No Equal Rights Amendment Yet In Arizona,,,but Let's Celebrate International Women's Day Anyway

Your MesaZona blogger strongly supports Equal Rights across the entire spectrum, most recently for the Hashtag #MeToo dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace where the "Wall of Silence" has been broken through - yet there's a bigger issue out there: It's been more than 40 years since 1973 when The Equal Rights Amendment passed by Congress in 1973 still not been approved to become the law-of-the-land. Arizona is one of the hold-out states. WHY??

Now that's A LOADED QUESTION for sure . . . notice that all the non-ratifying states are colored what yours truly might call "chicken yellow" - afraid for one reason or another to take action to approve equal rights for women for more than 40 years. But it's not just about women only - Equal rights include everyone - in the workplace and in public accommodations and commerce across the entire spectrum. 

If we are to move forward in this basic principle, then we - that's ALL OF US - need to get the ERA approved and ratified by the states before we can take action on LGBTQ equal rights.
We are the change.

With that being said, change happens on many levels. This one - an event - is local. It is organized by a Non-Profit here in Mesa scheduled in Phoenix at the Phoenix Marriott Hotel.
Yours truly has no idea whatsoever if the women in the program are part of the #MeToo movement or if they work to get the ERA ratified here in Arizona. Let's see if this topic is included in celebrating International Women's Day

ATHENA Awards-International Women’s Day Celebration

March 8, 2018

In honor of International Women’s Day, ATHENA Valley of the Sun will be hosting the 2nd Annual ATHENA Awards.

Join us for an event honoring and celebrating women of all ages and stages of leadership.

• Learn how women inspire change locally and globally
• Support leadership development for women in all communities
• Be motivated by the stories of the ATHENAS being honored.
• Unite with women in our community
• Discover attributes of leadership traits intuitive to women

ATHENA honors the highest level of professional excellence coupled with the values of giving back and the responsibility for opening leadership opportunities for others. Honoring successful women in business encourages others to both envision and strive for their highest potential. The long-term vision is to achieve a balance in the voices of leadership.

This inspiring event will honor ATHENA Leadership Award honoree, renowned psychologist, speaker and best-selling author, Dr. Eileen Borris.  You will also hear stories of six HAIL honorees chosen for their leadership demonstrating one of the following ATHENA Principles: Live Authentically, Learn Constantly, Advocate Fiercely, Foster Collaboration or Build Relationships.

ATHENA Valley of the Sun (AVOS) strives to Support, Honor and Develop the next generation of women leaders.  From this year’s Young ATHENA program, ten outstanding young women who lead in their communities, will serve as emcees for the event.

We invite you to spend International Women’s Day with us, celebrating the achievements of women.

Event Details

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Check-in 10:30am-11:00am

Luncheon Event 11:00am-1:30pm

Phoenix Airport Marriott



Last Day to Register is March 2nd

By attending this event, you automatically give your permission to be photographed and/or video-recorded by the ATHENA staff for print, internet content or another medium, unless you direct otherwise.

Proceeds provide leadership programs to women.

All monetary sponsorships and donations are tax deductible.

More information and tickets > https://www.athenaaz.com/events/athena-hail-awards/ 

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Sponsors

Thank you to the ATHENA Leadership principle sponsors:

• Build Relationships – Fry’s Food stores
• Act Courageously – The Rob and Melani Walton Foundation
• Live Authentically-Freeport McMoRan
• Learn Constantly-Kolbe Corp
• Foster Collaboration-Patient Wellness Collaboration
• Advocate Fiercely-Global Chamber of Commerce __________________________________________________________________________

About AVOS

 

ATHENA Valley of the Sun (AVOS) IA a nonprofit based in Mesa

Why Can't Mayor John Giles Come Out For LGBTQ Non-Discrimination?? Kicking-The-Can Down The Road Again?

Time-and-time again Giles has said "it's the right thing to do" here in Mesa, delaying action until after last year's election - nothing happened to get it in front of the Mesa City Council to get the Non-Discrimination Ordinance approved -  so why can't he exercise the leadership skills to do it?
Once elected to public office, officials have the duty to serve the public interests - not narrowly-defined religious principles whose adherents are obligated to obey the chain-of-command for faithful followers . . albeit with some fractures. 

Many elected local officials  and state legislators here in Mesa, have been bishops and presidents in LDS wards and stakes who have "received callings" to elected office, carrying with them the heavy baggage of the dictates of their religion to civil governance. Equality for all and human rights gets left by-the-wayside when they're caught in the middle of "Do What You're Told To Do" or "Do What's Right".
It's a struggle to say the least, with John Giles and other fellow Mormons not getting on the same page too soon.
Or that's what the following article by Andrew Nicola seems to say in a narrative, where the AZ State Legislature can't even get to "a hearing" of the issue at hand: thanks to the opposition of Eddie Farnsworth. . .

 . . . while Giles gets a good feature with this quotation:  

The idea that civil rights are only for certain classes of people and not for everyone seems obviously wrong to me
Well then, John  > Take action to Fix It!
It's more than an idea

Bill to bar discrimination against LGBT people can't get a hearing

Andrew Nicla, The Republic | azcentral.com Published 2:35 p.m. MT Feb. 9, 2018 | Updated 3:08 p.m. MT Feb. 9, 2018

For the first time ever, a proposal to protect LGBT people from discrimination in Arizona has gained support from a Republican in the Legislature, along with GOP municipal leaders.

But that doesn't appear to be enough to get a hearing at the Capitol.

The bill, HB 2586, would amend Arizona’s anti-discrimination laws to make it illegal to fire someone from a job, deny them housing or refuse them service because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Phoenix, Tempe, Flagstaff, Sedona, Chandler and Tucson have such protections, but there is no statewide law.

The bill has one more chance to get a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee next week prior to a deadline to hear proposals, but Chairman Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, said he would "probably not" grant it because he disagreed with the proposal.

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Daniel Hernandez, D-Tucson, said if it were to get a hearing, he believes it would be a close vote that would not necessarily fall along party lines.

"We're not saying we want special treatment for the LGBTQ community, we're saying we want an even playing field so that all people are able to be treated fairly and equally so that they can compete in the marketplace for jobs," Hernandez said.

He said this year's effort is one step in a long process to gain the support of the majority of the Legislature — or at least get a hearing — and that he will continue to advocate for it as long as he's in office.

One of his major obstacles is the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative group that pushes "religious freedom" bills, among other things, and generally opposes gay rights issues. Hernandez' bill seeks to fix something that has not been proven to be a problem in the state, they say.

Many Republican members of the Legislature vote in accordance with the organization's stances.

Source: AZ Central

 

 

 

 

 

Back-To-School for Hizzoner John Giles? What's Next

“The U.S. Constitution grants states all powers not delegated to the federal government, thus the emphasis on local control by states is appropriate. In contrast, cities, towns, and counties are subdivisions of the state and only gain their authority from the state, . . "
How did Mesa Mayor John Giles get that all wrong when he said "if you want an aircraft carrier, you get it from the federal government; everything else comes from cities . . "

Looks like 3 days last July in New York at Mike Bloomberg's School for Mayors was not enough for John Giles, who's a crafty campaigner, but being in office requires a different set of qualities.
See if you can pick out the Mesa mayor in the class of 40 last July in this image from Bloomber'g "summer school" >


Perhaps some more remediation and higher learning might help?

But then again, Giles may be the top elected public official but Mesa City Manager Chris Brady is the Chief Executive who sets the agendas, offering all kinds of ordinances for approval.
Some might not pass muster, or the Sunshine Test.
Looks like the Arizona State Attorney General Mark Brnovich, who'll be keeping his state job while taking on a Trump appointment at the same time, is giving fair warning to municipalities that ordinances, violations of open meetings laws, rules, policies, and misuse of public funds are all fair game

QUESTIONS:
1. Something out of whack in east Mesa?
2. Would any Mesa State Legislators dare ask if any ordinances are illegal?

Arizona Capitol Times-3 hours ago

"If the attorney general finds that an ordinance may violate state law, then the office must ask the Arizona Supreme Court to settle the question of whether the ordinance is illegal. ... “Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable driving out to east Mesa or up to Mohave County and deciding something's out of whack there.”.

Legislators’ complaints of lawbreaking by cities on the upswing

By: Paulina Pineda February 9, 2018 , 4:00 am

AZ Capitol Times

SB1487, a 2016 law that allows any state legislator to ask the attorney general to investigate an ordinance, regulation or other policy enacted by a municipality or county to determine whether it complies with state law.

Attorney General Mark Brnovich requested nearly $1 million to pay for eight staffers in the newly established unit, which also focuses on election law complaints from citizens, open meeting law violations and misuse of public funds.
Blogger's Note: Here in Mesa there's this option that says "You can remain anonymous" but

Supporters of the bill, which was sponsored by then-Senate President Andy Biggs, say it ensures uniformity of laws across the state, and is aimed at making cities comply with state law and not meant to punish them.

 

Pie Dishes "The Donald" : Verbal Smack-Down

Brit reporter can do it

Published on Feb 6, 2018

Views: 128,851

Once again, POTUS doesn't have a clue what he's talking about

Bruce Nelson: A Community Exhibit

Really nice to see Mesa-born film and documentary producer Bruce Nelson give a talk today for the opening of an exhibit from The Heritage Room at Verde Vista Escobedo, a housing initiative built by Gorman Construction that regenerated a demolished eyesore in an historic community while adding some respect, honor, and recognition for the families who lived here, during and after the ugly chapters of segregation to bring them forward today in the public eye from the pages of history gone bye. The exhibit is on the second floor of the Mesa Main Public Library to honor Black History Month.

Readers can go to the SEARCH BOX in the upper left on this blog to get an entire list of what has been posted and published before about Bruce and his professional endeavors and work.
Website: www.nebproduction.com

Veterans of Washington-Escobedo Community Exhibition

Hosted by Escobedo-Heritage-Room 

https://www.facebook.com/events/179016862838959/

 

Bruce Nelson on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/bruce.nelson.5439 

 

 

 

 

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Not the Kind of News Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Wants

A gas explosion

Propane tank explodes at AZ airport, injuring three

Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News-18 hours ago

MESA, AZ (WHDH) — An investigation is underway at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport after a propane tank exploded, sending multiple people to the hospital. Officials said workers were moving a propane tank on airport property when it exploded, sending pieces of it flying through the air. The explosion injured three . . .

Three injured in explosion at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport

ABC15 Arizona-Feb 7, 2018

MESA, AZ - Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport officials say there has been a natural gas explosion on airport grounds. Mesa fire officials say the explosion occurred south of the air traffic control tower during a transfer of compressed natural gas. Three people were injured, including one person who was left ...

3 people injured by explosion at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
Local Source-AZFamily-Feb 7, 2018

Solving "The Last Mile" Problem of Urban Transportation ??

On the streets yesterday your MesaZona blogger saw these bright yellow bikes in groups in quite a few locations downtown - this image is on the north campus of the Mesa Arts Center, close to the Center/Main Street platform of Valley Metro Light Rail. This new installation is directly across Main Street from the docking station in front of the Heritage Wall at City Hall Plaza on the north side of Main Street.
What's the story? Don't know yet . . . waiting to get replies.

In the meantime here's some information about why they're here from ofo - a Beijing-based bicycle sharing company founded in 2014. It operates over 10 million yellow-colored bicycles in 250 cities and 20 countries, as of 2017. Wikipedia with a VC funding base of $1.3B
About ofo
Source: https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/ofo
Founded in 2014, ofo is the world’s leading “station-free” bike-sharing platform operated via an online mobile application. The Company's mission is to solve the "last mile" problem of urban transportation, helping commuters and travelers get to exactly where they need to go by making bikes accessible to everyone. As of today, they have successfully connected more than 8 million bikes in more than 170 cities in over seven countries. The global community of ofo users generates more than 25 million daily transactions.
HOW IT WORKS:The ofo platform is easy to use.
After downloading the ofo mobile phone app (iOS/Android), users may scan the QR code or enter the plate number displayed on each bike to receive a passcode and unlock it. Our bike-sharing system requires no docking stations, providing significant flexibility for users to find and return bikes anywhere, anytime. Once they reach their destination, the user may park the bike anywhere that is legitimate, convenient, and easy for the next user to access.
But ofo does more than help commuters and travelers access bikes for getting around their cities. As a partner of the UN Development Programme, we are focused on achieving Global Sustainability Goals and promoting green and healthy living, and we have also launched a partnership with Rihanna's Clara Lionel Foundation to provide bikes and scholarships for schoolgirls in Malawi.
WEBSITE > https://www.ofo.com/us/en
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Current Team :6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Dai Wei

Co-founder

 

Yu Xin

Co-founder      

Zhang Yanqi

Co-Founder & COO      

Xue Dong

Co-founder      
 

Yang Pinjie

Co-founder      

Zhang Siding

Co-founder