15 and 16, making Paris his first foreign economic development trip
His press office said he hopes to close “multiple significant deals” during his trip overseas + an upcoming and busy 11-day expedition to promote investments in Arizona that includes stops in London, Italy, Germany and Sweden. 
While in Paris,  Governor Ducey met with 35 aerospace and defense companies.He also held a press conference with Aviage Systems, who announced in January it was opening its first US location in Arizona.
Next international destination to promote bi-national economic development by the fast-moving Governor is scheduled to Mexico City [one of this blogger's most favorite cities in the world] where he will sign a number of Memorandums of Understanding to push forward long-planned initiatives for the CanaMex Trade & Transportation Corridor ... Watch for a future post here on The Sun Corridor.

Your MesaZona blogger always likes to connect posts about companies with tech/design/production facilities based in Mesa, like Boeing in the Falcon Field Aerotropolis, to the New Urban Downtown Mesa in one way or another.

The image to the image is a long-shot view of the entire sculpture installation in a shaded pocket park area adjacent to City Hall Plaza on the pedestrian pathway along the north side of Main Street [view looking west].

In the left background you can see the boarding platform for the Valley Metro Central Mesa Light Rail Extension at the signature Center Street station that will no doubt be the most visible intersection and the one destination on Main Street with the most riders getting to/from events and performances at The Mesa Arts Center.

Please note the decorative brick patterns in the sidewalk that are a feature in this pedestrian traffic area - it is different than the usual concrete on both sides of Main Street and adds both a visual interest and a comfortable foot feel.