This is Not Edited FEAR NOT >> The Fear of Language.

Orwellian?

Published on Mar 5, 2017

Views: 26,272

Pie berates the policing of language and the sensitivity of Uni campuses.

Where Is It? Accurate Data for Public Pension Defenders

SUBJECT: UNFUNDED LIABILITIES
Rob Fellner, the guest opinion writer of an article for Forbes cited in this post, brings up some interesting points in reference to projected budget shortfalls here in the City of Mesa for public employee pensions [including police and fire/medical unions], that were under discussion in last week's City Council meetings.
If you weren't attending the public meetings, or watched the proceedings, check out previous posts on this blogsite. The important thing to keep in mind is that one way or another taxpayers here in Mesa will be footing the skyrocketing costs unless there is some reform in the public pension system.

More discussion is needed, especially around some of the issues in Fellner's reporting and he should know - he's the director of research for TransparentCalifornia, the state’s largest database of public employee pay and pension information.
Now we all know that California and Arizona are way different states of mind, but's it's that 'Transparency Thing' that caught your MesaZona blogger's eye: it's not here yet in the State of Arizona or in the City of Mesa.
Questions that were not asked were
- What are the management fees for the equity firms?
- What are the payouts for retirees? [a huge number of people who retire after 25-31 years]
Yes these payouts are negatively effecting the city's budget
- It is important to accurately state how much public retirees are making
- Feller states that taxpayers in California are paying at least 2-3 times as much for public employees’ pensions than public employees themselves. Is this the case here in Mesa?
For example, California Highway Patrol officers contribute 11.5% of their pay towards pension costs, with taxpayers contributing a historical high rate of 46.7%, which will rise to 50% by 2019.
- Growing pension contributions are also crowding out education spending

Here's an excerpt from Fellner:
Without reform, costs would rise even more
With so much at stake, its unsurprising that the public pension industry funds an organization, the National Institute of Retirement Security (NIRS), to advocate on its behalf. One of NIRS’ main arguments, repeated by Hiltzik, is that “shutting down a pension plan actually costs taxpayers money” due to the loss of contributions from future employees.
Yet employees only pay half of the projected cost for their own, future benefit.
Precisely because taxpayers already bear the entire cost of paying down the unfunded liability, the “changing demographics” argument is invalid.
This is why a recent Mercatus Center study concluded that, “While converting public pension plans won’t make their unfunded liabilities go away, it will prevent the liabilities from getting worse. Arguments for maintaining failing pension systems due to perceived transition costs are not based on empirical reality.”
. . . Finally, Hiltzik cites three states that offered a 401(k)-style alternative and then experienced increased costs for their existing defined benefit plan. Left unsaid was that without reform, costs would have risen further.
If this is the best the public pension industry can offer in their defense, reform might just have a shot after all.
Public Pension Defenders Can't Stand Their Ground If They Used Accurate Data

Guest post written by Robert Fellner

Mr. Fellner is director of research for TransparentCalifornia, the state’s largest database of public employee pay and pension info.

Source: Forbes Capital Flows Opinion piece 30 Sept 2015

 

Agenda for Economic Development Advisory Board Meeting

First some pre-notes and comments from your MesaZona blogger who frequently attends and pays attention at these early morning sessions:
1. Once again there is glaring proof that city governance has failed big time in community engagement:  the public: rarely, if ever, show up to express an interest or point-of-view on any item appearing on the agenda.

When I filled out a blue card and spoke to the board a couple of months ago, one member remarked it was the first time in over 10 years that any public input was heard.
2. The published meeting agendas are sketchy - with scant details or links to anything prepared ahead of time either for presentations or discussion details. Is this simply an oversight or lack of effort?
For example: not even a brief outline of what David Luna has in mind for 'discussion'
3. Even though both Mesa City Manager Chris Brady and Mesa Mayor John Giles are ex-officio members by virtue of holding office earning a salary to perform their duties  for their public obligations to citizens, neither one has bothered to show up for at least 6 months.
The last time the mayor attended he promised to be 'a good member' ...for what that's worth
4. By the time meeting minutes do get published, they are more than 2 months old.
That's way too long and hardly timely, transparent, open or accountable.

Meeting Notice & Agenda
Economic Development Advisory Board
City Council Chambers 57 E. 1st Street, Lower Level
Tues 07 March 7 2017 @ 07:30 AM    

1. Chair’s Call to Order
2. Items from Citizens Present
3. Approval of Minutes from February 7, 2016 meeting [11 pages from 05 Jan 2017]
4. Discussion with Vice Mayor Luna 
5. Visit Mesa Update 
6. Falcon Strategic Plan Update
7. Director’s Update
8. Other Business
 Next EDAB Meeting- April 4th  
9. Adjournment

Link to access of approved meeting minutes from 3 months go back in January 2017 >>
http://apps.mesaaz.gov/meetingarchive/meetings?body=EDAB

KEEPING YOU INFORMED: Anyone Here in Mesa Howling About This Yet?

Not just one but two reports in the last two days have put the focus on off-the-field behind-the-scenes speculation flying under the mainstream media radar.This is just early research and who knows what’s going to happen at this point in the Rio Salgado Crossing - will the deal get sealed by crossing the 'T's and dotting the 'I's ??? . . . and who's playing ball?
Just warming-up now in the bullpen of a new media blitz to use a legislative trickery in another play for taxpayer money to finance yet another stadium here in Mesa

City of Mesa Housing and Community Development Staff + Advisory Board

City of Mesa Housing & Community Development Staff
Link to official online internet landing page > click here
The Housing and Community Development Division oversees a variety of programs designed to assist  Mesa's low and/or moderate income individuals and families. To accomplish this task, the Division has assumed a number of vital roles within the community.


Our Mission:
Exceptional customer service to Mesa residents, neighborhoods and agencies by providing resources to improve the quality of life for the community
Link >> http://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/housing-community-development

WINTER 2017
A quarterly newsletter for Housing and Community Development can be found click here

Main Number 480-644-3536

Administration

Liz Morales	Housing & Community Development Director	480-644-4546
Patricia Pearson	Office Supervisor	480-644-3660
Valerie Bond	Admin Support Assistant I	480-644-5925
Emily Greco	Program Assistant	480-644-5601
Jenni Hale	Admin Support Assistant I	480-644-3024
Prisila Rivera	Admin Support Assistant I	480-644-3208
Community Development (CDBG, ESG, HOME, Human Services, NSP)
Ray Thimesch	Housing and Revitalization Administrator	480-644-4521
Ra'Chel'Ni Mar'Na	Community Revitalization Coordinator	480-644-3020
Dennis Newburn	Community Revitalization Coordinator	480-644-5867
Constance Bachman	Community Revitalization Specialist	480-644-3364
Maurice Brundidge	Community Revitalization Specialist	480-644-2967
Deanna Grogan	Community Revitalization Specialist	480-644-2320
Financial Support
Mischelle Durkovic	Sr. Fiscal Analyst	480-644-3983
Jana Kelly	Fiscal Analyst	480-644-5061
Jeremy Johnson	Financial Coordinator - Fed Grants	480-644-3661
Gerri Luna	Financial Specialist	480-644-5288
Ben Wong	Financial Coordinator - Fed Grants	480-644-3680
Housing (FSS, HCV, Mainstream, HUD-VASH)
Mary Brandon	Housing Supervisor	480-644-5852
Rosario Beltran	Sr. Housing Specialist	480-644-3539
Christine Delmastro	Housing Specialist	480-644-5602
Maribel Flores	Housing Specialist	480-644-3563
Debbie Gevert	Housing Specialist	480-644-5223
Jennifer Hedges	Housing Specialist	480-644-3547
Donna Hunter	FSS Coordinator	480-644-3540
Korry Mahoney	Housing Specialist	480-644-3312
Diana McGregory	Housing Specialist	480-644-3946
Housing Rehabilitation
Carolyn Dotson	Housing Rehab Specialist	480-644-2769
Inspectors
Martin Lara-Reyes	HQS Inspector	480-644-5591

Housing and Community Development Advisory Board (HCDAB) Thursday, March 2, 2017 Meeting Time: 5:30 p.m.
Meeting Agenda
The Housing and Community Development Advisory Board is composed of eleven (11) members who are residents of the Mesa, and who volunteer their services. The Mayor, with the approval of the City Council, appoints the members of the Board.
The purpose  and duties of the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board are to advise the Mesa City Council on housing, community development, social services priorities, funding, and planning across the community.  
Link to official city webpage > click here

Board Members listed retrieved 03 March 2017 
Donna Bleyle
Susan Brenton
Diana Yazzie Devine
Heather Kay
Steven Sparks
Tom Stapley
Linda Starr
Ericka Varela
Kris Woolley
Vacant
Vacant
Staff Liaison   Emily Greco, Program Assistant
480-644-5601

Members of the board present at this meeting 
Stephen Sparks – Chair
Donna Bleyle – Vice Chair
Tom Stapley 
Linda Starr 
Susan Brenton
Ericka Varela 
Diana Yazzie Devine
Kris Woolley 
Heather Kay 

I. Chair’s Call to Order
 
II. Approval of Minutes 
A. Motion to approve the HCDAB minutes from the February 2, 2017 meeting 
Blogger's Note: Approved minutes from the 05 Jan 2017 meeting can be found here

III. Items from Citizens Present
Members of the audience may address the Board on any item. 
State statute prohibits the Housing and Community Development Advisory Board (HCDAB) from discussing an item that is not on the agenda; however, the Board does listen to your concerns and has staff follow up on any questions you raise. 

IV. Discussion and Action Items
A. Update on the FY 2017/2018 HOME LIHTC Proposal Process – Staff will present an update
B. Conflict of Interest Declaration
C. FY 2017/2018 Application Presentations – Presentations will be made by Staff. 
The Board will hear the presentations and evaluate the applications for
Funding for the City of Mesa’s FY 2017/2018 Community Development Block Grant CDBG
Homeless Activities
Human Services
HOME programs.  

V. Scheduling of meetings, future agenda items, and general information, including those set forth below
A. Special HCDAB Meeting
Tue March 7, 2017 @ 5:30 p.m.       
Mesa City Plaza, 20 E Main Street/Room 170
B. Next Regular HCDAB Meeting – April 6 2017        
Thu April 6th, 6:00 p.m. –  7:30 p.m.       
Council Chambers – Lower Level 57 E First Street, Mesa, AZ 85201

Local Independent Online Journalism Site Seeking Support

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Finance is appreciated for investment in upgrading tools and resources: Surface tablet upgrades, other hardware and software applications, IPhone for live-steaming on-site events.
Please do what you can now by sending to [arrangements to process via PayPal pending]
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Mesa AZ 85210
MesaZona Online Independent Journalism

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Is Augmented Reality Apple’s Next Big Thing?

EYES OPEN>HEAD UP

Published on Mar 3, 2017

Views: 144

Mar.02 -- UBS Analyst Steven Milunovich discusses why he thinks augmented reality could be as important as the iPhone for Apple. He speaks with Carol Massar and Cory Johnson on “Bloomberg Markets.”