Why has it become so hard to find leaders who will lead from the front, rather than following from behind?

That is just one of the topics Mike Bloomberg included in his commencement speech at The University of Michigan today.

Here's Your Degree. Now Go Defeat Demagogues.

By

Michael R. Bloomberg

The following are some well-intended excerpts with a reference to delays by the Mesa City Council to even consideration of a proposed Non-Discrimination Ordinance . The quotes are from an adaptation of an address to the University of Michigan’s class of 2016

533 views on Facebook

April 30, 2016 10:21 AM

"The most useful knowledge that you leave here with today has nothing to do with your major. It’s about how to study, cooperate, listen carefully, think critically and resolve conflicts through reason. Those are the most important skills in the working world, and it’s why colleges have always exposed students to challenging and uncomfortable ideas.

The fact that some university boards and administrations now bow to pressure and shield students from these ideas through “safe spaces,” “code words” and “trigger warnings” is, in my view, a terrible mistake.
The whole purpose of college is to learn how to deal with difficult situations -- not run away from them. A microaggression is exactly that: micro. And one of the most dangerous places on a college campus is a safe space, because it creates the false impression that we can insulate ourselves from those who hold different views . . .
We can’t do this, and we shouldn’t try -- not in politics or in the workplace. In the global economy, and in a democratic society, an open mind is the most valuable asset you can possess.
. . . over the past two centuries, . . . the promise of equal rights has spread across income, religion, race, gender and sexual orientation . . .
Democracy in action can actually produce a lot of inaction, which we see every day in Washington and other levels of government, too. When governments fail to address the needs of the people, voters in both parties get angry and some politicians exploit that anger by offering scapegoats instead of solutions.
If we want to stop demagogues, we have to start governing again, and that requires us to be more civil, to support politicians who have the courage to take risks."

Source: http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2016-04-30/here-s-your-degree-now-go-defeat-demagogues

 

 

HUD MAKES MORE THAN $37 MILLION AVAILABLE TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

HUD No. 16-064                                                                                              FOR RELEASE

Elena Gaona                                                                                                     Monday

202-708-0685                                                                                                    May 2, 2016

http://www.hud.gov/news/index.cfm

 

 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Julián Castro, Secretary

Office of Public Affairs, Washington, DC 20410

 

HUD MAKES MORE THAN $37 MILLION AVAILABLE

TO FIGHT HOUSING DISCRIMINATION

Grants to support fair housing testing, education, enforcement activities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it is making $37.3 million available to fight housing discrimination under HUD’s 2016 Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). This year’s three funding notices support a variety of important fair housing activities, including fair housing testing in the rental and sales market, public education efforts, capacity building, and education and outreach activities.

Each year, HUD makes funding available to support organizations interested in the enforcement of fair housing laws and policies as well as educating the public, housing providers, and local governments about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Housing Act.

“The work HUD’s fair housing partners do every day is critical to our efforts to ensure that every family in America has an equal shot at finding the home that is right for them,” said HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Gustavo Velasquez. “These grants help to provide the critical financial resources they need to do their work.”

The categories of grants announced today are:

·        Education and Outreach Initiative grants (EOI) – $7,450,000 available. HUD awards these to groups that educate the public and housing providers about their rights and responsibilities under federal law or state and local fair housing laws that are equivalent to the Fair Housing Act. This year’s funds include $1,250,000 toward a national media campaign; $250,000 toward tester coordinator training; and the rest for general regional, local and community based programs.

 

·        Fair Housing Organizations Initiative (FHOI) – $500,000 available. HUD awards these to help build the capacity and effectiveness of non-profit fair housing organizations, particularly organizations that focus on the rights and needs of underserved groups, such as rural and immigrant populations.

 

·        Private Enforcement Initiative grants (PEI) – Total PEI multi-year funding is $29,375,000. However, $22,452,542 has already been reserved for FY 2014 and FY 2015 multi-year grantees, making $6,922,458 available for FY2016 new awardees.  This year’s PEI funds also include $975,000 to address lending discrimination. 

 

Applicants who are interested in applying for funding under the NOFAs should go to www.Grants.gov and search for the three “FHIP” NOFAs, forms, instructions and other application material. Additional information can be found on HUD’s website at www.hud.gov, and here.

Applications must be received by June 23, 2016. 

 

People who believe they have been denied a reasonable accommodation request may file a complaint by contacting HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at (800) 669-9777 (voice) or (800) 927-9275 (TTY). Housing discrimination complaints may also be filed by going to www.hud.gov/fairhousing.  

    

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42-Page Report: The Next Generation of Healthy Communities.



Your MesaZona blogger is thrilled there's a one-hour webinar to help understand a somewhat dry and academic forty-two pages of dense language - the infographics are great!

Please join PolicyLink and The Kresge Foundation for a discussion of the post-recession housing challenges facing households in America, and the housing policy priorities that can address racial equity, health, climate, and economic opportunity outcomes.

Thu, May 5, 2016 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM MST
Go to register for this webinar right here
In release of the groundbreaking new report
Healthy Communities of Opportunity:
An Equity Blueprint
to Address America’s Housing Challenges, the webinar will feature David Fukuzawa from The Kresge Foundation, Kalima Rose and Teddy Kỳ-Nam Miller from PolicyLink and other national leaders focused on the next generation of healthy communities.

Equity Is...

Equity is just and fair inclusion into a society in which all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential.

Today's Regular City Council @ 5:45 p.m. > A 10-Page Final Agenda



Got the time to find out what is under consideration at today's meeting?

Thousands of dollars will be approved for city contracts enacted in just one motion that usually lasts less than three minutes. The mayor and six councilmembers are required to read and understand all items on the consent agenda ahead of time . . .  how many do that??
Tonight's regular session's final agenda can be accessed here

There's a lot on all the pages and of course links with each agenda item that you can hit on, wait for the download, wait for it to pop-up and dig into all the infographics and text.
Needless to say "It's a challenge"
All citizens are permitted and encouraged to speak on agenda items. 
If you are interested in speaking on an agenda item, please fill out a blue card in the back of the room and give it to the City Clerk.  When the Council considers the item, you will be called to the podium to provide your comments.
The City of Mesa is committed to making its public meetings accessible to persons with disabilities.  For special accommodations, please contact the City Manager’s Office at (480) 644-3333 or AzRelay 7-1-1 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
Si necesita asistencia o traducción en español, favor de llamar al menos 48 horas antes de la reunión al 480-644-2767.
CONSENT AGENDA  All items listed with an asterisk (*) will be considered as a group by the City Council and will be enacted with one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Councilmember or citizen requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item.  If a citizen wants an item removed from the consent agenda, a blue card must be completed and given to the City Clerk prior to the Council’s vote on the consent
Here are just some of the items for awarding contracts:
4 Take action on the following contracts:
16-0477 Purchases of Service Provider for Session Initialization Protocol (SIP) Based Telephone Trunks and Replacement Session Border Controllers for the Information Technology Department (Citywide)
These purchases are required to move the City's telephone trunk system from the older (1970's) PRI methodology to new SIP technology that will improve resiliency. This modern method is designed like the Internet so it can re-route around failure points and reduce telephone outages for the City when our external telephone providers experience an outage.
In addition, the purchase of new hardware, Session Border Controllers (SBC's), is required to support this change/migrate to the SIP based telephone trunks. SBC's are gateway devices that connect the SIP telephone trunks to the City phone system. The new hardware will replace current gateway devices that have reached end of life. 
The Information Technology Department and Purchasing recommend authorizing purchase for the service provider using the State of Arizona cooperative contract with Level 3 Communications, at $80,664 annually; and authorizing purchase for the replacement Session Border Controllers with the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, Network Computing Architects, Inc., at $58,804.58, based on requirements. The combined total is $139,468.58.  This purchased is funded by the Information Technology operating budget and Life Cycle Program Budget.
*4-a
Page 3 City of Mesa Printed on 4/28/2016
May 2, 2016City Council Meeting Agenda - Final
16-0476 Three-Year Term Contract for the Purchase of ATACRAIDS Analytical Software for the Police Department (Sole Source) (Citywide)
This purchase will provide ATACRAIDS, an easy-to-use online dashboard that provides regional and national crime data-sharing and analysis for law enforcement and defense only.  It is analytical software that has the ability to analyze cross-jurisdictional data sets and quickly provide precise and predictive analysis.  This software would support the COMPSTAT Unit and help with their workload.  It will also perform analytics with our data and our partner agencies that use ATACRAIDS, including Tempe, Scottsdale, Chandler and Gilbert (4 of the 5 largest partners in the Fusion Center), along with Phoenix and two other West Valley agencies.  In addition, the public facing portion of the program will replace the current public program with a savings of $3,400 per year.
The Police Department and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase from the sole source vendor, Bair Analytics/LexisNexis, the first year at $25,800 (funded by Asset Forfeiture RICO funds); and years 2 and 3, at $15,000 annually (funded by the Police Department IT operating funds).
*4-b
16-0474 Purchase of Replacement Flooring for the Mesa Police Central Substation and Broadway Recreation Center as requested by the Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department (Citywide)
The carpet in these facilities are in extremely poor condition and ready for life cycle replacement.  
The Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase using the State of Arizona cooperative contract with Continental Flooring, at $106,900.
*4-c
16-0452 One-Year Renewal of the Term Contract for Light Control Cabinets for the Materials and Supply Warehouse (for the Transportation Department) (Citywide)
This contract provides light control cabinets for streetlight systems.  Each unit consists of an aluminum housing, including an electrical service panel, circuit breakers, contactors and other associated controls.  The units are stored in Warehouse stock and are used to replace damaged cabinets or older, deteriorating steel cabinets, as needed.  
The Business Services and Transportation Departments and Purchasing recommend authorizing a renewal with Southern Manufacturing and Fabrication LLC, dba Southern Manufacturing, at $30,000 annually, based on estimated requirements.
*4-d
Page 4 City of Mesa Printed on 4/28/2016
May 2, 2016City Council Meeting Agenda - Final
16-0471 Three-Year Term Contract for Natural Gas Service Excess Flow Valves for the Materials and Supply Warehouse (for the Energy Resources Department) (Citywide)
This contract will provide natural gas service excess flow valves (EFVs) for the Energy Resources Department, Gas Utility.  In order to comply with federal legislation, the Gas Utility is required to install EFVs on residential service lines for all new construction and maintenance, or repair of existing utilities, where applicable. 
The Business Services and Energy Resources Departments, and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidders, Elster Perfection and RW Lyall & Company, Inc., cumulatively not to exceed $219,016 annually, based on estimated requirements.
*4-e
16-0450 One-Year Renewal of the Term Contract for Electric Motors, Purchases and Repairs/Rewinds for the Water Resources Department (Citywide)
The City has more than 200 motors in use at the three water reclamation plants, 1 water treatment plant, 16 lift stations, 5 transfer stations, 16 pump stations, and 46 well sites.  This contract provides one primary and two secondary contractors to provide electric motor repair and rewind service, and furnish and install various sizes of new motors throughout these facilities, as needed.
The Water Resources Department and Purchasing recommend authorizing a one-year renewal with Keller Electrical Industries, Inc. (primary vendor); Laron, Inc. (secondary vendor); and Precision Electric Co., Inc. (a Mesa business) (secondary vendor); cumulatively not to exceed $100,000 annually.
*4-f
16-0468 Three-Year Term Contract for Refuse Roll-Off Containers for the Environmental Management and Sustainability Department (Citywide) 
This contract will provide roll-off containers used to service residential and commercial customers to keep up with Mesa's customer demand.  The initial purchase will be for 18 containers during the first year of the contract.  The Department anticipates minimal purchases during years 2 and 3, however, has opted to have a contract in place.  This would ensure immediate availability and competitive pricing.  In years 2 and 3, any purchases over $25,000 annually, will be subject to future Council consideration.    
The Environmental Management and Sustainability Department and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder, Wastebuilt Southwest LLC, at $84,500 for the first-year term, based on estimated requirements.
*4-g
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May 2, 2016City Council Meeting Agenda - Final
16-0472 One-Year Term Contract for Sludge Grinder Repairs and Replacements for the Water Resources and Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) Departments (Sole Source) (Citywide)
This contract will provide sludge grinder cutter cartridges for rotational repairs for 13 grinders, 11 located at the Greenfield and 2 at the Southeast Water Reclamation Plants. The equipment grinds any material that may be in sludge to prevent the material from clogging pumps and lines.  In addition, PRCF will use the contract for replacement parts, refurbishment and potentially replacement of their 20 year-old grinder at Red Mountain Lake.  This contract will allow for grinder cutters and parts to be refurbished on a scheduled program to extend their useful life, minimize emergency repairs and maintain adequate redundancy for operating equipment.
The Water Resources and PRCF Departments, and Purchasing recommend awarding the contract to the sole source vendor, JWC International, LLC, at $170,000 annually.
*4-h
16-0467 Purchase of Two-Way Digital Radios and Accessories for the Environmental Management and Sustainability Department (Citywide)
This purchase will provide mobile and portable dispatch radios including accessories for the Environmental Management and Sustainability Department.  The radios are used by staff for routine communications, work projects in the field, and during emergency events.  Environmental Management and Sustainability is switching from the TOPAZ radio network to the Mesa Public Schools radio system, which was previously Council-approved through an Intergovernmental Agreement with Mesa Public Schools and is less costly to maintain.
The Environmental Management and Sustainability, and Communications Departments, and Purchasing recommend authorizing the purchase using the State of Arizona cooperative contract with B&B Selectcom, Inc., at $84,180.71, based on estimated requirements.
 

Pay Attention/Get Informed > Today's Mesa City Council Study Session

Nobody ever said, dear readers, that it's easy or fun to find out what's going on in city government.
First of all you have to have the motivation to exercise your rights [and obligations] as a citizen and voter . . . and it takes a huge amount of time to find and access sources for public information.
Take for example the 45-minutes scheduled to start today at 5:00p.m. that is dedicated today to study a 32-page presentation to hear, discuss and provide direction on the City Council Strategic Priorities "Transforming Neighborhoods" and the related departmental proposed budgets.   Whoa!

It's item 2a 16-0495 available for download here
Check it out and see how much time it takes to download and read the 32-page Power Point presentation
A lot of detailed information and graphics about crime and other metrics, as well as extensive budget figures for different departments prepared by Dee McKenzie, Office of Information Technology
Primary Contributing Departments:
 • Development Services
 • Diversity and Community Services

New Series: Inter-Active Public Art #3

Yes, it's probably the biggest monumental-sized installation to date here in The New Urban Downtown Mesa at the City-owned Arts-and-Entertainment venue and international design award-winning Mesa Arts Center. Inspiring? . . . yes.
"Desert Rose” by El Mac takes its public space to new heights in the heart and central core of our vibrant regeneration of Creative Place Making. It is highly visible [rising more than 70 feet] starting below eye level from a distance where you are attracted to approach the artwork.

It's an optical beauty for sure: a woman with a rose at first impact is what you see, but what's the story in the creation of this huge artpiece on what used to be an empty wall? [see work-in-progress @ right]
Ever wonder about that when you might just pass it by?
"Desert Rose" was commissioned by the Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum.
The artist is called El Mac.
Here's the the story published today in Street Art News.
The image is based on his photos of Karen Bracamonte, an immigrant from Guatemala who is married to one of his friends.
At the time of the reference shoot Karen was roughly seven months pregnant, so in a way, this painting depicts not only her but his soon-to-be godson.
As usual with the American street artist, he delivers an outstanding piece of work using his unique technique.

What's that unique technique? . . . go see Desert Rose in-person or you can read and see more here

 

May Day! May Day! May Day 2016 > What is May Day, Any Way?

It's International Workers' Day today - why do we celebrate all over the world?
To most people in the Northern Hemisphere, May Day conjures images of brightly colored twirling ribbons and promises of warm days ahead. That's not the whole story, though.
Like most things it changes over time with social transformation.
Here's a link how it's done in Seattle >> http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/live-updates-from-may-day-2016-in-seattle/
Here's a YouTube video

What is May Day?

Depending on where you are, it's either a seasonal celebration or a day to celebrate workers' rights, or maybe a little bit of both.

Think of the latter use as a Labor Day, if you will, for the rest of the world.  

How did it start?

This is a more complicated question. Originally, May Day was an ancient pagan holiday celebrating the start of summer. In Gaelic traditions, it is known as Beltaine (or the Anglicized "Beltane"). As time went on, different groups adapted the celebration to their specific cultures or beliefs. Europeans and Americans often celebrate in a more secular manner with diversions like maypole dancing and flower crowns. (That certainly lends a bit of cultural context to all the young women breezing around summer music festivals this time of year with giant daisies on their heads.)

Also of note: In May, the Southern Hemisphere is getting ready for winter, so May Day as a seasonal celebration is, for the most part, a Northern Hemisphere thing.

How did it become a day for labor rights?

May Day is also a labor holiday in many areas of the world, and that part of its history is a thornier story. May Day has shared a date with International Workers' Day since the 1880s. At the time, labor movements around the world were fighting for fair work accommodations like eight-hour workdays and unions. The date was chosen because it aligned with the anniversary of the Haymarket affair in Chicago, where police killed four people at a peaceful protest after someone threw a bomb into the crowd.

 

 

The event had a huge impact on labor movements across the world.